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UNION TOWNSHIP.
PRESTON ADAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London. His ancestry can be traced back to Ireland. John Adair, Sr., enlisted in the British Army, and when the American colonies threw off the yoke of tyranny, he accompanied Gen. Cornwallis to America. After the war he settled in Augusta County. Va., where he married Jane Ross. They were the parents of seven children. One son, John Adair, Jr., the father of our subject. was born near Stanton, Va., November 11, 1783. His mother dying young, he was taken to raise by an uncle. In 1808. when twenty-five years of age, he accompanied his father to Ohio. stopping at Chillicothe and remaining there as guests of Gen. McArthur for some days. They then came to Madison County, where John, Sr., purchased a tract of land, about one mile north of the present site of La Fayette, where he resided till his death in 1815. John Adair then married. and purchased a tract of land from Gen. McArthur. located on the "Upper Glade," in Deer Creek Township, and consisting of eighty acres. He married Jane Ross, a native of Virginia, and the result of this union was the birth of twelve children. Seven of these grew to mature years and six are now living. Mrs. Adair died in June. 1837, and Mr. Adair married for his second wife, in 1840, Miss B. Plymell. -No children were given them. Mr. Adair died January 19, 1859, and his widow resided wish our subject until the date of her death in April, 1876. John Adair, Sr., was an extensive stock-dealer of that time, in political life a Whig, but entertaining a strong dislike for office-holding. He was an earnest Christian, and a pioneer Methodist of that community. The first Methodist Episcopal " class meeting " in that vicinity was held in a " squatter's cabin," on his land. Preston Adair, his son and our subject. was born on the old homestead June 11, 1829. He was there reared, receiving only a limited education. His mother died, and his older brothers had all left home, so. from the time he was twelve years of age until thirty. he remained with his father and step-mother, carrying on the farm. He was married, September 20, 1859. to Hannah Street. a native of Knox County. Ohio. (laughter of John and Ann (Robison) Street, who came from England to Ross County. Ohio, in 1840. After marriage. Mr. Adair carried on the home farm for three years. and, in April, 1864. removed to his present comfortable residence, on East High street, London. Upon the death of his parents. he purchased the old homestead. and has since added to it. until at present it consists of 400 acres of valuable land. Mr. Adair is a thorough Republican in political views, and in the fall of 1880, was elected Infirmary Director for a term of three years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination since a boy of twelve years, and at present is a Steward and class leader in the church at London. He is also connected with the Masonic Lodge and Council. Five children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Adair. four living-Nettie; John W., in attendance at
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Wittenberg, College, Springfield, Ohio: Bruce, who has been blind for the past two years and is being educated at the Ohio State Blind Asylum, at Columbus: and Byers. Mrs. Adair and the two elder children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas Robison. grandfather of Mrs. Adair, resides at Mount Vernon, Ohio, aged eighty-seven years.
FULTON ARMSTRONG. farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. London, was born in Union Township January 31, 1825. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl) Armstrong, natives of Ohio, where they spent their lives. His father was an extensive farmer and stock-dealer, and at one time owned 3,500 acres of land in this county. His people were among the very early settlers in this vicinity. Our subject received a limited education in the Schools of his native county, and early in life adopted the occupation of farming. He commenced life by farming and stock-dealing in Vermillion County, Ill., where he spent eighteen years. He owns 1,000 acres of very fine land in the county in addition to which he rents about 500 acres to increase his facilities for his extensive stock operations. He usually keeps about 200 head of cattle on his place in addition to his stock cattle, and now has 350 head. He married Mary Rankin, who died in 1868. She was the mother of four children, all now deceased. In 1869, he married Elizabeth (Truitt) McMillan, widow of George 'McMillan, deceased. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican in politics, but he has neither desired or accepted any offices.
EDWARD ARMSTRONG. of Armstrong & Minshall. dealers in furniture and queensware. London. was born on the " Old Bradford farm." in Union Township, this county, January 1, 1850. His father was Robert Armstrong. a native of Chillicothe. Ross County. Ohio. He was twice married. His second wife. and the mother of our subject. was Mrs. Maria (Cowling.) Cover. a sister of Maj. Cowling, so favorably known throughout Madison County, and a native of England. There were born to this union five children. four living. Mr. Armstrong was the father of fifteen children by both marriages, and his wife, being also twice married. was the mother of eleven children. The father died in 1865, and the mother in 1873 Our subject was the fourth child of this union, and grew to manhood on the farm. When fifteen years of age, he came to London. and entered the public schools. In 1869. he entered the drug store of Dr. Caldwell. of Cedar. ville. Greene County. Ohio. as a clerk with him altogether about two years. He then returned to London and engaged in the drug business with Dr. J. T. Houston. the firm doing business for seven years. Mr. Armstrong then formed a partnership with E. J. Robinson in the same business. and, three years later, in January, 1880, sold his interest to Dr. Platt King In June, 1882, he formed a partnership with Leon Minshall, in his present business. and. on the 23d day of the month, the firm opened out with an elegant assortment of plain and fancy furniture, queensware. etc. Their trade has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138. Masonic, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, politically, is a strong Republican. He was married. October 12, 1876, to Alice. daughter of H. W. Richman. a prominent citizen of London. Mrs. Armstrong is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JONATHAN ARNETT, surveyor and civil engineer. London, was born in Ross County. Ohio, August 30, 1819. His father. William D. Arnett, was a native of Eastern Maryland. and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio in 1817. locating in Ross County. where he resided twelve years. He then removed to Jefferson Township of this county. and lived
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there till his death in 1859. He married Margaret Vickers. also a native of Maryland. They had twelve children, six now living. Mrs. Arnett departed this life December 30, 1874. Jonathan Arnett was the sixth child of this large family, and grew to manhood on the home farm. His early educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. He was engaged in farming until twenty-two years of age. and then attended what was termed the " Ohio Conference High School." at Springfield, Clark County, remaining there two years. He then taught school in this and adjoining counties for about ten years. During this time. he spent his leisure moments in studying his present profession, and finally engaged in that occupation. From 1854 to 1864, he was engaged in mercantile transactions in this and adjoining counties. He was Acting Chief Engineer of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad for eight years surveying the line from Springfield to Troy, Ohio, and subsequently to Union City, Inn. He has been a resident of London since 1866. and during this period has devoted the daytime to his labor and the evenings to the study of his profession. He was Surveyor of Madison County two terms: has been School Examiner of Madison County for sixteen years: of Union School. London, same length of time, and was a member of the London School Board for nine years. Mr. Arnett is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138. Masonic. and a Master Mason. Politically. he has always held the views adopted by the Democratic party. but on local questions votes for the man and not for or with the party. He has never been an aspirant for office. Mr. Arnett was married in March, 1847. to Esther M. Fellows, a native of Hanover. N. H. Two children were born to them, one living-Delia A.. wife of Clinton Morse. County Surveyor. They have one daughter-Edna. Mrs. Arnett was a member of the -M. E. Church, and died in that faith. August 25, 1871. Mr. A. was again married. April 22.1874, to Mrs. Permelia Morse. daughter of Dr. Colliver. of Jefferson, Ohio. She is a native of Kentucky and a member of the Baptist Church.
