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 99

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918

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 99
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 99

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Mr. Tibbetts has been twice married. He was first wedded in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Timberman, a most estimable lady, a native of New Jersey, born near Philadelphia, and a daughter of Christopher Timberman. Mrs. Tibbetts died in 1853, leaving a daughter, Addie, now the wife of Joseph Whel- don. The marriage of our subject to his present wife was solemnized August 28, 1855. Mrs. Tib- betts maiden name was Abbie Tibbetts, and she was a native of Brownfield, Me. Her father was also a native of the Pine Tree State, and was there reared and married, Miss Hannah Decker, of English birth and antecedents becoming his wife. Her father, John Decker, emigrated with his family from his native England to this country and settled in Standish, Mc., where the rest of his life was passed. Mrs. Tibbett's father learned the trade of a shoemaker when young, and carried it on in the winter, and during the remainder of the year en- gaged in farming, and spent his closing years in Brownfield. Mrs. Tibbett's mother was three years

old when her parents brought her to America, and the rest of her life was passed in Maine, her death occurring on the home farm in Brownfield. The following is recorded of the five children born to our subject and his wife: Ida Belle is the wife of John F. Mcals; Cassius C. married Florence Meals; Carrie May is the wife of Dr. J. P. Dugan ; Mimie W. and Bertha, the two youngest children, are at home.

Mr. Tibbetts is a genial, whole-souled, high principled man, whose big kindly heart has bound to him many friends, and he is a general favorite, exerting a good influence upon all with whom he comes in contact. His public spirit is well known, and one who has done so much as he for the up- building of the city is justly regarded as its bene- factor. He is just and honorable in his business dealings, always doing the right thing, and has the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens. We can- not close this brief sketch of the husband without paying a passing tribute to the wife who has been so much to him. She is a true helpmate, and has aided him to make life a success, and, indeed, as has been said of another, " fills the perfect measure of wife, mother, and friend," and shares with him the regard of their neighbors. Both have a broad outlook on life, and have earnest and liberal reli- gious views, which find expression in the Univer- salist faith, of which they are firm believers. In politics Mr. Tibbetts is a stanch Republican. A portrait of Mr. Tibbetts may be found on another page.

NDREW MCELWAIN. Nearly forty-six years ago, in the spring of 1844, a young man started out from his home among the hills of Cumberland County, Pa., intent on seeking his fortune. IIe proceeded on foot to Pittsburg, then took a river steamer for Cincinnati and from there walked to Xenia, entering the embryo city with a capital of $37 in his pocket. The surroundings and the outlook pleased him, and he accordingly here took up his permanent abode, and with the exception of one year he lias since been a resident thereof. From that modest be-

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ginning he worked his way upward, following his trade of a carpenter, and is now well-to-do, own -. ing valuable property in and around the city. Many of the finest residences in Xenia have been constructed under his supervision, and he has superIntended the erection of a number of its pub- lic buildings. His career as a man and a citizen has been such as to commend him to the estcem and confidence of all with whom he has had deal- ings.

A native of Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pa., the subject of this notice was born March 22, 1821, and is the son of William Bell and Susannah (Failor) McElwain, who were like- wise natives of Cumberland County, the father born July 1, 1794, and the mother February 3, 1797. William McElwain was a lifelong farmer, and spent his entire life in his native State. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, and in religion, a Presbyterian. The mother leaned to the doc- trines of the Lutheran Church, and both finally became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

To the parents of our subject, who were mar- ried December 12, 1816, there was born a family of twelve children, ten of whom lived to mature years, viz .: Margaret Jane, Andrew, Sarah Ann, William Bell, Jr., Susannah, James, Mary, Lacy and Eliza- betli. These were all married and reared families of their own. Elinor died when about thirty-four years old, and the other child died in infancy.

