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 59
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farm of our subject. From the year 1805, when they made their permanent settlement, they commenced to open out and clear up the land and make a home. After some years of labor and toil. the grandparents died, and the work was continued by the father. He lived till Feb. 18, 1860, when death released him from all earthly cares. His wife died Dec. 30, 1870. They were parents of eleven children, four now survive-John, Eli, Jemima and Lemuel. Our subject lived with his father till his marriage, to Mary Jane, daughter of Henry and Eva (Snyder) Pence, natives of Virginia. Issue, four children, two now survive-Eva Ann and Mary Catharine. His wife died June 24, 1847. His second marriage was Dec. 12, 1847. to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Grube, natives of Pennsylvania. Issue, four chil- dren, three now survive-Lucinda, Sylvanus and Joanna. Mr. Kiblinger, after his first marriage, located in Champaigu Co., near Westville, and resided eight years ; thence back to the old home place, where he bought out the heirs and took care of his parents till their death, and has always remained here till the present time ; has cleared up and brought into cultivation, right from the woods, 100 acres since he purchased the farm. His farm now embraces 185 acres in good cultivation, with good improvements, and constitutes one of the best corn and stock farms in German Township. Mr. Kiblinger refuses all offices of the township, but is an active member of the Agricultural Board of Clark Co .; was one of its organizers, and has been actively engaged in its work and welfare for several years. Mr. Kiblinger is one of the active and progressive farmers of Clark Co.
JOSEPH C. KIPLINGER, farmer; P. O. Eagle City ; born on the farm where he now resides, Feb. 11, 1812 ; is a son of Philip and Mahala (Shockey) Kip- linger, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky. The grandfather, Daniel Kiplinger, also a native of Virginia, became a resident of Ohio, locating in German Township, in 1806, being one of the pioneers of the county, settling here when this section was nearly all in its primeval forests, and the Indians their principal neighbors. Here he lived till his death, which occurred about 1852. Philip was about 2 years of age when brought here by his parents, and was raised and brought up in this county, and lived and died here, living his entire married life in the same neighborhood of his father. He died April 8, 1867. His wife is still living, now 74 years of age. They were parents of fifteen children, ten now survive-William, Daniel, James, Elizabeth Ann and Mary Jane (twins), Joseph and Philip (twins), A. Philander, Lucetta, Caro- line and B. Frauklin. Our subject lived with his father, brought up to farm labor till his majority. Vas married, April 23, 1868, to Emma J., daughter of Noah and Louisa Ernst, natives of Virginia. Issue, two children --- Viola and Philip Wilbur. Mr. Kip- linger has always resided upon the old home place, with the exception of four years spent in Moorefield Township, moving back again in the spring of 1874. The home place consists of 96 agres, mostly in cultivation, with good improvements. Mr. Kiplinger and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Grandfathers of our subject will receive due mention in the history of German Township, iu the body of this work, as its pio- neers. And we would add further in justice to the patriotism of this family, that four of our subject's brothers were enlisted in the defense of our country in the late rebel !- ion, one of whom died while in the army.
WILLIAM A. LAYTON, farmer ; P. O. Tremont City ; a native of Clark Co .; boru Nov. 15, 1845 ; is a son of John A. and Evaline (Tulis) Layton, he a native of this county, and she of Greene Co. The grandfather, Arthur Layton, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, locating in Bethel Township, sometime prior to the war of 1812, as he served in that war as a soldier. John spent his life in this county except four years in Illinois, and seven years in Greene Co. He died March 25, 1877; his wife is still living. They were parents of three children, two now living-Lucinda and William A. Our subject remained with his father till after his majority. He was married, to Angeline, daughter of Michael and Sarah Wolf. natives of York Co., Pennsyl- vania. Issue, four children, three now survive-Claudius A .. Charles M. and one infant. Mr. Layton, after his marriage, remained on the home place till November, 1878, when he bought and located upon the farm where he now resides. His farm
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consists of 145 acres, most of which is in cultivation, with good buildings and improve- ments. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN E. LORTON, farmer ; P. O. Lawrenceville; born in this township and county Nov. 10, 1827 ; is a son of John and Rachel (Donavan) Lorton, natives of Kentucky, and became residents of Clark Co. in 1816, locating in German Township, among the early settlers, and lived here till their death. He died Sept. 16, 1847 ; she died in August, 1879. Of an issue of ten children, five now survive-Mary Jane, Sarah Ann, John E., William and Jonathan. Our subject was married, Sept. 13, 1849, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Nancy Wagner, natives of Pennsylvania. Issue, seven children, five now survive-J. William, Amanda M., Emma C., Lewis N. and Claretta. His wife died Feb. 19, 1868; was married the second time, Feb. 24, 1873, to Rebecca, daughter of Henry W. and Lydia (Klinfelter) Swartzbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania. Issue, four children-Cora Bell, Lydia M., Anna Matilda and Luther Ely. Mr. Lorton, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now lives, and has since resided, having made a continued residence of thirty-one years. He has S1 acres of land in good cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence ; has been Township Trustee for five years.
