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 41
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WILLIAM NICHOLSON, is one of the few old residents now resid- ing here. He was born in England in 1802; came to the United States in 1831, and located in Springfield, and has been a resident of this vicinity ever since. He worked at his trade until the past few years, since which, having laid by a competency, he has lived a retired life. residing at his residence corner of Jefferson and Mechanic streets. He married. Jan. 12. 1834. Jane Morris, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Millhollin) Morris, both of whom were natives of Bath Co., Va .. and pioncer residents of German Township. Mr. Morris perhaps resided longer in this county than any other citizen, having come here when a young man, and resided on the farm, in Section 25, until his death, which occurred Dec. 9, 1877, his age being 92 years and 5 days. He raised a family of six children, four of whom are living- Rev. Thomas, now a resident of North Carolina: Rev. Richard, of Bethel Township; and Mrs. Nich- ols and a maiden sister. Sarah M .; the latter resides at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have journeyed together, sharing life's burdens for upward of forty years. They have raised a family of six children -- Margaret A. (now deceased); Mrs. Henry B. Grove; Sarah J., wife of Rev. William Long; Mary Ellen, now Mrs. Charles Smith; William F., now a resident of the vicinity of Huntsville, Ala .; Isabel Frances, now Mrs. David B. Christie; and Laura M. One died in infancy.
NOTE -- Mr. Nicholson died in June, 1881, since the foregoing was written. -ED.
J. C. OLDHAM, dentist, Springfield. The name of Oldham has been associated with the dental profession of Springfield for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Oldham's father, M. M. Oldham, whose wife was Calista Taft, removed to Springfield from Cambridge, this State, in 1853, and successfully practiced here until within the past few years. his health failing, he has spent the most of his time in the South, leaving the business almost entirely to his son J. C., who has been a partner with him since 1874. The subject of this sketch was born in Cambridge in 1846, and came with his parents to Springfield in 1853. Having a natural taste for the profession, he improved the opportu- nities afforded by his father's office and practice, and, when but 15 years of age. was able to make artificial sets. In 1864, although but 17 years of age, ho enlisted in the 153d O. N. G., and experienced the hardships of army life in the field. After which, in addition to the instructions received from his father. he took a regular course and graduated at the Ohio Dental College, at Cincin- nati, and subsequently practiced for a time in the office of his cousin William Taft. a well-known and successful dentist of the Queen City. Since 1874. be has been a partner with his father. Having the advantage of a thorough knowl- edge of his profession, and the latest and best improvements in tools and material, and having a natural taste for and pride in his work, he has now a
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valuable reputation for first-class work, and, being well and favorably known, enjoys a liberal patronage. He is a member of the State Dental Association, and also of the Mississippi Valley Dental Society. He married, in 1877. Miss Josephine, daughter of Joseph L. Morris, who is closely related to the Long- worths, of Cincinnati, and formerly resided there, but is now a resident of Springfield.
DANIEL OTSTOT, retired farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. Daniel Otstot is one of the oldest of Clark's old citizens, hailing from the last century; born Aug. 27, 1795, in York Co., Penn .; four years after which, his parents moved to Lancaster, Penn., where he was raised. From 1811 to 1835, he worked at the trade of wagon-making: then farmed eighteen months, coming to Ohio in the fall of 1836: to Columbus, where he visited his brother, and, in the spring of 1837. came to Clark County. In 1818. he married Hannah Dushane, who died in 1861. Of their ten children (five of either sex), five sons and two daughters are living, two having died in infancy, and one, Mrs. William Bunyan, Sept. 23, 1877. Of the two surviving daughters, Mrs. J. W. Randall was so unfort- unate as to lose all five of her children, and Miss Sallie C. Otstot resides with her father. Of his five sons. the first. John Dushane, is a pattern-maker here: Adam Hunter, a carpenter; Alfred Walraven. a packer and shipper in Whiteley. Fassler & Kelly's shops; Thomas Miller. a farmer in Butler County; and William Torbert, a farmer on the home place, in this county, which Mr. O. cleared up and established in 1837, working it until 1866, when he moved to Springfield, having since then lived in retirement at his quiet home, No. 81 South Center street, with his daughter, Miss Sallie C. Otstot, who is the loved companion of his declining years. Notwithstanding his advanced years, Mr. Otstot is in full possession of his faculties, and some physical feebleness is the only indication of his accumulated years, and no observer or acquaintance would think of taking him for over 65 or 70 at the farthest. His family is a Method- ist one, and Mr. O. and daughter are earnest and devoted members of the Central and High Street Methodist Churches respectively. ' Having done his full part in life and full of honorable years, Mr. Otstot is now ready for the call of the Master, with those cheering words, " well done, good and faithful servant," etc., etc. Will- iam Torbert Otstot was three years a member of Co. 1, 44th O. V. I .. and return- ing home, re-enlisted in the 8th Cavalry, remaining in this service until the close of the war.
