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 42
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W. H. PRETZMAN, baker and confectioner, Springfield. Mr. Pretzman is truly a unique character, and of a type rarely met with, and if "Charity cov- ereth a multitude of sins." Mr. W. H. Pretzman's election is sure. He was born in Hagerstown, Md., and came to Springfield twenty-five years ago and established himself in the bakery business, which he has followed through vari- ous vicissitudes up to the present time, now doing the leading business in that line. Mr. Pretzman married Miss Anna T. Barcafer in 1829; he has a family of one boy and three girls, all bright children, but one of his daughters, little Fannie, is particularly interesting and unusually intelligent and universally be- loved. Mr. Pretzman was the baker for four regiments of Banks' Brigade in 1862, and went through the Shenandoah Valley campaign, having vivid recol- lections of some of the hot contests with "Stonewall Jackson:" he was taken prisoner in battle, thrown into Libby Prison, where he dragged out five weary months; then he again plied his vocation with the army in the neighborhood of Harper's Ferry. In 1865, he established a bakery on the site of the present Black's Opera House, removing in 1867 to his present location, in which he has done thirteen years' of thriving business, assisted by his excellent wife, and from an humble commencement on borrowed money, Mr. and Mrs. Pretzman have advanced to a most comfortable position in life, having acquired among several other nice properties, a charming home, and their business is a perma- nent and assured success. This worthy couple are both conspicuous for their unostentatious charities. Mr. Pretzman is known by all as a prominent tem- perance reformer, being one of the Executive Committee of the Murphy Club. None needing food, pecuniary assistance, or encouragement ever appeal in vain to him; he is a member in good standing of Springfield Lodge. No. 33, I. O. O. F., of the Lutheran Church, and takes a leading part in all charitable enter. prises.
BENJAMIN F. PRINCE. Professor, Springfield. Benjamin F. Prince. A. M., Professor in Wittenberg College, was born Dec. 12, 1840, in Champaign Co., Ohio. His ancestors came to this country about the middle of the last con
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tury, and were settlers in Eastern Pennsylvania; his grandfathers, Christian Norman and Adam Prince, with their wives, settled in the forests of Champaign County. the one in 1805. the other in 1809. Both were prosperous farmers and succeeded in gaining a competency for themselves and their children. His father was William Prince, born in Kentucky in 1807. and his mother, Sarah Nauman, born in Ohio in 1809: they were married June 29, 1527. William Prince became a successful farmer and a man of influence in the community in- which he lived: he died in 1848; his widow departed this life Jan. 12, 1881. Benjamin F. was the fifth of six children who grew to maturity; he was brought up to the labors of the farm, and received his early education in the district school; in 1860, he entered the Preparatory Department of Wittenberg College; he graduated from this institution in 1865, and at the opening of the next ses- sion he proceeded to the study of theology; in the spring of 1866. he was ap- pointed Tutor in said institution; in 1869, Principal of Preparatory Department and Assistant Professor of Greek: in 1573, Professor of Natural History. and in 1878, Professor of Greek and History. which position he now holds. In 1869, he was married to Ella Sanderson, of Springfield, Ohio. Miss Sander- son was the daughter of T. P. Sanderson, a lawyer of Philadelphia. editor of The Daily Noirs of that city: in 1861, chief clerk to Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, and afterward Colonel in the regular army. Miss Sanderson received her education in the schools of Philadelphia, and in the Springfield Seminary. from which she graduated in 1866.