ANDREW CAMPBELL MCLAUGHLIN, M. D., Tremont City. Is a son of James W. Mclaughlin, who came to this country from Scotland with his father, Dun- can Mclaughlin, about the year 1787 ; the latter settled in Mifflin Co., Penn. Upon arriving at early manhood, the father of Dr. Mclaughlin removed to Kentucky, and there married Jemima Stretch, a native of Pennsylvania, but soon after his marriage located in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, where the subject of our sketch was born Aug. 1, 1809, being the second of a family of eight children, viz .: William Wilson, Andrew Campbell, Eliza, Cyrus, James (died in infancy), Elmira, and Peter and Rebecca (twins). Our subiect received a good common-school education, and at 22 years of age entered upon the duties of a school teacher, and about the same time became a student of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Richard W. Hunt, of Springfield. After completing his course of study, he commenced the practice of his profession April 2, 1836, at Clarksburg, now Tremont City, Clark Co., and is a gradu- ate of Starling Medical College of Columbus. For a long period he has been a mem- ber of the Clark County Medical Society, of which he has been President. For up- ward of a quarter of a century he has belonged to the Ohio State Medical Society, of which he was Vice President in 1874 and 1875; is also a member of the Central Ohio Medical Association, a permanent member of the American Medical Association, Ex- amining Physician for the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, and also for the Union Central Life Insurance Co. of Cincinnati, and was at one time Surgeon of a regiment of State militia. Having experienced considerable difficulty in his early efforts to obtain a medical education, he has given material aid to students who have sought guidance and instruction in the pursuit of their studies, and they are now prominent practitioners. Dr. MeLaughlin's first Presidential vote was cast in Moore- field Township in 1832, for Gen. Jackson, who received at that voting place 14 votes in all, which were copied by the young voter from a newspaper he happened to have in his possession, there being no Jackson tickets on the ground. The newspaper re- ferred to was the Ohio Monitor, published half a century ago in Columbus, by David Smith. Recognizing it to be a duty of the physician to keep abreast with all the dis- coveries in medical science, and to be thoroughly posted in the literature of his pro- fession, he has studied for many years many of the leading medical journals of this country and Europe, thus acquiring a respectable amount of scientific knowledge. Having for forty years been engaged in a laborious practice, he has retired on an ample competency to enjoy the years that may still remain of a well-spent and honored life. Although he has maintained a high position in his profession, he has been no less prominent as a citizen. Dr. MeLaughlin is six feet one inch high, and weighs 315 pounds ; has good use of himself; eats well and sleeps well ; has no pain nor aches, and enjoys life well. He abstains from the use of strong drink and tobacco, and never used profane language at any time in his life. Has no corrosive care por anxiety ;
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obeys the apostolic injunction, " owe no man anything;" has great reason to be thank- ful. His aim is to do right and his trust is in God. Dr. McLaughlin married, Aug. 28, 1838, Eliza Jane, only daughter of John and Elizabeth Beamer, and had one sou who died in infancy.
JEREMIAH W. MAURICE, farmer ; P. O. Dialton; born in England May 4, 1833; is a son of Isaac W. and Eliza Maurice, who emigrated to Ohio in 1833, locating in Clark Co. Isaac was a printer by trade, and worked in Canada one winter ; thence in Columbus, thence in Springfield, following his trade in these places some three years ; thence bought and located upon the farm where our subject now lives, in 1836, and here he resided until his death. In 1862, he recrossed the ocean to visit his native land, returning again in 1863. He died July 10, 1873, aged 71 years. His wife died in November, 1843. They were parents of five children-three now survive -John T., Jeremiah W. and David W. He was married the second time in 1845, to Caroline, daughter of Sylvester and Lois Davis, natives of Virginia; issue, six chil- dren; three now survive-Joseph, Maria W. and Vanhorn. Mr. Maurice received a stroke of paralysis by which he became helpless upon his left side for some eighteen years prior to his death. His last wife died June 10, 1876. Our subject was raised to farin labor, and remained with his father on the home place till his death, and still resides there and has never married. Joseph, the eldest child of his father by his sec- ond wife, also resides on the home place; was married October, 1870. to Isabel M., daughter of Elias and Sarah Neese, natives, of Virginia; issue, five children -- Wesley A., Adelia I., George A., Clinton A. and Sarah B. The farm consists of 89 acres, mostly in cultivation, with good improvements. They are members of the Reformed Church, Jeremiah having been such twenty-two years, Joseph twelve years, and their sister Maria twelve years.
