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 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
JOHN MINNICH, deceased; was a son of Michael, Sr., and Eve (Sintz) Minnich, who were both born, raised and married in Lancaster Co., Penn. They and five children emigrated to Ohio early in the 19th century, where two more children were born to them. He entered 300 acres of land in what is now Bethel Township, Clark Co., which is still in possession of the descendants. Michael and family were among the early and worthy pioneers of Clark Co., to whom much is due for the opening out of fine fields in Bethel Township, where in 1881, instead of being decorated with the deep and dense forest, they are ornamented with waving fields of golden grain. Michael died in 1847, and his wife in 1856. Of their seven children (who are now all dead), John, the subject of this memoir, the sixth in number, was born in the present limits of Bethel Township, April 28, 1810, and was raised through the
early part of the same. He nobly assisted his father until a matured age, in the meantime procuring a common education. Upon Sept. 10, 1832, he married Susan Layton, by whom he had four children. Susan was born in Clark Co. in 1812, and died in 1840, leaving husband and one child. The former married September, 1842, for his second wife Caroline Layton, a sister of his first wife ; she was born in Bethel Township, Clark Co., in December, 1824. By this union five children were born, of whom four are now living, whose names respectively are D. C., who married Fel,- ruary, 1866, Elizabeth V. Higgins; Felix G., who died in 1868, aged 23 years; Cassius W., married in 1872 Ida Higgins; Mary E. married in 1872 Norman Latta; and Jessie E. Michael, who was the surviving one at Susan's death. Ile married in 1865 Sinda A. McAllister. John Minninch soon after his first mar- riage settled on his father's farm, where he resided until his death, April 11, 1864. He through life was an active and energetic farmer, in which he suc- ceeded. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to all public improve-
1032
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ments ; took an active part in the erection of the Dayton and Mad River Valley Turnpike, of which he served as Superintendent from its erection to his death. Polit- ically he was a Republican ; though an earnest worker in its behalf, he never aspired to any office whatever. He took a liberal part in aiding the suppression of the late rebellion, with which he was connected until his death. He was a man of much .respectability, leaving a widow and five children above mentioned. the former still bearing the name of her departed husband.
SAMUEL MUSSELMAN, plasterer. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Musselman, both natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where our subject was born July 15, 1835. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1854, but in the following fall returned to his native State, where he remained until 1856, when he again came to the " Buckeye State," and located permanently in Bethel Township. He is a plasterer by trade, and still follows the business. On the 5th of August, 1801, he married Miss Anna Kauffman, the daughter of Christian and Anna ' Kauffman, natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where Mrs. Musselman was born on the 21st of January, 1840. By his union with Miss Kauffinan, Mr. Musselman has had born to him the following nine children, to wit : Charlotte L., born Dec. 27, 1863 ; Henry E., born May 28, 1865; Lulu B., born Dec. 17, 1867; Abraham K., born April 11, 1868; Christian K., born March.7, 1870: Anna, born Nov. 1, 1871, John W. and Mary A., born Dec. 3, 1874; Samuel, born Oct. 15. 1876.
ANDREW MOUK. Henry Mouk, the father of our subject, was born iu Lan- caster Co., Penn., March 12, 1809, and was married to Esther Herrshy (whose genealogy forms an appendix to this sketch) on the 16th of November, 1832. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1851; made arrangements for his family's coming. and returned to Penn- sylvania, but came to Ohio again with his wife and little ones in the spring following, and settled in Bethel Township, where he resided until his demise, which occurred February 13, 1875, at the advanced age of 65 years 11 months and 1 day. His family consisted of the following nine children : Andrew, born Aug. 11, 1833; Henry, born July 12. 1835 ; died July 16, 1864; Barbara, July 4, 1837, died Feb. 3, 1847 ; Anna, April 18, 1839 ; Mary, Aug. 1. 