Mrs. Susannah (Failor) McElwain departed this life at the old homestead in Cumberland County, Pa., May 2, 1839. The father contracted a sec- ond marriage, January 13, 1846, with Miss Eliza- beth Kerr, and there were born to them three children-Robert Henderson, Thomas Simpson and Rebecca Agnes. Mrs. Elizabeth MeElwain died May 26, 1853. William B. McElwain survived this wife for a period of twenty-one years, and died July 8. 1874, at a ripe old age. The paternal grandfather, Andrew McElwain, was likewise a na- tive of Cumberland County, Pa. He grew up among the Indians, and when a child, npon one occasion when the family was ficcing to the fort for safety from the savages, he was overlooked and left in his cradle. It was not very long, however,

until lic was missed by his mother and rescued. He was rcared to farm pursuits and learned distilling. Upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he shouldered his musket and did good service in the cause of the Colonists. He married for his first wife a Miss Shannon, and there were born to them the children named respectively : Robert, Andrew, Thomas, Jane, Mary and Elizabeth. The boys grew up large and athletic, presenting fine speci- mens of physical manhood. His first wife died, and he was then married to Miss Margaret Bell, a native of Belltown, Pa., and of Scotch parentage. All inale members of the Bell family were also of large stature, one of them being over six feet in height. The father of Margaret Bell could call sixty of his descendants from his own door in Belltown. Grandfather McElwain by this mar- riage becanic the father of four more children- William, James, John and Sarah. He and his children were Presbyterians in religious belief. He died about 1816.

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, also named Andrew, was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to Ireland and then crossed the Atlantic to America. He was afterward mar- ried to Mary Mickey, who was born in Delaware, in 1728. On the maternal side of the house, the grandfather of our subject was Andrew Failor, of Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Unauch, and botlı were of German descent. The six children born to them were named respectively : Susannah, Andrew, Elizabeth, Barbara, Mary and Nicholas. The last mentioned is still living and a resident of Missouri. Uncle Failor was an early settler of Crawford County, Pa., and a prominent man, serv- ing as Associate County Judge for a period of fourteen years. He also acted in the capacity of Surveyor several years, and spent his last days in Ohio.

The subject of this notice remained with his par- ents on the farm in his native county until a young inan of twenty-four years, obtaining his education in the common school and being trained to habits of industry and economy. After leaving school he occupied himself as a teacher one term, and when nincteen years old commenced learning the car- penter's trade, which he has since followed. He

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was first married January 1, 1845, to Miss Margaret Ann Matts, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Springfield, this State. Mrs. McElwain like her husband was born in Cumberland County, Pa., April 11, 1825, and was the daughter of Jolm and Elizabeth ( Hyland) Matts, who came to this State at an early day, locating in Springfield, where the father followed coopering. He had learned this trade in 1812 in Philadelphia, to which he had emigrated from his native State of New Jersey. IJe and his estimable wife spent their last years in Springfield, Ohio, he living to the ad- vanced age of ninety-three years. Of this union there were born two children-Mary Ellen, now the wife of Jolin Null, and one who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Margaret McElwain departed this life at her home in Xenia, December 28, 1846. She was a lady of many estimable qualities, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The second wife of our subjeet was in her mai- denhood Miss Catherine D. Bower, who was born in Clear Spring, Md., and they were married Au- gust 17, 1852. Her parents were David and Ra- chel (Hyland) Bower, who were natives respect- ively of Dauphin County, Pa., and Washington County, Md. Mr. Bower was a hatter by trade, and died in Pennsylvania when middle aged. His widow and family came to this county in 1845, and the mother is now deceased. Our subjeet by this marriage became the father of seven children -Emma C., who died when eighteen months old; Andrew Asbury, Dennis Bower; Alice May, the wife of John Clemons, of Springfield; Laverna Kate, the wife of Frank Wolf, Jr .; Laura Bell and Etta Grover. Mr. and Mrs. MeElwain have long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Xenia, in which Mr. MeElwain officiated as Class-Leader for a period of forty years, and has been Steward for twenty-five years. He was the Treasurer of the church for over sixteen years.

Mr. MeElwain rejoices in the possession of nine grandchildren. His daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Null, is the mother of two children-Laverna and Mc- Elwain Aliger; Laverna K., Mrs. Wolf, has two children-Margaret and Raymond C .; Andrew A. is the father of two children-Frank Wolf, Ger-

trude Alberta and Andrew Asbury; Dennis B. has two children-Frederick Beall and Paul Harrison. Since taking up his abode in Xenia Mr. MeElwain has several times returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, and renewed the associations of his boyhood days. He has also been aeross the Mis- sissippi into the State of Kansas and other parts of the West. During the Civil War he served several days with the Home Guards, and engaged in some skirmishing in the vicinity of Camp Denison.

