500 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. JOHN GRAHAM DUN. Eight miles north of London, in this county, lies the Dun' home, known as "Dun Glen" and one of the fine country estates of Ohio. It is situated in a fertile valley and the old house, which is rather an imposing mansion, stands in a handsome grove, a delightful place, reminding 'one of the old homes which might have been seen a generation ago in Kentucky. The present proprietor of "Dun Glen" is Miss Gertrude Dun, who while seemingly living somewhat secluded is generally found where the people of Madison county are accustomed socially to foregather. She is fond of travel and thoroughly enjoys the bounties which nature affords, being devoted to the charms of rural life. It was Miss Dun's father, the late John Graham Dun, who established "Dun Glen" in Deer Creek township. John Graham Dun was born on September 21, 1814, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and died at his home in Madison county on November 29, 1895. He was the son of Walter and Ann Mary (Angus) Dun, the former of whom, born in Scotland, came to America at. the age of nineteen, settling at Petersburg, Virginia, where his uncle was employed by the government as a surveyor. This uncle set his nephew to work surveying land and he presently came to Ohio in the pursuit of his profession. After locating lands in Madison county, Walter Dun married Ann Mary Angus, of Petersburg, Virginia, and returned to Chillicothe. Later he settled on his uncle's estate in Virginia. He also owned a large farm in Kentucky, situated near the beautiful city of Lexington, and died in Kentucky, at the age of fifty-three. Besides his son, John Graham, there were three other sons, James, Walter Angus and Robert George, and a daughter. Mrs. Thurman, all of whom settled in Ohio. Walter Dun had obtained a large tract of land, comprising nine thousand acres, and gave each of his sons a part of this land, With additional lands he later sold them. Each of the sons reared families in Madison county, except Walter A. and all remained here except Robert, who lived for several years in the South. Most of this land has since passed into other hands. All of the Dun brothers were large farmers in this county, Robert and John being pioneer breeders of Shorthorn cattle, while Walter was a well-known horseman in his day. After assisting his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, John Graham Dun, at his father's death, was associated with his brother, James. in settling up the estate. The Kentucky property was sold and the mother spent the later years of her life in Chillicothe. John Graham Dun drove his first cattle over the mountains from the Old Dominion state when he was but nineteen years old. In his farming operations, Mr. Dun employed a large number of men and, from year to year, gradually improved his vast estate, making out of it one of the most desirable tracts in this ,section of Ohio. He lived on the farm until his death at the age of eighty-one years, on November 29. 1895. On October 6, 1841, John Graham Dun married Elizabeth James, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, October 21, 1821, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Claypool) James. the former of whom was born at Antietam, Virginia, where his father was prominently connected with the iron industry, having been, at one time, a part owner of the Antietam iron works. Thomas James also was an inventor of note and several valuable maritime appliances were the products of his inventive genius. The father of Jane (Claypool) James. Abram George Claypool, was an 'officer in the army of General Washington during the Revolutionary War and served with distinction during the long struggle of the colonies for independence. John G. Dun was a sympathetic. even-tempered man and one of strong religious instincts. He had been reared as a Presbyterian and his wife had been reared in the Episcopal church. Although he was an adherent of his wife's church, he never affiliated with the church, though supporting MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 501 it in many ways. There was, for many years, an Episcopal chapel on a part of the Dun farm and it was called Dunlawn chapel. About 1857 John Graham Dun spent about eighteen months in Kentucky, expecting later to go on to Tennessee for his health, but he presently returned to Ohio and resumed farming, becoming an extensive and well-known breeder of Shorthorn cattle and of sheep, his stock for years being considered among the leading live-stock exhibits at the many fairs held in this section of the state. In earlier life, he was very much devoted to hunting and spent a great deal of his time in the open. He was a favorite among the people of Madison county and kept open house for his neighbors and friends. He was a well-read man, although in his youth he had been denied the privilege of attending college. Nine children were born to John Graham and Elizabeth (James) Dun, all of whom grew to maturity, namely: Jane,. who married H. Bacon Smith and is deceased; Walter, who died unmarried at the age of sixty years; Anne, who married Dr. William Ellis Glenn, .of Rolla, Maine, both of whom died early in life; Thomas, who was a farmer near Bellefontaine, Ohio, and died unmarried; McEldin, who was also a farmer near Bellefontaine; Gertrude, who lives on the old home farm; Mary, who married Angus Dun, a cousin, and lived on a part of the old Dun estate, where she died; John Graham, Jr., who is the proprietor of the Vendome hotel at Columbus, and Charles Bush, who was accidentally killed at the age of twenty-three, at Bellefontaine, Ohio. The mother of these children died on April 9, 1898, and was widely mourned throughout the county, where for so many years she had been recognized as a leader in all good works. At one time, John Graham Dun was a member of the board of trustees of the state asylum for the blind. All of the representatives of his generation of the Dun family are deceased. Gertrude Dun, whose beautiful old house is filled with rare and curious furniture which has been kept in the family for many years, has retained the old farm, "Dun Glen," consisting of four hundred acres. Its proprietor also owns other farm real estate, including one hundred acres near Columbus, Ohio. She is active in church work and is a leader in the social set of London, the county seat of this delightful old county. PROF. W. H. RICE. Madison county well may display her pride in her excellent schools. Based upon the fine system inaugurated in this state many years ago; the school system of this county has expanded and developed under wise and sagacious leadership until today it is second to none in the state. Even a cursory review of the history of the schools of Madison county will reveal many names of ardent, enthusiastic schoolmen, whose lives were unselfishly devoted to the noble cause of education, ungrudgingly giving of the best that was in them in behalf of the youth of this favored section. Actuated by the loftiest motives, this zealous band of educators, with all the ardor befitting the cause, has labored unceasingly. in season and out of season, to bring to the highest state of efficiency the splendid educational plant now maintained by Madison county, and future generations certainly will hold in deepest veneration those lofty-minded and generous men and women who have brought about the present high standard of the local schools. In all this noble band of earnest, conscientious educators, few have given more generously of themselves, the best that was in them, than has the gentleman whose name the reader is asked• to note above. Born in Madison county, Professor Rice has watched the school system of the county grow, step by step, to its present exalted status, and for the past fifteen years has taken a very active part in this development. Upon receiving his Master of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1901, Professor 502 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Rice returned to his home county and was immediately installed as principal of the high school at London, a position which he filled most admirably for four years. His services in this connection attracted wide attention and he was prevailed upon to go to Chillicothe, this state, where he served as principal of the high school until 1909, in which year he was called to the superintendency of the schools of London, a position in which he is now serving with the most gratifying results. W. H. Rice was born on a farm in the neighborhood of Lilly Chapel, in this county, on November 12, 1869, son of Woodson and Margaret (Lewis) Rice, the former of whom was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the latter in this county. Woodson Rice came to this county in the year 1858, having in charge a party of slaves that had been set free, his mission having been to secure for these freedmen proper homes in this free state. During his stay here he recognized the superior advantages of this section as a place of residence and upon his return home he prevailed upon his younger brother to accompany him back to Madison county to make their permanent homes. Woodson Rice located at first at Upper Glade, and later, on a farm in the Lilly Chapel neighborhood, where he spent the rest of his life, soon becoming recognized as one of the most forceful and influential residents of that section of the county. He married Margaret Lewis. daughter of Tillman and Mary Lewis, pioneer residents of that township, and to this union six children were born, all of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Mrs. Alice Corder, of Bigplain, this county; Mrs. T. A. Smith, of Lilly Chapel, this county ; Mrs. S. D. Kumler, of London, this county; Mrs. W. B. Titus, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Charles T. Rice, of Greencastle, Indiana. W. H. Rice received his elementary education in the public schools of this county, supplementing the same by a course at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, this state, from which excellent old institution he was graduated with the class of 1901, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his attendance at the university, Mr. Rice was a prominent member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, in which popular college society he still retains the liveliest interest. In proper attestation of his scholarship, he received the high distinction of election to the honorary fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, and wears the much-coveted key with becoming dignity. Upon receiving his diploma Professor Rice straightway entered upon his career of teaching, toward which all his studies had been especially directed, his first work in this connection being as principal of the high school at London, the county seat of his home county. He served four years in that capacity and then went to Chillicothe, this state, where for four years he Served with equal distinction as principal of the high school in that city. The London school authorities then called him back, elevating him to the responsible position o superintendent of city schools, Upon which important service he entered in 1909 and has ever since been thus engaged. It is not too much to say that in the performance of his important duties. Professor Rice ever has acted with an eye single to the better bent of the schools of the city of London and in this connection he has given to his labors an earnest and unselfish devotion which has caused him to be known as one of the most zealous and efficient educators in this part of the state. He not only possesses the confidence of the school authorities, but the affection of the little army of students under his direction, as well as the unbounded esteem of the entire community. On August 17, 1904, W. H. Rice was united in marriage to Nelle Stevens, daughter of Mrs. M. M. Stevens, of Delaware. Ohio, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, class of 1908, and to this union two children have been born, Dorothy N. and Margaret Lucile Professor and Mrs. Rice are members of the Methodist church and are warmly interested in all the good works of the city. Mrs. Rice's scholastic training has fitted her most admirably for her position as the wife of the superintendent of the city school MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 503 and she is a helpmeet, indeed, to her painstaking and conscientious husband, whose efforts on behalf of the youth of London are proving so beneficial. Professor Rice is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, naturally being very deeply interested in all matters relating to better government. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at London and is president of the London Chautauqua Association. He stands high in educational circles throughout this part of the state and is a prominent member of the Ohio State Teachers Association and of the National Education Association. During his service as superintendent of the schools at London he has been largely responsible for the erection of the splendid new high-school building, one of the finest in Ohio, he having had much to do in planning and equipping the same. WILLIAM F. SMELTZER, M. D. Madison county is to be congratulated upon the high standard ever maintained by the medical profession in this county. In the city of London and in the several flourishing villages of the county there are earnest and conscientious physicians, practitioners of the loftiest ideals and most faithful regard for the exalted traditions of their noble profession. Among these skilled and painstaking practitioners, few have a wider acquaintance throughout the county or enjoy more fully the confidence of the public than Doctor Smeltzer, of London, the county seat, who since his arrival in this county in 1908 has built up a fine practice. William F. Smeltzer was born on a farm near the town of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, on March 17, 1873, son of William and Susan (Finlay) Smeltzer, both natives of Canada, the former of whom died in 1889 and the latter, still living in the town of Guelph. Finishing his common school education in the high school at Fergus, Ontario, William F. Smeltzer entered Trinity University at Toronto, arts course, which he attended for two years, after which he entered the medical department of the same university. from which he was graduated with honors in 1.901. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Smeltzer began his professional career at Bergen, New York, where he remained four years, in the meantime doing post-graduate work in New York City. He then moved to Niagara Falls, where he was engaged in practice for one year, at the end of which time he came to this county, locating in the city of London on April 1, 1908, and ever since has been practicing there, with marked success. On September 14. 1904. Dr. William F. Smeltzer was united in marriage to Christine Duncan. a native of Canada, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Charlotte. who was born on May 18, 1908. Doctor and Mrs. Smeltzer are earnest members of the Presbyterian church at London and are deeply interested in all good works in that town. They take a proper interest in the social activities of the community: are regarded as among the leaders in the promotion of all measures designed to better conditions hereabout, and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends. who recognize and do honor to their many excellent qualities. Doctor Smeltzer is a Republican and though an adopted citizen of this country none takes a deeper interest in good government than he, his influence ever being exerted on behalf of pure politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is very popular among his lodge associates, his wide culture giving to his services in that ancient order a value which is highly appreciated by his fellow craftsmen. The doctor is a member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in all of which societies he takes a warm interest. He keeps fully posted on all the wonderful advancements in medical science and in 1914 spent six months in Europe, taking valuable post-graduate work in the great 504 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. medical schools of Berlin, Vienna and London. Doctor Smeltzer occupies not only high place in the regard of his professional brethren in Madison county, but in the esteem of the public generally and is very popular with all who know him. JAMES HAMILTON. One of the leading citizens of this county, whose life and personality left a deep impression upon those who knew him as well as upon the community in general was the late James Hamilton. .Though a successful business man, Mr. Hamilton did not give all of his time or attention to the building up of his personal financial prosperity, but had that quality of good citizenship which prompted him to well-defined activities in all movements having to do with the establishment of the material, in intellectual, religious and social life of the community. Born in Livingston county, New York, March 30, 1836, James Hamilton was one of seven children of James and Grace (Nairn) Hamilton, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1832 on their wedding trip. Locating in Livingston county. James Hamilton, the .elder, became a . very successful farmer, and trained his son, the subject of this sketch, so well in the ways of progressive farming, that the latter received a silver cup in 1857 as a prize from his county fair for progressive farming. James Hamilton, the younger, was educated in the New York state district schools and at Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio. He came West when he was twenty-one - about 1857, and for a time taught school during the winters and worked on farms during the summers. He later went into the grain business and conducted a general store, first at Selma, Ohio, for two years and then at Plattsburg, Ohio, for nine years in which pursuit he was very successful. He then engaged in the grain and elevator business at Newark for two years, and in the spring of 1876 moved to London and there erected the first grain elevator in Madison county. From the very start he did a remarkable business, his elevator being the first to dump grain, which required a day and night force. This business broadened until he owned or had an interest in about twelve elevators throughout central Ohio. He was a man of large executive business ability, owned much farm land and took great pride in bringing his land up to a high state of cultivation. In many respects James . Hamilton was a remarkable man. In him were combined qualities which are essential to every truly successful business man's life. It was his constant aim to be a true man among men. He was truly economical, not as the miser, but as the wise man who knows the power of little things. He did much for the grain trade in Madison county and more for the farmers. Many were the instances in which he advanced money on the growing crops to help worthy men. One earnest man said: "I am not speaking disparagingly of others when I say the that James Hamilton did more for the farmers of Madison county than any other ten men in it. Mr. Hamilton was a Presbyterian, inheriting the Scots' love for Presbyterianism, his father and his grandfather both having been elders in the church, and he was generous to all worthy causes, especially to the beneficences of the church. On March 8,. 1866, James Hamilton was united in marriage at Plattsburg to Adaline Chamberlain, of Clarke county, Ohio, daughter of Stephen Harriman and Esther (Robb) Chamberlain, of New England ancestry that can be traced back tp 1638. To this union four children were born, three of whom are still living, Ralph Chamberlain, Grace Nairn and Mabel Louise. William Lee, a very promising lad died at the age of sixteen years, in 1891, a junior in the high school. During the Civil. War James Hamilton was a faithful member of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He died on August 29, 1889, at London, aged fifty-three. He was a model man in his home, being a devoted husband and a MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 505 kind and loving father. His widow, Mrs.. Adaline (Chamberlain) Hamilton, was a charming woman, and for years was one of the leaders in. the social life of London. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization to which her daughter Grace also belongs, and was actively concerned in the affairs of that patriotic society. Mrs. Hamilton passed away quite suddenly at her home on North Main street and Willis avenue on March 15, 1915. She was born on January 31, 1841, at Lisbon, Clarke county, Ohio, attended the public schools of the county and taught school for ten years previous to her marriage. The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton was one replete with harmony and happiness. and their attractive home was a center for much of the social activity of their friends. In closing this memoir of one of London's most prominent citizens, it is felt that the following lines are not inappropriate: "Let us weep in our darkness, but weep not for him; Not for him, who, departing, leaves hundreds in tears; Not for him who has died full of honor and years; Not for him who ascended Fame's ladder so high: From the round at the top he has stepped to the sky." H. P. SPARLING, M. D. Among the younger professional men of Madison county few are receiving more direct favor at the hands of a discriminating public than Dr. H. P. Sparling, who located at London, the county seat of. this county, in 1911. Doctor Sparling is a product of at that fine old institution, Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and has brought to his practice not only a strict observance of the best and highest traditions of his honorable profession, but the adequate equipment of a thorough acquaintance with the latest discoveries in medical research, and is making a name for himself as a practitioner in this county that not only reflects high credit upon his alma mater, but is a most conclusive commentary upon his ability as a physician. During his brief period of residence in this county, Doctor Sparling has made hosts of friends, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem. H. P. Sparling was born in Washington county, Ohio, on November 23, 1883, son of Dr. F. R. and Carrie C. (Perkins) Sparling, both natives of that county and both of whom are still living, making their home at Marietta. the senior Doctor Sparling now being retired from active practice. after a long and useful career as one of the foremost practitioners. of that part of the state. Dr. F. R. Sparling and his wife are the parents of six children, all of whom are living, namely: Frank, of Marietta, Ohio: Dr. H. P., the immediate subject of this