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 55
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THOMAS WINGATE, merchant; P. O. Catawba. He is a son of Peter Win- gate, native of Cecil Co., Md., who moved to Delaware in 1834, and emigrated to Ohio in 1844, and located in the eastern part of Pleasant Township, Clark Co; lived there ten years; then moved to the southern part of Missouri, and lived there until his death. Thomas was born Jan. 24, 1827, iu Maryland ; came to Ohio with his parents; was raised and educated a farmer. When he attained his majority, he learned the trade of a carpenter and followed the business six years. In 1856, he went to Missouri, and while there he engaged in farming six years. He returned to Ohio in 1865, and embarked in the mercantile business in Catawba. He keeps a fine general merchandise store, with a good assortment of the best grade of goods; is a liberal, wide-awake citizen and business man, and enjoys a good paying trade, and the confi- dence of a large number of warm friends. He was married Jan. 10, 1853, to Miss Mary Lafferty. They had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Laura, Ella, George, Burton and Maude. Mr. Wingate has held the office of Township Treasurer for eight years.
WILLIAM YEAZELL, farmer : P. O. Vienna Cross Roads. A sou of Jer- emiab Yeazell, late of this county, and grandson of Abraham, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio at a very early day and located in Moorefield Township, and lived.
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there until his death. Jeremiah was born in Moorefield Township, was raised and ed- ucated there and lived there until his death. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 21. 1929, in Moorefield Township. upon his father's farm. Was raised and educated a tiller of the soil. and has always been engaged in that calling. He was married. Jan. 27, 1850, to Miss Lydia A., daughter of Erastus Bennett, a native of New York. Mr. Yeazell has been very successful in his vocation. He owns the valuable farm where he lives, in Pleasant Township, and also a farm in Champaign Co., Ill. They had six children, five living -- James, Jane, Ellen, Elizabeth and Mary.
MOOREFIELD TOWNSHIP,
MATHEW ANDERSON, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Born in the north part of Ireland, about six miles from Giant's Causeway, in August, 1798. Emigrated to America in the year 1820, and located in Franklin Co., Penn. Was married, May 26. 1825, to Jane Brown, who was also born and raised in Ireland, coming to this country before Mr. Anderson. By this union they have had seven children, all grown to ma- curity and all irving, via., John. Martha, Agnes, Joseph B., Mary Jane, Sallie B. and Margaret A. Mr. Anderson, after his marriage, lived in Franklin Co., Penn., until the spring of 1832, when he removed to Ohio, locating in Ciark Co. He lived on rented farms for some years; he then bought a farm of 100 acres in Sec. 20, Moore- field Township, where he resided twenty years, when he purchased the farm upon which he now lives and has since resided. The two farms consist of 191 acres of land, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Anderson started in life a poor boy. and by his own industry, economy and good management, he has acquired a good home and property. He saw much of the hardships and trials of the early pioneers, but has lived to see the growth and progress of the county, which now stands among the first counties in the State in good firms and manufacturing interests. His wife died May 26, 1875, on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. The " golden wedding" was to have been celebrated that day. The invitations had been sent out for 200 guests, with the anticipation of an enjoyable occasion. But He who rules the universe . saw fit to call her on that very day to a happier and better world. " where they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." She was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church for more than half a century, and raised her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and saw the fruits of her labors in the good works of her children. they all becoming members of the church while young and before leaving the parental roof. Mr. Anderson is now past 82 years of age; has also been a member of the same church for more than fifty years, and an Elder in the same for over forty years; and we trust that their teachings and good works-the seed they have sown-will continue to spring up and bear fruit for genera - tions to come.
