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 50
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JOHN CLEVENGER, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Union Town- ship, Clinton Co., Ohio, February 5, 1827. He is the son of Enos and Christina (Crouse) Clevenger, natives of Virginia. He was educated in the common schools, and chose for his life occupation that of farming, which he has since successfully followed, being now the owner of 228 acres of land. He was married, in 1851, to Catharine E. Gallaher, a native of Clinton County, by whom he has had eight children, four girls and four boys, as follows : Almon E., Oscar F., John M., Emma D., Elmer E., Mel- vina R., Eva C. and Anna Belle. Mr. Clevenger received his start in life by day labor, but by dint of industry and untiring energy he has succeeded in acquiring a large and well-stocked farm. In politics he is a Democrat. He is one of Clinton County's rep- resentative farmers.
DAVID C. CLEVENGER, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Washington Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, September 26, 1840. His parents, Enos and Christina (Crouse) Clevenger, were natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Clinton County in 1824, and remained here during the rest of their lives. They had a family of eight children, seven of whom now reside in Clinton County. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He has made farming the occupa- tion of his life, and now owns a valuable farm adjoining the corporation of Wilmington. He was married, in 1867, to Mary E. Hirt, a native of this township and a daughter of Valentine and Anna (Dahl) Hirt, of German descent. They have four children- Carrie V., Ida, Louise and Frank. Mr. Clevenger is a respectable and responsible farmer, and in politics a Democrat.
JOHN C. COOK, of Farquhar, Sparks & Cook, dealers in hardware and agri- cultural implements, Wilmington, was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 19, 1841. His grandfather, on his father's side, was a native of one of the Carolinas, and located in Warren County in 1803. Mr. Cook's father was a " tiller of the soil," and followed farming until his death in 1855. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Compton, also a native of Warren County. She resides four miles east of Waynesville. Mr. Cook was the eldest of eight children, three girls and five boys, and as his father died when he was but fourteen years of age, the care of this large family naturally fell to a great degree on his youthful shoulders. He struggled manfully, and succeeded in doing very well while he remained on the farm, a period of ten years. By
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this time most of the children had reached the age to care and think for themselves, and Mr. Cook then came to New Burlington, Chester Township, this county, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits with H. G. Cartright. The firm remained in business there until 1874, when they removed to Wilmington, and carried on business as Cart- right & Cook until 1880. Mr. Cook then disposed of his interest to Mr. Cartright, and March 1 of the same year purchased a third interest in the firm of Farquhar, Sparks & Cook. Mr. Cook is a strong Republican, politically. He was married, De- cember 3, 1864, to Dinah T. Compton, a native of Warren County, Ohio. They have three children-Leuella D., Hannah M. and J. Edgar. Mr. Cook, wife and family have birthright memberships in the Society of Friends.
WILL ST. CLAIR CREIGHTON, New York City, formerly official steno- grapher of Courts of Clinton and Brown Counties, Ohio, was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 23, 1854. His father, W. H. Creighton, was a native of Chillicothe, and a farmer of Madison County for many years. He died in 1871. His grandfather, William Creighton, was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio at an early day. He located in Madison County, and was the first Secretary of State of Ohio, also serving that district as Representative four times. He departed this life at Chillicothe. Mr. Creighton's mother was Jane Telfair, sister of W. B. Telfair, of Wilmington. She now resides near Bloomington, in Wilson Township. Mr. Creighton resided in Madi- son County, Ohio, till nineteen years of age. He then entered Kenyon College, of Knox County, Ohio, taking a classical course. Ile remained four years, and, in 1871, was called home upon the death of his father. The family soon after removed to Day- ton, Ohio, where he obtained employment as a stenographer in the office of the Herald and Empire, and subsequently on the Dayton Journal. He then engaged in his present business, which he learned after leaving college. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Xenia in 1876. Soon after, he came to Wilmington, and did miscellaneous short-hand work until 1881, when he was appointed official stenographer to the courts of Clinton County by Judge Doan. The same year, he was appointed to the same position in Brown County by Judge Cowan, then temporarily on the bench. In January, 1882, Mr. Creighton was tendered and accepted a position as Private Sec- retary to the Secretary of the Mutual Union Telegraph Company at 120 Broadway, New York, where he is now located. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Democratie in polities. In 1881, he was a candidate for the office of Clerk of Courts. of Clinton County, but was defeated by the large Republican strength of this county.