1841, died Aug. 1, 1842; Mary H., Oct. 12, 1843, died June 23, 1848; John, Dec. 8, 1845 ; Esther and Catharine, Feb. 12, 1848. Catharine died Sept. 1, 1848, and Esther died June 3, 1851. Andrew, the subject hereof, was educated in the common schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Oct. 29, 1854, he married Susan Zeller, who was born Sept. 23, 1837, the daughter of Henry S. Zeller, a native of Lancaster Co .. Penn., who came to Ohio in 1850, and settled in Bethel Township. Our subject's family consisted of the following twelve children : Maria Viola, born Aug. 4, 1855; Anna, June 8, 1857; Henry, July 26, 1858; Margaret, Dec. 12, 1859 ; Esther, July 22, 1861 ; Charlie, June 15. 1863, died Oct. 26, 1864; George, Sept. 20, 1865; Mary, Feb. 14, 1868: Samuel, Jan. 11, 1870, died Jan. 25, 1870; Edith, Feb. 7, 1874; Oscar, Dec. 21, 1876, died March 4, 1877 ; John, April 7, 1878. The following genealogical record of the Herrshy family, who were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and ob- tained their land from William Penn, and who is the maternal ancestor of our subject, has been preserved perfect to the present time ; Andrew Herrshy. great-grandfather, was born in Switzerland in the year 1702, whence his father removed to the Palatinate, at the Court of Friedensheim. In the year 1719, he, with his father and brother, Benjamin, came to America and settled in Lancaster Co., Penn. His brother, Christian, was obliged to remain at the Court until 1739, when he also came to America. These three brothers-Andrew, Benjamin, and Christian- were chosen preachers of the Mennonite Church. Andrew died in the year 1792, aged 90 years. He begat twelve children, viz. : Christian, Andrew. John, Benjamin, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Henry. Peter, Catharine, Maria and Odti. Andrew Herrshy, grand- father and second son of the above Andrew, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in the year 1734, and died on the 16th of July, 1806, aged 72 years. He begat with Mag- dalina (his first wife, a born Bachman) a daughter, Catharine, who was born in 1760, and died in 1833, Sept. 10, aged 73 years; and with Maria (his second wife, a born
1033
BETHEL TOWNSHIP.
Acker, who was born Sept. 26, 1743, and died Sept. 13, 1831, aged 87 years 10 months and 17 days) he begat the following children : Anna, born Feb. 27, 1762, died March 5, 1855 ; Jacob, born Oct. 2, 1765, died May 30, 1821 ; Maria, born May 23, 1768, died Dec. 5. 1849; Andrew, born Sept. 14, 1770, died Aug. 1, 1835 ; Henry, born Dec. 19, 1772, died April 21. 1838; Elizabeth, born Dec. 5, 1775, died Aug. 17, 1870; John, born March 31, 1783, died July 16, 1831. Andrew begat with Esther (a born Kauffman, who was born May 31, 1776, and died March 3, 1829, aged 52 years 9 months and 3 days) the following children, viz .: Christian, born Dec. 28, 1796, died Sept 5, 1834 ; Anna, born July 15, 1799, died June 27, 1874 : Andrew, born Jan. 15, 1802, died Dec. 31, 1839; Maria, born Dec. 9, 1804; Catha- rine, born Jan. 15, 1809, died Jan. 15, 1872; Esther, born Sept. 11, 1811, died March 9, 1848; Barbara and Elizabeth, born Dec. 9, 1814; Elizabeth died Dec. 30, 1825 ; John, born March 14. 1818, died Oct. 7, 1821; Magdalina, born March 20, 1821, died Nov. 1, 1861.
DAVID NEFF. David Neff is the son of John and Elizabeth Neff, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, and the youngest of the following children, born to the above parents, in Lancaster Co., Penv .: Susan, born April 25, 1811; Nancy, March 27, 1831 (deceased) ; Henry, born July 7, 1814; Jacob, Nov. 20, 1815; Elizabeth, Oct. 14, 1817; Nancy, Nov. 1, 1819 ; Magdalena, April 22, 1822; John, April 18, 1824 (deceased) ; Daniel and John, born July 14, 1820, John deceased; and David, born Jan. 21, 1831. He came to Ohio with his parents, who located in Montgomery Co., near the Clark Co. line. About the year 1852, they crossed the line into Clark Co .. where they remained until their parents' deaths. The mother died Feb. 6, 1873, and the father on the 12th of May following. On the 21st of November, 1871, David married Mrs. Elizabeth Nipley, nee Musser, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn. She bad one daughter by her first husband, Francis, born Aug. 18, 1867, and by her marriage with Mr. Neff, she has had four children, viz., John, born Sept. 14, 1872; Joseph, born Aug. 25, 1874; Henry, born July 10, 1878; David, Jr., born Dec. 12, 1879.
