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 56
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PETER FERREE, farmer ; P. O. Springfield ; born in York Co., Peno., March 9, 1818; is a son of Peter and Catharine Ferree, natives of Pennsylvania, and who lived and died in their native State. They were parents of seven chil- dren ; five now survive-Andrew, Leah, Peter, Catharine and Mary. Our subject lived with his parents till the death of his father, which ocenrred when he was only about 8 years of age, and from this time he was thrown upon the world among strangers, and found a home and work the best he could till about 19 years of age, when he and an older brother came west to Ohio. locating first in Stark County, where he remained about two years. Thence, in the spring of 1839, he came into Clark County, where he has since resided. Was married Dec. 24, 1840, to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Baker, whose history appears in sketch of his son Adam, of German Township, in this work. By this union they have had four children ; three now survive-Adam W., Mary C. and Anna. Mr. Ferree started in life a poor boy, and by his own industry, economy and good management has become independent. Is owner of 250 acres of land on Mad River Valley; of excellent quality, under good cultivation, with fine build- ings and improvements ; also owns 320 acres of land in Illinois and Missouri. Mr. Ferree's credit is undoubted. He owes no man; works on the cash system, conse- quently has the confidence and friendship of all who know him ; and as an example of success, upright dealing and prominence in his community is worthy of imitation by the young in all generations.
JOHN FISHER, farmer; P. O. Springfield; born in Maryland, Aug. 18, 1801 ; is a son of Philip and Margaret Fisher, also natives of Maryland, who lived and died in their native State. They were parents of six children; three now survive --- John, Philip and Henry. Our subject removed from his native State to Ohio in Sep- tember 1852, locating in Clark County, residing in Springfield about six months ; he then bought and located upon the farm where he now lives, in spring of 1853, where he has since resided, a period of twenty-seven years. He was married March 26; 1826. to Mary Ann Alexander, a native of Maryland, by whom he has had twelve children ; ten now survive-John Lewis. Jacob H., Alexander, Elizabeth, Daniel M., Frances Ann, Martha, Joshua F., Thomas Jefferson and James William. Mr. Fisher, in his early life, followed his trade as a stone and brick mason. This he followed up to a few years prior to his coming to Ohio. when he gave up his trade and devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Fisher has 100 acres of excellent land, with good buildings and improve- ments, and is pleasantly situated, having a good home and residence. This farm and property Mr. Fisher has made and accumulated by his own industry and hard labor, making his first start by his daily labor at his trade, laying by dollar by dollar till he was able to buy his farin, and now he is well aud comfortably fixed to pass the balance of his life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors. Mr. Fisher and wife are members of the Reformed Church, having been such for the remarkable period of fifty-four years. And they have had the pleasure to see the most of their children become mem- bers of some branch of the Christian Church.
JAMES FOLEY (deceased ). Since the first settlement of Clark Co., there were, perhaps, none of its pioneers more widely known throughout its length and breadth than James Foley, who was born in Virginia Oct. 4, 1779, and was the sou of
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William Foley, of that State, who was married twice and was the father of eighteen children, eleven of whom came to this county, viz., Lettie, Marian, William, John, James, Rose, Thomas, Absalom, Stephen, Catharine and Fanny, all being now dead. In 1803, James Foley came on horseback from his native State, being possessed of very little money, but determined to make a home in a country where slavery was unknown, and where a poor man would have every advantage that liberty and equality guaran- tees. He finally, in 1805, settled in Moorefield Township, upon land that he had pre- viously selected. He was married, at Darby Plains, Ohio, about 1808, to Mary Marsh, daughter of Joseph and Susannah Marsh, natives of Virginia, where Mrs. Foley was born Sept. 4, 1784, and of which union were born five children, as follows: Griffith, Catharine, Susan, John and James, Catharine, the widow of Charles Ward, being now the only survivor. Mrs. Foley was a sincere member of the Presbyterian Church, and died April 17, 1855. Mr. Foley was one of the most successful men of Clark Co. Coming from a State where an cducatien was difficult to obtain, he yet managed to pick up the common rudiments of reading, writing, etc., and this, added to his shrewd, nat- ural abilities and his business experience through life, rendered his judgment safe, and therefore led to success. His views on slavery may be judged from the fact that, after settling liere he went back to Virginia and, with the consent of his brothers, brought four slaves which they owned to this country and gave them their freedom. Quite an early emancipator was this rugged old pioneer, who began the work of emancipation before Lincolu was born, having inherited that love of freedom from his Irish fore- fathers, which is such a marked characteristic of that race. Mr. Foley was a Captain in the war of 1812, and was among those who went to the relief of Hull at Detroit, and his grandson, James Foley, the present Sheriff of Clark Co., has now the sword which he carried in that war against English tyranny. Politically, he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. Was one of the first Commissioners of Clark Co., serving several years, and was a member of the Ohio Legislature two terms, and also a member of the Masonic fraternity. At the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1863, aged 84, he was the owner of 2,800 acres of land in the county, 160 close to Colui- bus, beside a large amount of money in bank and on interest. all of which was the re- sult of his own efforts as an industrious, economical and honest man. He was a man of robust constitution, invincible courage and determination, affable in his man- ners, fond of a joke, even in his old age, whose companionship was pleasant, retaining his spirits to the last, and exhibiting that same vigorous, unyielding will and force of character which were his stepping-stones to prosperity.
