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 49
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JOHN C. BANGHAM, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Liberty Town- ship, Clinton Co., Ohio, March 14, 1818. He is the son of Benjamin and Lucy (Mor- mon) Bangham, natives of Virginia, of English descent. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and reared on the farm. He has made farming the avocation of his life, but has also been engaged in other pursuits. He traveled for a time in the West, speculated in Western land, and for three years was a merchant in Indiana. He has been three times married, first in 1833 to Anna Puckett, who died in 1844, leaving four children ; next, to Miss Elizabeth ' Arnrat, who died in 1858, and by whom he had seven children, six now living ; and lastly, in 1869, to Mrs. Lydia M. (Chandler) Wick- ham, widow of George Wickham. By his last marriage two children were born. Mr.
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Bangham is a Republican in polities ; has been a Sabbath School Superintendent, and for a time Township Trustec in Warren County. He is with his family connected with the Society of Friends. He is a good farmer and a respected citizen.
JAMES F. BENNETT, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Union Town- ship July 22, 1846. He was a son of Levi and Sarah (Wilson) Bennett. He was reared on a farm, attending the district schools of his township and the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. He was married, June 6, 1877, to Ida Pendry, daughter of John and Myra (Jenkins) Pendry, natives of this county. She was born April 30, 1858, and by her Mr. Bennett has had two children-Effie, born October 28, 1878, and Jessie, born June 12, 1880. The parents are both members of the Christian (Camp- bellite) Church. Mr. Bennett, is a Republican, and is now serving as Road Supervisor and School Director of his district. He has followed farming all his life, and in that occupation has found the success for which men strive. He is an honest, hard-working man that fully merits the success he now enjoys.
MADISON BETTS, Cashier of the Clinton County National Bank, Wilmington, was born in this county February 13, 1837. His grandfather, Aaron Betts, was a native of Bucks County, Penn., and first located in Ohio in 1813. Mr. Betts' father was C. C. Betts, a native of Virginia. He came to Ohio in 1818, and died in this county in 1870. Mr. Betts' mother was Lydia Huff. She is still living, and resides at Martinsville, in Clark Township. Mr. Betts was reared in this county, and was educated at Martinsville under Prof. Hollingsworth and the Friends' Boarding School, now Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. At the latter institution he studied civil engineering, and subsequently assisted in surveying the C. & M. R. R. He was Deputy under D. Sanders, Collector of Internal Revenue of the Sixth Ohio District for a year and a half, and was afterward book-keeper in a large wholesale house at Cincinnati for three years. He was Deputy Auditor of Clinton County for some time, and has served as an assistant in nearly all the county offices. When young he read law with Judge A. W. Doan, and was admitted to the State Courts May 30, 1867, and subsequently to the United States Courts May 15, 1878. He was a partner of Judge Doan in law practice for three years. Mr. Betts is au earnest and outspoken Republican, and, in 1858-59, represented Clinton County in the Ohio Legislature. During this time he introduced a bill which passed the House, but was lost by a tie vote in the Senate, prohibiting railroads from consolidation, extortion or charging exorbitant rates. He also introduced the bill, which passed. authorizing the ercetion of the present fine high school building of Wilmington. He was elected a member of the Wilmington School Board in 1869, and still holds that position. In 1873, he accepted his present position, which he has filled with marked ability, and to the satisfaction of all. Mr. Betts is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of Wil. mington Lodge, No. 52 (Masonic). He was largely instrumental in starting the Clin- ton County Pioneer Association, was its Secretary several years, and has rendered valu- able aid to the publishers of this volume, for which they desire publicly to extend their thanks. Mr. Betts was married, June 30, 1859, to Caroline Janney, a native of this county, then residing at Richmond, Ind. They have two children-Lizzie R. and Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Betts have birthright memberships in the Society of Friends. Mr. Betts' life has been one of ceaseless activity, and his spotless integrity, coupled with a frank, genial nature has won him thousands of friends throughout the county and State.