sketch; Wyndham, a medical student at Columbus. Ohio; Florence, who married F. O. Patton. of Marietta ; Lulu, who is a teacher in the public .schools at Waterford, this state. and Eugene, a student in the high school at Marietta. Reared in Marietta. H. P. Sparling received his elementary education in the public schools of his home. city and after being graduated from the high school entered. Marietta College for a supplementary course, upon the completion .of which he entered Stalling Medical College at Columbus, from which he was graduated in May, 1910. Upon receiving his degree. Doctor Sparling was honored by being appointed to the position of interne at Mt. Carmel hospital, in which institution he remained for a year. acquiring a variety and character of practical experience in the practice of the healing art which has been a great benefit to him in his personal practice since entering upon the same in 1911. in the city of London, this county. In 1910. Dr. H. P. Sparling was united in marriage to Stella Murphy, of Columbus, 506 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Ohio, and to this union three children have been born, Harold Hamilton, William Ridley and Mary Katherine. Doctor Sparling is a Mason, as well as a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Eagles; also a member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which he is deepiy interested. He is an earnest student and his activities in these several medical societies have attracted to him the most favorable notice of his elder confreres. Doctor Sparling is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of his home county, being deeply interested in all movements tending to the elevation of the standards of civic administration. He and his wife take a warm interest in the social life of the city of London and are extremely popular in a large circle of friends, all of whom hold them in the highest esteem. The doctor is giving his most devoted service to the practice of his profession and commands the entire confidence of the many families into whose households he enters in tile high relation of medical adviser and physician. HARFORD B. WELSH. Having attained a high position at the bar of the Madison circuit court, which he practiced law for some years; being honored by the public in his electio the responsible and important position of prosecuting attorney, which service he rend so satisfactorily as to gain for him a re-election, Harford B. Welsh is now making equally gratifying record in the financial life of the community, his present service cashier of the Peoples Commercial and Savings Bank, of London, this county. and prominent connection with other banking interests in this state, having demonstra his fine capacity for business, as well as for the law and the public service. Harford B. Welsh was born on a farm in Paint Township, this county, on August 12, 1878, son of E. B. and Emma E. (Smith) Welsh, both natives of Muskingum county this state, and both of whom are still living on the home farm in Paint township where they are regarded as among the leading citizens of that part of the county. They are the parents of six children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Smith, deceased; John C., of Columbus, Ohio; A. G., of Deer Creek township, th county; Joseph E.. a student in the University of Michigan, and Ray, who is at home Reared on the farm, Harford B. Welsh received an excellent public school education. having been graduated from the high school at Washington C. H. in 1896. followin which he entered the University of Ohio and was graduated from the law department of that fine old institution in 1899. Soon after receiving his diploma, Mr. Welsh admitted to the bar of Ohio and entered upon the practice of law in London, county seat, making distinct progress in the esteem of the people and in the confidence of both the bench and the bar from the very start. In 1906 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Madison county and was re-elected in 1908, serving two consecutive to 1907-11. with much satisfaction to the public. Upon retiring from public office resumed his practice and was thus engaged until January 1, 1915, at which time he became cashier of the Peoples Commercial and Savings Bank of London. in which capacity he is now serving very satisfactorily not only to the directors of the bank, but to the customers of the same. Mr. Welsh is one of the directors of .this ban and also is' a director of the Citizens Bank, of Gambier, Ohio. On June 11, 1908. Harford B: Welsh was united .in marriage to Alma Schurr, daughter of John Schurr, of Paint township; this county, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Mary Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are members of Methodist church and take an earnest interest in all good works. Mr. Welsh is Republican and is looked upon as one of the leaders of the party in this county. He MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 507 a Mason and has attained to the commandery in that order; also is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows. He is treasurer of the Madison County Humane Society and is much interested in the affairs of that excellent organization. Mr. Welsh is held in high repute generally throughout the county and enjoys the confidence of the entire community. CHARLES A. WILSON. After twenty-six years of faithful service as a teacher in the public schools of his home county, Charles A. Wilson was called by the people to serve them in another important capacity. In this latter form of service he performed the duties laid upon him with equally scrupulous regard for his obligation to society and was re-elected to serve a second term. This elective office was that of sheriff of the county of Madison, to the duties of which Sheriff Wilson gave his most diligent and intelligent attention. Upon his retirement from public office he returned to the noble ranks of the county teaching corps, but the people again called him to another form of public service and he performed the duties of this new office, that of county treasurer, with such high regard for the requirements of the important position that he was elected to serve a second term and is now thus engaged, doing well his duty to the public, which has thus repeatedly expressed the high measure of its confidence in his fine ability and absolute trustworthiness. Charles A. Wilson was born on a farm in Pleasant township, this county, on February 16, 1864, son of Absalom N. and Elizabeth T. (Andre) Wilson, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter, of this county. Absalom N. Wilson was a son of Robert Wilson. also a native of Virginia, member of an old colonial family, descendant of a Wilson who emigrated from Scotland. the seat of the family having been located south of Edinburgh. The Wilson and the Alkire families have been prominent in the affairs of Madison county for three generations, the parents of County Treasurer Wilson having been held in the very highest regard in this whole community, to the better interests of which they so long were so ardently devoted. Absalom N. Wilson was a substantial farmer of Pleasant township, in the affairs of which township he fin. many years exerted an influence for good which is not forgotten to this day. His sound judgment on matters of local concern gave to his opinions a weight which his neighbors learned to rely on and he often was called upon to adjust local disputes by arbitration, his decisions in such matters rarely being disputed. He and his wife were the parents of six children, namely : John R., of Mt. Sterling, this county ; George W., deceased; Henry. C., of Mt. Sterling; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married John F. Robison, of this county; Hannah J., wife of Wilson Bayler. of Columbus, Ohio and Charles A., the immediate subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died in June, 1869, and the father, in 1883. Reared upon the home farm in Pleasant township. Charles A. Wilson received his education in the excellent schools of Mt. Sterling and when seventeen years of age began teaching school, a devoted form of public service which he continued for a period of twenty-six years, teaching both in the schools of this county and in Pickaway county. He also engaged in farming, following this latter vocation in the vacations of his school work, and became known not only as one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood, but as one of the most "successful teachers in Madison county. Mr. Wilson Is a Republican, for years having given his most earnest attention to the political affairs of Madison county, and in 1901 was elected sheriff of the county. He executed the duties of this office So faithfully that lie was honored with a re-election in 1903. Upon the completion of this second term, Mr Wilson returned to teaching and was thus further engaged until the time of his election to the office of county Treasurer 508-MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. in 1909. In this latter office he acquitted himself with such faithful regard to the public service that he was reelected in 1911 and is now serving his second term in this important public office. On September 1,1886, Charles A. Wilson was united in marriage to Josie Bragg, of Range township, this county, daughter of Theodore Bragg, and to this union nine children have been born, namely: Virgie L., who married James Byers, of Columbus, Ohio, to which union four children have been born, Margaret, Wilson, James and Johanna ; Absalom N., who died at the age of sixteen years; Marcia Love, who married, F. A. Sheets, of London, this county, to which union one child has been born, a daughter, Rachel Ann; Hazel, who married Frank Stone, of London. to which union one child has been born, a daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth; Clark A., who died at the age of one year, and Geneva, Emma Charlotte, Theodore Roosevelt and Elizabeth, who are still at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Christian church at Antioch and their children have been reared in that .faith. Mr. Wilson is a Mason and also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of both of which orders he is much interested. He is widely known as one of the "wheel horses" of the Republican party in Ohio and in 1914 was a candidate before the state primaries for the nomination as candidate for state treasurer on the Republican ticket. He came .out such a close second in this interesting contest that his friends are quite certain the future holds in store for him other and higher honors. No man in Madison county is held in higher regard than he and the absolute confidence the public reposes in him has been amply testified by his repeated elections to positions of trust and responsibility in the administration of the civic affairs of the county. HARRY VINCENT CHRISTOPHER, M. D. With the recent passing of the useful life of the lamented Dr. William Howard Christopher, of London, this county, there was widespread and earnest congratulation in this community that the name of Dr. Christopher was not soon to die out; that it should be so worthily perpetuated in the person of that fine old physician's son, Dr. H. V. Christopher, of London, whose years of practice with his father had given him a place in the affections of the people hardly second to that held by the elder physician. Literally "born to be a doctor," the