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 55
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to Ella Whinnery, and residing at Manhattan, Kan. Isaac enlisted in an Ohio regi- ment during our late rebellion, and subsequently died from wounds received while in the service. Mrs. Lewis died in 1869, aged fifty-six years.
HENRY H. LEWIS, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born on Todd's Fork, in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, November 29, 1833. He is the son of John and Sarah (Rannells) Lewis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. both of English descent. They were carly settlers in Clinton County, and raised a family of nine children, all now living, and all but two living in this county. Our subject received his education in the schools of his county, and carly commenced working on the farm. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer, and is now the possessor of 113 acres of good arable land. He was married December 28, 1858, to Rhoda C. Tomlin, a daughter of Peter Tomlin, a soldier in the war of 1812. By this marriage four children were born, of whom three now survive. Mr. Lewis is a man of intelligence and by reading extensively, keeps himself posted in all the events of the day.
J. J. LEWIS, of Babb & Lewis, grocers, South street, Wilmington, was born in Clinton County, February 20, 1836. His father was John Lewis, a native of the "Old Dominion," and a carpenter by trade. He came to this country in early times, and for many years carried on farming. He died in 1873. The mother of Mr. Lewis was Sarah Rannells, a native of Pennsylvania, and a present resident of Wilmington. Mr. Lewis learned the carpenter trade while yet young, and worked at it some time. Wish- ing to lead a mercantile life, he entered into partnership with Asa H. Jenkins in the grocery trade, the firm remaining as Jenkins & Lewis about a year and a half. Mr. Lewis then disposed of his interest to John Wilson, clerking for the new firm six months. He subsequently engaged in business again with Mr. Jenkins, but two years later Mr. Jenkins retired from the firm in favor of Alfred Wall. Mr. Wall subsequently sold his share to G. L. Barlow. The stock of goods was almost totally destroyed by the " big fire " of May, 1875, and for 'some time they carried on business in the Chris- tian Church. The firm afterward disposed of the stock and trade to the Grange. Mr. Lewis then engaged in his present business with Franklin Babb, under the present firm name, and enjoy a very fair trade in groceries, queensware, etc. Mr. Lewis is Repub- lican in politics, and connected with Star of Hope Lodge, No. 127, I. O. O. F. He was united in marriage June 16, 1881, to Ella Thompson, a native of this county.
SETH LINTON, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Union Township, Octo- tober 10, 1812. He was the son of Nathan and Rachel (Smith) Linton. For the genealogy of the family, the reader is referred to the sketch of James Linton, deceased. in the biographies of Vernon Township. Our subject's mother was born January 18. 1790, and died April 4, 1859. She was the daughter of Seth Smith, who was born May 19, 1761, and died April 1, 1837, and Elizabeth (Littler) Smith, his wife who was born April 9, 1769, and died July 7, 1842. The father of the latter was Samuel Littler, who immigrated to America from England with William Penn. Our subject grew up in the early days of Clinton County, and is well versed in its pioneer history. He was educated in the subscription schools of his day and in a school taught by his father in the milkhouse on their farm. After leaving school he assisted his father on the farm, and when still young bought 200 acres of land for $5 per acre. This land he improved and afterward sold for $50 per acre: He carly commenced keeping a nursery, and that business has since occupied a large share of his life. He now owns 233 acres of land on which is located a nursery consisting of the best varieties of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubbery. He also owns an orange grove of ten acres in Florida. He was married, September 21, 1836, to Sarah Ann Moore, at Lytle's Creek Meeting. She was born in this county December 7, 1819, and was a daughter of Joshua Moore, who was born in Chester County, Penn., October 10, 1791, and died February 7, 1874, and Nancy (Stratton) Moore, his wife, who was born November 16, 1797, and died December 19, 1881. They were married at Springfield Meeting and had twelve children, nine boys and three girls. By his marriage, Mr. Linton has had six children, viz. : Nathan M., born March 18, 1838, an attorney, and now a member of the Ohio Legislature; Nancy L., born January 3, 1840, and now the wife of Thomas
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McMillan, a farmer; Rachel, born October 8, 1841, and now the wife of E. Snowden, a farmer; Joshua, born April 2, 1843, and married to Olive Hadley, by whom he has had six children, three living; Oliver, born August 5, 1845, and married to Sarah Hat, by whom he has two children ; Amanda, born November 11, 1848, and now the wife of Jacob Lewis, a farmer. Mrs. Linton is an ordained minister of the Society of Friends (Orthodox), and attends each yearly meeting held in the United States, with the excep- tion of one held in Kansas. She has traveled many thousand miles during her minis- try, always paying her own expenses. She is well known through Clinton County, and the State of Ohio, and highly respected by one and all. Mr. Linton has been very liberal to his children, giving each a large sum of money when attaining their majority. He is strongly opposed to the use of tobacco and all intoxicants, and is in politics a Prohibitionist. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends, as have been his ancestors for two centuries.