DAM CARN. Prominent among the na- tive-born citizens of Clark County, whose parents were numbered among its early pioneers, may be properly mentioned the subject of this notice, who owns and occupies a well-tilled farm on section 10, German Township. He was born in this township April 14, 1827, and is the son of Peter and Saloma (Rockel) Carn, who were natives of Pennsylvania.

The parents of our subject were reared and mar- ried in their native State, where they lived until 1823, and then resolved upon seeking their fort- unes farther West. Coming overland to Clark County, this State, the father secured a tract of land from the Government, from which he opened up a farm now occupied by his son Adam. He settled practically in the woods with his little fam- ily, putting up a log cabin and a stable, making his roofs of straw. In that humble dwelling Adam Carn was born. It is still standing, and forms one of the old landmarks of a bygone time. Its builder has long since passed away, but his many virtues still have a place in the remembrance of those who knew him. He died December 8, 1850, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and in politics, a Democrat.

To the parents of our subject there were born three children, of whom Adam is the only sur- vivor. The mother passed to her long home about 1871. Adam was required to make himself useful at an early age, and assisted his father in cultiva- ting the land, and making the improvements upon the farm which is now his property. His educa-

Klein Jacob

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tional advantages were exceedingly limited, there being but little time or opportunity for him to at- tend sehiool. . Schools were conducted on the sub- scription plan, and mostly during the winter season the boys, especially, of the neighborhood being ex- pected to help their parents during the seasons of plowing, sowing and reaping.

The boyhood and youth of our subject passed uneventfully until his marriage, which occurred September 27, 1851. His bride was Miss Barbara Reiman, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of Samuel and Catharine Reiman, who are now de- eeased. Of this union there was born one daugh- ter, Mary, the wife of Theodore Heller, and they live with our subjeet.

Mr. Cain owns one hundred and forty-two aeres of good land, the most of which is in productive condition, and to this he gives the most of his time and attention. Ile meddles very little with poli- tics, simply giving his support at the polls to tile Democratic party. He has always maintained a warm interest in the growth and development of his native county, and by keeping one of its best farms in a good condition, has thus contributed his quota to its general prosperity.

ACOB KLEIN. This gentleman is quite an old settler of Xenia, where he has an estab- lished reputation as a man of high business ability and excellent character. During the early years of his residence liere he was so thoroughly identified with the efforts to seeure a Catholic Church that the history of the movement is almost a history of himself. Probably there is no man in the neighborhood to whom greater eredit is due for the success of that organization in this city.

The eyes of Mr. Klein first saw the light of day in Bavaria, Germany, November 23, 1822, and in May, 1832, he came with his parents, Wen- del and Mary Ann (Schietzer) Klein, to Cineinnati. The father bought a farm in Brown County, near Georgetown, and upon it he built a church and also donated land for the Catholie graveyard, With

such an example before him it is not strange that young Klein, soon after beginning his career in life, should have begun his endeavors to establish a church here. When about twenty-two years old he left his home and came to Xenia where he em- barked in the business of a baker and confectioner and a dealer in groceries. He continued in busi- ness until about four years ago, at present being occupied with the renting of his city property, to- bacco growing and the iee business. Ile owns four stores ou West Main Street, a fine brick residence of twelve rooms just beyond Hoven & Allison's rope walk, an ice-house and about nine aeres of land within the city limits. This fortune has been built up by his own efforts and reflects eredit upon his character and capabilities.

A few months after Mr. Klein took up his resi- denee here he had mass read in his house, Father Yonker, afterward Bishop, eoming over from the Emanuel Church in Dayton. There were but nine Catholies in the neighborhood and our subjeet is the only one of that number now left here. After this first mass was read, a church organization was made and ere long they were visited by Bishop Purcell, after which a subseription was started for a building. Mr. Klein not only had charge of the subscription but in his own name bought the lots where the church now stands, holding them for its use and donating $400 for its benefit. He aided largely in the enterprise and was one of the promi- nent members, among others who helped to build, being John Day and T. O'Ncil. Mr. Klein also bought and held land for the burying-ground until the church was able to pay for it, buying and sell- ing at $60 per acre, when he might have made a a great profit on it; he also laid out the yard and paid $20 for his own lot. Mr. Klein also rented a room and started a parochial school ; afterward he built a schoolhouse of one story, to which later an- other story was added. He received his pay from the ehureli in small amounts as they were able to pay.

