400 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ers in behalf of temperance in the old world. Untiring in his devotion to the cause, his efforts have been availing in many instances in promoting temperance sentiment which has been directly followed by good results, and his influence is a power for good in behalf of humanity that is widely acknowledged by those interested in the abolition of the sale and use of intoxicants, Mr, Dinwiddie was born in Springfield September 29, 1867, a son of John A. and Edith J. (Brelsford) Dinwiddie. The father was born in Bellbrook, Greene county, Ohio, and was the son of John Dinwiddie, Sr,. whose birth occurred in a wagon while his parents were on their way westward from Adams county, Pennsylvania, His father, who was also named John, became a resident of Sugar Grove township, Greene county, John A. Dinwiddie, the father of our subject, was reared and educated in Bellbrook, spending his boyhood days in his father's shop and on a farm, and in 1858 he came to Springfield, where he entered upon his business career was a salesman in the employ of Mr. Murphy, a dry goods merchant, and eventually became a member of the dry goods firm of Brelsford, Dinwiddie & Company. They conducted a store on "Trappers' Corner" until about 1870, the business prospering, and for fifteen years Mr. Dinwiddie was connected with Warder. Mitchell & Company. the Champion Machine Company and Whiteley, Fassler & Kelly, In 1899 he entered the employ of the government at Washington, D, C.. in the census bueau, and has since been in the capital city. His wife was also born in Bellbrook, Ohio. and was educated in the old Springfield Seminary of this city, She was a daughter of William and Nancy Brelsford, who died during her girlhood, after which she was reared by her grandfather, Unto the parents of our subject were born two children : William, who resides in the south : and Edwin C. From his early boyhood Edwin C, Dinwiddie has taken an active interest in temperance work, and while yet in school became identified with the Band of Hope, a children's temperance organization, and was also in the "blue ribbon campaign" instituted by Francis Murphy. After leaving school he became a stenographer in the employ of John Foos, president of the St. John Sewing Machine Company. in whose employ he remained for seven years, resigning to attend Wittenberg College, and later to engage in temperance work, In 1894 he became identified with the Anti-Saloon League, and was the second lecturer and organizer employed in its work. In 1883 he had taken an active part in the fight for constitutional prohibition, 'and was a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party from 1884 until 1890, and was the secreary of the state executive committee of that party, Since the year mentioned, however, he has been identified with the Republican party. In December, 1896, he was appointed superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of Pennsylvania, prior to which time he had been the editor of the official organ of the league —The American Issue—and manager of the legislative department of the state work, but resigned to accept the new appointment. In the fall of 1899, when the league decided to establish national headquarters at Washington. D. C., he was appointed legislative superintendent of the American Anti-Saloon League, which position he still holds, being elected successively by the conventions at Chicago in May, 1900, and at Washington in December, 1901. He has carried THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 401 on his work along progressive and practical lines, which have been attended with good results in awakening and directing public sentiment against the saloon. Mr, Dinwiddie is a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, and a charter member of Ingomar Lodge, No. 610, K. P,, and a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars. In 1893 he represented the Good Templars of Ohio at the International Supreme Lodge held in Des Moines, Iowa, and was elected grand counsellor at Sandusky. Ohio, the same year, and grand electoral superintendent at Marietta, Ohio. in 1895, In 1902 he was the representative of the District of Columbia Grand Lodge of Good Templars to the international meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden, and there was appointed a member of the international committee on prohibitory legislation, representing the United States. This committee is a permanent one. He was also requested to officially represent the Good Tempars in national legislative matters before congress, On the 8th of November, 1894, Mr. Dinwiddie was united in marriage to Miss Olive H. Smith, a daughter of Oliver and Margaret ( Negus) Smith, of Emporia, Kansas, formerly of Selma. near Springfield, Ohio, and to them have been born one child. Horace Milton, Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Fourth Lutheran church of Springfield, and in 1894 he was licensed and later ordained to preach by the Wittenberg Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church. r Rev. Dinwiddie makes his home in Springfield, although his official headquarters are in Washington, D. C,, but wherever he is, he is untiring in his efforts to promote the cause of temperance along all lines that tend to the suppression of the liquor traffic, and in this line of his life's activity he has become widely known throughout this country and abroad. THE SHAW FAMILY. As representatives of the class of substantial builders of the great commonwealth who served faithfully and long in the enterprising west, we present the Shaw family that in pioneer times was established in the Buckeye state, its members nobly doing their duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests, the legal statute and the moral welfare of this community. Robert Shaw, now deceased, was born near Trenton, New Jersey, November 29, 1804. His parents were Roger and Ann (Swanger) Shaw. who removed to Ohio during his boyhood, probably about 1812. The father settled in Greene county and there Robert Shaw was reared to manhood. His father never owned land but was in limited circumstances. He had a large number of children, of whom Robert was the fourth in order of birth, After arriving at years of maturity he was married in Clark county in January, 1834, to Miss Polly Wilson, who was born near Boston, Massachusetts, October 3, 1812, a daughter of Junius and Sally (Chapin) Wilson. Her mother's people came to Ohio when Mrs, Wilson was a young girl, She was born in 1779, and Mr, Wilson's birth occurred in 1776. Mr. Shaw had made a start in the world and owned land in Greene county before his first marriage. Ultimately he, added to his possessions until he was a large land owner. By his marriage he became the father of eleven children: Sarah J,: Charles, who 402 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, is a grocer in Springfield; Snowden, a farmer of Greene county, who married Angelina Jacobs and has three children; Margaret Ann, the wife of John Kemp, of Hammond, Louisiana, by whom she has two children; Cyrus; Lydia Elizabeth, the wife of Abram Rasner, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, by whom she has two children; Mary C.; Achilleus, who married Ida Kettles; Carrie; Horace; John A.; and Findley W, The father of this family was a Democrat in his political affiliations, but never sought- or de sired office, His wife died in 1882, and he passed away February 9, 1886, respected by all who knew him, He was a leading and influential citizen of his community at an early day in its development, He shared in the task of reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization and carried on farm work at a time when the cruder implements of an early day made such work much more difficult than it is at present. He labored energetically and perseveringly, however, and thus he became a large land owner of the county, Findley Whiteman Shaw is the youngest of the eleven children of Robert Shaw, and was born in Miami township, Greene county, Ohio, January 1856. There he was reared to manhood upon the hdme farm until he was nineteen years of age, and during that time acquired a good common school education. At the age of nineteen he left home, going to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the manufacturing establishment of Rasner & Dinger for two years. receiving one dollar per day for the first year and eight dollars a week for the second year, He found this occupation congenial, but as the factory closed down in the winter he was therefore thrown out of employment. He returned home and resumed farming. On the 31st of December, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A, Patton. a daughter of Thomas and Marietta (Wilson) Patton, For some years after his marriage he rented land, and in 1888 purchased the farm of sixty acres upon which he is now living, and has since given his attention to its improvement, In his family were ten children : Emerson J., Raymond B,. Wilbur G., Walter R,. Edward, Paul, Minnie E., John. Nettie and Ruth, Findley W. Shaw has followed in the footsteps of his father as regards politics, giving his support to the Democracy. He is a leading member of the church of Yellow- Springs. in which he is now serving as trustee, and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at that place, Cyrus Shaw, the fifth child in the family of Robert and Polly ( Wilson) Shaw. was born in Miami township, Greene county, October 30, 1842, and, like the other children in the household, spent the days of his youth on the old homestead, acquiring his education in the common schools, which he attended through the winter months. while in the summer seasons he worked on the farm. He remained at home until 1864, when he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company F. Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, joining the command on the 15th of February. He was sent to Camp Dennison, and thence to Charleston, West Virginia. He took part in the Lynchburg raid, and his company was detailed to forage, He was first under fire at Beverly, where the command was captured for the second time, on the 11th of January. 1865, He was then taken to Libby prison, where he remained for thirty-five days. when with other Union soldiers THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 403 he was exchanged, At Beverly he was ill in the hospital with erysipelas in the limb. After being exchanged he returned home on furlough and on the expiration of his leave of absence he rejoined his regiment at Clarksburg, West Virginia, and was soon afterward mustered out, the war having been brought to a close. After returning home Cyrus Shaw began farming, which he continued in Ohio until 1872, when he went to California, by way of New York and across the isthmus of Panama, being thirty-one days on the trip. He remained only a few months, and then returned by rail, but when he had spent a few months at home he again went to California in the following April. and was gone until 1876, when he once more took up his abode in Clark county, In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E, Baker, of Green township, Clark county, who was born in Ripley county, Indiana. April 23, 1857, a daughter, of Asa and Caroline ( Leffel ) Baker. Her maternal grandfather, Daniel Baker, lived to be a very old man. Her father was born near Enon in Mad River township, Clark county, August 12, 1820, and his wife's birth occurred in Springfield township October 13, 1825. In their family were five children : Thomas Hialmer, of Springfield, who married Augusta McGrath and has two children: Margaret A,. the wife of Lloyd Fryant, of Springfield. by whom she has one child; Mrs, Shaw : Alice and John B., both of whom are living in Springfield, The mother also survives. and lives in that city. Cyrus Shaw and his wife became the patents of seven children : George W., born February 20, 1880 Charles D,, born January 1882; Leslie P,, barn October 23, 1884; Margaretta, born December 30, 1887; Ralph I., born April 7, 1890 : Harvey, born January 25, 1892; and Henry Foster, born March 28, 1894. Before entering the army Cyrus Shaw had purchased land in Clark county, and he now owns one hundred acres, on which he has made excellent improvements. He also farmed another tract of land, and his agricultural pursuits are bringing to him a creditable and satisfactory income. He, too, votes with the Democracy, and is a member of the Presbyterian church at Clifton. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Yellow Springs, and he maintains his comradeship with the boys in blue through membership in James Elder Post. G. A. R. Horace Shaw, who follows farming and stock-raising and is also a dairyman of Green township, Clark county, was born in Miami township, Greene county, April 18, 1851. and is the ninth in a family of eleven children whose parents were Robert and Polly (Wilson) Shaw. Under the parental roof in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period he spent his boyhood days, and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He remained at home until about thirty years of age, and was married in Green township, Clark county, on the l0th of June, 1880, Miss Angie B. Hamma becoming his wife. Their union has been blessed with seven children : Frank, Maude, Dessie, Fanny, Lucy, Carl and Lydia. For some years Horace Shaw lived in Greene county and in 1884. came to his present place of residence in Clark county, having the previous year purchased - eighty-three acres of land. He has erected a good house and has other modern equipments and accessories upon his place. In the cultivation of the soil he is meeting with good success, He is a Democrat in his political affiliations. Although the Republicans in his 404 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. district outnumber the Democrats three to one he was elected land appraiser in 1900, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by those who know him best. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Clifton, in which he has filled all of the chairs, while in 1902 he was elected deputy grand chancellor. John Shaw, another member of the well-known and honored family of this portion of Ohio. opened his eyes to the light of day on the old family homestead in Greene county September 1. 1853. He and his brother Horace started out in life for themselves at the same time, and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey John A, Shaw chose Miss Elizabeth Hamma, the sister of his brother's wife, this wedding being celebrated on Christmas day of 1877, In 1883 he purchased the farm adjoining that which belongs to his brother Horace. becoming the owner of one hundred and twenty-two acres of land here, All the improvements found upon it have been made by Mr, Shaw, who is a wide-awake and progressive farmer, carrying on the work in harmony with advanced ideas concerning agriculture, He and his wife have five children : Ethel May, Clara H.. Jessie, Irvin C, and Orvil, The eldest, Ethel Max', is now the wife of William T. Waddle and resides in Green township. Mr. and Mrs, John Shaw hold membership in the Lutheran church. He began his life in Clark county, following farming on his father's land, and since that time he has lived in this county, where he is a worthy and respected agriculturist. The Shaw family is a prominent and honored one in this portion of Ohio. Its members have ever been true to the duties of citizenship, have been found reliable and trustworthy in business and loyal to the duties of private life. They are business-like and energetic farmers, and all who know them—and their friends are many—entertain for them high regard, GEORGE F. HEMPLEMAN, George F. Hempleman, for many years a farmer and stock-raiser in Madison township, Clark county, near South Charleston. was born August 13, 1827, just across the road from his present home, He was a son of George and Sarah (Fletcher) Hempleman, His paternal grandfather, George Hempleman, Sr., was born in Germans in 1732 and was twenty years of age when he came to America, locating near Philadelphia. He was a weaver by trade. but at the time of the Revolutionary war he put aside business cares and joined the Colonial army, being present during the memorable winter at Valley Forge, when Washington and his troops suffered such hardships. He lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and ten years. five months and twenty-nine days, his death 0ccurring in 1842. He was laid to rest in the old cemetery at South Charleston, After he was one hundred years of age he applied for a pension. but as he was then old and feeble and his mind was not as active as it had formerly been ,he could not furnish the data necessary, so he never received the aid from the government which he deserved. He had three children : Adam. who died in West Union, Adams county. Ohio; George, the father of our subject ; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Weaver. After