REV. JOHN E. BOND, minister and farmer, P. O. Burtonville, Ohio, way born in the State of Maryland May 18, 1824. He was a son of George and Margaret (Matlack) Bond, natives of Maryland, who were married in that State, and, in 1824, emigrated to Ohio with our subject's paternal grandfather Edward Bond. The latter was a native of Virginia, but lived in Maryland for some time previous to his emigra- tion. He traded land in Maryland for 1,200 acres in the Johnson survey in Washington Township, where the family located, and where they remained until the death of the " old folks." The family were of English and Irish, or, more properly, Anglo-Saxon descent. Our subject attended the district schools of his township, and remained on
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his father's farm until October 18, 1846, when he married Elizabeth Custis, a daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Smith) Custis, and with her moved to Union Township, ncar Burtonville, where he now resides. He has had cight children-Catharine (deceased ), Charles N. (deceased), Margaret H. (the wife of B. B. Harlan, Superin- tendent of the Public Schools, Germantown, Ohio), Thomas (who married Catharine Swingley of near Snow Hill, in this county, where he is farming), Stephen (who married Iva Spears, and is also farming near Snow Hill), Dara (who married Elva Roush, of Highland County, Ohio, where he is farming), John E. and Sarah J., the two latter being at home with their parents. Mr. Bond has spent his life on the farm, but has devoted his time largely, for the last twenty-six years, to expounding the Gospel. Over a quarter of a century ago he became the overseer (pastor) of the congregation of the Church of Christ (Campbellite) at Bethel, and is still retained in that capacity by the congregation at that place. He takes no part in polities, claiming that " no disciple of Christ has a right to choose or be chosen for office," and quotes Scripture to uphold him in this opinion. He is an earnest and devoted follower of the great Master, and allows no personal concern to stand between him and his duty to his God.
MAHLON HI. BRACKNEY, grocer, 140 South St., Wilmington, was born in the " Dover neighborhood," Union Township, Clinton County, September 3, 1825. His father, Marmaduke Brackney, was a native of Virginia, who located in Clinton County in 1806 or 1808. He was a farmer, and followed that vocation till his death, in 1856. Mr. Brackney's mother was Susannah Hayworth, a native of Tennessee. She departed this life in 1865 or 1866. Mr. Brackney was reared 'mid rural scenes, remaining on the farm till nineteen years of age. He then engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Port William for a short time. When twenty-nine years of age, he removed to Wilmington (1854), and obtained employment with A. E. & I. Strickle, dry goods merchants, with whom he remained one year. He then entered into partnership with David Morgan, in the same business, but a year subsequently removed to Lexington, Highland Co., Ohio, where he accepted a position as agent of the C. & M. R. R. Co., and also engaged in general mercantile trade. Thinking to still better his finances, he once more came to Wilmington, after a stay of only a year at Lexington, and immedi- ately engaged in the grain business, buying and shipping to Eastern points. About this time the spirit of pork packing was floating in the air in and about Wilmington, and Mr. Brackney was one of the citizens then of the village to embark in the new enterprise. He subsequently purchased the stock of dry goods owned by C. M. Bos- worth, and, in partnership with W. C. Hadley (now deceased ), commenced business again in that line of trade. A year later, Mr. Brackney sold his interest to Mr. Had- ley, and invested in Missouri lands. He also erected the building now occupied by Haynes & Glass, at a cost of $10,000. Once more he engaged in the dry goods busi- ness, this time with Israel Terrell, and for two years the firm dii a very extensive business. Mr. Terrell then disposed of his interest to J. M. Haynes, and the firm became Brackney & Haynes. Three years later, Mr. Brackney was succeeded by George D. Glass. During these years Mr. Brackney was engaged in pork packing, and the firm of Brackney & Haynes did as large a business in that line as ever known in the history of the county. Their pork house was built by Mr. BrackLey at a cost of $10,000, and they packed over 8,000 hogs per season. The business proving unprofit- able, it was discontinued. Mr. Brackney's next venture was in the grocery trade, at which he still remains. He has always stood in the front rank among the enterprising citizens of Wilmington, and labored nearly one year to assist in macadamizing the streets and roads in and near the village. A strong Republican in politics, he has served his fellow-men as Councilnan, Road Supervisor and Township Treasurer. He is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and of Wilmington Lodge, No. 52 (Masonic). Mr. Brackney was united in marriage in November, 1848, to Martha E. Horsman, a native of Highland County, Ohio. Of the six children born to this union, five are living - Clara E., wife of J. M. Haynes; Fanny, wife of H. E. Grangrirard, of Cireleville, Ohio ; Albert M., with his father ; Uriah Clifford and Minnie E. Mrs. Brackney and family are also members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Brackney's family residence in
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South Wilmington is one of the most handsome and pleasing adornments of the village.
