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 43
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MARTIN L. RICE, of the firm of James Neill & Co., manufacturers of and dealers in boots and shoes, Springfield. Mr. Rice has been identified with the growth and business of. Springfield for nearly twenty years. He is a native of Worcester Co .. Mass., born Dec. 2, 1824; he was one of five sons, whose
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father, believing every young man should have a trade, had each one appren- ticed at a propor age. Martin L. was apprenticed to a baker, and afterward became associated with his father, Anson Rice, who was a merchant, and the Postmaster at Northboro, Mass .: he remained in business there about fifteen years, then came West and located at Springfield; he was connected with the Yellow Springs Agricultural Works, and one of four who lost $70,000 by the fire which destroyed the works in March, 1860, after which he became connected with the Lagonda Agricultural Works, and continued there about five years, during which important progress was made. In 1865, he retired, and became interested in merchandising, Rice & Co. being successors to W. S. Fieid & Co. in the business now conducted by Andrews, Wise & Putnam. After a very suc- cessful career of about ten years, he sold out and became connected with the management and construction of the now Springfield Southern Railway, with which he continued to be actively interested about three years; in the mean- time, he had purchased and become sole proprietor of the "Springfield Curved Elbow," which he still continues to manufacture with marked success. By rea- son of his connection with this patent, he became the defendant in the case known as that of Price vs. Rice, one of the most tedious, as it was the most per- sistently prosecuted and firmly defended, suits known to the courts of Clark County; after the trials in the Court of Common Pleas, and a hearing by ap- peal in the District Court, Mr. Rice triumphed, and, though the litigation cost hiin a good-sized fortune in money, and more in annoyance. he defeated what he then considered and what he now considers a very carefully planned and ably executed attempt to levy blackmail under cover of a claim for indebted- ness. In 1879, he purchased the stock of the assignee and succeeded to the business of W. A. Hance, and has since conducted a large and flourishing trade in boots and shoes, at No. 38 East Main street, under the firm name of James Neill & Co .. It will thus be seen Mr. Rice's life has been an unusually active one; in fact, he has earned the reputation of being indefatigable in business. He belongs to a family remarkable for their activity and capacity: his oldest brother, John A. Rice, now of the Tremont House, Chicago, has acquired dis- tinction as a hotel manager; another brother, Myron G., now deceased, was prominent in railroad circles; Charles A. has been connected with the manage- ment of the United States & Canada Express Company for the past thirty years; and the youngest brother, Solon W., has been identified with the mining inter- ests at Gold Hill. Nev., for the past fifteen years. Mr. Rice began life for him- self as an apprentice, and has worked his way by a life of intense activity, and, though he has suffered losses, has accumulated a considerable estate, and now owns a number of valuable pieces of city property, including that occupied by the firms of which he is the financial and managing head: his residence, on Center street, corner of Mulberry, is a fine property; the building, having cost him $17,000, is a model of convenience and beauty. Mr Rice has been a mem- ber of the Republic Printing Company since its organization. and is a public- spirited citizen, generous toward all worthy charities and enterprises of public benefit. His wife. nee Miss Maynard, is a daughter of Calvin and Judith May nard, of Marlboro. Mass., and a sister of . James F. Maynard. of the firm of Maynard, Skinner & Co., wholesale grocers of Boston. Mass .: her first husband, Stephen W. Eager, also of Marlboro. Mass .. deceased only three months after their marriage: her marriage with Mr. Rice was celebrated in Boylston. Mass., Dec. 22. 1346: this union has been blessed with four children - three daughters and a son: the son died in infancy: two daughters. Emily AL. and Addie M., are still at home; the other daughter is the wife of J. C. Brecht. who resides in Springfield, and is the well-known and reliable conductor of the "Short Line " accommodation between here and Cincinnati, he having held that
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position from the date of the first train (July 3, 1872) to the present time; his record, in the language of one of the railroad officials, may be summed up in three words, viz., sobriety, honesty, industry. In 1858, Mr. Rice was made a Mason at Marlboro, Mass., and has ever since taken a deep interest in the Masonic fraternity, having been for twenty-one years a member of Clark Lodge. No. 101, of Springfield. In politics, he was a Whig, and, since the organiza- tion of the Republican party, has been voting that ticket, having been always opposed to slavery and in favor of all men being free and equal.
