BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Portrait Biographical Album
of
Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio
containing Full Page Portraits
and Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the
Presidents of the United States.
Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1890.

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C. T. Johnson	CLARK T. JOHNSON.  This name for many years was a familiar sound to the older residents of Jamestown and vicinity, among whose people Mr. Johnson moved in and out for nearly a lifetime.  After an honorable and useful career he was gathered to his fathers Apr. 22, 1888, when nearly seventy-seven years old.  He was born in Highland County, this State, Jan. 4, 1811, and was the son of James L. and Susannah (Moorman) Johnson, who were born and reared in Campbell County, Va.  Both were the representatives of fine old families of English extraction and honorable antecedents.      The Johnson family was an offshoot of one to which the famous Ben. Johnson belonged.  After their marriage the parents of our subject settled on a farm in their native county, where they lived a few years and then in the early part of the present century came to Ohio and began life as pioneers among the wilds of Highland County.  They built up a comfortable home from the wilderness, but about 1820 left the farm and removed to Xenia.  Later, after becoming old people, they were taken into the home of Clark T., our subject, and died at his residence in Jefferson Township, Greene County, when ripe in years.  They were people greatly respected wherever they had lived and nearly all their lives were consistent members of the Church of Christ (Disciples).      The subject of this notice was the oldest son and second child of his parents who reared a large family of sons and daughters.  He was a lad of five years when his parents settled in Highland County, this State, and removed with them to Xenia where he attended the city schools and developed into manhood.  When nearly thirty-three years of age he was married, near Bowersville, to Miss Sarah Vanniman, whose parents were from New Jersey and in early life settled upon a large tract of new land in Jefferson Township where they lived until death overtook them.      Miss Sarah Vanniman obtained the best education possible at that time and in that place.  She departed this life at her home in Jamestown in 1875.  She was a lady of unassuming manners and a consistent member of the Church of Christ.  Of this union there were born three children of whom Miss Carrie Johnson is the only survivor, who with the present Mrs. Johnson, lives in Jamestown, and is a young woman of more than ordinary intelligence, and a member of the same church to which her mother belonged.      The subject of this notice followed farming nearly all his life and during the last years of his active labor was largely interested in stock-raising.  He was successful in the accumulation of this world’s goods and after his removal to Jamestown was largely instrumental in the organization of the People’s Bank in 1886 and of which he was a director and large stockholder.  Prior to this he had been connected with the Farmers’ & Traders’ Bank nineteen years and was one of its main stays.  Later there seemed to arise the necessity for a new bank and Mr. Johnson was looked to as one in whom the people had abundant confidence to establish it.  He proved himself worthy in all respects of the trust which had been placed in him.      Politically, Mr. Johnson was a sound Republican.  During the administration of President Lincoln he was a Revenue Assessor, discharging the duties of the office with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned, notwithstanding the “Butternut” clement sought to annoy him in every way possible and to loosen his hold upon the confidence of the people.  He also served as Justice, of the Peace and Assessor of Jefferson Township, he was a man loyal to all good principles, to his country and his church, and his death was not only deeply mourned by his family and his friends, but the entire community.      After the death of his first wife Mr. Johnson was married Jan. 2, 1879. in South Charleston, Clark County, to Miss Rebecca Hodges.  This lady was born in Jamestown, in 1832, to Nathaniel and Malinda (Campbell) Hodges, who were natives respectively of Norfolk County, Va., and Maysville, Ky. On both sides of the house she sprang from noted families.  Mr. Hodges was of English ancestry and the son of Mathias Hodges, likewise a native of Virginia, but whose parents were born in England.  The latter emigrated to America at an early day, settling in Virginia where Mathias was reared to manhood and became owner of a large plantation in Norfolk Count}’, this being worked by slaves.  He became a prominent and wealthy man and died at a ripe old age.      Nathaniel Hodges was reared to manhood in his native county of Norfolk, Va., but even at the early age of eighteen years he contracted such a dislike of the peculiar institution, that he left his home and went to Maysville, Ky., where soon afterward he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812.  Peace, however, was declared before he had the opportunity of engaging in active service.  Soon after reaching his majority he settled in Aberdeen, Ohio, where he engaged in general merchandising and was married to Miss Melinda Campbell.  