200 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY an opportunity to study the thoroughness and accuracy of Mr. McIntire's scholarship and his acquaintance with all lines of knowledge bearing on his profession. He is in all respects an up-to-date public instructor and, in addition, a man of large information on many subjects. In character and life he is the peer of the best. Sincerely, B. F. Prince, Professor in Wittenberg College." Professor McIntire began teaching school in 1886, his first school having been the Benson School, east of Springfield. He began teaching at the Fair Street School in Springfield in 1887, then taught at the Lagonda School, and in 1895 became principal of the Washington School, where he has since continued. He has been very progressive in his school work. Springfield's first kindergarten was taught at Washington School ; the first playgrounds and school gardens were established at the same school ; the "First Aid" organization had its beginning at Washington School ; the first "Mothers Club" was organized there ; and the "Washingtonian" was the first ward school journal published in the city, which little sheet was printed in the Washington School print shop which was the first printing office in the city schools. Professor McIntire has been a member of the National Educational Association for thirty-five years ; of the Ohio State Educational Association for thirty-six years ; of the Central Ohio Educational Association for thirty-six years ; and for a number of years has been a member of the Springfield Teachers Association and of the West Ohio Superintendents Round Table. He is a past master of Clark Lodge No. 101, F. and A. M. In 1892 Professor McIntire married Jeannette F. Lutz, who was born near Circleville, Ohio, daughter of Henry Lutz, and granddaughter of John Lutz, who came over from Germany and became an early settler of Piqua County, Ohio. Mrs. McIntire graduated from the Tarlton (Ohio) High School, after which she took special work and then taught in the Tarlton schools for five years prior to her marriage. She is active in educational, charitable and religious work, she and the Professor being members of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. CHARLES MARTIN FREDERICK KELLER. The late Charles Martin Frederick Keller, of Springfield, was one of the solid business men and good citizens of Clark County, who, although of foreign birth, became thoroughly Americanized and identified with the development of the city in which his interests were centered. He was born in Germany, June 26, 1834, a son of Godfried Keller, who died in Germany many years ago. At the age of eighteen years young Keller left his native land for the United States, and spent a year in New York City, and then came on westward to Indiana, where he attended school for a year so as to gain a working knowledge of the language. He was naturalized October 8, 1856. Coming then to Springfield, he began working at his trade of baker and confectioner, which he had learned in Germany, and acquired a business of his own. This he sold in 1870 and bought twenty-five acres of land, and 1408 Clifton Avenue is now a part of this tract. Here he was engaged in farming. In 1862 he made an excellent investment when he purchased a three-story brick block of three stores, 21 to 23 West Main Street, that is now very valuable. During the years he SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 201 lived at Springfield he did his full part in civic matters, and among other things served as a member of the Rover Volunteer Fire Department. A member of Goethe Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., he passed all its chairs, and was also a member of the Encampment. This most excellent man died December 29, 1909, and in his passing Springfield lost one of its most representative citizens. On December 31, 1857, Mr. Keller married Catherine Koepge, born in Prussia, Germany, October 5, 1834, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Herr) Koepge, the former of whom was a highly educated man and a schoolmaster. Mrs. Keller died August 24, 1898, having borne her husband the following children : Charles William, who died at Dennison, Texas, aged thirty-three years ; Sophia Catherine, who died at the age of five and one-half years ; Elizabeth Helen Gene, who died at the age of three and one-half years ; Caroline, who is Mrs. William Seybold, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Katherine Marie and Augusta Emily, who reside at the old homestead, 1408 Clifton Avenue ; Bertha Sarah, who is the widow of John Rolfes, lives at Merced, California; and Rosa Rebecca lives in Springfield. The beautiful residence, a ten-room house, heated by both a coal and gas furnace, affords a delightful home for the two daughters, Katherine Marie and Augusta Emily. They own this property and also the business block on West Main Street. The children all attended the grade and high schools of Springfield. Mr. Keller and his wife were charter members of Saint John's Lutheran Church of Springfield, and the daughters belong to the First Lutheran Church of this city and are members of its various societies. Miss Augusta E. Keller has been president of the Book Club, and both ladies are popular in the congenial circle they have gathered about them. PERRY ANDREW GRUBE. Although now living retired at Springfield, Perry Andrew Grube has had a useful life and accomplished much of a practical nature, doing everything on his own account, for he left school when he was eleven years old to earn his own living. He was born in German Township, Clark County, Ohio, May 11, 1859, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Nawman) Grube, natives of Tiffin, Ohio, and German Township, respectively. The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Philapine (Spearer) Grube, natives of the Rhine Province, Germany, came to the United States about 1836, and remained until 1838 at Tiffin, Ohio, but in the latter year came to Springfield and bought 600 acres on West North Street. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Kemp) Nawman, were natives of Virginia, where the great-grandfather, Thomas' Nawman, was born in 1779. About 1801 Thomas Nawman brought his family to Clark County, Ohio, traveling across country with three wagons drawn by oxen. He took up land in German Township, cleared his farm, improved it, and developed a large property. This farm was later divided among his children, and Jacob Nawman received his share. The parents of Perry Andrew Grube settled in Springfield after their marriage, but a year later moved to the present site of Ridgewood, German Township, now a part of Springfield, where they owned 156 acres, and this they operated for many years, but subsequently moved to a farm of fifty-six acres nearby, and there 202 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY he died March 23, 1915, his widow surviving him and making her home at Tippettville, Florida, with her daughter, Mrs. Laura Brenning. The children born to Jacob and Catherine Grube were as follows : Perry Andrew, whose name heads this review ; Laura, who is Mrs. Luther Brenning; Benjamin, who is deceased ; Sarah, who is Mrs. Wilbur Morris, of Fremont, Ohio ; Christopher and Solomon P., both of whom live on Grube Road, Springfield. From the time he was nine until he was fifteen Perry Andrew Grube lived on a farm in Ridgewood, and then moved to one in German Township. Until he was eleven years old he attended the district schools, and then began working in a wood yard, where he remained for f our and one-half years, during which time he disposed of the wood on twenty-five acres of land, hauling it to different customers at Springfield, and was then engaged in farming for a time. When he was twenty-two years old he went on the road as a salesman and traveled through Indian Territory and Texas for three years, then returning to Clark County and going on his father's farm in German Township. In 1896 he married and moved to Grube Road, which was named in his honor, and was there engaged in farming for five years, at the expiration of that time going into the dairy business on Grube Road and Saint Paris Pike, which he conducted for eleven years. He then bought 142 acres of land from his father-in-law in Harmony Township, and for three and one-half years conducted this property, and then abandoned farming and once more went into a milk business and maintained a milk route. On May 12, 1910, he organized the Home Diary, in partnership with George Ustler and George Wendel, and this was so successful a venture that William and Orville Trout were admitted to the firm in 1912, and the manufacture of ice cream, under the name of the Standard brand, was added. This connection was continued for eight years, and in 1922 Mr. Grube disposed of his interests and is now retired. He owns his handsome modern residence, 1206 Fountain Avenue, Springfield ; ten valuable lots at Ridgewood, and a farm of 156 acres of land three miles west of Fremont, German Township, which is operated by his sons. On March 18, 1896, Mr. Grube married Addie F. Slentz, born in Harmony Township, a daughter of Henry and Ruth (Bennett) Slentz, natives of German Township ; and granddaughter of Erastus and Elizabeth (Dickerson) Bennett, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Grube died July 29, 1911, having borne her husband the following children : Henry, who lives at Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Jessie, who is Mrs. Freeman Campbell, of Plattsburg, Ohio ; and Andrew, Ira and John Lewis all of whom are farmers of German Township. On May 11, 1915, Mr. Grube married Mrs. Minnie (Thompson) Brown, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, the .widow of Charles Brown. Mrs. Grube has two children by her first marriage : Turney A., who lives at Albany, New York ; and Bessie, who is Mrs. Clyde Dillon, of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Grube is independent in his political affiliations, and for nine years served on the School Board of Springfield and Harmony Townships and represented Harmony Township on the Board of Supervisors of Clark County for nine years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Grube is a most highly-respected citizen and is recognized as one of the best rep- SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 203 resentatives of the men who have made their own way in the world that the county possesses. PETER F. IGOU. The late Peter F. Igou was for many years one of the substantial men of Springfield and successfully conducted a teaming business and dealt in hay and grain. He always lived up to high conceptions of civic duty, and when he died his city lost one of its most representative citizens. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 8, 1845, a son of Peter and Elizabeth A. (Purtlebaugh) Igou, natives of Indiana and Virginia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Paul Igou, was the first white child born in Boone County, Indiana, where his parents had settled upon coming to the state from Maryland. The maternal grandparents, Henry and Margaret Purtlebaugh, came to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1830. Peter Igou and his wife were married in Champaign County and settled on a farm in that county, where both later died. The only child of his parents to survive infancy, Peter F. Igou, remained at home until he was fifteen years old, but at that time began working for farmers in the vicinity of Champaign, Illinois. At the outbreak of the war between the North and the South he enlisted in Company I, Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, a three-month regiment, and when discharged at the termination of his period of enlistment, re-enlisted in the same regiment, with which he continued to serve until the close of the war. Following his second discharge he returned to Champaign County, Ohio. On October 4, 1867, Mr. Igou married Lureatha Bayless, born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 28, 1851, and following his marriage he settled on a farm in Champaign County and was there engaged in farming until 1880, when he moved to Springfield, Ohio, and here he embarked in a teaming business and dealt in hay and grain, and was so occupied until about seven years bef ore death claimed him, April 23, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Igou had the following children : Iona, who was born February 12, 1869, is Mrs. Ivin Johnson, of Champaign County, Ohio ; Hugo, who was born January 29, 1870, died February 29, 1919 ; Albert L., who was born June 29, 1871, lives at Cleveland, Ohio ; Dennis T., who was born January 30, 1873, lives at Springfield, Ohio ; Arnett E., who was born September 13, 1874, lives at Springfield, Ohio ; Effie May, who was born March 20, 1876, is Mrs. William E. Sullivan, of Springfield, Ohio ; Durward B., who was born October 5, 1878, lives at Cleveland, Ohio ; Dale C., who was born February 20, 1880, lives at Springfield, Ohio ; Edward G., who was born December 25, 1882, lives at Springfield, Ohio ; Maude A., who was born July 28, 1885, is Mrs. Charles R. Weber, and lives with her mother ; and Harry, who was born February 14, 1888, died March 3, 1888. Mrs. Igou is a daughter of William C. and Mary Ann (Colbert) Bayless, natives of Champaign County, Ohio. The grandfather, Hezekiah Bayless, was a native of Virginia, and he married a Kentucky-born lady. The maternal grandparents were Thomas and Margaret (Richardson) Colbert, natives of Kentucky, where he died, she coming to Champaign County, Ohio, with her children, four or five in number, 204 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY but later moved to Hardin County, where she died. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Bayless lived on a farm in Champaign County, seven miles east of Urbana, where both died. They were the first persons in the early days to use a coal oil lamp in Champaign County. Their children were as follows : Nelson, who is deceased ; Mrs. Igou, who was second in order of birth ; Lydia Alice, who is deceased ; Elnora, who is the widow of David Johnson, lives at Cable, Ohio ; and Jennie M., who is the widow of Alonzo Reed, of Rockford, Iowa. Mr. Igou attended the common schools of Champaign County and the academy at Urbana, Ohio, and his widow attended the public schools of Champaign County and the Urbana Normal School. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, but his widow is a member of the Disciples Church. He was independent in his political affiliations. Mitchell Post, G. A. R., held his membership, and he maintained his interest in it until his death. DENNIS SULLIVAN, now retired, for nearly forty years was engaged in an express business at Springfield, and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens and old soldiers of Clark County. He was born at Toledo, Ohio, in October, 1842, a son of Jeremiah Sullivan. Becoming an orphan in 1843 the little Dennis Sullivan was bound out to a Mrs. Early, a widow living near Terre Haute, Indiana, at Saint-Mary's-inthe-Woods, and here he lived until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Sullivan, Indiana, and learned the painters' trade and worked at it in different parts of the country until 1876, when he settled at Terre Haute and went into the furniture business. This he sold in 1880, and coming to Springfield established himself in business as a deliveryman, and was so engaged for over thirty-nine years, building up a large and valuable connection, and then, in 1920, retired. Intensely patriotic, Mr. Sullivan sought to enter the army in 1861, but was refused, but embarked with the others in the company in which he wanted to enlist. When discovered he was put off at Terre Haute, Indiana, but re-embarked with another company and was once more put off, this time at Greencastle, Indiana. With a third company he traveled as far as Indianapolis, Indiana, and there enlisted with Company E, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which left for Baltimore, Maryland, July 6, 1861, where the command was under General Dix, drilling and doing guard duty until in February, 1862, when they were sent to Fortress Monroe, Virginia. After a few weeks in camp there they went to Ship Island, near Mobile, Alabama, where they were put under the command of General Butler and started with a fleet of frigates up the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana, with a solid Confederate battery turned against them. At the beginning of May, 1862, they reached New Orleans and remained there for some months. On August 2, Mr. Sullivan had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was taken to Jackson, Mississippi, three months later was sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and from there up the Yazoo River to the Union lines, where he was exchanged. Following his exchange he was sent north up the Mississippi River, by way of New York City, and thence by water to New Orleans, where he rejoined his regiment. He was honorably dis- SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 205 charged July 31, 1864. Mr. Sullivan participated in the expedition through Merrimac and Northampton counties, November 14-22, 1861; moved to New Orleans, March 4-12, 1862 ; attacked by Sewell's batteries, March 5 ; operated against Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, April 18-28; went on to Berwick Bay, May 5 ; took part in the expedition to Caillou Bayou, June 9-10 ; battle of Baton Rouge, August 5 ; Bayou des Allemands, September 4-5 ; the engagement near Charles City Courthouse, September 8 ; expedition to Donaldsonville and skirmish, September 24 ; operations in La Fourche District, October 24 to November 6; action of Bayou Teche, November 3 ; engagement and destruction of gunboat "Cotton," January 14, 1863, after which, February 4, 1863, the regiment was changed to heavy artillery. They operated against Fort Hudson, to which they laid siege in the latter part of May or June, and until the fort surrendered July 8, 1863, were engaged against it. From July to September they were in and about Baton Rouge, and September 5-11 were in the Sabine Pass expedition. During his very hard and varied war service Mr. Sullivan was not once wounded, nor did he spend a single day in the hospital, a very remarkable record. On August 31, 1876, Mr. Sullivan married Rebecca M. Reeves, and they became the parents of the following children : William E., who lives at Springfield, Ohio, is connected with the 0. S. Kelley Company, married Effie Igou, and they have three children, Leota, May, William, Theobert and Stanley E. ; and Carrie May, who married E. G. Igou, an auto dealer, and they have one son, John Reeves. While Mr. Sullivan never had much schooling he is a very well-informed man and can talk entertainingly upon a number of subjects, especially those relating to his army experience. He is a member of Mitchell Post, G. A. R., and has held all of the offices except that of commander. While he is a staunch republican he has not been active in politics. A loyal soldier, good citizen and sound business man, Air. Sullivan has done his full duty and has earned the position he holds in the esteem of his neighbors and friends. WILLIAM FRANCIS, M. D. There is one vocation, that of the physician, which opens to its devotees an extremely wide range of usefulness. Its avenues are numerous, and that particular phase of its sphere which accomplishes the more than splendid work of preserving God-given life says nothing of the world of sorrow that is banished or of the happiness which is re-enthroned through health restored at the exercise of the divine art. It is indeed a divine art, and those who study and follow it, mellowed and enriched as they are through their association with unmasked humanity, are possessed of a priceless ability to answer the command to "heal the sick." Among the leaders of the profession at South Charleston, Clark County, is Dr. William Francis, who since engaging in practice in this community has gained the confidence of all and the gratitude of many. Doctor Francis was born on a farm in Franklin County, Ohio, October 6, 1869, and is a son of Frederick and Eliza A. (Heath) Francis. Frederick Francis was born in County Kent, England, in 1833, and was a babe of three years when brought to the United States by his parents, the family locating in Franklin County, Ohio, where the youth 206 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY was given his educational training in the public schools and reared to stalwart manhood. Brought up as a farmer's son, he adopted that vocation when he reached years of maturity, and was engaged in the pursuits of the soil at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in a volunteer infantry regiment of Ohioans, in the Union Army, and fought gallantly until the close of the struggle. After his military career he resumed his operations as an agriculturist, and continued to be engaged therein during the rest of his life. He had a successful, useful