T. J. PRINGLE, attorney at law, Springfield. T. J. Pringle is a native of Clark County, being born one mile west of South Charleston in 1838, coming from a family of old pioneers: his grandfather was among the early settlers of Ohio from Kentucky; both of his parents are living, each of them having almost reached threescore and ten. In 1856, he entered Oberlin College, leaving after reaching the senior class. in 1857; returning to Springfield he read law with Messrs. Shellabarger & Goode, and in 1864 was admitted to the bar: in 1870, he improved his condition in life by sharing his name and fortunes with Miss Poague, of Greene County. Their family consists of two daughters and one son. Mr. Pringle was Prosecuting Attorney for a period of over seven years, just prior to 1873, during which incumbency he prosecuted two important and memorable cases; first, that of the burglars' thus terminating what was known as the "burglars' reign" here, to which the people had been sub -. jected for some four years, by a sworn band of twenty-five or thirty men. com- prising on its infamous roll the names of the scions of some of Springfield's best families: the second case alluded to was that of a defaulting Treasurer in 1873, who was short to the city nearly $100,000, about $40,000 of which was recovered. On July 12, 1875, Mr. Pringle formed a law copartnership with Mr. Shellabarger (with whom he commenced reading law ten years previous), under the name of Shel- labarger & Pringle, which partnership continued until Mr. Shellabarger left Springfield four years later. Mr. Pringle is an urbane gentleman of rather distinguished appearance and dignified bearing: speaks tersely and to the point, vigorous in debate, and is what might be termed a solid lawyer in the sense that one would say a solid business man: he would impress a jury less by brill- iant oratory and pathos than by clean-cut. sledge-hammer argument. and a confidence in the integrity of the man. His practice has been successful, and is large and profitable. Mr. Pringle is a hale man, with superior powers of endurance, and his and Mrs. Pringle's ancestors were rather remarkable for lon. gevity. Mr. Pringle's home on High street (No. 344) is a handsome one, and his well directed professional efforts have been substantially rewarded by exceed- ingly comfortable (if not luxurious) circumstances in life. In 1879, he was elected a member of the Ohio Senate, and is at present a member of that body.
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MRS. ATHALINDA PRINTZ, Springfield. Mrs. Printz is the widow of Peter Printz, deceased: she lives in a fine large brick house on the old home- stead farm, located four miles south of Springfield, between the Clifton and Yellow Spring Pikes: she is the daughter of John and Margaret (McBeth) Kel- ley, and was born in this county Aug. 23, 1822. Mr. Printz was born in llagerstown, Md., Sept. 7, 1811; he came to Ohio and to Clark County with his parents in 1815 and settled on the above-mentioned farm. Peter and Atha- linda were married March 23, 1841; eleven children were born to them, viz .. Isaiah C., Mary M., Sarah O. (deceased), Silas W., William G., Oliver K. (deceased), Daniel L. (deceased), Ruth Ann, P. Franklin, Emma J. and J. Eugene. Isaiah was married, May 22, 1866, to Harriet Courson: Mary was married, April 9, 1879, to Fletcher Rine; Silas was married, April 3, 1879, to Charlotte Jenkins; Ruth was married, Oct. 14, 1880. to Samuel Bollman. Mr. Printz lived with his parents on the home farm during their life-time, and after their death retained the farm, paying the rest of the heirs their share in money. Mrs. Printz's father was a native of Kentucky and her mother of Ohio; Atha- inda was left an orphan when 3 years old by the death of her father. The Kel- lys were. among the first settlers of this county. Mrs. Printz is one of those good. motherly women. who never ceases to look after the cares of her children: her sons, Frank and John, carry on the farm.