MICHAEL GRUBE (deceased ) ; born in Lancaster, Penn., Dec. 9, 1820; was . a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bookwalter) Grube, also natives of Pennsylvania. Of five children three now survive-Anna, Elizabeth and Simon; deceased, Michael and Mary. Jacob and wife became residents of Clark Co. about 1838, where they lived till their death. He died Aug. 9, 1841, aged nearly 49 years. His wife died May 6, 1870. Mr. Grube was somewhat of a military man in those days, being Captain of a Light Horse Company, in their musters and drills. Michael, our subject, was about 18 years of age when his father and family came and settled in this county. Here he passed the balance of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. Was married to Maria Anthony, who was born Dec. 5, 1823, a native of Pennsylvania. Issue, ten children, six now survive-Susanna, John D., Jacob, Henry, Levi and Joann. Deceased, four- Sarah Elizabeth, Lydia, Amanda and Simon. Mr. Grube died April 26, 1876, in the 56th year of his age. He was an energetic, industrious man, and acquired a good home and property. Never would accept or hold any public office, but pursued the even tenor of his agricultural pursuits. Was a man of undoubted integrity, a kind neighbor and an honored citizen. His widow and son, John D., remain upon the home place, where they have a fine farm and a good residence.
ALBERT D. GREINER, farmer ; P. O. Springfield ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., May 10, 1853; is a son of Henry H and Susan (Stoner) Griener, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio, locating upon the farm where Albert now lives in the spring of 1857; here they resided till their death. She died in October, 1872; he
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died June 4, 1876. They were parents of four children; two now survive-Albert D. and Estella I. Mr. Greiner, while young, learned the plasterer's trade, which busi- ness he followed several years; then gave his attention to farming, which occupation he followed the remainder of his life. He was a very industrious, hard-working man, and gave his attention strictly to his business ; whose integrity of character was undoubted, and who held the respect and confidence of the community in which he lived. Finan- cially, he was quite successful, having acquired a good competency, and was well situ- ated to enjoy the comforts of life when the messenger of death called him hence. Our subject, who was about 4 years of age when his parents came to Clark Co., was raised and grew to manhood here, and remained with his father principally till his death; since his death he has continued upon the home place, and will probably continue to make this his home and residence. He was married, Feb. 20, 1877, to Josie. daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah Hedges, he a native of Champaign Co. and she of Clark Co. Mr. Greiner is very pleasantly situated, and is, like his father, very industrious, attend- ing closely to his own business, and we have no doubt will, like his father, make life a success
ROBERT L. HOLMAN, farmer ; P. O. Springfield. Born in Worcester Co., Mass., April 7, 1828. Is a son of Parley and Nancy (Young) Holman, natives of Massachusetts, and whose lives were spent in their native State. He died in the winter of 1849. She died in March, 1845. They were parents of eleven children, four now living-Caroline, now Mrs. Mellen, of Springfield ; Robert L., Leonard and Ester, now Mrs. Phelps, of Springfield. Our subject, at 9 years of age, left his home to work his own way through life; working here and there among strangers wherever he could find work and a home, till about 17 years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter trade. Being naturally possessed of mechanical genius, he became a very successful mechanic, and became quite an efficient millwright and pattern-maker. This business proved quite lucrative, and his skill as a workman procured him plenty of business. He was mar .. ried, May 3, 1853, to Martha M., daughter of Sylvester and Mary Hildreth, natives of Massachusetts. By this union they Have four children-Arthur D., Walter H., Her- bert W. and Edward P. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Holman removed from Massachusetts to Ohio, locating in Springfield, where he engaged in mechanical business, which he followed during his residence there of twenty years, with the exception of four years, during which he was in the mercantile trade. He was the inventor of the Buckeye Hominy Mill, which is so well known and acknowledged to be the best in use; from which invention he received quite a remuneration, and which has since been sold to a Baltimore firm for $200,000. In March, 1875, Mr. Holman, for the interests of - his boys who were then arriving at the age of manhood, bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. This farm he purchased from the heirs of James Hawk, which consists of 1733 acres of excellent land on Sec. 34, in Moore- field Township. It has good buildings and improvements, and constitutes a fine home and farmer's residence. Mr. Holman's success in life, starting out as he did, a poor wandering boy, has shown a fine ability, which, coupled with industry and economy, has placed him in such favorable circumstances to enjoy for the rest of his days the comforts of life.
REUBEN HUFFMAN, farmer ; P. O. New Moorefield. Among the earliest pioneers of Clark Co. was Jacob Huffman, who located four and one-half miles south- west of Springfield, in Bethel Township, in 1802. At this time it was mostly a wilder- ness from Cincinnati to Detroit. Mr. Huffman was truly a pioneer, opening out in the forests of Clark Co. with but three neighbors, and comparatively few settlers for many miles in every direction. Here he cleared up and opened out his farm, and spent his entire life, residing here on the same farm some forty years. He died Dec. 1, 1842, in his 71st year. His wife. Catharine Huffman, died Aug. 31, 1866. in her 80th year. Of a family of ten children who grew to maturity, five are now living-Henry, Reuben, Martha, Rachel and Samuel. Our subject, the sixth child, was born upon his father's home place, May 6, 1818. . He lived and grew to manhood inured to the hardships of those early days, and remained with his father till his death. He was married, Oct.
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28. 1841, to Ann E. (born in Pennsylvania, March 8, 1822), daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Barr). Tennant, natives of Pennsylvania. coming to Clark Co. when Ann was 16 years of age. Of an issue of eleven children, eight now survive-George W., Wm. T., Oscar L .. John W .. Mary C. and Sallie E. (twius). Reuben and Nettie B. Mr. Huffman remained upon the home farm till the spring of 1869; thence lived six years near Tremont City ; two years uear Enon, and in the spring of 1877 moved upon the place where he now resides. Mr. Huffman has made farming his business through life, and as such has the name of being one of the best farmers in the community, and may well be termed a model farmer ; has always been au industrious and energetic man, one whose character and integrity was never doubted. He has not accepted or desired any office ; has strictly attended to his own business affairs; has always lived well and comfortably, and endeavored to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and has possessed the confidence and respect of all his neighbors.
ALONZO HUNTER, farmer ; P. O. New Moorefield. Is a native of Moore- field Township, born April 20, 1852: is a son of Lewis and Margaret (Seibert) Hun- ter. natives of Virginia, becoming residents of Ohio, locating in this township about 1822, where he has since resided, a period of fifty-eight years. Has given his undi- vided attention to farming, in which business he has made a success, and is one among the best farmers of the township. Has never held or sought office. Has been located upon his present farm about eight years. Has made and accumulated all his property since he came to the county, by his own labor and industry. He is now 79 years of age, and enjoys very good health. Of a family of nine children, five now survive --- Samuel, George, Eliza Ann, Alonzo and Bell. Our subject remained with his fa- ther until his majority. He was married, Nov. 2, 1876, to Martha Ann, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Seitz) Beard, natives of Pennsylvania ; issue, two children -Ma- rietta and Frank Pearl. Mr. Hunter has always followed farming, and principally in Moorefield Township. Has been on the place where he now resides one year.