living for a time THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 405 in Georgia they came to Ohio, and removed from Clark county, this state, to Madison county, where. Mrs.. Weaver died. After the family came to this state the grandfather made his home with his son George. The latter was born within three miles of Philadelphia, and while yet a boy accompanied his parents on their removal to the west shore of Maryland. They afterward went to Virginia, and from the Old Dominion came to Ohio about 1808. The father of our subject was married while in Virginia, the lady of his choice being Sarah Fletcher, who was born near Winchester, that state. After coming to Ohio he purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land and later added a tract of one hundred and sixty acres to his farm property. He lived to be about seventy-five years of age, passing away in 1853, He was twice married, and our subject was of the second family. By the first marriage there were ten children, and by the second there were but two—George Fletcher and his twin sister, who became the wife of Evan Evans and made her home in St. Louis, where she died. Of the first marriage there is only one survivor, Daniel, who is now living near Clinton in DeWitt county, Illinois. George Fletcher Hempleman, whose name introduces this record, was reared to manhood upon the home farm and acquired a good common school education. At the age of twenty years he began to operate his father's land on shares, and when twenty-two years of age he went to Perry county, Illinois. where he purchased a small. tract of land. He and his brother Henry bought cattle, our subject herding them during his one year's stay in the west, After his return to Ohio he was married. on the l9th of December, 1850, to Miss Margaret Hill, a native of Clark county and a daughter of Robert C. and Margaret (Harvey) Hill. She grew to womanhood in this county and received a common-school education. For a year after their marriage Mr. Hempleman rented land, and then removed to the place where he spent the remainder of his life. It was then owned by his father, and fifty acres of the land had been partially cleared, but the remainder was a brush pasture. Our subject made all of the improvements upon the farm, including the erection of the fine brick house, which was built in 1870. He placed many rods of tiling on his land, and it is now a very rich and productive farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children : Marguerite, the wife of Levi Jones, of Madison township, by whom she has two children, Mabel E. and George Fletcher ; Sarah E., who became the wife of John L. Hess, and they died leaving three children, George H., who married Mabel McDonald ; Clifford M., who wedded Fannie Mills and Margie E. : Adella D., who is the wife of William C. Butcher and resides near Yellow Springs, in Clark county, and they have one child—Clara K.; Anna L., who is the wife of John L. Stroup and resides at Yellow Springs, Greene county, with their three children—Elwood D,, Fannie M. and Effie C. ; Effa, the youngest member of the Hempleman family, is at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Hempleman was a Democrat until the time of the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He cast his vote for Fremont in 1856 and later he supported Cooper. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs, and in which he served as an elder, and he did everything in his power 406 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. to promote church work and advance the cause of Christianity, In 1850 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified in his life its beneficent teachings. After a useful and well spent life he died suddenly of heart trouble June 14, 1902, JOHN LEFFEL, Hardly had the work of improvement and progress been begun in Clark county when the Leffel family was established within its borders, John Leffel was then but a boy but he was destined to bear a part in the work of early development and to continue as a valued citizen of this community through many years, He was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and at all times his co-operation could be depended upon to aid in promoting measures for the general prosperity and upbuilding of his locality, No history of Clark county would be complete that did not mention the Leffel family. The subject of this review was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, on the 18th of February, 1808, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Kritz) Leffel. The father was also a native of Virginia, whence he came to Ohio, settling in Bethel township, Clark county, in 1820, On his removal to this state he was accompanied by several of his brothers, Throughout life he followed the ocupation of farming and became one of the influential men of this community, being highly respected not only for his genuine worth but for his business sagacity and openhanded methods of doing business, His word was ever considered as good as his bond and when he died at the advanced age of eighty years Clark county mourned one of its honored pioneers and worthy citizens, In the family of Jacob Leffel were the following children : John, the subject of this sketch ; William, who married Julia Trifle; Samuel, who married Catherine Gordon; James, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume; Peter, who married Jane Brandinburg; George, who married Caroline Kiefer ; Henry, who never married ; Mrs. Mary Botkin ; Mrs. Margaret Croft ; Mrs. Elizabeth Brandinburg; Mrs. Martha Rowland : Mrs, Lucinda Verdeer; Mrs. Catherine Olinger ; and Mrs, Sarah Shull. John Leffel, whose name introduces this record, was only twelve years of age when he became a resident of Clark county, removing thither with his parents, the family being established in a new home near Carlisle in Bethel township. To a limited extent our subject had attended school in Virginia and he also studied in the schools of this county, but his educational privileges were meager and although he became a well informed man in later years, his knowledge was acquired through practical experience, reading and observation, He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, although on attaining his majority he began earning his own livelihood. He started out for himself with an ax and a cash capital of two and one-half dollars, but he possessed strong determination to succeed, combined with marked industry, and these are a sure foundation upon which to build prosperity. He engaged in chopping away the timber on many an acre in this county and thus was a material benefit in clearing and improving the land, When twenty-eight years of age Mr. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 409 Leffel was united in marriage to Mrs. Susanna Lowry Croft, widow of George Croft and a daughter of David Lowry. who was one of the honored pioneer residents of Bethel township. Her mother died when she was very young. Mrs, Leffel was a native of this locality and her entire life was spent within a radius of three-quarters of a mile from the place of her birth. After their marriage the young couple located on a farm just south of Donaldsville, on which they resided a few years and then purchased an adjoining farm, where they remained until called to the home beyond. Mr. Leffel was a very hard working man and he was found in the fields early in the morning and there continued his labors until night overtook him. It was his unremitting diligence that brought him success, making him one of the substantial residents of his community. He was always a man of unquestioned integrity in business affairs and in private life, and he enjoyed the high esteem of all with whom he came in contact. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property from year to year until he became the owner of five hundred and twenty-five acres of well improved land which he owned at the time of his death in addition to valuable city property. Unto Mr. and Mrs, Leffel were born four children, William Blair, the eldest. died at home. Jacob Wright passed away and was buried in Ferncliff cemetery of Springfield, Nancy Rebecca became the wife of James E. King and unto them have been born three children who are yet living, while two passed away and were laid to rest in the family lot in Ferncliff cemetery. Those who still survive are: Ida May, the wife of Michael O'Harra, a resident of Columbus, by whom she has three children —Maude, Edward and Earle; William Grant, who married Alma Beck and is living in Dayton, Ohio; and Daisy A., the wife of Frank J. Wragge. Paulina C., the youngest member of the Leffel family, died at the age of sixteen years and was buried in the New Carlisle cemetery. Mr. Leffel was a man of very liberal and generous impulses. The poor and needy found in him a friend. He was always considerate of the feelings of others and when his substantial assistance was needed he did not hesitate to give it. He was a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife belonged to the Christian church. Both were: true to their religious convictions and the principles of Christianity found exemplification in their good deeds, noble purposes and kindly impulses. Mr. Leffel passed away on the 19th of March, 1888, and his wife departed this life April 6, 1893, at the age of eighty-seven years. Thus ended with. Clark county the connection of two of its. most worthy pioneer citizens. Through. many decades Mr. Leffel had been a witness. of the growth and transformation of this county and had ever rendered practical as sistance to the work of improvement. His, life is in many respects well worthy of emulation and should serve as a source of inspiration to others who have to begin a. business career as he did, without capital, He realized the value of industry and honesty as factors in the world, and upon those qualities he builded his success. His efforts, too, were conducted in a manner that gained for him the unqualified confidence, respect and good-will of those with whom he was associated and his is an honored name which is revered by all who knew him. - 21 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. JOSHUA T. RIDGELY. The pulsing industrial activities and extensive commercial interests of Springfield which have led to the rapid growth and material progress of the city, find a worthy representative in Joshua T, Ridgely, the president of the Ridgely Decorative Company. He established the business in 1894 and has since conducted it in such a manner that substantial profits have accrued, while at the same time the enterprise has fully met the demands of the public in the line of paper hanging, painting and decorating. From Maryland comes Mr, Ridgely, who was born in Middletown, that state, January 3, 1831, his parents being Joshua and Margaret (Holier) Ridgely, who were also natives of the same state, the latter being a daughter of Samuel Holter, who was likewise born in Maryland. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812. In the year 1853 Joshua T. Ridgely left his native state and came to Springfield, where he has since resided, covering a period of half a century, during which tithe he has been actively connected with the line of business which yet claims his attention. In the spring of 1849 he began learning the trade of a house painter, paper hanger and decorator, and after mastering the business he worked as a journeyman for a time, after which he began business on his own account. Later he took and executed contracts, employing men to carry on the business as the demand came. Gradually his patronage has increased, and during the busy season of the year Mr. Ridgely employs from twenty-six to thirty men, being one of the largest con-tractors in this line in central Ohio He carries a large and full stock of paints, wall-paper and other supplies of a like character, and his sons. who are practical business men, are associated with him. Some of the finest decorative work in Springfield has been executed by the representatives of this house, and in the conduct of his business Mr. Ridgely has ever kept in touch with the advancement which is continually being made. This artistic work is being carried on by the Ridgely Decorative Company, which holds high rank as a representative of this department of industrial activity. On the 3d of January, 1854, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ridgely and Miss Elizabeth Geisinger, of Maryland, a daughter of Samuel L. Geisinger. who was a leading merchant tailor of that state. She is also a niece of Commodore David Geisinger, who when a midshipman with Commodore Blakeley on the Wasp, in 1814, was sent home in command of the Atlanta, an English vessel, which the latter had captured and found to be a great prize. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ridgely were born four children. three sons and one daughter : Clara Blanche, the wife of William H. Holmes, of Springfield ; Charles Tilghman, who is a member of the firm and secretary and treasurer of the Ridgely Decorative Company ; Hiram Geisinger, who has charge of the paper department of the business: and Francis B., who is foreman of the company's paper hangers. Mr. Ridgely exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and his first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce and his last for William Jennings Bryan. Upon the Democratic ticket he was elected a member of the school board of Springfield, serving in that ca-pacity for sixteen consecutive years. He is an active and valued member of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal church and long served as one of its trustees, was steward of the THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 411 church for a number of years, and for thirty-four years has been secretary of the Sunday school. He entered upon his business career in an humble capacity, but like many other brainy, energetic young men who haye come to the city in the day of small things and have since left their impress upon the important development of Springfield, he did not wait for a specially brilliant opening—indeed he could not wait, and his natural industry would not have permitted him to do so. even if his financial circumstances had been such as to make it possible. He early showed conspicuously the traits of character that have made his life successful. He performed all his duties conscientiously and industriously. Like most other business men, he may not have found all his days equally bright. but his rich inheritance of energy and pluck have enabled him to turn defeat into victory and promised failure into success. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment, have been so universally recognized that he has enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree. and this has naturally brought to him a lucrative patronage, JAMES BOYD THOMSON. James Boyd Thomson is now living a retired life at No, 284 West High street. having accumulated a handsome competence which has enabled him to put asde the arduous cares of a business career. He was born in Pleasant Ridge, Mad River township. September 14, 1841, and is a son of Robert Thomson. whose birth occurred in county Antrim. Ireland. in 1814. The paternal grandfather. James Thomson. was a native of Ireland, and spent his last days on the Emerald Isle. He followed the occupation of farming. In the family were three sons, of whom James died in Iowa, Robert in Ohio, and William in Ireland. The grandfather of our subject lived to the advanced age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away when Robert Thomson was only two years of age. The little lad then went to make his home with his grandparents and was reared under their roof, pursuing a common school education in his native country, He served an apprenticeship to the mercantile business with an uncle, and on the 27th of June, 1837, he landed at Castle Garden, New York, with but little money, yet possessed of a resolute determination to make the most of his opportunities and thus advanced in life. He opened a night writing school in Philadelphia, being a good penman. He afterward, went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and secured a clerical position, which he later resigned in order to remove to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became wharf clerk. In 1840 he was married in Dayton and there secured a situation as a clerk in a store which was conducted by Samuel McPherson, In the same year Robert Thomson came to Clark county. His wife who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Patton, was born in Warren county, this state, in 1815, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. She inherited considerable property from her people, being one of the heirs of a bachelor uncle, James Ferguson, who died in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was a great hunter. He visited Clark county in company with Henry Bechtle. and had located land here, having purchased eight hundred acres. Through his judicious investments and well directed business affairs he accumulated much wealth. 