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 65
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1037
BETHEL TOWNSHIP.
There were nine children in all-Isaac, Nancy, Jane, Henry, Margaret, Elizabeth, Selah, Mary and John J. A. Williams. The four eldest were born in Greenbrier Co., Va. Our subject, the two youngest daughters and the youngest son are still living. The game was very plentiful in early times, and Mr. Williams tells us that his father, at one shot with a rifle, killed seven wild turkeys. He remembers well when Gerard was killed, near Troy, by the Indians. The father of our subject died in 1845, after living a long and useful life, his wife preceding him, Nov. 9, 1829. The subject of our sketch was married in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Pettigrew, of Rockbridge Co .. Va. Her parents died some years previous, they being aged when first settling here. Their children were five in number-Elihu S., Julius C., Henry H., Isaac W. and Elizabeth B. Mr. Williams furnished three brave sons for the Union army during the war of the rebellion, E. S. Williams being Captain of Co. H, 71st O. V. I. Isaac W. contracted disease and died a few years after the close of the war. Henry H., now the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Miami Co., was also wounded, which has disabled him for life. Capt. E. S. Williams was also Representative from Smith Co., Tenn .. in the Legislature of 1867, and was Attorney General of that State for two years, being ap- pointed by Gov. Browalow. Our subject has for many years been acting as Pastor in the Christian Church. His sons are all prominent men, and do credit to their name. Their mother died on Dec. 23, 1869, leaving an example worthy of imitation. Briefly, then, we have given a sketch of a gentleman and his family, who have for many years been recorded among the prominent ones of this county. During his pastorate, ex- tending over a period of forty years, Mr. Williams received from all sources $200 in cash; and under his ministrations, 500 souls were brought to Christ. He is still active in mind, but infirm in body, and is at this time 76 years of age, being born Feb. 27, 1805.
JOHN J. A. WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. O. New Carlisle ; belonging to the family of the first settlers of Bethel Township is J. J. A. Williams, youngest son of Henry and Elizabeth Williams, mentioned in the biography of Henry Williams. of this township. He is now reckoned among the old settlers of this county, being born in 1818, the same year that Clark County was organized. He has fromn choice followed the occupation of farming, and is now living on the farm where he was born ; the house is still standing, and in good repair. Few boys cling so closely to their childhood's home, but those that do have the satisfaction of knowing the appreciation felt by their neighbors, and also have witnessed the grand improvements made in the county since their boyhood. The numerous lines of railroad, skirted by the magic wires that transmit the news in an instant from one end of the State to the other, have all been built and put into active operation since his recollection, while the pretentious farmhouse takes the place of the rude log cabin, that were sparsely scattered through the woods a half century ago. J. J. A. Williams was married in 1847 to Miss Annie M. Kissinger, of York Co., Penn. Her parents, Benjamin and Margaret Kissenger, came to this town- ship about 1833. John and his wife had seven children ; those living are Mary E., the wife of John Mann ; Margaret A., the wife of John W. Shroyer; John F., Ida M. and Charley E. Henry C. and Ella died in infancy. The children will never know, except by the recital of the stories, of the privations of the early settlers, and in this history will be found the sketches and incidents connected with the lives, not only of the first settlers of this township, but of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Williams has been connected with the public schools, in an official capacity, for sixteen consecutive years. He enjoys an excellent reputation as a man of correct business habits, and his children may have a just pride in the record of their ancestry, who have always been noted for their integrity and excellent business qualifications.