JAMES HUMPHREY (deceased) ; born in Virginia Sept. 12, 1891. Was a son of John Humphrey, a native of Ireland, Tyrone Co., born March 6, 1764; he emigrated to America in August, 1780, landing at Philadelphia. and, in Oc- tober of the same year, he settled in Greenbrier Co., Va. On the 25th of Novem- ber, 1790, was married to Miss Jane Ward (whose father was killed in an engagement with the Indians at Point Pleasant, Va. In 1793, he removed from Virginia to Mason Co., Ky .; where he remained till April, 1799, when he removed to Ohio and settled on Mad River, about two and a half miles north of Springfield, on the same section of land on which he breathed out his spirit into the hands of God who gave it, his death occurring March 19, 1857, being 93 years of age, and had been a citizen of Clark Co. 53 years. He was, consequently. one of the pioneers, and truly an invader of the for- ests of Clark Co. ; was a valued and highly esteemed citizen, who contributed much by his virtues as such to edify the social and civil interests of the community of which he was a member. But what was better still, he was an earnest, consistent Christian, one about whose memory a sacred unction will abide. He first professed religion in Ire- land, as a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the year 1787, and in that church lived aud died, having sustained the life of a professor for seventy years. Was one of the two elected to the office of Elder at the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Springfield July 17, 1819, and duly ordained to that office Aug. 19 of the same year. This office he continued to exercise until superannuation disabled him to perform its more active functions. Though very aged, he was free from " grief and labor," peculiarly cheerful and happy, possessing an unusual amount of vigor and vivacity which he retained till death laid his cold iron hand upon him. He was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity and became heads of families. He left as survivors six sons and two daughters, fifty-five grand children and thirty-seven great grandchildren ; in all, one hundred descendants. Col. James Humphreys was only 2 years of age when his parents removed to Kentucky, and about 8 years of age when they became settlers of Clark Co., Ohio, and here he grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life. Was married, April 15, 1824, to Catharine, daughter
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of George and Margaret Keifer, natives of Maryland, who became residents of this county in 1812. Catharine was born March 2, 1804; issue, ten children ; sis now survive-John A., George H., Charles H., Amanda, Mary and Emma C. Col. Humphreys died June 20, 1858, in the 7th year of his age. He was a man who commanded the high regard of the community of which he had been a member so long, and in which he was so well known; and here his memory will be cherished as an inte- gral part of the history of this community, among whom his remains now lie molder- ing to dust. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Springfield in 1830, and honored that profession by a consistent deportment and diligent attendance upou the various means of grace. He attended public worship on the Sabbath preceding that on which he died, and enjoyed the communion service, which was peculiarly pleas- ant to him, or he would not have endured the suffering he did in his critical state of health to attend this means of grace. He died of cancer in the stomach; and though his family mourn his loss, they grieve not as those without hope, as what was their loss was his eternal gain.
LEONARD KARG, farmer; P. O. Bowlusville; born in Germany Oct. 29, 1826. Emigrated with his parents, Leonard and Elizabeth Karg, to America in 1330 or 1831, landing at Baltimore, thence to York, Penn., where they resided till the fall of 1855, when they removed to Clark Co., Ohio, and purchased and located upon the farm where our subject still lives. Here the father lived till his death, which occurred Sept. 14, 1868. His wife died in April, 1881, in her 89th year. They were parents of four children, two now survive-Maria (now Mrs. Holstein) and Leonard. Our subject lived with his father until his death. Was married, May 20, 1852, to Eliza- beth, daughter of Philip and Mary Benedict, natives of Pennsylvania, and who lived and died in their native State. By this marriage they have had thirteen children ; ten now survive-Maria, Leah Jane, Sarah, Samuel, John Henry, Ellanora, Ulysses Grant, Leonard, Mary Elizabeth and Erastus Clyde. Mr. Karg commenced in life a poor boy. When young he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about nine years ; then he gave his attention to farming, which business he has since followed. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the 100-days service in the 134th O. V. I., and served out his time and was honorably discharged. He has been a very hard working, industrious man, and, with economy and good management, has become very comforta- bly and pleasantly situated ; is owner of 195 acres of excellent land ; has erccted a fine brick house, and has a good barn and other buildings and conveniences, constitut- ing a beautiful home and farmer's residence, and is a good example of what industry, economy and close attention to business will accomplish.