DANIEL C. PUTNAM, of the firmu of Andrews, Wise & Putnam. Mr. Putnam, like the other members of this firm, is a native of Massachusetts: he was born in Fitchburg March 10, 1S44: his youth was spent on a farm and in attending school. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the army (his father having objected to his enlisting previously), and, leaving the high school, joined the 25th Mass. V. I., of which his uncle, Edwin Upton, was Colonel, and he served as a member of that regimennt until the regiment was mustered out in August, 1865. After returning from the army, he went to Keene, N. H., where his father owned a tract of timber land, and he was engaged in lumbering there until the spring of 1857, when he came West. After prospecting considerable and finding nothing in particular, and being determined to stay in the West. he engaged with a contractor then building a gravel road into this city, and shov- eled gravel about three months; in the meantime, having become acquainted with Rice & Co., he came into Springfield the fall of 1868, and was in the em- ploy of that firm about a year. after which he determined to complete the edu- cation which his enlistment had broken off; by teaching and attending school as opportunity offered. he graduated at Worthington in June. 1874: he was Super- intendent of the Yellow Springs Schools. at the same time teacher of the high school. and was engaged in teaching and study until January, 1876. when he became a member of the firm of Wilson, Wise & Putnam, and he has since been connected with this establishment as a member of the different firms who have succeeded each other. and he now has special charge of the accounting depart- ment. Mr. Putnam married. Dec. 15, 1875. Miss Kate E. Urner: she was born in Cincinnati, and came with her parents to this city in 1867. The issue of this union has been three children, only one of whom. Helen Clifford, is living. It will be seen Mr. Putnam has come to his present circumstances by persever- ing through severe experiences. and is therefore a self-made man; he is now in the prime of life-thorough and competent in business, and affable and respected in society; he is a member of the High Street M. E. Church, in which he is a Steward. and is identified with the different departments of church activities; he is also identified with the educational interests of the city, being a member of the Board of Education: he is also a member of the lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity, his membership being at Yellow Springs.
CHARLES RABBITTS, retired woolen manufacturer, Springfield. Mr.
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Charles Rabbitts' open, frank countenance and hearty manner are his passport to the immediate confidence and respect of his merest acquaintance-and of how few can this be truly said! Mr. Rabbitt is a man of true worth, and an ornament to any community; his life has been an even one, the following being a brief chronological outline of it. Mr. Rabbitts is of English birth and parentage. having been born in Wiltshire, England. on Sept. 7, 1820, hence just 60 years old: his family came to this country in 1832, settling in Cuyahoga County; in 1843. Mr. Rabbitts moved to Newark, Ohio, and embarked in woolen manufact- ure. and in 1847 established the same industry here, in copartnership with Mr. L. H. Olds, from which Mr. Olds retired about 1852. On the 3d of May, 1849, Mr. Rabbitts consummated a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Robison, the result of which union has been four sons and two daughters (one son being dead), all as vet single: one of the former is James H. Rabbitts, of the prominent law firm of Keifer, White & Rabbitts. Mr. Rabbitts retired from active business in 1875, having, up to his retirement, done the leading business in the line of woolen manufactures, and given a decided impetus to that indus- try. Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitts have been for many years members of and thor- oughly identified with the interests and prosperity of the Second Presbyterian Church Springfield has produced no better men than Rabbitts & Olds, and no community has need of better.
I. B. RAWLINS, lumber-dealer, Springfield. Mr. Rawlins has been a resident of Springfield for the past quarter of a century, during which time he has resided in Springfield excepting about four years, when he resided on a farm near here, and has been identified with different business interests. although always owning a farm, and much of the time actively engaged in agri- culture. In 1875, he engaged in the lumber trade here, operating a mill in connection, which business he still continues. He is a native of Delaware, born in 1809, but his parents removed to Ross Co., Ohio, in 1810, and he resided there previous to becoming a resident of this county; he was raised on a farm, and what education he received was obtained in the log schoolhouses of pioneer days: when of proper age, he learned the potter's art, which trade he followed until he had laid by enough for a start. then bought a farm, and, by improving and selling, soon placed himself among the successful men. He married Mary A. Hotsenpiller: she was a native of Ross County; they have three children liv- ing-George C., who is now County Prosecutor; Albert M., now a member of the firm of I. B. Rawlins & Son; and Mattie. Mr. Rawlins comes of pioneer and patriotic stock; his father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was present at Hull's surrender. His wife is a granddaughter of Ferdinand Seigel, who was a surgeon during the Revolution, and two of his sons were in the late war: the oldest. Charles F., gave his life as a sacrifice for his country. and, though sev eral of Mr. Rawlins' relations were residents of the South at the beginning of the war, all remained true and loyal citizens.