VALENTINE BAUER. merchant tailor. London, was born at Gerbach. Rhine Bavatia. Germany. April 14. 1838. His father. Peter Bauer. came to America in 1849. He located in Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in keeping tavern, and died in 1868. He married Catherine Bauer, also a native of Germany. Of their eight children, four are now living-two sons and two daughters-and only two residents of Madison County. Mrs. Bauer departed this life in Germany. January 12. 1848. Our subject was fourteen years of age when his father removed to Columbus, and he resided in that city eight years. He there finished learning his trade, which he had previously commenced in Germany. On October 9. 1S60, he came to London, and for eleven years was superintendent of the merchant tailoring department in the house of J. M. Winchester. On June 25, 1871, he commenced business for himself. Although having met with some reverses. Mr. Bauer still presses forward, and now enjoys a good patronage. He is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138. Chapter No. 73 (Masonic), Madison Lodge. No. 70 (Odd Fellows!, of London, and Palestine Commandery. No. 33. Knights Templar. of Springfield, Ohio. Politically, Mr. Bauer is Republican, and bas served several terms as member of the City Council. He was once the Republican nominee for Treasurer of London and defeated by only thirteen votes. He was married. April 23, 1859, to Eva Michel, a native of Stahlberg. Rhine Bavaria, Germany. Ten children have been born to them. six living--Emma. Frank, Clara. Edward. Eva and Robert. Mrs. Bauer is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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NATHAN BOND BLAIR, retired merchant. London, was born in London on the present site of Houston & Burnham's hardware store, June 24, 1824. He is a son of John and Jency Blair, of Scotch and Irish descent. John Blair was an early pioneer of this county, and a moderate land-holder. He was also an early resident of London. He traded his town property for a small farm, on what is known as the "Lower Glade," five miles south of London, to which he removed when our subject was but nine years of age. There the latter's time was occupied in tilling the soil and attending school. When he had secured such an education as the schools of those days afforded, he returned to London, being eighteen years of age. He served a three years' apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, receiving, during this time, the munificent wages of $3 per month. After serving his apprenticeship, he commenced jour work, being recognized as a skillful carpenter and builder. In 1847, he was married to Mary Penny. To this union was born one son-Henry C. Mrs. Blair died in the spring of 1849, and the son the following fall. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Blair was again married, to Mrs. E. A. Lamb, who had one son-Oscar E. They have three children-Anna 3I., Amanda and Harry Nathan. all of whom are living. The latter is managing editor of the London Enterprise. At the time of his second union, Mr. Blair was engaged in milling at Blairtown (named after a member of the family who owned large tracts of land near there). but subsequently returned to London and resumed work at his trade. He was engaged at that for the next seven years, employing from ten to fifteen men. He again bought the saw-mill at Blairtown, and operated it for seven years. He then went to Jefferson and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in connection with his brother, J. C. Blair. After some time, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Blair continued the business until the spring of 1877, when be removed his stock to London. He there carried on the same business for two years, and then disposed of his stock and trade to Lohr & Son. Mr. Blair united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when seventeen years of age. He is a charter member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 412 (I O. O. F.). and the Republican party. He is an honest, upright citizen, and highly esteemed by all.
A. J. BLUE, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this State October 31, 1849. He is a son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, of German descent, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1871. He then chose milling for an occupation. and accordingly purchased a grist-mill in London. He followed farming until January 31, 1877, when he married Carrie A. Rankin, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Withlow) Rankin. She fell heir to 100 acres of land near London, on which they now reside. They have two children, viz., Harford and Emily A. Mr. Blue is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He is a Republican in politics. His father was born in 1810, and is still living. His mother was born in 1826, and died in 1891.
T. J. BOLDS, the oldest boot and shoe merchant in London. and probably of Madison County, was born in Maryland October 20. 1828. His father, Thomas Bolds, was also a native of Maryland, and a shoe-maker by trade. He came to London in 1851, and resided there till his death, in 1864, at which time he was the senior member of the boot and shoe firm of T. Bolds & Son. He married Louisa Jarman, a native of Maryland. They were the parents of eight children, two now living. Mrs. Rachel L
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Haynes, of Jefferson, and our subject. Mrs. Bolds departed this life February 19, 1837. Our subject was the fourth child of this family, and has been engaged in his present business all his life. He was a member of the firm of T. Bolds & Son, at the time of his father's death, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Bolds is one of the oldest and most prominent merchants and citizens of London, and a man well respected by the entire community. He is a Republican in politics. He was married, July 18, 1865, to Amanda F. Bryan, a sister of M. L. Bryan, of the Madison County Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are members of the Episcopal Church.
ROBERT BOYD, farmer and stock-raiser, and President of the London Exchange Bank, residence, West High street, London, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 9, 1824. He is a son of James Boyd, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Madison County, Ohio, in September. 1830, locating in Canaan Township. Col. James Milliken had located 2,200 acres of land in this county, in 1829, and divided it equally among his nine children. One daughter, Martha, was the wife of James Boyd. and it was upon her portion of the estate (200 acres) that they settled. They were the parents of four children, all living, and residents of this county-two sons at Plain City, Darby Township; a daughter, wife of Squire William Kilgore. of Canaan Township, and our subject. James Boyd was about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. His widow is still living and in her eightieth year. Robert Boyd was the oldest child and grew to manhood on Darby Plains. Canaan Township. He assisted his mother on the farm till the date of his marriage. October 18, 1849, when he was married to Caroline M.. daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson. They came to Ohio about 1810, and now reside in Somerford Township. After marriage. Mr. Boyd engaged in farming for him, self, on 145 acres of the home farm. He then sold his land and purchased 400 acres in Jefferson Township (now a farm of 420 acres), where he resided Live years. He then removed to his present residence in London. When quite young. Mr. Boyd commenced dealing in stock, and has since continued in that business. He is a member of the firm of Boyd & Byers, probably the largest grazers and dealers in stock in Madison County. Mr. Boyd has been very successful in life. now owning 1,380 acres of land, 113 of which is in the corporate limits of London. and 110 acres constituting the home farm. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee in that body. His political views are Prohibition-Republican. He was one of the first Directors of the Madison County Infirmary; has been Township Trustee, and served six terms in the Village Council. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been blessed with live children-Nancy. wife of J. W. Byers, of Boyd & Byers; Martha A., wife of A. G. Carpenter, an attorney at law. of Cleveland, Ohio; Albert W., who married Myrtie L. Fowler, of Wyandot County, Ohio. Caroline M. and Robert W.. the two latter graduates of the London High School.
