USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 2 > Part 27
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Mr. Cropman taught and superintended here about this time for two years. He was an Eastern gentleman, a good scholar and a successful teacher, yet withal was regarded by many as rather eccentric.
During the sebool year of 1568-69, the school was in charge of Mr. J. H. Gahns. He acted as Superintendent and teacher of the high school, as had bon the custom of those in charge for several years previous. He had five assistants, his sister being one of them. Mr. John Holmes was teacher of the grammar school this year, which position he has occupied until the present time, & period of thirteen years. From the various statements received from some of the citizens with regard to Mr. Gahus, he was considered deficient in ability to govern and properly control the school; hence he was not regarded as a suc- cess in all respects.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
D. W. De Lay was employed as Superintendent and teacher of the high school for the year 1569-70. In the beginning of his administration he exam- ined each grade or department of the school, with the assistance of Mr. John Holmes, teacher of the grammar school, and the teacher employed for each re- spective grade. This gave the new Superintendent an opportunity of knowing the exact standing of each and all his pupils. On the examinatoin of the high school, it was ascertained that the scholarship of those who had been in that. department was scarcely as high as it should be in the common branches, and it was deemed best to place them in the grammar department in most of their studies, that they might undergo a thorough review before attempting a high- school course. Then there appeared to be much useless lumber in the curricu- lum of the high school, and it was found necessary to revise the course of study for the whole school, including that of this department.
After this revision. the course of study for the high school consisted of the following branches: Reading. English grammar, hygiene, arithmetic, physical geography, natural philosophy, physiology, history of the United States, botany, chemistry, rhetoric. Harkness' Introductory Latin, Latin grammar and reader, Cæsar's Commentaries, Virgil's ÆEneid, elementary algebra, and plane and solid geometry. This was arranged for a three years course.
At the present writing, Mr. DeLay is still in charge of these schools, hav- ing graduated five classes.
Taking it all in all, the people of South Charleston have reason to be proud of their schools, and it is believed that they will compare favorably with other schools in places not larger than this in the State.
Much of the success of this school is due to the faithful co-operation of the School Board, and many of the parents, with the earnest efforts of the Superin- tendent and teachers.
The School Board, several years ago, seeing the folly of a frequent change of teachers without good reason for such change, adopted the plan of retaining the services of any and all who have shown themselves faithful and efficient.
At present, the number of pupils enumerated is about four hundred, and nearly three hundred attend school. There are in all in eight departments, in- cluding a colored school, and a separate teacher for each department."
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PART VI.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS C. ACKERSON, slate roof contractor, Springfield; is a native of New Jersey; born in Monmouth County in 1829- His father, John Ackerson, removed to the vicinity of Springfield in 1848, but Thomas, being an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade, completed his apprenticeship and came to Springfield in 1850, and was employed at his trade in this vicinity until 1861, when he en- tered the 16th O. V. A., in which he served three years. After his return, he spent a short time recruiting his health. In the spring of 1867, he engaged in business here as dealer and contractor in slate and composition roofing, which business he still continues; his office is on Limestone street, and he is doing a very satisfactory business. He married, in 1873, Mary J., daughter of Louis C. Huffman; from this marriage have been born two daughters. Mr. Ackerson's residence is No. 68 East Mulberry street; he is a member of the High Street M. E. Church, and a respected citizen.
DAVID B. ACKERSON, slate and composition roofer, Springfield; he was born in New Jersey April 12, 1833; came to Ohio and to Clark County with his parents in 1848, and located in Springfield. After working some three or four years on the farm, he began the carpenter trade, at which he worked about seven years. In 1861, he established the business of slate and composition roofing, and was the first to start that branch of trade in this city; at first his work amounted to about $500 or $600 per year; it has so increased that now it amounts to $10,000 per annum. He was married, in April, 1859. to Mary E. Gram, daughter of John and Betsey Gram; they are the parents of five chil. dren. Mr. Ackerson is one of the Trustees of the First Baptist Church of this city; his parents were both natives of New Jersey; his father was a brick-mason by trade; died in 1855, and the mother in 1868.
