The Yeazel Family of Clark County, Ohio

WIELIAM E. YEAZEL.

William E. Yeazel, a representative of the agricultural interests of Pleasant township, was born in Moorefield township, January 24, 1829, his parents being Jeremiah and Jane (Hodge) Yeazel. Upon the home farm he was reared, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him. In his youth he acquired a common school education and lived at home until twenty-one years of age. His father was a good manager and an enterprising man and became the owner of four hundred acres of land.

On the 27th of January, 1850, Mr. Yeazel was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Bennett, of Harmony township, where she was born and reared. At the time of his marriage Mr. Yeazel began operating his father's land and resided upon that place for three years, after which he purchased fifty-eight acres in the village of Harmony. He carried on farming and butchering for thirteen years and through the dual occupation he made considerable money. While living there he also organized a company and was appointed captain by Colonel Todd, but in reorganizing the war committee endeavored to persuade his men to join an organization of which he was to become a lieutenant. Refusing to do this he resigned and did not enter the service. At a later date he disposed of his butchering business and traded his farm in this locality for a farm in Champaign county, Illinois. To that property he gave his supervision but never removed to the west. In 1859 he purchased his present farm, comprising eighty-three acres of land, and in 1873 he took up his above thereon. As the years have passed and his financial resources have increased, he has added to this property from time to time until he is to-day the owner of an extensive farm of four hundred acres. This was all covered with forest trees when it came into his possession and the fine improvements upon the place are the result of his energetic efforts and progressive ideas. He is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of his community and certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, because he started out in life for himself empty handed and has depended entirely upon his earnest labor for the acquirement of a competence.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Yeazel has been blessed with five children: James, who is living in Cold Springs, Ohio, and has five children; Jane, the wife of Silas Engel, a resident of Harmony township; Ellen, the wife of William H. McClintock, ot Moorefield township; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Walter Marsh, of London, Ohio, by whom she has two sons; and Mary, who became the wife of E. C. Overturf and lived in Madison county until her death, at which time she left three children. Mr. Yeazel was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife on the 2d of November, 1884. About two years later, on the 2d of September, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Paul, of Harmony township. She was born in Pleasant township and was a daughter of Edward

-and Margaret (Morris) Paul. Two children graced this union, Hattie and Scott, both of whom are at home.

Mr. Yeazel cast his first presidential vote for Winfield Scott in 1852 and in 1856 he voted for Fremont. He is now independent in politics. He was once a candidate of the Prohibition party for the office of county commissioner but on account of the greater majorities of the older parties he was not elected. He has always been a warm friend of the cause of temperance and of morality, and his life has been in harmony with the principles which develop an upright, honorable manhood.

ASOMAN: ces TEL Ve

Jacob R. Athy, who was born in Mad River township, Clark county, in 1833, has therefore been a resident of the county for nearly seventy years. During his infancy he was brought to the farm upon which he now resides, the family removing here in the year above mentioned. His father, John Athy, was born and reared near Cumberland, Maryland, but emigrating westward, took up his above in Clark county. He was a resident of Mad River township at the time of our subject's birth in 1833, but the same year removed to what is now the old Athy homestead. He purchased this land in 1847, paying twelve and one-half dollars per acre for the tract, which is now worth ninety dollars per acre. This farm originally belonged to William Burnet, of Cincinnati, and at the time it was sold to John Athy it was covered with timber, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made upon the place. With characteristic energy, however, he began its development and soon the fields were cleared and prepared for the plow, so that in course of time good harvests were garnered as the result of the care and labor of the owner. Throughout his entire life John Athy carried on agricultural pursuits there and was classed among the representative farmers of his community. Upon the old homestead Jacob R. Athy, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth. As his strength increased with the growing years he aided more and more largely in the work of the farm, taking his place ın the fields as soon as old enough to handle the plow. He thus gained practical experience in all departments of farm work and was well fitted for carrying on business on his own account in later life. He was united in marriage to Eliza J. Ashing, a daughter of Jacob Ashing, of Champaign county, this state, and unto them have been born seven children. Oliver F., the eldest, married Dora Shank, a daughter of Cyrus Shank, of Springfield, and they have two children, Viola Fern and Lina. He is now acting as foreman for the American Radiator Company, of Springfield. Raymond W., who is a carpenter and contractor, married Cora Conrad, of Donnelsville, and they have six children: Theresa, Ralph, Lola, Clifford, Harry and Pearl. Newton is at home.

