USA > Ohio > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2 > Part 105
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HARRISON C. DENVER, farmer, P. O. Bloomington. Patrick Denver, father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America with his father about 1798. They landed in New York, where they remained a short time. From there they emigrated to Frederick County, Va., where they settled on a farm. Patrick was at this time about fourteen years of age. He was here reared to manhood, receiving but a limited education. He married Miss Jane Campbell, of Frederick County, by whom he had twelve children, of whom the majority are still living. After leading a life of success and usefulness, he died July 31, 1858. Mrs. Denver died in 1875, she having survived him about seventeen years. He was also a valiant defender of the old flag of the Union, having entered the American army in 1812; he fought in several battles against the British troops, especially in their march to capture Phila- delphia and Baltimore. He held the rank of Captain, served faithfully, and at the end of his service received an honorable discharge. Harrison C. Denver was born July 31, 1829, in Frederick County, Va. When quite young, his parents emigrated to Ohio. He received an education in a district school, and entered Wilmington Academy in 1846, from which institution he graduated in 1850. He then returned to the quiet pursuits of his father's farm, where his services were required and where he remained until 1872. He then engaged in the dry goods business at Wilmington, where he re- mained for some time. October, 1872, he married Rosa B. Telfair, a very estimable lady of superior intellectual ability, and daughter of Dr. Isaac Telfair, deceased. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, and the owner of about three hundred aeres of land. Mr. Denver is a liberal contributor to all enterprises having for their object the rise and progress of the county or the elevation of humanity.
SEYMOUR A. DOUGLASS, deceased, was born July 1, 1815, in Warren County, Ohio, son of James and Mary Douglass, who were among the first settlers of Clinton County. James Douglass was born in York County, Penn., October 8, 1769, was reared on a farm, received but a limited education, and was married October 27, 1795, to Miss Mary Taylor. This union was blessed with some nine children. Mr. Douglass was quite successful in business during life and died August 21, 1835 ; Mrs. Douglass in November, 1854. Seymour A., the subject of our sketch, was reared on a farm ; re- ceived the rudiments of education in a district school ; was married January 14, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Madden, daughter of Solomon Madden, of whom we have made mention in this work. To them have been born eight children, viz., Milton, Mary, James, Mattie E., Alice A., Rose, Seymour A. and Solomon, deceased. Mr. Douglass was elected Jus- tice of the Peace in Wilson Township in 1850, and served until 1856 ; was a Republican ; was quite successful in business matters during life, and left to his family 140 acres of
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land, on which his widow at present resides. He was a kind and loving father, an in- dulgent husband, and died September 4, 1861, in the prime of life, and in his death Clinton County lost a good and noble man and one of her best citizens.
WILLIAM DUN, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born February 13, 1841, in Ross County, Ohio, son of George W. and Louisa Dun. George W. Dun was born in Scot- land, was a weaver by trade, and the son of a Presbyterian minister. In the year 1802, he took passage from Liverpool, England, sailed for America, and, after a stormy voy- age of about seven months, he landed in New York. From the date of his arrival in the new world, he began and continued to do business in New York and Philadelphia for about thirty-six years. About the year 1838, he immigrated to Ross County, Ohio, bought sixty-two acres of land and made for himself a comfortable home ; was married in 1826, and became the father of eight children ; was successful in business, and died Feb- ruary 16, 1865. William, the subject of our sketch, was reared on a farm, received his education in a district school, and is an honest industrious farmer. He was married May, 6, 1863, to Mrs. Anna E. Hayes, of Franklin County. To them have been born three children, viz., William E., Robert S. and Ebey V. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, has been successful in business and is the owner of 221 acres of land.
JAMES DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born February 10, 1822, in Ross County, Ohio, son of Charles and Elizabeth Davis, who were among the early settlers of Ross County ; was reared on the farm of his father and received an education in a district school. He was married March 2, 1843, to Miss Mary Foster, daughter of John Foster, of Ross County, who was elected a member of the General Assembly in 1848 and served until 1849. To them have been born six children, viz., Russell, Mary E. and four deceased. He is a member of the M. E. Church at Coulter Chapel, is a strong advocate of the temperance cause, has been quite successful in business and is the owner of 480 acres of good tillable land.
