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OAK RUN TOWNSHIP.
JAMES CLARK. farmer. P.O. London, was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., August 16, 1826 he is the son of Henry and Mary (Collier) Clark. His mother dying when he was very young, he was taken in charge by an uncle. Henry J. Sothern. a resident of Guernsey County, Ohio. with whom he came to this county in 1840. settling in Somerford Township. He was married February 28, 1861. to Miss Martha Jane Foster, and has a family of four children. viz.. Miranda,. Kimball. Ada and Dellie.
DANIEL B. FOSTER. P. O. London. a well-known farmer of this township. was born in Ross County. Ohio, March 7. 1828. His grandfather. John Foster. was a native of Virginia. and came to Ross County, Ohio. about the commencement of the nineteenth century. One son. John Foster. Jr.. was born in Ross County, Ohio. March 4, 1802. He was there reared and in 1833 came to Madison County. locating on the present farm of our subject. which then comprised 875 acres. He was an early settler of Oak Run Township, a Whig, and. subsequently a Republican, but never took an active part in politics. He was an honest and industrious citizen. and departed this life November 19, 1850. He married Eliza Bowyer a native of Pike County. Ohio. and daughter of Daniel Bowser There were ten children born to them. eight now living. Mrs. Foster is still living.
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Daniel B. was the eldest son, and was reared mostly in this county. He received a good common school education. and has resided on his present farm through life. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits during this time, also the raising of all kinds of stock. principally sheep. His land consists of 515 acres-in three farms. Mr. Foster is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years has been a Class Leader in the congregation that meets in "Fosters Schoolhouse." He is also connected with Bradford Grange of Range Township. Sons of Temperance of Divison No. 4. and the Republican party. He has been twice married. His first union occurred January 22, 1852 when he was united to Miranda McClimans. Three children were born to them. two living-Bernard. and Jennie, wife of John Van Wagner, of London. Mrs. Foster died August 13, 1860 and Mr. F. married for his second wife Margaret Johnston. daughter of George Johnston. and born January 1, 1837. They have eight children-Jessie, Allie, Kemper L., E. Bruce, Eva, W. Irvin, Frank E. and Maud.
T. C. FOSTER, farmer. P. O. London. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Oak Run Township, Madison County. November 12, 1849. His parents were John Foster and Elizabeth (Bowser) Foster. On December 25, 1874. he was married to Ida F. Clingan, daughter of A. J. Clingan an old settler of Somerford Township. By this marriage three children have been horn. viz.. Forest, Blanche and Belva. Mr. Foster was reared on a farm, and receiving such an education as the surrounding schools afforded. and has spent his life as an agriculturist. Though comparatively young, he is energetic and industrious, and has gained for himself. .he respect and esteem of his fellows.
CARLTON E. GREGG. farmer. P. O. London was born at Brownsville, Fayette County, Penn.. September 18, 1813. His parents were John and Margaret (Allan) Gregg, the latter being a daughter of Nathan B. Allan, an old Indian fighter of Hampshire County. Va. Our subject came to this county with his mother and two younger brothers in 1829 and settled in the township where he has since resided. He was three tines married. By his second wife he has two children John and Mary and by his last wife. Minnie (Plimell) Gregg he has had three children Carlton A., Amy and Noah. Mr. Gregg owns a water-power grist-mill on Oak Run, which he has operated- for twenty yeas. It was built in 1831 or 1832 the site having been chosen two or three years before. Mr. Gregg is well known and generally respected for his many good qualities.
THOMAS LADLEY. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Union Township in this county. November 1, 1820, He is the son of Andrew Ladles, an old pioneer of the county, who' came from Preble County in this State. and settled here in about 1828 locating first in Union Township. and finally settling in Oak Run in 1854.
ACHILLES C. MOORMAN. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Lynchburg, Va., February 7, 1833. He is the son of Thomas and Martha Jane (Jennings) Moorman. They emits rated to this State in 1836, settling at Galloway Station. Franklin County. where the subject of this sketch was raised and educated. On November 12, 1854 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hambleton, daughter of Stephen G. Hambleton, by whom he has a family of four children living. viz.. Thomas A., Delos B.. Lillian and E. W.; and one dead-Frances Mary. In 1855 he moved to Washington County, Iowa and after a residence there of three years removed to Franklin County. where he remained until 1864 when he moved to his
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present home in Madison County. His educational facilities were to a certain extent, limited. he had the good fortune however to spend the winters of 1851-52 and 53, attending the Otterbein University at Westerville, where he studied the profession of land surveying. He owns a very extensive farm in Oak Run Township, consisting of 650 acres, and is recognized as one of the leading men in his neighborhood.