HARRISON RICE, retired farmer; P. O. Springfield. The father of this gentleman was Edward Rice, a native of Massachusetts, who was there married to Lucy Pool, daughter of William and Lois Pool, natives of that State, the family moving to Vermont with Mr. Rice shortly after his marriage. In 1809, they concluded to come to Ohio, and, upon reaching the head of navigation on the Allegheny River. they built a pine log raft, upon which they descended the Allegheny to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio to Cincinnati, where they re- mained until 1812. when they came in wagons to Clark County, settling in the western part of Harmony Township, south of the present village of Harmony. Here Harrison was born, Oct. 8. 1823. being the sixth in a family of ten children, as follows: Polly. the widow of Alansan Chamberlain, of Indiana; Asa, deccased; Malinda, the deceased wife of i. B. Sprague; Bardh, wife of Darias Sprague; Eliza (deceased). Harrison. Alonzo. Celoma (wife of Robert B. Minnich, of Piqua), Henry C. and William. In 1838, Edward Rice sold his farm in Harmony Township and purchased property south of Springfield, upon which a portion of the city now stands, most of it yet belonging to his heirs. He died Jan. 10, 1843. his wife surviving him many years, dying Oct. 22, 1877. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education, and, Aug. 24, 1846, he was married to Amelia Goudv. daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (McBeth) Goudy, pioneers of Green Township, who afterward settled on Sec. 19. on the southern line of Springfield Township. where Mrs. Rice was born Ang. 21. 1826. Seven children have been born of this union. as follows: Althia M .. the wife of George M. Whitcomb; Elizabeth. the wife of Mathew Stewart; Myra, who graduated at the Springfield High School in June. 1878; Edward, a graduate of Van Sickle's Business College of Springfield. receiving his diploma in April. 1872; and For- rest, who will graduate this year from the high school. Mr. Rice came with his parents, in 1838. to the property where he now resides, and farmed the land upon which the southeastern portion of the city is built. Politically, a Republican: a man of honest principles and unswerving integrity, quiet and unassuming in his manners. he well deserves a place in the pages of this book.
WILLIAM RICE. farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. Rice lives on a beauti- ful farm three and a half miles southeast of the city of Springfield; his tine house, good barn and other modern improvements are indications of a tidy and thriving farmer; he engages quite extensively in raising fine hogs of the Poland- China breed. He was born in this county Feb. 17, 1833, and is the son of Edward and Lucy (Pool) Rice; his parents were natives of Vermont and came to this county in an early day. William was married, Jan. 3. 1856, to Matilda Goudy, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (MeBeth) Goudy: her parents were also early settlers of this county. coming here in 1826. and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Rice; they have six children. viz., Lillie M .. Laura O., Will- ian E., Harry A .. Cland F. and Zella B. Mr. Rice has followed farming all his life, preferring it to any other trade: he began working for himself at the age of 10 years, with no fortune but his good name, and, by perseverance and good management, has accumulated quite a fortune. Mr. and Mrs. Rice stand high in the estimation of their neighbors, and enjoy their home and family.
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HENRY CLAY RICE, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. Rice lives just be- yond the city limits on the south, where he owns 25 acres of beautiful land, which he has laid off' into lots; said plat contains ninety-five very desirable building sites, and is called by its founder Riceville; it contains three streets, viz .. Henry, Clay and Rice. Mr. Rice was born in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio Sept. 25, 1830: he is a son of Edward and Lucy Rice. When 14 years of age, he began the trade of saddle and harness making, at which he worked some three years, but, on account of poor health, was obliged to seek different employ- ment; hence he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked six years, and since then has devoted his time chiefly to farming. He was married, Aug. 12. 1855, to Sarah S. Dean: their children are Ida Belle, Edward A. and Harry C .; Ida was married, Nov. 27, 1879, to Willis Little; Edward was married, Nov. 24, 1880, to Alice Pool. Mr. Rice is a man of good moral character, honorable and upright in all his dealings, and possessed with a warm, genial spirit, which prompts him to many acts of kindness; although a sober. industrious man. yet he loves a day of recreation, and still keeps up the practice of taking a deer and wild turkey hunt once a year.