CYRUS LINTON, grocer and pioneer dealer in grain and coal in Wilmington, was born on Todd's Fork, in Union Township, April 17, 1825. His father, Nathan Linton, was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1801, he visited .Ohio, and in his wander- ings over the State visited what is now Clinton County. He was favorably impressed with the appearance of the country " thereabouts," and its few but sociable inhabitants, and the following year removed his family to Waynesville. In 1808 or 1805, here moved to Union Township. He was a weaver by trade, also a surveyor, and for many years served the county in the latter capacity. Hedied on the old homestead in 1855. mourned by a host of life-long friends and acquaintances. Mr. Linton's mother was Rachel Smith, a native of Virginia or Tennessee. She departed this life in 1859. The subject of this sketch was reared a " farmer's boy" and resided on the old homestead until the spring of 1864. He then removed to Wilmington, where he has since resid- ed. He was probably among the first to deal largely in coal and grain in the village, and his operations have always met with reasonable success. He also owns a grocery store near the depot of the C. & M. V. R. R. On September 15, 1870, Mr. Linton's son, Samuel S., was admitted to a full partnership in the business, and the firm name has since been C. Linton & Son. Mr. Linton has always manifested a lively interest in the welfare of his native county, and has filled the greater portion of the elective offices in the township, being politically a Republican. He served as President of the Agricult- ural Board of Clinton County, four years ; one term as County Commissioner ; several terms as Trustee; and eight years as Councilman of Wilmington. He was married. in 1847, to Lydia Harvey, a native of this county. One child was given them-Samuel S. Mrs. Linton died in the spring of 1852, and in the fall of 1853, Mr. Linton mar- ried Eliza, daughter of Jonathan Hadley, an honored pioneer of Clinton County. Three children were sent to bless this union-Olive, Lydia and Edwin C. Mr. Linton's wife and family have birthrights in the Society of Friends. Mr. Linton is the owner of the old homestead, in Union Township, consisting of 123 acres, valued at $60 per acre.
HENRY LORISH. harness manufacturer and dealer in all kinds of harness goods and saddles, Wilmington, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 26, 1826. His father was Nicholas Lorish, born in Fairfield County, near the present site of Lancaster, and when the Indians were undisputed owners of the soil. He was a farmer and followed that vocation until his death, which occurred in 1846. The mother of Mr. Lorish was Magdaline Apt, also a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and who died at Columbus, Ohio, in 1863. The subject of this notice was reared a "farmer's boy," in every sense of the term. He assisted in the work of the farm in spring, summer and autumn, and attended the little old log schoolhouse of the district during the winter months. In 1842, when sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn his present trade, at Baltimore, Fairfield Co., Ohio, and in 1849 came to Wilmington, where he has since plied his vo- cation, and gained enough of this world's goods to prove his success as a business man. He is one of the pioneer harness-makers of our county, and a man well respected by all classes of people, always taking an interest in his fellow-men. Mr. Lorish has been prominently identified with the I. O. O. F. order for many years. He is a member of Star of Hope Lodge, No. 127, and Hiawatha Encampment, No. 7. He has been Treasurer
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of both bodies for several years. He was born and bred " in a hot-bed of Democracy," but has always voted for and with the Republican party. His religious ideas are essen- tially those of the Christian Church, and he has been a member for some time. Mr. Lorish was married in February, 1856, to Martha E. Miller, a native of Warren County, but a resident of this county. One child born to them is deceased. Mr .. Lorish died December 10, 1863, after a union of less than eight years. Mr. Lorish was again united in the bonds of matrimony, September 20, 1865, to Esther A. Lacy, a native of this county. Two sons have been given them-Sherman T., with John Car- ยท roll, photographer, and Logan S., a student at the Wilmington High School, who will graduate in the class of 1883. Mr. Lorish's first wife was a member of the Baptist Church ; his present wife is a member of the Christian denomination.
