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 28
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SAMUEL BARNETT, deceased. This well-known gentleman was born in Hanover, Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept, 30, 1790, and. at the age of 16, was left au orphan: had to struggle with adversity for many years, but finally, by dint of en- ergy and honesty of purpose, he surmounted every obstacle to substantial success. He came to Ohio in 1817, settling in Warren County, residing in that and But- ler Counties until 1841, when he came to Springfield, where he and his brother James, who had preceded him several years, erected a large flouring-mill, which was at that time the largest industrial enterprise of which Springfield could boast. He continued his milling business until 1859, then selling out to his son William A. Barnett and William Warder, retired from business. He was married, at West Hanover, Penn., Aug. 27, 1815, to Mary Mitchell, by the Rev. James Sharon, Pastor of Derry Church. She was born in West Hanover Jan. 16, 1790, and had born to her ten children, viz., James, Susannah W. (deceased), David M. (deceased). Mary, William A., Levi, Nancy A., Sarah, George W. and Samuel. Mrs. Barnett died May 17, 1851, and her husband May 10, 1869, full of honorable years. Samuel Barnett was a humble and devoted Christian, and warmly attached to the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was an active and useful member; he lived to see all his children married, and all with sons-in-law and daughters-in-law members of his own church, with the excep- tion of two, who are connected with another denomination. James, his oldest son, a graduate of Miami University, is a minister, and was sent in 1844 as a
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missionary to Damascus, Syria, and Cairo, Egypt, where he resided many years in establishing the now flourishing United Presbyterian Mission of the latter place, being in the foreign mission service thirty years, and now residing in Emporia, Kan. Mary married Dr. Joseph G. Paulding, and they accompanied James as missionaries to Damascus, where they resided eleven years. Mr. Bar- nett was a man of great personality, a vigorous character, of undeviating integ- rity; in personal appearance, tall, raw-boned, commanding, yet amiable, a man universally trusted and respected, whose counsels were sought, and whose friend- ship was esteemed a privilege to enjoy.
WILLIAM A. BARNETT, miller, Springfield. Mr. William A. Barnett was born Oct. 8, 1822, in Butler Co., Ohio, and passed the early part of his life in: Butler and Warren Counties until 1841, when he came with his father, Samuel Barnett, to Springfield. The family are now much scattered, some living in Illinois, some in Kansas and elsewhere. William A. went to Miami University in early life; was in his father's mill from August, 1845, to July 1, 1859, when he and William Warder (of the Warder family so prominent here), bought the property and business from Mr. Samuel Barnett, and have been carrying on the business under the name and style of Warder & Barnett, with gratifying success for twenty-one years, making thirty-five years in all of one business in one spot -- a rare example of continuity of purpose and effort. On Dec. 18, 1855, he was married to Miss S. Belle Grove, of Chambersburg, Penn .; of their chil- dren, Annie S., Ella MI. and a son are living, and they lost a son at 3 months of age. Their daughter Ella has recently married the Rev. Joseph Kyle, Pas- tor of the United Presbyterain Church of this city, of which Mr. Barnett's family are members. For full history of the Warder & Barnett milling inter- est, reference is made to the industrial branch of this history. Mr. Barnett mentions a curious fact that in his daily walks to and from his residence during his business life here, he has traversed on Limestone street alone over twenty- five thousand miles, or more than the whole circumference of the globe. He is one of those straightforward true men, the same to-day, to-morrow and al- ways, and one whom all respect and honor; a man upon whom one can depend to the full extent of all he promises.