and honorable career, and died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. Mr. Francis was a popular comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, and always attended the meetings of his old brothers-in-arms who wore the Blue. He was a democrat in his political allegiance, and at one time served as a member of the Board of Township Trustees. Of the nine children born to him and his worthy wife eight were living in 1922. William Francis was educated primarily in the district schools and was reared on the home farm, where he learned the dignity of labor and the value of honesty. Later he attended the Northern Ohio Normal School at Ada, where he prepared himself for a career as teacher, but after three years spent in the school-room entered Starling Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1897 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. At that time he located for practice at Sedalia, Ohio, where he spent nine years, then going to southwestern Missouri, where one year was passed in professional work. Returning then to Ohio, he took up his residence and practice at South Charleston, which has since been his home and the scene of his material and professional success. During the fifteen years of his residence here he has acheived prosperity and atracted to himself the confidence as well as the patronage of a large clientele. Doctor Francis by a former marriage has three children: Dona, who was educated in the high school and at Wittenberg College, and is the wife of Paul R. Jones, of Springfield where he is Teller in the First National Bank ; Ruby, who is attending high school ; and Mary E., a graded school pupil. In 1917 Doctor Francis married Mrs. Maud (Yeazel) Hodge. Doctor Francis holds membership in the various organizations of his calling, including the Clark County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and is a close and careful student of the many advancements being made constantly in his calling. As a fraternalist he belongs to the Masonic Order and is a Past Master of Leanore Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, of Sedalia, Ohio. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Springfield, in both of which he is popular. He has several business connections, and is president of the Paint Creek Oil and Gas Company, an enterprise for the product on these commodities, and the owner of a valuable and well-cultivated farm near South Charleston. A democrat in politics and a man who has always accepted his public responsibilities and duties cheerfully, he has been prominent in civic affairs and a supporter of public-spirited movements, and during his one term as mayor of South Charleston he gave his city a businesslike administration. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 207 HARRY MELLINGER. In the public life of Clark County Harry Mellinger is distinguished by the service he has rendered as a county commissioner, and particularly as a good road advocate and one of the men who have made possible the extensive program of good road construction. Mr. Mellinger has lived in Clark County all his life, and has been a successful farmer and horseman. He was born in the house where he lives today on December 20, 1861. This home is f our miles south of Springfield, in Springfield Township. He is a son of John Hertzler and Rachael (Rosser) Mellinger. His mother was born in Clark County, west of Springfield, daughter of John Rosser, a native of Wales and an early settler in Clark County. John H. Mellinger was eight years of age when brought from Lancaster County by his parents, Jacob and Martha (Hertzler) Mellinger, about 1841. The family settled in Mad River Township, where Jacob Mellinger lived until his death, in the late '70s, in advanced years. He owned a 180-acre farm there. His family were Lutherans. His sons Jacob and John H. were jointly interested' in the ownership of a section of land in Ford County, Illinois, where Jacob Mellinger spent his active business career, but finally returned to Springfield, and died in that city. John H. Mellinger was a partner in this land until it was sold. Bef ore his marriage he bought the land included in the present homestead of Harry Mellinger, and largely developed it as an agricultural proposition. He started there with eighty acres, mostly in timber, and this timber was worked up into barrel staves and spokes. John H. Mellinger was widely known over Clark and adjacent counties as a stock buyer and shipper, and he continued in that business until his death, at the age of sixty-two, having in the meantime increased his farm to 140 acres. His widow survives him and is now living in Springfield. In politics he was a republican. In his private life he practiced the Golden Rule, and it is thought that he never had an ill word for any one. The five children of John H. Mellinger and wife were: Harry ; Emma, wife of David Herr, an undertaker at Springfield ; Martha, wife of Harry Hedges, of Cleveland ; John, who died at the age of twenty-two ; and Annie, who married Robert Mills and died, leaving two children. Harry Mellinger as a boy began taking some of the responsibilities of the work of the farm. He was educated in the Possum School House, and while he earned a certificate as a teacher, he never used it. After reaching manhood he acquired the interests of the other heirs in the farm, and he now has 176 acres, part of which cost him $100 an acre. He has one of the very fine country homes of Clark County. In live stock he has handled Poland China hogs, and became well known as a grower and breeder of horses for the road and track and he still keeps a few road horses. One of the fine horses owned by him was Colonel Coyp, a noted show horse that was sold for $2,000 to Harry Mitchell of Philadelphia, and later was sold for $25,000. Mr. Mellinger served two terms as township trustee before entering upon the public duties of county commissioner. For years he has been interested in the good roads problem, and he was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners on a good roads platform in the fall of 1916. He entered office in 1917, and has twice been re-elected. Nearly all the modern highways of Clark County have been built since 208 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY he entered office, including the hard surface roads and many secondary roads that have been put in good condition the year around. Mr. Mellinger has been active in party politics and conventions. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church at Springfield, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Mellinger's first wife was Emma Flenner, of Hamilton, Ohio. She died four years later, leaving one son, Flenner, who attended Wittenberg College and is now a student in the Iowa State College of Agriculture at Ames. Mr. Mellinger's present wife was Pearl Kauffman. Her father, Henry Kauffman, who died several years ago, was a former teacher and for many years in the greenhouse business. LEMUEL MITCH. One of the fine farms of Clark County is owned by Lemuel Mitch, whose life has been spent in this county and whose energy as a farmer and capability as a citizen have brought him a high degree of appreciation from his fellow citizens. Mr. Mitch's farm is situated on the National Road, a mile and a half east of South Vienna, in Harmony Township. He was born only half a mile away, August 2, 1867, son of Charles and Mary (Bennett) Mitch. His father, a native of Germany, was brought to this country at the age of twelve years by his parents, who settled at Springfield, where they lived out their lives, the grandfather dying in 1882. Charles Mitch was reared in Springfield, and from early youth worked as a farm hand until his marriage, when he located on a rented farm near Brighton. During the administration of Governor Bushnell he was appointed a guard in the State Penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio, and served there four years. After that he returned to his farm. He was active in republican politics, served as a trustee of Harmony Township two terms, became a soldier in the Union Army in July, 1861, and served until December, 1865, when he was discharged at San Antonio, Texas. He first enlisted in the infantry, served three years, and after re-enlisting was in the cavalry. He and his wife had eight children, six of whom are living: Lemuel ; Charlotte B., wife of S. A. Miller, of Springfield; Jane, who is married and lives at Sedalia, Ohio ; Alice, wife of Arthur Madder, of Brighton ; Emma, wife of William Clark, of South Vienna ; and Bruce B. Mitch. Lemuel Mitch grew up on the home farm and acquired a common school eucation. For thirty years he has been prosperously engaged in farming and has a place of 347 acres. Outside his farm he has other interests and is a stockholder in the Ohio Gate Company and the Springfield Stock Yards. December 29, 1892, he married Effie M. Wilson, who was born in Harmony Township, November 26, 1871. They have three children: Mary A., a graduate of the Plattsburg High School ; Leroy B., who married Mabel Snodgrass and lives on a farm; and Floyd H., a graduate of the Plattsburg High School, who is married and lives in Harmony Township. The family are members and Mr. Mitch is a deacon in the Wilson Chapel Christian Church. He is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and has been active in republican politics. He is a member of the Board of Election, and is the present trustee of Harmony Township. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 209 HARRY B. FIDLER is the efficient and popular manager of the fine farm of the Ohio State Home maintained by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in section 35, Greene Township, Clark County, and he takes great pride in keeping this farm up to the highest standard and making it a credit to the noble fraternity under the auspices of which it is operated. Mr. Fidler claims the old Buckeye State as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Shelby County, Ohio, on the 21st of September, 1868. He is a son of James and Lucinda (Epler) Fidler, the former of whom was born in 1847 and the latter in 1849. James Fidler was born in Miami County, this state, a representative of a sterling pioneer family, and after his marriage he established his residence on a farm six miles east of Sidney, Shelby County, his wife having been reared in that county. After remaining a comparatively short period on the farm in Shelby County Mr. Fidler and his wife removed to Michigan, where he found employment at Charlotte in Eaton County. After the return to Ohio he remained for a time in Shelby County, and he then removed to Auglaize County, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, both having been earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Fidler was a staunch advocate of the principles of the republican party, and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Of their seven children two are deceased : Harry B., of this review, is the eldest of five surviving ; Emma is the widow of M. A. Carnes ; Gertrude is the wife of William Rose ; Judson H. is a carpenter by trade and vocation and resides in Logan County ; and Maude is the wife of Frederick Simpson. To the public schools Harry B. Fidler is indebted for his youthful education, and he remained at the parental home for some time after attaining to his legal majority. In the passing years he gained broad and practical information concerning all of the details of farm enterprise, and thus he is most thoroughly fortified for the responsible position of which he is now the incumbent. He has been long and prominently affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past noble grand of Mosgrove Lodge No. 754 ; past chief patriarch of Champaign Encampment No. 29 ; a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, Lodge No. 188, at Urbana ; and past captain of Canton Occidental No. 21. He has been a representative of his lodge in the Ohio Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is a republican in political allegiance. It should be noted that the father of Mr. Fidler represented Ohio as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war, he having been a member of Company K, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and having been in active service three years and four months. In later years he vitalized the memories and associations of his military career by active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. The maiden name of the first wife of Mr. Fidler was Emma Kennedy, and no children were born of this union. In 1916 he contracted a second marriage, when Miss Nellie Liston, of Adams County, became his wife. They have no children. CHARLES S. HATFIELD, one of the successful farmers of Greene Township, claims Illinois as the place of his birth, but is a representa- Vol. II-14 210 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY tive of one of the sterling pioneer families of Clark County, Ohio. Nathaniel Hatfield, great-grandfather of the subject of this review, came from Kentucky to Ohio in the year 1805, and in 1808 he settled on a frontier farm in Clark County, where he became a pioneer in both civic and industrial development and where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Their son, James, grandfather of him whose name initiates this sketch, married Margaret Kitchen, and the latter's son James, who was born in Springfield Township, Clark County, April 12, 1844, married Miss Harriet J. Stewart, daughter of Captain Perry Stewart, who was another of the well known pioneer citizens of Clark County. James Hatfield, Jr., father of Charles S., represented Clark County as a gallant young soldier of the Union in the Civil war, his first enlistment having been in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw active service at the front, as did he later as a member of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, in which he enlisted after the expiration of his first term. In later years he perpetuated his association with his old comrades by maintaining active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. His marriage with Harriet J. Stewart was solemnized April 12, 1866, and they removed to Logan County, Illinois, where they remained one year, within which, on the 27th of May, 1867, their son Charles S. was there born. Within a short time afterward they returned with their infant son to Clark County, and here James Hatfield farmed on rented land until 1872, when he purchased the fine homestead farm now owned and occupied by his son Charles S. On this place he continued his activities as one of the enterprising farmers of his native county during the remainder of his active career, and he was a citizen of prominence and influence in his community, as shown in the fact that for five years he was representative of Clark County in the State Legislature, his political allegiance having been given to the republican party. He and his wife were zealous members of the Christian Church on High Street in the City of Springfield. They are survived by three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest ; Jessie R. is the widow of Professor Alonzo C. Stretcher, who was a teacher of science in Antioch College; and Julia M. is the wife of T. Clarence Anderson, a hardware merchant at Yellow Springs, Greene County. Charles S. Hatfield was reared on the farm which is now his place of residence, and in the public schools he continued his studies until he had duly profited by the advantages of the Springfield High School. Thereafter he completed a commercial or business course in Antioch College, and he showed the good judgment to continue his allegiance to the great basic industries of agriculture and stock growing, to which he has applied careful business methods and progressive policies and through the medium of which he has gained substantial success. He has continuously been associated with the operations of the old home farm, which property he purchased after the death of his father. He is giving special attention to the breeding of fine Polled Jersey cattle, and has the distinction of being secretary of the American Polled Jersey Cattle Club. He is a leader in the breeding of Polled Jerseys in this part of Ohio, and has made the enterprise eminently successful. Mr. Hatfield is a stockholder in the Emery Farmers Grain Company at Springfield, SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 211 is a director of the Miami Deposit Bank, and his fine farm of 135 acres is situated in sections 27 and 28, Greene Township. He is a stalwart in the local ranks of the republican party and served as vice chairman of the Clark County Republican Committee. He is progressive and liberal as a citizen and has given many years of service as township assessor and real estate appraiser. He is a past chancellor of Clifton Lodge No. 669, Knights of Pythias. The name of Mr. Hatfield still appears on the roster of eligible bachelors in Clark County. JAMES T. ETCHELBERGER has made worthy contribution to the furtherance of the prestige of Clark County along agricultural and live-stock lines, and though he is now living virtually retired he still remains on his fine homestead farm on the Selma Turnpike in Greene Township, five miles southeast of the City of Springfield. This old homestead has added value to him by reason of the fact that it was the place of his birth, which here occurred on the 29th of April, 1847, a date that indicates that he is a representative of a pioneer family. Mr. Eichelberger is a son of the late Michael and Margaret (Todd) Eichelberger, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter was born in Greene Township, Clark County, November 21, 1819, her parents having been numbered among the very early settlers in this county. John and Fannie (Baker) Eichelberger, parents of Michael, passed their entire lives in the State of Maryland. Michael Eichelberger was born in Maryland in September, 1815, and he was a young man when he came to Clark County, Ohio, where was solemnized his marriage with Miss Margaret Todd, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Garlough) Todd, the former of whom was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1796, and the latter of whom was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, January 12, 1799. James Todd, who was a millwright by trade, came to Greene Township, Clark County, early in the nineteenth century and here his marriage was solemnized January 28, 1819, his wife having been a daughter of John Garlough, who was born in Germany, in 1728. Michael and Margaret (Todd) Eichelberger became the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this review was the third in order of birth ; Fannie became the wife of Isaac Tuttle ; Margaret became the wife of J. M. Paschall ; and John W. is now deceased. James T. Eichelberger has resided on the old homestead farm from the time of his birth to the present, and in his active career was recognized as one of the most vigorous and progressive farmers of his native county, his success being such that he is able to pass the gracious evening of his life in peace and prosperity and in a community that is endeared to him by the memories and associations of many years. His farm comprises 133 acres of the valuable land of Greene Township and is maintained under a high state of cultivation. In addition to farming Mr. Eichelberger was for a number of years the owner and operator of a portable saw mill. He has shown loyal interest in community affairs and is independent in politics. December 26, 1872, recorded the marriage of Mr. Eichelberger and Miss Eliza Nave, who was born January 22, 1853, and died January 28, 1919. She was a member of a family that is specifically mentioned 212 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY on other pages of this volume. Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Eichelberger three are living : John, a bachelor, remains at the old home and has the active management of the farm ; Miss Nina likewise remains at the old home ; Claude is deceased ; and Byron is one of the progressive young farmers of Greene Township. His wife's maiden name was Mabel Hansell. Byron Eichberger is affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanics, and his sister Nina is a member of the Daughters of America. Byron Eichelberger has one son, James W., who was born July 9, 1919. WILLIAM T. WADDLE is consistently given high rank as one of the vital and successful representatives of farm enterprise and the dairy industry in Clark County, and his progressive operations are staged on his well improved farm of approximately 164 acres, in section 35, Greene Township. He was born in this township on the 23d of April, 1876, and is a son of Joseph M. and Martha B. (Taylor) Waddle. Joseph M. Waddle was born near the present city of Wheeling, West Virginia, December 30, 1839, and was a son of William and Maria (McMackin) Waddle, who came to Ohio in 1865 and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by their grandson William T. Waddle, of this review. Here the grandparents passed the remainder of their lives, both having been devout members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which William Waddle was an elder. Of their seven children only one is living in 1922, Addison, who is a resident of the State of Kansas. Joseph M. Waddle was reared in what is now the State of West Virginia, and was twenty-five years of age when he accompanied his parents to Clark County, Ohio. In Greene Township, this county, on the 23d of August, 1870, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Martha B. Taylor, and of the eight children of this union only one is deceased : Miss Nellie M. continues her residence in Clark County ; William T., immediate subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth ; Jessie is the wife of Albert Anderson, a farmer in Greene Township ; John E. is engaged in the grocery business at Xenia ; Forrest is a farmer in Cedarville Township, Greene County ; Harry A. is a salesman for a wholesale lumber company in the City of Columbus ; and Roy is a progressive farmer in Greene County. The environment and activities of the home farm compassed the childhood and early youth of William T. Waddle, and in the local schools he gained his early education, which was supplemented by his attending the Clifton High School. He remained at the parental home until he had attained to his legal majority, and thereafter was employed at farm work until he was twenty-six years of age, when he married and soon afterward initiated his independent career as a farmer. He has the satisfaction of utilizing the old homestead farm of his paternal grandparents, and has been specially successful both as an agriculturist and stock-grower. He now gives special attention to the dairy department of his farm enterprise, is a successful breeder of Polled Jersey cattle and maintains on his farm a fine dairy herd of about fifty cattle of this splendid type. He is a stockholder in the Emery Farmers Grain Company at Springfield. Mr. Waddle is a stalwart republican, and while he has had no desire for public office he has shown his civic loyalty through eight SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 213 years of effective service as a member of the School Board of his district. He and his wife are zealous and honored members of the United Presbyterian Church at Clifton, and he is serving as an elder of the same. On the 20th of February, 1902, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Waddle and Miss Ethel M. Shaw, who was born in Greene Township, August 10, 1878, and who is a daughter of John A. Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Waddle have three children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here recorded : Kenneth S., March 28, 1906; Wilber J., March 3, 1912 ; and Lois, January 30, 1917. JASPER W. OLINGER. The Olingers as a family have been identified with Clark County since pioneer days as farmers and developers of the land and the life of the rural district. Some of the choicest bodies of land in the county have been owned by them. A representative in the present generation is Jasper W. Olinger, who is proprietor of one of of the largest individually owned farms in the county, located at Brighton in Harmony Township. He was born just a mile east of his present home on April 11, 1861, son of Joseph C. and Mary (Smith) Olinger. His father, who was born in old Virginia, May 25, 1815, and died May 18, 1894, was bound out when a boy to a man in Virginia and remained in his home and employ for eleven years and then continued to work for him ten years more. He came to Ohio in company with William Troxell on horseback. For a time he worked with his brother Peter in a blacksmith shop and subsequently, while working in the woods, he broke his right leg. He finally settled down to farming near Brooks Station and later he bought a place of 480 acres, all of which he improved by clearing, ditching and building. At the time of his death Joseph Olinger left a farm estate of 900 acres. He united with the Baptist Church in Virginia when he was ten years of age, but subsequently became a member of the Christian Church and for many years was an elder in his home church. He was a republican in politics. Joseph Olinger married Mary Smith, and six of their children are living: Jacob M., of Springfield ; George W., a farmer in Harmony Township ; William H., who occupies the old homestead ; Jasper W. ; C. S., an attorney at the Springfield bar ; and Joseph C., of London, Ohio. Jasper W. Olinger grew up on the home of his father, attended the common schools, and had a careful discipline in the tasks of farming. For over thirty years his efforts have been applied to farming as a business of his own. Mr. Olinger is the enviable possessor of a farm of 567 acres in one body, lying partly in Pleasant and partly in Harmony townships. This farm is noted for its good live stock, cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Mr. Olinger remained at home with his parents until he was thirty-two. November 29, 1893, he married Alta D. Wilson. They have two children : Ralph J., born August 14, 1897, who married Mary Frazier ; and Raymond H., born February 2, 1904. The family are members of the Wilson Chapel Christian Church, in which he is a deacon. He is a member of the Grange and a republican in politics. 214 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY EDGAR H. LONG, M. D. A competent and well-trained physician and surgeon, Doctor Long has found his work and congenial environment at South Vienna. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 22, 1897, son of Benjamin and Rosa (Cadwalder) Long. His parents are also natives of Warren County, where his father was born May 4, 1874, and his mother October 22, 1875. They were reared and educated there, and after their marriage located on a farm, where they are still residing. His father is now retired from the heavier duties of the farm. He is a republican in politics. Only son of his parents, Dr. Edgar H. Long spent his youth on the farm, graduated from high school in 1915, and had further training at Cincinnati, where he subsequently entered the Eclectic Medical College and was graduated M. D. in 1920. Doctor Long was house physician at the Deaconess Hospital of Cincinnati for eight months, and received a diploma from that institution. From July, 1920, to July, 1921, he served as an interne in the City Hospital at Springfield and left there to take up private practice, associated with Dr. E. H. Smith of South Vienna. Doctor Long. is a member of the Eclectic and State Medical societies. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanics. W. C. RAY, postmaster of South Vienna and a grocery merchant. has been a very active young business man in South Central Ohio for a number of years. He was born in Vinton County, Ohio, January 30, 1877, son of Jesse and Josephine (Garrett) Ray. His father was born in Vinton County in June, 1842. He enlisted and served three years and three months as a soldier in the Civil war. After the war he followed farming in Vinton County, sold out his property there, and in 1888 moved to Fayette County, where he bought land, later lived for a time at Bloomingsburg in that county, and in 1892 moved to Madison County, where he lived on a rented farm until 1902. In that year he came to Springfield and from there moved to New Carlisle. His wife died at Canal Winchester in August, 1911, and he is now living retired at Columbus. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a republican in politics. There were eight children, five of whom are living: Effie, wife of Arthur Robbins, of South Charleston ; W. C.; Maude, wife of Forrest Slyh, of Columbus ; Grace, wif e of Fred Wyant, of Maryland ; and Mabel, wife of S. D. Latham of Hilliard, Ohio. W. C. Ray acquired a common school education. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-four and on August 31, 1902, married Mabel Robbins. They have two children : Marjorie, a graduate of the Harmony Township High School ; and Palmer, attending high school. Mrs. Ray is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ray is affiliated with Vienna Lodge No. 660, Knights of Pythias, and is a republican. Mr. Ray first engaged in the grocery business at New Carlisle, where he was located for two years, then moved his business headquarters to Hilliard for one year, and for two years was at Canal Winchester and another two years at Columbus. With this experience he SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 215 established himself at South Vienna and has developed a highly prosperous business and is one of the substantial men of this community. ARTHUR H. WALKER is a civil engineer by training, but for a quarter of a century has devoted his professional knowledge and other talent to the management of a high class farm in Clark County, a place that has been in the Walker family for three generations and is known as the Able Walker homestead, situated in Madison Township. Mr. Walker was born in this township September 6, 1876, son of Phineas and Catherine L. (Harrison) Walker. His mother was a daughter of Seth and Sarah (Fawkes) Harrison. Phineas Walker was also born at the old homestead, son of Able and Hannah (Lupton) Walker. Arthur H. Walker represents the tenth generation in descent from Lewis Walker, who came from Wales in 1686. Able and Hannah Walker came to Clark County from the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley and secured the old homestead now occupied by their grandson. Arthur H. Walker grew up on the farm, attended the public schools, graduated from high school, and in 1897 finished his course and received the Civil Engineer's degree at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania. He served as a volunteer in the Spanish-American war, joining the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was with this regiment in the Porto Rico campaign. After his college and military experience Mr. Walker returned to the farm and has shown a high degree of efficiency in the management of the place. This farm comprises 144 acres. September 29, 1906, he married Anna Leidigh Pringle, who is a high school graduate. They have one daughter, Catherine, born July 18, 1907. Both Mr. Walker and his wife are birthright members of the Friends Church. He is affiliated with Fielding Lodge No. 192, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master, is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and Council at London, Ohio, Palestine Cornmandery No. 33 at Springfield, the Scottish Rite Consistory, and is a member of Lu-Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In politics he is a republican. WILLIAM R. THORPE. The old Thorpe homestead farm, occupied and managed by William R. Thorpe, is located in Madison Township, on Rural Route No. 1 out of Selma. 