younger Christopher was reared with that end in view, his devoted parents giving him every opportunity to achieve his youthful ambition, and upon completing his admirable educational course, the younger doctor entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in the office of his father, being thus properly -and lovingly inducted into the very best traditions and practices of his honorable profession; traditions which he has most faithfully observed in his relations with the people of Madison county. Coming to these relations with the best motives, actuated by the highest ideals, Dr. H. V. Christopher has most worthily performed his part in the community and has been rewarded by many expressions of the full confidence and high esteem of all with whom these relations have been so happily sustained, and none in the community is held in higher regard than he. Harry Vincent Christopher was born at Van Wert, Ohio, on June 6, 1883, son of Dr. W. H. and Nancy E. (Patrick) Christopher. the former of whom, for many years a well-loved physician of London, this county, died on April 2, 1915, and the latter of whom still is living at her pleasant home in London. On another page in this volume there is set out, in a memorial sketch relating to the late Dr. W. H. Christopher, further details regarding the history of the Christopher family in this county, to which the reader is respectfully referred in this connection. Being but twelve years of age when his parents. moved from Van Wert to London MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 509 Harry V. Christopher completed his common-school education in the schools of the latter city, being graduated from the London high school with the class of 1902. He then entered Ohio State University at Columbus, where he spent a year in the classical course, after which he entered Starling Medical College in the same city, pursuing his medical studies, in which he had been far advanced by conscientious study in the office of his father, in that excellent institution for a period of two years after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, frpm which he was graduated in 1908. In connection with his work in the latter college, Doctor Christopher secured the inestimable advantage of a year spent as an interne in a Chicago hospital, the practical value of which has been amply demonstrated in his wide practice since definitely entering upon his life work at home. In the fall. of 1908 the younger Doctor Christopher began his practice in the city of London in association with his father, the late Dr. William H. Christopher, and ever since has been thus engaged, very successfully and with the highest consideration for the public welfare. He specializes in his treatment of diseases affecting the ear. nose and throat and in this form of practice has achieved a fine reputation throughout this part of the state, few physicians hereabout having been more successful in this particular line of practice than he. On September 11, 1907, Dr. H. V. Christopher was united in marriage to Helen Knowles Downing, daughter of D. D. and Alice K. Downing, of London, this county, .and to this union two children have been born, Alice Jane, born on July 2, 1910, and Nancy Elizabeth, October 5, 1914. Doctor and Mrs. Christopher are earnest members of the Methodist church, in the various affairs of which they take an active and prominent part, Doctor Christopher having served the local congregation as one of the trustees for three years, 1911-13, and they are likewise devoted to all good works in the community, there being few worthy local causes of importance in which they are not found among the earnest supporters and promoters. In the social life of the com. munity they also take an influential part and are very popular with all who know Ahem, their many admirable qualities of head and heart making them prime favorites with all. Doctor Christopher is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county, being one of the most ardent exponents of good government hereabout. He served the public very acceptably as coroner of Madison county for four years, 1909-12, and for two years, 1914-15, served equally faithfully as a member of the London city council, his public service ever being marked by the utmost consideration for the common weal. Since the year of its organization, Doctor Christopher has been a prominent member of the influential London Club and in every way has given his most devoted service to the good of the community. Enterprising, public spirited and energetic, he is regarded as one of the best "boosters" London has and is generally recognized as one of the leaders in the movement which led to the inauguration of London's popular electrolier system of lighting. The Doctor is a Mason and has attained to the council of that ancient order. He also is a member of the Macabees and of the Eagles at London and is extremely popular among all his lodge associates. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State ,Medical Association and the Madison County Medical Society, in all of which he takes a warm interest. A fine student, he keeps fully abreast of the latest advancement in his honorable profession and his activities in these various medical societies are highly appreciated by his confreres. Doctor Christopher's popularity as a student is attested by his membership in several of the leading college fraternities, he being a member of the chapter of Kappa Sigma at Ohio State University, the Theta Nu Epsilon and Phi Sigma Si at Starling Medical College and the Nu Sigma Nu at the Chicago College Of Physicians and Surgeons. Strong and vigorous physically, Doctor Christopher takes 512 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. M. L. BURNHAM. One important and very highly appreciated service which Mayor Burnham but performed since. taking his seat as chief executive of the city of London county seat of Madison county, is his very practical solution of the "tramp problem." London had been much pestered by tramps for years and none of the ordinary restrictions of the law seemed to have any effect in turning the errant feet of these peripatetics away from that devoted city. When Mayor Burnham took charge of affairs in London he made a rule that tramps should be taken in charge upon their arrival in the city and after being cared for over night in the city jail be given their breakfasts and then compelled to do a period of labor on the streets of the city. After a few pratical examples of this form of restraint, the presence of tramps in the city became noticeably less objectionable, for the very simple reason that there were no tramps: the word apparently having gone forth among these itinerants that the horrible penally of actual labor confronted any "Weary Willie" who might inflict his presence upon the city of London, with the very gratifying result that there has been a real abatement of the tramp nuisance in that town, Mayor Burnham incidentally having made himself very popular with the .ladies by reason of his simple. solution of the long-vexing problem. Nor is this the only instance in which London's present mayor has been able to convince the .people that he is the right man for the place he now occupies. Enterprising, energetic,. public spirited, courteous, obliging and, withal, a man of fine executive ability, he has brought to the administration of his official duties the same quality of business sagacity which had brought him success in the administration of his own personal affairs and it is not too much to say that he is proving to be one of the most popular mayors London has ever had. M. L. Burnham was born on a farm in Pike township; this county, October 13, 1860, son of John and Celina (Fullington) Burnham, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of this state. John Burnham was brought to this county as an infant by his parents, who settled in Pike township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, becoming substantial farmers and widely known as among the most influential pioneers of that part of the county. John Burnham grew up to the life of the farm and remained a farmer all his life. He married Celina Fullington, member of a pioneer family of this county, and to this union were born eight children, of whom. the immediate subject of this sketch is the youngest, the others being as follow: Henry of Bedford, Indiana ; Charles, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio; Anna, deceased : Darius J. of Mechanicsburg; Pearl, who also lives in Mechanicsburg; Mrs. Ada Bradley, of Delaware. Ohio, and Asa, who occupies the home. farm in Pike township, this county. Though reared, on the farm, M. L. Burnham was given exceptional advantages in an educational way as a youth. Upon completing the course in the common schools of Madison county he attended Ohio State University and the Ohio Wesleyan University, and thus, acquired a fine equipment for the important public duties which he later was to be called upon to perform. The opportunities of the farm appealing to him upon completing his education, he remained on the home farm assisting in bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and there resided until 1900, in which year he moved to the county seat, where he engaged quite successfully in the livery business. Ten years later, when the automobile industry became so well established in its country, he enlarged his business by taking over the agency for several popular makes of automobiles and organizing the Madison County .Automobile Company which handles in this .section the Hupmobile, the King and' the Briscoe machines. During his residence in London. Mr. Burnham ever has given thoughtful and intelligent attention to civic affairs and from the very ;beginning of his residence there has been MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 513 regarded as one of the most public-spirited men in the city. His first official connection with public affairs was as a member of the city council, in which capacity he performed faithful service in behalf of the city's best interests. In 1913 he was elected mayor of London, on the Republican ticket, and since. that time has devoted his utmost energies to the welfare of the city. On December 22, 1882, M. L. Burnham was united in marriage to Lizzie R. Cheney, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, daughter of James Henry Cheney, and to this union three children have been born, namely; Cheney E., who married Mabel Chenoweth and who makes his home in London; Anna S., who married William V. Relma, of Springfield. Ohio, and Howard M., who is a student in Ohio State University. Mayor and Mrs. Burnham are deeply concerned in all the good works of the community in which they have been such active factors for the past fifteen years and are exceedingly popular both in the city and in that section of the county in which for years previously they had resided. The mayor's interest in municipal affairs gives him a close personal concern in his official duties and he is devoting his best energies to his office, with the resnlt that the people are with him in his efforts to make a better city and to advance in every way the welfare of the county seat, all having the utmost confidence in his good faith and public spirit. EDWIN PITZER FISHER. Edwin Pitzer Fisher, superintendent of the London Water Works Company, was born near Sedalia, Range township, Madison county, Ohio, April 29, 1858. He is the son of Rev. W. H. R. and M. J. (Minshall) Fisher. the former of whom was of German descent, but who was born in Madison county. The Rev. W. H. R. Fisher was the son of Isaac B. and Elizabeth (Jefferson) Fisher. Isaac B. Fisher was born in Virginia, and his wife was a native of New Jersey. Their home place was located near Sedalia. Mr. Fisher died in 1864, from the effects of a sunstroke. His wife died in London at the age of eighty-four years. Only two members of their family are living in 1915, Mrs. Elizabeth Minshall, the widow of Wyatt Minshall, of London, and Isaac Newton, who resides in Toledo, Ohio. M. J. Minshall, the wife of Rev. W. H..R. Fisher, was the daughter of Walter W. Minshall. and was born in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio. Rev. W. H. R. Fisher died in 1870, at the age of thirty-four years. He. served as pastor of the churches of the Swan circuit, Vinton county, and the Berlin Cross Roads circuit. Jackson county. Ohio. His widow, in 1872, removed to London, making this city her home until a few years ago. She row resides in Kansas City, Kansas. To the Rev. W. H. R. Fisher and M. J. Fisher were born five children, of whom Edwin Pitzer was the eldest. Ada Luella died at the age of eleven years. Elizabeth M.. is the wife of Rev. William N. 