J. C. BRIDGMAN. auctioneer. London, can trace back his ancestry to about the time of Oliver Cromwell. in England. He has in his possession a wood-cut. engraved about that time, and bearing the following inscription: "Charlotte Lady Middleton. daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Orlando Bridgman. Knight and Baronet. Lord-Keeper of ye Great Seale of England, and Lady Dowager of Sir Thomas Middleton. Chirkcastle, in Denbighshire, Baronet for ye advancement of this work, contributed this Plate to whose Patronage it is Humbly dedicated by R. Blome." It was in
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all probability his son, James Bridgman, who came to America in 1640, and is of the "Pilgrim Fathers " stock. He settled at Hartford. Conn.. the same year, thence moved to Springfield. Mass., and subsequently to Northampton, N. H. John, his only son, had six sons--John. born in 1674: James, born in 1677: Isaac, born in 1680: Ebenezer. born in 1686: Thomas, born in 1688, and Orlando, born in 1701. John, the eldest son had a son Jonathan, who was born in Connecticut. He afterward moved to a farm on Moose Mountain, in the Leming neighborhood, and near Hanover. H. He had six sons-Isaac, John, Asa, Abel, Gideon and Orlando. These sons were all ministers of the Baptist denomination and what one of them, Abel. died. another brother Isaac, preached the funeral sermon. and the four remaining brothers acted as pall-bearers. Thison. Abel, previously mentioned, married a Miss Fowler, a cousin O. S. Fowler, the great phrenologist of New York City. He was a laborious worker, and died at the comparatively early age of forty-four years. His widow subsequently married a Mr. Bass. Abel's son. Erastas was born at Hanover, N. H.. in 1796. and there resided daring his life. He was a farmer through life and died in 1874, at the age of seventy-eight vac He married Mary Flagg, a native of Massachusetts. and a daughter of Dr. Bazalele Flagg, a great lover of, and indulger in. practical jokes. They were the parents of seven children. three daughters and four sons three living-Mary Frances. John C. (our subject) and Nathan C. Adeline, Charles, Augusta and Mendal are deceased. Mrs. Bridgean departed this life in the summer of 1868, and both parents are buried near Hanover. H.. in the old cemetery near the brick church where Abel Bridgman's sermon was preached. Our subject, the fifth child and second son of this family, was born at Hanover. N. H.. March 24, 1831 and was there reared. He obtained a fair common-school education, and part of an academic one. He was married January 19, 1853 to Lucy B. Pelton and on April 1, 1854. Mr. Bridgman and wife arrived at London, this county. Mr. Bridgman secured a position as clerk for W. W. Follows. in the dry goods line, and remained with him six months. He then secured a similar position with Samuel Tenny, and subsequently was with Shaw & Toland one year. He then purchased a half-interest in the grocery trade of William Smith, and the firm put out the following sign over their place of business: " Smith & Bridgman, Genius and Capital Combined " Either the former quality it latter necessity failed, for the firm carried on the business but a few months. After engaging a short time in other enterprises. Mr. Bridgman commenced at London in his present business. This was in 1856, at the beginning of the stock sales in Madison County. Since that time. Mr. Bridgman has devoted nearly all his time to this occupation, and his success as an auctioneer is beyond doubt. and does not need any word from us. " Jack Bridgman," as he is familiarly called. is well known all over this and adjoining counties, and his jovial manners, free and ready wit. and commonsense qualities have won for him the friendship of all. When his father' estate was being settled up, he generously relinquished his claim to any part of it to a younger brother who had stayed at home and taken care of the old folks. Mr. Bridgman commenced life in Madison County without s dollar in money. and has succeeded in life beyond his anticipation. His sales of every description during the year 1882 amounted to $350,000. He is a Royal and Select Master in Masonry. and connected with all the fraternity organizations at London. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman had seven children given them
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four living-Marion Frances. wife of William Chrisman, of London; Franklin Ross, with Jennings, Ford & Paxton. live stock commission merchants, Cincinnati; Mary S. and Ollie. Charles M., Flora and Orlando are deceased. Mr. Bridgman is a director in the Madison National Bank. Mrs. Bridgman is a lady of education and refinement, and as jovial in her manners as her husband. She is a daughter of David M. Pelton, who was born in Lyme. N. H., November 26, 1804. He was a son of David M. Pelton, Sr., also a native of Lyme. N. H. He was a cattle drover, and died in 1818. He married Lucy Stone, and his widow subsequently went to New York State. and married the father of Millard Fillmore. thus becoming step-mother to the President of the United States. David M. Pelton, Jr., the father of Mrs. Bridgman, married Sally Ross. who was born in Hanover. N. H. They were the parents of five children-Lucy B.. born May 2, 1834, Isabel F.. born August 3. 1840: David C.. born June 26, 1843; Brewster, born August 22, 1848, and Franklin R., born August 20, 1852. Lucy B. Bridgman and David C. are the two living. Mr. Pelton died April 3, 1872, aged sixty-eight years. and his wife February 8, 1871. Mrs. Bridgman' maternal grandfather was Thomas Ross. who enlisted in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war at eighteen years of age. and subsequently died at Hanover. N. H.
BENJAMIN BROBST. with Houston & Burnham. hardware, London. was born in Pickaway County. Ohio, January 21. 1842. He is a son of Peter Brobst. a native of Berks County. Penn.. and a farmer by occupation. He accompanied his father. Jacob Brobst, to Ohio in 1506, the latter locating in Fairfield. near Pickaway County. Peter Brobst is yet living and is in his seventy-seventh year. He married Elizabeth Fellers, a native of Fairfield County. They were the parents of ten children, seven now living, our subject the only one in this county. Mrs. Brobst departed this life in 1879. Our subject was reared on the home farm in Pickaway County. and in early life " farmed it for three rears. In the fall of 1865. he came to Madison County. locating at Jefferson. He there engaged in mercantile pursuits for four years. He then sold his stock and removed to London. engaging in the sewing-machine business. He remained at that for seven years. and then clerked for P. C. Cowling for four years. Since 1880 he has been connected with Houston & Burnham. Mr. Brobst is an influential member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. and Deacon and Clerk of the official board. Politically, he is Democratic. Mr. Brobst was married. April 7, 1862, to Loraine Culp. a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. They have three children-Ernest E., Sarah E. and Anna F. Mrs. Brobst is also a member of the Lutheran Church.
MARCELLUS L. BRYAN. editor and publisher of the Madison Democrat was born at Batavia. Clermont Co.. Ohio, March 29, 1823. His grandfather. David C. Bryan. who died July 31, 1829. was born on Long Island in 1771, and in 1792, married Ruth Bryan. In 1800, he moved to New Jersey. in 1803 to Williamsburg. this county. and, in 1825, to Batavia. He was elected a Representative in the Legislature in 1806, but his seat was contested and given to Thomas Morris, and served as State Senator from 1807 to 1810. when he resigned to become Clerk of the Courts, which place he ably filled until his death. a period of nineteen years. His son. Malancthon A.. was then Clerk for some two years. He was born September 26, 1803. and died March 27, 1832. George S.. another son. was born September a. 1792, and died November 28, 1832 and his wife Mary died July 16, 1844. aged forty-seven years. Our subject's father. whose name
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was also David C., was born on Long Island, and was quite young when brought to Batavia by his parents. In 1828, when only nineteen years of age, he married Miss Mary M. Moore. youngest daughter of Capt. Charles Moore, an ex-Captain of the war of 1812, and an early settler of Clermont County. from Philadelphia. To this union eight children were born, viz., Marcellus L.: Francis, wife of T. J. Bolds, of London; Charles M., of California: Beulah C.. wife of Joseph Kewley, of Richmond, Ind.; Dr. A. S., of Point Pleasant, Clermont County; Rose. wife of Mr. Patterson. of Point Pleasant; Eva. wife of Allen Armacost. of Wayne County, Ind. ; Learner L., a printer in Chicago: and two daughters that died in infancy. The father was a man of prominence in his community. and at the time of his death was serving as Auditor of Clermont County. He was an Old Line Whig until the organization of the Republican party. when he became a Democrat. He was held in high esteem by the people and for many years occupied the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in 1861 from the effects of sunstroke received about a year previous. His wife still survives, at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he went to Columbus and engaged as a type setter on the Ohio Statesman. Before leaving home. he had learned the printer's trade under Andrew Gest. in the Clermont Courier office. After remaining in Columbus one year, Mr. Bryan went to Circleville. but after a year's residence there returned to Columbus. where he married Miss Martha S. Masterson, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Prof. John O. Masterson. After his marriage, he went to Circleville, where he operated the Circleville Herald one year. He then returned to Columbus and remained there one year, after which he and John A. Kissinger came to London and took possession of the National Democrat, of which Mr. Bryan soon became sole proprietor. changing the name of the paper to the Madison. Democrat. under which title he has since continued its publication. While in Columbus, he and four other journeymen printers established the Daily Reveille, and in .this office the great humorist, Artemus Ward (Charles Brown) was employed for some time. Mr. Bryan withdrew from the Reveille company one year after its organization, and six months before it was discontinued Of his family of eight children. seven survive, viz.. Mary L., Ormand M.. Chester E., Charles M., Hattie T.. Marcellus and Addison. Annie 0., the next to the youngest is deceased. Mr. Bryan has been a Democrat ever since he cast his first vote. He served as Mayor of the village of London two terms and as County Recorder one term.