BENJAMIN ALLEN. jeweler. Springfield. Mr. Allen has been for a member of years actively engaged in business here; he was born near Mt. Jack- ron, Shenandoah Co., Va., Feb. 6, 1810; son of Benjamin and Hannah (Walton) Allen. Mr. Allen, Sr., was a native of Chester Co., Penn., born in 1757, but removed to Shenandoah Co., Va., when a boy; his decease occurred in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1838, he being nearly 81 years of age. Mrs. Allen was born in Berkeley Co., W. Va., in 1768, and died June 4. 1854, in her S6th year; her parents removed to Frederick Co., Va., near the Shenandoah County line, about 1756: both Mr. and Mrs. Alleu were members of the Friends' Church. Benjamin was the youngest of eight children who attained majority, four of whom still sur . vive, the three older being upward of 70 years of age. About 1810, Benjamin's parents made up their minds they would find a free community in which to raise their children; accordingly, his father came West with a viewy of locating land in the Miami Valley, but turned back on his arrival at Spring Valley, Greene County, where he had relatives, on account of becoming alarmed at the prevalence of ague; on his return. he purchased a traet of land in Belmont County, upon which there was a small opening and a cabin 16x18 feet, to which Le removed his family, arriving in November, after a wearying journey of twenty-one days. Mr. Allen. Jr.'s, first recollections are of scones on this farm, the first being a fight between a wolf and their dog, assisted by the nearest neighbor's dog, which fight took place after night and within fifty feet of the rabin door; when 5 years of age, he began to attend school at the village, abont two miles away; more than half this distance there was but a mere bridle
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path; during these school days, he heard many incidents of pioneer life, as the village was a place of rendezvous, and story-telling was the greater part of their entertainment, except " muster-days," when the rougher element was out in force, and wrestling. horse-racing, fighting, etc., became the principal attrac- tions; when 11 years of age, his labor was considered more necessary than fur- ther education, and Benjamin therefore assisted his father on the farn until 21 years of age, without further school privileges. After he arrived at majority. he hired to a carpenter at $8 per month, and continued to work at that trade. his wages gradually increasing, until he received $26 per month, as foreman; during this time, he superintended the construction of some of the first threshing machines made in that part of the State, and continued to follow his trade until 1842, when, on account of failing health, he was compelled to seek some lighter employment, and took instructions in repairing watches, and, being a natural mechanic, soon became proficient, and, in 1844, started business for himself in a small village. Nov. 20, 1846, he married Elizabeth Adams: she was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Jan. 24 1824; her parents were William and Margaret Adams; in 1832, her father being deceased, her mother removed her family to Belmont Co., Ohio, where the mother died in 1887, being 75 years of age. In 1848, Mr. Allen removed to Indiana, where he had bought a farm, but sold ont and returned to Ohio the following winter, and in April again engaged at the jeweler's trade; in October, 1353, he removed to Springfield, and purchased à stock in the room now occupied by Leo Braun. where he carried on business until 1864, when he sold his stock to J. P. Allen; subsequently engaged in same business with M. P. Davis, occupying the room directly opposite his present place of business; his nephew. whose name is also Benjamin Allen, joined this firm. In 1866, circumstances compelled- Mr. Allen to take the stock of the firm: in 1868, Mr. C. C. Fried took an interest with him, and they removed to his present stand, 35 East Main street, in April, 1869: this partnership continued until 1870, when Mr. Fried withdrew. and Mr. Allen has since continued the business alone at the same stand. Mr. Allen is one of the few now living who represent the connecting generation between the early pioneers and those who know nothing of the trials and hardships of those reared in pioneer days, with. out school advantages, and when the " best families" were compelled to labor to keep the wolf from the door; he is a quiet, unassuming man, who would have been much more successful in life but for the loss, to a great extent, of his hearing, which began to fail about 1842; but nevertheless, he has accumu- lated sufficient for the wants of his declining years, and is respected and re- garded as an honest, upright business man and useful citizen.
GEORGE W. ALT, farmer; P. O. Springfield. He was born in Moore- field Township, this county, Jan. 19, 1820; worked on a farm until 21 years of age, when he began the trade of carpenter, at which he worked fourteen years. carrying on the business for himself in Springfield part of that time; he moved to his present home. and has since then followed farming. He is a son of Adam and Maria Alt. They came to this county from Maryland in 1815, and settled in what is now Springfield Township. Adam died in 1876. Maria is still living at the advanced age of 81 years, George was married, Jan. 9, 1845, to Jane G., daughter of Matthew and Jane Wood, who were natives of Ken- tucky, and came to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1810, and settled on the farm where our subject now lives. Matthew died in 1830, and his wife in 1856. Of Mr. and Mrs. Alt's six children but four survive. George's first wife died in 1860, and. in 1862, he was again married, taking for his second wife Mrs. M. J. Moody. widow of Peter Moody, and daughter of James and Matilda Tanner. Mrs. M. J. Alt has always been a very active woman, giving her services will- ingly and cheerfully on occasions of festivals, suppers and other public entertain.
