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 96
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JACOB THEOBALD, retired merchant, P. O. Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the oldest living business man in Sabina. He was born in the Rhine Province of Bavaria June 24, 1818. His life, up to the age of nineteen years, was spent in his native land upon the farm. In 1837, he took ship at Havre de Grace, from this country, and after a tedious voyage of sixty-eight days landed in New York. After stopping a short time with friends in Buffalo, N. Y., he came to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he worked at such jobs as he could find for several months, after which he went to Trumbull County, Ohio, doing similar work for a period of six months ; thence to Taylorsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, where he also found employment by the day's work. In 1840, he went to Lancaster County, Ohio, where he drove a team until his removal to Chillicothe, Ohio, in which he stopped but a short time ; thence to Washington, Ohio, in which he' stopped but a brief time ; then came on to Sabina. In May, 1841, he opened a store in the house where he now lives. In all, he has done an active mercantile business in Sabina, reaching over a period of thirty-five years, his experience being a happy one from the fact that success has always crowned his efforts. He was appointed Postmaster during President Polk's administration, and after a num. ber of years of service resigned the position, but was again appointed, and in all served fifteen years. After the completion of the Muskingum Valley Railroad, he was ap- pointed the company's agent in Sabina, a position he held for twelve years, and was the express agent during the same time. In the offices of the town and township he has been quite fully represented, having been elected the first Mayor of Sabina. The duties of each and every trust, whether of a private or public nature, were fearlessly and creditably discharged, and thus he won the confidence and esteem of the people in his community. The transaction of his individual business, which has been extremely varied, was always conducted on the unquestionable principles of honesty and justice to all men. His popular business habits, charitable purse, unassuming manners and quiet mien justly give him a popularity that is richly deserved. He and his estimable wife enjoy excellent standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, although formerly both belonged to the German Reformed Church. He was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry in Wilmington in 1852, and since has been identified in nearly all the offices of that mystic order. February 4, 1847, he was united in marriage to Louisa Beudel, of Brown County, Ohio, who has borne him three children, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. W. H. Dakin, and Emma L., wife of W. H. Sanders ; Joanna, deceased, died April 5, 1881.
FREDERICK THEOBALD, grocer, P. O. Sabina. This gentleman was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1842, and is a son of Charles Theobald, a native of the same place. Our subject was reared in his native land, and in 1850, with his parents, came to America. His father located in Cincinnati, and Frederick went to live with his uncle, Jacob Theobald, assisting him in the store until 1862, at which time he en- listed in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and soon after, his rogi-
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ment was placed in the front in the Army of the Cumberland, and was with Sherman in that ever memorable march to the sea. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Resaca, Ga., which disabled him from further active service, and, after being treated in different hospitals, was sent to Chicago as a guard over prisoners. He was discharged at the elose of the war, having served to within a few days of his enlisted time, and was a Sergeant in his company. After his return home, he entered the employ of his uncle, for whom he elerked eighteen months, and in 1867 began business for himself, in which he has since been engaged, and has prospered. He is a member of the Sabina Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 501, and is also a member of the Encampment, 182. He was married, in 1868, to Mary F., daughter of Alexander and Sarah 'Hill, of Sabina. Their children have been five in number, four of whom are living, viz., Orey .L., Frederick C., Leo P. and Lulu. Alexander B. is deceased. Politically, Mr. T. is of Democratic proclivities, having always affiliated with that party.
WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, carpenter, Sabina. This gentleman enlisted in 1861, in Company A, of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to which he was connected but a short time. Soon after being discharged from the above regiment, he re enlisted in Company F, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he saw active service throughout the war. He participated in thirteen of the hard-fought battles of the war, and a host of the smaller engagements that were almost an every-day occur- renee. The bursting of a shell in close proximity to his head produced a concussion so strong as to destroy the sight of one of his eyes. For meritorious service upon the field, he was made Orderly for Gen. Burnside, acting in that capacity from the battle of Cold Harbor until discharged. In 1865, he again enlisted in Company A, First Regiment Ohio National Guards ; served four months ; was first duty Sergeant. From all enlistments he has been honorably discharged.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Union Town- ship, Clinton County, in the year 1836, and is a son of William and Phoebe (Hoover) Thompson. He (William) was born in Pennsylvania, and came with his father, Josiah Thompson, to Clinton County in an early day. To William Thompson and wife were . born eleven children, eight of whom are living, viz., Emmeline, Harriet, William, Eli, Phoebe, Joseph, Susan M. and Sarah E. The deceased are Lewis, Hannah J. and Andrew. Mr. T. died in 1878, aged eighty years. Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until after he had attained his majority. In 1858, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Rebecca Slaight, and settled in Wayne Township, in which he lived a little more than one year. May 13, 1860, lie lost by death his wife, at the age of twenty-one years. He then returned to his father's, with whom he resided four years. May 1, 1864, he was again married, to Mrs. Nancy J. Reed, née Clemons, who bore him nine children, viz., Orlando and Amelia (twins), Mary J., John W., Ella, Frank, Ephie, Wilson and Robert A. April 27, 1881, lie was called to mourn the death of his second wife, who died at the age of thirty-seven years. Mr. T. owns 305 acres of land, which is in good cultivation and well improved. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which he has belonged for twenty years. His deceased wife, during her life, also enjoyed membership and good standing in the same church.
S. W. TURNER, silversmith and jeweler, Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1836, and is a son of Calvin and Matilda Turner, natives of Virginia, who settled in Preble County, Ohio, in 1832, in which they lived until 1840, when they removed to Orange County, Ind., where they resided four years, then came to Clinton County and settled near Martinsville, where they made a permanent home. Mr. T. died in October, 1872. Eight children were born to them, of whom two daughters, viz., Mrs. Jennie Moon and Mrs. Rachel Holiday, and our subject, reside in Clinton County. Two other daughters, viz .: Mrs. Piety Bisher and Mrs. Mary Dimitt, reside in Ohio; the former in Highland County, the latter in Hamilton County. Two of the sons, James S. and George D., reside in Springfield, Ohio, and Joseph F., in Washington Court House. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, and at the age of sixteen began learning his trade,
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which he followed at intervals till 1861, at which time, being a resident of Lexington, Ky., he enlisted in Company A, of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry. Soon after he was transferred to the vicinity of Cumberland Gap, and was made Orderly to Gen. George W. Morgan, the regiment served during the war in the department of the Cumber- land. He was wounded and captured at La Fayette, Ga., while on a cavalry raid. The wound was a severe one in the right shoulder, terribly shattering the bone. He made his escape the same day, and the manner in which it was effected speaks highly of Mr. T.'s persuasive powers. Two guards were put over him, and these he enticed to desert and return with him to the Federal lines. Afterwards he lay in hospitals until December, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Broken down in health, he went to Minnesota for his health. In 1866, he went to Fort Scott, Kan., in which he kept a restaurant one year. Eleven years were passed in Sumner, Ill., and during the time worked at his trade. In March, 1881, he came to Washington Court House, and in 1882, came to Sabina, where he is now engaged at his trade. He has been twice mar- ried ; first, to Miss Mollie Schooler, of Lexington, Ky., August 1, 1861 ; two children were born to them, one living, viz., Mattie. Sherman, deceased, aged eleven months, died in 1866. Mrs. Turner died in Westboro, this county, of Cholera, in 1866, aged twenty-eight years. His second marriage was celebrated May 21, 1870, with Gilla Campbell, of Blanchester, Ohio. Mr. T. is a most reliable and excellent workman, and his success can only rightly be measured by his ability to please. In politics, he is Republican, and thoroughly conversant with the affairs that pertain to the political status of the country.