WILLIAM T. OTSTOT, farmer: P. O. Springfield. Mr. O. is the son of Daniel and Hannah (Dusbane) Otstot, and was born Dec. 16, 1837, on the farm where he now lives, in the old house which stood near his present residence. He has always lived on the farm excepting while in the army. He enlisted, in 1861, in the 44th O. V. I., and served in said regiment until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He was in every battle in which said regiment was engaged, and never received a wound. He was married, Jan. 2. 1868, to Mary A. Willis, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Shanks) Willis. They had born unto them three children-Nellie Willis, born Feb. 9, 1870: Walter W., Dec. 16, 1873; Harry M., Dec. 15, 1877: Walter. died Jan. 20, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Otstot are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and live con- sistent lives in accordance with the teachings of said church. Mr. O. is a man of true gentlemanly principles, and Mrs. O. is a noble-hearted lady, who knows well how to make home cheerful and pleasant. Mr. O.'s parents were vatives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1837 and located in this county. Mrs. O.'s father was born in England, and emigrated to America in 1837. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania.
ALGERNON I. PAIGE, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. P. was born in Springfield May 18, 1817. At the age of 16, he entered his father's store as
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clerk, and followed clerking until 24 years old, when he began his present occu- nation-farming. He was married, in 1842, to Jane, daughter of Levi and Isabella (Swartz) Anderson. They have had seven children-Laura E. (deceased), Isabella, Sarah J., Mary A., Ira A., John B. and William H. Mr. Paige's father was a native of Massachusetts, and came to this county and set- tled in Springfield in 1812. Mrs. Paige was born June 19. 1819, in Chillicothe. Ohio. Her father was born in Virginia in 1790, and came with his parents to Ohio and settled in Chillicothe about the year 1800.
JOHN W. PARSONS, Treasurer, Springfield. Mr. Parsons is a native of Springfield. His father, Israel Parsons, removed from Harper's Ferry, Va .. in 1831, and settled in Springfield. He still resides here, being now in the Sist. year of his age; his wife, who was Ann C. Cox, having died Dec. 26, 1879. at 70 years of age. The subject of this sketch was born July 25, 1838, and has been a resident of this city all his life. When 14 years of age, he engaged as "message boy," and subsequently learned telegraphy, and continued as operator until 1864, when he became manager of the Western Union office in Springfield, which position he still holds. He served in the United States Tele- graph Corps from May. 1861, to the spring of 1863: was a member of the City Council in 186S. In October, 1876, he was elected Treasurer of Clark County, and was re-elected in 1878. He is a member of Clark Lodge. No. 101, Spring- field Chapter, No. IS, and Springfield Council, No. 17; also of the Palestine Commandery, No. 33; in each of which he has been the presiding officer and is now presiding in the Commandery. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Lida. daughter of William Enoch. His residence is No. 106 Yellow Spring street. They have two children.
WILLIAM C. PEEL, of the firm of Peel & Elster, manufacturers of dash moldings, neck yokes, clothes wringers, etc., Springfield. Mr. Peel is a native of Germany, born Feb. 21, 1843. His parents came to the United States in 1846, and located in Dayton, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch learned the trade of carriage trimmer, and followed that as a business some six- teen years. He came to Springfield in the fall of 1861, and has resided here .. with the exception of the years 1870 and 1871, when he was engaged with Mr. Elster, his present partner, at Hillsboro, Highland Co. The present firm was formed in 1873, and has since continued, now being located at 7S Sonth Lime- stone street. Mr. Peel is the inventor of the form of moldings which they manufacture, and which has a very large and general sale, not being confined even to this continent. This firm also has a half interest in the Springfield Novelty Works, whose work is done in the same building with Peel &-Elster. They manufacture "Way's eccentric mill pick," and the "Universal tap. wrench." It will thus be seen that Mr. Peel is the head of a kind of novelty machine-shop where a variety of small but important articles of universal use are manufactured. The success of this firm but confirms what any observing visitor will see at once, that MIr. Peel possesses the peculiar qualifications so necessary to secure success in such an establishment. With quick perception, rapidity of thought and action, and a natural mechanical mind. he gives the same attention to the perfection of details in the construction of a "wringer" or "wrench" that a master mechanic would in constructing a locomotive. Mr. Peel's residence is at the southwest corner of Factory and Pleasant streets. He married, in 1866, Miss Viola L., daughter of John A. Shannon, deceased, who was formerly a carriage manufacturer of this city. They have one child living -a daughter -- Ida May.