ELIHU STEPHEN WILLIAMS was born Jan. 24, 1835, near New Carlisle. Clark Co., Ohio, and is the son of Elder Henry Williams and Elizabeth Williams, for- meriy Elizabeth Pettigrew. His parents were born in Virginia, his mother remained there until she was of age. His father was brought to Ohio in 1807 when a child, and the family settled near New Carlisle, where Eid. HI. Williams now lives. E. S. Will- iams worked on a farm until 16 years of age, getting what education he could in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
the winter school of the country district in which his parents resided. Not satisfied with the outlook, he demanded of his father that he should be sent regularly to school. His father replied that if he wanted a better education than he was getting at home, to get it himself. The boy took his father at his word, and with $1.50 in his pocket he started out in life for himself. He worked by days' work among the farmers until he got money enough to pay his board for a few months, then, under the tuition of Mr. Arnett, of Troy, he fitted himself to pass examination for a certificate to teach school, which he obtained, and taught school the following winter in Brontet, of this county. By working in the summer and teaching in the winter, he struggled on until he acquired a fair education. In 1858, he commenced reading law in the office of F. P. Cuppy, Esq., of Dayton, Ohio, and by working in the summer, and teaching school, he supported himself until February, 1861, when he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. After closing a school he was then teaching, he went to Southern Illinois to select a location to follow his profession, and while there Ft. Sum- ter was fired upon, and the nation had need of her young men ; he took the first train north for the purpose of enlisting, but before he reached home Ohio's quota was full ; he then went to Mercer Co., Ohio, and hung out his shingle in Celina, but in a few weeks the second call for troops was made; he then took the stump for volunteers in Mercer Co., then, as now, one of the strongholds of Democracy. He raised fifty-six men and reported to Camp Tod, Troy, Ohio; he then went into the ranks as a pri- vate. The 71st O. V. I. was organized, and on Oct. 5, 1861, he was elected 1st Lieu- tenant of Company A, was commissioned February 14, 1862, was promoted Captain Feb. 10, 1863. He was in the battle of Shiloh, leaving a sick-bed to fight with the boys he enlisted ; his Captain being slightly wounded in the morning, he had command of the company during the bloody battle of Sunday, holding his men in front of the fight until night closed the contest. He was with the four companies of the regiment, stationed at Ft. Donelson, and was in the fight at Donelson when his four companies defeated Col. Woodward's regiment, who had captured Col. Rod. Mason and the six companies at Clarksville; he was promoted to the command of Company HT, and was with the regiment in all its marches and skirmishes until Sep- tember, 1863, when, although the fifth Captain in the line of his regiment, he was given the command of three companies and a section of artillery and sent by the General commanding to take charge of the post of Carthage, Tenn., situated 150 miles by river above Nashville. The post was established by Gen. Crook with a divis- ion and afterward held by Gen. Spears, with a brigade. There were a large amount of Government stores accumulated there for the use of the army, which could not be re- moved on account of low stage of water in the Cumberland River. The post was thir- ty-six miles from any support, and the confederate commands of Col. Hughs and Col. Hamilton, estimated at from one thousand to fifteen hundred men, were within striking distance of Carthage; and Gen. Payne afterward told Capt. Williams that he did not expect the post to be held a week; that he could not spare any more troops; but from what he had heard of him he knew the rebels would not get the place without a hard fight. But Capt. Williams not only held the post until the river raised so that the Govern- ment stores were removed, and his troops were not only vigilant and active in camp duty, but a part of them were mounted from horses captured and " pressed" from rebels, and did splendid service in driving the guerrillas out of the country, and before Christ- mas had killed and captured a rebel soldier for every man in his command, and by the spring of 1864 had recruited a regiment of loyal Tennesseeans, which, under the com-
mand of Col. Garrett, did effective service for the Federal cause. Carthage was thers made a recruiting station, and by the petition of Union citizens and the request of Andy Johnson, then Military Governor of Tennessee, he was detailed for service in or- ganizing Tennessee troops, and remained in Carthage until the close of the war, partici- pating in every movement against the enemy in that part of Tennessee, and rendering effective service against the forces of the rebel Gen. Wheeler in his famous raid in Mid- dle Tennessee. After the war was over, he remained in Smith Co., Tenn., and en- gaged in the practice of law, and took an active part in the reconstruction of Tennessee,
1039
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
being a member of the first convention held for that purpose in Nashville. In April, 1865, he was commissioned District Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District of Tennes- see, and held that position until the summer of 1867, and then resigned to accept the nomination as Republican candidate for the Legislature to represent the district of Sum- ner, Smith and Mason counties. After an exciting and dangerous canvass, he was elect- ed by a handsome majority ; and received the largest vote ever polled for the Repub- lican party in those counties, and served for two years in what is known as the Radical Legislature of Tennessee ; he took an active part in all the leading measures, and re- tired at the close of the term with the confidence of his party and the respect of oppo- nents. He was married May 31, 1866, to Alice Gordon, daughter of Dr. Wiley B. Gordon and Virginia Gordon, who was the daughter of Gen. Russwunn. In 1869, Capt. Williams refused to be a candidate for any political office, and remained on his farm until the year 1875, however taking an active part with the Republican party. fighting in battles all the more earnestly because the party was in Tennessee proscribed and persecuted, and in a hopeless minority. In January, 1875, he entered into a part- nership with his brother, H. H. Williams, to practice law in Troy, Ohio, and moved his family to that place, where he now resides, busily engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
TEMPLETON W. BAILEY, farmer; P. O. Enon. Mr. Bailey was born in Augusta Co., Va., Dec. 14, 1819, and removed with his parents to Ohio in 1829, locat- ing in Pike Township, Clark County. He received his education in the common schools of Virginia and Ohio. He married, Dec. 6, 1846, in Greene Co., Ohio, Miss Nancy Cox, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1822. They are the parents of eight children, viz .: David, born March 14, 1848; Elizabeth, born Jan. 30, 1850 ; Martha Jane, born Oct. 25, 1851, died March 6, 1855; Susan, born Nov. 13, 1853; infant son, born Aug. 28, 1855, and died on the following day ; Mary Ellen, born April 25, 1860; Rozety, born July 14, 1864; and William Charles, born April 6, 1868.