'Brewster, superintendent of the Hing Hun district, Foo Chow conference, of the Methodist Episcopal church, China. Mrs. Brewster has supervision of the mission schools of the same district. Carrie Annette was a graduate of the London high school, and taught for several years previous to her death, in 1886. William B. M.. the youngest of the children, is a merchant in Kansas City, Kansas. He left London when a young man. Edwin Pitzer Fisher, the subject of this sketch, came to London at the age. of fourteen years. He attended the schools during the winter terms for three .years. entering the grocery of S. H.. Cartzdafner, in 1875. In 1881 Edwin Pitzer Fisher was married to Martha Virginia, daughter of. Adam and Sarah Kidwiler, of Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Of this union two children were born, who died in infancy. Martha Virginia (Kidwiler) Fisher died in 1885. (33) 514 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. In 1884 Mr. Fisher entered the employ of Thomas Gosslee, grocer, where he remained until he engaged in business for himself. In 1891 Mr. Fisher was married to Mattie R. Frames, of London, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have two children; Willis R. and Dorothy A., both students of Ohio Wasleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. In July, 1899, Louis E. Miller receiver of the London Water Works Company, appointed Mr. Fisher -•superintendent. In April, 1905,. he was appointed superintendent and manager of the Washington Water Company, Washington C. H., Ohio—both companies being under the same control. Mr. Fisher, at this writing, still continues to hold both positions. Mr. Fisher has served as a 'member of the village council, member and clerk of the board of education, and was clerk of Union township for ten years. He was one of the organizers of the county work of the Young Men's Christian Association. and the first chairman of the county committee. He is a Mason, and a Knights Templar, and has passed the chairs in the blue lodge, chapter and council. He is a member of the Methodist church, the Twentieth Century Men's Bible class, and stands for all the force which make for the betterment of the community in which he lives and which or essential to the peace and contentment of its people. FOSTER BEERY. The son of' a merchant, the subject of this sketch has spent his whole life in the atmosphere of commercialism and there are few better known merchants in this section of Ohio or who have a wider repute or are held in higher regard than he. Coming to this county twenty years ago with a mercantile 'experience of years behind him, Mr. Beery entered into the commercial life of the county seat with energy and industry and has Prospered as his talents entitled him to prosper and is now accounted one of the most substantial merchants in the city of London, possessing the entire confidence of his business associates throughout this section of the state. Foster Beery, well-known clothing .merchant of London, this county, was born at Upper Sandusky, in Wyandot county this state, on February 10, 1858, son of Isaac and Leefe (Fowler) Beery, the former of whom was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. and the latter of Wyandot county. For fifty years Isaac Beery was a merchant and hanker of Upper Sandusky, during which time he built up a name which long will persist in that community, an honorable testimonial to his rectitude as a business man. Going to that city as a lad. he entered into the commercial life of the town as a clerk and presently rose to the position of proprietor of a store of his own, for years being regarded as one of the leading merchants of the place. He was a man of large stature, a just and honest, plain, conservative business man, who did well his part in life and left a good name as a priceless heritage to his children. He died in March 1884 at the age of sixty-five. His widow. who was born in 1832, survived him until 1897. She was. a kind and loving wife and mother. a woman who endeared herself to all whom she met and was universally liked for her many splendid qualities. and her loss was keenly felt by all who knew her. They were the parents of four children,' those besides the subject of this sketch being Fowler, deceased; Mrs. Leefe McConnell, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and Mrs. J. H. Pow ell, also of Upper Sandusky. Reared at Upper Sandusky, Foster Beery received his elementary education in the public schools of that city, supplementing the same by a course in the Ohio State University, at Columbus. Having been reared to mercantile pursuits by his father he entered a business career quite early and and engaged in the dry-goods business at Upper Sandusky. continuing thus engaged until he was thirty-eight years of age, at which time; MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 515 in 1895, he came to this county, locating at London, where he opened a clothing store, and has ever since been thus engaged, having prospered largely. His store' is well stocked and admirably equipped, Mr. Beery being an up-to-date merchant who conducts his business along modern lines, scrupulously attentive to the needs of his trade, and there are few stores in this section of the state better known or more popular than his. On January 3, 1884, Foster Beery was united in marriage to Sallie Reg, daughter of the late Jerry Reg, a former well-known farmer of the London neighborhood, whose widow, now eighty-seven years of age, makes her home with the family of her daughter, Mrs. Beery. To this union five children have been born, as follow : Isaac R., born on April 12, 1885, a prosperous young farmer living near London, married Lela Edwards; Matthew May 23, 1887, who is associated with his father in the clothing store, married Jessica Day; Brooks F., June 19, 1889, also a farmer near London, married Madge Judy, of West Lebanon, Indiana; Leefe Katherine, who married Ned Speasmaker, of London, and Sarah Louise, January 10, 1900, a student in the London high school. Mr. and Mrs. Beery are thoughtfully attentive to the obligations of their position in society, being influential in the good works of the community, and they and the members of their family are held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Beery is enterprising, energetic and public spirited, and is one of the active workers in the affairs of the London Board of Trade, he being regarded as one of the city's most earnest "boosters." He also is a member of the influential London Club, as well as of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the affairs of both of which he gives his intelligent attention. In his political views, Mr. Beery maintains rather an independent view, being bound to no definite party, regarding the merits of the respective candidates as of more importance than the fetish of the party name in local politics and is an ardent supporter of the cause of good government. In addition to his large mercantile interests, Mr. Beery owns a fine farm near London and is much interested in agricultural pursuits, giving much personal attention to his considerable farming interests. He holds a high place in the esteem of his business associates and enjoys the confidence of all. WALTER T. BOOTH. The fact that Walter T. Booth has filled with honor and credit several public offices and that he is assistant cashier of the Madison National Bank, is evidence that his record has been a clean one and his character one that is above reproach. In private as well as public life, this gentleman has lived not only so as to reflect credit upon himself and his early training, but so as to be an inspiration to others. Education has meant to him not a means of earning a livelihood but a means of the culture which recognizes also civic responsibility. Walter T. Booth was born in Jefferson township, this county, on April 14, 1870, son of J. W. and Mary J. (Johnson) Booth, the former a native of 'Clark county, this state. and the latter of Madison county, daughter of one of the old families of this county. J. W. Booth was the son of a Virginian, one of the pioneers of Clark county, and upon reaching manhood's estate became a farmer in Jefferson township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in November. 1913. He had been twice married, three children having been born to his first union, namely: Walter T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. M. F. Dunn, of London. this county, and Mrs. Lewis Bradley, of Ada.' Ohio. Upon the death of Mrs. Mary J. Booth, in 1889, J. W. Booth married. secondly. Louise Martin, to which union one daughter was born, Mrs. Bertha Goldenbogen, of West Jefferson, this county. Walter T. Booth was born and reared on his father's farm and was educated in the 516 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. country schools. Ambition was apparent early in his career, for he began teaching school in Monroe township when only eighteen years of age. Having taught two years he became deputy county clerk under M. F. Dunn. retaining that position for four years, after which he went back to farm life, but did not remain long after the call to a business career. Leaving the farm, he became teller of the London Exchange Bank in 1889, a position which he held for the following sixteen years, at the end of which time, in November, 1914, he was made assistant cashier of the Madison National Bank, a position which he still occupies. Mr. Booth has never entirely given up his love of the country, for he lives on a farm just north of the corporation, a tract of land consisting of eighty acres, besides which he owns a farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres in Union township. In May, 1897, Walter T. Booth was united in marriage to Imogene Vent, daughter of John T. Vent, president of the London Exchange Bank, and to this union have born two children, Flora and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are prominent members of Methodist Episcopal church, of which the former is a trustee. Mr. Booth is a member of the London school board, and served two terms in the city council. He