J. H. LLOYD, chief miller of Fulton, Crane & Peters, Wilmington, was born in Frederick County, Va , March 6, 1833. His father was James Lloyd, a wealthy plant- er of the " Old Dominion." In 1860, just previous to the civil war, he sold his posses- sions, and came to Ohio, locating at Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio, where he yet re- sides. Mr. Lloyd's mother was Sarah Green. She departed this life in 1872. J. H. Lloyd was reared on the plantation in Virginia, living there till eighteen years of age. HIe then came to Ohio, and learned the miller's trade in the old Telegraph Mills, below Waynesville, on the Miami River. He remained there three years and seven months. He was next employed in a buhr factory by Amos Decker, and a year later went to Stillwell, Miami Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in milling three years. His next venture was in a grocery store at Springfield, Ohio. Two years later he returned to Waynesville, and was chief miller in the mills there for two years. After a nine months' stay at Harrisburg, in 1874, he came to Wilmington and rented the Wilmington Mills of Lewis Hockett (now deceased), for one year. In 1880, Mr. Lloyd accepted his present position. He is a member of Star of Hope Lodge, 127 (I. O. O. F.), and of Hiawatha Encampment, No. 70. Politically, he is Republican, and in 1880 was a candidate for Sheriff in the primary convention. Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage in 1871, to Julia Kilbon, a native of Warren County, Ohio. They have four children-Alice B., Minnie M., Carrie E, and Lizzie L.
ENOCH LUNDY, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Chester Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, July 18, 1830. He is a son of Jesse and Abigal (Green) Lundy. His grandparents, James and Elizabeth Lundy, were natives of Virginia, and came to this county in 1810 or 1811. The former was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and sat at the head of that body, in Chester Township, for many years. Mr. Lundy's father was born in Virginia, in 1805; he was a farmer, and for many years was an Elder in the Friends' Church. He died in August, 1876. His mother died July 22, 1853, aged fifty-eight years. Mr. Lundy was reared in Clinton County, receiving but a limited ed- ucation. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed many years, once being in partnership with Zimri Wall. He is now engaged in farming, and is the owner of ninety-four acres of land. Mr. Lundy was married in 1857, to Sally M. Babb, a daughter of Azel Babb. They had two children, one now living-Calvin James, born January 19, 1864; Elbet died in 1865. Mrs. Lundy departed this life in 1870, and Mr. Lundy was again married, February 12, 1874, to Phebe D. Wall, a daughter of A. L. Wall, of this township. They have had three children, only one surviving-Hom- er J., born January 8, 1880. Mr. Lundy and wife are prominent members of the Friends' Church, and he has been Overseer and Treasurer of the Center Monthly Meet- ing for about ten years.
C. A. MARBLE, Wilmington, the leading and pioneer undertaker of Wilmington and Clinton County, and senior member of Marble & Harvey, dealers in furniture and under- taking goods, was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 25, 1829. His father, Daniel Mar- ble was a native of the Keystone State, and came to Wilmington with his family when the village was quite small. He was also an undertaker and erected the first hearse ever used in Clinton County. He died November 23, 1860. Mr. Marble's mother was Isa- bell (Mitchell) Marble, a native of Pennsylvania, and is also deceased. Mr. Marble grew to manhood, receiving a good education in our public schools. He carly learned
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the cabinet-maker's trade with his father, and subsequently served an apprenticeship at tailoring. He then learned daguerreotyping (in 1847), and was afterward engaged for some time in the clothing and merchant tailoring trade. He was engaged in clerk- ing in Cincinnati for some time, but about the close of the war opened a gallery in Wilmington, and made the first photograph ever printed in that village. He remained in that business until the death of his father, in 1860, when he took up his present vocation, succeeding his parent, and has continued at it since. In 1875, he commenced dealing in furniture, but a few months later, suffered a loss of $3,500 in the " big fire," so well remembered by Wilmington people. In the spring of 1876, T. C. Harvey became associated with Mr. Marble in business, the firm name being changed to its pre ... ent one. Mr. Marble has always taken more than usual .interest in the different de- partments of his profession, and when, in June, 1881, a meeting of the undertakers of Ohio was held, to form a State Association, he was made a member of the committee to draft its constitution and by-laws. He is a charter member of the association, and a liberal supporter. The firm of which Mr. Marble is a member handles a large stock of furniture, and enjoy a very successful trade. Politically, Mr. Marble is a strong adherent of the principles set forth by the Republican party. He was married to Mat- tie, daughter of the Hon. D. T. Quinn, of Clinton County.