'William R. Thorpe has been one of the energetic and prosperous men of this community for nearly forty years and is, in fact, a native of that vicinity. He was born on the farm where he now lives August 22, 1865, son of Thomas and Maria (Reeder) Thorpe. His father was born in Belmont County, Ohio, February 23, 1829, and in 1835 the family removed to Morgan County, where he grew to manhood and had a share in the work of making a farm. After reaching the age of twenty-one he moved to Columbiana County, where he married Maria Reeder, a native of that county. She died April 20, 1878, her only child being William R. Thorpe. The father married again, but had no children by the second union. He and his wife were birthright members of the Hixite Friends Church, and he was a republican and gave service on the School Board in Madison Township. 216 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY William R. Thorpe grew up at the old farm, attended the cornmon schools, and on November 18, 1890, married Anna H. Hallsteine. She was born in German Township of Clark County, November 16, 1869, and was educated in the public schools, in the Springfield High School and for two years was a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe have one son, William D., born August 14, 1899. He had a liberal education, attending the common schools, spent two and one-half years in Miami Military Institute, also two years in the Oklahoma College of Agriculture and Mechanical Art. He then returned to Ohio, but in June, 1921, went back to Oklahoma. He married Almeda Childers. William R. Thorpe is a birthright Friend, and his wife was reared a Lutheran, but both are now members of the Presbyterian Church of South Charleston. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a republican. Mr. Thorpe in addition to the responsibility of handling his farm of 108 acres was for one term township assessor, and is a stockholder in the R. L. Dollings Service and in the South Charleston Lumber Company. WILLIAM JOSEPH CORCORAN. Modern advancement develops certain capabilities in men and gives them avenues of expression not opened up a few generations ago. When the latter half of the last century was in its youth men of ability were restricted in a measure in their choice of a life work. If they felt no inclination toward the law, the pulpit or the clinic, they either had to enter the schoolroom, take up farming or engaged in the marts of trade. The thousand and one openings now offered to the ambitious youth had not been discovered. However, as the new possibilities brought about by discovery and invention dawned upon the skilled men of the country it was seen that they were eager to embrace every opportunity and to create new chances for advancement. In this connection one of Springfield's men of the younger generation who has come prominently to the forefront in recent years through his connection with a modern industry is William Joseph Corcoran, who was superintendent of the Steel Products Company until he organized the Corcoran Engineering Company. Mr. Corcoran is a native of Lennox, Massachusetts, born May 13, 1890, a son of Michael C. and Mary (Dalton) Corcoran, natives of the same state and of Irish descent, as the names might indicate, and both now residing at Stockbridge, Massachusetts. For generations the Corcorans have been prominent in the medical profession and as mechanics. William Joseph Corcoran was reared at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where his parents had removed in 1897, and received his early education in the public schools there, graduating from the high school in 1910. He then entered Pratt Institute, a technological institution of Brooklyn, New York, and was graduated therefrom in 1912. At that time he went to work as a toolmaker for the Wells Brothers Tap and Die Company, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and on leaving the employ of that concern associated himself with the Hendee Manufacturing Company, makers of the Indian motorcycle. Mr. Corcoran's next position was with the General Electric Company at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he continued to work as a toolmaker, and it was in the same capacity that he came to Springfield in 1914 and joined the plant of SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 217 the Kelly-Springfield Motor Truck Company. He remained with that concern until 1915, when he joined the organization of the Steel Products Company as a toolmaker. Here his ability, fidelity and industry won ready recognition and he was soon promoted assistant foreman of the machine shop. From this position he rose to foreman of the tool room, and in 1919 he was made superintendent of the plant. He resigned from the Steel Products Company June 10, 1922. On June 27, 1922 W. J. and T. M. Corcoran, brothers, started a company of their own, known as the Corcoran Engineering Company, at 231-239 East Main Street. Mr. Corcoran is considered an expert in his line of work, is possessed of much executive ability, and has the confidence of his associates and the friendship and good will of the employes of the plant. He has worked his own way up the self-made road to accomplishment, and is appreciative of the efforts and ambitions of others. He is a member of the Springfield Engineers' Club, the Springfield Automobile Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith is that of the Catholic Church, he and Mrs. Corcoran being members of St. Raphael's Church of Springfield. While he has not sought public preferment of any kind, he takes an interest in civic affairs, and always supports all measures calculated to be for the city's advancement and welfare. In 1915, at Springfield, Mr. Corcoran was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude J. Arnold, a daughter of John Arnold, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and to this union there have been born two children : Gertrude A. and William J. TIMOTHY WILSON, now eighty-two years of age, has spent the greater part of his industrious life in the rural sections of Clark County. He occupies a farm in Harmony Township that is a monument to his industry. He was born at Walton, Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1840, son of Timothy and Sarah (Rhodes) Wilson. His parents spent all their lives in Yorkshire and of their ten children nine reached mature years. Timothy Wilson has a sister Harriet, now the wife of William Parker, living in Kansas. Timothy Wilson lived in England until he was eighteen. He attended school there, but at the age of twelve years he began working and for three years was employed in a dairy. After that he continued farm work until he came to the United States, landing at New York City. He joined his brother at Elyria, Loraine County, Ohio, and after a short time came to Springfield. He worked on farms and in the timber district around South Charleston. While here he married Nancy Smith, who was born on a farm in Harmony Township. After his marriage Timothy Wilson secured twenty acres of land, and by hard work has achieved the ownership of about eighty acres, well improved and highly developed. His wife died there in 1919. Of their six children, five are living: Miss Sara E.; Charles H., a sketch of whom follows ; Arabella, wife of W. B. Hunt of Columbus, and they have two children, Barton L. and Charlotte M.; Anna M., wife of Charles F. Gilbert, of South Charleston ; and Ault G., a farmer in Harmony Township. He married Ethel L. Morningstar and they have 218 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY one child, Ruth E. Mr. Timothy Wilson attended the Lisbon Baptist Church and is a democrat. Charles H. Wilson was born at the old Timothy Wilson homestead June 19, 1872, and is now a prosperous farmer in an adjoining place in Harmony Township. He grew up on a farm, had a common school education and he worked as a farm hand and for a time rented land. He now owns 137 acres. February 25, 1909, he married Nellie McDonald, who was born in Madison Township, February 18, 1886, daughter of Job and Elizabeth (Mort) McDonald, her father a native of Virginia and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilson have one son, Charles R., born September 25, 1910. They are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon, and in politics he votes as a republican. CLARENCE E. LAYBOURNE has been a representative farmer in Greene and Harmony townships for the past twenty years. His home is in the Plattsburg community, and he is a native of Clark County and member of one of its old and substantial families. He was born on a farm in Green Township of this county October 17, 1880, son of William and Anna (Madden) Laybourne. His father was born in the same locality on May 26, 1843, and grew up on the farm and acquired a public school education. The mother was born July 9, 1852, and at the age of seventeen qualified as a teacher and at the age of nineteen was granted a life certificate. She and her husband were married in 1876, and they then located on a farm in Greene Township, where the father continued his industrious career until his death in 1906. He was a republican and an active member of the Baptist Church, with which his widow is also affiliated. Of their five children four are living: Lawrence, Clarence, Stanley, Alice and Willie, who died aged six years. Clarence E. Laybourne grew up on a farm, attended the local schools and was at home with his parents until he was twenty-one. Since then he has been farming for himself, and his management of his farm and his private interests have gained him the confidence of his fellow citizens to the extent of conferring upon him offices of trust and responsibility. He has been township trustee of Greene Township, is a republican, is a member of Fielding Lodge No. 192, F. and A. M., is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Antioch Temple of the Shrine at Dayton. He is a Baptist, while Mrs. Laybourne is a member of the Christian Church. October 29, 1903, he married Virginia Troxell, daughter of William and Dora (Shryack) )Troxell, and a member of one of the best known families in this section of Clark County. Mr. and Mrs. Laybourne have three children : Troxell, now in the third year of high school ; Elizabeth, a first year high school girl ; and Esther, attending the grade school. DAVID H. CAMPBELL is postmaster of Plattsburg, and is a member of the firm Campbell and Price, general merchants and dealers in grain, coal and seeds. He has been continuously in business in that rural town of Harmony Township for over thirty years, and is one of the very substantial citizens of that section of Clark County. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 219 Mr. Campbell was born on a farm in Harmony Township, January 14, 1858. His father, Samuel D. Campbell, was also a native of Harmony Township, had a public school education there, and married Mary (Jones) Foreman, who was born in Illinois and was married there, she and her husband then locating in Harmony Township of Clark County, where Mr. Foreman died. Samuel D. Campbell after his marriage followed farming, and at the time of the Civil war enlisted at Springfield in the Union Army, and died while in the service. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church. Of their four children two are now living, David H. and Melyne B., the latter of Cedarville, Ohio. David H. Campbell was only a small boy when his father died. He spent several years in Springfield, but 'about 1865 his mother returned to Harmony Township, and he grew up there. He had a common school education, and as a boy began working for his own support. For a time he was in the employ of the man who owned the store now conducted by Campbell and Price. He was also in the grain business, was employed for a time by Hamilton and Brooks, and for four or five years he operated a tile factory. He then bought the store at Plattsburg owned by John Nicholson & Company, in 1890, and two years later John Price bought into the business and the firm of Campbell and Price has now been in existence for thirty years. In 1879 Mr. Campbell married Jennie Hartman, who was born at South Vienna, Ohio. She died July 29, 1920, and was long a faithful member of the Christian Church. Their two children were Jessie, who died in 1901, and Freeman. Freeman is a graduate of High School and the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, and by his marriage to Jessie Grube has two sons, David A. and Robert. Mr. Campbell is affiliated with Fielding Lodge No. 192, F. and A. M., and has filled the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is treasurer of the Home Telephone Company of Plattsburg, and he has been postmaster under the civil service rules for a number of years. He was formerly a democrat, but is now a republican in politics. EDWIN PEARL DEATON, the efficient superintendent of the Clark County Infirmary, is giving a most careful and effective administration and has brought this institution to high standard in all departments of its service, his regime having made it specially creditable to his native county. Mr. Deaton was born on the old homestead farm of the family in Bethel Township, one mile distant from the county institution of which he is now superintendent, and the year of his birth was 1874. On the old home place his venerable father, N. E. Deaton, eighty years of age at the time of this writing, in 1922, still resides, and when it is stated that this honored citizen likewise is a native of Clark County it becomes evident that the family was here founded in the pioneer days. N. E. Deaton is a son of Andrew Deaton, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who came in an early day to Clark County, where he reclaimed and developed a farm in Bethel Township, and where he died at the age of eighty-five years. N. E. Deaton married Miss Catherine Confer, who was born at Yellow Springe, Greene County, this state, and whose death occurred in 1916, she and her husband having 220 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY continued their devoted companionship until they were able to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, and the gracious ties having been severed only when the loved wife and mother passed to the life eternal. Edwin P. Deaton was reared on the old home farm, which only recently passed out of the possession of the family, through sale of the property, and in the meanwhile he profited by the advantages of the local schools. He has been continuously associated with farm enterprise in his native county from his boyhood, and he had charge of the old home place until the same was sold. His secure place in popular confidence and esteem became especially evident when he was selected superintendent of the County Infirmary, after the former incumbent, Jesse Pence, had dropped dead while at his home. Mr. Deaton assumed the duties of this important office on the 1st of January, 1919, and his administration has fully justified his appointment to the office. The Clark County Infirmary and Farm are situated in Bethel Township, nine miles west of the City of Springfield. The main building, standing on a slight elevation, is constructed of brick and is three stories in height, as are also its two wings, each of which has a porch and balcony at the front. The county farm comprises 1561/9 acres, and was purchased about eight years ago, the place having been the old homestead farm of the late Martin Snyder. The infirmary buildings are of modern design and facilities, and the main building was erected at a cost of $100,000. The infirmary has accommodations for 175 inmates, and the average number is about one hundred, women being in the minority. The farm is maintained at a high standard, has fifteen dairy cows of the purebred Holstein type, and the fine orchard on the place gives ample crops of peaches, apples, etc. The institution is largely self-supporting, and each year records an advance toward making the place entirely independent of extraneous financial support on the part of the county. The superintendent believes that after the nation has maintained its prohibition laws twenty-five years there will not be need for institutions to care for the indigent. In politics Mr. Deaton is a republican, but in local affairs he supports men and measures meeting his approval rather than being constrained by strict partisan lines. Mr. Deaton married Miss Blanche Ione Snyder, who was born and reared in Bethel Township. she having been ten years old at the time of her mother's death and having then been taken into the home of her maternal grandparents. She is a (laughter of John Snyder, who died at the age of sixty years, he having been for a number of years engaged in the grocery business at Donnelsville, this county. John Snyder was a son of Samuel Snyder and a nephew of Martin Snyder, the names of both of whom are honored in connection with civic and industrial development and progress in Clark County. Samuel Snyder died at the age of eighty-five years and his brother Martin at the age of eighty-eight. The Snyder family had owned a landed estate of 400 acres, extending from the National Road to the present county farm, which was a part of this original Snyder landed estate. Mr. Deaton has found his wife an able and popular coajutor in carrying on the affairs of the County Infirmary, of which she is matron. They have one daughter, Lucille, who is now the wife of Roy Free, of Springfield. She was educated in that city and is still numbered among the successful and popular teachers in the public schools of the county seat. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 221 LEMUEL N. DOOM is known and valued as one of the most loyal and progressive business men and influential citizens of New Carlisle, where he is cashier of the New Carlisle Bank, a member of the firm of Doom Brothers, engaged in the undertaking business, and president of the Board of Education in a vital little city that has provided one of the most modern and attractive school buildings to be found in places of similar or even much greater population in the entire State of Ohio. Mr. Doom was born in the picturesque little mountain City of Staunton, Virginia, in the year 1875, and is a son of John Doom. He was six years old at the time of the family removal to Kentucky, and two years later removal was made to Troy, Miami County, Ohio. He was sixteen years old when he came with his parents to Clark County, where the family home was established on a farm near New Carlisle. He remained on the farm nine years, and later gave effective service as clerk in hardware and drug stores at New Carlisle. In 1910 the former cashier of the New Carlisle Bank prevailed upon Mr. Doom to assume the position of bookkeeper in that institution, and eventually, in 1913, he was chosen cashier of this bank, in which executive office he has since continued his able and popular administration. The bank bases its operations on a capital stock of $30,000, has a surplus fund of $10,000, and the institution has paid regular dividends to its stockholders. Frank E. Thompson, of Miami County, is president of this strong and well ordered bank, which owns the building in which its business is conducted. Mr. Doom received his early education in the public schools and has taken deep interest in the schools of New Carlisle during the period of his residence here. He has served eight years as a member of the Board of Education, of which he is now the president, and was a vigorous supporter of the progressive movement which resulted in giving to New Carlisle one of the finest school buildings in the state, the same having been erected in 1921. Mr. Doom is independent in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Doom is a charter member and is a past worthy matron of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, is an influential and popular member of the Progress Club and is a prominent figure in the representative social and cultural activities of her home community. Mr. Doom married Miss Maude Smith, of Tippecanoe, Miami County, and they have two children : John Howard and Mabel Virginia. ROBERT STEVENSON PARSONS is giving specially effective and progressive administration of the office of superintendent of the public schools of the thriving little City of New Carlisle, and is doing much to advance the standard of educational work in Clark County. Mr. Parsons was born in Greene County, this state, on the 28th of November, 1863, the place of his nativity having been the parental home farm near Fairfield. His father, James Parsons, was born in Virginia, was six years of age at the time of the family