JOHN PEARSON, farmer: P. O. Springfield. Mr. P. was born in York- shire, England, July 23, 1827, and is the son of John and Mary Pearson. He emigrated to America in 1850; landed iu New York, and came direct to Spring
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field. Mr. Pearson not belonging to the aristocracy of England, his opportuni- ties for attending school were very much limited. Therefore he appreciates very highly the " free school system." of the United States. He lived with his parents until 11 years old, when he hired out to work on a farm at 50 shillings (about $12 in United States money) per year. He continued to work on the farm until he came to America. About one year after his arrival here, he kopt a boarding house for the men who were making the Columbus & Springfield Railroad, now a branch of the C., S. & C. After running the boarding house about one year, he rented a farm for a term of four years. When his lease expired, he moved to Illinois and purchased a farm, but, not liking the climate there, sold out and came back to Clark Co., Ohio, and bought a farm of S2 acres. He added to it until now he owns some 1,400 acres of splendid land. He was married, in England, Dec. 15, 1849. to Sarah, daughter of John and Anna Burnley. Of their eight children. five are still living, viz., Martha Ann, Mary Ellen, Eliza Ann. George E. and James B. Mrs. Pearson's mother and one sister died on the ocean while coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson started in life with no fortune except good characters and good health, and have accu- mulated a part of their present fortune by their own labor, and a part they have inherited. Mr. Pearson and daughter Mollie visited his native home this last Summer. They enjoyed their trip very ranch, and was well entertained, but Mr. P. prefers America to England. Two of the daughters are at present attending school at the "Springfield Female Seminary." Mr. and Mrs. Pearson in their younger days worked very hard, but now they take the world easier. They have a beautiful home where they live, situated one mile east of Springfield, on the Charleston Pike.
WILLIAM PERRIN. farmer; P. O., Springfield. This well-known and respected farmer was born in a log cabin in Springfield Township, Jan. 22. 1815, and is the son of John and Amelia (Ingram) Perrin, natives of Washing- ton Co., Md., both of whom were born in the year 1778, and were the parents of six children, as follows: Edward (deceased), Joseph I. (deceased). John. William, Minerva E., and Emery (deceased). In 1806, he and family came to Springfield, and he bought the whole of Sec. ". upon which was a log cabin and a small clearing, but by constant industry he added much to his first pur. chase, and at his death owned over 1,200 acres of land; he died Dec. 16, 1845. his wife having passed away June 8, 1847. William grew up under the paren- tal roof, receiving but a limited education and making farming his life voca- tion: he was married March 25, 1849, to Dorothy Sturgeon, dangliter of Jere- miah and Phoebe Sturgeon, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Perrin was also born. coming to America when she was about. 20 years of age. Of this union was born one son, John E., Oct. 4, 1850, who graduated in 1868 at Gundry & Hol. lingsworth's Commercial College of Springfield, and who now resides at the homestead. Mrs. Perrin was a member of the United Presbyterian Church all her life, and died firm in that faith Oct. 27, 1878, dying as she had lived, an humble and devoted follower of Christ. Mr. Perrin lived in the cabin of his birth until about 1349, at which time he moved to the place where he now re. sides, and, having remodeled the house, has now one of the handsomest houses of Springfield Township; he has always been industrious and saving. and is the owner of 550 acres of first-class land: to public benefits and improvements ho has ever been friendly, and in the affairs of his native county has always taken a deep interest: politically a Republican. he was a stanch upholder of the Union in the rebellion, and has ever been known as an obliging neighbor. an honest man, and a useful, enterprising citizen.