L. W. BURNHAM. of Houston & Burnham. hardware merchants. London, was born in Pike Township. Madison County, December 12,1852. He is a son of Henry Burnham. a native of this county and a farmer by occupation. He married Eveline Williams, a native of this county. L. W. Burnham is the elder of five children, and when a young man accepted the position of Teller of the Trader's Bank of Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. He remained in this position three years, and then came to London to accept a similar one in the Central Bank of that city. After three years he resigned that position, and engaged in his present business with T. J. Houston. under the firm name of Houston & Burnham. Mr. Burnham is a member of the M E. Church. and Republican politically. He was married, October 5, 1875, to Ella M. Houston, a sister of his present partner. She was a member of the M. E. Church and departed this life June 6, 1880.
JOHN W. BYERS. deceased. The first of this name of whom any definite account can be given was Thomas Byers. who. with his son James,
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both natives of Scotland, emigrated from their native country to escape the persecutions their people were subjected to in that country, and made their home in Ireland, where they suffered in the siege of Londonderry. James, with his three sons. Thomas, Andrew and Samuel, emigrated to America at an early day, with other Scotch-Irish Covenanters. Andrew settled in Pennsylvania in 1791 or 1792, where he raised a family of children, of whom one son, James, married in Fayette County, Penn., and had four children, one son and three daughters. His wife died, and he was married the second time, to Elizabeth Watson, by whom he had seven children, five girls and two sons, John and Moses. In 1807, he moved to Ross County, Ohio, where he lived nine years. He then purchased land in Fayette County, and, four years later, finding his title defective, he was persuaded to relinquish this land, receiving 300 acres in the wilds of Madison County as an inducement to peaceably give up possession. He located in Madison County in 1820. His son, John W., was born near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., May 9, 1800, and. in 1825, married Matilda Hunter, by whom he had three children, of whom one survives-Matilda, wife of Samuel Truitt. Mrs. Byers-died in 1831, and, in the fall of 1833, be married Sarah Painter, by whom be had tan children-Mary R., wife of N. P. Gardner; Louisa J., wife of Thomas Price; Missouri, deceased, wife of George Truitt; Joel M., who married Louisa Fitzgerald; James W., whose sketch appears elsewhere; John C., who married Josephine Rickabaugh; Andrew, who married Ida Bidwell; Mary E., deceased, and Laura and Kate, at home. Mr. Byers retired from active life nine years before his death and, after six weeks illness, died, February 2, 1831. his remains being interred in Kirkwood Cemetery. Mrs. Byers' grandparents McGrew emigrated from Virginia to Westmoreland County, Penn., at a very early day, but the Indians were so hostile that they were obliged to bury their possessions and return to Virginia several times, until finally they resorted to block-houses for safety. He was a surveyor in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The youngest, Rossanna, was Mrs. Byers' mother. Thomas Painter. Mrs. Byers' grandfather, had three sons and seven daughters. Of these, Joel, her father, was born in 1787, and moved to Pennsylvania from Harper's Ferry. Va.. when he was quite small. In 1809, he married Rosanna McGrew, and had four sons and two daughters. Of the latter, Sarah was born in 1813, and when eleven years of age her mother died. In 1825. her father married Jemima Allen. On March 21. 1826 or 1827, they started for Cincinnati on a family flatboat, arriving April 12, 1832. They then went to Dayton on a canal boat. Soon after, they returned to Cincinnati. and from there Mrs. Byers went to Jefferson in a stage. Mrs. Byers was married to Mr. Byers November 28, 1833, by Rev. Allen. They lived on a farm, one mile from Lilly Chapel, thirty-eight years, and moved to London in March, 1872. She joined the Presbyterian Church in 1832. While at Brownsville, she saw the first steamboat launched on the Ohio River. It was called the Reindeer, and was built by Robert Fulton, and was sent to Pittsburgh. Mrs. Byers is descended from an old family of Quakers who lived in Virginia many years. The subject of this sketch united with the Presbyterian Church in 1829. being one of the original members in the organization of that church at London. For over fifty-one years, he continued a faithful, consistent member of the same church, with the exception of a few years, when he removed his membership to Jefferson to aid in organizing a church there. As a citizen and business man, the integrity, loyalty and
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generosity of his spirit were unquestioned. As a husband and father, he was affectionate and self-sacrificing to the last degree. He loved life and often expressed his gratitude to God that He had spared him to live so long but with great composure and assurance he awaited the invitation to higher joys The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. G. Paterson at the family residence.
J. W. BYERS, of Boyd & Byers, stock-raisers and dealers. London was born in Fairfield Township, this county. May 20, 1841. His grandfather, James Byers, was a native of Pennsylvania. and came to Ohio at early day. He first located in Ross County, and subsequently in Fairfield Township. this county. One son, John W. Byers. was also a native Pennsylvania, and was twelve years of age when his father came to Ohio. He was a farmer through life, and died February 2, 1881. He married Matilda Hunter, a native of Franklin County. Ohio. Two children were born to this union, one now living. Mr. Byers' second wife was Sarah J. Painter. also a native of the Keystone State. Ten children were given to them, eight living. Mrs. Byers is still living, and resides in London. Our subject was one of a pair of twins, and resided in Fairfield Township until twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in the grocery trade in London . remaining in that business fifteen years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the cattle business with Robert Boyd (in 1879) and the firm are one of the most extensive in their line of trade in the county. Mr. Byers is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Council and the Presbyterian Church . He is Republican in politics, and one year served as Assessor of Union Township. He was married, January 31, 1871, to Nannie E.. daughter Robert Boyd. They have three living children-R. Boyd. Alice L. and John W. Mrs. Byers is a member of the M. E. Church.
S. H. CARTZDAFNER, London, a prominent grocer, was born in Frederick County, Md., April 14, 1826. He is a son of Michael Cartzdafner, a native of that State. and there reared. He was a miller by trade and came to Ohio in 1854. He located at Georgesville. in Franklin County, and in this county a year later. He came to London in 1860. and there died in the spring of 1862. Mr. Cartzdafner married Maria Cornelly, a native of Montgomery County, Md. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living. Mother died in April, 1811, and sleeps beside her husband, in Oak Hill Cemetery. east of London. Our subject was the second child and son of this family. and, when nineteen years of age, went to Virginia, where he learned milling. He worked at his trade six or seven years, in Jefferson County. that State. principally at Harpers Ferry. In 1852, he came to Columbus. and soon after to Madison County, being first employed by J. C. Smith in the "Old Chrisman Mill," in Oak Run Township. He was in the Georgesville Mill two years: three years in the Robert's Mill, three miles west of London, and soon after located permanently in London. He became associated in the grocery trade with John Jones, the partnership being dissolved two and a half year later. Since that time Mr. Cartzdafner has been in business alone, and has met with fair success in his mercantile transactions. He became connected with Virginia Lodge. No. 1 (Odd Fellows), of Harper's Ferry, in 1849 and since his residency in London has been a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70. and the Encampment of the same fraternity. His political views are decidedly Democratic, and he has been a member of both the Council and Board of Education of London. He was united in marriage. June 25. 1850, to Mary S. Jones, a native of Pennsylvania. then residing it Harper's Ferry, Va. Eleven chit
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dren have been given them, four living-Anna, wife of Will H. Chandler, Jr., an enterprising business man of London; Maria, William and Fannie. Mrs Cartzdafner is a member of the M. E. denomination.