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ments for benevolent purposes; she also took a very active part in the crusade. Mr. Alt is also a stanch temperance man, and, since the crusade, has been a faith- fnl worker in the temperance army.
DANIEL D. ALT. farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. Alt was born in this county Jan. 9, 1837; he is the son of Adam and Maria E. (Drew) Alt; his father was a native of Maryland and settled in this county in an early day. Daniel lived with his parents until 23 years old: in 1861, he enlisted in the 44th O. V. L, during the late rebellion, and served to the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged; in 1863, the regiment was veteranized and changed to the 8th O. V. C .; for account of battles in which said regiment was engaged, see history of the late rebellion. Mr. Alt was married, Oct. 29, 1868, to Ellen H. Hinkle, daughter of John and Mary (Way) Hinkle (see biography of Michael Hinkle for sketch of her parents); four children have been born unto them, viz., Michael W., Adam S., John H., Charles L. Adam departed this life April 21, 1872. Mr. Alt is one of those quiet, good-natured farmers who practice the golden rule. Poltically, he is a stanch Republican.
NAHAM H. ANDREWS, merchant, of the firm of Andrews, Wise & Put- nam. This establishment dates back to about 1850, with W. S. Field and Na- thaniel Stone as proprietors; they were succeeded by Rice & Co. in 1865, and they by Wilson, Wise & Putnam, they by Wise & Putnam, and they by the present finu; the character of the stock was at first seeds and iron, afterward agricult- ural implements was added, seeds dropped, and a line of hardware and stoves were kept; recently, the present firm have added furniture, making it a stove and house-furnishing establishment; since removing to their present quarters, Nos. 34 and 36 South Limestone street, they occupy two rooms, one of which is devoted to furniture, of which they make a large display; in the other is found a great variety of heating and cook stoves, ranges, queensware, and all neces- sary culinary utensils, together with a line of shelf hardware. Mr. Naham H. Andrews, the senior member of this firm, is an experienced merchant; he is a native of Massachusetts, born in 1830; early in life he began a business Cat- reer as clerk in Boston, and remembers when he received $4 per week, boarding himself -- this, too, after he had become of age; but, by perseverance and fort- une's favor, gradually rose in the financial scale until he became a proprietor. He came to Springfield in 1865, and has since been identified with the business of Springfield, except about four years, when he was absent doing business in Galion. He married, in 1853, Miss Lavina S. Maynard, also a native of Massa- chusetts.
THOMAS L. ARTHUR, dealer in lumber, Springfield; is a native of Penn- sylvania, born near Pittsburgh in 1827: his father was a woolen manufacturer of Pittsburgh, but, during the boyhood days of Thomas L., sold out and engaged in the lumber trade, and, in 1847, removed to Ashland, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was engaged in the lumber trade a number of years. Mr. Arthur removed to Springfield in 1867, and in connection with Mr. Vorhees, built the planing-mill at the corner of Pleasant and Limestone streets, and has since been identified with this establishment, now being sole owner and proprietor ;. his ex- perience of more than thirty years enables him to know the wants of builders. and he is enjoying a flourishing trade. He is a member of the United Presby- terian Church, and a useful, respected citizen: his residence is No. 335 South Limestone street. He married, in 1855, Miss Judith T. Liggett, and has a family of five children-William H., now an accountant in his father's office: Flora B., Daniel H., Edwin C. and Isabella M.