JOHN PERRIN. farmer: P. O. Springfield. John Perrin is the son of John Perrin, and was born on April 15, 1812, on the site of his present pretty
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home, which was then occupied by much ruder and plainer quarters; he had four brothers and two sisters, of whom only one brother and sister survive. Of his brothers, Ed and Joseph are no more, and William is a farmer in this neighborhood. In March, 1953, he married Miss Mary D. Roush, a native of Virginia. John Perrin, Sr., died in December, 1848, only surviving his wife eighteen months. Mr. Perrin has no uncles living: his family consists of five daughters and one son, all yet single and living at the paternal home; he has always been a farmer, and is one of those frank, open. plain, upright men. the best samples of which are found among the tillers of the soil: he supported the war freely financially, and in this, as in other matters, nover shirked what he supposed to be his duty; he built his present handsome two-story brick resi- dence in 1870, and is in very comfortable circumstances in life, and hale and hearty at 69 years.
LEWIS PETRE, farmer; P. O. Springfield; he is the son of Ludwick and Elizabeth (Summers) Petre, and was born in Boonsboro, August 20, 1808, at the foot of South Mountain, Md .; his father and mother died when he (Lewis) was but 4 years old, when he was placed under the care of a guardian; said guardian, in accordance with the law of Maryland at that time, sent him to learn a trade; his boss being a tyrannical man, and not liking the trade (that of cabinet-making), at the end of six months, with the aid of his uncle and sisters, he ran off and went to Virginia, but soon returned and began the trade of boot making, at which he worked until he came to Ohio, and to Springfield, traveling all the way on foot, arriving here Nov. 6, 1930; he worked at his trade here until 1842, when he moved to his present home, har- ing bought the farm some years previous. Mr. Petre started for himself with- out a.cent of money, and has, by his own exertions, risen to his present condi- tion; he was married April 17, 1851, to Angeline Printz; six children have been born to them, viz .: Andrew J., Frances E. (deceased), Mollie E., Lewis D., Laird V. and Charles H. Mr. Petre's father was born Jan. 13, 1765, and died April 15, 1811; his mother was born Nov. 22, 1775, and died Dec. 16. 1812. Mrs. Petre is the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Printz, and was born Sept. 22. 1820; her parents were among the early settlers of this county; her mother died Jan. 19, 1862, and her father May 18, 1864. We should have stated before that Lewis, ir 1832, sold out here and went back to Maryland with the intention of remaining, but not liking his native home as well as this county, he returned here the same year.
QUINCY A. PETTS, County Auditor, Springfield; is a son of Dr. John and Phoebe (Howe) Petts; he was a native of Massachusetts and she of New Hampshire: they came from Kansas to Clark County in 1860, and he has since resided in Springfield, being retired, and now in the S6th year of his age, his wife having died here in 1877. The subject of this sketch was born in Nichols, Tioga Co., N. Y., April 25, 1811: located in Springfield in the spring of 1$60; served three months in the 2d O. V. I., during which he partook in the famous first Bull Run battle; he was a member of the Champion Hotel Company which built the Lagonda House, of which company he was for several years President, and is now a director; he was also connected with the Agricul- tural Society as director; was associate editor of the Daily Republic from 1964 to 1871; was editor of LeftT's Mechanical Notes from 1871 to November. 1575; was elected Auditor of Clark County in October, 1875, re-elected in 1877. and is a candidate on tho Repablican ticket for the same office in the approaching election; is a member of Springfield Lodge, L. O. O. F., and also of the Royal Arcanum order. He was married in 1563 to Miss Lavinia, daughter of Will- iam Grant, an old resident of Springfield. From this union have been born three daughters, two of whom are living.