His wife was born and reared in Kentucky and was the daughter of Matthew Campbell, a native of Argyleshire, Scotland.  Mr. Campbell emigrated to America at an early day, settling in Maysville, Ky.  He was a brother of the well-known Col. John Campbell and a clansman, if not kinsman, of Alexander Campbell, D. D.      Matthew Campbell became a prominent man in the State of Kentucky where he spent his entire life.  His three sons, Evan, James and John, bore worthily the mantle of their honored father and like him had no little to do in forming the history of their native State.  They were prominent both in military and civil circles and were looked upon as representative men of Maysville.  Col. John Campbell, the younger, especially distinguished himself as a military man.  Matthew Campbell married Miss Sarah Shelby, who was of English and French ancestry.      After their marriage Nathaniel Hodges and his wife lived in Aberdeen, Ohio, until 1829, and were also prominently known to many of the citizens of Maysville, just across the river.  Nathaniel Hodges was a Mason and belonged to the Lodge in Maysville, Ky.  During the year mentioned they changed their residence to Greene County, locating at Jamestown, where Mr. Hodges established an old stylo woolen-mill which he operated successfully for a number of years.  Finally he went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Steele, of Xenia, and died there in April, 1859.  He was then in the seventy-first year of his age.  Politically, he was an old line Whig, a strong anti-slavery man and a devoted member of the Church of Christ.  The wife and mother died at Jamestown in April, 1845, at the age of forty-seven years.  She sympathized with her husband in his political views and belonged to the same church.      Mrs. Rebecca (Hodges) Johnson was the youngest of five daughters and one son born to her parents, of whom she and her sister, Miranda, a resident of Jamestown, are the only survivors.  All the children received a good education and Mrs. Johnson completed her studies at Eminence College, Ky., from which she was graduated in the class of 1860.  She subsequently engaged as a teacher in her alma mater and other places, following this profession for the long period of twenty years.  She is a devoted member of the Church of Christ, a very amiable and intelligent lady who has seen much of life and learned well from a large experience.   Of her union with Mr. Johnson there were born no children. In collecting the names of the early and honored residents of Southern Ohio, that of Mrs. Rebecca Johnson and her stepdaughter Miss Caroline Johnson should occupy a place in the front rank. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 331
	WILLIAM D. JOHNSON, late a prominent and very wealthy resident of Miami Township, Greene County, departed this life at his homestead June 3, 1875.  He was born July 10, 1808 in Mason County, Ky., where he was given a practical education in the common school and subsequently occupied himself as a teacher.  On the 16th of January, 1834, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah M. Brewer, and soon afterward was employed as a dry-goods salesman in Mr. Mill’s store. He came to Ohio about 1828.  His first business enterprise was as a merchant at Mad River and later he rented the Hertzler mill, which lie conducted successfully for two years.  Finally he purchased the Clifton mill at Clifton, which he operated for a number of years successfully and then retired from active labor.      Mr. Johnson was a man of good business abilities, well informed and was frequently selected to act as administrator in the settlement of estates.  He was administrator of the Knott estate and was settling the affairs of the Hertzler estate at the time of his death.  For a number of years he officiated as County Commissioner.  The Presbyterian Church found in him one of its chief pillars, he serving as an Elder for years.  He maintained a warm interest in Sunday-school work and frequently engaged as a teacher.  Politically, he was a sound Republican.  He was owner of a farm in Miami Township whereon he effected good improvements and which under his wise management became the source of a handsome income.  He was successful in the accumulation of property and at his death left his widow with a fortune of over $100,000 besides $50,000 devoted to charitable purposes.  His parents were James and Clemency (Dunavon) Johnson, natives of Kentucky and who spent their last years in Ohio.  There was born to them a family of eleven children.      Mrs. Hannah M. (Brewer) Johnson was born in Lewis County, Ky., July 20, 1811, and was the youngest child of John and Rachel (Dunavon) Brewer, who were natives of Maryland, where they were married and whence they removed to Kentucky at an early day.  The Brewer family was of English descent and the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Johnson were natives of England.      After removing to Kentucky Mr. Brewer purchased the old homestead of his wife’s father, near Orangeburg, Mason County, and there with his estimable wife he spent the remainder of his days.  The mother died in 1834, after the decease of her husband.  They were the parents of thirteen children of whom Hannah M. is the only survivor.  She received only limited educational advantages and was reared to womanhood under the parental roof, receiving careful home training and becoming thorough mistress of all useful household duties.  