JAMES BACON. farmer and stock-breeder; P. O. Springfield. He lives in a beautiful brick house near Tavlor's mill, about three miles east of Spring- field; he takes great pleasure in raising fine horses and cattle, and has at present
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
some very fine ones; he is a son of John and Mary (Cavileer) Bacon, and was born in Springfield Feb. 1, 1823; his father came to Ohio in 1812, locating in Urbana, Champaign Co., where he lived six years; thence to Springfield, living there until his death, which occurred March 5, 1878. His mother was born in Chestertown, Md .; her parents were among the earliest settlers of this county; she departed this life Dec. 22, 1868. James attended school until 15, when he entered his father's shop-he being a saddler -- as an apprentice, and, at the end of six years, entered into partnership with his father, continuing the same some five years; he then went to New York City, clerLing some five years in a wholesale hardware store; then, returning to Springfield, engaged in the dry goods business, under the firm name of Baldwin & Bacon, for ten years, when they sold out; he was then appointed, in 1861, Revenue Collector for this dis- trict, conducting the same satisfactorily two years, when he resigned, not en- gaging in any particular business until 1869, when he moved to where he now lives, and engaged in milling for a short time; since leaving the mill, he has devoted his time to his present occupation. He was united in marriage, Oet. 12, 1854, to Mary L. Topping, daughter of William and Mary Topping; four children-two boys and two girls-have gladdened their hearts. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have enjoyed their married life very much, and would be willing to live it over again. An incident in his father's life is worthy of note. The family, which consisted of father, mother and two children, moved from Connecticut. to Ohio in a wagon drawn by two oxen; John, then 12 years old, drove the team the entire distance.
JOHN R. BAKER, farmer; P. O. Springfield. John R. Baker, son of Rudolph and Eve (Kiblinger) Baker, was born Aug. 27, 1807, in Shenandoah Co., Va .; in 1818, came with his parents from Virginia to Ohio, and to Clark County, and settled in German Township, where they lived the remainder of their lives; the father died in 1825, and the mother in 1S15. John R. Baker was married, Nov. 1, 1832, to Sarah Miller, daughter of William C. and Mary M. Miller; Sarah was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., March 31, 1814, and came to Clark Co., Ohio, with her parents, in 1818, and settled near the Bakers, in German Township; her father departed this life in 1840, and her mother in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Baker are two worthy pioneers of this county; of their six children, but three are now living-Ezra K., James T. and Mary M. William C., in 1862 (at the end of his third year in Wittenberg College), enlisted in the 94th O. V. I., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chicka- mauga; after suffering the horrors and privations of Libby, Danville and Ander- sonville Prisons, he died in Andersonville Prison Sept. 22, 1864, one year from the time he was taken prisoner. Ezra graduated at Wittenberg College. in 1870, and is now a Lutheran minister; Mary was married, Nov. 22. 1855, to David Cutshaw; in 1866, she was left a widow by the death of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Baker remember well when they first settled in this county; they had to " blaze " the trees when they went to a neighbor's house, in order to find their way home again.
CORNELIUS BAKER, ex-Sheriff, Springfield. He was born in York Co., Penn., Sept. 28, 1823; came to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1836, and settled in Spring- field, where he sold goods until 1852: he then moved to the country and carried on farming for several years; during the war of the rebellion, he was appointed Enrolling Officer for German Township, and was Revenue Assessor six years. In 1872, he was elected Sheriff of Clark County. and served in said office four years, being re-elected in 1574. Mr. Baker is noted for his generosity and acts of kindness; he performed the duties of his official positions to the satisfaction of all, coming out of office without a stain upon his character.
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yours Truly Robert Sindall
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
A. A. BAKER, physician and surgeon, Springfield. Dr. Baker is a life- time resident of Clark County, and for many years has been a noted physician and surgeon in the locality in which he has dove business. As one of our prom- inent men, then, he is deserving of a place in the history of the county. He was born in 1831, near Enon, and, during his boyhood, received an excellent. education; his parents, Ezra D. and Anne (Morgan) Baker, reared four children --- Cassandra, Leander, Gustavius and our subject. In 1845, Dr. Baker com- menced the study of medicine under Dr. J. J. McElhinney, of Dayton; in 1846 and 1847, he attended medical lectures at Starling College, Ohio, since which time he bas practiced his profession in this and Champaign Counties. His marriage to Miss Maggie Miller was celebrated in 1845; she is of the old Shellabarger stock that have ever been noted in the history of this and Champaign Counties; their children are four in number -- Annetta M., Elizabeth A., Scipio E. and Nellie B .; the eldest daughter, Annetta, is the wife of Dr. E. Myers, who is now a partner of his father-in-law. In 1870, Dr. Baker graduated at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, although a highly reputable and educated physician, but wishing a diploma from one of the oldest schools in the West, and that the effi- cient instruction imparted at that institution would be of benefit to him, besides the release from business cares, determined him in this matter. Wishing to en- gage in a city prection he came to Springfield in 1880 and associated in business with Dr. Myers, still being near enough his old patrons, who are loth to give Lim up. During the war, he was appointed Surgeon of the 53d O. N. G., but was forced to resign on account of disability. The Doctor is one of those genial men who will surely merit the confidence of the citizens of Springfield, and he already possesses this of numerous patrons in his former place of residence. His father is now the oldest living settler of Madison Township, and was County Commissioner four terms, besides being actively engaged in the county's busi- ness enterprises for many years. His mother died in 1867 at the age of 63 years.