JOHN J. SCARFF, breeder of thoroughbred stock ; P. O. New Carlisle. Al- though not a native of Clark Co., Mr. Scarff occupies a very prominent position in it, being one of the most extensive breeders in the county, and perhaps in the State. His reputation in this respect is equaled by few, as none of his sales thus far have failed in giving satisfaction. Ilis motto, when commencing life, was to have only the best of whatever he might possess, and with this object in view, and with a will to succeed, could it be wondered at that he occupies the proud position that has so meritoriously been vouchsafed him by his neighbors, and the discriminating public ? Mr. Scarff worked for his first dollar, and energy and perseverance have been rewarded. as by his industry and business tact he is now the owner of many broad and fertile acres, and is accounted one of the most scientific farmers in Bethel Township. Having a great love for stock, he has invested largely in thoroughbred cattle. Devous, of which he has the finest herd in the State, taking sweepstakes at the State Fair, at Columbus. in 1880, over all breeders of cattle. He also has a fine herd of Jerseys; his sheep are of the celebrated Cotswold and Southdown breeds, and his hogs. Berkshire and Polands. Other kinds of stock, poultry, ducks, geese, swans, etc., are reared in large numbers, and his list of premiums is greater. perhaps, for the length of time he has been in the business, than that of any man in the State. Clark Co. has reason to be proud of her sons, but especially are those deserving of credit who have done so much, not only for the improvement of the county, but also of those who have, by the most careful man- agement, brought up her stock to that high grade that defies competition with any of the neighboring States. Mr. Scarff's parents, Joshua and Lydia Scarff, were natives of Virginia, coming to Miami Co. in 1830. Their children were named Emanuel, May, John J., James M., Diana, Elizabeth. Bernard and William H. H. Seraff. All the daughters are deceased, and the parents also. The marriage of Mr. J. J. Scarff and Miss Mary Neff was celebrated May 23, 1818. Her parents. Daniel and Loah Neff. were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1838. They raised a large family, three sons and four daughters -- Benjamin, Isaac, Barbara, Mary, Rebecca,
1034
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
Cyrus and Matilda. Mrs. Neff died in 1839, and her husband married Miss Julia Herr, in 1845 or 1846, by whom he had four children-Charlotta, Harriet, Fanny and David. Mr. Neff died in 1866; his widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Scarff have five children-Flora, James T., Mark T., William N. and Grace T. The children give evidence of their careful training, and will surely do their parents honor. Mr. Scarff was appointed, in 1877, County Commissioner, and was elected to that position in 1878, and is an excellent official. He has, for a number of years, been a member of the Ag- ricultural Board of Clark Co., all of which are filled with credit to himself and honor to the public. He was a volunteer during the war of the rebellion, in Co. B, 147th O. V. I., serving as 2d Lieutenant. His is a record in which his children can feel a just pride, and we are glad to have the means of perpetuating it. He has surrounded his home with everything that makes life pleasant; books, music and works of art show their love for their children, in making their home the most attractive spot on earth. Theirs is assuredly a place where the stranger, as well as the friend, is welcomed.
JAMES FINDLEY SHARTLE, farmer ; P. O. Medway. The grandfather of this gentleman, with a brother, came from Germany in 1775, to the American Colonies, and both joined the patriot army and fought throughout that struggle for liberty. " Findey's " grandfather settled in Virginia, where he married and raised a family, Jacob, the father of J. F., being one of the sons. He was a soldier in 1812, and was married to Elsie Burns, a native of Virginia, and in 1816 they settled in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was born, Feb. 21, 1821, he being the fourth in a fan- ily of eight children, as follows : Jacob, William, John, James F., Elizabeth, Lena J., Elsie and Isaac, five of whom are yet living. In March, 1831, they came to Bethel Town- ship, and soon afterward Jacob began the erection of the " Woodbury Mills," on Mad River, where there is yet a mill in operation. Jacob and wife died in this township, and here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, and married Mary J. Croft, daughter of George and Susan (Lowry) Croft, natives of this township. This marriage occurred April 20, 1847, and has been blessed by the following children : Susan E,, Elizabeth, John D., . Lena J., William H., James B., Charles H. and Edward C., all living but John and William. Mr. Shartle has a nice home, and is one of the liberal, enterprising men of his township.
JOHN SMITH, farmer; P. O. Osborn, Greene Co.
JOHN SPIDEL, contractor and builder. John Spidel is the son of Uriah and Rosanna Spidel, both natives of Lancaster Co., Penn. He was born in Lehigh Co., Penn., May 11, 1830 ; he came to Bethel Township, Clark Co., Ohio, in 1854 ; his occupation is that of a contractor and builder, and he has been extensively engaged in the adjoin- ing counties of Greene, Montgomery and Miami. On the 25th of February, 1858, he married Miss Lydia Forrer, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., July 21, 1829. As a result of this union, they have had the following children born to them : Iantha, born Dec. 12, 1858; Ella, Sept. 8, 1860; Ida May, Dec. 12, 1862; Anna, July 20, 1865; Carrie, Sept. 6, 1807; Harry E., March 11, 1869, died June 14, 1869; Mary, born Aug. 6, 1870. During the rebellion, Mr. Spidel enlisted in the 153d O. V. I., and was wounded in the engagement at the South Branch Bridge, Virginia.