JESSE MEAD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bowlusville. Mr. Mead is a native of Clark Co., having been born Sept. 1, 1824, to Daniel and Mary (Palmer) Mead. His father was a native of Massachusetts and his mother of New York. They had five children who are all now dead except Jesse, whose grandfather, William Palmer, left his native State and became a resident of Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1796. He later became a resident of Mad River Township, Clark Co., and died in this county ; his remains rest in the cemetery known as the " Knott Burying-ground," near Enon, Ohio. Daniel, the father of our subject, became a settler of Clark Co. in 1806, where his whole life was spent, with the exception of two or three years of his early married life, which he passed in Jackson Co., Ohio. He first settled in Mad River Township, but, in 1814, he moved to Pike Township, where he lived most of his days, and where he died Nov. 30, 1846. His wife died March 30, 1860. He was drafted and served six months in the war of 1812, during which time his family suffered terrible hardships and privations. He and his wife were both consistent members of the Christian Church. Our subject lived with his parents until his father died. He was married. Nov. 2, 1843, to Harriet Callison, a native of this county, and daughter of Arthur and Mar- garet Callison, natives of Virginia ; they had one child-Austin, deceased. His wife died Jan. 15, 1847. On April 5, 1849, he was again married, to Mary Ann, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, to Andrew and Elizabeth Harman, natives of Virginia. By her he has had nine children-John W. (deceased ), David W. (deceased), Levi, Sarah J., Daniel (deceased), Jesse A., James L., George E. and Charles H. Mr. Mead, after his father's death, remained on the home farm in Pike Township until the spring of 1852, when, after a residence of two and a half years in Champaign Co., he bought the Honey Creek mill property, near New Carlisle, which he ran successfully until the win- ter of 1859. The year previous, he sold the mill property and bought the farm upon which he now resides. This farm contains 290 acres of good arable land ; he also owns 125 acres three-fourths of a mile north of this, in Champaign Co., and 160 acres in Illi- nois. In politics, Mr. Mead is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church. He is one of Clark County's most prominent farmers. tak- ing a deep interest in the progress of his county, and encouraging any enterprise that will redound to the advantage of its people. He is engaged in the propagation of fine
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breeds of stock, and is an advanced thinker on all subjects relating to the affairs of the husbandman. He is a man of honest integrity and moral worth, and has the respect and esteem of all who know or deal with him.
JOHN METZ, farmer ; P. O. Springfield; was born in Virginia Aug. 28, 1814 ; he is a son of Peter and Susannah (Baker) Metz, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. Peter Metz, the grandfather, was a native of Germany. Rudolph Baker, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Virginia, and became a resident of Clark Co. and died here, but the grandfather Peter Metz died in Virginia. Peter the father, and family, became residents of Clark Co., locating in German Township in 1827 ; here he lived and died; he died in the spring of 1861. His wife died in the fall of 1857 ; they were parents of eight children, five now living-Isaac, John, William, Thomas and Peter. Our subject remained with his father till 31 years of age. He was mar- ried, Oct. 12, 1845, to Margaret, daughter of William and Mary M. Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, and became residents of Clark Co., in 1818. They were parents of thirteen children ; five now survive-William. Isaac, Sarah, Catharine and Margaret. Mr. Metz and wife have had two children-Mary S. and William C. Mr. Metz, after his marriage, located on Mr. Nawman's farm, where they lived one year; thence located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. The farm consists of 75 acres of good land, most of it in good cultivation, with good buildings and improve- ments, constituting a fine farm and residence. MIr. Metz has been a member of the German Reformed Church forty-six years. His wife has been a member of the Lutheran Church forty-four years.