HORATIO BANES ( deceased). Among the early prominent pioneers of Clark Co., Horatio Banes stood deservedly high. He was born in Virginia Aug. 11, 1791, and was the son of Evan and Mrs. Sina (Chenoweth, nee Hayes) Banes, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia, who came to Moorefield Township, Clark Co., Ohio, in 1811. locating upon the farm where their descendants yet live, Evan dying Nov. 3. 1827. and his wife March 28, 1836. They had four children-Horatio, Gabriel, Evan and Sarah, all of whom are now dead, the two latter dying in Champaign Co., Ohio. Sarah being the wife of William Chenoweth, and Gabriel dying in Illinois. Horatio Banes was 20 years of age when his parents came to this county, and, being a young man full of vigor, he commenced to clear up the farin, while his father, who was a phy- sician and a student of the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, continued to practice his profession during his lifetime, having a very extensive practice. Mr. Banes was married, May 6, 1824, to Miss Polly Miller, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller,
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a sketch of whom will be found in this work. Mrs. Banes had born to her eleven children, viz., Robert M., Louisa (the wife af Justus Wilson), Joseph (deceased), Rou- ben, John (deceased ). Gabriel W., Evan ( deceased), Elizabeth (the wife of W. G. Wa- ters, of Toledo, Ohio). Nelson (deceased ), David (deceased ) and Sarah (deceased ). She was born in Fleming Co .. Ky., Feb. 23, 1800, and has been a member of the M. E. Church all her life, and is the only survivor of a class of seventy-five persons who organized the Moorefield M. E. Church at an early day. She is now past S1 years of age, and still resides upon the old homestead, and awaiting patiently the call to a better world, where she will meet her loved ones gone on before. Horatio Banes, during his vigor, brought his farm of 240 acres into good cultivation, which took many years of hard labor, and there he peacefully died Sept. 5, 1868, aged 77, full of honorable years, devoted to ful- filling the duties of an upright citizen, good neighbor, kind father, fond husband and trusted official. He was an officer of militia, and filled from the lowest rank up to that of. Major General. He held many township offices; was Justice of the Peace for a number of years, taking an active interest in the advancement and progress of educa- tion and all public improvements of his day, and possessed the entire confidence of his community. His parents came to Old Columbia, Ohio, in 1802, where they lived a few years; thence moved to Warren Co., where his father, Evan Banes, was instru- mental in laying out the town of Waynesville, and there they resided until their re-
TIMOTHY L. BOSART, deceased. This gentleman was one of the staid and substantial pioneers of Clark County, and was born in Pendleton Co., Va., Sept 4, 1803. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Hunter) Bosart, came to Clark County in 1811, settling on Sec. 21, Moorefield Township, where his mother died in 1817. and his father in 1841. Mr. Bosart grew to manheod in this county, and, Dec. 25, 1832, he was married to Miss Matilda Moss, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Moss, natives of the " Old Dominion," and pioneers of Clark Co., Ohio, Mrs. Moss being yet living, and in her 90th year. To Timothy L. and Matilda Bosart were born seven children, five sons and two daaghters, two of the sons dying in childhood. . Mrs. Bosart died Nov. 18, 1854. leaving behind those whom she had loved and cared for to mourn her loss. Mr. Bosart was always looked up to as one of the leading men of his township, and all who knew him trusted and respected him for his true manliness and rigid honesty in all things. In religious belief, a Universalist ; in politics, a Whig, which, on the breaking- out of that foul blot on American liberty called " Know-Nothingism," he forsock for the Democratic party. He held the positions of Township. Clerk, Treasurer and Trustee. and was Justice of the Peace for a number of terms, also acting as School Director some forty consecutive years. He died June 9, 1876, in his 73d year, leaving a name and character that his descendants can point to with just pride.