412 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Robert Thomson and his bride came to Clark county and settled upon some of this land which had been entered by her uncle, They remained upon the farm there twelve years, and in 1852 came to Springfield, Mr, Thomson did not achieve very great success as a farmer for be had been reared in mercantile lines. He therefore opened up a grocery business in Union Hall, in connection with Samuel McPherson, which partnership continued about two years. He then opened a store of his own on the east side of Fountain avenue, between High and Main. This he carried on for three years, after which he began the manufacture of candles, a business which claimed his time and energies for twenty years and proved a profitable source of income, During this time Mr, Thomson also became connected with business enterprises which were successfully conducted, and thus he won a very gratifying and handsome competence. His was a sturdy manhood and an active, industrious nature, and in matters of citizenship he was found to be progressive and public-spirited, He accumulated considerable property, but before his death he disposed of most of this. Although his school privileges were limited he read widely, keeping well informed on the questions of the day. His death occurred at the family home at the corner of Thomson avenue and High street in 1886. His wife had previously passed away on the 21st of August, 1873, and Mr. Thomson had been again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Faber, who was born in Pennsylvania and is now living in Springfield, In politics Mr, Thomson was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, when he became a stanch Republican. By his first marriage there were two children, James B. and Annie, the lat ter the wife of William C. Smith, who resides on \Vest Main street in Springfield. Her first husband was Hudson B. Clark, who was a descendant of the founder of this county. By her first marriage she had one son, Robert Clark. There were no children by the second union of Mr. Thomson. James Boyd Thomson spent his childhood days in Springfield, and after pursuing his preliminary education in a select school he entered Wittenberg College, At the age of nineteen he began his business career as a salesman in the dry goods store of Isaac McCreight, and on leaving that employer he entered the United States army for one hundred days' service under Captain Asa Bushnell. On the expiration of that period Mr. Thomson returned home and entered the candle manufacturing business of his father, continuing the same until the business was closed out, a period of twelve years, He acted as its manager, thus relieving his father of the care and responsibility in his old age. Their factory was equipped with modern machinery for making candles, and the enterprise was successfully conducted, Mr. Thomson is a man of resourceful business ability, and he extended his affairs into other lines of activity, He carried forward to a successful completion whatever he undertook, and his counsel and judgment have proved valuable in the conduct of many leading enterprises here. In 1879 the candle factory was closed and Mr. Thomson joined Montgomery Patton in the establishment of a grocery store, which they carried on until 1884, when they closed out the enterprise. Mr, Patton was one of the heirs of Mr. Ferguson, from whom Mr, Thomson's grandmother had received her legacy, Since retiring from merchandising our subject has. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 413 been engaged in handling real estate, but is largely living retired, save for the personal supervision which he gives to his invested interests, In 1875 in Springfield occurred the marriage of Mr. Thomson and Miss Julia McPherson, a native of Baltimore. Maryland, and a niece of Samuel McPherson, who was the first employer of the father of our subject. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (McKinnell) McPherson, both natives of Scotland. They had but two children—Mrs, Thomson and Mrs, Virginia Heckler, both of this city. In politics Mr. Thomson is a Republican and has been registrar in his precinct since 1892. He has never been an aspirant for office, although he has been tendered official preferment many times. In 1900 and 1901 he served as a member of the board of revision and equalization, faithfully discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has been appointed executor of many estates and has thus gained an insight to legal matters. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, He is interested in matters of general good and his cooperation is never withheld from any movement for the substantial improvement of his community. His memory carries him back over a long period in the development of Ohio. He was a boy in Enon when in 1848 the Sandusky Railroad was being built. The old men of that day greatly opposed the railroad, but the work of progress cannot be impeded by a few individuals. and the building was continued. Mr. Thomson has also witnessed many changes in Springfield. as it has grown and developed into one of the most enterprising manufacturing cities of the central west. Through his long connection with business affairs here he has ever borne an unassailable reputation for honesty in dealing and for fidelity to duty and well does he merit the rest which is now vouchsafed him, as he lives in his pleasant home surrounded by all of the comforts which go to make life worth the living, JOSEPH A. BECKER. Joseph A. Becker, who resides on the National pike, three miles from. Springfield, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Becker, also natives of Dauphin county, Removing westward, they took up their abode in Clark county, two and one-half miles north of Springfield, in the year 1849, driving from their old home in the Keystone state with a wagon and team of horses, After arriving at their first place of residence the father purchased a farm in German township, near Eagle City, Clark county, Ohio, and upon that place Joseph A. Becker spent his boyhood days, He was one of a family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living: Solomon, a resident of Kansas; John, who makes his home in Tremont City, Clark county; Louise, deceased; Susie, the wife of John Beard, of Winfield. Kansas; Lydia, of Tremont City, Ohio: Amos, a twin brother of Lydia, and a resident of Kansas: Joseph A.: William, who is living in Kansas; and Emma, the wife of Lewis Miller, of Tremont. Joseph A. Becker was only a little lad when brought by his parents to Clark county and was only eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained on the home farm, however, until after he had 414 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD attained his majority, and acquired his education in the Mount Zion school of Eagle City. In 1871 he began learning the butcher's trade under the direction of Aaron Reader, for whom he worked for four years, On the expiration of that period, with the capital he had acquired through his own labor, he embarked in the butchering business on his own account. renting a place in String Town for about a year, He next removed to Sugar Grove Hill, on his own property, and built a home, in which he resided for nine years. He afterwards purchased five acres on the National pike, near Rockaway, three and one-half miles west of Springfield, and erected thereon a fine brick house, which is one of the most attractive country seats of Clark county. Until elected assesor in April, 1902, he carried on the butchering business at that place, disposing of his products at the city meat market, and his success was largely attributable to the fact that he applied himself closely to the work in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He was one of the oldest market men doing business in Springfield, havinig helped build the old market, in which he owned a stall until it was torn down to be replaced by the new market. When the latter was completed he was one of the first to rent a stall, and continued business there until he entered upon the duties of his present office, when he turned the slaughtering and market business over to his sons, who now have charge of the same under the name of Becker Brothers, On May 10, 1876. occurred the marriage of Mr. Becker and Miss Barbara Lohnes, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Bungert) Lohnes, both of whom came to this ountry from Germany. They were married in Springfield and reared a family of five children John, who married Tilda Krapp and is living in this city ; Mrs. Becker ; Elizabeth, who married C, S, Courson and resides in Springfield : Catherine, the wife of John Clark, of the same city ; and William, who married Anna Holly and is living in Springfield, They also lost one child—Cora, who died in infancy, The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Becker was blessed with five children, four of whom are vet living : Bertha, Irvin, Joseph and Catherine. Laura died at the age of four and one-half years, Mr. Becker is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is a Republican, Although elected assessor of Springfield township, he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success. OSCAR N. STEWART Oscar N. Stewart belongs to one of the leading and prominent families of Clark county and is now successfully following farming and stock-raising in Harmony township, near the town of Plattsburg, He was born in Green township, Clark county, Ohio, February 5, 1833, and is a son of John T. and Ann (Elder) Stewart, who were natives of Dauphin county. Pennsylvania, 'whence they came to Ohio, The father made the trip with his brother Samuel in 1806, and the mother came with her parents in 1813. They were married in Green township in 1815 and began their domestic life upon the farm, Samuel Stewart, the grandfather of our subject, had died in Pennsylyania and his wife also passed away THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 415 there, but Robert Elder, the maternal grandfather, took up his abode in Green township, Clark county, Ohio, in 1813. John T. Stewart was born in 1781 and after coming to this state he and his brother purchased five hundred acres of land, which was divided between them: It was all in the wildwoods and was destitute of any improvements placed there by the white man. He first erected a log house and in 1823 he erected a brick residence, which is still standing and is used to-day. In the family were ten children. Our subject was the seventh son and eighth child. Nine of the children grew to years of maturity and six are still living. Perry was a soldier of the Civil war and captain of Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, and is now living in Springfield; has served two terms as county commissioner and for one term represented his district in the state legislature, Elder R. is also living in Springfield. Samuel died in Hardin county, Ohio, in 1888, Charles died in• Springfield October 26, 1902. James M, served for two terms as probate judge of Greene county, Ohio, and is living in Xenia. where he is a prominent attorney. Thomas E., who was first lieutenant in a company in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, is now living in Green township, Oscar N, is the next of the family. William C, is living in Springfield. Harriet died in infancy, Julia, who was born in December, 1815, being the eldest of the family, became the wife of David Anderson and lived in Green township until her death. The father was at time a supporter of the Whig party and left its ranks to become a member of the Liberty party. He was a very strong temperance man and was opposed to oppression in any form, Upon the organization of Green township he became its first clerk and served in that capacity for several terms. When the Presbyterian church of Clifton was organized he also became its first clerk and filled the position for several years. He was likewise justice of the peace for twenty-three years and though he tried many cases only one of his decisions was ever reversed. He was likewise associate judge for one term and thus figured prominently in public affairs, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the judicial history and upon the general progress of his community. He died April 16, 1850. Oscar N. Stewart spent his boyhood days upon the home farm in Green township and during that period acquired a good common school education. When about twenty-two years of age he started out in life on his own account. His father had become an extensive land owner and he inherited from his estate a tract of one hundred and forty acres. To the development and cultivation of this he devoted his energies until the 23rd of April, 1861. Almost immediately following the outbreak of the Civil war, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, Mr, Stewart offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company E, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, under command of Captain . Philip Kershner. He was with that regiment for about four months and was with the division that was at Phillippi and Carricks Ford. On the expiration of his term of service he returned home. On the 28th of January, 1862, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Rachel Nichelson, of Harmony township, Clark county, where she was born, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Hammond) Nichelson, They lived upon his farm in Green township until 416 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1884, and he and his wife owning altogether more than eight hundred acres of land. in the year mentioned they removed to his present home in 'Plattsburg, where Mr. Stewart erected a fine residence, and has since practically lived retired although he has valuable and extensive farming interest. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with three children who grew to maturity. Herbert P., the eldest, married Miss Armina Tuttle and resides in Green township. They have four sons, Ira, Roy, Walter and Arthur. Ralph, who is secretary of the Mutual Aid Society and resides in Springfield, married Miss Grace Carlton and they have one son, Oscar Carlton, Frank E. who completes the family, is at home. Mr. Stewart votes with the Republican party, having endorsed its principles since the time when John C, Fremont was its first candidate in 1856. He belongs to the Christian church at Plattsburg and is one of its deacons. He is also a member of Wilson Post, No. 602, G. A. R., at Vienna Crossroads. He has filled all of the chairs in the local post and has attended the national reunions held at Philadelphia and Columbus. He also visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 and the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. CAPTAIN HARRY M, RANKIN, Harry M, Rankin, who is captain of the Central Fire Company of Springfield, was born in West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, October 4, 1859, and is a son of Warren H. Rankin, Sr,, being the second child and oldest son born of his father's second marriage. In the public schools of Clark county he obtained his education and at the age of eleven years he began work on a farm attending school during the winter months, He was in the employ of Thomas McBeth, a farmer, and when Mr, McBeth removed to Springfield the subject of this review remained in his employ, He learned the florist business with that gentleman and after having thoroughly mastered it in principle and detail he began business for himself in 1880, renting the Clayson greenhouse, There he engaged in the raising of flowers and vegetables and as success attended his efforts he was afterward enabled to purchase land and erected a home and greenhouses of his own, meeting with prosperity in the conduct of his business through a number of years. He spent a few months in the south, but did not relinquish his business during his absence from the city. While in the south he worked for the South Florida Railroad Company for eight months and then returned to Springfield, where he continued in business as a florist for a year, conducting a general retail trade, In 1886 he was employed as a clerk in a large general store in Springfield. The same year he became a member of the fire department and later received a regular appointment, By close attention to his duty he has steadily worked his way upward until he now occupies the responsible position of captain of the Central Fire Company. He was first stationed in the Central engine house, where he remained until 1889, when he was transferred to No. 4. Soon afterward he was made captain there and subsequently he was returned to the Central station with the rank of captain, As is usual with the firemen he has had varied experiences and has many times narrowly escaped THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 419 with his life. As great courage, fearlessness and sound judgment are required from those who aid in protecting the community from the fire element as is demanded of those who fight for liberty or principle upon the field of battle. Captain Rankin also has had varied experiences in handling apparatus and men and has kept abreast with improvements that have been made in the methods of fighting fires through the means of superior mechanical appliances, His attention is given in an undivided manner to his duties and he enjoys the highest respect and regard of the men who serve under him. On the 16th of August, 1880, occurred the marriage of Captain Rankin and Miss Anna E. Ritter, who was 'born in Springfield August 31, 1860, and is a daughter of San:- uel and Catherine Ritter. both of whom are residents of this city and are now in advanced years, Mrs. Rankin was educated in the public schools here and by her marriage became the mother of twelye children, but four of this number are now deceased. Frederick, born in 1881, died at the age of eighteen years, four months and fourteen days ; Earl E., born February I I, 1883, is now a resident of Muncie. Indiana ; Elmer, born in 1884, died in infancy ; Walter Y,, born November 12, 1885. is serving in the United States navy, being stationed at Newport, Rhode Island ; Clifford, born in 1887, died at the age of two months; Herbert, born October 22, 1888, is in the employ of his uncle in the restaurant business: Ralph, born May 1, 1890, is at home; Wilbur. born in 1892, died at the age of five months and twenty-one days; and Arthur. born September 20, 1893, Hazel M,, born September 13. 