ALONZO RICE. farmer; P. O. Springfield. He was born in Harmony Township, this county, July 8, 1825; is a brother of Henry C., and lives on an Henry; their land is a part of the farm purchased by
their father. When Alonzo was 17 years old. he served two years as an appren- tice at the blacksmith's trade in Springfield, and then two years as journeyman. when he took a half-interest in a shop, and, at he end of one year. started a shop for himself, which he carried on some two years; he then removed to New Moorefield, this county. where he lived three years, working at his trade, when he returned to Springfield, and, after working at his trade for a short time, he con- cluded to quit blacksmithing, which he did, and since then has been a farmer. He was married, June 22, 1847. to Mary E. Alt, sister of George and Daniel Alt: they have five children. all living-Adam L., who was married. Oct. 20, 1870, to Florence E. Monahan; Lucy J., who was married. Nov. 10. 1870, to Caleb Bird; Maria E., who was married. Sept. 25. 1872. to Charles M. Toland; Mary Belle, who was married, Dec. 20, 1877, to Wesley McDonald: and Charles A. The four who are married live in sight of their parents, and Charles is still at home. Mr. Rice was a member of the Sons of Temperance for several years, and is a strong advocate on the side of temperance. Politically. he casts his vote with the Republican party, and among his fellow-men is regarded as an honorable, upright citizen. .
J. W. RINEHART, deceased. James Workman Rinehart was born December 16, 1827. in Waynesburg. Greene County., Pennsylvania: was one of nine children, his father, Jesse Rinehart, being of German ancestry; he was educated at Waynesburg College, after leaving which. at 19. he commenced his business career as a dry-goods merchant in his native town. In 1852. he came to Springfield and established a hardware business. which he continued for nine years. In 1861, he transferred his business to Leavenworth. Kan .. where he remained until 1866; returning to Springfield, he commenced the manufacture of furniture, in which he did not contintie long; becoming dissatis- fied, he bought Mr. John Petts' interest in the agricultural manufacturing firm of Petts & McConnell. to which firm he added great strength by the accession of his means and business ability; he was a scrupulous. just. accurate and exact. man. Mr. Rinehart was twice married: first, to Miss Caroline M. Pennock. of his native town, who died leaving two children -- Joe Workman and Lucy; the former died Dec. 24. 1876. aged 17, and the latter is the wife of Joseph D. Lit- tle, of Springfield. Ohio. His second wife, who survives him. is a daughter of F. E. D. McGinley, a journalist of La Fayette, Ind .; she has three beautiful
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and interesting daughters-Emeline, Jessie Earle and Florence, the eldest of whom is attending the Springfield Young Ladies' Seminary. Mrs. Rinehart and daughters reside in the palatial family mansion on High street. Mr. Rine- hart's death occurred at Springfield in 1876; the firm, as it was constituted at his death-Rinehart, Ballard & Co .-- is still conducted under the same name, Mrs. Rinehart and Mrs. C. P. Ballard (who is also widowed) retaining their interests. The names of Rinehart and Ballard are inseparably connected with Springfield's best interests.
THOMAS ROBERTS, boiler works, Springfield; is a native of Ohio, born in Knox County in 1844. Although but 17 years of age, he was among those who answered the first call for troops in 1861, and, after serving three months, re-enlisted for three years and served the full term in the 4th O. V. 1. After his return from the army, he began work as an apprentice in a boiler-shop in Mt. Vernon, and subsequently worked at his trade there a number of years. He came to Springfield in 1870, and was employed by Thompson & Kingsbury; after about six months, Mr. Roberts bought out his employers, and has since conducted business for himself, being associated part of the time with his brother, who is now proprietor of boiler works on Washington street. Mr. Roberts has thus risen, by his energy and industry, from an employe to the head of an important idusus, manufacturing the Victory corn-grinder at his machine-shops, on Bridge street, between Spring and Gallagher, and doing a large business in the manufacture of boilers at the Leffel works. Mr. Roberts married Miss Eliza South, of Mt. Vernon; they have five children-three sons and two daughters.
B. F. ROBERTS, boiler works, Springfield; is a native of Ohio, born in Mt. Vernon in 1848. He learned his trade at C. & G. Cooper's boiler and engine works, and came to Springfield in 1869, and worked at his trade here a short time, then began business for himself with his brother Thomas; shortly after they started the works on Washington street, his brother withdrew, since which he has continued the business alone: he is now manufacturing all the boilers for the Common Sense Engine Company, and doing a thorough business. He married, in 1872, Alice Teagarden, of Mt. Vernon; they have two children living and two deceased. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and au industrious, useful citizen.