JOSEPH BAKER, farmer; P. O. Enon. Joseph Baker is the son of Melyn and Mary Baker, both natives of New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio about the year 1800, stopping in Cincinnati one year. then removing to Clark County, where they re- mained till the.r death. Mrs. Baker lived to an advanced age, and recounted the fol- lowing incident of her early life only a short time before her death : During the war of 1812, our troops were being concentrated for the battle of the Thames; that noted Kentuckian, Col. Richard Johnson, in command of a force of United States troops, stopped at the house of her father, and requested her to furnish himself and staff with supper, lodging and breakfast. Her parents being absent from home, she, a girl of 16. provided for their wants so acceptably that on his return, wounded, from the battle where history gives him the credit of killing that noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, they again stopped at her father's house for entertainment. Joseph Baker was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1830, and was educated in the common schools of his native place. At the age of 14, he started for himself farming, in which pursuit he has continued to the present time. He married, Nov. 1, 1855, Miss Elizabeth King, of Clark County. They are the parents of four children, viz. : Mary, Tillie, Joetta and Maud. Joetta died Oct. 9, 1872. He purchased a portion of the old homestead, containing 983 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation, and he is in every way prepared to enjoy the comforts of life.
MOSES BAKER, farmer ; P. O. Enon. Mr. Baker is the son of Jonathan and Sarah Baker, who were natives of New Jersey, aud emigrated to Ohio in 1802, locating in Butler County, where they remained three years, when they removed to Clark County, residing there until their death. Our subject was born in Clark County Aug. 8, 1809, just twenty-nine years after Clarke's battle with the Indians The country at that time was still a wilderness, abounding with wild animals, and Indians roamed the forests of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the frontier county as it was called. Great labor was required to clear up the land in those days, and young Baker assisted his father in this work, in the meantime receiving such education as was afforded in the log schoolhouses of the day. At the age of Is, Mr. Baker started in business for himself, learning the wason trade, which business he followed until 1836. He then purchased a farm of 108 acres in Mad River Township. He married Miss Mary Davis the same year. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living. Mrs. Baker departed this life in the year 1865. Mr. Baker married again to Mrs Cenith Leggett, who died in 1867. He now resides with his daughter, and is now, as he has been for many years, an earnest worker in the cause of Christ.
P. J. BREWER, proprietor Enou Hotel, Enon ; is the son of Jacob and Nancy Brewer, and was born Nov. 26, 1817, in Maryland, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education in the common school. About the time of his majority, he went to Berkeley Co., Va., where he learned distilling, which he mostly followed until 1872, remaining in Virginia until 1841, when he came to Greene Co., Ohio, locating near Xenia, and there continued his trade. After abandoning the trade, he engaged on the farm and saw-mill a short time ; thence purchased the Enon Hotel, of which he is now proprietor, and makes it a pleasant home for all who see fit to patronize him. He is an active worker in the Democratic party, by which he was honorably elected Township Trustee in 1880. In November, 1810, he married Kassia Mousby, of Washington Co., Md., and had born to them six children, five daughters and one son. Thirteen months after Kassia's death, he married Mrs. Eliza Butler (of Greene Co., Ohio), who died in April, 1863. His third wife was Mrs. Harrison K. Garlock, of Dayton, Ohio. Three sons were born to the second marriage.