Of her union with Mr. Johnson there were born no children, but Mrs. Johnson has taken and reared several little ones, bringing them up as her own.      Mrs. Johnson like her husband, united with the Presbyterian Church early in life.  Since her husband’s death she has had charge of all the property and has managed it in a remarkable wise and judicious manner.  She gives liberally to the poor and unfortunate and is always willing and anxious to assist those who will try to help themselves.  As a prominent member of the Woman’s Missionary Society she, with her large resources, is able to do much good.  She has been quite an extensive traveler, and keeps herself posted upon the important happenings all over the world.  Although approaching the seventy-ninth year of her age, she is remarkably active, with a clear, bright mind, and bids fair to live and attend to her business for many years to come. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 348
Ambrose Jones Eliza Jones	AMBROSE JONES.    For the long period of forty-seven years Mr. Jones has lived at & the farm which he now owns and occupies, and which comprises a fine body of land embracing one hundred and forty-five acres in Jefferson Township, Greene County.  Running past it is the Xenia & Hussey Pike, a pleasant public highway along which vehicles are constantly passing, while the country around is unexcelled in the fertility of its soil and beautiful scenery.  Mr. Jones came to Greene County in 1832, but did not purchase land until 1843, when he secured that which he now owns and occupies.  He is a native native of the Buckeye State and was born in Clinton County, June 12, 1817. He there spent his boyhood and youth attending the common school and being carefully trained by pious parents.  His father, the Rev. Ambrose Jones, Sr., was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and born in Mansfield County, N. Y.  The elder Jones was reared to manhood in his native county and learned cabinet-making, which trade he followed for a number of years, also engaging as a general mechanic.  He was from boyhood seriously inclined and finally felt it to be his duty to devote his life to the Master’s work.  He, however, was never regularly ordained nor did he have any stated charge, but simply labored as a local preacher, accepting little or nothing for his services.  The paternal grandfather of our subject, likewise named Ambrose Jones, was born in Wales and emigrated to America when a young man, settling in New York State where he occupied himself as a mechanic and carpenter.  There he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-five years.  He possessed all the substantial qualities of his nationality, became well-to-do and a man of prominence in his community.      The father of our subject was married in New York to Miss Hannah Barnum, a distant relative, and who belonged to the same family from which the famous showman, P. T. Barnum sprang.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones lived in New York State until after the birth of three children, then determining to seek their fortunes in what was then the far West, set out with teams overland for Ohio.  Their located in the wilds of Clinton County, where Mr. Jones occupied himself as a carpenter and preacher, erecting some of the first buildings in the county.  In due time he became the owner of a farm in Chester Township, but in 1832 he removed thence to Jefferson Township, Greene County, where with his good wife he spent the balance of his life.  The father died when about seventy-two years old.  Mrs. Jones survived her husband many years, dying at the advanced age of ninety-two.  She with him had been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.      There was born to the parents of our subject quite a large family of children, the most of whom lived to mature years.  Ambrose, like his brothers and sisters, was carefully reared to habits of industry and sentiments of honor and acquired such education as was afforded by the common schools.  He improved his opportunities for reading and observation and taught school successfully for a number of years.  Jan. 6, 1839, he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Eliza Jones, who although of the same name, was no relative.  She was born in Clinton County, this State, in 1818, and is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, who were natives of Pennsylvania.  They came at an early day to Ohio, settling first in Clinton County and then removing to Greene County where they died.  The family consisted of five children, Mrs. Jones being the only one now living.      To our subject and his good wife there has been born a family of eight children the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mary Louisa, became the wife of James D. Brown, and they live on a farm in Jefferson Township.  Maria is the wife of Dr. Charles Moorman, a physician of Abingdon, Iowa; Lucretia is the wife of L. D. Jones, a retired farmer now living in the city of Xenia; Anna J. married H. F. Jackson, who is a farmer and operates the old Jones homestead; Addison M. married Miss Sarah.Stevens, who is now deceased and he lives on a farm in Jefferson Township.  This son fought in the Union Army during the Civil War, was captured by the rebels and for a time experienced all the horrors of Libby prison; he receives a pension from the Government.  Edward A. married Miss Jane Turner and is farming in Silver Creek Township.  Alvena and Rose B. are at home with their parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones are Spiritualists in religious belief and politically, our subject affiliates with the Republican party.      Portraits of Mr. Jones and his wife are shown on another page of this volume. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 697