In August, 1844, Mr. Klein was united in mar- riage with Miss Elenora Rhinehart, the mar- riage ceremony being performed in the church on his father's farm. Of this union three children were born, of whom but one are now living-Wen-

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del, whose home is in Batavia. The wife and mother departed this life August 29, 1858. Later Mr. Klein contracted a second marriage in Xenia, his wife being Mary K. Rheinhart. To them have been born eight children, all of whom survive and are named respectively : Jacob, John E., Benjamin A .; Frances A., Mary Cecelia M., Barbara A. and Eda E. All remain at home with the exception of Mary, who is the wife of A. G. Miltner, of Troy.

In connection with his personal sketch, a portrait of Mr. Klein is presented elsewhere in this volume.

OBIAS A. KLINE. A beautiful farm, which although small, is finely improved, is the home of the above- named gentleman, who deals in produce, butter, eggs and poultry, having a place in the market at Dayton which he attends Tuesdays and Saturdays. His estate com- prises twenty-one acres of rich land in Clark County, occupying a portion of section 19, Bethel Township. The career of Mr. Kline affords con- clusive evidence that a large estate is not necessary to secure independence, but that vim and good judgment can win prosperity from a small acreage.

The subject of this sketch is a son of Christian D. Kline, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., who was reared on a farm and learned the trade of a tailor. Hle carried on a shop in Springville, Sus- quehanna County, until 1842, when he removed to Ohio. IIc located in Medway, Clark County, opened a tailor-shop, and carried it on for fifteen years. He then bought eleven acres on section 19, Bethel Township, and began farming, adding about ten acres at a time, until the farm amounted to seventy-five acres of well-improved land. It ad- joins the town of Medway, and furnishes a com- fortable home for his declining years. He is now seventy-nine years of age, and is living a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of his industry. Ile be- longs to the Mennonite Church. He married Miss Fredericka Allbright, with whom he lived happily until 1871, when she was called from time to eternity. She had borne four children, our subject being the third in order of birth-Amos, the first-

born, is a farmer in Bethel Township; Anna, Mrs. Hershey, died in 1861, and Christiana when eight years old. Amos served nearly four years during the late war, being a member of the Forty-fourth and Eighth Ohio Cavalry.

The mother of our subject was born near Ams- terdam, Holland, and coming to America when a young girl with her brothers and sisters, they were sold in Philadelphia to pay for their passage and were thus separated. Three sisters lived there, and a brother and sister in Huron County, Ohio. They had lost track of each other for thirty years, when by the merest chance they learned of each other's location, by hearing the Allbright name from a traveler who knew the brother.

The birth of our subject took place in Spring- ville, Lancaster County, Pa., June 18, 1841, and he was brought to the Buckeye State when eleven months old, the journey being performed by boat down the Ohio River and canal to Dayton. Ile was reared and educated in Medway, remaining at home on the farm until May, 1864, when he en- listed in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, being assigned to Company E. After being mustered into the service at Camp Dennison, the command was sent to Virginia, where for some time they skirmished with bushwhackers. On July 4 they had a fight with the rebel general, McCoslin, on the south branch of the Potomac, and on August 2d took part in the battle of Greene Springs against Gen. Johnston. September 10, 1864, Mr. Kline was mustered out and honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, returning thence to his home.

On November 15, 1866, in Medway, Mr. Kline was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Ilar- nish, and the young couple took up their abode in Evansville, Ind., where the husband engaged in the manufacture and sale of confectionery. A year later they returned to Medway, and settled where they yet reside. Mr. Kline purchased six acres of land, built upon it and began handling produce for the Dayton market. He has added fifteen acres of tillable land to his first purchase and raises some grain, although his principal crop is tobacco, three to six acres being devoted to that crop, on which he has made money. The

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dwelling is an attractive one, and every conve- mience in the way of useful buildings is to be found; the barn is 40x60 feet, affording ample accommodation for stoek and fodder. During the twenty-one years in which Mr. Kline has attended the Dayton market, he has missed but four Satur- days. Although a shrewd buyer and salesman, he always pays the farmers the best of market prices for their produce, in which he deals extensively. In 1883 he started in the general merchandise business in Medway, under the style of Kline & Schatz, and carried on a successful trade until 1886, when the firm elosed out and dissolved partnership.