J. W. CHANCE, a rising and popular young dentist of this city was born in Clark County, Ohio, August 29, 1848. His ancestry can be traced hack in the following: Jeremiah Chance was an Englishman by birth, and came to America between 1730 and 1740, locating in Maryland, where he lived till his death. One son John Chance, was born near Baltimore about 1762. He married Martha Watkins. One son of this union, Samuel Chance, was born in Maryland, eighteen miles from Baltimore, in 1784. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and married Mary Smallwood, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Dean Smallwood. and niece of Brig. Gen. Smallwood, of Revolutionary fame. They were the parents of ten children, only three living. The father died near Catawba, Clark Co., Ohio. October 21, 1838, and the mother in Catawba March 1, 1870, aged eighty-one years. One of their three living children is William Chance, the father of our subject. He was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, July 14, 1815, and is now a resident of Champaign County. He married Henrietta Jones, born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 21, 1827, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Wooley) Jones. The latter was the daughter of Stephen Wooley. of Revolutionary fame, who was the son of William Wooley. This latter married Margaret Brown, a grand-daughter of Walford Weber, grandson of King William IV, of Holland. He came to America in 1649. and purchased a goodly portion of Manhattan Island, now the site of New York City. His sister, Aneke Jans. left an estate embracing 192 acres of and in the heart of New York City, and for which the heirs now lay claim. It will thus be seen that William Chance's wife, the mother of our subject is of royal blood, sixth in line from King William IV, of Holland. She has been the mother of eight children, five living, and two residing in London, this county, subject and brother, John S., his assistant. The subject this notice was reared on a farm, obtaining a very fair education. He was engaged in teaching school in Champaign County for two years, and for five years in Jefferson and Deer Creek Townships, of this county. About 1876, he commenced the practical study of dentistry, at Columbus, with Dr. R. G. Warner, of that city. a former resident of London. He remained with him one year and then came to London. He immediately formed a partnership with Dr. Carter, which was dissolved by the latter's death, in 1878. Dr. Chance then took charge of the entire business, and has steadily increased it until at present he has one of the finest offices in Central Ohio. and a practice large and remunerative. He is an indefatigable worker, and well merits the success that has followed his every effort. He is connected by membership with the Ohio State Dental Association, the M. E. Church. and is a true believer in the principles of the Republican party. Dr. Chance .vas married. November 30, 1876. to Allie E. Snyder, a native of Madison County, and daughter of John and Drusilla (Ellsworth) Snyder. They have Two children-Paul A. and Ethel. Mrs. Chance is also a consistent member of the M. E. denomination.
WILLIAM H. CHANDLER, SR., a prominent retired merchant, London, was born at Hanover, N. H., April 19, 1814. His father, Henry H. Chandler. was born in Pomfret, Conn., June 14, 1786. In early life he learned the trade of a wool-carder, and subsequently that of a cabinet-maker. He married Anne Wright, born at Hanover. N. H., May 20, 1790. The former died November 20, 1869, aged eighty-three years, and the latter May 1,
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1875, aged eighty-five years. W. H. Chandler was the second child and first son of a family of six children, three yet living, and received only a limited education. When twenty-one years of age, he secured a situation as a clerk in a retail store. and two years later went to Charlestown, now a suburb of Boston, Mass., securing a position as keeper in the McLane Insane Asylum, which he filled for three years. He then went to East Cambridge, not far distant, and again engaged as clerk. In 1839. he came to Columbus. Ohio, obtaining a situation as clerk in a drug house. He-was subsequently employed as keeper in the Ohio Insane Asylum, remaining in that position until 1843. He then came to London, and after clerking for some time, started in the grocery business on West High street, opposite the court house, but shortly after sold out to "Uncle Ben Tinder." During the succeeding year. he was engaged in farming, and May 2, 1844, married Isabella Fellows. born in Hanover, N. H.. February 5, 1816. Some time after marriage, he went to Washington C. H., Fayette Co., Ohio, and, with Nathan Blodgett was engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years, tinder the firm name of Chandler & Blodgett. He then sold his interest to his partner, and upon his return to London formed a partnership with W. W. Fellows. the firm continuing business for seven years. At the expiration of this time, Mr. C. again sold his individual interest in the business. Subsequently, with Jeriah Swetland, he engaged in business at 31t. Sterling, in Pleasant Township, this county. Three years later the stock was sold to Benjamin Leach, and the firm of Swetland & Chandler removed to London, and there continued business until both agreed to retire. The partnership is yet to be dissolved. Mr. Chandler was a merchant for twenty-one years. and gained quite a competence. He is the owner of sixty-eight acres of land in the corporate limits of London. and resides in the northeastern part of the village. He has been a Democrat in politics. and for two terms served as County Treasurer. He has also held the offices of Councilman and member of the School Board in the village. He is connected by membership with Chandler Lodge. No. 138 (Masonic), and the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have three children-Anna. William H.. Jr., and Harvey F. Mrs. Chandler is a member of the M. E. Church. Will H. Chandler, Jr.. the oldest son, was born in London November 4, 1848. He grew to manhood in his Dative place, receiving a good English education. In early life he was a clerk for his father and Jeriah Swetland, remaining with them till they sold out. On March 1, 1873, he purchased the stock and trade of Z. T. Graham, book seller, and has since conducted that business, meeting with fair success. Mr. Chandler is one of London's most enterprising business men, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has always been an active Democrat. He was Trustee of Union Township three or four terms, has been Treasurer of London corporation six years, and is a member of the County Democratic Central Committee. Mr. Chandler was married to Annie, daughter of S. H. Cartzdafner, grocer, of London. Of their six children two are living-Edward W. and Wright. Mrs. Chandler is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Harvey F. Chandler, the youngest son of William H., was born in London August 6, 1854. Like his brother, he grew up in London, being educated in its public schools. When nineteen years of age, he went to Enfield, N. H., and was there employed by Dodge, Davis & Co., woolen manufacturers. He remained one year, and then returned to London. where he soon after accepted a position with John Kinney, dry goods. He remained in this business about sixteen months. and then came to his present position, with
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his brother Will, in the book store. He was married. December 21, 1881, to Emma, daughter of John Jones. a retired grocer of London.