E. F. MARBLE, jeweler and optician, Wilmington, was born in Fayette County, Penn., in 1832. His father was Daniel Marble, a native of the "Keystone State, who came to Clinton County in the fall of 1839. He was a mechanic, and resided at Wilmington until his death, in 1860. Mr. Marble's mother was Elizabeth Mitchell, also a native of Pennsylvania. She died some years ago. The subject of this notice accompanied his parents to this county when but seven years of age. Here he was reared and educated, and when young learned the jeweler's trade with his brother, H. R. Marble, who established the pioneer jewelry trade of Clinton County. Mr. Mar- ble remained with his brother five years, and, upon the latter's death, purchased the stock and trade, and has continued the business. His stock is very large and fine, and his trade remunerative, and on the steady increase. Mr. Marble has always voted the Republican ticket, and is a staunch advocate of the doctrines promulgated by that party. He is a man well known and proportionately respected by the better class of citizens of Wilmington and Clinton County.
JOHN MATTHEWS, Wilmington, Probate Judge of Clinton County, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 11, 1812. His father was John Matthews, a native of North Carolina, who came to Ohio in 1805. He located in Highland County, three miles north of Hillsboro, where he resided till his death. Judge Matthews' mother was Mary E. Hussey, a native of Tennessee. She departed this life in the fall of 1864. The subject of this notice grew up on a farm, and received his early educational training in the subscription and district schools. Having been raised on a farm, he always re- tained a fondness for agricultural pursuits, and was engaged in agriculture till 1867. In 1836, he removed to Clinton County, locating near Snow Hill, where he remained nearly ten years. He resided at New Vienna until 1867, when he came to Wilmington. While a young man, he obtained a certificate to teach, and for many years engaged in that noble profession. While engaged in this work, he formed a desire to make the practice of law his future life work, and to that end commenced its study. While a resident of New Vienna, Judge Matthews was appointed Postmaster by President Polk, and subsequently re-appointed by President Fillmore. During these years, and previously, he was an ardent Democrat, but became a Republican on the organization of that party. In 1862, he was appointed Assessor of the Sixth District Internal Reve- nue of Ohio, discharging the duties of that position until the fall of 1866. In the latter period, he was a candidate for the position of Probate Judge of Clinton County, and was triumphantly elected by a large majority. Since that time, he has been re- elected several times, and still occupies the position, having had little or no opposition at election times. Judge Matthews early became a member of the Methodist Church, and since his removal to Wilmington, has served in various official trusts in that denom- ination. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, both of the Lodge and
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Chapter, at Wilmington. He was united in marriage, in 1836, to Sarah Woodmansee, a native of this State. Two children were born to them-Mary E., wife of Isaac Smith, of New Vienna, and Isaac W. Mrs. Matthews died in June, 1845. Judge Matthews again married, in September, 1847, Margaret Patton, a native of Highland County, Ohio, who died in August, 1850, leaving no children. His third and present wife was Rebecca Nordyke, a native of this county. They were married in 1852. Four children are the fruits of this alliance-Luella, wife of W. H. Rannells, a prom- inent clothier of Wilmington ; Clara, wife of C. W. Brown, of Wilmington ; Charles A. and William. Judge Matthews' character for strict integrity and high principle, as well as his business ability, is beyond all question. He is ever ready to do what he can for others, at the expense of his own time and comfort. His social characteristics are those of a pleasant, genial companion and warm friend. A resident of the county for nearly half a century, Judge Matthews is well and favorably known, and nong stand higher in public confidence and esteem.
CHARLES E. MCELWEE, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, November 24, 1852. His father, Isaac R. McElwee, was born in Virginia in 1824, and in early life followed the trade of a carpenter. married Rhoda Walker, of Clinton County, and during the greater part of his life has been a farmer, now owning a nice farm in this township. Our subject received his ed- ucation in the district schools of this county, and early commenced work on his father's farm, which he is still cultivating. He was married in 1876, to Louella Kate Jones, a daughter of Ethelbert Jones, and a native of Union Township. This union has been blessed with three children-Ethelbert, Stella and William. . The family are members of the Friends' Society. Mr. McElwee is a Republican in politics.