GEORGE GRAY, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born July 20, 1823, in Yorkshire, England, son of William and Christiana Gray ; was reared on a farm, receiving the rudi- ments of education in the public schools of England of that day. In the Spring of 1846, he left the shores of England and took passage in a merchant ship from Liverpool, and landed in New York, after a stormy voyage of about seven weeks. Shortly after his arrival, he engaged himself as a farm hand to Mr. D. B. Fuller, whose farm was located within one mile of Hyde Park, and about four miles from Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He was employed by Mr. Fuller for about three months; after leaving the employ of Mr. Fuller, he emigrated to Indiana (Dearborn County). He here engaged himself to Mr. Martin Eubanks, and remained with him about one year. After leaving the employ of Mr. Eubanks, he proceeded to Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, where, for about two years, he was employed by Gov. Trimble. While in the employ of Mr. Trimble, he became acquainted with, and subsequently married Miss Elizabeth Price, daughter of Joseph and Ellen Price, of Gallia County, Ohio. To them have been borne eight children, viz., Christiana, Mary E., George P., Maria J. and Isabel, and three who are deceased. From Highland County they removed to Clinton County, within two miles of Sabina, remaining here about one year. From thence he removed to the farm of Alfred C. Lang, located about one mile south of Sabina. He remained on this place about eight months ; from thence he removed to a farm about two miles south of Sabina. After residing on this farm about one year, he bought the farm known as the Judge Harlan farm, located about three miles north of Sabina, in 1852, and settled thereon in 1854, and is still residing on said place. In the spring of 1876, he was elected Justice of the Peace for Wilson Township, and served one year. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, adheres to Democratic principles, has been success- ful in business and is the owner of 272 acres of tillable land, and may well be classed among the worthy citizens of Clinton County.
HARVEY H. HANKINS (deceased), was born February 25, 1820, in Wilson Township, Cinton Co., Ohio, son of Ramoth and Naomi Hankins, who were among the first settlers of Clinton County, and who immigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in Clinton County in 1810. Harvey H. was reared on the farm of his father and conse-
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quently endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life of that day ; received his education in a district school. He was married May 20, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Heath, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Heath, of Allegheny Co., Penn. To them have been born five children, two of whom are still living. Mr. Hankins and family lived on the old homestead, on the Urbana pike road, about two miles southeast of Bloomington, until October 1866, but. owing to ill-health, his physicians advised him to lay awide the business of farming. He then bought a residence on the Radcliffe road, near the Union Church, where he lived in a retired manner until the time of his death, which occurred April 19, 1879. He was a kind and affectionate father and.an indulgent husband, and universally beloved by all who knew him. He was a stanch Republican, and we may well say of him that he was an honor to his county, he having always, when in his power, aided every enterprise which would be of benefit to the county. His widow, a very intelligent lady, still survives him in the sixty-eighth year of her age.
JOHN A. HAUGHEY, farmer, P. O. Bloomington, was born in Union Town- ship, Clinton County, Ohio, February 28, 1823 ; son of Barnett and Margaret Hang- hey, who were among the early settlers of Clinton County. Barnett was born in Grayson County, Va., April 4, 1792; was reared on a farm ; received the rudiments of education in a district school. He was married August 27, 1815, to Miss Margaret Barber. Shortly after his marriage, he removed from Virginia to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, where he resided about eight years, from whence he removed to Greene County (near Bowersville) in 1824, where he resided about twenty years, or until the time of his death, which occurred October 9, 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Haug. hey have been born ten children. He was successful in business ; a member of the Christian Church, and a fervent supporter of the Whig party. He left to his children, by whom he was highly respected, one hundred acres of land. He died October 9, 1844. John, the subject of our sketch, was reared on a farm; received his educa- tion in the district schools ; was married October 24, 1850, to Christena E. Thorp, daugh- ter of Edmund and Mary Thorp, of whom we have made mention in connection with this work. To them have been born two children, viz., Edmund B. and Joseph M. Mrs. Haughey died October 28, 1858. He subsequently was married to Ann Bentley, daughter of William and Sarah Bentley, August 18, 1859. To them have been born seven children, viz., Arthur C., Lutin B., Allen G., Sarah M., Stephen, Thomas E. and Almeda. He is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventists' Church. He always casts his lot in with the Republican party. " He was elected a Justice of the Peace for Wil- son Township in February, 1855, and was re-elected in 1858, and served until 1861. In 1851, he settled on the farm now occupied by him, and which he subsequently bought in the fall of 1875. He has been successful in a business way, and is the owner of ninety-five acres of good, tillable land.