1895, Harry, Jr., born August 8. 1898, and Esther. born April 19, 1901, are still with their parents, Captain Rankin purchased lot No. 584 Lagonda avenue and erected thereon his present home. In his political affiliations he has ever been a Republican but has never sought or desired office. He belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M., and Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., and he also holds membership in Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F., and the Firemen's Relief Association, in which he has filled all the offices. His wife is a member of the First Congregational church. He obtained a practical education in the school of experience and realizing that fidelity to duty is one of the strong elements of success he has through this means and through ability steadily worked his way upward. LUKE L, YOUNG. Almost twenty years have passed since Luke L, Young became a resident of Springfield, He is now an engineer on the Ohio Southern Railroad, and is one of the most capable representatives of the company. He was born in Woodburn, Macoupin county, Illinois, August 15, 1860, and is a son of the Rev, John C. Young, a minister of the Christian church, who was born in North Carolina in 1807 and went to Illinois when eleven years of age in company with his father, John Young, who was one of the pioneers of that state, locating there in the year in which Illinois was admitted to the Union, There the father of our subject was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of pioneer life and became connected with the farming interests, which he followed successfully for many years. accumulating considerable property. He also devoted 420 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. much of his time and energies to the work of proclaiming the gospel, as a minister of the Christian church, and his influence was of no restricted order, He left the impress of his individuality for good upon many lives with whom he came in contact. As a companion and helpmeet for life's journey he chose Sarah F, Hall, who was born in Tennessee June 14, 1826, and is now residing in Mattoon, Illinois, He had been previously married, and by the first union there were three children, Unto the parents of our subject were born four sons and a daughter : Edwin, who is the superintendent of the Young Advertising Agency in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ; S. P., who is a traveling salesman for the firm of Fairbanks & Morse, and lives in Mattoon Illinois; Arthur C., who is engaged in the drug business in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Luke L. of this review ; and Mrs, Sarah Madison, whose husband is general car foreman for the St, Louis & Peoria Railroad Company, and resides in Springfield, Illinois. The children were all educated in the public schools and in the colleges in Eureka and Carrollton, Illinois. The father, after a long, useful and honorable life covering seventy-five years, passed away in Toledo, Illinois, in August, 1882. To the public school system of his native state Luke L. Young is indebted for the early educational privileges he received. At the age of twelve years he began working in a printing office in Litchfield, Illinois, and after learning the trade he followed it for six years„ Subsequently he spent two years in a machine shop, being employed as a brass founder in the railroad shops, In April, 1883, he came to Springfield and secured a situation in the shops of the Ohio Southern Railroad. He there remained for a few months, but in the same year he went upon the road as a fireman, and in February, 1886, was promoted to the position of engineer in recognition of his capability and faithfulness. He has been in the passenger service since 1899 running between Springfield and Jackson, and at different times has worked on various divisions of the road. He has seen many changes in the road and the management, has witnessed many improvements, and is now the third oldest man in the service of the company. He has been fortunate in that he has never had to serve any time because of accidents to property, He is very careful in his work, and his systematic labors and his care and precision have gained for him the confidence of the corporation which he serves. Mr, Young organized the division No, 360 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and was made its master. He afterward left that organization and joined the division No, 208 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of which he became corresponding and financial secretary, serving in this office for eleven years. He was a delegate to the St, Louis convention in 1898 and to the convention in Milwaukee in 1900, He is at present chairman of the board of adjustments of the Northern and Southern Divisions of Engineers, and has been brought in touch with the leading men of the country in this way. In Illinois, in 1880, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Minnie D, Strickland, whose birth occurred in Charleston, Illinois, June 21, 1860. Her father, Henry Strickland, is one of the oldest engineers on the St. Louis division of the Big Four Railroad, and although sixty-five years of age is still in active duty. In his family are three daughters and a son : Mrs, Min- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD- 421 nie Young: Mrs, Samuel Wheat, of Waco, Texas; Olive; and Charles, who is an engineer and lives at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born five children, of whom two died in early childhood—Ethel and Charles. The others are : Frank, who was born July 4, 1886; Florence, born May 30, 1889 ; and Ruth, born October 5, 1891. Socially Mr, Young is connected with Clark Lodge. No, 101, F. & A, M.; Springfield Chapter, No, 48, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, R, & S. M.; and Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T, He also belongs to Moncrieffe Lodge, No. 33, K. P,, and his wife is a member of the Clifton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. In politics he is a Jacksonian Democrat, but has never been an active worker in party ranks. In his life he exemplifies the spirit and teachings of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a worthy representative. He has a railroad career above criticism, and is deserving of high commendation because of his ability and fidelity. CHARLES EDWARD BOST. Charles Edward Bost, who is occupying the position of foreman blacksmith for the Superior Drill Company, having served in this capacity since March. 1886, was born in Frederick City, Maryland, January 18, 1851, and is a son of Isaac Bost, whose birth occurred in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1817, while his death occurred in 1895. The paternal grandfather, Henry Best. was a farmer and slave-holder. Under the parental roof Isaac. Bost was reared, acquiring a common-school education and throughout his active career he was engaged wood-working. He wedded Mary Frazier, who was born in Maryland in 1820 and died in that state in 1900. Her father, Jeremiah Frazier, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and our subject now has in his possession a musket which was carried by the grandfather in that second struggle with England. Jeremiah Frazier was a cabinet-maker by trade and thus supported his family. The Bost family is of English lineage. The father of our subject was a Democrat in his political views, and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Unto them were born nine children, of whom two daughters died in early childhood. The others are as follows : Cornelia is the wife of Valentine Hartman, a resident of Carroll county, Maryland. George served in the Civil war, becoming a member of the First Maryland Regiment of Infantry, with which he served as a private until he was wounded in both legs. He went to the west in 1875. Simeon L. W., a resident of Braddock, Frederick county, Maryland, is a blacksmith by trade and is now serving as a member of the state legislature. Charles Edward is the next of the family. Zachariah F., is a blacksmith of Springfield, now in the employ of the Springfield Architectural Iron Works Company. Gideon is a butcher by trade and is living in Michigan, William D. is a fireman residing in Springfield, The children were all educated in the common schools and in an academy in Frederick county. Maryland, and all of the sons have become connected with mechanical pursuits. Charles Edward Bost was educated as were the other members of the family until sixteen years of age, when he put aside his text books and was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade in Lovettsville, Vir- 422 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ginia. He served for a term of two years there and afterward spent two years at another place as an apprentice in the same neighborhood, He was afterward connected with the Antietam Iron Works for a time and subsequently followed blacksmithing in Knoxville, Maryland. In the spring of 1875 he arrived in Springfield and found employment as a journeyman tool dresser in the New Champion Works. In the summer of 1885 he entered the service of the P. P. Mast Company in the same capacity, and in 1886 he was offered a position of foreman of the blacksmith department of the Superior Drill Company, which position be accepted, having since served in that -capacity. He now has twenty-three men under his immediate supervision and is well qualified to direct their labors owing to his practical understanding of the business. He has devoted his entire attention to the work of the department and hundreds of tons of iron annually pass through the shops, being molded under his supervision, Mr. Bost was married in Virginia in 1870 to Jane E. Butts, who was born in Virginia in 1852, a daughter of Oliver G. Butts, who was a blacksmith by trade and -died in the Old Dominion in 1901. In his (family were three sons and four daughters, including Mrs, Mary Canard, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Etta Nuse, of Springfield; and Mrs, Bost. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children, two daughters and a son, who have lived to years of maturity, and one daughter died in infancy at Antietam, Maryland, Orrie, born in Virginia, in 1871, is the wife of Rev. F. E, Learner, a Lutheran minister, who was educated at Wittenberg College. She, too, was a student in Wittenberg, making a specialty of vocal and instrumental music, and for ten years, from the time of the organization of the Second Lutheran church, she served as its organist, Franklin G. born in 1875, is now in the blacksmith department of the Superior Drill Company, Oliver C,, an adopted sun, was born in Sandy Hook, Maryland, in 1881, and is a son of a sister of Mrs, Bost. He was educated in the public schools, afterward made a tour of the south, the west and of Canada, and is now a bolt-maker in the employ of the Superior Drill Company, In 1875 Mr. Bost removed to his present location and after renting for a time he purchased a house and remodeled it, making it a very comfortable home, He came to Springfield a poor man, but by saving his earnings and judiciously investing his capital in real estate he has accumulated a comfortable competence, He and his wife have worked harmoniously side by side and are now living to enjoy the fruits of their labor. He owes his advancement entirely to his well directed efforts, his capability and his well-known honesty. Both Mr, and Mrs. Bost are members of the Second Lutheran church. They were among a company of forty-five who left the First Lutheran church and organized the Second Lutheran church in 1885, becoming charter members. For ten years he served as a deacon and in 1900 was elected an elder. He has served on the official board since the organization of the church, and 'for ten years was treasurer of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat and while he has never been an aspirant for public office he has frequently served as a delegate to the city and county conventions. In the spring of 1902 he was appointed by Mayor Milligan as a member of the board of police and fire commissioners, He has taken THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 423 a decided stand against Sunday desecration and labors earnestly to uphold the dignity of the police and fire departments. Socially he identified with Anthony Lodge, F, & A. M., having been made a Mason in 1893, He is also a member of the National Fraternal Union, in which he is an officeholder. A man of domestic habits, fond of his own home, he is also public-spirited and progressive and is one of the highly respected residents of his adopted city. SAMUEL R. HOCKMAN. Samuel Rhodes Hackman since 1876 has owned and operated the Eagle City Mills in German township, on the banks of Mad river, and is a well known and worthy representative of the industrial interests of this portion of the county. He was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, near Woodstock, September 26, 1821, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Rhodes) Hockman. His grandfather, George Hackman, was also a native of Shenandoah county, born April 26, 1777, and his death occurred April 21, 1847. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout his business career, He passed away December 11, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, eight months and eleven days, while his wife who was born November 17, 1798, died in Virginia, April 7, 1878. Mr. Hockman of this review remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, at which time he secured employment in a mill at Tomsbrook, in his native county, entering the services of William Wright, with whom he remained for a year, receiving five dollars per month in compensation for his labor. He was then able to. do a journeyman's work, and manifested such efficiency that not long afterward he obtained a position as foreman of a mill.. He also operated rented mills in different places. On the 29th of January, 1852, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hackman and Miss Eliza. Gochenour, who was born in that county February 14, 1829, the youngest daughter of Christian Gochenour and his wife, who were likewise natives of Virginia. As Mr. Hockman was a miller he was exempt from military service in the Civil war. He lived,. however, in the path of the contending armies and had to grind grain for both the Union and Confederate troops. He also suffered considerable loss because of the conditions of the war and after its close he came to Ohio in 1867, having just about enough money to bring him to this locality. He had a brother living in Champaign county and was thus induced to seek a home in this state. Mr. Hockman worked by the month for a year at fifty dollars per month. He afterward rented mills, which he conducted until 1876, when he purchased the Eagle City Mills, becoming the owner of a. half interest and of twelve acres of land. After two years he became sole proprietor and has since conducted the mill with good. success. In 1885 he equipped it with a full roller process and is now doing a good business in the manufacture of flour, the sales of his product being quite extensive. He-also bought other land until he now has. eighty-five acres. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hockman have been born ten children : Milton Henry, born November 11, 1852, married Ella Dietrich. 424 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and lives in German township. They have three children—Ada, who is keeping house for her grandfather ; Nora and Ida, Lydia Catherine, born April 6, 1854, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, is the wife of George Swartz of German township, and the have two children, Elma and Cora. Mary M,, born in Virginia April 6, 1858, died March 1, 1885, and was buried at Tremont. John Martin, born September 14, 1859, in Virginia, married Anna Christ, and they have two children, Effie and Noah. William A., born November 2, 1862, in Virginia, married Edna Mann, by whom he had one child, Wesley. He afterward married Miss Grube and his third wife bore the maiden name of Agnes Markee, Their home is near New Carlisle, Ohio. Benjamin F., born in Virginia, March 18, 1865, is married and lives at Sumner, Illinois, Samuel D., born in Virginia., January 8, 1867, is a dentist, practicing in Charleston, Illinois. Emma V., born in Campaign county, Ohio, April 19, 1869, is the wife of Thomas H. Prosser, who was born in Monmouthshire, England, October 7, 1870, and came to America with his parents when ten years of age, Anna R. died in childhood. Betty, born August 12, 1874, is the wife of Charles Shoup, of Pike township. Mr, Hockman is not a politician nor an office seeker. He served, however, as postmaster of Eagle City for twenty-two years :for the accommodation of the neighborhood, He was reared in the faith of the German Baptist church and he has always lived an upright, honorable life, characterized by diligence and perseverance, All that he possesses has come to him as the direct reward of his earnest labor and the popular miller of Eagle City is widely and favorably known. JAMES P. LEFFEL Eighty-five years have passed since James P, Leffel, now deceased, came to Clark county to cast in his lot with its pioneer settlers. People of the present century can scat cely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and conveniences, To the pioneers of the early days, far removed from the privileges or conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one, and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energy and sterling moral worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and. successfully fought its battles under such circumstances as prevailed in Ohio in the early part of the nineteenth century. Mr. Leffel was one formed in strong physical and moral mold and he took an active and important part in transforming this wild region from its primitive condition to a state of richness that made it a valuable farming district, Born in Botetourt county, Virginia. March 20, 1799, James P. Leffel was a son of John and Margaret (Osbshane) Leffel, . who were also natives of Botetourt county, where the father died. In their family were eleven children : Samuel ; John; Jacob; Daniel; Anthony: Thomas ; James P.; Mary, who became the wife of Abraham Perry ; Elizabeth, the wife of William Dood ; Margaret, the wife of Arthur Colason ; and Sarah, the wife of Michael Tay- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 425 lor. After the death of the father the mothei and children left Virginia and came to Clark county, Ohio, settling in Bethel township, Daniel Leffel was the first of the brothers to emigrate to this state, arriving some four years before our subject. In 1817 James P. Leffel and his mother came overland, arriving at Daniel's home on the day on which he was eighteen years of age — March 20, 1817. The family has long been connected with the history of Springfield and of Clark county, many of them becoming . prosperous farmers here. The subject of this review found employment as a farm hand, receiving eight dollars per month for his services. He was industrious and economical and after four years spent in that way he entered the employ of his brother John in a fanning mill and a year later became a partner in his milling and distilling business near Enon. They built the mill which for years was owned and operated by Henry Snyder and were thus early connected with the development of industrial interests here. At that time there were no railroads or canals and Mr. Leffel would take the flour which he manufactured to Cincinnati by ox-teams, Money was very scarce in Ohio in those times and so he frequently received merchandise in exchange for the breadstuffs which he sold, and on returning with this to Clark county he would sell it to the people of this community for cash or exchange it for wheat. He continued in the milling business for about eight years, selling out in 1854. He then removed to Springfield township, south of the city, where he purchased a farm and thereon he spent his remaining days, adding to his property from time to time as his financial resources increased. His judicious investments made him one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community and he owned sixteen hundred acres of fine farming land, well improved, besides valuable business blocks and other city property. On the 1st of January, 1820, James P. Leffel was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Perry) Miller. They had ten children : Michael born March 22, 1822, married Elizabeth Cosier and died at his home on the Yellow Springs pike; Martin, a farmer, died in Miami county, Ohio; James M, is also deceased; Joseph is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Reuben, born May 9, 1836, married Rachel McClelland; Elizabeth is the widow of Mathew Irie and resides on South Limestone street, Springfield; Scott is a resident of Dayton; Margaret died in childhood; Abigail and Benjamin are also deceased. Mr. Leffel was a man of strict business principles, thoroughly reliable, and his word was as good as his bond. He was never known to enter into any business transaction that could not bear the closest investigation and his name thus became a synonym for honesty. He was an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political views was first a Whig and after the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. He died April 7, 1887, having for fourteen years survived his wife, and was then laid by her side in Ferncliff cemetery. He had passed the eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey and his path had ever been the straight one, which indicates an upright character and devotion to principle. He bore no unimportant part in the early development and improvement of this portion of Ohio but helped to change pioneer condi- 426 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tions to those of a more advanced civilization, that the white man might have the use of this rich and fertile section of the state, His work was well done, his prosperity worthily won and to him is due a debt of gratitude from present and coming generations who profit by what he accomplished in pioneer times. HARRY A. TOULMIN, B. L. As a representative of the class of substantial builders of the great commonwealth of Ohio who have served faithfully in this enterprising state, we present the subject of this sketch who has performed his full duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests, legal status and moral welfare of this community. He is particularly well known as a patent lawyer and in this branch of the science of jurisprudence he has become a specialist. He has gained distinction, continuous study and investigation broadening his knowledge and increasing his capability until he has few equals among the patent lawyers of Ohio, Harry Aubrey Toulmin was born in Toulminville, Alabama, November 26, 1858, His father, Morton Toulmin, was a cotton broker of Mobile, Alabama, and died in the year 1896. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Frances H. Toulmin, is now a resident of Springfield. The boyhood days of Harry A, Toulmin were passed in the city of Mobile, where he attended a private school and later he was a student in New Orleans and subsequently in Washington, D, C., where he pursued his studies for several years. After completing his school education he entered the law department of the National University at Washington, D. C., and was graduated in that institution in June, 1882, with the degree of Bachelor of Law, standing second in a class of fifty. During this time he was also employed as managing clerk in the office of a patent law firm of the capital city. After his graduation he was admitted to the bar of the state of Maryland in October, 1883, first upon oral examination in an open session of court and then upon motion in the supreme court of the state, In March, 1884, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the District of Columbia, In the meantime, in 1883, Mr, Toulmin formed a partnership for the practice of patent law, which he had adopted as his specialty, becoming a member of the firm of Toulmin & Semnes, which relation was maintained until February, 1897. He received early recognition at the bar in his specialty and his services were retained by many manufacturing establishments in various parts of the country. He was regarded as one of the leaders of the younger members of the bar of the patent office. Finally, in September, 1885, on the solicitation of clients who desired him to open an office in Springfield, he came to this city still retaining, however, his Washington office. He received further recognition from Springfield manufacturers and offers were made by them of retainers if he would settle regularly in this city, Accordingly he took this step in February, 1887, and has since been a. resident of Clark county, He has an extensive clientage, receiving the patronage not only of many Springfield manufacturers and inventors,. but also of many prominent business men throughout the middle west, his practice covering a wide territory. He is retained by the year by numerous manufacturers and THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 429 the patent law business which he has managed has been of a very important character. Following his admission to the eastern courts referred to above, he was admitted to the federal courts of Ohio and of other states of the middle west and of the west, while in December, 1893, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United States, upon the calling of his first case in that tribunal, He fought for a doctrine in that case which was adopted and announced by the court in its opinion and which thereafter became the leading case upon that proposition—the effect of a prior patent issued by the government upon a subsequent patent issued to the same party for subject matter embodied in such prior patent the proper practice of the patent office under such conditions and the relation of such question to the matter of attempted perpetuity under patents. While Mr, Toulmin has been so engaged in the practice of patent law he has also become associated with some of the important industries of Springfield. He was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Victor Supply Company and is now one of its directors and the vice president. This company conducts a manufacturing and jobbing house. doing business in Springfield, Ohio. In April, 1887, was celebrated the marnage of Mr, Toulmin and Miss Rosamond Evans, a daughter of Dr, Warwick and Mary Mason (Washington ) Evans. of Washington, D, C. Unto them have been born two .children, Warwick Morton. who died at the age of sixteen months : and Harry Aubrey, Jr, The parents are members of Christ Episcopal church, of which Mr. Toulmin is serving as vestryman at the present time, He has taken an active part in charitable and benevolent work in this - 22 - city and is recognized as a benefactor of different public benevolent interests, For a short time he was a director in the Young Men's Christian Association while its new building was being erected. He resigned that position for want of time to give to the duties of the office as he conceived them to be, For the past seven years he has been a member of the board of associated charities of Springfield, is an active worker on the finance committee and does all in his power to promote the object of its organization. He has also taken an active interest in the city hospital which at one time came under the care of the board of public affairs. Mr. Toulmin has always been a Democrat in his political affiliations and both in and out of office has been an earnest worker in behalf of improvements and measures- for the general good of the city. He was an advisory member and the vice president of the board of public affairs of Springfield from 1895 until 1897 during the administration of Mayor P. P, Mast, and during that time the initial work involved in the planning and construction of Snyder Park was done and he is the author of the inscription on the memorial stone in the park. The park comprises a tract of two hundred and ten acres which at that time had recently been donated by Snyder Brothers to the city and this board had in charge the plan for preparing the park and instituting the work of improvement, As a citizen Mr. Toulmin has ever been actuated by motives for the general good, with no desire for the honors of office, finding that his time and attention are fully ccupied by his private business interests. In the department of jurisprudence which he decided to make his specialty he has achieved prominence and is no less distinguished and honored as a citizen than as a lawyer. 430 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, REV. CHARLES STROUD. Rev. Charles Stroud, whose labors have been a potent element in the moral development of Springfield and of this section of Ohio, and whose business ability has been demonstrated in his judicious investment and careful conduct of private affairs, well deserves representation in this volume as one of the most prominent and honored men of this city, For nearly twenty years he was pastor of the German Lutheran church. He was born in the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of January, 1822, and is a son of Jonathan and Catherine (Eisenbeise) Stroud. His paternal grandfather was born in Bristol, England, and, hay attained to man's estate, he emigrated to America. He first settled in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Reading, that state, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was sixty years of age, He was a member of the Society of Friends and a man whose upright, honorable life won for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he was associated. Jonathan Stroud, the father of our subject, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and was reared in that state, In his youth he aided his father in conducting a store and later engaged in merchandising on his own account in that city, where he died when thirty-two years of age. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German ancestry, She died in 1843. In their family were six children, of whom the subject of this review was the fourth in order of birth. Rev. Stroud of this review was only seven year of age at the time of his father's death. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, also pursued a preparatory course in the Pennsylyania College at Gettysburg, and in 1849 came to Springfield, where he pursued his education at Wittenberg College. In 1850 he took up the study of theology and was graduated in that department with the class of 1851, after which he was licensed to preach by the Miami synod. While still a student he had begun preaching in Springfield, having been engaged as regular pastor of St. John's church, and for twenty years he continued to occupy its pulpit, During this time the church made substantial and commendable progress and proved a potent element for good in the community , Rev. Stroud labored earnestly for the up-building of the cause of Christianity through this organization. He was an earnest, logical speaker and was the loved pas-ter of his flock. People of all denominations respected and honored him and his work in behalf of the church which proved of great public good. While in school, Rev. Stroud had become acquainted with Miss Clara Keever, who was a student in the boarding school of Springfield, while he was here pursuing his collegiate work. She was born near Lebanon, in Warren county, Ohio, and there their marriage was celebrated on the 28th of August, 1851. The lady was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rogers) Keever, who were natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and of Georgetown, Kentucky, respectively. Her paternal grandfather was John Keever, formerly of Pennsylvania, in which state he lived and died. John Keever the father of Mrs. Stroud, removed to Warren county, Ohio, purchased large tracts of land there, improved his farms and thereby gained a fortune, He died in THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 431 1834, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-two years. In their family were twelve children, Mrs. Stroud being the eleventh in order of birth. She pursued her education in the seminary on East High street and was a most estimable lady. At the time of their marriage Rev. Stroud received the meagre salary of two hundred and fifty dollars per year and it was not until nine years later that his salary was increased to five hundred dollars per year, As time passed, however, he managed to save some money and make investments in real estate, which were so judiciously placed that his capital was largely increased. He then made other improvements and in this way acquired a handsome capital. He made two additions to the city of Springfield known as Stroud's first and second additions. These were platted in 1875, and in 1871 his wife inherited a half interest in Mount Ayr, the county seat in Ringgold county, Iowa. In 1901 Rev. Stroud was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who departed this life on the 27th of September, of that year, Their married life had covered the long span of fifty years and twenty-seven days and they celebrated their golden wedding only a short time prior to the death of Mrs. Stroud. The warm esteem in which she was universally held was indicated by the fact that her funeral was one of the largest ever held in Springfield. The synod took action upon her death in the following : "Resolyed, that the sym- pathy of this body is hereby extended to our sorely bereaved Brother Stroud in these hours of loneliness." The above was a report on the president's report, which follows : "We are called upon also to record the death of the wife of our brother, the Rev. Charles Stroud, which occurred at Springfield, Ohio, on September 27th after a protracted illness. Funeral services were held from the family residence on the 29th. They were conducted by Dr. M. J. Firer, of the First church of which the deceased had long been a consistent member. He was assisted in the services by Drs. Ruthrauff and Breckenridge, of Wittenberg Seminary, and your president, In the death of his wife Brother Stroud lost a helpmeet, indeed and the sincere sympathy of our synod goes out to him in his great affliction. May 'He who giveth His grace to the sorrowing' ever be his comfort and support." The father of our subject was an old line Whig, and reared in the faith of that party, Rev, Stroud cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay, In 1856 he voted for Fremont and has since been a stalwart Republican. In early life he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but afterward demitted from that organization. Soon after his marriage he joined Springfield Lodge, No, 101, F. & A. M. and has since attained to the eighteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. At the time of the Civil war he was a stanch Union man and used his aid and influence to further the cause of freedom. Rev, Stroud's fine residence at the corner of High and Shafer streets is a splendid structure standing in the midst of fine grounds and the beauties of this place do much to make the evening of life pleasant for this honored and venerable man who has traveled lifes' journey for more than eighty years. Although he has retired from active connection with the ministry, his zeal and interest in church work have never abated and his influence has ever been found on the side of the right the true and the beautiful, Whatever has tended to 432 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. benefit man or uplift the race and to promote the cause of Christianity have received his endorsement and support, and while he has prospered in his business undertakings he has used his wealth worthily, contributing most generously of the support of those measures the object of which is to promote the intellectual and moral culture of the community. There is no citizen of Springfield who is more truly honored and respected than the Rev. Charles Stroud, and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, DAVID ANDERSON. The United States holds nowhere in her confines more energetic, progressive or enlightened citizens than are found within the borders of Green township, Clark county, Ohio—a district well adapted 'for agricultural pursuits, being rich in natural advantages which have required only the touch of civilization to yield up of the the abundant stores contained in the rich farming land there, Among the leading agriculturists in the township above mentioned was numbered David Anderson, who was born there May 28, 1844. upon the land where his widow now resides, He was a son of John and Mary (Smith) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Scotland, the mother of Edinburg, and the father born in the northern part of the same country. Both were reared in their native land, but did not become acquainted until they arrived in America, John Anderson came to the "land of the free" with his parents, John and Agnes (Smith) Anderson, who were the parents of five children namely : James; David, for whom the subject of this review was named and who is now deceased, having died in Greene county, Ohio: Elizabeth, deceased wife of 'William Bradfute, who resided in Greene county ; Marjorie, who became the wife of Thomas Elder and died in Clark county; and John, the father of David of this review. Upon the home farm, which was the place. of his birth, David Anderson was reared and in the common schools of the district he received a fair education. He was early trained to the work of the farm, and remained with his parents until, in response to his country's call for aid, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, He was in the army for about four months, during which time he took part in many skirmishes and engagements, He was taken sick and was in the hospital for a time, and his early death at the age of thirty-two, when in the prime of life, was probably the result of exposure while in the service. Upon his father's death he inherited the home farm of one hundred acres, and there continued to reside until called to his final rest, August 7, 1876, On the 30th of November, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Margaret Funston, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah ( Mills) Funston. She was born in Green township. Clark county, September 5, 1843, and received a good common-school education in the district where she resided, which was supplemented by attendance in a select school at Clifton. Her father, Thomas Funston, was a cousin of General Funston, of Philippine renown, and was a native of the Blue Grass state. having been born in Bourbon county, Ken- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 433 tucky, whence he came to Ohio at the age of two years, with his parents, John and Keziah (Scott) Funston. Her grandfather, John Funston, was born in Ireland, and was a young man when he came to America, Mille en route to the new world he was captured by pirates and was held a prisoner for two years. He was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812 and took part in the battle called Perry's Victory. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born two children : Clarence, born on the home farm June 2, 1873, received the advantages of a good common and high school education, having graduated in the class of 1892. Upon the home farm he was reared, and on the 23d of November, 1898, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Hatfield, who was born in Green township, a daughter of James and Harriet (Stewart) Hatfield. They make their home on the farm owned by his mother, Albert Funston, the second son, was born upon the home farm February 1, 1876, and was but six months old at the time of his 'father's death. He, too, resides with his mother upon the home farm and assists in the care of the same, Upon completing his high school course, he entered Antioch College, where he took a business course. David Anderson was a man of high principles and undoubted integrity, of a genial, pleasant manner, which endeared him to his many friends, He was ever interested in the growth and prosperity of his community, and at his death the township lost one of her representative citizens, the country a brave and loyal patriot and the wife and children their nearest and best friend, The sons have grown to be valued members of the community in which they live. The father was a stanch Republican, though not a politician in the sense of office seeking. The sons, too, affiliate with the Republican party, The eldest son voted for William McKinley at the time of his first nomination, and the younger brother cast his first ballot for that honored president on his second nomination. Mrs. Anderson has proved a most capable manager of the home farm, which she now conducts with the assistance of her two sons, All the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century are to be found upon the place, the neat and attractive appearance of which is enhanced by a substantially and beautifully constructed residence which was erected by Mrs, Anderson in 1898, their old home having been burned in 1892, *The home farm comprised one hundred acres, which Mrs. Anderson inherited in part from her husband's estate. The balance she purchased of the heirs. To this she has added other tracts until the farm is one of the large and highly cultivated tracts of the township, and is as a monument to the efficient care and supervision of Mrs. Anderson. She and her two sons are respected members of the Presbyterian church at Clifton, as was also the husband and father in his life time. The community regard them as honored ..and valued citizens and they enjoy the confidence, respect and good-will of all wh0 know them. JAMES M. LEFFEL There is proof of the attractiveness of Clark county as a place of residence in the fact that so many of her native sons remain within her borders, finding pleasant homes here and carrying on business pursuits which yield them a good living. Tames 434 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD M. Leffel was among those born in Clark county who have spent their entire lives here. Mr. Leffel was a progressive farmer and stock-raiser known for his straightforward dealing in business, and his death removed from the county one who was widely and favorably known in this part of the state. His birth occurred in Mad River township, near Enon on the 31st of January, 1832. His father, James P. Leffel, is mentioned on another page of this work, and from early pioneer times the family name has been inseparably linked with the history of this portion of the state, ass ciated with progress, improvement and advancement, The boyhood days of our subject were quietly passed upon the home farm. He enjoyed the pleasures in which boys of the period indulged, pursued his education in the public schools and assisted in the farm work, living with his parents until his marriage. On the 25th of March, 1865, he wedded Miss Isabelle Wells, a native of Miami county, Ohio, and a daughter of Richard Wells. They became the parents of four children : Clarence B., who resides in the west; James L,, who is living on a farm on Clifton pike, and wedded Mary E, Wike, by whom he has one son, Ralph; Maud V., the wife of James B, Rice, of Springfield, where they live with their six children— Raymond, Homer, Guy, Blanche, Marie and Helen; and Leslie B., who married Mabel Harris, by whom he has three children, Leona, James W, and Franklin, and resides on the old home place which belonged to his grandfather, Throughout the years of his manhood James M. Leffel followed the occupation to which he was reared—that of farming. He also carried on stock-raising quite extensive ly, having good grades of stock upon his place, for which he found a ready sale on the market, He was never dilatory or negligent in his work which was always characterized by diligence and progressiveness, and thus he prospered in his undertakings. He died upon the farm where his father's death occurred, passing away April 26, 1877. his remains being interred in the family lot in Ferncliff cemetery. He was a member of Ephraim Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Improved Order of Red Men, and both organizations assisted in conducting the funeral services, In politics Mr, Leffel was a Republican and twice served as trustee of Springfield township, On another occasion he was the nominee for the office and was defated by only one vote. By reading he became a well informed man, and was a close and interested student of the world's progress as manifest in the happenings of the present age, The sterling traits of his character were such as drew him to his associates in close bonds of friendship and endeared him to his family in such a way that his loss was most severely felt, He had added to the sum total of the world's good because he favored everything that tends to uplift humanity and threw his influence on the side of right and truth, His widow still resides on the home farm and is a most estimable lady, well known in this community. CHASE COLVIN. Chase Colvin is a well known merchant of South Charleston, where he is engaged in dealing in wire fencing and farm implements, He was born March I, 1864, in Greene county, Ohio, near Cedarville, and THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 435 is a son of David T, and Maria (Larkin) Colvin. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Colvin, came to Ohio, at an early day, locating in Greene county. He was a self-made man and prospered in his undertakings. His son, the father of our subject, was born in Frederick county Virginia, February 18, 1829, and came with the family to this state, where he was married April 13, 1853, to Maria Larkin. His death occurred in 1886 and his wife passed away in December, 1898. His parents removed from Greene county to a farm in Madison township, Clark county, settling near South Charleston, when Chase Colvin was only about three years of age. He is the third in a family of five children. Wilbur was a graduate of the high school at South Charleston and afterward entered college at Athens, Ohio, where he was also graduated. He then read law with J. Warren Keifer, at Springfield, and subsequently pursued a course in the State Law School, where he was graduated. For several years he practiced in Springfield and then went to Harriman, Tennessee, being employed as a teacher in the university of that state, He is now with the Alkahest Lecture Bureau, of Atlanta, Georgia. He married Miss Ada Duvall, of Springfield, and they have one child. Estella is the wife of J, W, Towns-ley, a farmer and horse breeder of Fayette county, Ohio, and they have two children. Chase is the next younger, Matta is the wife of Charles A. Ware, who is engaged in the real estate and oil business in Florence, Alabama, David L, is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, pursued a post-graduate course in the university at Columbus and is now traveling in the interest of Prohibition. On a farm near South Charleston Mr, Colvin spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow. He also acquired a good education in the schools of South Charleston and was graduated in the class of 1881. Subsequently he attended Nelson's Business College at Springfield. About the time of his father's death, in 1886, he entered upon his business career. Being the oldest of the sons who were left at home, he took charge of the five farms belonging to the estate, being one of the administrators of the property. The land was not divided for several years and Mr, Colvin of this review had full control, On the 27th of October, 1897, Chase Colvin was married near South Charleston to Miss Nellie Ramsey who was born in this locality, and is a daughter of William J. and Jennie (Murray) Ramsey. She is a graduate of the high school of South Charleston and for one year was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. They have two children, Jane, who was born in this town October 10, 1898; and Edith, born September 25, 1902. At the time of his marriage Mr. Colvin took up his abode in South Charleston where he has since lived. He inherited about one hundred and forty acres from his father's estate and purchased some of the other heirs until he had about two hundred and thirty-six acres. He has, however, since sold one of his farms. In addition to his other realty interests he has five residences in Harriman, Tennessee. He began dealing in wire fencing, has built up a large trade in this portion of the county and is now prospering; He also manufactures iron fence pasts. His business interests have been capably managed and his enterprise and industry have brought to him creditable success. In 436 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. politics Mr, Colvin is independent, his sympathies being with the Prohibition party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee. WARREN H. RANKIN, SR. Warren H. Rankin, Sr,, was born in Springfield, January 