WILSON MCFARLAND, a farmer of this township, P. O. Wilmington, residing one and a half miles west of Wilmington, was born in Greene County, Ohio, October 3, 1827. He is a son of Jacob and Margery (McGrew) McFarland. His father was a native of Kentucky, and located in Greene County, Ohio, in 1805. The subject of this notice was reared a "farmer's boy," and has retained a fondness for agricultural pur- suits through life. He received a good common school education. About ten years ago, he went to Tennessee, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for nearly five years. In 1861, while a resident of Clinton County, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Moody commanding, and held the position of Third Sergeant. He participated in the battle of Stone River, and subse- quently accompanied Sherman when he " marched down to the sea." He re-enlisted in 1864, and was finally discharged in 1865, having suffered no wounds during his four years' service. After the war, he returned home, and has since been engaged in farming, except the five years spent in the South. Mr. McFarland takes great interest in sheep-raising and wool, and generally keeps about 400 head of fine Merinos on his farm. He is a stanch member of the Republican party, and has served his neighbors as School Director, and at present holds that position. Mr. McFarland's farm consists of 231 acres of valuable land, located on the Goshen pike. He was married, in 1865, to Jennie Wilson, a native of this county. Both are consistent members of the Chris- tian Church.
JOHN S. MCGREGOR, P. O. Wilmington, a prominent farmer of the north- eastern part of Union Township, was born in Wilmington, Ohio, January 1, 1826. His grandfather, John McGregor, located near Deerfield, Warren Co., Ohio, in.1804, and in 1813 settled near Clarksville, in Vernon Township, of this county. He subsequently kept a general store on the corner of Main and Mulberry streets, in Wilmington, when those thoroughfares were yet full of trees and stumps. Mr. MeGregor's parents were Eli and Maria (Sexton) McGregor. The former was born January 1, 178S, and died in 1876; the latter was born May 25, 1797, and died in 1879. His father was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and a strong anti-slavery man. He was a conductor on the " Underground Railroad " previous to the rebellion. Mr. McGregor was reared on a farm, and obtained a good English education in the schools of the neighborhood. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and assisted his father at this business till he was
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thirty years of age. Ho subsequently carried on a cabinet-maker's shop in Brown and Greene Counties for ten or eleven years. He was engaged in farming in Greene County until 1865, when he moved to his present location. He is the owner of sixty-seven acres of good land, through which runs the Pan Handle Railroad, and a flag station is located on the farm. He has been moderately successful in life. He was formerly a member of the Free-Soil party, but of late years has been a Republican. Mr. MeGreg- or was united in marriage in 1857, to Caroline Bartholomew, a daughter of Chester Bartholemew. She is a native of Adams Township. They have two children - Eli C. and Joseph F'. Mrs. McGregor is a member of the Christian Church.
ELI A. McKEE, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Frederick County, Va., January 31, 1827. His parents were Thomas and Emily (Anderson) McKee, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who settled at Wilmington in 1832. They subsequently moved to Oakland, in Chester Township, this county. The subject of this notice was a car- penter in early life, and afterward " farmned it " awhile. He was a house-inover seven or eight years, and subsequently ran a wagon shop. He is now the owner of fifty aeres of good land. Mr. McKee was married, in 1850, to Elizabeth, daughter of Elihu and Jano Oren. They have four children - Wmina J., wife of Thomas Brann ; Charles O., and Adda and Alma (twins). Mr. and Mrs. McKoe are members of the Friends' Church, and ho is a Republican.
JOHN MOLAIN, deceased, was born near Wheeling, W. Va., January 1, 1802. Ile was the son of John and Jane (Purcell) MeLain, he of Irish, and she of Scotch descent. He came to Ohio with his parents in his youth and remained in this State until his death, which occurred May 6, 1868. On March 4, 1841, while living at Washington, Fayette Co., Ohio, he was married to Ann Maria Woodruff, by whom he had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one son died in infancy, and another at the age of ten years. The three remaining children are now married and living near the place of their birth in Clinton County. In the fall of 1843, Mr. McLain moved to this county and settled on a farm near Wilmington where he engaged in farm- ing, and where he remained until his death. He was a stanch Republican and a true Christian gentleman, though not a member of any church.
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