F. M. CHAPMAN, undertaker, London, was born in Union (now a portion of Paint) Township, this county, February 8, 1836. His father, James Chapman, is a native of Frederick County, Va., and his occupation in life has been that of a farmer. He came to this county in 1816, locating on some land in Union Township which he had purchased while at Winchester, Va. He was born July 16, 1801, and is now eighty-one years of age, enjoying good health. He married Mary A. Chapman. also a native of " Old Dominion." They are the parents of nine children, three living-our subject, and a brother and sister, residing in Illinois. F. M. Chapman was the third child and first son of these parents, and resided on the farm in Paint Township until sixteen years of age. He then came to London. and learned the carpenter's trade with Calvin Newcomb. serving a three years' apprenticeship. and subsequently working for him two years longer. In the fall of 1862, he purchased his present business. Mr. Chapman is at present the pioneer in his line of business, and has met with very fair success. In 1873, he suffered the loss of his entire stock by fire, but immediately erected his present building, at a cost of $1,500. He is connected by membership with the following organizations: Funeral Directors' Association of Columbus: Masonic Lodge and Chapter, Knights of Pythias and American Legion of Honor. of London. He was married. October 15, 1864. to Mrs. Rebecca J. Newcomb, a native of London. and a sister of Clinton D. Rayburn. grocer. They have one child-Bertie. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are members of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN F. CHENOWETH. retired farmer, P. O. London. The parents of our subject were Elijah and Rachel (Foster) Chenoweth, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. They were married in Virginia, and about 1790 emigrated to Kentucky, and settled in Mason County: thence. about 1799, they came to Ross County, Ohio, and the next year, 1800, they located in Franklin County, on the Big Darby, where his wife died about 1820. He died in 1830. They had five sons and four daughters. all deceased but two -John F. and Elijah. They were among the early pioneers of Franklin County, as they had been prior of Mason County, Ky., where John F.. our subject, was born September 15, 1793. He was a child of about six years when brought to Ohio, where he grew to manhood fully inured to the wildest and roughest of pioneer life, where he says he had many a race and wrestle with the Indians, who were then in plentiful numbers in this vicinity. He was married, March 21, 1811, to Margaret Fergurson. by Rev. Simon Cochran. They settled on his father's place and lived until about 1820. when he located in Madison County, where he purchased 133 acres of land. which is now embraced in the tract of land owned by his son Elijah. He says that at the time he purchased that tract of land, he thought if he could succeed in paying for it, he should feel satisfied: but before that was paid for, he saw another piece he desired, and he bought it. He early engaged in stock-raising, and soon was largely engaged in buying and driving stock over the mountains to the Eastern markets. In this trade he prospered. and from time to time purchased more land, till finally he owned about 3.000 acres, all in one body, extending from California westward for two and one-half miles, constituting him one of the largest land-holders in Madison County; and all this was accomplished through his industry, energy and financial ability. He not only raised from poverty to wealth and affluence. but was also placed by the people into many public offices of trust. He
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served in the Legislature in the session of 1829-30, as County Commissioner twelve years or more, and as Justice of the Peace about the same length of time, besides filling most of the offices of his township. In his boyhood days. his school-privileges were of the most meager kind; when they settled in Franklin County there were no schools there, but by going to Chillicothe, in Ross County, he obtained some of the first rudiments of an education; finally a round-log schoolhouse was built in Madison County. on Opossum Run, near the Franklin County line and here he finished his education. Such was the beginning of this worthy old pioneer, who arose to wealth and distinction by his own unaided efforts. Mr. Chenoweth and wife had fourteen children, of whom six now survive-Rachel, wife of Moses Bales; Hezakiah, Elijah, Francis, Marion. and Mary, wife of Dr. Dennis Warner. This worthy couple were not only pioneers in the secular affairs of this country, but most truly pioneers of the church, joining the Methodist Episcopal Church while young. he about 1809 and she about 1812; thus he has spent a life of labor in the church of threescore and ten years. the allotted period of man's life. A few years ago Mr. Chenoweth bought property in London. where in his advancing years he has retired from the farm and active business life, and where he can be convenient to church and the means of grace, desiring to spend the remainder of his days in quiet and rest. He is now ninety years of age. and enjoys good general health.
DENNIS CLARK. London, proprietor London Woolen Hills, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 8, 1827. His father, Ralph Clark, was a native of Maryland, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio in 1813, when eighteen years of age. locating in Fairfield County, and residing there until 1833. He then removed to the "Sandusky Plains." near Upper Sandusky, and ten years later to northern part of Greene County. In 1862, he came to London, where he died February 8, 1872 in his seventy-seventh year. He married Mary Rose. also a native of Maryland. They were married in Ohio, and the parents of ten children, four living. Mrs. Clark died in January 1879, aged eighty-three years. Our subject is the only one of the family in this county and learned his present trade when seventeen years of age, at Springfield. Ohio. He completed his trade in Dayton, and in the spring of 1850. came to London. He went into the woolen mill of C. K. Slagle. one mile north of London, on the Somerford pike, and soon after the mill was rented to a man named Fish. Two or or three years later, Mr. Clark rented the mill, and ran it a few years. He then purchased it. and operated it till January 28. 1864, when it was burned down. Then, with others, he formed a stock company. and built and operated the woolen mill on the site of the present London Flouring Mill, from 1866 till 1871, it being consumed by fire in the latter year. In 1872, he erected his present mill, and has operated it to the present time with good success. Mr. Clark is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and Encampment, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, all of London. He was formerly a Republican in politics, but of late years has been an earnest Prohibitionist. He was united in marriage. February 8. 1852. to Virginia V.. daughter of C. K. Slagel (deceased). Of their ten children, six are living -Wilbur F., married Virginia Blizzard, and resides in London; Alice May, wife of John R. Manning, of London; George W.. Mary F., Albert S. and Nellie MeClimans. Mrs. Clark is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
PAGE 865 - PICTURE OF JOHN ROBERTS. (DECEASED)
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JOB J. CLARK. insurance agent. London, was born in that city July 15, 1851. He is a son of Judge B. F. Clark, Cashier in the Madison National Bank, whose sketch appears in this record. Our subject was reared in his native village and educated in its public schools. He embarked in the boot and shoe business. with his brother Quinn, remaining with him till the latter's death, September 10. 1878. He soon after sold his stock and trade to Leon Minshall. and then engaged in his present business. He had been made an agent of the Security of New York. in 1870, and the Hartford in 1871. To these two he has added the agency of the Etna, Phoenix, Putnam. Queen of Liverpool. American of Philadelphia. Insurance of North America, Franklin of Columbus. Ohio. and National of Hartford These companies are among the very best in existence, and Mr. Clark has succeeded in issuing many thousand policies throughout Madison County Mr. Clark is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter-Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection. Franklin Council Princes of Jerusalem. Columbus Chapter Rose Croix. being A. A. S. R. Orient of Ohio Valley of Columbus, American Legion of Honor. Knights of Honor. Knights of Pythias, of London, and Mt. Vernon Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, of Columbus. He is also connected with the Presbyterian Church, and is Democratic is political matters. He was married. November 14, 1872. to Minnie, daughter of L. P. Wildman. They have three children--Myrtle. Franklin and Bart.
JOSEPH CORNS. ornamental painter London, was born at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. England. May 13, 1828. He is a son of Abraham Corns, a native of England and a gunlocksmith by trade. He came to America in 1853 locating in Lancaster County. Penn.. and there died in December. 1861. He married Sally Robinson. a native of England. who died there of the cholera in 1849. They only had two children-a. son and daughter the latter now deceased. Our subject learned ornamental japannang on waiters etc., in England and has in his possession a piece of such work executed by himself when but eleven years of age. He was twenty-five years old when he accompanied his parents to America and, after nine years' residence in Lancaster County, Penn., went to Harmony. Clark Co., Ohio. and from thence to London about the close of the war. He has since been engaged at his trade. and that of house-painting and frescoing In the latter line he was employed in decorating the walls and ceilings of the different houses of worship, and the schoolhouse of London. Mr. Corn., is connected by membership with Madison Lodge, London Encampment. No. 126. I. O. O. F. and Chandler Lodge. No. 138. Masonic. H was married. March 2, 1850 to Anna Bracknell. Six children have been born to them, four living-Annie S., widow of O. C. Smith, deceased and present wife of Dwight Olds of Springfield. Mary wife of "Cad'' Peterson a farmer of Union Township this county; William and Harry.
