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 52
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He was recognized as the most noted counselor in Clinton County, and distinguished for simplicity of character, frankness and carnestness of purpose. In business matters, he was austere and eccentric, firm but not domineering; and adhering with great ten- acity to his own opinions. His originality of thought, coupled with his great knowledge of all local questions, gave him a hold on the people never equaled by any man in the county. His great love of pioneer history, and its reminisceuses brought him into close communion with the aged and weary, and possessed his soul to such an extent'as to lead him to write a large part of the interesting matter that forms our county history proper. No man in Clinton County was better learned in its pioneer history, and no man could collect and compile reminiscent sketches in a better manner than the subject of this notice. Writing history was the sole labor of Judge Harlan in his latter days, and to the excellence of this work the people owe Judge Harlan a debt of gratitude only to be paid by due reverence to his memory. Socially, Judge Harlan was quiet and unobstru- sive. He was kind-hearted and benevolent when reached by a tale of suffering, an object of unquestionable charity, or a cause worthy of philanthropy. In the home circle, he demanded strict obedience of his children, and repaid them by meritorious acts of filial affection. Having been reared a Quaker, Judge Harlan accepted the views of that society, but was subsequently a Methodist, and in later years enjoyed the largest liberty of thought, " Love to God and love to men," being his doctrine. Few men have achieved such results, if compelled to attempt them with no outfit from school instruc- tions beyond the little received from childhood, as was the case with him. While every man is self-made, Judge Harlan was one who made himself with fewer helps than most who have reached such positions as he filled and occupied. His career illustrates the advantages of specialty in labor, and the success which may follow an entire devotion to a single department of professional work. Free and upright in all his duties, he left a name truly honorable, and a character worthy of emulation. A learned friend has said : " Clinton County never produced or developed a greater man than Judge Robert Barclay Harlan."
JONATHAN HADLEY, deceased, was born in North Carolina August 20, 1800. He was the son of William and Sarah (Clark) Hadley, also natives of North Carolina. He was educated in the public schools, and, for the greater part of his life, followed farming. In early life, he was a stock-raiser and dealer in stock, in which business he continued until the time of his death, which occurred in Iowa January 25, 1864. He was married three times. His third wife was Elizabeth Timberlake, a native of Highland County, Ohio, of English descent. They were married May 25, 1848. Five children were born to Mr. Hadley's first marriage, and one to each of the others. Of these seven children, six are now living-Charles (who manages the dairy which the family have conducted for three years), Frank (a merchant of Springfield, Ohio), Eva, Calvin (married and farming near Kokomo, Ind.), Carrie and Jonathan. Albert is deceased. Mr. Hadley's family after his death moved to Warren County, and from there to Clinton County, where they rented a farm of 112 acres west of Wilming- ton. They are doing a good business, and making a complete success of their enter- prisc.
SAMUEL H. HADLEY, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in the territory now comprised in Adams Township, Clinton County, May 18, 1824. His parents were Jacob and Mary ( Butler) Hadley, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Georgia, and both of English extraction. Jacob came to Clinton County in 1809 with his parents, John and Lydia (Harvey) Hadley, who settled on Todd's Fork. Our subject was reared on the farm, and has made farming the occupation of his life. He has a fine farm of 200 acres three miles from Wilmington, on which there is a beautiful elevation upon which his residence was built. He was married, in 1847, to Emily Johnson, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, and died in 1849, two years after her marriage. In 1851, Mr. Hadley was again married to Ruth Smith, a native of Clark County, Ohio, by whom he has had six children-Orlando (now married and farming in Clinton County), Emily J. (the wife of E. A. Lewis, banker of Sabina), Alice (who graduated at Wilmington College in 1878, and is now a teacher in the
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Sabina Public School), Mary D. (now the wife of Mr. Lacy, a farmer of Union Town- ship), Anna and Eva J:, both of whom are now in college at Wilmington. Mr. Had- ley and all of his family are members of the Society of Friends. He is a stanch and enthusiastic Republican. He is a man of decided convictions, and expresses his opin- ions without regard to public opinion. His farm is well improved, and has about it that air of neatness and order that characterizes the home of a perfect farmer.