6, 1821, and was a son of George Rankin, who was a prominent character in the early history of Springfield. The father was a contractor and builder and erected the old courthouse here and also the old newspaper building where the Bushnell building now stands. It was built, however, as a hotel and was known as the Exchange Hotel but later it was converted into a newspaper office. He also built the brick and stone building at No. 67 North Spring street, The year 1811 witnessed the arrival of the family in Springfield, George Rankin was a native of Virginia and there made his home until his removal to this state in 1811. The following year he joined the American army to serve in the war of 1812. He bought land in Springfield and was the owner of a plat of ground from North street to Main street and all east of the alley to Spring street, also from the National pike .and from Greenmount avenue east to Belmont avenue and south to Mill Run, He was a very prosperous man but the heirs never realized anything from the estate because of the mismanagement of guardians. George Rankin was married in 1821 to Sarah Meadows, who was connected with the Lyons and Meadow's families of Virginia, prominent and early settlers 0f that state represented by loyal American soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Unto George Rankin and his wife were born ten children: .Cyrus, who went south in 1840, became a captain in the Confederate army during the Civil war and has never been heard from since: Charles died in Clark county ; William died in Columbus; Warren H. is the subject of this review ; Mary Jane and Lorenza Dow are the next younger of the family ; Eliza A, is living in Springfield; George is deceased; John makes his home in Moorefield township, Clark county : and Joseph died in childhood. The family is noted for longevity. The children received good educational privileges, fitting them for life's practical duties, All were born at the family home on Spring street, John was a soldier in the Civil war and his son William became a soldier in the Spanish-American war. On the maternal side the Rankins come of German lineage and of Scotch ancestry on the paternal side, George Rankin died in 1852 when about sixty-four years of age. his birth having occurred in 1; and he was buried in the northwest corner lot in the Columbia street cemetery. After his death his wife purchased ten acres of land in Moorefield township and there made her home until her death, in 1866, when she was laid to rest in Greemount cemetery, Farther hack than the first generation, however, could Warren H. Rankin trace his ancestry, for the family was founded in America by James Rankin, who was a native of Scotland, Coming to the United States he settled in Virginia on the banks of the James river near Stanton, Augusta county, He brought with him his six sons and three daughters, He had considerable money which he invested in land and slaves in the Old Dominion, but his sons did not like the portion of the state in which they were THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 441 reared and having attained their majority they scattered. At the time of the Revolutionary war James Rankin joined the American army and loyally fought for the cause of independence. Warren H, Rankin of this review pursued his education in what was known as Reed's school, three miles east of the city, having good advantages for that period. At the age of twelve he drove carts while the national pike was being built and he also had experience as a rider of race horses when a lad, For two years in early life he engaged in truck gardening and subsequent-, ly was a clerk in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, for a time. Later he engaged in training horses for track work and was in the employ of the United States mail service as a mail carrier before railroads were built into Springfield. At the time of railroad construction he became a brakesman and after a few years began firing on the Little Miami Railroad between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he was promoted to the position of engineer in recognition of his trustworthiness and ability, He had charge of a stationary engine at South Charleston and also one at West Jefferson, Ohio, during the days when wood was burned for .fuel: but eventually he abandoned railroad work and turned his attention to the conduct of a hotel and restaurant in West Jefferson, also carrying on a livery business there. For a time he ran a train from Dayton to Toledo, Ohio, and was always actively engaged in one or another line of work. At various times he resided in West Jefferson, South Charleston and Yellow Springs and in 1864 he came to Springfield, establishing a grocery store near the corner of East Main street and Spring street. He had previously moved his family to this city and after lo eating here he not only was connected with commercial affairs but followed the business of a stationary engineer in and near the city for a number of years. He was always an actlye and industrious man, well liked by all who knew him and trusted by all who had business relations with him, In 1896, however, he retired from active business life to enjoy a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. He died September 27, 1902, at the age of eighty-one years and nine months. Mr. Rankin was twice married. In Springfield, Ohio, he wedded Miss. Hannah Heckman, who was born in Clark county in 1824 and they became the parents of four children but all died in early life. His wife also passed away and later he left Springfield and engaged in railroad work .and as a stationary engineer for railroads and other concerns for some time, In 1854 he was again married in West Jefferson, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Matilda McNeal, who was born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1832, and was a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Fought) McNeal. Nine children were born unto her parents : Catherine, who was born October 20, 1823, became the wife of A. L. Martin and is now deceased; Jacob, born December 16, 1825, is yet living: Mary A., born December 22, 1827, has passed away ; Isabella, who was born on the 19th of September. 1829, became the wife of M, S, Carter. of St. Louis, Missouri; Matilda, born February 7, 1832, married W, H. Rankin and died September 21, 1892; Julia, born May 24, 1834. is the wife of J. J. Booth': Sarah. born October 17, 1836, is a resident Of Plain City, Ohio; Eliza, born March 24, 1839, is the deceased wife of William Churchman : Maria, born February 442 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 16, 1842, has also passed away, These children were educated in the schools of their clay and were members of a prosperous and highly respected family. They came of Scotch-Irish ancestors and were reared in West Jefferson. The father was justice of the peace for many years in West Jefferson and was a leading and influential citizen of his community. Unto Mr, and Mrs. Rankin were born eight children : Mollie, who died in childhood : Harry M. and Warren H., who are represented elsewhere in this work ; John, who is a dealer in fruit and vegetables in Springfield and has two children ; Clara, who is living in Dayton, Ohio; George, who is a florist employed by Good & Reese, and has three children ; Edward, who is engaged in clerking for C. J, Bowlus ; and Jacob, who is in the employ of Good & Reese, is married and has three children, Mr, Rankin of this review had many and varied experiences during his long life, He met with reverses and successes in business and watched the growth and development of Springfield, always taking an active interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare and progress, He ever endeavored to do what was right, to maintain straight forward relationsbetween himself and his fellow men and his career was noted for his integrity and fidelity to duty. From an early period in the history of Clark county the name of Rankin has been closely interwoven with the same. The representatives of the family have ever been people of worth, active in support of all measures for. the general good, Warren H. Rankin sustained the enviable family reputation by an upright life characterized by industry, integrity and diligence, and well deserves honorable mention in the history of his native county. WARREN H, RANKIN, JR. Warren H, Rankin, Jr., was born in Springfield, March 8, 1861, and at the usual age became a public school student: there continuing his studies until he reached the age of eleven, He then started out in life to earn his own living, entering the employ of a market gardener who carried on business north of Springfield. For fifteen years he remained with that man, mastering the business in principle and detail. As his efficiency increased he was promoted gradually until he was given full charge of the business and at times he has had as many as fifty men working under him, At length he severed his connection with his old employer in order to engage in business for himself and in 1886 established the wholesale commisson house on West High street. Later he removed to No, 55 Market Square, where he carried on a very extensive trade, employing eight men and utilizing three teams in the delivery of his goods. He also carried on business as a wholesale and retail dealer in baled hay, doing his own baling of local products, A disastrous fire, however, occurred and occasioned him considerable loss, 'but phoenix-like his enterprise arose from the ashes and in due course of time he had retrieved his lost possessions and had succeeded in securing an extensive and lucrative business, In 1898, however, he sold out and gave his whole attention to the restaurant business which he had purchased in 1891 of William Curtis, The new enterprise also proved a profitable one and his patronage has increased from the time that he furnished sixty meals per day until he now supplies seven hundred meals daily on an average. He employs twenty persons in the conduct of the business, to which he THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 443 gives his personal supervision. He is a popular restaurant proprietor and because of his reasonable prices, palatable products and straightforward dealings he has secured a very liberal patronage. On the 15th of August, 1881, Mr, Rankin was united in marriage to Miss Alice Brady, who was born on Main street in Springfield, in 1866, and died in 1888, leaving two children, Mabel Florence, the elder, born June 17, 1883, is the wife of Rey. J, W. Keller, a minister of the Baptist church of Dayton, Ohio, to whom she gave her hand in marriage in 1902. The son, Warren H., born July 4, 1885, died in 1889, the year succeeding his mother's death. On the 20th of April, 1894, Mr. Rankin was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna A, Baker, who was born at Yellow Springs. They have three daughters, Hazel Mildred, born March 4, 1892; Ruth Naomi, born January 29, 1894; and Ethel May, born December 1, 1895. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Methodist church and an estimable lady who enjoys the high regard of many warm friends. Mr, Rankin has been a generous contributor to the support of the church. In politics he is known as an earnest Republican, who labors untiringly in behalf of the party and his service is disinterested because he has never cared for political perferment for himself. He belongs to Springfield Lodge, No. 33, I. O, O. F., and Mad River Encampment, nor would he accept offices in these organizations, He is also a member of the Junior Order of the American Mechanics and the Commercial Club. Mr. Rankin has gained a very wide acquaintance during the years of his business connection with Springfield and he has the qualities which render him a popular restaurant proprietor, for he is genial, obliging and courteous and moreover his many friends recognize and appreciate his genuine worth and upright manhood. JOHN M. DEARDORFF. For more than a half century John NI. Deardorff, a capitalist and now a retired manufacturer has been a resident of Springfield. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1824, and is of Holland Dutch descent. His grandfather, John Deardorff, and his father, Daniel Deardorff, were also natives of York county, and the latter was born in 1793 and married Margaret Miller whose birth occurred in Perry county, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1795. Mr, Deardorff was a tanner by trade and his grandfather and his great-grandfather were also tanners, and the old tannery in York county is still standing and is now owned and operated by Mr. Cook. Under the parental roof John M. Deardorff of this reyiew spent the days of his childhood and in. the common schools of York county acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in a select school, but his early advantages were not of a very important character or much in advance of those enjoyed by most lads of the period. He worked at the carpenter's trade in his native stale and followed that business for several years when, thinking that perhaps he would have better opportunities in newer districts of the country, he came to Springfield, Ohio, in 1849, and began business here as a contractor and builder. Success attended his efforts and his patronage gradually increased and became 444 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. more and more important in character until large contracts were awarded him and he thus became connected with the construction of many of the leading structures of the city, including the First Presbyterian church, the Zion German Lutheran church, several of the fine schoolhouses which adorn Springfield, the German Lutheran church on Plum streets, many of the substantial business blocks and beautiful private residences. He also worked upon the plant of William Whiteley, which at that time was the largest of the kind in the world. He also built the old Springfield Seminary, this being one of the first contracts awarded him after his arrival here, While engaged in this work Mr. Deardorff was also winning for himself an enviable reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in business affairs. At a later date he became employed by the Thomas & Mast Company, manufacturers of agricultural implements, and indeed was one of the members of the firm, his associates being John H. Thomas and P. P. Mast, They engaged in the manufacture of wheat drills, seeders, mowers and farm implements. For seven years Mr. Deardorff remained a member of the firm and then sold his interest to his partners and withdrew from the company, At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Deardorff was commissioned recruiting officer to fill the quotas for Clark county, and succeeded in enlisting many of the men of the Second and Third Regiments. He held his commission during the five years of the war, and in 1863, he was commissioned to organize the Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which Rodney Mason was the colonel. At the time of the threatened raid through Ohio, upon short notice, he at once raised a company of men, was made its cap tain and in a few hours was on his way to Columbus, Ohio, with his command, where this company was to be armed, It was composed of the best citizens of Springfield, men prominent in business and other walks of life. Throughout the dark and trying period of civil strife Mr. Deardorff never wavered in his allegiance to the government or faltered in his faith in the ultimate triumph of the Union arms. When hostilities had ceased our subject returned to Springfield and became a member of the firm of Deardorff, Miller & Company, manufacturers of coffins and caskets. This partnership existed fur fourteen years, at the end of which time Mr. Deardorff sold his stock and the name of the company was changed to the Springfield Casket & Coffin Company, His next business connection was with John Bean, Roscoe Bean, George H, Leffel and John Stafford. They formed a company called the Springfield Tricycle Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and continued business from 1880 until 1896, when the plant was rented out and the name of the house changed to the Springfield Gas & Engine Company, at which time Mr. Deardorff retired from active business, He has since devoted his attention to his private interests and to individual investments which have been so judiciously made that he is now one of Springfield's capitalists, Yet his success has been so honorably won and so worthily used that the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity. Fifty-one years ago, Mr. Deardorff was married. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Pettigrew, of Springfield, a daughter of David Pettigrew, the wedding ceremony being performed in 1851. Five children have been THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 445 born of this union : Harry E., now of Salt Lake City; Lizzie, the wife of W. D. Martin, of Springfield; Minnie, who married John S. Graham ; Charles L. who is largely interested in the printing business at St. Augustine, Florida ; and Clara M., at home, The parents are devoted leaders of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which Mr. Deardorff has been identified since 1849, covering a period of fifty-three years. He has served as class leader for thirty years, has been steward for a number of years and is now clerk of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. A Republican in politics, upon that ticket he was elected a member of the city council where he served for four years, and twice elected to the school board; he was also one of its members for four years. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents, have von him prosperity, but his energies have not been given solely to the acquirement of wealth. He has never allowed its accumulation to warp his kindly nature. He has found time and opportunity to assist in measures for the general good, to aid in the moral development of the community and to put into practice his broad humanitarian principles. kindness has been one of the motives of his life and his friends have found in him a man of a forgiving nature and of quick and generous sympathy. HENRY L. SCHAEFER. Henry L, Schaefer, who is engaged in the undertaking and embalming business at No. 144 West Main street, Springfield, was born July 31, 1850, in this city. His father, Leonard Schaefer, was born in Germany in 1823, learned the trade of locksmith in that country and came to America from Stuttgart, Germany. He had there occupied the position of foreman in a large lock factory, being a very experienced and expert man in his line of business. In 1849 he emigrated to the new world, making his way direct to Springfield, Ohio; which was then a city containing about five thousand inhabitants. Here he began business as a locksmith, and from the beginning his trade constantly increased. He also conducted a machine shop and began the manufacture of railings, fences and awnings. The first iron railing which he made is now on the residence of the Catholic sisters of Springfield, The enterprise which he established in 1850 was located on East Main street, between Spring and Foster streets. For many years he followed an active business career here and was regarded as an important factor in the industrial life of the city. It was an. accident which caused him to choose Springfield as his place of residence. While on board the vessel coming to America he was taken ill with smallpox. He had intended. to locate in Cincinnati, Ohio,, but as cholera was very prevalent there Ile remained in this city. For nearly forty years he conducted business here and was respected as an industrious, energetic man, who well merited the success. which attended his efforts. His business card was in the first directory ever published in this city, in 1852. Leonard Schaefer came to America a single man and was here married by Dr, Chandler Robbins to Rosina Esslinger, who was born in Germany in 1823. This marriage took place in 1849, Mrs. Schaefer coming to America soon after her husband's arrival. Her father, John Gottleib Esslinger, was a soldier against Bonaparte in 1814, and our subject 446 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. now has a painting of his grandfather in his uniform, it having been brought to this country by Mr, Esslinger. Henry L. Schaefer was the only child born of these parents who grew to maturity, The mother died in 1869, and in 1870 the father was again married and had three sons by this unionC. Albert, who is now associated with the Thomas Manufacturing Company; Leonard, who is in the employ of Eider & Tuttle, dealers in hardware; and Paul, who is employed by the Webster & Perks Tool .Company, of Springfield. The father died at the old home place on East Main street, May 5, 1895, where he had erected a residence. In politics he took an active interest and supported the Democratic party, but was never an aspirant for office. He belonged to St. John's German Lutheran church and was a member of the old Union Fire Company, No, 3, of Springfield. Henry L. Schaefer, whose name introduces this record, pursued a public school education and entered his father's machine shop, where he learned the trade of a machinist, In 1869 he went to Stuttgart, Germany, where for two terms he studied mechanical drawing in a government mechanical college, returning to this country in the fall of 1870, He was abroad during a part of the Franco-Prussian war. On his return he took up his abode in his native city and entered his father's shop, where he remained until 1875. In that year he secured a position in the tool department of the Champion Bar & Knife works and was in charge as foreman of one of the departments. Gradually he worked his way upward until he was foreman of several departments. He gained the confidence of his employers because of his fidelity to duty and by reason of his natural mechanical genius. There he remained until 1893, when he went to Chicago, Illinois, and entered the school of embalming. After successfully passing his examination there he returned to Springfield and began business here as an undertaker and embalmer, in which work he has been very successful, his daughter acting as lady assistant, In 1872 Mr. Schaefer was married to Bertha Orthmann, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1851, and was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs, Frederick Orthmann. Her father practiced medicine in Hillsboro, Ohio, where he died in 1858. The mother afterward returned to Germany, where Mrs. Schaefer was educated, Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, of whom one died in early childhood, Katherine is the wife of Henry S. Carpenter, of Hamilton, Ohio, and they have two children, Henry Schaefer and Gertrude Helen Carpenter. Bertha C. and Theodore Frederick are vet at home. The son is a graduate of the high school of Springfield and for two terms was a student in Wittenberg College. He also pursued a course in Nelson's Business College, and he is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta, a college fraternity. He is now assisting his father in business, while Bertha is acting as lady assistant, The son-in-law of our subject is engaged in manufacturing confectionery in Hamilton, this state, Mr. Schaefer now resides at No. 59 North Yellow Springs street. He erected a home on Clifton street, where he lived for nineteen: and one-half years, and during the thirty years of his married life he has moved but twice. In politics he is a Republican, but is not active in political work, He held the office from 1895 until 1898, inclusive, of county coroner and served as a member of THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 447 the board of education. for the sixth ward in the '80s. Socially he is connected with Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M.; Springfield Chapter, No, 48, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, R. & S. M.; Palestine Commandery, No, 33, K. T., all of Springfield, and Antioch Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Dayton. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and with his wife and daughter Bertha, belongs to Dayton Chapter. He has held a number of offices in the various Masonic bodies and he belongs to Moncrieffe Lodge, No, 33, K. P., also belongs to the Uniformed Rank and holds the position of major. He is a member of Al Yembo Temple, No, 112, D. O. K. K,, and holds the post of royal vizier in that organization, while in the lodge he is a past chancellor and a past grand representative to the grand lodge. He likewise holds membership in Goethe Lodge, No. 384, I. O. O. F., and Mad River Encampment, No, 16, and has passed the chairs in both, while his wife belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah. He is a member and senior past captain of Canton Occidental, No, 21, Patriarchs Militant ; belongs to Champion Council, No. 2, jr. O. U. A, M.; and Violet Council, No, 29, Daughters of America ; and Champion Castle, No, 26, K. G. E. ; and to the Commercial Club. He was the secretary and treasurer of the local committee who succeeded in establishing the Knights of Pythias Home in this city and was also a member of the committee that located the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Home here. He is one of the directors of the Clark County Building and Savings Company and is a member of St. John's Lutheran church. For many years he served as a member of its board of directors and has long been its president, Mr. Schaefer is well known in business, social and church circles, where his fidelity to all the best interests of these has gained for him the warm regard and friendship of many. In business he has been successful because he has followed progressive methods and honorable dealings and as one of the respected representatives of Springfield we present him to the readers of this volume. I. NEWTON SEEVER. I. Newton Seever, who is a civil engineer of Springfield, was born in Sylvania, Licking county, Ohio, May 13, 1855', and is a son of Benjamin Seever, On the paternal side of the family he comes of French and German ancestry, while there is Scotch blood in the maternal line. For many generations, however, the Seever family has been connected with Pennsylvania. Benjamin Seever was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, September 10, 1814, and was educated in the common schools. When twenty-five years of age he began preaching as a minister of the Christian church and was thus engaged in spreading the gospel in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He crossed the Alleghany mountains forty times, making the journey each time on horseback with the exception of one trip, when he traveled in a buggy of his own manufacture. In later years, after coming to Springfield, he became engaged in the manufacture of brooms, building up a good business in this line. In 186 he established his home at Enon, Ohio, and after engaging in preaching for a time at that place he turned his attention to the business of making brooms, increasing his output to 448 - THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD meet the growing demands of the trade until he was at the head of a large business. He is still alive, a hale and hearty old man, and has retained his physical and mental faculties unimpaired. He is a self-educated man and became well read, formerly doing considerable literary work, He now resides at 737 West Main street in Springfield, and he is respected and honored by all who know him. He wedded Mary T. Johnson, who came of an old Virginia family, and was born in Frederick county, that state, December 20, 1820. They celebrated their golden wedding on the 1st of July, 1901, at which time both were in good health, but on the 28th of September, of the same year, Mrs. Seever was called to her final rest. In their family were two children : Isaac Newton, and Martha, who is at home with her father, Benjamin Seever was one of fourteen children who reached maturity, but he and his brother Louis are the only ones now living. The old home place was in Fairfield county, and almost throughout an entire century the family has been identified with the progress and upbuilding of this portion of Ohio. Benjamin Seever served as justice of the peace in Enon, and since coming to Springfield he has acted as a member of the board of education of this city. In politics he is a Republican and socially is connected with Anthony Lodge, F. & A. M., being the oldest living member of the organization in point of years or continuous connection therewith, He is likewise the oldest member of Springfield Lodge, I. O. O. F. A public-spirited citizen and a man of upright and honorable purpose, Ile has gained a wide circle of friends and enjoys the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact I. N. Seever, whose name introduces this record began his education in the public schools of Enon, and when time years of age removed to the city. He attended the township schools until his father's place was incorporated within the corporation limits of Springfield. when, he became a student in the city schools. He afterward worked with his father in the manufacture of brooms until 1880, and likewise engaged in truck gardening. in 1880 he became interested in civil engineering and mastered the profession under the direction of Thomas Kizer, who was one of the early surveyors of the county, but is now deceased. He remained with Mr. Kizer until the latter's death, when he joined the son. J. T, Kizer, acting as his assistant until the death of J. T. Kizer, when Mr. Seever succeeded to the business. He has surveyed the greater part of the county and when with Thomas Kizer had a wide experience in line surveying, He does all kinds of civil engineering work, has practical ideas and has ever been anxious to advance in the line of his chosen calling. Being an excellent mathematician, he readily learned the business and has become an expert surveyor, In his profession he has laid out many additions to the city and has watched with interest the steady growth and development of Springfield. In politics Mr. Seever is a Republican, but he never aspired to office. In early life he made a study of music, which he pursued under the instruction of private teachers, being at one time a pupil of Professor Arthur Mace. of Cincinnati, with whom he studied both vocal and instrumental music. He was afterward connected with various church choirs as a director, singer and organist for fifteen years. He also organized a class and THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 449 taught music for twelve years while connected with the churches, In later years he has given his attention more exclusively to civil engineering. For the past twelve years, however, he has been well known in connection with target rifle shooting and has won many prizes for his skill. He is a member of the Springfield Shooting and Fishing Club, and has been largely instrumental in maintaining the existence of this organization. Mr. Seever is a very popular man who has a large circle of friends in Springfield and the surrounding country, and wherever he is known he is held in high regard by reason of his sterling worth and his social, genial disposition. DAVID BALLENTINE David Ballentine, deceased, was well known in Clark county as a. representative farmer of German township, whose word was above question, whose life was honorable and upright and whose loyalty to. citizenship was one of his marked characteristics. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and with his parents came to Ohio when yet a young boy, His father and his mother, William and Nancy Ballentine, were both natives of Ireland, and in that country were reared and married, their wedding journey consisting of the voyage to America. They crossed the Atlantic to Baltimore and in that city both were taken ill and their money was exhausted in this way. The father was a weaver by trade and when he had sufficiently recovered his health he began working at his chosen pursuit in Baltimore, his wife spinning the yarn, After they had gotten a start and acquired a little money they removed to Pennsylvania, where they purchased a farm. There the father also followed weaving, while his sons cultivated the land. Their home was in German township, Cumberland county, and it was upon that farm that David Ballentine of this review was born and grew to manhood. While at home, with others of the family, he burned the brick and built a good brick house, which has since been burned down, after having been occupied for many years. David Ballentine acquired a fair common-school education, and always fond of books, he became an extensive reader. He had considerable elocutionary ability and all enjoyed hearing him read aloud. He also sang well and those accomplishments made him a favorite in the various households where he visited and among the friends who were entertained at his own home. He remained in his father's home until the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated September 10. 1856, in German township, Clark county, by Rev. Jesse Goddard, the lady of his choice being Miss Loretta Wagner, who was born in Springfield township, November 30, 1838, but at the time of her marriage was living in German township. Her parents were John and Nancy (Frey) Wagner, natives of Virginia, and in her childhood they came to Ohio with their respective parents. Mrs. Ballentine's father was a soldier in the war of 1812, enlisting for service when only sixteen years of age. He was a poor man and worked at day labor in stone quarries, but he provided as best he could for his children. Mrs. Ballentine acquired a good education in the public schools. She Was the fourth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, and Mr, Ballentine was also a member of a family of twelve. - 23 -