GEORGE BRACKNEY, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Union Town- ship, on the " Port William " road, two miles from where he now resides, February 6, 1832. He is a son of Marmaduke and Susannah (Haworth) Brackney, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee, of English parentage. Mr. Brackney was reared on a farm. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a School Director for six or seven years. He was married in 1853 to Miss J. A. Haines, a native of Greene County, and a daughter of Stacy and Judith (Terrell) Haines, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Virginia. They located in Greene County at an early day, and in 1838 they came to Clinton County and located on Todd's Fork. Mr. Brackney's marriage was blessed with eight children, viz .: Stacy A., Mahlon M., Edwin H., George H., Lewis C., Mabel, John W. and Anna C. Mr. Brackney and wife are members of the Society of Friends.
F. S. BROOMHALL, dealer in dry goods and notions; boots and shoes, 146 South Street, Wilmington, is a life resident of Wihnington, where he was born July 16, 1846. His father, Webb Broomhall, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this country when Clinton County was but an infant of the mother State. He was a merchant tailor by trade, and worked at that vocation the greater part of his life. He died November 10, 1881. Mr. Broomhall's mother was Mary Shepperd. She departed this life in 1853. Our subject has resided in his native village since birth, receiving a good English edu- cation in its public schools. In 1876, he entered into partnership with R. M. Wicker- sham, in the dry goods business. This relationship continued two years, when Mr. Broomhall purchased his partner's share, and has since conducted the business alone. He has met with very gratifying success, and is well known throughout the county as a thorough and reliable business man. Politically, Mr. Broomhall is a Republican, and for the past six years has efficiently presided over the financial department of Union Township, as its Treasurer, and to the satisfaction of all its good citizens. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes a great interest in the Sunday school of that denomination, having served in all its official capacities. He was united in marriage October 24, 1872, to Carrie, daughter of Zimri Haines, of' Union Township. One child was given them - Earl, who is now deceased. Mrs. Broomhall is also a most worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
COURTLAND W. BRONSON, proprietor hack line between Wilmington and Martinsville, Wilmington, was born at Goshen, Clermont Co., Ohio, February 24, 1841. His father was Thomas Bronson, a native of Ohio and a :mason by trade. His grandfather was Thomas W. Bronson, also a mason. He went from Pittsburgh, Penn., to Cincinnati in 1792, with a flat-boat loaded with salt. He would often take a load of salt from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, and after selling his cargo, walk back to Pitts- burgh. His brother, John Bronson, located at Martinsville at an early day, and lived there till his death. Our subject was reared in Clermont County, and April 13, 1861, enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; was discharged, and re-enlisted June 3, of the same year, in Company K, Tenth Regiment Ohio Volun -. teer Infantry, in which he served as Wagon Master the greater part of his service. He was honorably discharged June 21, 1864. During his war service, Mr. Bronson was once offered the Majorship of a colored regiment, but declined. After the war, he returned to Clermont County, where he was engaged in farming and teaming for about two years. In 1869, Mr. Bronson came to Clinton County, locating at Sligo, in Adams Township. A year later, he came to Wilmington, where he learned the trade of a brick - mason. He followed his trade until November, 1881, when he established his present hack line, in which he has met with fair success. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been connected with the Wilmington Fire Department for six years. He was married February 22, 1865, to Eliza Bennett, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, but reared in Clermont County. Her parents were Aaron and Mary ( Markley) Bennett. Three chil- dren have been given them, two living- Mary and Charlie. Harriet J., the oldest daughter is deceased. Mrs. Bronson is a member of the Society of Friends.