SAMUEL L. HAINES, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 5, 1811. His parents were John and Lydia (Lamb) Haines, natives of Guilford County, N. C., he of English and she of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was one of three brothers that emigrated from England in 1725, and located in North Carolina, where our subject's father was born March 15, 1773. His mother was born in the same State on August 24, 1779, ITis paternal great-grand- parents, Joshua and Elizabeth (Harris) Haines, were married, April 8, 1752, the cer- tificate of their marriage being now in Mr. Haines' possession. His maternal great- grandfather, Robert Lamb, was born in Scotland, and at sixteen years of age was left fatherless. At this age he expressed a desire to go to the " New World," but being opposed in his wish by his mother, he awaited a favorable opportunity and boarded an American vessel as she was about to sail, concealing himself among the cargo. His movements were discovered by his mother, who immediately boarded the vessel, but, being unable to find her son, was obliged, with great grief, to give him up. Arriving in this country, he was " sold " for five years to pay his passage, and at the expiration of his term of service received his liberty and $500 with which to commence life for himself. IIe became one of the leading men of his State, and at one time owned 2,800 acres of land. He married a sister of President Jackson's mother. Our subject received his education in the primitive schoolhouses of Clinton County, to which county his parents came at a very early day. He has followed farming during his life, and is now possessed of 215 acres of good land. He was the youngest of a family of seven children, of whom he and a sister, born in 1800, are the sole survivors. In 1835, he married Mary Ford, a native of Virginia and a daughter of George and Prudence Ford. Her parents cmigrated from Ireland in 1798, and landed in New York. In 1820, they came to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. By his marriage, Mr. Haines has been blessed with seven children, five of whom have died with quick consumption. The survivors are Lydia J. and Nancy E., the latter being married to C. R. Vantress, a successful farmer of this township. Mr. Haines is among the most prosperous and influential citizens of the township. He is a man that thinks and acts for himself, and expresses his views without regard to the opinion of others. He is a Republican, and a member of the Society of Friends, and has served his township as School Director and Township Trustee.
A. ZIMRI HAINES, for many years a prominent farmer of Union Township, but now residing at Wilmington, was born in Union Township March 20, 1815. His father was Jacob Haines, a native of Pennsylvania, and a blacksmith by trade. Ile came to Clinton County from Waynesville February 4, 1803, having come to Ohio in 1801. Hle located on Dutch Creek, in Union Township, within half a mile of Center Meeting-House, where he resided till his death. Mr. Haines' mother was Mary Leonard, a native of North Carolina. Seven children were given to this union. Two are living -Isaac, residing at New Burlington, and Zimri. Mr. Haines' father died June 4, 1854, and his mother in 1855. Zimri Haines was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and resided there until 1870, when he removed to Wilmington, and erected a handsome residence on West Main street, which he has since occupied. He yet owns the old homestead, now consisting of 350 acres, a permanent proof of a life of indus- trious toil. Mr. Haines is a member of the Society of Friends, as were also his parents.
- He is Republican in politics, but never aspired to political honors. Mr. Haines was united in marriage, November 2, 1843, to Mary Miars, a native of this county, having been born and raised two miles northwest of Wilmington. Of their five children. four are living-Carrie A. (wife of Frank S. Broomhall), Marie E. (wife of Edwin K. Peters, of Fulton & Peters), Ada A. (wife of Charles Jenkins), and Alvin Z. (who mar-
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rid Eva Adams, a native of Highland County, Ohio, and is now farming on the old homestead), Sallie M. (first wife of Howard A. Haynes), is deceased. Mrs. Haines is also a member of the Society of Friends.
AUGUSTUS H. HAINS, Auditor of Clinton County, Wilmington, was born on Anderson's Fork, near New Burlington, in Greene County, Ohio, August 23, 1843. His father, William F. Hains, was a native of Virginia, and of German ancestry. He came to Ohio about 1828, and was a farmer till his death in May, 1867. Mr. Haing' mother was Jane Babb, a native of this county. She departed this life in 1847. When our subject was eleven years of age, his father removed to Fayette County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Ho attended the district schools, and, in 1862, enlisted in Company C, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, re-enlisting in Company K, Eighth Ohio Cavalry, and serving till the close of the rebellion. During his time of service. Mr. Hains suffered severely from rheumatism. After the war, he attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he remained one year. In April, 1866, he removed to Wilmington, where he has since resided. Mr. Hains has always been an ardent Republican, and for two years served as Treasurer of Wilmington. In 1875, he was nominated and subsequently elected to his present position. He has since been twice re-elected, each time by large majorities. Mr. Hains is one of the most enter prising spirits of Wilmington, in a business, social and religious manner. He is well known throughout the county, and bears the good will and esteem of the better class of citizens. He is a member of Wilmington Lodge and Chapter (Masonie), and was for inerly a member of the Presbyterian Church. After coming to Wilmington, he united with the M. E. denomination, in which body he has proven a valued member. He is Superintendent of the Sunday school and leader of the church choir. Mr. Hains was married, January 1, 1867, to Nannie Johnson, of Troy, Miami Co., Ohio. They have three children-Adda, Raymond and William F. Mrs. Hains is also a member of the M. E. Church.