SAMUEL H. BOWLUS, grain dealer and proprietor of Bowlusville. Born in Middletown Valley, Frederick Co., Md., July 26, 1819; is a son of George and Ann Catharine (Lyles) Bowlus, natives of Frederick Co., Md., and who spent their lives in their native State, with the exception of about six months spent at Zanes- ville, Ohio, and at another time six months spent in Missouri, returning to their native State, where they resided till . their death. She died Feb. 17, 1827 .; he died Oct. 27, 1855, aged 65 years. They were parents of four children, Capt. Samuel H. the only one now surviving. Mr. Bowlus was married the second time to Miss Ann Ben- son, of Montgomery Co., Md., by whom he had four children, one only now living- George Andrew, now a resident of Iola, Kan, acting as real estate and railroad agent for the sale of lands, etc., holding a very prominent position, and through his exten- sive business has acquired a large amount of wealth. Mr. George Bowlus was in the farming and milling business during most of his life; was a very prominent and active man having the esteem and confidence of his community and the people of his county. holding many positions of publie trust. Was Judge of the Orphan's Court for sis years, and represented his county in the Legislature a greater portion of the time from 1828 to 1844. His eldest son, by his first wife, John W., now deceased, became a well known physician, in Millerville, Marion Co., Ind., where he had practiced his profession for thirty
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years at the time of his death. The eldest son by his second wife, Thomas H., also deceased, took the profession of the law, and became one of the most prominent lawyers of Indianapolis, and an intimate friend of Gov. Hendricks. His practice, which was extensive, was continued till his death, a period of twenty years. Our subject was raised and grew to maturity in his native State ; was only eight years of age at the death of his mother, but under the watchful care of his kind and intelligent father, grew to manhood, receiving a good common-school education, with a good knowledge of surveying. Was married Feb. 13. 1840, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Christopher and Ann Catharine ( Stembel) Michael. natives of Frederick Co., Md. By this union they had twelve children ; ten now survive -- George C., Samuel W., Charles F., Mary Ann Catharine, Maria Anneta (now Mrs. Schindler, of Toledo, Ohio), Millard Mc- Canlay, Warren L., John L., Henry C. and Clement L. In March, 1853, Capt. Bow - lus and family emigrated to Ohio and located about three-quarters of a mile from his present place of residence. In 1856, he purchased the tract of land upon which the village of Bowlusville now stands. The location being about equally distant from Springfield and Urbana, the two railroads. C., S. & C. and N. Y., P. & O., pass through the village. In 1853, a regular station was established here for the convenience of the neighborhood. Capt. Bowlus, after the purchase of this land, erected a good dwelling with a storeroom attached. in which has since been kept a general stock of merchandise to snit the wants of the people : has erected a large warehouse for the storing of grain, and in which he has carried on quite an extensive trade; also erected a saw-mill, and saws and deals quite extensively in lumber. A post office was established here about 1855, but after a few years was abandoned ; but in about 1862 was again re-established, taking the name of Bowlusville from its proprietor, Capt. Bowlus, under which grant it has since continued. Since and during the establishing of these several branches of industry, Capt. Bowlus has erected quite a number of houses upon lots of the village, which were needed for residences for the families of men employed in the various busi- ness interests of the village. Capt. Bowlus has dealt largely in real estate ; is the active spirit of this community, and has done much for the benefit of this neighborhood, and has the general confidence and esteem ot its citizens. In this brief sketch we have portrayed a family whose lives and characters in their business and professions stand very prominent, and of whose record their descendants may justly feel proud.
EPHRAIM Z. BRUBAKER, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Born Sept. 1], 1848, upon the farm where he now lives, and has resided all his life. Is a son of Ben- jamin K. and Mary ( Zimmermann ) Brubaker, natives of Pennsylvania, he being born in Lancaster Co., May 15, 1824. and she in Dauphin Co. Sept. 29, 1826. They became residents of Clark Co. in 1848. where they resided till their death. He died Oct. 21, 1857: They were parents of three children-Ephraim Z., Benjamin F. and John H. (deceased.) Mrs. Brubaker married her second husband, Mr. T. L. Bosart, in November, 1863, by whom she had one child-John Harley. She died Oct. 3, 1873. Mr. Brubaker's life was a brief one, being only in the 34th year of his age ; but during his short life he was very successful as a farmer ; was industrious and ener- getic, and acquired a good property. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and died in the triumph of a living faith. . Our subject, 9 years of age, at the death of his father, remained with his mother on the home place till his majority. " On March 29, 1874, he married Miss Alvina, a daughter of John P. and Mary Bexroth, natives of Pennsylvania, but became residents of Clark Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1864. Mr. Brubaker has always remained upon the home farm. It consists of 101 acres of good land with good improvements, a fine brick house and all the conveniences, constituting a fine home and residence, situated about two miles north of Springfield. Mr. Brubaker and wife, by their marriage, have four children-Laura E., John H., Rosa May and Alice Irene.