GEORGE W. COFFIELD, teacher; Enon. George W. Coffield is the son of John C. and Nancy Coffield. His father was born in Virginia April 30, 1797, and his mother was born in Clark Co., Ohio, April.30, 1816, and still lives on the farm where she was born. Our subject was born May 3, 1813, and was educated in the common schools of Clark Co., and Wittenburg College, of Springfield, Ohio. He has been a suc- cessful teacher, holding the highest certificate given in the counties where he has taught, which includes the counties of Clark, Montgomery, Miami and Greene. He also read law in the office of Spence & Arthur, of Springfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. After a brief practice, he retired to the farm of his mother, and married Miss Mary B. Bartlett, of Clark Co., June 21, 1874. They are the parents of three chil- dren -- Carroll D., born Jan. 21, 1877; Ray E., born Oct. 12, 1879; the other dying in infancy.
JACOB G. DAVIS, farmer ; P. O. Osborn. Mr. Davis is the son of Samuel and Anna Davis, who were pioneers of what is now Clark Co., Ohio, coming from New Jersey in the year 1803, and settling in what is now the west part of Mad River Town- ship. The implements of farming in those days were very rude. the plow having a wooden mold-board, and the harrow a fork of a tree with wooden teeth, and plenty of wild animals, such as deer, bears, wolves, wild-cats and porcupines were to be found ; also Indians were quite numerous. The subject of this sketch was born in Mad River Township, Clark Co., July 11, 1818, and was rocked in a sugar-trough for the want of a better cradle. He received a limited education in an old log schoolhouse, which was so common in those days. He assisted his father on the farm until 1837, when he went to Shelby Co., Ohio, and there learned the milling business with his brother Daniel. He purchased one-half interest in the mill, which was known as the Davis Bros.' Mills; where he remained for five years; then selling his interest to his brother, returned to Clark Co., renting the old home farm for eight years. At the expiration of his lease, he purchased the farm. containing 1044 acres, to which he has added 10 acres, making 1141 acres of Mad River bottom land, in a high state of cultivation. Mir. Davis mar- ried Miss Amy Lippincott, of Franklin Township, Licking Co., Ohio, and their family consists of six children, viz., Clarinda G., born Nov. 11, 1840; Mary R., born June 3, 1843; Anna F., born May 18, 1845; Eithia, born March 31, 1847; William T .. born March 7, 1853; George S., born June 3, 1865, died Feb. 25, 1866.
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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM T. DAVIS, teacher ; Osborn. Wm. T. is the son of Jacob G. and Amy Davis, of Mad River Township, Clark Co., and was born March 7, 1853. He received his education in the common schools of the county, with the exception of one year at the Normal school, at Lebanon, after which he engaged in teaching. He holds the highest grade certificate issued in the county, and commands the highest wages. Ile has tanghi five winters in one district, and is engaged for the sixth. He married Miss Mary Purdy, an accomplished young lady of Indianapolis, Aug. 19, 1874. She has taught school six years, and is also a music teacher. They have one child, Olive, born March 31, 1878.
SAMUEL DRUMMOND, deceased. This gentleman came to this township in 1807. He was born near Cincinnati, in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1804, and was the son of George and Rosanna (Thompson) Drummond. His father was a native of Scotland, and his mother of Ireland. They settled in New Jersey, close to Penn- sylvania, and about 1800 came to Ohio. In 1807 they came to Clark Co., and settled in Sec. 17, Mad River Township, where they died. They had seven children, viz., William James, Mary, Sarah, John, Samuel (our subject) and Nancy. They are all now dead but John and Nancy. Two of them died in infancy. Samuel grew up on the home farm, attending the early log schoolhouse, and affording such assistance on the farm as his tender years would admit. He was married, Feb. 28, 1833, to Ruth Beeth, a native of Greene Co., by whom he had nine children, viz., William T., George T. (deceased), Sarah J., Mark, Nile (killed in the rebellion), Emily, Melissa, Stephen and Caroline (deceased.) Mrs. D. died in November, 1852, and on April 19, 1853, Mr. D. married Mrs. Mary Ann Schrock, widow of Francis Schrock, and daughter of David and Lydia Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1843. Mrs. D. was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Aug. 15, 1823, and by her first marriage had five chil- dren, viz., Winfield S. (killed in the rebellion), Harrison, Benjamin (deceased), Lydia J. and Mary E. By her marriage with Mr. D., she had Anzonetta (deceased), Rosella, Miller, Goyne, Adele and Ulysses. Politically, Mr. D. was a Republican, and a firm defender of the Union. Three of his sons, and one of his wife's sons fought for their flag in the war of the rebellion. He died May 3, 1869, leaving to his family a pleas- ant home, and a spotless reputation. Mrs. D. is a member of the Christian Church, of which denomination his first wife was a member.