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BROWN BROTHERS, druggists, at Wilmington and Washington C. H. The senior member of the firm, George W., was born at Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, April 6, 1845. His father was James Brown, a native of Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., and a printer by trade. IIc was engaged at his trade, being proprietor and publisher of a paper until 1852, when he sold out his paper and office, and went into the drug business at Hillsboro. . In 1875, he suffered the loss of his entire stock by fire. He then retired from active business life, and on May 8, 1881, was called to a better world. Mr. Brown's mother was Sarah J. Sessford, a native of Washington, D. C. She now resides at Hillsboro, Ohio. Mr. Brown was reared in his native village, obtaining an average education in the public schools. When fourteen years of age, he entered the drug store as an assistant to his father, and remained with him until 1869. The junior member of the firm, Theodore F., was born at Hillsboro, December 17, 1848. When quite young he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he entered the employ of Pennick & Loving, wholesale drug and book dealers, and with whom he remained till they were burned out, about a year later. He then returned to Hillsboro, and assisted his father until 1869. In the latter year, the two brothers came to Wilining- ton and purchased the drug stock and trade of W. B. Green, on the corner of South and Locust streets, their present location. Their trade increased very rapidly, and in 1878, they purchased the drug stock of George Goldsberry (deceased), at Washington C. H., where Theodore F. located, and has built up a large and steadily increasing busi- ness. The brothers are undoubtedly the most successful druggists in this county, and, as it has been won only by steady perseverance, energy and strict attention to business and the wants of the trade, they certainly deserve their success. The elder, George W., is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Royal Arcanum, and votes for and with the Republicans. He was married August 23, 1867, to Julia E. Grand Girard, a native of Hillsboro, but residing near Red Oak, Brown Co., Ohio. They have two daughters-Emma G. and Georgia G. Mrs. Brown is also a member of the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Brown has been Lieutenant of the Hose Company of the Wilming- ton Fire Department since 1876 or 1877. The junior member of the firm, Theodore F., is a member of the Royal Arcanum (of Wilmington ), Knights Templar and Blue (Ma- sonic) Lodge, and is a strong Republican. He married Lydia V. Martin, a native of Marshall, Highland Co., Ohio. They have two children-Nina May and Orine Wilson. Mr. Brown and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
C. N. BROWNING, publisher, Wilmington, was born in Monroe Township, Clermont Co., Ohio, February 27, 1831. He received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood and at Clermont Academy. Until 1860, his time was spent in farming and school teaching, and in the year named he purchased a newspaper press, and established a Republican newspaper in Sullivan County, Ind. At the expiration" of a year, he broke up, took unto himself a wife, and on the 1st day of May, 1861, returned to the home of his boyhood. Here he continued in agricultural pursuits during the years of the great rebellion, except a term of one hundred days in the summer of 1864, when he was in the service of the United States as Regimental Quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In October, 1865, in company with his brother, Frank Browning, he purchased the Clermont Courier, at Batavia, Ohio In 1867, he engaged at Washington, D. C., as a clerk in the House of Representatives under Hon. Edward MePherson, and there remained until April, 1869, when he returned to Batavia. In 1876, he was appointed to a clerkship in the United States Patent Office, which position he filled until August, 1878, at which time, owing to the sudden death of his brother, who was his partner in the publishing business, he came to Wilmington to take charge of the Republican, and has since been at its head. He had been interested in the paper since November 18, 1875, but had not been in Wilmington before the date named. His brother had been connected with it since November 10, 1870. Mr. Browning's wife was Miss Ellen Parker, a grand-daughter of Gen. Joseph Foos, who was a pioneer of Central Ohio. With her he lived until her death, January 4, 1882. He has two liv- ing children-Grace and Kent.
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JACOB BURST, confectioner and baker, South Street, Wilmington, was born in Germany, October 10, 1841. His father was George Burst, a farmer of that coun- try, who came to America with his family in 1850. He located on a farm near Chilli- cothe, Ohio, where he still resides, . engaged in farming. Mr. Burst's mother was Catharine Burst. She departed this life in 1849. Our subject attended the public schools of both Germany and Ohio, and when young commenced learning present trade at Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, serving till he was of age. When the rebellion com- menced, he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Army of the Tennessee until his discharge in July, 1865. He then engaged in business at Greenfield, Ohio, where he remained about two years; thence to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained only seven or eight months. He then came to Wilmington (in 1867), and established his present business. His trade has been good, and the business remunerative. Mr. Burst, owns a fine farm of 213 acres, located in Union Township, two miles east of Wilmington to which he devotes his spare moments. He is a member of Wilmington Lodge No. 52 (Masonic), and is a liberal Republican in politics. Mr. Burst was married in 1871 to Annie Wagner, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Mrs. Burst is a member of the Catholic Church.