ANTHONY CURL, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Cæsar's Creek Township, Greene Co., Ohio, February 27, 1826, and is a son of James and Mary (Davis) Curl. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvania. both being of German deseent. Mr. Curl received his schooling in his native county, and when twenty-three years of age learned the wagon-maker's trade. He worked at this five years, and then learned the earpenter's trade, which he followed for the next six years. He then commenced farming, but, in 1862, removed to Lumberton, in Lib- erty Township, Clinton County, where he lived one year. He then purchased forty acres of land located on the Xenia Pike, three miles north of Wilmington, to which he has subsequently added 120 acres more, making his farm consist of a quarter-section of land. Mr. Curl is a Republican. He was married, in 1861, to Mary E. Mott, a native of Indiana and a daughter of G. W. Mott, a native of Louisiana. They have six children-Alouzo S., Salathiel P., Sarah E., Emma, Eliner E. and Orvil. Mr. Curl and wife are members of the Society of Friends.
SYLVESTER H. CUSICK, of Cusiek & Statler, proprietors Wilmington Mills, Wilmington, was born at Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, November 15, 1833. His father was Wilfred Cusick, a native of Pennsylvania, and a physician by profession. He was the first physician to loeate in Marion Township, Clinton County, in 1839, and resided there during the remainder of his life. He was a leading citizen of Blanchester and Marion Township for many years, dying in 1862, aged fifty-four years. He mar- ried Amanda Foote, a native of this State. Two children were given them-Mary, wife of Dr. Conner, a prominent physician of Brookville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, for
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wver thirty years, and our subject, Mr. Cusick, who was raised in Blanchester, obtaining his literary education in the public schools of that village. In 1856, Mr. Cusick rented the Blanchester Mills from his father paying $600 per year rent for the same. About s year later he gave up the mills and engaged to work for the renter, Joe Kelsey. A year later, he was employed in a chair factory, where he remained seven or eight months. Mr. Cusick's next venture was with William Keenan in the Kansas Mills, in Marion Township; next purchased a mill at Mt. Orr, Brown Co., Ohio, but seven months later the mill and contents were totally destroyed by fire, Mr. Cusick suffering a heavy loss. Mr. Cusick next went to milling for W. K. Greeley at Pleasant Plain, in Warren County, near Blanchester, where he remained two years. He then-pur- chased the Kansas Mills, in Marion Township, which he operated till September, 1881, when he leased his mill and came to Wilmington. The same month, Mr. Cusick, in company with I. M. Statler, leased the Wilmington Mills, which they have successfully operated to the present time. Mr. Cusick also owns a portable saw-mill in Washington . Township. Mr. Cusick is a member of Blanchester Lodge ( Masonic), and of the Bap- tist Church of that village. Mr. Cusick has been a Republican through life, and has errved as Trustee of Marion Township and member of the Board of Education of Ver- non Township. He was married, October 20, 1859, to Mary Weer, of Warren Co., Ohio. Six children have been sent to seal this alliance, five of whom are living-Ida M., a school teacher of Chester Township; W. Clayton ; Jennie, a school teacher in Chester Township; J. W. and Edwin. Mrs. Cusick died in 1871, and is buried in the Second Creek Burying-Ground, in Marion Township. Mr. Cusick was again married, June 30, 1875, to Mrs. Millie ( Irvin) Hull, widowed wife of Otho Hull. The former wife was a member of the M. E. Church, as is also the present one.
L. H. CUSTIS, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, is a son of D. W. Custis, whose biography appears in Richland Township, this volume. He was born December 26, 1845, in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, where he reached manhood, devoting his time to the farm. In the meantime. he acquired a medium education In 1864, he engaged as clerk in his brother William's store in New Antioch, and one year later, when the store was moved to Sabina, this county, he continued as clerk a short time there. Having acquired some knowledge of business, and possessed of means, he at this time formed a partnership with James Thompson, of Jasper Station, Fayette Co., Ohio., which only existed six months, when he sold to his partner and then became clerk for a time. His next engagement was at Clinton Station in the grain trade for a short time, when he returned to Sabina and formed a partnership with William Custis, his first employer, in New Antioch. The firm was styled W. & L. H. Custis, but twenty months later his membership in the firm ceased, and he resumed his boyhood occupation-farming. His mercantile pursuit was of a successful nature. In 1871, he purchased twenty-five acres of his present farm, and two years later added to it thirty-two and a half more, making it now consist of fifty-seven and a half acres on the Washington & Wilmington pike, five miles east of the latter. He has a pleasant home in a fine location. He was married, June 8, 1871, to Jennie Vaniman, by whom he has had born three children-Lillian V., Edna V. and Maudie V. The latter died in infancy. Mrs. Custis was born near Bowersville, Greene Co., Ohio, Feb- ruary 8, 1850, and is a grand-daughter of Solomon Earley, whose biography appears in this volume in Liberty Township. She is a daughter of Elias and Eva ( Earley) Vani- man, whose history appears in the biographical pages of Richland Township.