J. K. DUNKEL, retired; P. O. Enon; is the son of John, Sr., and Susan Dunkel, of Lancaster Co., Penn., where J. K. was born Dec. 15, 1818. He acquired a limited education in his early life, and judiciously applied himself to labor in his father's behalf until 20 years of age, at which time he started in life as a farm laborer. In 1849, he married Catharine Shertzer, of his native county and State. He has since become a resident of Ohio, and at present is a citizen of the villiage of Enon, where he is identified with its interest ; also takes an active interest in the cause of education. and at present is a member of the School Board of that place, which office be duly fills. Mr. and Mrs. Dunkel are the parents of four children, viz., Aaron, Fronna, Henry, and Lucinda.
JOHN B. DUNKEL, merchant; P. O. Enon. Among the representative busi- ness men of Enon we mention the name of John B. Dunkel as a grocery merchant. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Dunkel, and was born Nov. 20, 1847; obtained his education in the common schools, and remained his father's assistant on the farm until 1870, when he married Rebecca, daughter of Reuben Shellabarger, whose biography appears in this history. After his marriage he followed farming one year, then located in Enon, where he purchased a large grocery store, carrying a full line of goods, and through his correct business habits has established a reasonable patronage and obtained the public feeling of the citizens of his township, until he now holds the office of Treasurer of said township, which he fills with honor and credit to himself and party. One child, Clara May, has been given to this union, born Nov. 2, 1873.
HENRY L. FEIRSTINE, farmer; P. O. Enon. Mr. Feirstine is the son of George and Sarah Feirstine, of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1863, purchasing a farm of 143 acres in Clark Co., on which the subject of this sketch now resides. He
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was born Oct. 30, 1849, and received his education in the common schools. He mar- ried Miss Mary Rockfield, of Greene Co., Ohio. They are the parents of two children --- Cora and Maude. Cora was born March 28, 1878; and Maude born July 2, 1879.
WALTER HAGER, manufacturer of paper; P. O Enon; is a son of Isaac and Eunice Hager, both natives of Massachusetts, and was born March 4, 1823, at Newton Lower Falls, Mass., where he was raised and educated. He started in life at the age of 15 years by engaging in the paper mills of his native town, which were among the oldest in the United States; there remained fifteen years, and in the mean- time, Feb. 25, 1847, married Martha Fuller, of Weston, Mass. About 1853, he engaged in the mills of Jordan & Co., where his ability and knowledge of the business merited the position as manager, to which he was promoted. Two years later he removed to Frankfort, Ky., where he was also employed as foreman of the Frankfort paper mills. At the expiration of two years he removed to Lockland, Ohio, and became agent for the Hazeltine Turbine water-wheel, and was the first to introduce it into Southern Ohio, Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana. After being thus engaged for some time he resumed the paper trade as manager of the Lower Mills of Lockland, where he remained six years; thence located in Dayton, Ohio, where he took charge of the mills of G. Rutledge, and successfully conducted the same a period of two years. He then located in Clifton, Greene Co., Ohio; engaged in business with Mr. King, the style firm being King & Hager. Six months later he sold his interest, removed to Enon, where he is now in charge of the Republic Mills, and doing a reason- able business. Mr. and Mrs. Hager have had born to them six children -- Ellen, Ger- trude, Sarah, Mary, Edwin, and Albert, of whom two daughters are deceased.
J. W. HANES, grain merchant ; P. O. Enon. Enon, like all villages, has its repre- sentative business men, and we can say that J. W. Hanes is one of the live and energetic men of this village. He is the son of Jacob and Margaret Hanes, and was born June 25, 18.10, in Richland Co., Ohio; received his early education in the common schools, afterward two years in attendance at the Antioch College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. In 1864, commenced work on his father's farm, and thus continued until 27 years of age, when he commenced life for himself, by commencing in the grain trade in Enon. Here he has, through proper conduct and good business habits, established a favorable and profitable grain market. In July, 1874, married Emma Spangler, an accomplished young lady. The issue of this union is two children, one son and one daughter.
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