EDWIN L. BARRETT. publisher of specialties, Springfield. Mr. Ed- win L. Barrett is a New Englander, having been bo'n on Aug. 20, 1827, in Worcester Co., Mass .; his family on both sides was long lived; his mother, who now lives alternately with her children, being 78; her family name was Law- rence. His father was among the early cotton manufacturers of Massachusetts; owned a cotton-factory in Mr. Barrett's native county. On Jan. 4, 1849, he married, at Ashburnham, Mass., Miss Sarah B. Petts, a native of New York, daughter of Dr. John Petts and sister of Quincy A. Petts, Clark County Auditor, both residents of Springfield, the former being in his 84th year; by this union he had eight children-six sons and two daughters-of whom only three sons are living now, viz., Edward L., aged 30, and Fred W., aged 22, partners in busi- ness with their father; and George Lawrence, aged 19, now in Wittenberg College. Having lost his wife in 1865, Mr. Barrett married, on March 18, 1867, Miss Clara D. Hulsey, a native of Milledgeville, Ga., by whom he bas had a son and a daughter now respectively S and 11 years old. At the age of 21, on account of failing health, Mr. Barrett went to North Carolina, living alternately in Franklin, Halifax and Warren Counties, where he remained until 1856, spending his time in teaching, having. in the meantime, charge of a female sem - inary at White Sulphur Springs, and one also at Warrenton; he went from North Carolina to Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio. where, in connection with Rev. J. IL. Buchanan, he conducted the Oxford Female Institute, continuing until 1861, from where, at that time, he came to Springfield, Ohio; here he went into the
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book business with Charles L. Petts, under the firm name of Barrett & Petts, later becoming associated with G. W. Hastings (now of the Springfield Republic), under the firm name of Hastings, Barrett & Petts, together carrying on, with their former business, book binding and printing; this was in 1862, and continued several years; his brother-in-law and partner, Charles L. Petts, is now no more. On the dissolution of this firm, Mr. Barrett was for several years out of active business, his health again failing him; in 1865, he bought him a little farin a few miles out on the Charleston road, more, as he says, to die upon than any- thing else, and spent the intervening years between 1865 and 1867 in maturing legal and other forms, subsequently utilized in business, and, his health in the meantime becoming re-established, he commenced, in 1867, the business of his present firm of E. L. Barrett & Sons, for the manufacture of specialties in the line of legal, election and other blanks and forms and conveniences, which, under his thorough and careful management, has grown to be quite extensive and profitable. In 1872, he took his eldest son into partnership, and on Jan. 1, 18SO, his second son was admitted to the firm; on the 27th of April, 1875, his eldest son, Edward L., was united in marriage with Miss Flora C. Lyon, of Cin- cinnati, and has now two sons and one daughter. Mr. Barrett, Sr., and bis married son and their families, live in adjoining houses in the same farm hre emrebased in 1SAT. Most of Mr. Barrett's family are members and all attend the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Barrett is one of those excellent, even- tempered men who go so largely to make up the most worthy part of all com- munities-kind, exact, careful, moderate, temperate, earnest and honorable; the influence of such men, while not sensibly pervading and aggressive, is only felt for good.
AMOS BARR, general insurance agent, Springfield. While Mr. Amos Barr has not been a resident of Springfield as long as some others, he is most thoroughly identified with its interests. Born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1810, he came to Lebanon. Ohio, upon attaining his majority; removed to Cincinnati in 1858, and to Springfield in 1865. In 1834, he married Miss Martha H. Smith, of Strasburg. Penn., and of seven children born him, four daughters and one son are living, to wit, Mrs. Mary Winger, Mrs. Ann E. Smith, both of Springfield: Mrs. Martha B. Sperry. of Nashville, Tenn .: Mrs. Emma B. Scholl, of Baltimore; and Benjamin H. Barr, a resident of Chat anooga. Tenn , mak- ing a family group of seventeen when all together. The venerable subject of this sketch has been for many years identified with insurance interests, having been, since 1863, agent of that mammoth and honorable institution, the Cincin- nati Mutual Life Insurance Company, with its $50,000,000 assets, and Mr. Barr has paid out to beneficiaries in Springfield alone over $100,000, and numbers among his policy-holders several hundred of Springfield's best men; he is also privileged agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life of Milwaukee, and regular agent of the Firemen's Fund of California, Farmer's Fire of York, Penn., and Amazon Fire of Cincinnati. Mr. Barr is one of those benign, courteous men, whom to know is to respect and admire; quiet, unostentatious, fatherly, and the embodiment of true innate gentility.