CEPHAS PANCAKE (deceased) was born in this county February 21, 1819. He was the son of Joseph and Susan (Linton) Pancake. The family emigrated from Virginia and settled in Range Township. this county, at a very early day. Our subject's early days were passed on his father's farm, during which time be managed to secure a moderate education. He was first married, February 4, 1841, to Miss Nancy Cooper, daughter of Peter Cooper; she died July 29, 1855. The children by this marriage were as follows: Margaret (deceased), William (deceased). Mary Jane (deceased), Thompson (deceased), John and David S. (deceased). On November 21, 1855, he was again married to Miss Caroline V. Mahoy, daughter of Joseph Mahoy, by whom he had five children, viz., Joseph. Edmund B., E. Iva, Aquilla T. (deceased) and Cephas Pearl. In 1860, he moved into Oak Run Township where in course of time he became a large land-holder. He was a very popular man and was known throughout the county as one of the most enterprising farmers and stock-raisers. His death took place October 12. 1874.
JOHN PANCAKE. farmer, P. O. London. This well-known citizen of Oak Run Township was born in Paint Township. this county, November 15, 1851. He is the son of Cephas and Nancy (Cooper) Pancake. He was married, December 9, 1875 to Ann L. Rea, daughter of Robert Rea. He is a live, energetic farmer, and has, by his gentlemanly demeanor. acquired quite a prominence in the section in which he lives.
MATTHEW REA (deceased) was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 22, 1793. His father. Joseph Rea, was of Irish and Quaker extraction, and was born near Philadelphia. In 1810, young Matthew emigrated with his parents to Ross County. Joseph Rea's family consisted of nine children: Robert, who was a stock-dealer at Coshocton, and died in middle life; Matthew. Joseph, John and Jesse, all farmers and stock-raisers of Madison County: Sarah who married John Lindsley and removed with him to Marion County; Elizabeth. who was the wife of Richard Wilson, a blacksmith of this county, and who late in life went to Indiana; Nancy. wife of William Jackson, a farmer of Madison County, and Mary, who married William B. Slyh. and settled in Wyandot County. When hostilities began in 1812, young Matthew was a member of a militia company which was called into service. He served six months, commencing ill August. 1812, on the Ohio frontier, under Gen. Harrison. While marching to the front he passed through the site of London. which locality he then saw for the first time. A few years later. he began the business of stock-raising, which became his life pursuit. For a few years in early life he was engaged in buying pork and shipping it by flat-boat from the mouth of Deer Creek to New Orleans. This proved remunerative at first, but a decline in the market value afterward resulted in losses to him, and destroyed his previous profits. His father came from Ross County to Madison in 1818, settling about a mile south of London. Matthew preceded him several years in the occupancy of Madison County soil, having been engaged in herding cattle on the prairie land south of London. He was married in 1823, to Ann Amos. whose father had emigrated to Madison County from Maryland. Soon after this important event in his history, he settled on the
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site of London. and there remained until 1833. He then removed to his large farm in Oak Run Township and lived there till his decease. which occurred September 23, 1873, in his eighty-first year. He had been an active man in business affairs and remained in charge of his extensive business until within a short time of his death. He was fond of the saddle, and when engaged in superintending the management of his stock always rode horseback. His wife preceded him to the grave about sixteen years. Of their seven children, but four grew to maturity-Jeremiah. of Oak Run Township: Joseph. who died in November. 1873. Robert. of London: and Margaret. wife of F. M. Chenoweth. of Fairfield Township.