ELIAS VANIMAN, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1823, and is a son of Benjamin and Sophia (Hussey) Vaniman, natives of Tennessee. The father of our subject was a son of Benjamin, Sr., who settled in Greene County, Ohio, soon after the year 1800. Sophia, mother of our subject, was a daugh- ter of Christopher and Mary Hussey, natives of Tennessee, who settled in the same county before the Vanimans came. Benjamin Vaniman, Sr., died in Illinois in 1827. His wife died in 1838. Benjamin. Jr., settled in Greene County, where, in the main, he lived' and prospered. Twelve children were born to him, viz., Mary (deceased) Elias, Stephen (deceased) Julie (deceased) Elizabeth (deceased) Sarelda, Louisa, Nancy (de- ceased), Calvin, William (deceased), Clara and Lewis (deceased). Mr. V. died in Greene County in 1879, aged eighty-five years. His wife died in 1846, at the age of about forty-three years. The family were all members of Methodist Protestant Church, and very consistent and exemplary people. Our subject was married to Eve, the daughter of Solomon and Rebecca (Caseltine) Early, in 1846. The Earlys settled in Liberty Township, this county, in 1823, where they made permanent homes. After the event. of his marriage, our subject lived in Greene County until 1865, when he purchased 385 acres of land, where he now resides. Since, he purchased 100 acres more, and owns eighty-five acres of land in this native county. He is a consistent member of the Method. ist Protestant Church, to which he has belonged since twenty years of age ; his wife, during her life-time, was a worthy member of the same. She died March 7, 1877, aged fifty years. To them were born three children, viz., Elizabeth, Charles and Rose. Lewis, brother of our subject, was a member of an unknown regiment, in which he eu- listed during the latter part of the war. He was wounded before Petersburg, Va., from the effects of which he died.
G. L. WHITE, house and sign painter, Sabina, Ohio. The subject of this short bio- graphical sketch was born in Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio, in the year 1852. Ilis early childhood days were passed in his native town, and, at the age of five years, went with his parents to Xenia, Ohio. Here he received. his education, which is prae- tical and quite broad in range. At the age of seventeen years, he began learning his trade, and, as an apprentice, served four years in Xenia, after which, he went to Day- ton, Ohio, and found employment for his talents with the well-known firm of Slevin & . Hale, contractors, for whom he worked three years. In 1878, Mr. White came to Sa. bina, and established himself in the business of his'trade, and the success he has won is due to his ability to do a first-class job. He is a member of the Sabina Lodge, of I. O. O. F., No. 501, and also of Miami Lodge, K. of P., at Dayton, Ohio.
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JOHN C. BATTEN, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Henry and Margery (Cravens) Batten, was born in Greene County, Penn., in 1809; reared on a farm till seventeen, when he learned the brick-laying trade, at which he worked nearly thirty years. When five years old, his parents emigrated to Ohio, going down the Ohio River from Wheeling to Manchester on a flat-boat. They settled in what is now Marshall 'Township, Highland County, this State, where they bought 150 acres of land. John C. was married near Hillsboro May 23, 1833, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Mary Houp, born in Huntingdon County, Penn., in 1809. They had eight children, five living-Mary A., Sarah A., Andrew, Daniel and George H. In March, 1861, Mr. Batten came to Vernon Township, and bought forty acres of his present farm of 180 acres, where he now has 150 under cultivation. While in Fair- field Township, Highland County, he was Justice of the Peace several years. Mr. and Mrs. Batten are both members of the M. E. Church.
AARON BIGGS, chair manufacturer, Cuba, son of William B. and Rhoda Whittaker, was born in Washington Township, this county, June 6, 1839. He was 'reared on a farm, and remained at home till twenty-one years of age, when he took a nine months' trip to Colorado. He was married in this township September 8, 1866, to Susan C., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Harris) Statler, born in this township. They have four children living-Samuel, Mary, Anna, and an infant; the deceased was named Estella. Mr. Biggs bought the farm where he now lives, of 150 acres, in 1870 ; his wife also has 100 acres adjoining, 180 acres under cultivation. Mr. Biggs has a portable ten-horse-power engine on his farm, where he manufactures annually consider- able sorghum, and runs three lathes, manufacturing chairs. Himself and Marion Biggs also run two threshing machines during the season. Mr. Batten has held several town- ship offices, among others District Director four years, and Supervisor several years.
LARRY CUNNINGHAM, farmer. P. O. Clarksville, son of Michael and Alice . (Dunn) Cunningham, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 13, 1831. He was reared on a farm. He came to this country in 1847, and settled in Berlin, N. Y., where he farmed four years ; then moved to Hancock, Mass., where he remained nearly two years, thence to Westchester County, N. Y., to Williams Bridge, where he was married March 18, 1853, to Bridget Wallace, also a native of Ireland. In the spring of 1855, he came to this township, and two years later he bought ten acres of his present farm of forty five aeres, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Catholic Church, and are worthy citizens of their adopted State.