Irvin Lillie is the wife of George W. Jenkins, a farmer and dairyman of Mad River township, and they have two children, Leah and Sayers. Granville Roper died in 1871, at the age of seventeen months. George Mahlon, born in September,. 1871, died in March, 1898. Laura E. is the wife of William Caid King, a native of Mad River township, who is now operating her father's farm. They have three children, Lillie, Hazel and Gladys.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Of one of the old and well known families of Clark county Jacob Yeazel is a member. From an early period in the development of this section of the state representatives of the name have been active in agricultural work and their labors have been effective in reclaiming this district for the uses of the white man, as the wild land has been transformed into good farms and the work of improvement and cultivation has been carried forward until Clark county now contains some of the richest farming districts of the state, owing its present prosperity in no small degree to the efforts of the agriculturists. With this work the Yeazels have been closely and honorably identified and the subject of this review has borne his full share in carrying on farming and stock-raising interests. us

He was born July 8, 1842, just over the line in Pleasant township, about a mile ana a half from where he now lives, his present home being in Moorefield township. His parents were Jeremiah and Jane Meteer (Hodge) Yeazel, and the grandparents were Abraham and Mary (Curl) Yeazel, Jeremiah Yeazel was born January 16, 1806, and was but a boy when his parents came to Clark county, settling in Moorefield township on a farm now owned by Ross Mitchell, and which adjoins the farm of our subject upon the northeast. The tales of pioneer experience and of the development of ‘the frontier read almost like a romance at the present day, so different are the conveniences which now exist. The forests were uncut and fields uncultivated, the streams unbridged, and there were few roads, save the old Indian trails. The work of organization, the establishment of towns, the transformation of wild land into farms and the building of homes, churches and schools, all this was the task of the future at the time when the Yeazel family was established in Clark county, but the work was undertaken by the grandfather of our subject, in connection with other honored pioneers, and the task has been carried forward by later generations of the family. The father of our subject was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life, and although he had but common school privileges, he became a well informed man. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded the daughter of Andrew and Isabel (Meteer) Hodge. Her father was born in Kentucky, and on horseback started for Ohio. When crossing the Ohio river he lost his saddlebags, which contained his money, and died to the bottom of the stream in order to regain them. After reaching his destination he made a settlement in Pleasant township, and it was there that Mrs. Yeazel was probably born, her natal day being December 24, 1809, while on the 20th of December, 1827, she gave her hand in marriage to the father of our subject. They became the parents of twelve children, all of whom reached manhood or womanhood. William is now a resident of Pleasant township. John resides near his brother Jacob: Sarah A., born August 1, 1832, became the wife of Lowe Stoll, who died in Springfield October 17, 1902, and she died in Madison county, Ohio, November 1, 1869, leaving six children. James Hamilton, born November 11, 1834, died in Springfield August 30, 1881, leaving one child, Mrs. Laura Y. Krout. Mary Jane, born October 7, 1836, is the widow of Minor Tuttle, who died August 27, 1901. She lives on Lagonda avenue in Springfield and has four children. Isabel, born March 30, 1838, became the wife of John Cartmel and died, leaving two children, Mrs. Jennie Butler and Mrs., Amanda Britcher. Andrew H., born September 28, 1840, is living at Oakland, California, and has a large family. Jacob of this review. is the next member of the family.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB YEAZEL, JR., was born in Clark Co., Ohio, July 8, 1842, and is the son of Jeremiah and Jane M. Yeazel, and grew to manhood upon the old homestead. He was married, Jan. 13, 1868, to Harriet Jones, daughter of John H. and Jemima C. (Bodkin) Jones, natives of Clark Co., and parents of five children: William W., Harriet Ann, Isabella and Virginia (twins) and George H., who was killed in the war of the rebellion. Mrs. Yeazel's father was killed by his horses running away with him Feb. 24, 1870, and her mother died Feb. 5, 1875. Mr. Yeazel farmer on various places until the spring of 1877, when he bought and located upon the farm of 170 acres, where he now resides, which is an excellent farm and under good cultivation. One child has been born to them—Glenna A. Mr. Yeazel has bright prospects, being a good farmer and an upright man.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JOHN A. YEAZEL, who was one of Moorefield's leading citizens for many years, was born on the old Jacob Yeazel farm, in Moorefield Township, October 10, 1837, and died August 3, 1907. He was a son of Jacob and Ellen (Foley) Yeazel.