CLARKSON BUTTERWORTHI, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 29, 1828. He is the son of Moorman and Fanny (Smith) Butterworth, of English descent, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania. Our subject received his education at the Academy in Mainville, War- ren County. He studied surveying, and for twenty-five years followed it in connection with his farming operations, the latter, however, being the chief object of his life. In 1857, he married Rachel Irvin, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and a daughter of Judge Amos Irvin. Her father came to the Buckeye State in 1799, and her mother in 1795. Mr. and Mrs. Butterworth are the parents of six children, viz .: Charles, a photographer ; Irvin, a short-hand writer and now private secretary to Orlando Smith, a railroad man of Columbus, Ohio; Ida; John ; Eli and Myra. Mr. Butterworth is a stanch Republican and a popular man. He is always to be found on the side of moral- ity, and is an earnest supporter of every work of reform. He has held several offices in this and Warren Counties, having served as a Road Supervisor in both, as Township Clerk in Warren and as President of the Board of Education in this township.
JOHN CAREY, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, a prominent member of the Society of Friends in Union Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, in August, 1826. His father was Samuel Carey, a native of Virginia and of English descent. He was a blacksmith by trade, and like his son was a very noted member of the Friend's Church, and a Christian in every thought, action and deed. Mr. Carey's mother was Anna McPherson, a native of Virginia, but of Scotch parentage. She was also a member of the Society of Friends. Our subject received a good common school education in High- land County, and when young learned the blacksmith trade with his father. He sub- sequently learned the carriage and wagon-maker's trade, and being a natural mechanic, can fashion almost anything out of wood or iron. In 1850, he came to Clinton County and has since resided here. IIe is the owner of ninty-one acres of land in Union Township, and thirty-two acres in Liberty Township. Upon first coming to this county, he located on the farm owned by his wife's mother, and on which the latter bad resided since 1816. Mr. Carey has been very successful financially, and is well known and esteemed for the deep piety and fervent zeal manifested in his every day life. He has succeeded in life beyond his most sanguine expectations. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Lundy, born in this county in 1827. They have three children-Enoch L., a farmer; Samuel F., a blacksmith, in business with his father ; and Nathan H., also a farmer. Mr. Carey has been Clerk and Elder of the Quarterly Meeting of Friends. He is a stanch Republican.
JOHN CARROLL, photographer, Wilmington, was born in Salem Township, Warren County, Ohio, May 13, 1831. His father, William Carroll, was a native of Kentucky, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio when but six or eight years of age, and resided in Salem Township till his death in 1SS1, at the advanced age of
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eighty-three years. He married Mrs. Matilda (Douthitt) Hayden, a native of Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio. Ten children were given them, eight of whom are living at the pros- ent time. Mrs. Carroll is still living, and resides on the old homestead in Warren County. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, following a farmer's occupa- tion till obtaining his majority. He then learned the cooper's trade, remaining at that trade about five years. He next learned the carpenter's trade, working at it three years. A traveling photographer led him to learn his present trade, and for eight or nine years he traveled extensively, engaged in his profession. In the fall of 1869, he located at Vienna, Clinton County, where he resided three or four years. In the spring of 1873, he came to Wilmington, where he has since resided. His facilities for work are good, and although not doing a business equal to that done in a large city, yet his trade is remunerative. Politically, Mr. Carroll is Democratic. He was married in 1879, to Mary, daughter of Jesse and Annie (Moon) Hunt, members of the Society of Friends, both now deceased. They have two children - Willie and Jessie. Mrs. Carroll has a birthright in the Society of Friends.
JACOB CHISM, farmor and stock-raiser, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Vir- ginia and emigrated to Ohio with his parents in 1824, when but six months old. His father located in Washington Township, Clinton County, and commenced working on a farm, following that branch of industry until his death. He had twelve children, nine of whom, four boys and five girls, grew to maturity. Our subject was the eldest of the family. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age, he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed five years, after which he returned to farming, and has since been a " tiller of the soil." He is a Democrat, and a highly respected citizen.
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