ELI HALE, deceased, late of Vernon Township, was one of the most prominent farmers of this county at an early day in its history. He was born in North Carolina in 1793. His father was Jacob Hale, also a native of North Carolina, and a planter. His mother was Elizabeth Harvey. They came to Ohio at a very early day, locating on Todd's Fork, in Chester Township, when the subject of this sketch was but six or seven years of age. They resided there till their deaths, the former occurring in 1845, and the latter in 1858. The old homestead farm is now owned by Armonia Hale. Eli Hale grew up on the old home farm, and when a young man engaged to clerk for his brother, Samuel Hale, at Washington C. H. He subsequently engaged in mercan- tile pursuits at Clarksville, Vernon Township, dealing in produce and rafting it down to New Orleans, where it was traded for goods. He also dealt largely in pork and flour. About 1825, he married Anna, daughter of William Hadley, of this county. After marriage, he commeneed dealing in real estate, at one time owning about 3,800 acres of land in Vernon Township. As fast as he accumulated means, he invested in real estate, and subsequently lost almost his entire fortune. At one time, Eli Hale was considered only second in wealth to any one in Clinton County. Himself and John Hadley were two of the leading and enterprising spirits of southwestern Clinton, and Mr. Hale was always largely interested in all matters pertaining to . the development and growth of Clinton County. He was an Orthodox Friend by birth, and politically a member of the Whig party. He departed this life in 1849, and is interred in the Quaker Burying- Ground at Clarksville. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hale, five now living -Melinda (wife of Henry Sherwood, of Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio), William H. (from whom these facts were obtained, residing at Richmond, Ind.), Miles MI. (of Topeka, Kan.), Sarah A. (wife of David Pritchard, of Knightstown, Ind.), and Alfred (also residing at Topeka, Kan.). Mrs. Hale is living with her daughter at Waynesville, Ohio. and is in the seventy-third year of her age.
JOHN H. HALE, Wilmington, one of the oldest groeers of the village, was born in Wilmington September 7, 1831. His father, William Hale, is a native of North Carolina, who came to Clinton County in the winter of 1807-0S. He was born
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September 27, 1790, has been a farmer through life, and is now resting from his labors at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He is undoubtedly the oldest person in Clinton County. Mr. Hale's mother was Maria Sabin, also a native of North Carolina. She was born in 1797. John H. Hale was reared on the old homestead, receiving a good education in the common schools. Having been reared on a farm, he retained a preference for farm pursuits, and, in 1840, purchased the old home farm, on which he resided till 1865, and which he still owns. In the latter year, he came to Wilmington and purchased a grocery on the southeast corner of Main and South streets. Three years later he sold out, and, buying a lot on West Main street, crected thereon two brick buildings at a cost of $10,000. He immediately, put a fresh stock of groceries in the east room, where he has since carried on business and met with reasonable succes .. . Mr. Hale was reared a Democrat, but voted with the Republicans from 1856 to 1864. From the latter year to 1880, he voted the Democratic ticket again. Since 1880, he has been a firm Prohibitionist. He was united in marriage October 9, 1856, to Mar-
tha J. McDonald, a native of this county. They have four children-Charles W., E. Eugene, Ernest W. and Raymond A. Mrs. Hale is a member of the M. E. Church.