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S. L. PIERCE. retired woolen manufacturer, Springfield; one of the oldest living residents of Clark County; his father, Gilbert Pierce, was one of the pioneers of this county, having removed here from New Hampshire about 1810, settled in the vicinity of South Charleston, and subsequently became a large land owner, and continued to reside in this county until his decease. The subject of this sketch remained on the farm with his parents during his youth. and in early manhood learned the trade of tanner, but followed it only a short time; then became connected with his brother Rufus in a fulling and carding mill, which gradually developed into a manufactory of woolens; his brother died a few years after their partnership was formed, and S. L. purchased the widow's interest and continued the business, until failing health compelled him to withdraw from active business. Mr. Pierce has been a resident of Clark County seventy years, forty of which he was actively identified with the business of Springfield; bis residence property, at the southeast corner of High and East streets, he purchased about forty years ago. It then contained about 30 acres and included the woolen mill; it now contains about 6 acres. About ten years since. he built his present handsome residence on the site of the previous dwelling. so he has resided on the same site for nearly forty years. and is now in feeble health, spending the remnant of his days amid the scenes and surroundings which remind him of the memories of a half-century gone by. He has been twice married; his first wife was Margaret, daughter of Robison Fletcher, who was also one of the early residents of Madison Township: she died in 1862, having borne him nine children, six of whom are now living. Two sons, Jefferson and Madison, are residents of Indiana; another son, Frank- lin M., and Mrs. N. T. Sprague are residents of Vermont: another daughter. Mrs. George Canfield, resides in London. Madison Co., this State, and Sallie C. is a grown daughter at home. Mr. Pierce's present wife, nce Emaline Benedict, of Cincinnati. is a native of Maine, a cheerful, kind-hearted lady, and remark. ably active for her age (0).
CHARLES H. PIERCE, news depot, books, stationery and wall paper. Springfield. Mr. Charles Pierce cast his lot with the people of this city just a quar- ter of a century ago, and his life and present honorable position here in business and public esteem are an apt illustration of what industry. energy and honest effort will do. Commencing as a paper carrier, Mr. Pierce has advanced stead- ily in business to his present position of leading bookseller and stationer. Mr. Pierce was a participant in the late unpleasantness-taking part in the Tennes- see campaign under Burnside. as Orderly Sergeant. in the 129th O. V. I .. serving for a period of nine months, of which service the siege of Cumberland Gap was a prominent event. Mr. Pierce at once impresses you as being au earnest. sin- cere man, genuine in his feelings and sentiments. and his excellent reputation in the community fully bears out this favorable impression. Mr. Pierce mar- ried Miss Maria T. French sixteen years ago, and his family consists of two boys and one girl, and he is yet in the prime of vigorous manhood, with excel- lent prospects ahead.
WILLIAM PIMLOTT, coal dealer, Springfield. William Pimlott. w.is born in Derbyshire. Eng., Jan. 22, 1543; emigrated to America in 1863, and located in Syracuse. N. Y., where he lived some three years, when he removed to Brockport. N. Y., to take charge of the large reaper and mowing manufact uring establishment of Johnson. Untley & Co., as foreman. After superin- tending said establishment some two years, he came to Springfield, Ohio, an! engaged with Whiteley. Fassler & Kelly as foreman of the cutter-bar depart ment. with whom he remained ten years. He then established a paint factory on South Limestone street, which he carried on one year and then sold out: be then opened a coal office on High street, in connection with his interests in the
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mines: at the end of eighteen months he sold his interest in the coal trade it Springfield to E. S. Kelly, whom he had taken into partnership: he then opened his present office on Limestone street. When Mr. Pimlott first engaged in the coal trade in Springfield. his sales were about two car loads per week; his trade has increased until now it amounts to one hundred car loads per week: for the year ISSO his sales aggregated $100,000; he owns a one-half interest in two coal mines in Jackson Co., Ohio, one on the Ohio Southern (formerly Springfield. Sonthern) railroad, and the other on the Dayton & Southeastern. The aggre- gate capacity of these mines is about twenty-five car loads daily. While Mr. Pimlott had charge of the Brockport establishment, he invented an automatic. governor for self-raking reapers, which proved to be very useful for Johnson, Untley & Co.'s machines. but they refusing to pay for the benefit derived from this improvement. Mr. Pimlott sold the patent to Whiteley. Fassler & Kelly. He also invented an improvement which was applied to self-raking reapers, that enables the driver to change the position of the rake to suit either tall or short grain, without stopping the machine. This he sold to Whiteley & Co. also. Mr. Pimlott is a member of Clark Lodge, F. & A. M. and a member of Spring- field Lodge, No. 33. I. O. O. F .; he was married in 1862 to Mary Ann Taylor, to. whom three children were born. This wife died June, 1870. He was again married in 1871. this time to Ada M. Gardner, daughter of Robert Gardner, of Springfield, Ohio. With this union there are four children. Mr. Pimlott's parents came to America in 1865; his father died in ISTO; his mother is still living. While Mr. Pimlott is yet a young man, he ranks among the most active business men of Springfield.
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