MRS. EMILY BARTHOLOMEW, Springfield. Mrs. Emily Bartholomew, nee Ebersole, is a native of Clark County; her father, John Ebersole, of Virginia. In his school days, Mr. Ebersole walked three miles to the nearest school, his path leading over the celebrated natural bridge. In early youth, he removed with his parents to Ohio; in 1819. married Miss Sally Keifer, of Sharpsburg, Md., who, with her parents, came to Ohio in childhood; after marriage, they went on horsebark to his home in Cincinnati. In 1822, they removed to his forest home in German Township, this county, where he built one of the finest hewed-log houses of that day and generation, every log, plank, beam and panel
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passing through his skilled hands. Of their family of one son and four daugh- tors, Dr. E. P. Ebersole has been for years the leading physician in Preble "unfe; and the daughters reside in this and adjoining counties, and have all had experience as teachers in this county. From 12 to 15 years of age, Emily was with relatives in Troy, Miami Co., receiving careful training in the family. church and school; when 16, she received from Isaac H. Lancey, her first cer- titicate as teacher, and her first efforts were in old log houses, teaching nine hours a day, thirteen weeks to a quarter, and receiving the princely remunera- tion of $S per month. In some districts, almost any books were thought suit- able for " readers," Robinson Crusoe being quite a favorite in some localities. She spent eight years teaching in the county and attending the Ohio Confer- ence High School, during which time great progress was made in the methods of and facilities for education; feminine ability was recognized, new and better houses and books were freely provided, fewer hours required and better wages paid. In 1852, she accepted a position in the Springfield Female Semi- nary, remaining five years. In 1859, she married Dr. J. Bartholomew, of Butte Co., Cal., a native of Ohio, a graduate of Dennison University, in which he re- mained a number of years after graduation as instructor, preparing, meanwhile, for the practice of medicine; in 1850, he drove an ox team across the plains to California, acting as Captain and physician of his company. Soon after marriage. they sailed from New York for the Pacific Coast; the Doctor's death occurred four years thereafter, and Mrs. Bartholomew remained four years longer, and. in 1867, she, with her two little sons, Frank and Ralph, took the steamship Constitution, bound for New York, arriving in safety after a voyage of twenty- six days. Since 1868, she has resided permanently in this city, and her sons are each pursuing a college course. It is appropriate to make in this connection passing mention of Miss May Ebersole, a most estimable aunt of Mrs. Bartholo- mew, who commenced her life-work as a teacher in 1825; in 1833, she built the house still standing on the northwest corner of Columbia and Factory streets, and opened a day and boarding school for girls. The greater part of her life was devoted to instructing the young, and her zeal and earnestness in this direc- tion were remarkable. She often remarked that the material she handled was imperishable and that her work would be completed in eternity, and that there- fore her vocation was specially dear to her. She died at an advanced age, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
CHARLES A. BAUER, M. E., Superintendent of Champion Bar & Knife Com- pany, Springfield. Mr. Bauer is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany; in 1852, his father's family then consisting of the father, mother and four children, of which number the subject of this sketch was the third, sailed for New York; during a long and stormy voyage, the ship was drifted from her course, and the family were unexpectedly landed at New Orleans, where, after the lapse of but ten months, the father fell a victim to the yellow fever. Mrs. Bauer's situation was now a truly trying one-a stranger in a foreign country, surrounded by the depressing influences of a wide-spread epidemic; the little means originally possessed by the family wasted by travel and sickness; but, with that true fortitude which has ever been a characteristic of the German people, she resolved to seek a health- ier home in the North, and arrived in Cincinnati in 1853, where she yet resides. At the age of 11 years. Mr. Bauer was employed in the pyrotechnic manufactory of H. P. Diehl; in 1861, he became an apprentice to the gunsmithing business; in 1864, he entered the shops of Miles Greenwood & Co. as practical machinist, devoting his leisure hours to the study of mathematics and applied mechanics; so successful was he in this that, in 1867, he was called to the Ohio Mechanics' Institute as a teacher of drawing: in 1871, he resigned this situation to become Superintendent of the Niles Tool Works at Hamilton, Ohio, which he vacated
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in 1873 to assume the duties of Consulting Engineer for Lane & Bodley, at Cincinnati. In 1875. Mr. Bauer was tendered the position of Assistant Super- intendent of the Champion Bar & Knife Company Works in Springfield; in 1878, he was promoted to be the Superintendent in charge of the establishment, where he now remains. In 186S, he was married to Miss Louise Haeseler, who came with her parents from St. Goar, Prussia. in 1851. Mrs. Bauer is a lady possessed of much refinement and culture, 'with admirable social qualities; the children of this union are three in number-Charles L., William A. and Louis E. Mr. Bauer is a self-made man, and his career demonstrates what can be accomplished by application and economy of time: few mechanical men of this country can excel him in that peculiar faculty which enables one to analyze a difficult problem in mechanics, or trace causes to results, while his natural and acquired resources furnish a constant fund of cultivated ideas, ready for application in any emergency. He has a fine collection of technical works, which, with a choice selection of general and standard books, compose one of the best private libraries in the city.
ELIJAH BEARDSLEY, deceased, was born in New Fairfield, Conn., May 27, 1760; at the age of 16, he entered and served in the war for American independ- ence; was married at New Fairfield, the place of his nativity, to Sally Hnbbel. June 24, 170G, to whom were born fourteen children -six sons and eight daughters; about A. D. 1796, removed to Delaware Co., N. Y .; early in the war of .1812, he removed with his family to the State of Ohio; lived a short time in Urbana, Champaign. Co., thence to Springfield, then Champaign (now Clark) County, where his go, a. wife died, July 23, 1823; he survived until Oct. 2. 1826, and
died at the' agi $6 years; he lived and died a true and honored patriot. At this time, the only member of his family now living at Springfield, Clark Co .. Ohio, is Laura, the wife of J. S. Christie, aged 78 years.