JOHN T. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 5, 1837. His father, Hiram Davis, was a native of Pennsylvania, of Welsh descent, and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Davis' mother was Mary Ann Shields, a native of Ohio, of Irish parentage. Mr. Davis was reared a " farmer's boy," and has continued in that vocation till the present time. He now owns 122 acres of good land. He was married, in 1862, to Ann Thompson, and has four children living -Estella, Louella, John and Mabel, and three deceased. Mr. Davis is a member of the M. E., and Mrs. Davis of the Christian Church.
JAMES DEAKIN, retired farmer, P. O. Wilmington; is one of the old and
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honored pioncers of Clinton County. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 24, 1807. His father was Thomas Deakin, a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Ohio from Kentucky in 1804. He located in Warren County, where he resided till his death, May 27, 1811, at the age of thirty-two years. Mr. Deakin's mother was Margaret Wilkerson, a native of Virginia. They were married in Kentucky. Four children were the fruit of this union, two of whom are living-James, and John, a farmer of Jasper County, Iowa. The subject of this notice resided on a farm during the first twenty- three years of his life. About 1830, he came to Clinton County, locating on a farm of 400 acres, lying in Washington and Vernon Townships, about a mile from Cuba. On this farm, Mr. Deakin resided from 1830 till 1877, a period of nearly half a century. He was very successful in his farming operations, and, although a poor boy at the commencement of real life, by economy, perseverance and indomitable energy, Mr. Deakin has won for himself an honest name, and a competence sufficient to supply all the comforts attending old age. Although a strong Republican, his life has been
too busy for him to accept or fill office. In 1877, Mr. Deakin came to Wilmington, and in 1878 purchased his present residence and grounds, the latter consisting of five acres. Mr. Deakin was united in marriage, February 19, 1829, to Susan N. Harris, a native of this county. Ten children have been born, five now living-Mary J., present wife of K. S. Kearns, of Dayton, O .; Samantha, wife of Harlan F. Walker, of Wil- mington ; John W .; Martha S., wife of W. H. Dixon, of Chicago, prominently con- nected with the great railroads of the Northwest; and RIruea. Mrs. Deakin departed this life, August 14, 1865.
GEN. JAMES W. DENVER, attorney at law, Wilmington, located for practice at Washington, D. C., was born in Frederick County, Va., October 23, 1817. His grand- father, Patrick Denver, was one of the United Irishmen, in the rebellion of 1798, and the following year, was forced to flee to America in order to save his life. Frederick Denver, his son, and the father of 'Gen. Denver, accompanied him to America, and in 1804, located in Frederick County, Va. In 1831. he came westward, and permanent- ly settled in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits till the time of his death, 1858. Gen. Denver's mother was Jane Campbell, a native of the Old Dominion, who departed this life in 1870. Gen. Denver was reared partly in Virginia and partly in Ohio. He was the son of a farmer, and could obtain but a limited education, as the duties of the farm required his help almost the year around. He received but one winter's schooling after reaching his fourteenth year. The year he attained his majority, he was stricken with rheumatism, and suffered severely for some time. In 1841, he went to Missouri. In the meantime, he had so im- proved his mind by constant study at home, as to be able to teach. While in Missouri, he was a teacher of a school for some time. He soon returned to Wilmington, and subsequently began the study of law with Griffith Foos. He remained with Mr. For quite a period, and then attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Law School. He graduated from this college, and was admitted to practice, in March, 1844. Hle immediately opened an office at Xenia, Ohio, and a year later (1845) went to Platts. burg, and thence to Platte City, both locations being in the State of Missouri. In 1847, Gen. Denver was app inted Captain in the Twelfth Regiment United States Infantry, and accompanied Gen. Scott in his glorious campaign, and the subsequent capture of the City of Mexico. When the war was ended, he received an honorable discharge, and returned to Platte City, re-commencing his practice. He afterward edited and published the Platte Argus. A year later, he went to California, and for the first few months suffered very much from sickness. He was engaged in mining and trading until the fall of 1851, and was elected State Senator on the Democratic ticke! He served as such until February, 1853, when he was made Secretary of State. In the fall of 1854, he was elected to Congress by his numerous friends throughout the district, and at the expiration of his term, received from President Buchanan, the ap- pointment as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. In 1857, he was appointed Governor of Kansas, filling that position two years, and then resigned. He returned to Washing- ton, and President Buchanan once more appointed him Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
