Walter D. Yeazell

As printed in 1902

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.

In 1867 Mr. Russell came to Springfield and embarked in stone contracting in partnership with William Mowett, under the firm name of Russell & Mowett, a connection which continued for one year, when Mr. Mowett withdrew. In 1868 our subject's father and the other members of the family removed from Xenia to Springfield and Hugh Russell, Sr., joined his son in business on the withdrawal of his former partner. Later a brother, Anthony Russell, became a member of the firm and the business was then carried on under the name of Russell & Sons for ten years. At the end of that time the father retired and the firm name was changed to Russell Brothers. The partnership was dissolved in April, 1898, when our subject was elected a member of the board of public affairs, and Anthony C. had entire charge of the business until his death, which occurred July 7. 1901. Since then our subject has resumed business under the firm name of Russell Brothers, and as a contractor is engaged in stone work,

' the laying of cement sidewalks and kindred labor. He has been employed in the construction of a number of churches, schoolhouses, public buildings, residences and mausoleums, both in Springfield and adjacent towns and. throughout his entire business career he has maintained an enviable reputation for excellent workmanship and honorable dealing.

Mr. Russell's father died in Springfield on the 3rd of October, 1902, and his mother passed away in 1898. She was a most devoted wife and mother and was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. In the family were five sons and two daughters, namely: Anthony C., who was so long connected with our subject in business, was born in Galloway, Scotland, in 1844, and came to the United States in 1861 with his brother William. When the country became in-

Pee-BrOGRAPAICAL RECORD volved in civil war he enlisted, October 3,

` 1862, as a private in Company D, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was severely wounded in the battle of the Wilderness. He was honorably discharged May 16, 1865. Another brother, William, also entered the service and is supposed to have been killed in battle, as he was never afterward heard from. James and Michael are both residents of Springfield. The sisters were Mrs. William Mc- Culloch, of Springfield, and Mrs. Andrew Burnett, deceased, of Wichita Falls, Texas.

In 1879 Mr. Russell of this review was united in marriage to Miss Helen Sheets, of Delaware county, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel and Malinda (Lake) Sheets, and their union has been blessed with five children: John Sherman, who served as a soldier in the Spanish-American war; Anna W.: Carrie S.; Ella S.; and Earl Scott, who died at the age of seven years.

In his political affiliations Mr. Russell has always been a Republican and was appointed by Mayor C.‘J. Bowlus as a member of the board of affairs, serving so capable that he was reappointed for a second term, which expired in April, 1902. He was made a Master Mason while visiting his old home in Scotland, and is today a prominent member of Anthony Lodge, No. 455, F. & A. M.; Springfield. Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, R.

es. M., his connection with the order dating from 1874. Religiously Mr. Russell is a member of the Third Presbyterian church and for eleven years he has served as one of the trustees and for six years as a deacon. He is interested in all things pertaining to the welfare and improvement of his city along material, social, intellectual and moral lines.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.