is a Ma and a popular member of the London Club. Mr. Booth is a Republican and lakes earnest interest in the political affairs of the county. R. K. SHAW. It is generally agreed that the press is the strongest individual force in a munity. No other force is exerted with such continuous direction or is felt greater number of persons. The phrase "the power of the press, therefore, has become accepted as axiomatic and has taken its place among the permanent figures of common speech. Fortunate, indeed, is that community in which "the power of press" ever is exerted for good; in which the tremendous power of the written a repeated word is used in behalf of the best interests of the community which is ser by the printed page. Madison county has much reason for congratulation upon high character of its newspapers. The exalted standards of conduct which for general thins have been maintained in this favored section of the state ever have demanded clean and wholesome regard for the proprieties and amenities of life, and it is gnat ing to say that in all the history of the press of Madison county these have I observed, save with, perhaps, rare exceptions, with the most scrupulous nicety by honorable gentlemen of the press, whose endeavors ever have been in the direct' of better things for the respective communities which their papers so ably sere In the long list of men who have served Madison county so ably in the editorial capacity there have been many men of light and leading, who have done well their parts in and whose names are preserved in the annals of this quiet neighborhood; men whose memories long shall be held in grateful regard hereabout. In all this considera list, however, there have been few men who have exerted a stronger or a more wholesome influence for good than has the gentleman whose name the reader is asked note above. For more than ten years Mr. Shaw has been prominently identified w the press of Madison county and as sole owner and editor of the London Times bringing to bear the full force of the powerful leverage which his paper gives him elevate local conditions and further all good works. Conscientious and able, sad and well trained, a man of mature deliberation and calm judgment, Mr. Shaw brought to his editorial duties an equipment of strength and energy and wisdom courage which has made of him a force in this community which the present histor will leave to the future historian properly to estimate. Suffice it to say that no I in the county is held in higher regard or more universal esteem than is Mr. Shaw MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 517 and it is a pleasure on the part of the biographer here to present a brief and Modest review of his useful carter. R. K. Shaw was born at Boydton, the county seat of Mecklenburgh county, Virginia, on December 29, 1878; the only son of David E. and Jennie R. (King) Shaw, both natives of Stark county, this state. David E. Shaw was engaged as an .abstractor most of his life, the larger part of his professional career being spent in Mansfield, this state. For about eight years Mr. and Mrs. Shaw resided in Boydton, Virginia, where Mr. Shaw served in the capacity of deputy sheriff. There their only child was born. When this child, the subject of this sketch, was about one year old, the family moved to West Salem, in Wayne county, Ohio ; later moving to near Leesburg, Pennsylvania, thence to Savannah, in Ashland county, this state, from which place they moved to Mansfield, where they resided until a short time before Mr. Shaw's death, when they moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where Mr. Shaw died on August 1, 1889. His widow survived him six years, her death occurring at Mansfield on March 12, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were a most excellent couple. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian church, for many years taking an active part in the various beneficences of that church, and their son was reared in that faith, a faith from which be has not departed. R. K. Shaw received his elementary education in the public schools of Mansfield, being graduated from the high school in that city with the class of 1899. He then worked his way through the College of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, and' was graduated from that excellent old institution with the class of 1903, receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Upon receiving his diploma, Mr. Shaw entered the ranks of teachers and for one year was employed as teacher in the township high school at South Euclid, near the city of Cleveland, this state, after which, for a year or more, he was in the employ of the Tracey-Wells Company, a large wholesale-notions concern at Columbus, Ohio. From that city Mr. Shaw came to Madison county in 1905, locating at London, where he bought the London Times from M. F. Dunn, taking possession on June 19 of that year, being associated with H. F. Harrington in the ownership and editorial management of the paper. In March, 1908, Mr. Shaw assumed the entire ownership and full control of the Times, which since has been widely recognized hereabout as a powerful factor in the general moral upbuilding of the community which it so ably serves, its editor ever vigorously championing all worthy causes. On January 25, 1910, R. K. Shaw was united in marriage to Florence Van Wagener, who was born in the city of London, in this county, daughter of John B. and Jennie (Foster) Van Wagener, to which union two children have been born. John David, who was born on November 1.1, 1910, and James Van Wagener, May 16, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Presbyterian church at London and are among the most active workers in that congregation. Mr. Shaw is a member of the session and one of the trustees of the church, as well as the teacher of the Busy Men's Bible class, which was organized in March, 1.913, and which now has a membership of more than one hundred and fifty earnest Bible students, men of affairs in and about London who. under Mr. Shaw's intelligent direction are diligently searching the scriptures. Mr. Shaw is a man of gentle piety, whose religion is exemplified in his daily walk and conversation and which is clearly reflected in the conscientious care which he devotes to the editorial management of his excellent newspaper, his voice and his pen ever being used in behalf of those things which are true and of good report. Mr. Shaw is a Republican and his paper consistently advocates the principles of that party, wielding a large influence in the political life of the county. He is a member of Beta Mu chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, at Wooster, and is a prominent 518 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Chandler Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, at London; Adoniram Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Mason, and London Council No. 41, Royal and Select Masters. He also is a member of Madison Lodge No. 70, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Madisonia Lodge No. 725, Daughters of Rebekah, in all of which bodies he takes a warm and effective interest. Mr. Shaw is a man of engaging personality and he and his wife are deeply concerned in the general social affairs of the community, to the improvement of which they their bive most devoted thought. They have hosts of friends throughout the county and are held in the very highest regard by all. ELIJAH WALKER BALES. Among the many substantial farmers of Madison county who have retired from the farm to make their. homes in the county seat, few have a wider acquaintance, both in London and in the county at large, than Elijah Walker Bales, who left his fine farm in Fairfield township in the fall of 1914 to take up his residence in a comfortable home in London. For many years Mr. Bales has been regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial farmers of this county. Though now living in town, he still retains his extensive land holdings, being the owner of four hundred and twenty-seven acres of choice land in this county, two hundred and fifty acres of which lies in Pleasant township and the balance in Fairfield township, and is very well circumstanced as to this world's goods, being in a position calmly to enjoy the full rewards of a life of well directed industry. Elijah Walker Bales was born on the old Bales farm in Fairfield township, Madison county, Ohio, on January 14, 1855, son of Moses and Rachael (Chenoweth) Bales the former of whom was born in Virginia on August 30, 1811, and died at his home in this county on July 25, 1885. and the. latter was born in Ohio on April 24, 1815, and died on September 5, 1897. Moses Bales was the son of Thomas Bales, a prominent planter of Virginia, who becoming wearied of the slave-holding system, liberated his numerous slaves and moved with his family to this county, where he bought a farm and entered vigorously into the pioneer life of this section. early becoming one of the most influential men in the part of the county in which he settled, he and his wife ever exerting a wholesome influence in the community. The remainder of their lives was spent here, and their memory is not forgotten. Moses Bales was a young man when his father came to this county, and he early became one of the most prominent residents of Fairfield township. He was one of the early trustees of that township, and for years was a strong factor in the development of that community. Moses Bales married Rachael Chenoweth, a member of a pioneer family, and to this union ten children were born, namely: Catalina, born on August 20, 1835, widow of H. W. Bail; Malinda. November 11. 1838, wife of Gibson Bail; Louisa Jane, February 4, 1840. who married Robert Rea, of London, this county, and is now deceased; Thomas Marion, August 4. 1844, now deceased; William Pingle. September 14, 1846, now deceased; John Foster, June 5, 1848, who married Alice Jane Rife, and lives in Circleville, Ohio; Mary Margaret. August 26, 1850, who married Dr. Charles Snyder of London, and is now deceased ; Charles Lewis, December 31, 1852, now deceased, married Mary Susan Fitzgerald. .of Fairfield township, this county; E. W. the immediate subject of this sketch, and Ada Leona. June 25, 1857, who married Frederick W. Pierce, of London, and she is now deceased. Elijah Walker Bales was reared on the home farm in Fairfield township, receiving his education. in the excellent district schools of that neighborhood, and grew up thor- MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 519 oughly grounded in the essential details of .farm life, becoming,. in his turn, a fine farmer, even as his father. and his grandfather. Following his marriage, in 1880, he bought the home farm, his father and mother being dead, and he continued to live there until he moved to town, in the fall of 1914. His farming affairs prospered from the very start, and he gradually added to, his holdings, until he became the possessor of four hundred and twenty-seven acres, as noted above, all well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. On September 16, 1880, Elijah Walker Bales was united in marriage to Mary E. Robinson, daughter of Samuel Robinson, of Pleasant township, and to this union three children have been born, Bonna Lee, who is at home with. her parents in London; William Robinson, who married Mary Chenoweth, of Fairfield township, is operating the old home farm, and Rachael Margaret, also at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bales are Methodists and their children have been reared in that faith, the family being highly regarded for its devotion to the general welfare of the community. Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonic lodge at London, and is a Republican, for many years having taken a warm interest in the political affairs of the county. He has served as township trustee in both Pleasant and .Fairfield townships, in which capacity his services proved of large benefit to the public interests under his charge. He is cordial in his intercourse with his fellow men and is held, in the very highest regard by all who know him. THOMAS A. GALLAGHER. A representative in the third generation of a family that has been prominently identified with the affairs of Madison county since the year 1850, there are few men In this county who have a wider acquaintance, or who are held in higher regard than Thomas A. Gallagher. a popular merchant of London, who, in addition to his mercantile interests, owns a fine farm six miles south of London and some valuable town property. Thomas A. Gallagher was born on a farm in Paint township, this county, on October 9. 1874. son of John L. and Ann (Dean) Gallagher, prominent and highly respected residents of that section of the county. John L. Gallagher was born in County Sligo. Ireland, on Good Friday, 1826. son of Patrick and Ann (McDermott) Gallagher. both natives of the same county. In 1848 John L. Gallagher came to America. landing at New Orleans, where for a while he., worked on the levee, finally working his way up river, as a fireman on steamboats, until he reached Ciiicinnati, from which point lie worked his way up state to South Charleston, at which point his parents, who had come. to America in 1849, had located for a season. At that point John L. Gallagher engaged with his father in working out a land lease in Clark county. Ten years later he took a lease on David Harold's farm, near South Solon, this county, where he worked for six years. at the end of which time he bought a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres in Union township to which he gradually added, as he prospered, until he was the owner of twelve hundred and eighty-five acres of choice land in this county and was accounted one of the most substantial citizens in that neighborhood. In the meantime his parents also moved to this county and here .their last days were spent. John L. Gallagher was a pioneer in that section of Union township. in which he settled. his original land holdings having been but a. of tangled woods and swamps. Out of this he developed a fine farm, to which, by industry, frugality and good management; he added until he, became very well-to-do. When twenty-five years of age, John L. Gallagher was united in marriage, at Cincinnati, to Bridget Gilmore, to which union one child was born, a daughter, Mary Jane, 520 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Who died in infancy. Bridget Gallagher died about two years after her marriage and one year later Mr. Gallagher married, secondly, Ann Dean, of Xenia, Ohio, who also was a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and to this union twelve children were born, as follow: Frank, who lives in London, this county; John P., also a resident of London; Peter A., also of London; Anna, wife of J. C. Dineen, of Springfield, Ohio; Mary, of London, John Murray, of London, this county; Katherine, wife of William A. Dunn, of London; Margaret, wife of Thomas Moore, of 60 Patterson avenue, Columbus, Ohio; Ella, wife of Thomas C. Enright, who lives on the old home farm in Union township; James F., living on Logan avenue, in London, this county; Thomas A., the immediate subject submisson of this biographical sketch; William, who died in March, 1900, and Edward F., who died in February, 1911. John L. Gallagher, father of these children, died in January, 1911, at the age of eighty-five years, and his widow survived him but little more than a year her death occurring in March, 1912, at the age of seventy-four. Thomas A. Gallagher was reared on the home farm in Union township and remained there until he was thirty years of age, at which time his father retired from the farm and moved into the city of London. He accompanied his parents to the county seat and there, in association with his brother, Frank, engaged in the lumber business, with yards there and.at Mt. Sterling. After being thus engaged for five years, he disposed of his lumber interests and entered the mercantile business, forming a partnership with a Mr. Polster, under the firm name of Polster & Gallagher, in the clothing and men's furnishing line, and has ever since been thus engaged, the firm having one of the most popular and largely patronized stores at the county seat. Mr. Gallagher is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county, though not what might be called an active politician; his extensive business interests requiring his close personal attention. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is very popular with all his friends. He is recognized as an excellent business man, enterprising and up-to-date, and possesses in large measure the confidence of commercial circles generally hereabout, all who know him holding him in the highest regard. JOHN T. VENT No name in Madison county is better known or held in higher repute than that which the reader notes above. For many years prominent in the civic life of this county, retiring with official -honors well won, and then taking up the cares of a financial career, Mr. Vent has acquitted himself most admirably in all his undertakings and very well deserves the high place he holds in the community. A soldier of his country at seventeen, Mr. Vent gave valiant service in defense of the Union and at the end of this service returned to school, completing his education, after which he engaged in farming in this county on a large scale. All this time his fine personality was making him friends in all parts of the county and presently he found himself elected sheriff of ,the county. Before completing his second term in that office he was elected county treasurer, also being re-elected to that important office, an attestation of popular favor on the part of the community that was most unmistakable. Upon completing his public career, Mr. Vent engaged in the grain business very successfully for a few years and then was called to accept the presidency of a bank. That was in 1896 and since that time Mr. Vent has been one of the most conspicuous figures in the financial life of this section of the state, his management of the London Exchange Bank having been such as to inspire, from the very start, the unbounded confidence of the entire community. John T. Vent was born on a farm in Ross county, Ohio, on January 7, 1846, son MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 521 of J. W. and Sarah (Gray) Vent, natives of Delaware, who came West, locating in Ross county, this state, where they resided for several years, at the end of which lime they moved to Pickaway county, where they lived for about seven years, moving then to Fayette county. After two years of residence in the latter county, they came to Madison county, locating in Paint township, where the rest of their lives were spent. To J. W. and Sarah (Gray) Vent ten children were born, five of whom are still living, the others, besides the subject. of this sketch, being James T., of Monticello, Illinois; E. S., of London, this county; M. H., of Union township, this county, and Mrs. Miranda Willis, of Fayette county, this state. The mother of these children died in 1856 and Mr. Vent married, secondly, Virginia Gill, to which second union there was no issue. J. W. Vent died in 1885, at the age of seventy-five and his widow died a few years later. John T. Vent was but ten years old when his mother died. He was reared on the home farm. attending the township schools, and at the age of fourteen began working for himself, his services being engaged by neighboring farmers. He continued this form of service for two years, going to school a part of the time, and at the age of seventeen enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, serving in two enlistments, the first of which was in Company C, Thirty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When this regiment was mustered out he re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment,. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he served until it was mustered out in September, 1865. Mr. Vent was with Sherman's army in the South during the last year of his service and was engaged in the battle of New Creek. He participated in the Grand Review in Washington and at the close of his service returned home and resumed his studies for a year or two. He then engaged in farming for himself. leasing three hundred and fifty acres in Paint township, operating this farm very successfully until he was elected to the office of sheriff in 1.885, on the Republican ticket. satisfactorily did he handle the affairs of this office that he was re-elected in 1887 and before his second term as sheriff had expired he was elected to the office of county treasurer, in 1889, to which office he was re-elected in 1891, serving two full terms in that important public capacity. At. the close of this form of public service, Mr. Vent went to Sedalia, this county, where he engaged in the grain business with W. H. Riddle, a partnership which continues very profitably to this day, although of recent years Mr. Vent has given little of his personal attention to the business. Without any solicitation on his part. John T. Vent was elected president of the London Exchange Bank in 1896, since which time his attention has been almost wholly devoted to the affairs of that sound financial concern. At the time of his election to this important post. Mr. Vent had for some time been serving as a director of the Madison National Bank, at London, and had acquired a thorough knowledge of the banking business. The London Exchange Bank in 1896 was a private bank and Mr. Vent played a prominent part in the reorganization of the concern as a state bank. In addition to his banking business, Mr. Vent has given much attention to the handling of large estates for heirs, widows and non-residents, in which relation he has been very successful, having a remarkable record for the systematic manner in which rentals thus entrusted to him have been collected; he haying collected more than one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in this fashion during the seventeen or eighteen years he has been thus engaged. As a banker, Mr. Vent has displayed exectitive ability which places him well up in the front rank of financiers in this section of the state and to his ',prudent and wise management much of the success of the London Exchange Bank has been due. On March 10, 1874, John T. Vent was united in marriage to Flora Hamm, who 522 - MADISON, COUNTY, OHIO. was born and reared in Union township,, this county, to which union two daughters have been born, Imogene, who married Walter T. Booth, assistant cashier of the Madison National Bank, and Fannie F., who remains at home. Mrs. Vent was a member of the Methodist church and was active in all its works. She passed away on April 24, 1913. Mr. Vent for many years has been a strong and influential supporter of the Republican party and at .one time was a candidate for the nomination for state senator from the counties of Madison, Clark and Champaign. In the joint senatorial convention he lacked just seven votes of enough to insure the nomination, the nomination at that time being regarded as equivalent to an election. He was offered seven votes from Clark county to secure the nomination, but his fine sense of honor compelled him to decline the proffer, he being unwilling to accept the nomination without the unanimous vote of his own county. During his service as county treasurer he was for two years president of the Ohio State County Treasurers Association and his influence in that body was reflected throughout the entire state.. Mr. Vent also served the public as jury commissioner for a period of ten years and at one time served very acceptably as township trustee of Paint township. He is a fine, wholesome force in the community and is honored by the general confidence and esteem of all in this section. For thirty-five years John T. Vent has ben a member of Chandler Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, at London, and is also a member of the chapter and of the council of that order. He has taken the higher degrees of Masonry and is a member of Springfield Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus.. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being affiliated with the lodge of that order at London. AUSTIN S. HUTSON. Few men in Madison county have richer memories of the early days in this community or minds better stocked with the lore of the past, in so far as relates to the history of this county, than Austin S. Hutson, prominent veteran of the Civil War in member of the London city council. Born in 1839, Mr. Hutson has spent his whole life in this county, having for years been one of the strong factors in the development o the commonwealth, and consequently possesses an acquaintance with conditions as the exist now and as they existed in the past generation which makes him a veritable stor house of information on most all matters relating to Madison county. Genial, kindly companionable and enterprising. Mr. Hutson is a friend to the whole world, and in c sequence is accorded the highest esteem of his fellow men. Austin S. Hutson was born on a pioneer farm in Stokes township, Madison county Ohio, on August 14; 1839. son of John K. and Hannah (Mahaffy) Hutson, the form native of Kentucky, born in 1709. and' the latter a native of Adams county, Ohio. in 1803. John K. Hutson was a son of Skinner Hutson, a native of London, England who emigrated to America and settled in Kentucky, where he remained until 1804, in which year he came to this county, locating in Stokes township on a farm which he entered from the government, and there he spent the rest of his life. becoming in his day a powerful factor for good in that pioneer settlement. John K. Hutson was but five years of age when his parents migrated to this county and consequently grew to manhood here amid pioneer conditions. He became a man of substance and of large influence, doing well his part in the development of Stokes township, in which section of the county he owned two hundred and sixty-six and one-half acres of fine land, part of which lay in the village of South Solon. John K. Hutson died in the year 1874, he then being seventy-five years of age. His wife died in 1877, when seventy-two years of age. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 523 They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Austin S., the subject, of this sketch, now is the sole survivor. Austin S. Hutson received his early education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and when thirteen years of age left his home to reside with "Major" Peter Buffenburg, his brother-in-law, where he remained until September 17, 1861, on which date he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, at Cincinnati, and thus became a soldier in the army of ten thousand men under Gen. Ormsby McKnight Mitchell, known as the old Army of the Cumberland. Mr:HutSon subsequently' served under Generals Sherman, Rosecrans, Sheridan, Burnside and Grant; re-enlisted as a veteran, and was through the Atlanta campaign and in the battles of 'Lookout Mountain, Huntsville, Alabama ; Bridgeport, Alabama ; Middleton, Tennesse; Noonday Creek, Georgia; Kilpatrick's raid; Nashville, Tennessee; Selma, Alabama; Columbus, George and others. He was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Stone's River and was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer on July 15, 1865, after a term of service of four years and two months. Upon the completion of his army service, Mr. Hutson returned to the Buffenburg farm, as assistant superintendent, and upon "Major" Buffenburg's death was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of the great estate of five thousand and two hundred acres, the duties of which position he performed faithfully for twenty-nine years, or until his retirement in 1896, in which year he bought a fine house on Maple street, in the city of London, this county, where he since has resided, enjoying in comfort the well-merited rewards of a life of industry and conscientious application to the duties of the high trust reposed in him. For thirty-five years he has been a strong advocate of woman suffrage. On December 7, 1865, Austin S. Hutson was united in marriage. to Fanny Curtis, (laughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Patterson) Curtis, the former of whom was an early brickmaker in Loudon. This union was without issue, but Mr. and Mrs. Hutson reared two adopted sons, William Rudel and Austin S. Smith. Mrs. Hutson died in 1895, and Mr. Hutson married, secondly, in 1897, Mrs. Ceraldia (Paulin) Pancake, widow of the late John Pancake, who was born in 'Clark county, this state, and who, by her first husband, is the mother of six children. Though to this second union no children have been born, Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are friends of all children, and they have done much toward helping the children of others, who, from time to time, they have discovered to be in need of properly directed assistance. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are members of the Methodist church and are active in all good works. Mr. Hutson is one of the strongest and most pronounced foes of the liquor traffic in Madison county, and for years has been counted among the leaders in the determined war which is being waged against that traffic in this state. Mr. Hutson always has taken a keen interest in fine horses, and during the many years of his superintendency of the Buffenburg estate was noted as a breeder of blooded stock. This interest in horses has waned but little since his retirement from active direction of such affairs, and he still owns some very fine horses. in which he takes a very proper pride. Mr. Hutson is a Republican, with Prohibition leanings, and for years has been an influential factor in the political life of Madison county. For twenty-nine years he was a member of the Paint township 'school board and is now a member of the city council of London, a position in which his wide acquaintance with affairs and mature judgment are proving of great Service to the public. He is a member of Lyon Past No. 121, Grand Army. of the Republic, Department of Ohio, and for many years has been one of the leaders in the affairs of that post. In many ways Mr. Hutson 524 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. has demonstrated the eminent value of his service to the public, and he is held in the very highest regard throughout the whole county, being universally regarded as one of the best citizens of the county. HARRY S. MITCHELL. Few men in this section of Ohio are better known than the gentleman whose name the reader notes above, and few are more active factors in the promotion of the best interests of the entire region hereabout. Known generally throughout this region as "the land man," Mr. Mitchell is one of the most energetic real-estate promoters in this part of Ohio, his operations covering a wide territory throughout central Ohio, his particular specialty being farm lands, in which he has extensive dealings. Mr. Mitchell is a native of this county, as was his father before him, his grandfather having been one of the pioneers of this section, and is earnestly devoted to the best interests of the same, being among the most energetic "boosters" of Madison county and Madison county lands in all that enterprising band of "boosters" who have made of this county one of the best in the state. Proprietor of large farming interests himself, Mr. Mitchell has qualified as an expert on land conditions hereabout and his services are in wide demand throughout this part of the state as an intermediary in extensive land transactions. Harry S. Mitchell was born on a farm four miles west of the city of London county seat of Madison county, Ohio, on August 5, 1869, son of Oliver and Cornelia (Clark) Mitchell the former of whom also was born in this county, son of James Mitchell, a Virginian. who settled in this county at an early day in the settlement of the same and became an influential and prosperous farmer. Oliver Mitchell was a prominent farmer and sheep raiser in his vicinity and was highly regarded throughout that part of the county. He married Cornelia Clark. who was born in Connecticut, but who came to Ohio when a little girl with her parents, "down-east Yankees," who located near Woodstock, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To this union there were born but two children, the subject of this Sketch, and another son, who died in infancy. Oliver Mitchell, by energy and industry rose to be one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood and at his dea (his son, Harry S., being but three years of age at the time), left a fine farm of four hundred and fifty acres. His widow is still living, and for years has made her home in New York City. Upon the death of her husband in 1872, Mrs. Mitchell moved from the farm into the city of London and there her son, Harry S., was reared, receiving his education in the schools of that city, being graduated from the London high school with the class of 1885. That fall he entered Ohio State University, at Columbus, and completed the scientific course in 1890, specializing in metallurgy, with a view to becoming a steel and iron chemist. For one year after completing his studies, Mr. Mitchell devoted his entire attention to the extensive interests involved in the home farm, recuperating meanwhile from the heavy strain his studies had placed him under, and then took employment with the Laughlin & Junction Steel and Iron Company, at Mingo Junction, Ohio. as chemist. He did not remain long with this company, however, as he found the severe strain thus imposed upon his death entirely too trying, and then and there abandoned his original plan of being a professional: steel and iron -chemist. Following this he spent two years in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as city salesman for the Gager Lime Company, manufacturers of lime and lime products, in which company he had a financial intere Upon returning home from Tennessee, Mr. Mitchell again devoted his personal attenti to his mother's large farming interests, continuing thus engaged until about the yea 1909, when he established himself in the real-estate business in London, specializing