JAMES CLARK. capitalist, New Moorefield. A descendant of two old pioneer families of Clark Co .; was born in this county Nov. 21, 1838, a son of John D. and Susamah ( Foley) Clark, he a native of Virginia, and she of Ohio, and a grandson of James Clark, also born in Virginia, but who became an early settler of. Clark Co., and
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afterward of Champaign Co., where he resided until death. The maternal grandfather, James Foley, also a native of Virginia, became one of the early pioneers of Clark Co., locating here about 1803 or 1805, while the Indians were still the principal occupants of the then almost unbroken forest, when there was but one store in Springfield, and four or five houses constituted the town. In this county he spent the remainder of his life. Although possessed of only a limited education. from the meager advantages of schools in those days, yet he possessed great natural talent, and was a very active and powerful man, both physically and intellectually. He became thoroughly known and held the respect and confidence of the people ; was chosen a representative to the State Legislature two terms, and served his constituents faithfully. We may safely believe that had he in his early life possessed the advantages of our present generation, he would have arisen to distinction. John D. Clark came to this county with his parents when but a child ; was raised to farmo labor, grew to manhood, was married and located upon the farm where he still lives and has resided during his entire business life. He has been a man of great activity, and has not confined himself to the mere routine of farm labor, but his mind carried him into a more active field. that of an extensive stock dealer. For thirty years he did a large trade, buying through this country and the west as far as Illinois, driving large droves of cattle to Philadelphia and the Eastern markets, often throwing into market from two to three thousand head of cattle in a single year ; has also dealt extensively in wool and pork. in all of which he was gener- ally successful, as known by the fact that, in 1870, when he retired from business, he was worth over 8200,000, which was mostly made by his own labor, skill and good management, which is perhaps a record of success surpassed by but very few in that day, or even since. In 1872, he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he has never fully recovered, although, physically, he still enjoys good health for one of his advanced age. His wife died May 8, 1876. Of an issue of four children, there were three daughters and one son-Mary C. (now Mrs. Pratt), Martha J. (now Mrs. R. A. Cal- vert, of Portsmouth, Ohio, whose husband now is Judge of the Court of that county), James, and Anna E. (now Mrs. W. M. Yeazeil, of Springfield). Our subject, being an only son, has always remained with his father and assisted him in his business, and grew up with the advantages and observations of his father's plans and successes in business, and as his father advanced in years James gradually took the care and charge of his business affairs, till 1870, when his father retired from active life, since which he has taken the entire control and management. Mr. Clark is engaged in raising and dealing in a moderate yet profitable degree in trotting horses: has raised some of the finest horses in Clark Co .; has raised and trained horses which he has sold at prices as high as $20,000, and is justly recognized as one of the leading men in this line of business in this portion of Ohio. The Clark farm consists of 657 acres of most excellent land in a high state of cultivation, with fine and substantial buildings. with every arrangement for convenience and comfort, and is one of the best grain and stock farms in Clark Co. Mr. Clark is well known not only in his county, but his reputation extends far and wide throughout the country among all the prominent men who are interested devotees in Sne horses ; has been an active member of the Clark County Board of Agriculture for six years ; has held various township offices, and is now Township Treasurer, which office he has held for eight years. He was married, Jan. 20, 1870, to Miss Emma S .. only child of Charles and Mary ( Taylor) Morgan. he a native of England and she of Ohio, but of English descent. Two children have been the fruits of this union, one of whom is living-Emerson Eugene Clark. Mr. Clark is one of the most pleasant and affable gentlemen it has been our good fortune to have met with in the county. He is an educated, well-read man, who keeps apace with the progress and development of the age; a man imbued with a proper spirit of liberality, taking an active interest in every- thing tending to the general welfare of his native county, of which he is a worthy and highly respected citizen.