JOHN BEAVER, brick-mason and contractor, Springfield. John Beaver was born May 23, 1829, in England: came to Springfield in 1859, at the age of 30 years. He was married in England, in 1849, to Helen Corcoran, and of six children, only three daughters are living. Mr. Beaver has been successful in Springfield-the result, however, of unflagging energy, close attention to busi- ness, and living strictly up to all his contracts. A great number of the build- ings of this thriving city are of his erection, and all of the many and immense Champion shops. Mr. Beaver is a member of good standing of the Palestine Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar; Springfield Council, No. 17, Royal and Select Masters; Springfield Royal Arch Chapter, No. 48; Clark Lodge, No. 101, of Free and Accepted Masons; and Springfield Lodge, No. 33, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; also the Encampment. He lives in his own snug little home, with his daughters, at No. 18 Clifton street.
READ LETTS BELL, M. D., allopathie physician, Springfield. Dr. R. L. Bell was born in Morgan Township, Knox Co., Ohio; was the recipient of a liberal education, graduating from the Dennison University, Licking Co., Ohio, in June, 1872; then took a full medical course in Harvard University, of Massachu- setts, graduating in 1876; practiced one year in Toledo, after which he settled permanently in Springfield, where he has had gratifying success, even beyond his expectations. On Jan. 18, 1877, he consummated a matrimonial alliance with Miss Sarah J. Robinson, of Coshocton, Ohio. Dr. Bell, although intended by his parents for a healer of souls, finds himself to-day in the almost as im- portant work of healing bodies; as a boy he was. and even now is, a close student and a great reader, and possesses a fine memory, clearly calling to mind his schoolmates at the early age of 3 years. Dr. Bell stood well in his class in college; was its poet, and in his junior year was associate editor of the college paper. Dr. Bell is a man of prepossessing appearance, clear-cut features, pleas-
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ing address, and possesses all the qualities for success in his profession. The
Doctor is also Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society of Boston.
WILLIAM H. BERGER, farmer; P. O. Lagonda. He is the son of Daniel and Ester (Body) Berger, and was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 21, 1S30; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were married April 12, 1818; their family consisted of seven children-two boys and five girls; they came to this county in April, 1838, and settled in Lagonda, where they lived about one month; they then purchased (for $16 per acre) and removed to the farm which is now. owned and occupied by William; his (William's) father was born Nov. 5, 1794, and lived to the advanced age of S4 years; his mother was born Dec. 11. 1797; she is still in good health, living with William at the old homestead. William assisted his father, working for him until 22 years of age; he then rented the farm of his father, conducting it successfully seventeen years: during that time, he saved sufficient amount to enable him to purchase a part of the farm, and, by good management, in a few years more purchased the remainder, consisting in all of about 130 acres. At the age of 20, he taught the winter term of a school in Moorefield Township, this county; this was his first school; he continued teaching during the winter terms of the schools near home twenty-five years, being a successful teacher. He was married, March 18. 1852, to Mary J., daugh- ter of John and Mary Jackson; she was born in Virginia Jan. 11, 1530; being left an orphan while yet a little child, she came to Ohio with her uncle, William Moore, and lived with him until her marriage with Mr. Berger. Five children hava blessed their home: they mourn the loss of two of ther Dar d F., who
died Nov. 1, 1855, and William H., Jr., who died Nov. 9, : ne other three --- John M., Elizabeth A. and Mary E .-- still remain, a com.' vo their parents. Strict integrity and honorable dealing have been leading virtues of his life; he has frequently been selected and appointed guardian of children and adminis- trator of estates. He has filled the office of Sunday-school Superintendent for twenty-five years, in which position he is still serving.