Jacob Yeazel was born November 10, 1809, near Todd's Fork, Clinton County, Ohio, and was a son of Abraham and Mary (Curl) Yeazel. He married Ellen Foley, who was born January 14, 1810, a daughter of John and Jane (Reiser) Foley. The Foleys were very early settlers of Moorefield Township, locating here when the country was a wilderness and Indians were numerous. The paternal grandfather of John A. Yeazel, Abraham Yeazel, was born in Virginia, April 29, 1774, and in October, 1794, was married to Mary Curl, who was born October 30, 1776. It will be seen that this family can be easily traced for several generations, and its members have always been people of high character and useful lives.

The late John A. Yeazel followed agricultural pursuits, a large portion of his life having been spent in Moorefield Township. After his first marriage he settled in Madison County, Ohio, but after the death of his wife, several years later, he sold his farm in Madison County and returned to Moorefield Township, where he lived for the remainder of his life with the exception of about four years spent in Harmony Township. There he owned 283 acres.

John A. Yeazel was married (first) to Mary A. Baird, who died in Madison County, leaving three children, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of Joseph W. Page; Walter D., who married Lura Snaufer; and Fannie, who married Henry Otstot.

Mr. Yeazel was married (second) to Angeline Hodge, March 14, 1872. Mrs. Yeazel was born and reared in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Samuel E. and Sevina (Spencer) Hodge. Samuel E. Hodge was born in Virginia and was a son of Andrew Hodge, who was the pioneer who came at an early date to Clark County and settled on the farm which has never since been owned by other than a Hodge, it now being the property of Matthew Hodge, the brother of Mrs. Yeazel. When the grandfather came to this section of country and selected the land he wished to enter, he started back to Virginia to bring his money in order to make a pajTnent. He placed the wallet in his saddle-bags, on the back of his trusty horse. When he reached the Ohio River it was in a swollen condition and when Mr. Hodge attempted to swim his horse across, the rapidly flowing current overturned the saddle-bags and the heavy wallet went to the bottom. Many experiences had before this tested the traveler's bravery and ingenuity, and without the loss of a moment he was equal to this call on his powers, and living to the bottom he secured the precious purse which represented, probably, the savings of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeazel had one child. Claret B., who married Walter Snaufer. Mr. and Mrs. Snaufer have six children, namely: Blanche B., Ruth E., Sevina E., Edith "m., Carl D. and Hazel M.

Sevina (Spencer) Hodge, the mother of Mrs. Yeazel, was a daughter of Matthew Spencer, who was a native of New York. He came with his family to Clark County before any divisions of land had been made and settled before the building of the old National Turnpike road. Mrs. Hodge remembers it being constructed when she was a girl.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. YEAZEL, farmer; born July 4, 1851, a native of Clark Co.; is a son of Jacob and Eleanor Yeazel, he a native of Ohio and she of Virginia. Jacob was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Nov. 10, 1809; is a son of Arbaham and Mary (Curl) Yeazel, natives of Virginia, but became early settlers of Clinton Co., Ohio, where they resided till January, 1810, when they removed to Clark Co., and located upon the place where Jacob now resides. Here they lived till their death. He died Jan. 2, 1832; his wife died Sept. 22, 1828. When they came here, they began in pioneer style in the “ little log cabin,” opening out and clearing up the farm right from the primitive forest, and consequently endured all the hardships of such pioneer life. But before his death, by his own labor and industry, the work of his hands was rewarded by a good farm and home, with most of the comforts of life. Mr. Yeazel was a man of great integrity of character, and had the confidence of the people, and although he never sought office, yet he was Justice of the Peace for several years. Of a family of fourteen children, seven now survive—Sally, David, Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sidney and James. Jacob remained with his father upon the home place till his death. Was married March 31, 1831, to Eleanor, daughter of John and Jane (Davis) Foley, natives of Virginia, who became residents of Clark Co. about 1805. Issue, seven children—Eliza Jane, Catharine, John A., James E., Wm. H., Ellen and George W. Mr. Yeazel is now 71 years of age; has been a resident of this county and upon the same farm seventy years; has, in connection with farming, dealt considerably in stock; has been a man of industry and integrity of character, and taken a live interest in schools and the public interests of his township and community. Has held the office of School Director twelve years, and Township Trustee four years. Our subject was raised to farm labor. -Was married Nov. 20, 1872, to Jennie, daughter of Jacob and Rachel McClelland, natives of Ohio. Issue, four children— Alice, Jacob, Mabel and Laura Bell. Mr. Yeazel located upon a farm of his father's, and afterward bought jt, upon which he lived five years, then sold it and bought the farm upon which he now lives, and has since resided. He has 40 acres of good laud, all in cultivation, upon which he has erected good buildings, and has good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Yeazel, in connection with farming, deals more or less in stock, and, although comparatively a young man, is well situated, and having the confidence of the people, will, doubtless, make a success in life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM M. YEAZELL, retired farmer and stock-dealer: P. O. Springfield; is a native of Clark County, and a descendant of a pioneer family of Moorefield Township. The subject of this sketch was born in Moorefield Township in 1885; is a son of William and Eliza (Foley) Yeazell. He remained on the farm with his parents during his youth, receiving a limited common-school education. When about 20 years of age, he went into the mill at Moorefield, where he remained about six years. When the war broke out, he returned to the old homestead and assisted his father in farming; in 1862, his father died, and he remained on.the old homestead until 1872, when he removed to Springfield, and has since resided here. Mr. Yeazell still retains the old homestead in Moorefield Township, and, though not permanently engaged in any active business, occasionally purchases a shipment of stock, which, with other occasional speculations, serve the double purpose of employing his time and producing profit. He married, Dec. 11, 1866, Miss Ann Clark, sister of Charles M. Clark, whose biography also appears in this work. Mr. Yeazell's house, No. 425 East High street, purchased just previous to his removal to the city. compares favorably with the fine residences for which this street is noted.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WAI DER D. YEAZELL,