JOHN HINKSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born March 14, 1827, in Richland Township, Clinton Co., Ohio; son of John and Elizabeth Hinkson, who were among the early settlers of Clinton County ; was reared on a farm ; received his education in a district school, and is an honest, industrious, intelligent farmer. He, also, like his father, encountered many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He was married in October, 1852, to Miss Susannah Thorp, daughter of Edmund and Mary Thorp of whom we have made mention in connection with this work. To them have been born five children, two of whom are still living. He was elected Township Trustee in 1863, and served one year. Has been successful in business, and is the owner of 150 aeres of land.
FRANCIS M. HOOVER, merchant, Bloomington, was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, January 4, 1847 ; was the son of John and Martha Hoover, who were among the early settlers of Clinton County. John came to Clinton County about the year 1827, and settled in Port William, where he was first employed as a carpenter, and sub- sequently became a prominent builder. In 1847, he removed to a farm about three miles southeast of Port William, and from thence removed to Bloomington, where he lived the remainder of his days, and died June 22, 1881. Mrs. Hoover, his consort, died in 1874. Francis, the subject of our present sketch, was reared on a farm; re-
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ceived the rudiments of education in a district sehool. In 1870, he started as a mer- chant in Bloomington. His success and the steady growth of his trade, enabled and obliged him to enlarge his store. In 1875, he commenced rebuilding said store, and occupied the addition the same year. He has a fine selection of dry goods, groceries, etc., constantly on hand. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloom- ington, also a member of the Odd Fellows Society. Politically he is a Democrat; was married March 11, 1877, to Miss Matilda Barlow, of Bloomington. He was elected Township Clerk in 1872, and discharged the duties of this office until 1878. He was elected Township Treasurer in 1880 and 1881. He also discharges the duties of Post- master, for which duty the people of Bloomington and vieinity could not have chosen a more capable inan or worthy eitizen.
JOHN C. LANCASTER, farmer, P. O. Bloomington, was born September 8, 1851, in Guilford County, N. C .; was the son of Columbus and Isabel A. Laneaster. He was reared on a farm; received his education in a district school. In the year 1870, he immigrated to Ohio ; first came to Bloomington, Clinton County, and for the three years following, worked as a farm hand among the farmers of Greene and Clinton Coun- ties. In the year 1873, October 2, he was married to Miss Eliza Hunt, daughter of Hezekiah and Rachel Hunt, of Greene County. She was born April 29, 1854, in Greene County, near Bloomington ; was reared on a farm; received her education in a district school. She was a lady of considerable intellectual ability ; was of a kind- hearted disposition ; a loving and amiable wife, and died in November, 1881, but not without the hope of a glorious resurrection, having tried to live a Christian life the great part of her days. Mr. Lancaster has been successful in business generally, and is the owner of fifty acres of land situated about one mile and a half northeast of Bloom- ington, and on which land he at present resides.