WILL R. HALE, D. D. S., dentist, 205 Main street, Wilmington, was born in the village of Wilmington August 7, 1854. His father, Joseph Hale, was a native of North Carolina, who came to this county in 1808 with five brothers-William (now the oldest person in Clinton County), Samuel, Harmony, Jacob and Eli. Joseph Hale was a prominent merchant of Wilmington for forty-five years, and is still living. Mr. Hale's mother was Sarah A. Sewell, daughter of Amos T. Sewell, of Wilmington, who was Recorder of Clinton County for thirty-two years. Will R. Hale grew to manhood in his native village, and has always continued to reside therc. He obtained a good education at Wilmington College, and during the winters of 1874-75-76, attended the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati, graduating in the class of '76. He returned to Wilmington and immediately opened an office. Although still a young man, and with older practitioners to contend with, he has met with unbounded success, and his trade is steadily increasing. Before attending lectures at Cincinnati, he studied three years with Dr. Welch, of Wilmington, and two years at Chicago. Mr. Hale is a member of several dental societies, and earnestly endeavors to perfect himself in what is to be his future life work. He was united in marriage in October, 1877, to Amy Fuller, a native of Clinton County. They have one son-Russell F. Mr. Hale is neutral in politics.
JESSE HART, of Hart Bros., blacksmiths and wagon-makers, Wilmington, was born in Beaver County, Penn., April 27, 1814. . His parents were Mitchell and Mar- garet (Parkinson) Hart, natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent. Mr. Hart passed his boyhood days on a farm, and, while yet young, learned the weaver's trade, at which he worked for eighteen years. Hethen learned the carpenter's trade, afterward working at this latter trade three years. He has been a resident of Clinton County about forty years. In 1860, he commenced working at wagon-making, which business he has since continued to follow. The brothers own a shop on West Main street, just outside the corporate limits of Wilmington, where they do a good business. Mr. Hart owns seven and a half acres of land, on which is located his residence. He was united in marriage, August 26, 1846, to Susan M. Wiley, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, and of English descent. Four children have been given them, three living-Parkinson, James H. and Mary. The two boys learned their trades at Wilmington. The former is a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and the latter a blacksmith. Mr. Hart is a strong Republican.
J. H. HARTMANN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Wihnington, was born in Union Township March 6, 1839. He is a son of James and Maris (Mendenhall) Hart- mann. His father was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. He was in the Mexican war, and his powder flask and canteen are still preserved by our subject. Ile died in Union Township at the advanced age of seventy-three years. Mr. Hartmann's mother was a native of North Carolina, and of Irish parentage. The grandfather of . Mr. Hartmann came to America from Germany at a very early day. Not having the
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money to pay his passage, upon arrival at his destination he was sold for debt, the pur- chaser securing his labor for twenty-one years. He was sold to a man who possessed the same proportion of sympathy as does a stone by the wayside, and from whom he received treatment in accordance with that gratuitously extended to the African slave in the dark days previous to the rebellion. In the latter part of the twelfth year of his servitude, he was engaged in splitting rails, walking two miles to his place of labor. His master (if such he might be termed) compelled him to carry a rail home each time hos came to meals. This he did till his back became so sore that further labor was impos- sible. He came to dinner one day without his usual rail, and was so abused that he unceremoniously left, and subsequently became a land-owner, and a respected and hon- Gred pioneer in his neighborhood. The subject of this notice was educated in the " Dutch Schoolhouse," in District No. 3, and has been a farmer through life. He com- menced life with twenty-five acres of land, and has toiled till he now owns about ninety- five acres. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Hicks commanding, but was honorably discharged the same year on account of general disability. He participated in several skirmishes during his short term of service. Mr. Hartmann was married March 20, 1864, to Mary C. Hartmann, a native of Warren County, Ohio, and a daughter of Garner Hartmann, an carly settler of that county. They have three children-Alpheus A., James A. and Emma. Mrs. Hartmann is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. H. is connected with the Re- publican party.
N. G. HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Wilmington ; was born in Union Township on " Prairie pike," January 3, 1846. He is a son of James and Maris (Mendenhall) Hartmann, who were among the early settlers of Union Township. Mrs. Hartmann came to Clinton County when but two years of age, and died in this township in 1872, while in her sixty-sixth year. His father was a native of Virginia, and of German descent; mother of North Carolina, of Irish ancestry. The subject of this sketch re- ceived a good common school education, and commenced farming on twenty-five acres of land, left to him by his father. By perseverance, untiring energy and economy, he has increased his acreage to 144, and is considered a successful agriculturist. He was married in 1872, to Elizabeth Conard, a school teacher of Union Township, and a daughter of Enos Conard, a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent. They have seven children-Charlie, Frank, Clayton, Blanche, Alvin, Anna Salome and George. Mr. Hartmann is connected with the Republican party. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church.