	AUGUSTUS H. JONES.    Miami Township, Greene County, is the home of many men of the highest respectability, the most industrious habits, great intelligence and usefulness.  Among them all, none receive a greater degree of respect or have a better aim in life than he whose name introduces this sketch and who is numbered among the agriculturists of the township.  He possesses more than the ordinary degree of intelligence, is a great reader and a close observer of human nature, which has become to him like anopen book and affords him much instruction and enjoyment.  His principal aim has been to fit his children well for their chosen occupations and to be useful to his fellow-men.  It is a pleasure to record that he has been successful in his efforts and that his children are doing credit to the parental care and training.      The father of our subject was Stephen Jones, who was born in Cincinnati in 1802, and whose first occupation was that of a wagon-maker, and his subsequent one that of a farmer.  He was a son of an early settler in the Buckeye State who was a native of New Jersey, and who was drowned at Cincinnati, in which city an uncle of Grandfather Jones built the first mill. Stephen Jones married Elizabeth Ball, who belonged to an old Virginian family but was herself a native of Ohio.  Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812.  After their marriage, which took place Sept. 8, 1830, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones settled two and a half miles west of Yellow Springs, remaining in that location about eight years.  They then removed to a farm now owned by William Brewer, but after some years became the occupants of the farm now owned by their son, our subject, which became their permanent home.  The father died in Dayton in 1881, and the mother at the home place in 1875.  Their family consisted of two children, our subject and a sister Lydia, who is the wife of Charles McCullough, and the mother of two children, her home being in Gage County, Neb.      The gentleman with whose name we introduce this biographical notice was born Dec. 12, 1832, in the township which has been his home from that day.  Having a decided bent toward civil engineering, he took up the branches of study which pertained to that occupation, in the Swedenborg College at Urbana, Champaign County, returning to the farm, of which he took charge at the age of fourteen years, and upon which he has since remained with the exception of a period devoted to the service of his country.  The farm is one mile east of Yellow Springs, and originally belonged to the Mills tract. It comprises one hundred and twenty-four and a half acres, all now improved, and still carried on by its present owner.  It is devoted to the cultivation of grain and to the raising of stock, the cattle kept being Polled Aberdeens.  The estate is conducted in a manner which indicates to even a casual observer something of the character of the owner, the improvements upon it also indicating the tastes of the occupants.      The lady who presides over the household economy was born July 30, 1837, and became the wife of our subject, Nov. 12, 1861.  Her maiden name was Lydia Sheller and she is one of the eleven children born to Adam and Mary (Hiestand) Sheller, natives of Lancaster County, Pa., who came to Clark County, Ohio, at an early day.  Her mother died there Oct. 26, 1874, and her father May 21, 1883, aged ninety-four years.  She possesses the noble character which merits and wins esteem, and the cultured mind which affords personal pleasure and opens up an extended field for usefulness.  She attended Antioch College when the famous educator, Horace Mann, was President of that institution and could hardly have failed under such guidance to have imbibed grand ideas of the use which should be made of knowledge.      The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jones comprises five sons and daughters, whose record is as follows: Augustus W. is a civil engineer, his home being in Columbus, Ohio; his wife was formerly Miss Hattie Goodman; Herbert R. is unmarried and is now attending the Ohio State University, fitting himself for civil engineering; Eva is the wife of Gano Reeder Baker, a civil engineer whose home is in Denver,Col.; Llewellyn and Clarence B. are students at Antioch College.  A. W. Jones, G. R. Baker and Mrs. Eva Baker are all graduates of Antioch College.      The family of Mr. Jones attends the Christian Church.  He has been a member of the School Board for years and was Trustee of Miami Township about twelve years.  Last fall he was elected Land Appraiser for this township, but because of ill health was obliged to resign and appoint a substitute.  He has been an active Republican all his life; his ancestors were old-line Whigs.  In 1864, he became a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio National Guards, and while at the front took part in the battle of New Creek, W. Va.  He was discharged at Camp Dennison the same year.  He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Yellow Springs. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 678