removal to Ohio in 1840, and was a resident of Miami County at the time of his death, in 1921, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. Robert S. Parsons continued his studies in the public schools of his native county until he had completed a course in the high school, and thereafter he devoted five years to successful work as a teacher in the 222 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY schools of Greene County. In the furtherance of his higher education he entered Wittenberg College, at Springfield, and in this excellent institution he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, his alma mater having conferred upon him, in 1897, the supplemental degree of Master of Arts, after he had taken an effective post-graduate course. Thereafter he was for two years a member of the faculty of Wartburg College at Waverly, Iowa, where he held the chair of mathematics. For the ensuing four years he was superintendent of the public schools of Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, and he next taught one year in the high school at Miamisburg. From 1900 to 1902 he was engaged in successful professional work in Porto Rico, where for the first year he was principal of the schools at Maricao and the second year was at the head of the high school in the seaport Town of Mayaguez. He then returned to the United States, and for eleven years he continued his able services as superintendent of the public schools of Beaver Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio. He was for the ensuing year principal of the High School at New Vienna, Clinton County, and the next three years found him giving characteristically effective administration as superintendent of the public schools of Jeffersonville, Fayette County, from which post he came in 1917 to that of superintendent of the schools at New Carlisle. Here he has brought to bear earnest work in systematizing the schools and introducing and carrying forward progressive executive and scholastic policies. Under his regime have been added the manual arts high school, the departments of drawing and home economics, and the establishing of junior and senior orchestras in the high school. His love of music has prompted him to develop its cultural work in this community, and in this and many other ways has he shown his fine sense of civic loyalty. He is an enthusiast in his profession and takes deep satisfaction in being helpful to aspiring youth. Thus he is found making the best of provisions for encouraging athletic sports in connection with the schools under his jurisdiction, the while his efforts are always bent to the adopting of the most modern and advanced methods and facilities in school work. Mr. Parsons is actively identified with the Ohio State Teachers Association, the Central Ohio Teachers Association and the National Teachers Association. He is affiliated with the Alpha Tau college fraternity. The fine new public school building at New Carlisle was completed in 1921 at a cost of $170,000 and is attractively situated on a five-acre tract that was formerly the site of the old Snyder Hall Academy. In the schools are retained nine teachers, the total enrollment of pupils in 1922 was 254, fifty-four being in the high school and fifty-one in the junior high school. All departments are maintained in the modern building which is a credit and honor to the citizens of New Carlisle and in which they take justifiable pride. In the year 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Parsons and Miss Emily J. Allen, of Miami County, and they have one son, James Allen, who graduates from the senior high school, class of 1923, at New Carlisle. L. M. ERVIN has played a vigorous part in the commercial affairs of Clark County for a number of years. His business headquarters are now SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 223 at South Vienna, where he is proprietor of the elevator and a dealer its coal and implements. Mr. Ervin was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 17, 1878, son of Alfred H. and Columbia (Perkins) Ervin. His father was born in Fayette County, Ohio, June 30, 1843, and his mother was born at Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, January 23, 1844. Alfred Ervin, when a boy, accompanied his parents to Madison County, where he grew up and acquired a common school education. In 1861, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and gave three years of soldier's service to the cause of the Union. After his discharge he returned to the farm, soon afterward married, and took up farming as his regular vocation. Later he removed to Fayette County, and was a contractor there until his death. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a republican. Of his five children f our are living: Mary, wife of Curtis Milburn ; Charles, a farmer in Harmony Township of Clark County ; L. M., and Harry, a farmer in Madison Township. Leon M. Ervin spent the first sixteen years of his life in Fayette County, and acquired his public school education there. Later he completed a course in the commercial college at Springfield, and at the age of nineteen began keeping books and subsequently for five years was 'in the grocery business at Springfield. Then, following an experience in the southern states for about two years, he returned to Clark County and located at South Charleston, and for eleven years was associated in business with the Houstons of that vicinity. In 1917 Mr. Ervin located at South Vienna, and after conducting a store for three years, he engaged in his present business, operating the elevator and as a dealer in coal and implements. On November 7, 1899, he married Sue Munsey, daughter of Rev. C. D. Munsey. They have one daughter, Alice M., born January 16, 1907, and now attending high school at Plattsburg. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ervin is a past master of the Masonic Lodge and is keeper of records and seals in the Knights of Pythias. He is a republican, and while at South Charleston he served as mayor two years and six years on the Town Council. CHARLES F. GILBERT for many years has been an active business man at South Charleston. His principal activities have been in the lumber business, and he is also connected with the financial life of Springfield and has been deeply interested in the civic welfare and advancement of his home community and the county at large. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 20, 1872, son of Lewis and Anna (McClain) Gilbert. Lewis Gilbert was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 1, 1838, had a common school education, and at the beginning of the Civil war enlisted in the Union Army and served with all the fidelity of a good soldier four years. He was in Sherman's Army, and after the war was deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic. At Cedarville in Greene County he married Anna McClain, who was born August 31, 1842, in Ross County, Ohio. After their marriage they located at Cedarville. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their four children were : Miss Lena, who has 224 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY for many years been a high school teacher ; Charles F.; Della, wife of John W. Johnson, of Cedarville, and Ralph, a farmer in Greene County. Charles F. Gilbert attended the common schools, and as a youth became interested in the lumber business. On locating at South Charleston he was associated with Joseph Van Horn, and at the death of Mr. Van Horn, took over the lumber business and gave his entire time to its management until 1919. The business was then discontinued, and Mr. Gilbert has since given his time to his farm properties. He married Miss Anna Wilson, who was reared on a farm in Harmony Township of Clark County. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gilbert is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner, being affiliated with Palestine Commandery at Springfield, and Antioch Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. of Dayton, Ohio, and is a past master of his lodge. He and his wife are both members of the Eastern Star, and he is a republican, and at present is serving on the Village Commission of South Charleston. He is financially interested in the Springfield Bond and Mortgage Company, the officers of which are : F. E. Hosterman, president ; C. A. Young, vice president ; Stanley S. Petticrew, second vice president ; Hugh Hagan, secretary ; A. H. Penfield, treasurer, and the directors are David F. Snyder, Paul E. Nollen, W. F. Tuttle, O. C. Clark, Joseph A. Poss, Charles F. Gilbert and A. C. Kaser. Anna Wilson, wife of Mr. Gilbert, is a daughter of Timothy and Nancy (Smith) Wilson. Her father was born in Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1840, came to the United States at the age of eighteen, locating near South Charleston, was a successful farmer in that locality, and is now living retired. His wife, Nancy Smith, was born in Harmony Township, January 1, 1845. They are members of the Lisbon Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson served a hundred-day enlistment during the Civil" war in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Infantry. Of the eight children in the Wilson family, five are living : Alva, unmarried ; Arabelle, wife of W. B. Hunt, of Columbus, Ohio ; C. H., a farmer in Harmony Township ; Mrs. Anna Gilbert, and A. G., a farmer in Harmony Township. WILLIAM GORDON is a native of Clark County, has had an experience of forty years in the saw mill industry, and is proprietor of the South Charleston Saw Mill. He was born in Greene Township of Clark County, May 12, 1861, son of William and Mary (Edwards) Gordon, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of West Virginia. Both were reared in Ohio, and the father for the greater part of his active life followed the trade of stationary engineer. He was a republican, and he and his wife were members of the Episcopal Church. Of their nine children three are now living: William ; Andy, of Jamestown, Ohio ; and Nettie, wife of Henry Edwards, living near Xenia. William Gordon was educated in town schools, as a youth went to work around saw mills, and has a knowledge of the mechanic and the business side of the lumber industry, omitting hardly a single detail. It was in 1916 that he bought the mill at South Charleston and has made that an important industry. Mr. Gordon married Elizabeth Tracy, who died in March, 1901. She was the mother of five daughters, three of whom are living : Iva,