WILLIAM RODGERS, banker, Springfield. Mr. Rodgers is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1809. He came to Springfield when a young man, in 1832, and engaged in merchandising, being a partner with Peter Murray, who was theu a prominent and successful merchant here, and Mr. Rodgers has since been identified with the business interests of Springfield. After several years of merchandising, he sold out and retired from business on account of his fail- ing health. but bought a tract of wild land north of the city, the clearing and partial improving of which he supervised. In 1851, he became connected with the banking interests of Springfield as a constituent member of the company who - organized the Springfield (now First National) Bank, of which he has been a. Director since its organization. Mr. Rodgers is a quiet, unostentatious. but enterprising and useful citizen. He married, in 1841. Miss Sarah Harrison. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which he is a Trustee. His residence is a handsome property on North Lime- stone street, where they have resided since 1843.
JOHN H. RODGERS. M. D., physician, Springfield; is a native of Springfield, a son of Dr. Robert Rodgers: the latter was a native of Pennsylva- nia. and removed from Cumberland County, in 1832, to Portsmouth, Ohio, and came to Springfield the following year, where he practiced medicine until about 1873, when his health began failing, and his decease occurred in February,
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1880. Dr. Rodgers was one of the cariy physicians of Clark County, and. for a period of forty years, was a leading physician of Springfield. He married Miss Effic Harrison, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and survives her hnshand. now residing at the old home residence, northeast corner of North Limestone and North streets. They had a family of four sons and three dangh- ters, of whom six are living, all residents of Springfield. The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield in 1834; was educated at the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and is also a graduate of the Medical Deparment of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. He began the practice of his profession in Springfield in 1856; in the fall of 1861, he entered the United States service as Assistant Sur- geon of the 44th O. V. I .; after eighteen months' service in this position, he was promoted to the rank of Surgeon and assigned to the 104th O. V. I., in which he served until January, 1865, when he returned to Springfield and re- sumed practice, and has since continued, and is now one of the leading physi- cians of the city.
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RICHARD HENRY RODGERS,-manufacturer of grain-drills and cider- mills, Springfield. Mr. Richard Henry Rodgers was born in Springfield on the 23d of September, 1836, and has been a life-time resident of the place; he has three brothers and two sisters, and of the former, Dr. John H. Rodgers, a prom- inont physician of Springfield, is the oldest. Our subject's twin brother, Isaac W., is of the firm of L. Patric & Co., of this city, manufacturers of hot-air fur- naces, and the other brother, James G., is in the First National Bank of Spring- field. In 1866, Mr. Rodgers married Miss Alice Kilgore, who has borne him two sons and one daughter. His mother is still spared to her sons, but their father died Feb. 14, ISSO. a victim of softening of the brain. Mr. Rodgers' career has been somewhat varied, but uniformly successful: when quite young, he attended Wittenberg College, but left at 17. before reaching the higher classes; he entered Brown & Co.'s drug-store, remaining two years, after which he was a year or two in the office of the Sandusky Railroad, from which he went into the Clark County Bauk, of which his uncle was Cashier, and there he remained until the bank changed hands, about 1857; after this event. he went to St. Louis, doing for one year a wholesale and retail carpet business; return- ing to Springfield, he entered the County Treasurer's office, acting five years in the capacity of Deputy County Treasurer; while yet in this office, he bought an interest in a bookstore, the firm being Ransom & Rodgers; Ransom going to the army, he conducted the business until Ransom's return, when be bought his partner's interest, becoming sole proprietor, Mr. Ransom going to Cincinnati. Mr. Rodgers continued the book business until 1867, when he bought an inter- est in the firm of Jewell & Ludlow, which, in 1872, became the present firm of Thomas (Joseph W. and C. E.), Ludlow (Abram R.) & Rodgers. They manu- facture, under special patents, agricultural articles for which there is a constant and increasing demand, and, having all the business they can handle, the firm's prosperity has been marked and pronounced, and their future bids fair to be even better, if possible. Mr. Rodgers is an excellent type of the modern busi- ness man; has clear-cut, iron-gray features, very prepossessing appearance and pleasant address; his family and self are Presbyterians, and he takes lively interest in the North Side Chapel.
