Samuel M. Skimming

As printed in 1915

SAMUEL H. SKIMMING.

One of the beat-known and moat prominent families In Clinton county is the Skimming family. This family waa among the earliest settlers In the county and bas always been prominent and active in the public affairs of the county. At the present time the usefulness and progressiveness of the family is still being maintained by the subject of this sketch, Samuel H. Skimming, of 328 North South street, Wilmington, Ohio.

Samuel M. Skimming was born at Burton ville, Union township, Clinton county, on February 25, 1858, the son of Robert and Mary (Babb) Skimming. Kobert Skimming was born in Allegheny county, Maryland, on June 3, 1830, and died on March 10, 1914. He was the son of Anthony and Mary (McDow) Skimming, who were born near Edinburgh. Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in 1818, settling in Allegheny county, Maryland, where they lived until the autumn of 1836, when they came to Clinton comity, locating at Wilmington, where they lived until 1838, in which year they removed to Washington township, where they lived until the time of their death In 1855. the former dying on April 22. and the latter on the 16th of the same month.

Kobert Skimming passed his early manhood on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools and in Wilmington Academy. At the age of eighteen years be embarked in the teaching profession which he followed successfully for six years. Through the pursuit of this profession be laid the foundation of his present possessions In 1*00 be engaged In a merchandising business In Burtonville and continued in this business there until in October, 1875. when he retired to farming and stock raising which he followed with marked success. His farm consisted of a tract of two hundred and seventy acres of very valuable land, on which was a commodious frame residence, along with other modern Improvements. Robert Skimming was one of the most enterprising and Influential men of his day and was elected again and again to some office within the gift of the people, in which public service he did credit, not only to himself, but to his office and his community. In 1873 he was elected infirmary director; he was at one time a member of the board of trustees of Union township and at various other times held minor offices. On December 6, 1863. he was married to Mary E. Babb. a daughter of Henry and Matilda (Woodruff) Babb and a native of Union township. To this marriage there were born the following children: Emma, who was born on November 26. ISM: Samuel H.. the subject of this sketch: Charles W., August 11, 1860, and Wl Inert, January 10. 1872.

Mrs. Itnhcrt Skimming's father was born in Virginia and was brought, by his parents. Henry and Elizabeth Babb. to Clinton county when an Infant. Henry Babb was cruelly assassinated In Wilmington, on the evening of February 25. 1803. on account of his pure Union sentiment, by John McCourter. a radical Secessionist. Elisabeth Bnhb was the daughter of Joel and Ellr.abeth Woodruff, who were among the earliest pioneers of Clinton county. Mr. Woodruff was a man of considerable prominence in the early history of Wilmington and at one time was sheriff of Clinton county. Elizabeth Babb died on January 25. 1830.

Samuel II. Skimming, the subject of this sketch, attended the district school at Burtonville and assisted his father there In his store until he was seventeen years old, at which time his father moved to the farm and the son went with him, and worked there until his marriage on January 31. 1886, when he rented a farm which he fanned for five years. He then returned to the home farm and took the management of the place and cared for his parents until their death. He then bought out the other heirs to one hundred and seventy-two deres of the home place, to which he added, by purchase, a tract of sixty-two acres adjoining, all of which he cultivated In person until in August, 1912. when he left the farm and purchased the beautiful brick residence In Wilmington where he now resides.

Ou Jauuary 31, 1880, Samuel II. Skimming was united in marriage to Geueva McKenzie, who was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on May 1, 1864. the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Morton J McKeuzie. both of whom were born near New Antioch, In Green township, this county, the former on September is, 183U. and the latter, July 15, 1*30, daughter of Isaiah M. Morton, who was a son of Joab and Jane Morton, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Olilo about 1820, where they located on a small tract of heavily wooded timber laud which they cleared and cultivated and on which they spent the remainder of their lives, Joab Morton dying on August 18, 1846, and his widow on August 8, 1809. They were the parent* of six children, two of whom died In early Infancy, the others being Richard, Elizabeth, wife of William McKenzle; Isaiah M., and Hetsey, the wife of Kli Carson. Joab Morion was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a member of the New Light church at Antlocb, and maintained his faith until his death. William McKenzle died in Nebraska City on January 12, 1867. He had gone there soon after his marriage and had engaged in the hotel business which employment he maintained until ills death. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Ferry, a carpenter who lives in Martinsville, this county; Stanley, who lives on a farm in Green township; Alwllda, who married John Stephens and lives on a farm In Union township; Geneva, the wife of the subject of this sketch, and a son who died In Infancy. The mother of these children is still living.

To Samuel H. and Geneva (McKenzle) Skimming two children have been born, Mary Jane, born on May 19. 1SS9. who Is teaching school at Mlddletown, Ohio, and Reba Louise, February 24. 1801, who married A. O. Campbell, an architect, and lives In Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Skimming are both active members of the Walnut Street Christian church of Wilmington and Mr. Skimming is a Republican.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Samuel Drake received the rudiments of an education in the public schools near Georgetown, anil there he was first married to a Miss Davis, and for some years was engaged In farming near Georgetown. After the death of his first wife he removed to Clinton county, and was here married to Hannah N. nolllday. the mother of John S. Drake. Aside from five years spent In the state of Missouri. Samuel Drake lived in Jefferson township most of his life. At the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and seventy-one acres of land where his son. John S., now lives. Two sons were born to Samuel Drake by his first marriage, and one son. John S. to his second marriage.

John 8. Drake was educated in the schools of Clinton county, and with the exception of five years spent In the state of Missouri, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen years, he has spent his entire life In this county on the old home place In Jefferson township.

In 1901 John S. Drake was married to Laura Wickersham. the daughter of J. C. Wlckersham. and to this union two children have been horn. Walter and Eugene. Mrs. Drake is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Drake is affiliated with the Christian church.

As printed in History of Clinton County, Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.