MERRITT H. TATMAN, farmer. This gentleman is the youngest of thirteen children, born to Joseph and Rebecca Tatman; the former being a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of North Carolina. The father was born July 16, 1770; the mother in 1772. They came to Ohio in 1798, and settled in what is now Brown County, where they remained three years, or until 1801, when they came to Bethel Township. At that time, this beautiful and highly improved country was but a wilder- ness. Mr. T. was in early days in the affairs of the State-being a member of the Legislature for a number of years. After the organization of Clark County, he was appointed Associate Judge of the new county, holding that office until about the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 27, 1827. His wife survived him many years, but on the 6th of December, 1864, she peacefully left this life to join him in that brighter and better land, where they would be parted no more forever. During life they were blessed with the following children, viz .: Mary, born March 15, 1793, died Sept. 19, .
-
-
-
1035
BETHEL TOWNSHIP.
1878; Sarah, born Oct. 13, 1794; and Nancy, June 29, 1796, both deccased ; Rebecca, born March 26, 1798; Joseph, Feb. 14, 1800 ; Morgan B., March 29, 1802; John, Oct. 26, 1804; Cyrus, Dec. 23, 1806. . These four latter are now with their parents in the land to which they made their last long pilgrimage. Milton was born Dec. 13, 1803; William M. K., July 21, 1811; Fletcher P., Sept. 18, 1813, supposed now to be dead ; Mandana, born Feb. 11, 1816; and Merritt H., the subject of this sketch, born May 28, 1818. He now resides on a farm adjoining the old homestead, which is still in the hands of the heirs-being one. sister and a brother all living together. Merritt H. married Miss Emma C. Newcomer, April 7, 1878; they now have two children-John M., born Feb. 15, 1879, and James G., July 9, 1880.
SILAS TRUMBO, Justice of Peace and farmer; P. O. Donnelsville; is the eldest son of a family of nine children, of Levi and Mary (Henkle) Trumbo, who were both natives of Virginia, and were of German and Scotch extraction. Their mar- riage occurred in their native State, in 1811, where Silas was born, Nov. 2, 1812. In 1814, Levi and family, with Mrs. Trumbo's parents, Moses and Margaret Henkle, came to Clark Co., Ohio, where the latter ones died -- Moses about 1830, and Margaret ten years later. Levi and Mary Trumbo remained in the then wilds of Clark County until 1816, when they and three children returned to their maternal State, where Levi died Dec. 31, 1859, and Mary, Nov. 11, 1871, in Clark Co., Ohio. Silas is one of five sur- vivors, and a native of Pendleton Co., Va .; his early life was devoted to farming, but at the age of 18, engaged at the stone-mason's trade with his father, with whom he remained until 1834, when he departed for Clark Co., Ohio, where he, the following year, assisted in the stone work of the first almshouse of Clark County. The following year, he mar- ried Huldah Downs, by whom he he had ten children; all grew to man and woman- hood, and are a family of noble children, one of whom lost his life in aiding the suppression of the late rebellion. About the year Silas was married, he took up the trade of wagon-making in the city of Springfield; but four years later, located in Donnelsville, where he commenced business on his own account. In the village he suc- cessfully conducted the business for many years, but it is now managed by his son, Joseph B., and he lives retired. 'After locating in the village, he soon had accumu- lated some means, through industry and economy, and purchased a small farm adjoining the town, of which he yet owus fifty acres. During life he has bought and sold consid- erable land in Missouri, where a part of his children now reside. Mr. Trumbo las been identified in many of the public interests of the township, in which he has been chosen as Justice twenty-seven consecutive years, in which capacity he still serves; he has also been Trustee and a member of the local School Board for many years, showing an active interest in the cause of education and general welfare of his community. He and wife have been lifelong members of the M. E. Church; and politically, he is a Republican.
JULIA ANN WAGNER, farmer; P. O. Medway; was the wife of Joseph Wagner, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 12, 1833, and emigrated to this township in 1864, and purchased the farm where he lived until his death; he died March 30, 1878. The subject of this sketch now lives upon and owns the same ; she was born June 26, 1839. Leitersberg District, Washington Co., Md .; was the daughter of Jacob Bowers, and was married to Joseph Wagner Jan. 30, 1862 ; they were the parents of six children-four sons and two daughters-five now living, viz .: Elmer C., born Oct. 18, 1862; Edward H., Dec. 5, 1864; Mary A., July 2, 1868, died April 12, 1869; Clara E., born April 12, 1870; Harvey J., Feb. 25. 1874 ; Lewis J., March 10, 1878. Mr. Wagner was a member of the German Reformed Church; his wife a member of the Lutheran Church; her family are all at home with her and attending school. Mr. Wagner was twice married; his first with Miss Sarah Hartle, Washington Co .; Md .; by this one child was born-Josiah A., June 26, 1859.