FREDERICK MICHAEL, merchant, Lawrenceville ; a native of this county, Born June 6, 1837; is a son of David and Rebecca (Johnson) Michael, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky. The paternal grandparents were natives of Virginia, and the maternal of Kentucky. The grandfather, Frederick Michael, with his family, became residents of Ohio, locating in Clark Co. about 1817, where he lived till his death. David was about 15 years of age when brought to this county with his father's family ; here he grew to manhood, married and spent his entire life in this county ; he died in August, 1853, aged 51 years. His wife is still living in German Township, and is now 74 years of age. Of an issue of nine children, eight now survive -- Char- lotte, Rachel, Alexander, Mary, Frederick, Catharine, David and Commodore Perry. Mr. M. was a very industrious, hard-working farmer throughout his life, and his death very sudden. One Saturday he left home to go to one of his neighbors, with whom he intended to go and catch some fish, but for some cause did not go; he started for home, but not arriving there on Sunday morning, search was made and his lifeless body found lying beside a log, having evidently died from disease of the heart. Our subject was 16 years of age at his father's death; remained with mother until his majority. Was married June 20, 1860, to Leah, daughter of John and Margaret (Hartman) Xander, natives of Pennsylvania ; issue, seven children ; five now survive -Laura B., Emery V., Ida Ann, Dora Etta and Carrie May. His wife died Sept. 21, 1877. On Feb. 11, 1579, he married Mrs. Sarah Jane Myers, daughter of Moses and Eva (Rust) Overholser, natives of Virginia ; issue, one child, dying in infancy. Mr. Michael, after his marriage, followed the wagon-making business in Lawrenceville and Tremont for twelve years ; thence followed farming five years; thence entered upon the mercantile business in Lawrenceville, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Michael's life has been spent in German Township, and has the entire confidence of her citizens. Has been Postmaster one year, and Township Treasurer four years, which offices he still holds.
JACOB MITZEL, farmer ; P. O. Tremont City ; born in York Co., Penn .. Feb. 26, 1831 ; is a sou of Jacob and Catharine ( Flinchbaugh) Mitzel. The pater- nal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and the maternal of Germany. The parents of our subject have always resided in Pennsylvania and followed farming as an occupation ; the father is still living, and now 92 years of age ; the mother died in summer of 1864. They were parents of ten children; all are living-John, Eliza- beth, Jonathan, Catharine, Frederick, Christian. Jacob, Lydia, Emanuel and Amos.
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Mr. Mitzel has always been a very robust, industrious and a hard-working mao, and now, at 92 years of age, is enjoying very good health, and we would call attention to this remarkable instance of raising a family of ten children without the loss of one. and all are now past middle age, the youngest being 42 years of age. Our subject lived with his father until 22 years of age, and during this time learned the brick and stone moson trade. In the fall of 1852, he emigrated to Ohio, landing at Springfield Oct. 4, and there followed his trade twelve or fifteen years. Was married June 12. 1860, to Elnora, daughter of Adam and Margaret (Turman) Neff, he a native Vir- ginia, and she of Ohio; issue, three children, one only surviving-Laura; deceased- Arvilla and Lucian. Mr. Mitzel continued to work at his trade in connection with farming till the fall of 1872, at which time he bought and located upon the farm where he now resides. His farm consists of 120 acres, mostly in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church, having been such since 1863, and he has held the office of Deacon during his entire membership.
HENRY NAWMAN (deceased) ; born July 16, 1817 ; a native of this county and township ; is a son of Thomas and Catharine Nawman, whose family history ap- pears in full in sketch of Samuel Nawman, in this work. Mr. Nawman resided with his father till his death. Was married March 29, 1856, to Miss Ingebee Jane, daughter of William and Matilda (Clark) Rhonemus; be is a native of Clinton Co ... Ohio, and she of Virginia. The grandfather Clark was a native of England, and his wife of Germany. Mr. Nowman and wife have had twelve children; ten now survive -Clara, Samuel G., Thomas, William, Webster, Catharine, Matilda, Amanda, Andrew and Heury; deceased-Louisa and Mary. Mr. Nawman and wife took care of his parents till their death, and after their death remained upon and carried on the farm till his death. He died June 24, 1870, aged about 53 years. Mrs. Nawman and family still reside upon the home place, and with her sons carry on the farm.