JOHN REDDISH, farmer; P. O. Springfield: resides three miles south- east of Springfield, where he is beautifully located near the Springfield South- ern Railroad. He was born Oct. 3, 1827, in this county, near what is now known as " Fletcher Chapel." He has always lived at his present residence, except about eight years. He read medicine in the office of Dr. Kav. of Spring- field. and graduated at the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 24. 1863; was married to Elizabeth Vieory Oct. 2, 1866. His father, Nathan Reddish, was born in Somerset Co., Md., Dec. 26, 1783, and came to Ohio some time between 1803 and IS08 and engaged in the tanning business near Yellow Springs, Greene Co., Ohio. He was married. in 1808 or 1809, to Matilda Miller. In 1810, he moved to what is now Clark County, and settled on the northeast quarter of Sec. 14, adjoining the quarter on which our subject now lives; here
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he opened a tan-yard. In 1812, he was called out to guard the frontier against the Indians, and was stationed at what was known as " Zane's Block-house," in what is now Logan Co., Ohio, his wife and two children remaining alone in a log cabin for one month; in August, 1815, he bought of Thomas Patton 112 acres (of the quarter where John now resides) for $312; here he operated another tannery, and carried on the trade of tanner and currier until 1834. and then farming till his death, July 7, 1853. . In 1817, his wife died, leaving five children; in 1818, he was again married, this time to Mary McCleve, who lived but a short time after her marriage; and in November, 1826, he was again
united in marriage, taking for his third wife Mrs. Harriet Oxtoby Loomis; with this union three children were born, John now being the only surviving child. The mother of John was born in Yorkshire, England, Feb. 26, 1792, and died April 7, 1874; in 1803, she came with her father, Henry Oxtoby, to the United States, and settled at Geneva, N. Y., where she married John Loomis, who was mortally wounded by an Indian while scouting. after the battle of Queenstown Heights, Canada; he was one of the few who volunteered to go over from Lew- iston to hold the ground already taken; he died and was buried at Lewiston in October, 1812; by this marriage, two daughters were born; one died in New York: the other. Mrs. Elizabeth Newlove, is still living. In the fall of 1814, Harriet came to ohio with her father, who, with his family, settled near Fletcher Church, this county, where she lived until her marriage with Nathan Reddish.
JUDSON REDMOND, miller, Springfield; proprietor of the Junction Mills, situated five miles east of Springfield, near Harmony, where he is doing an extensive business; he is the second son of Peter and Sarah (Curtiss) Red- mond, and was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Ang. 16, 1824, where he lived. with his parents until 18 years of age; he then began the trade of wagon-mak- ing, at which he worked two years, then one year at carpentering. At the age of 21 years, he left his native State and came to Ohio, locating in Lucas County; here he began the trade of millwright, which he followed some ten years; after living two years in said county, he moved to West Libery. Logan Co., where he remained about five years, when he rented a mill near Bellefontaine and began his first work as miller; but, having a wide experience in millwrighting. he was well prepared to execute every branch of the trade; he continued milling in three different mills, when he purchased a farm in Logan County, and, after farming it for two years, traded the farm for the Stony Creek Mills, which he sold after running the same a short time, and purchased the mills he now owns. He was married, Oct. 10, 1847, to Harriet Hinman, daughter of Justice and Ruth (Buell) Hinman: their issue has been six children-Francis, Edgar I., Sarah O., Clara E., Inez I. and Harry G .; Francis died when but 10 months old; the others grew to manhood and womanhood. Edgar was married, in November, 1872, to Maria Meade, and at his death left a wife and two children; Clara was married. Oct. 10, 1874, to Frank Gillett: she, too. has gone to the spirit land, leaving one child; Sarah Orella was married, March 4, 1875, to Samuel Taylor, proprietor of Taylor's Mills: Inez was married, Nov. 26; 1877, to Edmond H. Ogden. When Mr. Redmond began business for himself. at the age of 21, he had only $20. but, by his perseverance and integrity, and his good wife's encouragement and help. he has accumulated property to the value of $20,000. He and his wife united themselves with the Baptist Church in IS71, and since then have lived consistent lives, in harmony with the teachings of that denomination. In politics, he has always been a stanch Republican. Mrs. Redmond was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1829; when she was 6 years old, her parents moved to Michigan, where her father died, when she returned to New York, where she remained until her marriage to Mr. Redmond.