SMITH WALLACE, farmer; P. O. Donelsville ; is a son of Hugh M. Wallace, who was born in Kentucky, Aug. 14, 1778, and lost his parents when young, but re- mained in his native State until about 20 years old, when he came to the Northwest, stopping in what is now Bethel Township, Clark Co., Ohio; here began work for a
1036
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
previous settler, David Lowry, who had erected a rude pioneer grist-mill on Dounel's Creek. His labors continued for Mr. Lowry several years, and it is supposed that he mar- ried in the year Ohio was admitted in the United States, Margaret Smith (an aunt of Gen. J. Warren Keifer). She was born in what is now Bethel Township. Their union lasted only a few years, when the terrible destroyer, consumption, tore her from the earthly care, leaving husband and one child. The latter soon too passed into eternity and the former during their union had entered the southwest quarter of Sec. 27, Bethel Township. After continuous efforts and hard labor, he had paid eighty dollars, but failed to complete the task, hence lost both land and money. After the death of his wife, he remained in the employ of Mr. David Lowry until the desperate red man's deeds in 1812 were to be suppressed. In this struggle he was a participant, enduring many privations, but on July 6, 1814, he married for his second wife, Eleanor Richi- son, who was born in the Northwest Feb. 10, 1793. Nine children were born to them, of whom seven now survive. Soon after this marriage, Hugh again, with renewed efforts, entered the same quarter section ; by perseverance and determination succeeded in completing his task. This dense wilderness was gradually converted into open fields. When they first settled on this farm, Mrs. Wallace and her mother Mrs. Richison, would frequently walk to Dayton, do their trading and return the same day with groceries, etc., on their backs, making a round trip of about 35 miles. Thus Hugh and family trod the path of life until Feb. 15, 1864, when his death severed the union, and she, too, passed away July 1, 1875, and thus ended the life of two worthy pioneers of Clark Co. Smith Wallace was born June 23, 1817, on the farm he now owns, on which his entire life, save five years, has been spent. His early life was spent in assisting his father to clear up the farm on which he cultivated crops. The log schoolhouse in which he procured most of his education was at a distance of only half a mile. His marriage was cele- brated May 11, 1843, with Sarah Stevens, of Shelby Co., Ohio, where she was born, Aug. 4, 1822. The fruit of this union was nine children, of whom seven are now liv- ing. After the marriage, he settled on the home farm and continued to cultivate it un- til his younger brothers were of sufficient size to take charge under the father's super- vision, thence he settled near Springfield as a renter, and five years later returned to the home farm, which he purchased, and is now well situated, though he and family labored long and hard. On June 3, 1868, when a large, new brick house was just completed. her death severed the union. He married again on Dec. 10, 1874, for his second wife, Julia A. Copp, who was born in Logan Co., Ohio, January 4, 1838, and died in the faith of the Christian Church, Oct. 26, 1879, leaving husband and one child, a daughter, Gracie A. Mr. Wallace has been solicited to fill various offices of trust in county and township, but as yet never accepted. The family have been members of different Protestant churches, and no doubt much good has grown out of their labors.
HENRY WILLIAMS, retired farmer ; P. O. New Carlisle. We take great pleasure in introducing to our readers the oldest continuous resident of Clark Co. now living, Mr. Henry Williams, who, since 1805, has lived almost within sight of his present home. Long before Clark Co. was organized our subject was engaged in doing the duty of the pioneer boys, whose parents had emigrated from other States to the great Northwest, to make homes for themselves and children; and as they toiled early and late, they little thought that their labors would be productive of such great results as have followed during the life of the second generation, whereby this beautiful land, by their labor, has become the pride of Ohio. The father of our subject, Henry Williams, Sr., with his wife, Elizabeth (Albert) Williams, came from Greenbrier Co .. Va., in 1805, on horseback, each of them carrying two children, our subject being the youngest, then ouly 3 months old. They settled on the farm now in possession of Mr. Williams, the land having been previously entered by a Mr. Shorts, a land speen- lator, of Cincinnati. Henry, Sr., built the first cabin in the virgin forest, which nothing had inhabited save the wild animals and the Indian, of whom there were many still living in the vicinity. He was drafted during the Indian war of 1812, under Capt. McPher- son, leaving his wife and small children to care for each other, while he, with nearly every other able-bodied man, was protecting the frontier from inroads by savages.
pd : .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.