JEREMIAH REA, P. O. London, is a life resident of Madison County. and a prominent
stock-raiser and farmer of Oak Run Township. His grandfather, Joseph Rea. was born in
January, I754 (probably in Pennsylvania). He was married. January 16, 1783, to Elizabeth
Conn. who was born January 27, 1762. They were residents of Rockbridge County. Va.. and
removed to Ross County. Ohio, in 1810. They came to Madison County about, 1818 locating
on Walnut Run. in Union Township. where both died about 1829. They were the parents of
nine children, all reaching maturity. but none now living. One son. Matthew R-.a. the father of
our subject, was born in Rockbridge County. Va., June 22, 1793. He came to this county with
his parent; in 1818. and resided in Union Township until 1835 when he removed to a farm on
Deer Creek. in Pleasant (now Oak Run) Township, where he resided till his death. September
23, 1873. He was a man highly respected and enjoying the full confidence of all his
acquaintances. He took a deep interest in stock matters. and the prosperity and advancement
of Madison County. He married Ann Amos, born in Harford County, Ind., November 15,
1802. They were married in London by Squire Patrick McLene. Mrs. Rea departed this life
February 22, 1857, aged fifty-four years. They were the parents of seven children. three dying
in childhood. ore at the age of forty-four. and three now living-Robert. in London: Margaret.
wife of Marion Chenowith of Fairfield Township: and Jeremiah, Mr. Rea was a large
land-holder once owning 2,000 acres, and at his death leaving an estate of 800 acres. Both
parents are buried in Kirkwood Cemetery, Union Township. Jeremiah Rea was born on the
home farm in Union Township (now within the corporate limits of London). August 19, 1824
and remained with his father till twenty-six rears of age. On August 23, 1850, he was married
to Catherine Leach, a native of Pleasant Township, and daughter of Benjamin Leach. The
following winter his father gave him some land (a portion of his present farm), where he has
since resided. He had 260 or 270 acres at first inherited some, and purchased over 500, his
present farm, consisting of over 1,400 acres. Mr. Rea resides in a very handsome residence
and his land is supplied with all the conveniences necessary to successful farming. He is
Democratic in politics, and has served as Trustee and Clerk of Oak Run Township. Seven
children have been given to himself and wife, two living-Matthew A. and Sarah L.. both
residing at home. Mr. Rea has about retired from active life, and his son has entire
management of the farm.
J. C. SMITH, P. O. London. a prominent farmer and influential citizen of Oak Run Township. was born in Christian County, Ky., April 7, 1817. He is a son of William W. Smith. a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky about 1815. After the birth of our subject he went to Rockingham County, Va., where he died in 1837. He married Elizabeth Chrisman. a native of Virginia. and daughter of Jacob and Barbara Chris-
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man. Mrs. Smith was the mother of only one child, our subject, and departed this life when he was but a few months old. The father then re turned to Virginia. as previously stated, and Jacob C. lived with his grand-mother till ten years of age. He was then taken by an uncle. with whom he remained till of age. He obtained only a limited education. and when twenty-three or twenty-four years of age. came to Ohio and engaged in mercantile pursuits at South Charleston. Clark County. He remained there nine years, and then came to Oak Run Township. He purchased what was known as the "Oak Run Mill." running it for eighteen months. The mill was then destroyed by fire. and Mr. Smith subsequently removed to London. and was there engaged in business for six or seven years. He then bought 228 acres of the old Chrisman land. and since added to it until it now comprises 260 acres. Mr. Smith formerly traded in stock. and deals largely in cattle and sheep. He has on the farm about sixty head of cattle and 1,100 head of sheep. He resides in a very neat and comfortable residence on the farm. and is a man well esteemed by his neighbors and friends. He is Republican in politics, and has officiated as Trustee and School Director in his township. He was married. March 14. 1844, to Amanda J. Evans. a native of Clark County. but reared in this county, and a daughter of Robert Evans (deceased). Nine children have been born to them, only two surviving-Peyton R.. a farmer and stock-raiser of Douglas County, Kan., and William P., at home. Peyton R. married Mrs. Myra Clark. They have one child-Maud. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Methodist-Episcopal Church.
JOHN WALTERS, farmer. P. O. Big Plain, was born February 18, 1841. in Ross County this State. He is the son of Levi and Sarah (Riley; Walters. In his seventh year he lost his father. and the family then moved into Pickaway County. May 26, 1861. He enlisted in Company B. Thirteenth Ohio Infantry. and followed the fortunes of that regiment until July 1864. sharing in the engagements of Shiloh. Stone River. Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He then returned to Pickaway County, where, in October 11, 1865 he was married to Miss Mary E. Robison, daughter of Thomas Robison. The family now consists of five children. viz., Effie Florence. Thomas F.. Carrie. Sarah A.. Daisy Ellen. He first located near Antioch, in this county, in 1872, residing there some two years, then returned to Pickaway County and finally in 1878 moved back to this county. He now rents the Wilson farm, in Oak Run Township, which consists of about 1,200 acres. In politics. he is a Republican.