G. F. KENNEDY, physician and farmer ; P. O. New Moorefield ; boru in Bal- timore, Md., Sept. 11, 1827. Is son of Thomas and Ellen F. (Barker) Kennedy. na- tives of Baltimore, Md. Thomas Kennedy, the grandfather, was a sea Captain and foi- lowed the seas all his life, and by the wrecking of his vessel he lost his life. Thomas, the father, also followed the seas as Captain of a vessel for twenty-six years; then he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Clark Co., upon the farm where his sons now reside. in 1835. Here he lived until his death, which occurred Nov. 23, 1868, aged 76 years. His wife died Aug. 10, 1856. Of an issue of seven children, four now survive- George F., Thomas, Julia Ann and Emma. Mr. Kennedy in early life, while following the seas, partook in character, to a great extent, the general roughness of seafaring men ; but after his locating on his farm, he joined the M. E. Church Jan. 3, 1842. and from this time to the close of his life was a very active and zealous worker in the cause of Christianity, and was a class-leader in the church during the last year of his life. Our subject was brought up to farm labor, and followed that occupation until 1845, when he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, two and one-half years; then commenced reading medicine under Dr. Rodgers, in Springfield. In the fall of 1849, he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, also in the winter of 1851, graduating at the close of the latter term. Then he located upon the old home farm, where he continued the practice of his profession nearly thirty years; and in con- nection with his practice has, since his father's death, superintended the farm, which
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consists of 103 acres of fine land, mostly in cultivation. Dr. Kennedy has been an ac- tive member of the M. E. Church since 1843, having been a steward in the church twelve years. On Sept. 14, 1851, he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Row- land and Lydia Swain, uatives of Nantucket, and a nieco of Judge Swain, of Dayton, Ohio. Issue, nine children ; eight uow survive-Walter W., Sarah W., Franklin, Emma, Thomas, Edward, Charles and James J.
THOMAS W. LESHER, farmer ; P. O. Springfield; born in Bedford Co., Penn., June 25, 1840; is a son of William and Hadasah (Carroll) Lesher, natives of Pennsylvania, and remained residents of their native State till the death of his wife, which occurred Sept. 30, 1849. They were parents of seven children, four now sur- vive-Mary E., Thos. W .. John B. and Emma M. Mr. Lesher married for his second wife Miss Margaret Martin, a native of Maryland, and a sister to Mr. Robert Martin, late of Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Lesher now resides in Franklin Co., Penn .; has always been a man of sterling character, and held in bigh esteem by all who know him. A true Union man and a lover of his country and its laws. During the war of the rebel- lion, being on the borders of Pennsylvania, he suffered considerable by loss of property, and gave two sons for the service in the defense of his country. William Lesher, the grandfather of our subject, was a wagon-master in the army in the war of the Revolu- tion ; was with Gen. Washington's troops at Valley Forge; served about two years. The mas.rl grandfather, William Carroll, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The ancestors of our subject appears to have quite a military record ; and the same blood seems to course through the veins and the same patriotic principles to possess the minds of their descendants. Our subject and his brother John B. were both engaged in the late war of the rebellion in defense of Union and liberty. John B. first enlisted in the 126th Penn. V. I .; was captured in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va .; was in Libby Prison about eighteen days; was paroled, and again enlisted in the Signal Corps for three years or during the war. Thomas enlisted in the 21st Penn. Cavalry, Co. H. enlisting for two years or during the war. He served till the close of the war. Was mustered out and received an honorable discharge. At the time of Mr. Lesher's en- listment he was tendered by Gov. Curtin a commission as Captain, but refused it, and would accept no office, declaring he enlisted from pure patriotism, and if his country needed his services as a private, he was ready to go, and in no other sphere would he go, quite in contrast to the general principle of office-seekers. Mr. Lesher became a resident of Clark Co., Ohio, October, 1877. Was married Oct. 30, 1877, to Emma E. Humphreys, whose ancestors' history appears in full in the ketch of James Humph- reys (deceased), in this work. Mr. Lesher is a man highly esteemed for his integrity of character, and one who has been offered various offices, all of which he has univer- sally refused, having no aspirations for notoriety of that kind, but preferring a quiet, private citizen's life, and as such, is a model which may with profit be copied after by many less worthy aspirants for office.
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