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MOSES G. MADDEN, farmer, P. O. Bloomington, was born in Wilson Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, October 10, 1837; was the son of Solomon and Ruth Madden, who were among the earliest settlers of Clinton County. Solomon Madden was born in Chatham County, N. C., September 29, 1793, and immigrated to Clinton County in 1811 with his parents. George Madden, the father of Solomon, was born in Pennsylvania near Phila- delphia in 1759; was the son of Barnabas Madden, who was born in England, and who immigrated to the colonies of America before the Declaration of Independence by the American Colonies. Solomon Madden was married to Ruth Robbins, of Wayne County, Ind., Mareh 11, 1819, and settled in Adams Township, Clinton County, where they lived for seventeen years, and removed to what is now Wilson Township; lived here until the time of his death, which oceurred October 16, 1849. His wife still survives him, now in the eightieth year of her age; she was the daughter of Moses Robbins ; was born in Randolph County, N. C., August 8, 1802, and settled with her parents in Wayne County, Ind., in 1817. Moses Robbins was born in North Carolina in 1770; was the son of John Robbins, who was born in 1734; was a Baptist minister, and a Chaplain in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and died in 1834, having reached his one hundredth year. Moses G. Madden, the subject of our sketch, is a sou of Solomon and Ruth Madden, who have been the parents of ten ehildren, viz., Elizabeth, Alice J., Mary Ann, Solomon, Moses G. and Rachel, who are living, and four of whom are deceased. Moses G. was reared on a farm ; received the rudiments of education in a distriet sehool; was elected Trustee of Wilson Township in 1876, and . has, with the exception of the year 1879, attended to the duties of this office up to the present date, 1882. He is an ardent member of the Friends' Church ; is a Republi- can ; was a soldier in the late rebellion ; enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards ; entered active service May 2, 1864, under the command of Gen. Lewis Wallace, of the Army of the Cumberland. Was engaged in the battle of Monocacy, and several minor skirmishes, and received an honorable discharge August 30, 1864, at Camp Dennison ; is quite successful in business, and, in company with his brother Solomon, is the owner of 100 acres of land. Solomon Madden, brother of Moses G. and son of Solomon, Sr., and Ruth Madden, was born March 11, 1832, in Clinton County ; was reared on a farm; received the rudiments of education in a dis- .
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triot school. He enlisted, during the war of the rebellion, in the Ohio National Guards ; entered active service May 2, 1864 ; participated in the battle of Monocacy ; the skirmish at Berryville, and several other minor engagements ; was also under the command of Gen. Wallace, of the Army of the Cumberland ; received an honorable dis- charge at Camp Dennison in August, 1864 ; is an intelligent, industrious farmer, and, in company with his brother, Moses G., is the owner of.100 acres of land.
SIMPSON MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born about the year 1833, in Guilford County, North Carolina; was the son of Archibald Mitchell. When but six years of age, a Quaker gentleman (named Starbuck) took him to his home, and with whom he stayed until he reached his twentieth year, after which time he worked for John King, of Guilford County, North Carolina, for about one. and one-half months, and subsequently worked for a Mr. Dwiggins about six and one-half years. In the year 1859, he emigrated to Clinton County, Ohio; was married the same year, on the 15th of April, to Miss Demaris A. Dwiggins, who was born September 3, 1831. They are the parents of two children, viz., Carolina and Oliver. He is a member of the Afri- can M. E. Church at Sabina, a Republican, and the owner of fifty acres of good land. JAMES RICHEY MILLS, deceased. James and Margaret Mills, parents of James R. Mills, emigrated from Fleming County, Kentucky, to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1802. They were accompanied by Amos Wilson and George W. Barrere, the three being brothers-in-law, Wilson and Barrere, having married sisters of James Mills. The three families made a settlement on the lands of the late Benjamin Hinkson. The whole county at that time being comparatively a forest, they were unable to trace with accuracy their lines, and locate their farms; but not until they had made considerable improvement did they find their error. This misfortune seems to have so discouraged them, that they were upon the eve of abandoning the region altogether. But being persuaded to remain, another attempt was made to trace accurately their lines, in which they were successful. Having thus located his land, James Mills, the pioneer, erected a log cabin near where the present homestead is located, and, amid the forest wilds, settled to the quiet pursuits of the farm. George W. Barrere supplied them with meat, he being a good marksman, and there: being at that time, deer and turkey in great abund- ance. The vicissitudes of pioneer life being too well known to admit of extensive delineation here, we will not attempt to give a detailed account of the life and doings of this pioneer. Suffice it to say, that the nearest settlement was seven miles distant, and the country abounded in wolves and Indians, of which the latter gave the settlers no little uneasiness. They at times would appear in their war paint, grind their. knives, and sometimes took the liberty to ransack the cupboard in search of fire-water, and as James Mills the elder was sometimes called away to the mills on the Miami River, the lonely condition of the wife may be better imagined than