SAMUEL NAWMAN, farmer ; P. O. Springfield. He is a native of German Township, born Feb. 3, 1819 ; he is a son of Thomas and Catharine (Baker) Naw- man, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, Thomas Nawman, is supposed to have been born in Massachusetts. He was one of those resolute men who resisted the En- glish rule and imposition of heavy duties, and assisted in throwing overboard the cargo of tea in Boston harbor, and which, followed by other acts and events, resulted in the war of the Revolution. Thomas Nawman, the father, emigrated to Ohio in 1806, com- ing through the entire journey on horseback, and located in ( erman Township. Soon after his arrival, he was afflicted with a white-swelling. during which time he lived with one of the early settlers by the name of Friarmood, with whom he stayed two years ; thence returned to Virginia, and, in 1809, came back to Ohio, the entire family of his father coming with him, and here the grandfather and the father lived and died, being truly pioneers of the county, enduring the many daugers and hardships of that early day, struggling with the wilderness, the wild beasts, the Indians, and the difficulties of the war of 1812. But Mr. Nawman, the father, lived to see these difficulties over- come, and fine farms take the place of the wilderness, and the hand of civilization to bring forth towns and cities, and the comforts and conveniences of one of the finest countries in the world. He died in January, 1863, aged 82 years. His wife died in April, 1864, aged 79 years. They were parents of seven children, three now living- Samuel, Magdalene and Amanda. Our subject lived with his father until 35 years of age. He was married. Aug. 26, 1855, to Louisa M., daughter of William and Matilda Rhonemus, he a native of Clinton Co., Ohio, and she of Virginia; issue, thirteen chil- dren ; nine now survive-Thomas W., Henry B., Emma, Charles L., Ida, George W., Jasper G., Oly and Carric. Mr. Nawman, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides, and which has been in possession of the Nawman family seventy- one years ; the farm consists of 133 acres of land, on Mad River, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine farm.
REV. JOHN PENCE, retired minister ; P. O. Tremont City ; was born in Rock- ingham Co., Va., Dec. 13, 1799; is a son of Henry and Catharine ( Monger) Pence,
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natives of Virginia, the grandparents natives of Germany. Adam Pence, the grand- father, emigrated to America at a very early day. He served in the war of the Revolu- tion at intervals during the entire seven years' duration. An incident in the life of this early pioneer and patriot may be of interest to present and future generations. Near the close of the war, while he and several others of his companions and messmates were return- ing home from a campaign under Gen. Wayne, against the Indians, in the then " North- west," they came to the Ohio River, which was swollen to great dimensions by a freshet, and, having no means of crossing, they constructed a raft capable of carrying two persons across at one time. Mr. Pence and one other companion were the only swimmers, and they had to swim and pilot the raft across by means of a rope, and thus they proceeded, crossing and re crossing five times, taking two persons each time, until the party of ten persons were safely landed on the opposite shore. This was a very hazardous under- taking, but, by these brave men and patriots, the crossing was safely effected. But, from this exposure and hardship, Mr. Pence contracted a rheumatic disease, which, seven years after, resulted in his death. Thus ended the life of one of America's patriots, sac- rificed for the benefit of future generations. Henry and family emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren Co. in 1810, residing there until 1823, when he became a resident of Montgomery Co., where he remained until his death ; he died in 1861. His wife lived two months after his death, when she, too, fell asleep in the embrace of death. They were parents of six children ; three now survive-John, Elizabeth and Julian. Polit- ically. Mr. Pence was a stanch Democrat ; religiously, a Lutheran, and an active met- ber for many years, while his wife was an carnest member of the Reformed Church, but without any selfishness, and with a remarkable liberality and love, they always went together to each other's church on Sacrament days, and communed together ; this course they pursued during their entire lives. Our subject was brought up to farm labor till his majority, then he proceeded to study and prepare for the ministry. He studied three years with Rev. Thomas Winters; at the expiration of this time, on the 16th of June, 1824, he passed an examination at New Philadelphia, Ohio, and was ordained for the ministry and entered upon the work, first locating in Clark Co., and has continued in this and adjoining counties till five years ago, when he retired from active work and became a superannuate, having been actively engaged in ministerial work for half a century. He was married, June 27, 1827, to Miss Margaret, daughter of David and Margaret (Bruner) Jones, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland; their issue has been nine children ; five now survive-Mary Jane, Martha, Margaret Ann, James H. and William A. Mr. Pence has had a long and active life, and has had the pleasure to extend the hand of fellowship to many a traveling mortal, some of whom have already passed on to the " golden shore;" and we trust that when Mr. Pence's life's journey shall be o'er, he will pass triumphantly and receive on the other shore " a crown of rejoicing."
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