WILLIAM ALLEN ROGERS, deceased, was a distinguished lawyer and Judge. was born Dec. 13. 1809. in Dauphin Co., Penn .; his father. Robert Rogers, was a farmer and miller: his maternal grandfather, William Allen, was a Colonel in the army of the Revolution, and was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of White Plains. The subject of this sketch received his primary education at the common schools, and, after a preparatory course of study, entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn .; after graduating at this
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institution. he studied law with Judge Kennedy, of Pittsburgh, and, on the completion of his studies. was admitted to the bar in that city. In the fall of 1834, he removed to Ohio. settling at Springfield; he first entered into partner- ship with Con. Anthony, and, after practicing his profession with him for a year or so, he commenced the practice alone; he was very successful in his profes- sion, and soon acquired an extensive practice. In 1839. he was sent as a Dele- gate to the Harrisburg Convention, which nominated Gen. Harrison for the Presidency; he took an active part in the political campaign of 1810, and was a popular and effective speaker: he was an earnest anti-slavery man, but, subse- quently, took no active part in politics. until 1848, when he co-operated with the Free-Soil party. In October. 1851, he was elected, under the new constitution. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the Third Subdivision of the Second Judicial District, consisting of the counties of Clark, Greene. Warren and Clin- ton: in 1855. he resigned his office, on account of failing health. and, on the 25th of May of the same year. he died. at his house in Springfield. While upon the bench, he displayed a profound knowledge of jurisprudence. and this, with his urbanity and impartiality, won for him the confidence and admiration of the bar. On Sept. 6. 1837, he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of George Smith, of College Hill. Hamilton Co., Ohio, originally from Dorsetshire, En- ko Medis meios were born six children - three sons and three daughters, all of whom, with their mother. survived him. Judge Rogers was distinguished for his public spirit, zealously participating in whatever was calculated to pro- mote the welfare of the community and ameliorate the condition of the poor and unfortunate; he took a special interest in deserving young men who were ambi- tious to success in the legal profession, and never failed to render them any assistance in his power: the Hon. R. A. Harrison, now of Columbus, Ohio, was one of his students: on Mr. Harrisou's admission to the bar, he located in Lon- don, Madison Co., Ohio, where Judge Rogers had a good practice; he immedi- ately formed a partnership with Mr. Harrison for business in that county, the partnership continuing until Judge Rogers was called to the bench: Judge White, now of the Supreme Court. also studied law with him; on Judge White's admission to the bar, he was taken into partnership by Judge Rogers, and this firm also continued until the latter went upon the bench. Judge Rogers was endowed with a brilliant intellect and with remarkable powers of analysis; he possessed a sparkling wit, was a logician of high order, and his eloquence was rich and impressive; these qualities made him an effective advocate and for- midable antagonist in any case which he espoused; he was a man of broad cult- ure, and of liberal and comprehensive views; he was not only distinguished for his professional learning, but also well versed in the sciences and in general lit- erature, and he had a high appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art. The writer of this sketch. who was intimately associated with him. never knew a man of a nobler and a more generous nature; of him it can be truly said that. as a Judge, as a lawyer and as a man, he was without fear and without re- proach.
E. S. S. ROUSE, dealer in boots and shoes, Springfield; is a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum County in 1828; the greater part of his youth was spent on a farm in Knox County. When about 21 years of age. he engaged as salesman in a general merchandise store in Mt. Vernon. He first embarked in business on his own account as a boot and shoe dealer. in 1855. in Mt. Vernon, where he continued until 1962. then removed to Mansfield. where he continued the same line of trade until 1865, then sold out and purchased a farm in Ash- land County, which he sold in 1868. then removed to Springfield, where he has since been engaged in business in his chosen line, boots and shoes: his store is localed at No. 26 South Market street. Mr. Rouse carries a large stock, and is
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doing a thriving trade. He married, in 1850, Miss Melissa J. Oglevee, daugh- ter of Hugh Oglevee, and a cousin of State Auditor J. F. Oglevee: this union has been blessed with three sons. two of whom are living -Olin O .. in the store with his father; and Wylie J., an accomplished stenographer. now engaged as amanuensis at the Farmer's Friend Works at Dayton. Mr. Rouse's father was a pioneer settler of Muskingum County, and a soldier of the war of 1812; he now resides at Mt. Vernon, being in his S5th year, having been born in New York State in February, 1795. Mr. Rouse is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, a member of the High Street M. E. Church, in which organization he has been for a number of years Treasurer, and a member of the Board of Trust- ees.
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