W. H. HARRISON, Wilmington, the oldest merchant tailor in Wilmington, and probably in Clinton County, was born in Twin Township, Ross Co., Ohio, May 26, 1818. His father, James Harrison, was a native of Newark, N. J., and a tanner and currier by trade. He located in Snow Hill, in this county, in 1819, but the same year de- parted this life and was tenderly laid at rest in the old Quaker Burying Ground at New Vienna. Mr. Harrison's mother was Jane Dill, a native of Ireland. Her father was probably born in Bucks County, Penn., but being informed ofa share in an estate in " Old Erin," he visited that country about the commencement of the Revolutionary war. While there he married and intended to return to America immediately, but the " Con- tinental fuss " prevented him from so doing. While living in Ireland, a daughter was born to him-the mother of our subject-who accompanied her parents to America about the year 1781. After the death of her husband, in 1819, Mrs. Harrison re- turned to her friends in Ross County, where she passed away from carth three and a half years later. Our subject was left to the care of her father, with whom he remained till nearly fifteen years of age. Desirous of doing something for himself, he was ap- prenticed to the tailor trade with Joseph C. Reed, of Bainbridge, Ross Co., Ohio. On October 15, 1833, Mr. Reed and his apprentice started for Wilmington, arriving at their destination the following day. Mr. Harrison there finished his time of service (six years) .. In December, 1841, he commenced business for himself on South street, about opposite his present location. During the forty-one years he has been in business in Wilmington, he has met with very reasonable success, although suffering severe losses
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at times. On November 14, 1865, his entire stock of piece goods, valued at $2,500, was stolen from the shop and never recovered. This was somewhat discouraging, but Mr. Harrison immediately purchased another stock and pursued his business, and to-day is the leading merchant tailor of the county. He has been a member of the Masonie fraternity nearly thirty years, and is now connected with the Lodge and Chapter at Wil- mington, and Miami Commandery, No. 21, at Lebanon, Warren County. Mr. Harrison was formerly a Whig, casting his maiden vote for his namesake. Since 1854, he has been a Republican. He was married February 14, 1843, to Mary H. Antram, a native of Clinton County. Four children were born to this union-Mary E., wife of HI. C. Oyler, of Harveysburg; Nancy J., wife of Zenas Harlan, of Eureka, Greenwood Co .. Kan .; Alice, wife of C. W. Randall, a resident of Lebanon, Ohio; and James D., also a resident of Lebanon. Mrs. Harrison was a member of the M. E. Church, and de- parted this life December 15, 1857, in the hope of a blissful immortality. Mr. Harrison was again united in marriage September 20, 1859, to Lucy M. Carroll. They have two children-Ada and William H., Jr. Mrs. Harrison is a consistent member of the Baptist denomination.
JAMES W. HAWS (deceased) was one of the most prominent and influential farmers of Union Township. He was born in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, January 22, 1826. His parents, Jolin and Sarah (Gibson) Haws, were among the early settlers of this county. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, but while young learned the carpenter trade. His early literary training was obtained in the dis- trict school, but preferring a busy, active life to the tiresome duties of the school-room, his education was somewhat limited. He worked at his trade eight years, building throughout the county. Tiring of this work, he settled down on a farm, where he toiled early and late till the time of his death. On July 20, 1876, while working on a hay stack, during the prevalence of a thunder storm, he was struck by lightning and instantly killed. The news of his death shocked the whole community, for a better man or neighbor did not reside among them. In early life, Mr. Haws had sought the relig- ion of our Savior, and for many years was a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In that body he had served as Steward and Trustec. During the late rebellion he was a warm advocate and liberal supporter of the charities created for the benefit of the widows and orphans of our deceased soldiers. Mr. Haw> was united in marriage, in 1857, to Sarah. daughter of Asa Fisher, born in Virginia September 17, 1838. Her mother was Franees Williams, also a native of the " Old Dominion." Mr. Haws was an enterprising and well-to-do tiller of the soil, and at the time of his death owned 264 acres of well improved land. This farm is now under the control of Mrs. Haws, who is a lady of high culture, generous heart and unbounded sympathy.
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