A native son of Ohio, Walter D. Yeazell is well known in- Clark county, where he is carrying on general farming and stock breeding. He is quite extensively engaged in raising thoroughbred cattle and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock produced in this portion of the state. His home is in Moorefield township, where he owns a rich and arable tract of land, while his farm has all the improved equipments and accessories known to the twentieth century.

Mr. Yeazell was born in Pike township, Madison county, Ohio, August 25, 1866, his parents being John A. and Mary Ann (Baird) Yeazell. His mother died when he was only four years of age and during the succeeding four years he lived with his paternal grandfather, Jacob Yeazell. He then returned to the home of his father, who had married again, and was reared in Clark county, continuing under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years of age. He pursued his studies in the common schools, acquiring a knowledge of those branches of learning which fit one for the discharge of business transactions. In early youth he manifested a strong love for horses and - fund much more enjoyment in training a colt in the fields than in pursuing his studies in the schoolroom. At the age of twenty-one he began operating the farm upon which he now resides, having one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, which he inherited from his mother. Throughout his entire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and 1s well known as a dealer in thoroughbred stock.

On the 21st of February, 1889, in Moorefield township, Mr. Yeazell was united in marriage to Miss Lura B. Snaufer, who was born in Urbana township, Champaign county, Ohio, March 14, 1867, her parents being Jacob and Rebecca (Sampson) Snaufer, who now live in Moorefield township. Since his marriage Mr. Yeazell has remodeled the house upon his farm and in 1895 he erected a good bank barn. His home has been blessed by the presence of two children, Bertha B., born January 2, 1891; and Mary Evalyn, born December 12, 1892.

Mr. Yeazell occupies a creditable position among the substantial residents of the county and in politics keeps well informed

CN on the issues of the day. He has voted with the Republican party since casting his first presidential ballot in 1888, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred that his entire attention should be devoted to his farm work. His industry and perseverance are the salient features in his career and have enabled him to carry on his agricultural and stock raising interests with creditable success.

BAUGH-RUSSELLY Je:

Hugh Russell, Jr., was recently a member of the board of public affairs of Springfield, and a patriotic devotion to the general good was manifested in all his official service. He is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Creetown on the 12th of January, 1846, his parents being Hugh and Elizabeth (Conning) ‘Russell, who were also natives of the land of hills and weather, and were there married. In 1866 the father came with his family to the United States, landing in New York city, where they made a short stay, and then went to Xenia, Olio.

The subject of this review spent his boyhood and youth in his native land, acquiring a common school education, after which he followed the sea for four years. He had a number of relatives who were seafaring men and they induced him to leave school and go upon the water. After the period mentioned, however, he returned to his native country and became apprenticed to a stone cutter at Creetown, Scotland. He was twenty years of age when the family came to the new world, and after locating in Xenia he followed his trade there.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH MILTON YEAZELL, who is well known throughout Clark County as a prosperous retired citizen, and formerly as an extensive breeder of and dealer in fine sheep and other stock, was born in this county October 5, 1847, son of George and Nancy Ann (Wilkinson) Yeazell.