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MARGARET (KESLER) REID. Springfield; widow of James Reid. deceased, who was born Sept. 8, 1785, died 1857; when James was a young man, his father sold the farm in Virginia, receiving Continental money as pay, preparatory to his coming to Ohio; but, about the time they were ready to start, he took sick and died, which deferred their coming. Mrs. Reid, being left a widow. with nine children-seven boys and two girls-was at a loss what to do, keeping the money until she would determine whether to come to Ohio or remain in Virginia; during the time, the Revolutionary war closed, and the money became worthless, leaving them destitute, having sold everything but their team, and, in 1802, two of the boys came to Ohio, locating in Springfield; dur- ing that year, they pre-empted the farm now owned by Margaret and her chil- dren; on this farm they, during the summer, raised a crop and erected a cabin, and in the fall went back to Virginia, and returned to this county with the rest of the family. In 1846, James was married to Margaret Kesler, the subject of our sketch: she was born in Bavaria, Europe, in 1819; her mother died in 1831, and in 1833 her father, with Margaret and her two brothers, emigrated to Amer- ica, coming direct to Springfield: they were shipwrecked on the ocean, losing everything they had except the clothes they had on; the wreck was occasioned by the Captain of the ship, in company with others, being down below drinking wine, aind not paying attention to the direction the ship was going, and ran on a sand-bank. To Margaret and James four children have been born -- William J. (who died young). George H., James A. and Sarah J. George was married, Jan. 4, 1870, to Eunice E., daughter of Silas and Margaret Byrd: they have one child-Sarah J .- and live with his mother on the farm; George is an active, enterprising young man, of excellent character. James A. was married. Oct. 11, 1877, to Harriet A., daughter of John and Mary Oxtoby: they live on the farm, in sight of his mother's house; he is also an energetic young man, of good habits. Mrs. Reid, although 61 years old, is in excellent health, and is almost as active as when a young girl, and devotes great care to her daughter. Sarah, who is helpless, being afflicted with rheumatism.
JOHN A. REIFSNIDER, boot and shoe manufacturer and dealer, Spring- field. John A. Reifsnider was born in Newville, Cumberland Co., Penn., on Jan. 18, 1834; he had two brothers and five sisters, of whom one brother and four sisters are l'ving. He came of a long-lived family, his father and mother dying at the ages of 65 and 71 respectively, and one of his aunts attained the remarkable age of 102 years. Mr. Reifsnider learned his trade with his brother, at Reading, Penn., from 1849 to 1854, coming to Springfield in 1854, where he worked at the bench until 1861. In the meantime, Sept. 5, 1855, he ยท married Eliza J. Sprague, of Springfield. About one month prior to the break- ing-out of the war, he bought out a small establishment one door east of his present location; he was joined in business, in 1863, by his brother, H. R., the firm name being Reifsnider & Bro., continuing until Oct. 8, 1879, when his brother died: on the 22d of the same month, our subject bought the interest of his brother's estate. Mr. Reifsnider's only military experience was with the well-known "Squirrel-hunters." Of his six children, two of either sex survive -- Charles S. and Frank M., both being in business with their father; and his daughters, Ida and Hesper. are respectively 18 and 16 years old. He is a self- made man, being early thrown on his own resources, and never had any assist- ance from friends; he is one of those genial men who have a smile and pleasant word for all, and has a host of friends. Mr. Reifsnider is eminently a man of societies, being an active ard worthy member of the following bodies: Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M .; Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M .; Springfield Council, No. 17, R. & S. M .: Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T .: Moncrieffe Lodge, No. 33, K. of P .; Uniform Rank, No. 6, K. of P., of which he is Lieu-
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tenant Commander, and has been Past Master of Clark Lodge, F. & A. M., and Thrice Illustrious Master of Springfield Council of Royal and Select Masters; also Past Captain General of Palestine Commandery of Knights Templar.