ANDREW T. BYERS, attorney and manufacturer, Springfield; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, in 1847; he was the son of a farmer, and remained on the farm until 18 years of age, receiving, in the meantime, a rudimentary education at the common schools; subsequently took a preparatory course at Oberlin, and graduated at the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, after which he read law in the office of Hon. Samuel Shellabarger, and was admitted to practice in 1875, and immediately began practice here, occupying the office a short time previously vacated by Sbellabarger & Pringle, and has continued practice here since, having been twice elected City Solicitor-first in 1876, to fill a vacancy, and again in 1877 for a full term of two years. In 187S, he was admitted to the bar of the United States Courts. He is now, in addition to his professional business, a member of the Common Sense Engine Company, of which further mention is made in the chapter relating to Springfield. Mr. Byers is a young bat active man, a lawyer of recognized ability, and a careful business man, and we predict a successful future to the new manufacturing firm. He married, in 1877, Miss Ida Bidwell; she is also a native of Madison County, and a graduate of the Wesleyan Female Seminary. Mrs. Byers' mother, Jane Bidwell, is known in literary cirele as contributor to some of the standard literary journals.
ANDREW C. BLACK, merchant and capitalist, Springfield; was born in North Ireland in 1828; came to Springfield in 1847 and engaged as clerk with his brother, Robert T., who was then operating a general merchandise store. In 1553. he bought out his brother, and has continued in business ever since; the general store has become a dry goods and carpet store, and the firm was Black Bros. & Co., composed of A. C., W. M. and J. K. Black, W. M. being a younger brother, and J. K. being a cousin; they are located in Black's Opera House
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Block, northwest corner of Main and Market streets. Mr. Black came to Spring- field without means, and, by industry, economy and judicious management, ho soon succeeded in becoming the head of one of the best mercantile establish- ments in Springfield, and has kept pace with the growth of the city, and is how one of its most substantial citizeus. Black's. Opera House Block, built by him in 1868, and now being somewhat remodeled, will long remain a fitting testi- monial of his liberal enterprise. He was one of the company. who established Fern Cliff Cemetery: has been a Director of the Springfield Savings Bank since its organization, and is now Vice President. Mr. Black is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and a supporter of all charitable and benevolent enter- prises. He married, in 1860, Miss Octavia C., daughter of Dr. John Briggs, of Greenville, Darke Co .; from this union bave been born four children, the younger two of whom are living -- Annie and Warder S.
JOHN A. BLOUNT, manufacturer, Springfield; is a native of Clark County. Dr. Blount, who was an early resident, and for many years a prominent practicing physician, of Springfield, was his grandfather, and the first of the family to settle in Clark County. John R. Blount, deceased, formerly a dry goods mer- chant of Springfield, was his father; he was also a native of this county. The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield in 1849; he became connected with the firm of Babbitt, Steel & Co., woolen manufacturers, in 1871; in 1874, they sold the machinery, etc., connected with the manufacture of woolens, and the firm dissolved partnership. In the fall of the same year, Mr. Blount formed a partnership with Kissell & Co., manufacturers of agricultural implements, who had been located on West Main street, and the new firm, Kissell, Blount & Co., removed into what had been the woolen-mill. In 1877, Mr. Alexander McWil- son became a member of the firm, and in 1878 the firm became Blount & McWil- son. They manufacture a line of agricultural implements, Excelsior cultivator, horse hay-rake and shovel-plows being the principal ones; they also manufacture a line of hardware specialties. Messrs. Blount and McWilson are young men, and comparatively a new firm, but the success thus far attained proves the ability of the management. and assures their greater success as the facilities and capital of their firm shall become augmented by the inceasing trade. Mr. Blount mar- ried, in 1873, Miss Sarah L., second daughter of John W. Baldwin; they have two sons.
PATRICK BOLAN, produce dealer, Springfield; he was born near Fer- bane, Kings County, Ireland, March 1, 1834; is a son of Michael and Bridget (Eagan) Bolan; he came to America with his father and five other children in the spring of 1851. the mother having died in Ireland in 1817, May 2. After stopping a short time in New York, they came on to Springfield, this county; the father is still living here, being now 83 years old, and enjoys very fair health. Patrick worked the remainder of that year at manual labor (after his arrival at Springfield), saving $5, and, in the spring of 1852, with the $5 he bought a small stock of goods and started through the country on foot, going from house to house, offering his goods for sale. During the summer of that year, he saved $120, and, during the winter of 1852, attended school; in the spring of 1853. purchased a horse and wagon, and a larger stock of merchandise, and continued retailing through the country, but, in 1854, abandoned the retail trade and con- fined his sales to wholesaling in the small towns throughout the surrounding counties; but, on account of the Know-Nothing movement-he being an Irish. man and a member of the Catholic Church-was compelled to sell his team. give up his trade and start anew, as it seemed to be one of the rules of that institu- tion not to patronize a Catholic. Hence he started again on foot, this time through Indiana; but, in 1855, the persecution of the Know- Nothings having died out, he again started with horse and wagon, and from that time on, fortune
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