CHRISTOPHER DIFFA, deceased, was born in Prussia May 11, 1818. He was reared on a farm. In 1843, he came to this country, landing at New Orleans, where he remained about eighteen months, and then went to Cincinnati, where he re- mained several years. He was married in Rossburg, Warren Co., Ohio, November 9, 1858, to Dorotha, daughter of Frederick Rohmor, also a native of Germany. They had eight sons, six living-Charles, Christopher, Theodore, Frank, Louis and Henry. In the spring of 1872, they settled near Wilmington, where they remained till July, 1880, when they bought the farm where they now reside, of 1732 acres, one and three- fourth miles east of Clarksville, about 135 acres under cultivation. Mr. Diffa died December 9, 1881; himself and wife were members of the Lutheran Church.
JAMES W. FERREE, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Abraham and Lydia 1
(LaFever) Ferrce, was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., in 1821. When seven years of age, his parents moved to Jennings, Ind., where his father died the follow -. ing year. In 1833, his mother moved to Clermont County, Ohio, where James was
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married, February 26, 1848, to Prudence K., daughter of James and Elizabeth Garit- son, born in Goshen Township, Clermont County. They have three children-James, Elizabeth and Sarah. In March, 1867, Mr. Ferree came to this township and bought the farm where he now resides, of 113} acres, in the southwestern part of this town- ship, near Kansas Mills ; also has fifty-two and one-half acres in Harlan Township, Warren County, about 140 acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree are both members of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Ferree has been a member since twenty years of age.
JAMES H. FORDYCE, deceased. This pioneer was a son of William and Susan (Trimble) Fordyce, was born ncar Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, in 1811, where he was reared. About 1841, they came to this township and bought twenty. seven acres of land, with a saw and flooring mill, which they ran several years. James was married in Wilmington, July 24, 1849, to Mary, daughter of Aaron and Rebecca Sewell, born in this township in 1813. Three children were the result of this union- William T., now a teacher, has taught the school near home about cight years ; Louis D .; and Ida E., wife of Isaac Cast, now residing in Illinois. Mrs. Fordyce also has one son by a former marriage, John H. Smith, who served three years in the late war. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. Fordyce bought the residence and three acres of land where he now resides. Mr. Fordyce died July 11, 1875 ; Mrs. Fordyce owns, be- sides the homestead, fifty-one acres of land adjoining.
WILLIAM H. GARDNER, merchant and Postmaster, Clarksville, is a son .of John and Sarah J. (Ruland) Gardner; was born December 17, 1836, in this village. His parents came here some time between 1820 and 1830. His father was a native of Virginia, his mother of New Jersey. William attended school in this village till seventeen years of age, when he entered his father's store as clerk. At the age of twenty-four, he was admitted as partner. In the fall of 1861, he opened his present place of business, and was appointed Postmaster by Montgomery Blair, which position he has filled ever since, to the satisfaction of the people of Clarksville and surrounding
counties He was married in this village in 1861, to Angeline, daughter of William and Hannah Smith. They have three children-John W., Parker and Saralı. Mr. Gardner has been Township Clerk and at present Treasurer of the Township, which position he has filled two or three years.
THOMAS S. GARLAND, physician, Clarksville, one of the leading and respected citizens of that village, a son of James and Presocia (Gatch) Garland, was born in Miami Township, Clermont County, Ohio, December 29, 1810. He was reared on a farm till twenty-one years of age, attending school much of the time. He then taught school for several years. Subsequently, he entered the office of Dr. A. T. Davis, of Wilmington, where he studied medicinc, and then took one term at the Medical De- partment of the Cincinnati College. He then came to this village, where he practiced five years, and then went to Wilmington and practiced with his former preceptor, Dr. A. T. Davis, three years, and again came to Clarksville, where he has practiced ever since. In the winter of 1875-76, he attended lectures and graduated at the Ohio Medi- cal College. He was married in Miami Township, Clermont Co., Ohio, June 27, 1841, to Susan C. Rybolt, born in Hamilton County, Ohio. They had three children, one still living-Zenas T., now one of the leading physicians in Clarksville. The de. ceased werc named Tiffin D. and Emma S. The Doctor has a fine residence and office on Pike street, where he is enjoying the reward of a long and laborious life in his pro- fession, and for all he has a good share of this world's goods, he still continues in his practice, preferring to wear rather than to rust out. Mr. and Mrs. Garland are active and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ZENAS T. GARLAND, M. D., Clarksville, the leading physician and one of Clarksville's best and most respected citizens, is the son of Thomas S. and Susan C. (Rybolt) Garland ; was born in this village August 22, 1845. He attended the common and graded schools of this village till twenty years of age, when he took a private course of instructions under the care of Drs. Barthalow and Blackman. He then entered the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, graduating in 1870. He com.