CHARLES P. BALLARD, deceased. Mr. C. P. Ballard was born at Fra- mington, Mass., on Nov. 7, 1820; he came to Athens, Ohio, in 1840, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and to Springfield just after the war; he com- menced manufacturing in Springfield about 1866, buying out Mcclellan's in- terest in the firm of Rinehart & McClellan, the firm thu: formed of Rinehart, Ballard & Co., continuing up to the present time. Mr. ballard was twice mar- ried, first to Electa Stewart Hawkes, whom he lost by death, and then, on May 15, 1862, he married in New York City Miss Eunice E. Hibbard, of Massachu- seits. Of Mr. Ballard's children three are living, to wit: William Whiting, who is in Colorado for business and health; and Misses Susie and Helen, who live with their mother in their elegant home on High street. Mr. Ballard was an exem- plary Christian, estimable citizen, and essentially a substantial man in every way; he was Deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Athens, and Elder in the Second Presbyterian Church here; he died July 19, 1878. Mrs. Ballard retains her interest in the firm, of which appropriate mention is made in the historical part of this work. Two of his children are dead-Mary and John. Mr. Bal- lard's father died the 23d of August, 1880, nearly 90 years old.
LOUIS BANCROFT, retired merchant, Springfield. Mr. Bancroft is per- haps the oldest man who has lived continuously in the city; he came to Spring- field in 1816, and established himself as one of the leading dry goods merchants during his business life; he also engaged in other ventures, all of which proved successful; at one time, he was a wholesale dealer in liquors, but, through the remonstrances of friends, relinquished the very profitable business: for ten years he was County Ganger and Government Inspector, and he handled annu- ally 10,000 barrels of liquor. He was born in Massachusetts in 1792, came
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West in 1816, and was married to Miss Mary Christie in 1819; she was born in 1800, in New Boston, N. H .; they are the parents of six children-Leonidas, Phraotes E., La Fayette, Oscar Fitz, Amanda M. and Flavilla G. Another son. Lonis Waters, died in infancy. Leonidas married Miss Mary Hartwell; Phar- otes wedded Miss Lou Mayhew; Oscar is the husband of Miss Jennie Myers; Amanda is the wife of Benjamin P. Churchill; and Flavilla, married Mr. Will- iam Kleiman. All were wedded before except one, and, with the exception of Mrs. Churchill, live in the city. Mr. Bancroft was a resident of this county two years before the organization of Clark County, and has until the past few years been actively connected with its business interests. In October he will be 89 years of age. There is only one house now standing in the city that stood when he came here. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and while Deputy Sheriff during the early settlement of the county, achieved quite a rep- utation as an efficient officer, the men in some parts of the county being a very lawless set. He and his wife now live at their ease in a tasty cottage on West Washington street, and enjoy the respect of every one in the city.
PHRAOTES E. BANCROFT, hatter, Springfield. Mr. P. E. Bancroft was born in Springfield on Jan. 28, 1822, and is one of six children-four brothers and two sisters; he has been twice married-first, to Miss Catherine Moodle, in 1844, by whom he had no children to live; and he married again in 1859, Lou M. Mayhew. of Warren County, by whom he has had one son, Robert Christie, born Nov. 7, 1866- an exceptionally good and dutiful boy, and a great source of comfort and pride to his parents. Mr. Bancroft learned his trade with the firm of Cotes, Lathrop & Arden, entering his apprenticeship in 1839; com- menced business for himself in his present stand in 1851, where he has grown with Springfield, been quite successful, and is doing now the principal hat and cap trade. His family attend the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bancroft, although not drafted, sent voluntarily to the army a substitute, at an expense to himself of about $700. Of his brothers and sisters, Leonidas has a billiard room; La Fayette is a tinner; Oscar F. is a photographer; and his two sisters are Mrs. Amanda Churchill and Mrs. Flavilla G. Kleiman. Mr. Bancroft's father, Louis Bancroft, is entitled to the distinction of being the oldest citizen, and no man knows more of early Springfield than he.
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