ADDISON CORNWELL, farmer. P O. London. This old and respected farmer and pioneer school-teacher was born in Virginia September 19, 1819. He was the son of George and Sarah (Fleming) Cornwell, an tives of the Old Dominion of English, Scotch and Welsh descent. They settled in Union Township in 1840. Our subject was educated in the subscripton schools and at Washington College. He was married in 1839, to Tabitha Trussell and raised a family of eleven children of whom eight-five boys and three girls--survive. His wife died in 1870. The children are all married and doing well. Mr. Cornwell owns a farm of 137 acres.
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He is a Republican. a great reader, and one of the best posted men of the county.
MAJ. RICHARD COWLING. deceased, was born in Cornwall. England. July 7, 1797. His parents were Richard and Mary (Parnell) Cowling, who accompanied our subject to this country in the year 1818. They landed at the city of Baltimore, but soon went to Chambersburg, Penn., where Richard. Sr.. died shortly after their removal. Our subject and mother remained here several years, then removed to Pittsburgh, in the same State. and subsequently to Urbana. Ohio. At these places, Mr. Cowling was engaged in the butchering and mercantile pursuits. The mother died in London, Ohio. in the year 1850. Our subject settled in Madison County in 1833, residing on a farm some eight or nine miles distant from London. In 1840, he removed to London. and, on the 1st day of May 1849, was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Lemuel and Amy (Holmes) Brush, and sister to Judge Henry Brush, of Chillicothe, who subsequently settled in Madison County. No children were born to this union. Mr. Cowling was engaged in active business in Madison County until just prior to the late war, when he retired, having dealt largely and principally. during this period in stock and. by natural shrewdness and close application to business he amassed a large fortune. He grave liberally of his wealth to several public enterprises, such as building of the Presbyterian Church. to which he subsequently donated $5,000 by will. He also supplied the steeple with a town clock at his own expense. He donated the land for Oak Hill Cemetery, and built a beautiful soldiers' monument therein. He built the Madison: formerly Cowling Howe. and erected some twenty or more tenant houses in London. In his will, among the public bequests are the donation of the old homestead at the north end of Main street. together with about four and a half acres of land to the town of London as a public park. Between sixty and eighty acres adjoining Oak Hill Cemetery are set apart as an extension of the grounds for perpetual use. For years Mr. Cowling was a large shareholder and Director in the old Franklin Bank of Columbus: as one of the original starters of the first bank in London, which afterward became the First National Bank. Although peculiar and eccentric, be had many personal friends, and whom he never forsook. He did much good with his money. and was closely identified with the growth of London. The title of Major was simply one given him by his old acquaintances and friends. Maj. Cowling was not identified with any church. His death occurred October 3, 1878, and that of Mrs. Cowling March 11, 1873.
FRANK T. CREAMER. one of the youngest and most enterprising grocers of London. was born at Columbus. Franklin Co., Ohio. October 11, 1855. His father. Thomas Creamer. was horn in Ireland. and came to America in 1848, locating in Massachusetts. and, five years later, at Columbus. where he remained until 1866. He then settled in London. where he has since remained, and has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He married Lorinda. daughter of James Walcott one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Franklin County. He was a native of Virginia: married Polly Legg, a daughter of -- Mason. of Kentucky, and located in Franklin County before Columbus was settled. He died about 1877. 31r. and Mrs. Creamer are both living. and are the parents of seven children. six living. Our subject was reared in his native county, and educated in the public schools of Columbus and London. In early life he was a clerk in Howard's grocery at Columbus. and later was employed as book-
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keeper for the Capitol Nursery of the same city He then went to Rochester, N. Y., and was in the nursery business there a short time. In 1875. he came to London and engaged in the grocery business with his father. under the firm name of Creamer & Son. In August, 1879. the firm dissolved partnership. and our subject started his present store. In May. 1881, he purchased his father's stock and removed it to his present quarters. He has had far better success in business than was anticipated, and enjoys probably the best retail trade in the city. His employes number eight. and two wagons are constantly delivering groceries and fruit to his patrons. Mr. Creamer is a member and Treasurer of the London Driving Park Association. He takes a great interest in literary matters, and possesses one of The most complete libraries of standard works in the city. He was married, in February 1879, to Katy daughter of Levi E. Wilson, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Creamer died December 29 of the same year. She was a consistent member of the Universalist Church.
WILLIAM CRYDER, farmer, P. O. London. was born August 11, 1814 on the farm where he now lives, and on which he has lived all his fife. with the exception of three years. He is a son of Philip and Nancy (McClintick) Cryder, natives of Virginia, the former of German and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. They emigrated to this county in 1806, and in 1801 settled on the farm where William now lives. The father was a prominent farmer through life, and at his death owned 800 acres of land. Our subject has devoted his life to farming. He now owns 305 acres of land, all of which he has made by his own industry and economy. He was married. December 13, 1836, to Susan Carr, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Michael Carr. Mrs. Cryder was born October 18, 1816, and by her Mr. Cryder has had eleven children. eight surviving, namely: Mary. wife of Daniel Orcutt. Martha. wife of N. Creamer; Albert. Elizabeth. James B., Ellen E.. William and Bertha. Mrs. Cruder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cruder is a Republican. He is a natural mechanic. and for some time carried on wagon-making in this township, having when he started the most extensive manufactory in the county.
I. S. DALBEY. farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. London was born in this State July 10. He is a son of Rev. Joseph Dalbey and Emeline L. (Kiger) Dalbey. a native of Virginia. of Scotch and English descent. and a grand-daughter of Gen. Kiger, of Revolutionary fame. Joseph Dalbey - was a native of Virgina of English and German descent, and a Captain in the war of 1812. Our subject received a good education, completing his studies in Weslyan University, Delaware, Ohio. When fifteen years of age his name was used, in connection with his brother's. in the formation of a firm engaged in buying and selling live stock. This occupation engrossed Mr. Dalbey's attention for twenty years. and in 1876 he turned his attention to farming. He owns 247 acres of land in this township. In 1867. he married Matilda B., a daughter of William Fitzgerald. an early settler of this county. Four children have blest this union, viz.. J. Joseph, William. Hannah May and Charles Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Dalbey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Class Leader for a number of years. His father was a preacher from the age of eighteen to the age of eighty-four years.
HON. JAMES A. DUN. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born in this State August 20. 1824. He is the son of Robert and Lucy W. (Agnes) Dun. of Scotch descent. and the latter a native of Virginia. Our subject reached his majority working on a farm. after which he dealt in
870 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
stock for six years. In 1852, he went to California, and for six years was engaged in mining. In 1853, he moved to Missouri and engaged in mercantile pursuits and in dealing in town lots, being a partner of William James. with whom he laid out the town of St. James in 1862. In the latter year he went to Nevada, and, until 1863, speculated in mining stock, after which he worked a silver mine for one year. In 1869. he again went to San Francisco and acted for R. G. Dun & Co.'s mercantile agency. He afterward engaged in the iron mines of Missouri until 1876, and in the silver mines of Colorado until 1881, when he returned to Ohio and purchased the Judge Thomas farm of 200 acres. four miles west of London. Mr. Dan is a Republican in politics. He vas Assistant Provost Marsha. in Missouri during the war, was a member of the First Nevada Legislature in 1864. He has experienced all the vicissitudes of a miner's life, and has undergone all the hardships of Western travel in the early days and the mining craze. He was married, January 28, 1871, to Calestine Bouner, a daughter of Matthew Bonner. of Clark County.