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On March 11, 1859, he resigned this office, and returned to California, where he re- mained till 1861. "In the latter year, he was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers, and served as such during the rebellion. In 1870, he was nominated by the Democrats of Clinton County, as their candidate for Congress. . This nomination was unsolicited by Gen. Denver, but his subsequent canvass of the county placed his defeat at a reduced majority in this Republican stronghold. In 1876, Gen. Denver's name was prominently mentioned as the Democratic candidate for President. He was married, in 1856, to Louisa C. Rombach, a native of Ohio. Five children have been born to them, four living-Kate St. Clair, James W., Mary L. and Matthew R. Gen. Denver is now in his sixty-fifth year, and is still strong and vigorous, and bids fair to yet live many years. No man within the borders of Clinton County has served with such dis- tinction as our subject ; and none have worn the well-earned laurels with as little ostentation as he. In his official life, he won the commendation and respect of all his brother officials and superiors, and the esteem and good will of those with whom he came in contact. A letter, in his possession, from President Buchanan, praises Lim for his meritorious services while acting as Indian Commissioner, and subsequently as Governor of Kansas. Among the people of Clinton County, Gen. Denver's friends are legion. He has been abundantly blessed financially, and is probably one of Clinton's wealthiest citizens. Gen. Denver has retired from public life, but yet practices the pro- fession which brought him so prominently into public favor. He is located at Wash- ington City, but his family reside at Wilmington.
ALONZO C. DIBOLL, one of the oldest and most respected members of the Wilmington bar, was born in Columbia County, Penn., December 3, 1822. His father was Virgil M. Diboll, a native of Massachusetts, and a physician by profession. In 1836, he came to Washington C. H., Fayette Co., Ohio, and in a short time removed to Brown County, Ohio, where he resided twenty-four or twenty-five years. He finally lost his health, and to recover it as far as was possible, he became engaged as a travel- ing agent in the Sunday School and Bible work, which business he followed some years. He subsequently came to this county, where he resided till his death, in 1873, at the age of eighty-four years. While a resident of Pennsylvania, he married Philena L. Collins, a native of Connecticut, who removed to the Keystone State when but a child. Eleven children were sent to bless this alliance, eight of whom survive-Ara. thusa C., mother of Judge Huggins, of Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio; William O., residing at Dallas, Texas ; our subject ; James M., residing in Eastern Kansas; Sophia Sharp, residing in Indiana; Fidelia Hempleman, residing in Montgomery County, Ohio; Nancy E. Huggins, of Highland County, Ohio; and Julia Steene, residing at Knoxville, Tenn. Mrs. Diboll departed this life in 1854. When twelve years of age, Mr. Diboll accompanied his parents to Washington C. H., Ohio, and subsequently to Brown County, where he was reared and educated. When eighteen years of age, com. menced teaching school, which vocation he followed in Brown, Highland, Adams and Clinton Counties for some years. While teaching school, he formed the resolution to become an attorney at law, and to this end commenced the study of law. He subse- quently completed his studies with Thomas McCauslen, West Union Township, Adams Co., Ohio, with whom he remained till his admission to the bar, in 1853. The follow- ing year he located at Wilmington, where he has since resided. Mr. Diboll's health has been excellent, suffering but two spells of sickness in many years. In November, 1881, he was attacked with typhoid fever, which prostrated him for many weeks, but having no serious injury. Mr. Diboll is Republican in politics, and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted city. He was Prosecuting Attorney of
Clinton County one term, and has been Mayor of Wilmington several times. He is a