He traces his ancestry in the direct paternal line back to Abraham Yeazell, and then, indirectly, through the Brown and Ball families," to William Ball, of Berks, or Berkshire, England, the name of whose wife is not known, but who died in the year 1480. in the reign of Henry VII., the first of the Tudors. The line from this William Ball to Abraham Yeazell is as follows:

Robert Ball, son of William, of Berkham, died in 1543. The name of his wife is not knoTi. He was father of William

Ball (wife unknown), who died in 1550.

John Ball, son of the second William, died in 1599. He was twice married, first to Alice Haynes, by whom he had four children, and secondly to Agnes Holloway, of which union also there were four children.

John Ball, son of John and Agnes (Holloway) Ball, died in 1628. He married Elizabeth Webb, who bore him ten children, among them William, better known as Colonel William Ball, who died in 1680. Colonel William Ball married Hannah Atheral, of which union there were three children, the one to continue this line of descent being William, or Captain William Ball, who married Margaret DoSTiman and died in 1699.

The next progenitor in the Ball line was William, who died in 174-0 and who by wife Mary, had, besides other children, AVilliam, who died in 1809. It is in this generation that we find the Ball family intermarrying with the Browns, and the line to the subject of this sketch is now continued through the latter family. It is thus traced:

The brothers and sisters of the William Ball last mentioned were: Samuel, Joseph (died 1821), Mary (died 1816, married Thomas Brown) and Ann (married John Gibson).

Thomas and Maiw (Ball) Brown had a large family, consisting of ten children, and including Sarah (born 1758; died 1828), who married William Curl. The family of William and Sarah (Brown) Curl was also large and included Mary, who married Abraham Yeazell, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch.

Abraham Yeazell (or Yeazel, as the name was sometimes spelled) came to this country from Germany and settled at an early date in Moorefield Township, Clark County, Ohio. By his wife Mary, above mentioned, he had thirteen children — Mary Ann, Sarah, George, William, Caroline, David, Jeremiah, Adam, Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sidney, James and Isaac.

George Yeazell, of the above-mentioned family, married Elizabeth Jones, and their children were George, Mary Ann, Jeremiah, John W., Eliza, Caroline M., Isaac, Angeline and Frances M.

George Yeazell, son of George and Elizabeth (Jones) Yeazell, and father of J. Milton Yeazell, married Mary Ann Wilkinson, and their family was as follows: Joseph Milton, James W., Retta, Anne Belle, Mary, Ellen, Thomas, Elizabeth, Angle and Mabel Estella. James W., the second child, married Amanda Neei, and he and his wife are the parents of four children, all sons — George, Clayton, Fred and Lawrence, all of whom are living. Retta is the wife of John Conley, and has three children — Blanche, Harry and Robert. Anne Belle married Nathan Baumgartner, and has two children, Agnes and Wilmette, of whom Agnes became the wife of Dr. Deman and resides in Mechanicsburg, and Wilmette married M. C. Houston.

Mary, fifth child of George and Nancy Ann Yeazell, married Samuel Prugh, who is now deceased. She has one child — Earl. Ellen Yeazell married Jacob Baumgartner and has two children — Alice, who is the wife of Forest Tavemer and Nathan, all living. Thomas Yeazell, of the abovementioned family, and seventh in order of birth, was killed on the railroad. Elizabeth died at the age of two years.

Angle, the ninth child, married Newtou Jones and is now deceased. Her children are Walter and Thomas, both of whom ai'e living. ]Mabel Estella, the tenth child, married Arthur Taverner; she has no children.

Josei>h Milton Yeazell, whose nativity has been already given, has resided in Clark County all his life, unless we except the period of his service in the Civil War. He enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, September 16, 1864, in the Sixteenth Ohio Light Artillery, and was stationed for a while at New Orleans. On the close of the war he returned to Clark County, and settled on his father's farm, and was for some years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he entered into mercantile business at Catawba Station, Champaign County, Ohio. He continued thus occupied, however, but for a short time.

On February 15, 1875, he married, and in the same year bought a farm of 345 acres in Pleasant Township. Here he went into the business of raising grain and live stock, giving special attention to the breeding of sheep. It was also his practice to buy trainloads of sheep in Montana, ship them to his farm and here fatten them for the Buffalo market, selling them there at a good profit. Though now retired from active pursuits, he frequently contributes valuable articles to agricultural papers, among them the American Afjriciiliurisf, the Ohio Fanner, the Pittsburg Stockman, the Breeders' Gazette and the Chicago Drovers Journal. He is regarded as an authority of stock matters, especially on sheep, and has received many offers to become a salesman at the Buffalo and Chicago sheep markets, Imt prefers to remain on his farm. He has served the town as trustee, being elected on the Republican ticket, and held that office for six years.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.