J. W. CRABILL, farmer ; P. O. Springfield. In the early settlement of Moore- field Township, we find the name of David Crabill as one among the earliest pioneers. As near as can now be ascertained, he and his family came from Virginia and located
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here about 1808 ; he came a poor man, never having received but three months' schoo !- ing in his life. He first located with two brothers by the name of Voss. in Champaign Co .; thence came to this township; for these men he worked some time; thence he entered 80 acres of the northeast quarter of See. 13, where he commenced to work for himself, in true pioneer style, building a little log cabin with puncheon floor, etc., but he was industrious and had the true spirit coupled with energy, which knew no discour- agements, and he labored ou, opening out and clearing up his land, making improve- ments, and adding more land by purchase ; was getting along prosperously in life when. unfortunately, he signed some paper as security. and in the course of time had it to ยท pay. and although at the time his entire property would not half pay the creditors, yet by the assistance of friends, and an indomitable energy. he paid every dollar of about $15,000; this was a heavy blow for a poor pioneer, and probably but very few would ever have gone through it. After this experience, he was better fitted than ever to battle with the struggles of life; he labored on. increasing in his possessions, till at his death he owned over 1,100 acres of land, and worth at least $60,000. This example of pros- perity shows the sterling worth and character of Mr. Crabill; a man who never failed to meet every obligation, and had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He died May 5, 1839, aged only 59 years, yet had done a great work, battled manfully with the obstacles of life, overcame all and became quite wealthy. His wife died Oct. 19. 1863 ; of an issue of twelve children, seven now survive -- Maria, now Mrs. Yeazeli. of lilinois ; Thos. V., Jas. W .; Mary, now Mrs. Crowa, of SpringSeld; Pearson A .; Eliza, now Mrs. Jones, and William. The old homestead farin is still in possession of. and carried on by, the three brothers Jas. W., Pearson S. and William. They partake of their father's habits of industry, and are prosperous farmers of the township. William is Township Trustee, and held the office of Land Assessor in 1830.
JOHN B. CROFT, farmer : P. O. Springfield ; born on the farm where he now resides, May 19, 1842 ; is a sou of John and Margaret (Leffel) Croft, natives of Vir- ginia, but came to Ohio with their parents about 1804, he being then about 3 years of age; was raised in Bethel Township, and followed the milling and distilling business. Was married there and followed his trade about eleven years ; thence bought the place where he now resides; there carried on his former business, milling and distilling, until the war of the rebellion, when he closed up the latter business, but continued the milling till about five years ago. when, from his advanced age, he retired from active business. Mr. Croft was one of the early pioneers, and experienced a full share of the hardships, and up : and downs of pioneer life. Industrious and prompt in all his busi- ness relations. and ever maintaining an undoubted integrity of character. Of seven daughters and three sons, six now survive-David, Catharine, John B., Jane, Paulina and Laura B. Our subject always remained with his father. Was married, April 27, 1830. to Miss Sarah. daughter of Aaron Rockafield, a native of Virginia. During the war of the rebellion, on Aug. 16, 1862. Mr. Croft enlisted in the 17th Ohio Battery. and served through the war in the Army of the Mississippi. Was in the conflicts of' Vicksburg and Port Gibson, and most of the conflicts of the Mississippi Valley, having in all been in seventy-two days of active, hard fighting, but escaped without a wound, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge and returned safely to home and friends. Mr. Croft is held in high esteem in his community, having the general confidence of the people. Has held the office of Township Trustee for the last three years.
JOHN DUKE, farmer ; P. O. Springfield ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 9, 1809; is a sou of John and Abigail ( Kline) Duke, natives of Pennsylvania, who lived and died there. They were parents of twelve children ; eight now survive- Betsy, Sarah, Benjamin, John, Adam. Mary, David and Margaret. Our subject was raised to farm labor till about 17 years of age, when he left home to learn the shoe- maker's trade; after learning which he returned home and lived with his father till of age. Was married, Jan. 10, 1536. to Jane Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth Parkes, natives of Pennsylvania. They had eight children ; tive now survive-Jane Mary, Eliza, James, William and Sarah And. Jane Mary was born June 26, 1810.
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By their marriage they have had eight children; four now survive-Wm. K., Sarah E., Rebecca Ann and Adeline. After their marriage, they remained in Pennsylvania till the fall of 1853. when they removed to Ohio and bought and located upon the place where he lives, and has since resided, a period of twenty-seven years. Mr. Duke has a good farm well improved, constituting a pleasant home and residence, and is now able to enjoy the comforts of life for the remainder of his days; and this has been accomplished by his own labor and industry. Has always been a man of good health and great activity ; a man of positive character and determination, who carried out all his undertakings, and hence his financial success. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, to which she has belonged for nearly half a century, and he for one-third of a century ; and they have had the pleasure to see their four surviving children grow to maturity, and all become members of the church and doing well.
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