Royal Arch Mason, and a member of both the Lodge and the Chapter. Mr. Diboll was united in marriage, October 30, 1845, with Rachel Soung, a native of Adams County, Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Her parents were Thomas and Rachel (McIntyre) Young, both now deceased. Five children have been born to them- Lizzie, wife of Charles Stouffer, of Kansas; Fannie, wife of John K. Eavey, residing near Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio; Charles, residing at home; Lena L. and Dick Insco. Mr. Diboll and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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HON. AZARIAHI W. DOAN, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Second Judicial District, and of the Third Subdivision, including the counties of Clin- ton, Warren, Greene and Clark, was born in Wilmington, December 17, 1824. Ilis father was Jonathan Doan, a native of North Carolina, and a blacksmith by trade. He came to Ohio in 1804, locating in what is now Union Township, of Clinton County, where he was engaged in agriculture for many years, owning at one time nearly 400 acres of land. He died in July, 1874. Judge Doan's mother was Phebe Wall, a native of Pennsylvania, who accompanied her parents to Ohio in 1808. She departed this life in November, 1869. When young, Judge Doan attended the Wilmington Seminary, taught by David S. Burson, of New York, and noted for his masterly attain .. ments in the language of ancient Greece. In 1852, Judge Doan was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, serving in that capacity one year. During this time, he studied law with Frank, and was admitted to practice in June, 1853. He has been in almost constant practice from that time to the present. In April, 1861, Judge Doan assisted Judge R. B. Harlan in raising Company B, Twelfth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was the first company offered to the State in reply to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men. Judge Doan was made First Lieutenant, and served as such during the three months' service. When the company was re-organized for a three years' campaign, Lieut. Doan was made Captain of the company, and in 1862, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventy-ninth Regiment, serving in the latter position till the close of the rebellion. Judge Doan was subsequently commis sioned Colonel and Brigadier General by brevet, for meritorious conduct on the battlefield at Averysborourg, North Carolina. During the prevalence of this conflict, Col. Doan took charge of two regiments and made a vigorous assault on the enemy's right, capt- uring, in a remarkably short time, the batteries of artillery on that wing of the con- federate forces. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returned to Wilmington, resuming his law practice. In the fall of the same year, he was nominated in the primary convention of the Republican party, and subsequently elected by the people, to represent this district in the State Senate, for a term of two years. it April, 1875, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, by a special act of the Legislature, and was triumphantly re-elected in 1879, for a second termn (five years), commencing May 3, 1880. Judge Doan was married, October 21, 1847, to Amanda M. Stratton, also a native of Wilmington. Five children were born to them, one sur- viving-Corwin F. W., a merchant at Doans, Texas. Mrs. Doan died, of cholera, August 6, 1854. This fatal disease also carried off the greater number of the children. Judge Doan was again married, in June,. 1856, to Martha G. Hale, a native of Penn- sylvania. Six children were the fruits of this alliance. Five are living-Willie, Joe, Alice, Walker and Fanny. Charles is deceased. Judge Doan is a member of Wil- mington Lodge, No. 52 ( Masonic) ; also of the Chapter. He was formally a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post, which is now disbanded. Judge Doan's parents were members of the Society of Friends, and he grew up in the teachings of that church. " Col. Doan," as he is familiarly known to the " boys in blue," was an intrepid and gallant soldier, and his war record is as bright and clear as the noon-dlay. sun. During his war service, he participated in twenty-three battles and skirmishos. He first served in West Virginia, under Gen. Rosecrans, afterward in the Army of the Cumberland, and subsequently in the Twentieth Army Corps, " when Sherman inarched down to the sea." The high standard attained during his military career has been modestly but successfully sustained in his subsequent responsible service in official and private life. Tried by many tests, he has never been found wanting. As a practi tioner, no man ever prosecuted more vigorously what he considered right, although I.e always discouraged litigation, when a fair settlement could be made. On the bench, Judge Doan has always.observed the strictest impartiality in his rulings, his strongest desire being to satisfy the contesting parties of the fairness of his decisions. Judge Doan is possessed of a keen sense of honor, persevering energy, sterling inter- rity, and purity of character-qualities that have won for him the respect and esteem of' the citizens of Clinton County and Southern Ohio.
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