	LEVI JONES, M. D.   Although but fourteen years a resident of Jamestown, Greene County, Dr. Jones is regarded by the people of that vicinity as a member of the community almost indispensable, and who by a strict attention to the duties of his profession, has fully established himself in their confidence and esteem.  He established his office at Jamestown in the summer of 1876, coming to this place from Mechanicsburg, where he commenced his practice immediately after being graduated from the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, in the spring of 1871.      Dr. Jones commenced reading medicine under the well-known Dr. J. H. Clark, of Mechanicsburg, one of the favorite practioners of Champaign County. Our subject was born in Union Township, that county, Sept. 20, 1844, and lived there with his parents on a farm until a young man of twenty-two years. He acquired his early education in the district school, and in 1866, having decided upon the profession of medicine, entered Miami University, at Delaware, Ohio, in which he spent the junior year, after which he entered upon the study of his chosen profession.  He has for some time been one of the pension examiners of Greene County, and is a member of its Medical Association.  He is regarded as a public spirited and liberal-minded citizen, and has always maintained a warm interest in the enterprises calculated for the upbuilding of the town.  He has been for some years a member of the School Board and has filled other positions of trust and responsibility.      The Doctor was married Jan. 8, 1873, in Mechanicsburg, to Miss Mary S. Williams, a native of that town, who was born in 1845.  Mrs. Jones was carefully reared and educated, completing her studies in the Female College at Springfield.  She is a very intelligent and estimable lady, and the mother of one child, a son, Clement L., who was born Apr. 29, 1876.      Politically Dr. Jones affiliates with the Republican party.  He and his wife are members, in good standing, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and move in the best social circles of Jamestown.  The Doctor comes of a good family, being the son of John Jones, who was born in Champaign County,and was the second white child born in the vicinity of Buck Creek, that county, this event occurring Nov. 16, 1804.  The paternal grandfather was Abraham Jones, a native of Virginia and of Welsh extraction.  He was reared to manhood in the Old Dominion, and was there married to a lady who sprang from the F. F. V’s. Immediately after the wedding they emigrated to Ohio, and Grandfather Jones secured land from the Government, comprising a part of what was then known as the Military Tract, and which is now included in Union Township, Champaign County.  There he and his wife built up a home from the wilderness, became well-to-do and there spent their last days.  They lived to be very aged, and Grandfather Jones passed away in 1816.  It is believed that both were connected with the Primitive Methodist Church.  There were born to them only two children: John, the father of our subject: and Hannah.  The latter, like her brother, lived to a ripe old age.       The father of our subject was only twelve years old at the time of his father's death, and he remained with his mother, assisting her in the management of the farm until his marriage.  His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Lafferty.  She was born in Union Township, Champaign County, in 1808, of parents who were natives of Virginia, and who emigrated to Ohio early in the present century.  After their marriage, John Jones and his wife settled down on the old homestead, which was taken up by Abraham Jones from the Government, and there, like Grandfather Jones and his wife they spent the remainder of their lives.  John Jones departed this life July 17, 1876.  His wife, Mary, survived him ten years, passing away in 1886.  Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  There had been born to them a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter, all of whom are living, married and have families of their own.      The maternal grandparents of our subject were William and Anna (Cleggett) Williams, natives of Maryland, who were reared and married in that State.  Thence they emigrated to Ohio, settling in the embryo town of Mechanicsburg, where Grandfather Williams engaged in general merchandising until his death, which occurred in February, 1887, when he was quite aged.  His wife had preceded him many years to the silent land, dying in middle life; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.      Dr. Jones, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket.  In 1864, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union service, from Urbana, Ohio, under the last call for troops, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, under command of Capt. James Robinson and Col. Armstrong.  They operated mostly in Virginia in the vicinity of Appomattox, but saw very little active service, simply skirmishing and holding themselves in readiness to go wherever called.  The Doctor was in the army one year, at the close of which he received his honorable discharge, and returned home without a scratch. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 836

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