HENRY REYNOLDS, farmer; P. O. Springfield. When Mr. Reynolds was 16 years old, he began the trade of molding and burning brick, at which he worked about forty years, but for the last ten years has devoted his attention chiefly to farming. He was born in Montgomery Co., Va., Jan. 20, 1816, and came to Ohio with his parents in the fall of 1826; they settled near what is now Plattsburg. this county, where they lived one year, and then moved to Green Township, where they lived until their deaths. His father, William Rey- nolds, died in 1857, and his mother, Elizabeth (Tuggle) Reynolds, died in 1864. In 1845, Henry purchased 80 acres of his present farm, and in 1856 bought 40 acres more; he moved to where he now lives in 1855. He was mar- ried, Dec. 29, 1840, to Julia Ann Mckinney, daughter of John and Rachel (Shaw) McKinney. Mrs. Reynolds was born in this county July 20, 1820, and died Sept. 24. 1878. They had six children, viz., Nancy, Olive, William W., John H .. Elizabeth and Rachael J. Nancy was married, Dec. 29, 1875, to John Warren; Olive was married, Dec. 30. 1867, to Thomas Hill: William was mar- ried, March 30, 1876. to Mary A. Pilcher; Jolm was married, Sept. 28, 1876, to Sarah Ballentine: John is at present practicing medicine in Lawrenceville, this county. Mr. Reynolds lives in the southeastern part of this township; he is a generous, wholesouled man. possessed of true Virginian hospitality.
SAMUEL RHODES, retired farmer: P. O. Springfield. Samuel Rhodes is one of eight children-seven sons and one daughter -- of Jacob and Barbara Rhodes, of Lancaster Co., Penn., and was born in Chambersburg, Penn., on Nov. 11, 1812: his ancestors on his mother's side were from Holland; he lost his father while only 17, and, the family circumstances being very limited, he began the battle of life alone and unaided at even that early age, and his pres- eut comfortable situation in life is an indication of how successfully he has fought that battle. On Dec. 12. 1833. a few weeks after the memorable shower of stars, he married Miss Elizabeth Slevick, of his native county, at the family home, and farmed six years, then worked at the trade, of which St. Crispin is the Patron Saint, six years, then, in October of 1845, he moved with his family to Springfield, which has since been his home; here he farmed until 1862, when, having secured a comfortable competency, he built his present cozy home, 169 South Yellow Springs street, and retired from further active exertions. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes' children, mentioned in the order of their ages, are: Mrs. Amanda Stewart, living in Nebraska: Samuel S., living in Indianapolis; Cyrus C., at Bradford, Penn .; Hiram H., here; and Mrs. Hattie E. Raymond, in Franklin, Penn. It may be mentioned as remarkable that not only did Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes raise all their children, but that three sons and two sons-in-law were three years in the Union army, and returned home whole. Their young- est son, Hiram, is foreman in the paint-shop of P. P. Mast & Co., and lives in his own house. next door to his parents: he married Miss Ella Shorey on Dec. 22, 1871, and has one boy, who was 3 years old in September last. Mr. Rhodes was a member of the Board of Equalization for eleven years, and is now an Infirmary Director; he is an earnest member and one of the Trustees of St. Paul's Church. a recent colonization from the Central Church; an unpreten. tious, honest and highly respected citizen, and one about whom only pleasant things are said.
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