The wife of Mr. Kline was born in Cumberland County, Pa., and is the daughter of Emanuel and Catherine (Tanger) Harnish, the father a farmer there. She is an excellent housewife, a kindly and intelligent woman, and a faithful wife and mother. She has five children-Mollie, Riekie, Walter, For- rest and Webster-all at home. Mr. Kline has been School Director for seven years, and being well informed and the possessor of remarkably good judgment, he has been a most acceptable ser- vant of the people in this eapacity. His political allegianee is given to the Republican party, and in his religious belief he favors Universalism. He is one of those genial, straightforward and honest men, who are liked by everyone they meet, and he fills a leading position in the community.

ONAS DRURY. The life record of Mr. Drury diseloses a career remarkable in many respects, and peculiar qualities of character among the greatest of which were kindness, charity, probity, and a keen observation of what was going on around him in the world. He had been identified with the history of Springfield. for many years before his death, having been a resi- dent of the city since 1856. Ile was born Mareh 13, 1810, at Temple, Me., and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Georgie D. Runyan, in 1890, lacking only nineteen days of numbering his four-seore years. With the exception of white.

ning his hair and rendering his steps less elastic, time had made but few inroads upon a form more than ordinarily vigorous and active. His imme- diate progenitor was the Rev. John Drury, a minis- ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Captain in the War of 1812, and at one time a member of the Maine Legislature. He gave to hiis son a good education, the latter completing his studies in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary.

In 1835 Jonas Drury repaired to Providence, R. I., where he followed the profession of a teacher several years. In 1840 he located in Aroostook County, Me., and as he had especially fitted him- self for a civil engineer at college, he was now en- gaged by the State in surveying its northern por- tion. For thirteen years following, he was Judge of the Court of Commissioners. He devoted his time in the summer to surveying, and in the winter to lumbering. He led a hard and rugged life among the Maine woods, inhabited by wolves, bears, deer, elk, and other wild animals.

In the meantime Mr. Drury was married March 13, 1843, to Miss Lavina MeCloud. There were born to them three children: Georgie, Mrs. Dr. Runyan, of Springfield; Josie, now Mrs. Williams, of New York State; Mary, Mrs. E. B. Reifsnider, of Springfield, all of whom are living. The wife and mother died in Cincinnati, October 10, 1885.

Mr. Drury had been reared by his honored father to sentiments of patriotism, and at an early period after the outbreak of the Civil War he responded to the call for volunteers, and gave his time and services to his country until the elose of the con- fliet. In June, 1866, under the auspices of the Government, he took charge of a corps of men who engaged in the removal of Union soldiers from Southern battlefields to the national cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. He estimated that while thus engaged, and in the two years following, during which he was employed by the Government in ex- amining the validity of elaims, he walked over four thousand miles a year.

The changes of the seasons possessed for Mr. Drury a remarkable interest, and for the long period of sixty-five years, he kept a elose and min- ute record of the weather, taking observations six times a day, permitting not even the strife of war to

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interrupt him in a single day's observations. For this purpose he had various apparatus, pluviome- ters and barometers, making observations from the different forms of clouds, cirrus, cumulos and nim- bus. Ile left chests full of weather records which are of almost inestimable value. When this habit became generally known he was in almost constant receipt of letters from parties who had lawsuits on hand in which the weather was the chief factor. In this manner several cases of litigation were settled which could scarcely have been done satisfactorily in any other manner. Finally, by special request, lie furnished reports to the great dailies, including the Cleveland Leader, and the Cineinnati Commer- cial Gazette. In order to further aid him in his ob- servations, ho invented several eurions eontrivanees, one of which he called a "moon winder," and whieli he used for aseertaining the location of the lunar sphere, which he always maintained had no little to do with the condition of the atmosphere.

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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 99

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918