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menced practicing in Clarksville, where he leads his profession and is having an exten- sive practice. He was married in this village August 6, 1867, to Josephine, daughter of George M. and Emmeline Morrow. They have one daughter-Mary E. Mr. Gar- land is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies. Himself and wife are also members of the M. E. Church, of which the Doctor has been Trustee four or five years. He is also a member of the Town Council.
G. W. GARRISON, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Lemuel and Mary (Rippy) Garrison, was born July 12, 1817, on the banks of the same stream on which- he now lives. His grandparents, Lemuel, Sr., and Mary, came to Hamilton County and settled on the round bottoms, Miami River. They soon afterward came to Vernon Township and settled where our subject was born, where they bought 100 acres of land. They had five sons and four daughters. Lemuel, Jr., was the third son. He owned at one time over one thousand acres of land. At his death, G. W. received $800. He was mar- ried at Kansas Mills, Marion Township, this county, to Susanna, daughter of Jacob and Rosanna Beard, born in Virginia. Mr. Garrison owned a farm of 1042 acres in this township, which he farmed till 1859, when he sold and came to Clarksville. He now has a fine brick residence and one acre of land on Second street ; also fifteen acres on the southeast of corporation, part of it inside the limits, which he intends to have platted and will sell for building purposes. He also has twenty acres east of the village. WILLIAM HADLEY, deceased. The man whose name is at the head of this sketch, was prominently identified with the early settlement of Clinton County. He was born in North Carolina, and raised on a farm. He was married in his native State, to Sarah Clark. He emigrated to Ohio in 1810, and bought a large tract of land, em- bracing where now is located the village of Clarksville, and extending two or three miles up the valley of " Todd's Fork." On this land he erected a fine brick residence (which is now owned and occupied by John B. Smith), northeast of Clarksville, which village he laid out and named in honor of his wife. He died in this township. His family consisted of ten children, named as follows : Mary, David (the father of D. L. Hadley), John, Ruth, Jonathan, Ann, Joshua, Sarah, William and Jane. John Had- ley, the third child of William and Sarah (Clark) Hadley, was born in North Carolina July 17, 1796. After his parents settled here, he learned the saddler and harness trade, and opened a shop in a little log house which stood near the site of the present post office. He was married in October, 1816, to Ruth, daughter of Jacob and Martha Hale, who was born in Randolph County, N. C., March 3, 1797, and bore him the fol- lowing children : Alfred, Sarah E., Ann M., Mahala, Julia and Eli. He was a mem- ber of the Clinton County Importation Company. This county is deeply indebted to him for the importation of fine stock, including "Short Horns," "Suffolk hogs," and fine horses and sheep from England. He expended several thousand dollars in import- ing stock for himself, and was also the means of importing a large number for others. He had, at one time, fifteen silver cups which he had received as prizes from different agricultural societies at whose fairs his stock was exhibited. He was the first " pork packer " in this county, and was largely interested in that business at Clarksville. He owned and operated a general store, and was quite extensively engaged in farming. He was a devoted member of the Friends Society, to whom he donated several acres of land in the eastern part of the village of Clarksville, on which to erect a meeting-house. A fine brick residence that he built in the village is now occupied by his daughter, the widow of the late James Linton. In company with his son-in-law, James Linton, they took the contract for and graded eight miles of the Muskingum Valley Railroad. He died at Clarksville in 1866.
ALFRED C. HADLEY, first son of John and Ruth Hadley, was born in Clarksville January 14, 1819. On arriving at his majority, engaged with his father in farming, pork-packing and dealing in stock. He was married at Richmond, Ind., May 1, 1845, to Anna, daughter of William and Martha Nixon, who was born in Chester County, . Penn., March 27, 1825. Her parents emigrated to Highland County, Ohio, in 1825. After his marriage, his father bought and presented to him what is known as the Smal- ley farm, in Washington Township, Warren Co., Ohio ; it consisted of 420 acres. His
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