described. Let us give one .incident : at a time when thus alone, a couple of squaws came suddenly into their house, and seizing little Jimmy, a mere baby, without ceremony carried him away. . Imagine the feelings of a mother. She was left in this awful suspense until late in the evening, when the squaws brought him home again, loaded with beads, and very care- lessly remarked, "squaw scared, thought papoose gone !". Amid those thrilling scenes was born James Richey Mills, in November, 1809. He was the youngest of .a family of six children, having five sisters who were his seniors. As he grew to manhood, and his parents were advancing in years, the arduous duties and cares of the family were laid upon him. As schools were almost out of the question, and his services were re- quired on the farm, his education, like that of most pioneers, was in a great measure neglected, yet he was sufficiently informed for the ordinary transactions of life. Though not what might be called a fluent reader, he grasped a subject with commenda- ble readiness, and being possessed of a retentive memory, a love for good books, good and great men, and having good opportunities for such associations, his society was agreeable and pleasant. He was a kind husband and indulgent father. As to his fault (I do not say faults), I may not attempt to palliate in any wise, for in childhood he imbided the habit of using strong drink, which at times seemed to take hold with giant grasp. The woe and sorrow which this, alas, so common habit brings, was laid
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as a heavy burden on his able and cultured companion. We gladly turn from this short coming, which was not only regretted by his family, but by himself, and but for which I may add his life might have been one of signal success. His farm work and management of stock, when attended to by himself, was done in the most orderly manner ; he never seemed to do anything by halves. Notwithstanding his neglect of business at times, he attained a noted success, as a breeder of Short-Horn Durham cattle. Taking stock in the Ohio Importation Company of 1854, he figured prominently as a member thereof for several years, raising some of the finest animals known in his day. For shrewdness and good judgment, he was quite noted, his opinions at stock-shows being well, respected and generally sought. He always endorsed his wife's views on religious subjects, she living a remarkably consistent life, full of piety and given to hospitality ; in fact, her influence was felt by all who knew her. While she never re- proached her husband for his besetting sin, yet upon suitable occasions, made known to him her views, and exhorted him to place his trust in the Lord. But it was not until his hair was full of the frost of age, that he cut loose from the world, and after a public profession of his faith, took his stand as a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He seemed to live a consistent life ; yet though he was only slightly turned of sixty, it was plainly preceptible that his time on earth was short. On March 28, 1876, he passed away, trusting in the merits of his Saviour. The last words he uttered were, "Oh ! my Saviour take me to Thyself!" He was a man of remarkably fine physique, stood erect about six feet, with a frame well proportioned. His features were very striking, with grey eyes, brown hair and an aquiline nose. In his death, Clinton County lost a worthy man and an honorable citizen.
REUBEN B. PEELLE, farmer, P. O. Bloomington, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, son of William and Clarissa Peclle, who were among the first settlers of Clinton County. William Peelle was born in Highland County, Ohio, be having been but five years of age when his parents settled in Clinton County in 1813; was reared on a farm, received the rudiments of education in a log cabin school of that carly day. Was married in 1832, in the twenty-fourth year of his age to Miss Clarisa Starbuck. This union has been blessed with thirteen children, six of whom are living at the present time. He is an ardent member of the Friends' Church, and by his industry and perse- verance has acquired considerable wealth. Mr. Peelle is still living on the old home- stead; luis wife, however, died in October, 1864. Reuben B., the subject of our present" sketch, was reared on a farm, attended the Friends' school until he reached his eighteenth year, from thence he went to Richmond, Ind., and attended Earlham Col- lege ; he attended this institution about two years. In 1874, he attended, for several terms, the Normal School at Lebanon, Warren County, and subsequently spent con- siderable time in teaching school and traveling. In January, 1879, he married Miss Emma F. Elliott, daughter of Solomon Elliott, of Indiana. Mr. Peelle is a member of the F. & A. M., is a Republican, and a member of the Friends' Church. He is a man of superior intelligence, and in all respects one of Clinton County's worthy citizens.
JOHN PEELLE, farmer, P. O. Bloomington, was born March 23, 1839, in Wil- son Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, son of William and Clarissa Peelle, of whom we have made mention in connection with this work. He was reared on a farm, received his education in a district school, and was married December 29, 1859, to Miss Dorcas A. Mills, daughter of John and Agnes Mills, of Clinton County (Clark Township). To them have been born seven children, viz., Leroy F., Alice J., John W., Henry E., Alonzo M., Harley H. and Clarissa A. Mr. Peelle is a member of the Friends' Church at Grassy Run, is a stanch Republican, and a strong advocate of the temperance cause; has been successful in business, is the owner of 180 acres of fine tillable land, and in all respects he is a most worthy citizen.
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