J. W. DIXON. an enterprising and well-known citizen of London, and member of the firm of J. W. Dixon & Co., dealers in dry goods. notion, etc.. was born in Loudoun County, Va., June 2, 1841. He is a son of W. H. Dixon. a native of and now residing in Maryland. He has been engaged in the milling business through life. and now at the age of sixty-four year has retired from active business on account of feeble health. He married Elizabeth Feller, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and yet living, at the age of sixty-three years. Our subject is the oldest of nine children. seven living, and obtained a good common-school education in his native State.He subsequently attended Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and in 1867 embarked in the mercantile trade at Lime Kiln, Md. in company with Mr. Grove. and two years later the firm divided stock. Mr. Dixon going to Baltimore. From 1868 to 1871, he traveled for a wholesale house, and in September of the latter year he married Mrs. M. M. Bradfield and soon after engaged again in the mercantile trade in Loudoun County, Va. He remained there two years and after closing out his business went to Denver, Colo. He remained in that city three years. but owing to the ill health of himself and wife returned East. suffering the of his wife in Virgin in March 20, 1876. He soon after went to Philadelphia, and was employed in the well-known house of John Wanamaker for a period of six year. He came to London in September, 1877, and clerked for Dakin & Cowling until June 1878, when he was united in marriage to Miss E. J. Morgan born near Harrisburg, Ohio and daughter of Mrs Martha Morgan whose family is well known throughout Madison County. and closely related to the Fosters, Chenoweths, Pancakes, Johnsons and others. The November fellowing this union. Mr. Dixon engaged in his present business in the Swetland & Dixon Block. on the corner of Main and High streets. In 1881 he erected his present handsome block. and removed his stock there in February 1882. The building is of brick, three stories high, with a stone front. It is 118x22 feet in size, with sixteen-foot ceilings and erected at a cost about $12,000. Mr. Dixon carries a large stock of dry good, notions an carpets and. although in business here but a short time he has built up very fine trade, employing five Clerks and with sales averaging $30,000 per annum. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Masonic fraternity. American Legion of Honor is Superintendent of The Methodist Episcopal Sunday School and President of the Madison County Bible Society. Politically, he is a Prohibition-Republican.
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JOHN DUDDY. London, of Duddy & Duddy. dealers in dry goods, notions, etc., was born in Philadelphia Penn.. February 14, 1842. He is a son of John Duddy, a native of Ireland, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio when our subject was but five years of age. locating at Cincinnati. and suesequently in Logan County, Ohio. where he died about 1850. He married Alice Floyd, who died in 1850. His second marriage was to Margaret Space. Mrs. Duddy was the mother of six children. three living-two sons in Madison County and one in Indiana. Our subject early learned carriage-painting, and came to London in 1864. He worked at his trade till 186 and then went to Indiana. where he remained five years. He returned to London. and with Richard Acton, commenced the manufacture of carriages and buggies. He engaged in his present business in 1878, in company with William Kinney, and in August 1880 the partnership was dissolved. A brother, James then became a full partner, and the firm of Duddy & Duddy enjoys a good, steady trade. Mr. Duddy is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor. He is Democratic in politics. but has never been an aspirant for office. He was married, in 1867. to Sallie Betts. a native of this county. One -on was given them. Raphael C. Mrs. Duddy departed this life in May. 1874, and Mr. Duddy was again married, in June 1876, to Mary E., daughter of Wilson Dungan. Mrs. Duddy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
NATHAN DUNCAN. farmer, P. O. London. was born in Deer Creek Township November 18, 1828. He is a son of Samuel and Susannah (Moore) Duncan, natives of Vermont. of Irish descent. Our subject has been a life-long farmer. When sixteen years of age he worked by the month and day. Three years later. he began renting, and finally he bought forty-five acres where he now lives. He was married in 1859. to Caroline Loofbourrow a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Glaize) Loofbourrow. natives of .his county. of German descent. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics. and has been a School Director in this township fourteen years.
WILSON DUNGAN. an old and honored citizen of London, was born in Pennsylvania August 16, 1807. His father. Jesse Dungan. was inn and raised on a farm about nine miles from Philadelphia. and :earned the trade of a stone-cutter at the latter city. He married Jane Wilson proprietress of the Red Horse Tavern. Philadelphia. They came to Madison County in September, 1809 locating on 320 acres of land in Range Township, six miles south of London. He had purchased this land n Philadelphia at $13 per acre. He resided there during life and died August 16, 1823. Of their eight children, five are living. our subject the oldest of the latter. Mrs. Dungan subsequently married Joseph Pancake. a native of Virginia and a resident of this county. Mr. Pancake died September 15, 1853 and his estimable wife the mother of our subject. July 30, 1863. Wilson Dungan was reared on the old homestead. living there rill seventeen years of age. He then came to London and learned the cabinet and house carpenter's trade manufacturing furniture, etc.. for about twenty-two years, and being engaged in both trades almost forty-four years in all. About 1877. He sold out his stock and trade and retired from active business. On one occasion during this period, money was very scarce. Mr. Dungan made furniture and traded it for corn at 10 cents per bushel. He then sold corn at 8 cents per bushel (a loss of 2 cents a bushel to himself) to obtain the cash which he then needed. For ten years he was engaged in hunting and during the season. and. during the season.
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was never out of dried venison. Mr. Dungan has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over half a century. He was formerly a Whig, but of late years has been a Republican. He once served as Marshal of the village. Mr. Dungan was married, in Sep. 1831, to Sarah Groves, a native of this county. and a daughter of David Groves. They had six children born to them. three living-Amanda, wife of William Rayburn. of Bloomington, McLean Co. Ill. ; David M., a leading undertaker of Monmouth. Warren Co., Ill., for the past twenty-six years; and Mary E., wife of John Daddy, a prominent dry goods merchant of London. Mrs. Dungan departed this life in th winter of 1872-73. Oar subject resides in London, with his daughter and her husband.
JOHN DUNGAN, one of the oldest and most respected merchants of London, was born on Bradford Creek, in Range Township, August 3, 1814 He was a son of Jesse Dungan, a native of Pennsylvania. who removed his family to Madison County, Ohio. in September. 1809. He was a farmer through life, and died on the old' homestead, in Range Township, August 16, 1823. He married Jane Wilson at Philadelphia, Penn., who bore him, eight children. Five of these children are now living. Mrs. Dungan subsequently married Joseph Pancake, a native of Virginia. but residing here. Mr. Pancake died September 15, 1853, and the mother of our subject July 30, 1863. John Dungan remained on the old homestead till sixteen years of age. His educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. At sixeen years of age, he went to Midway and there learned the tinner's trade. He remained there a few years, and, on May 1, 1834, married Susan Blue, a native of Ross County, Ohio. On June 5, 1835, he came to London and opened a shop for the manufacture of tinware. He subsequently commenced dealing in stoves, and afterward general hardware. His trade increased slowly but steadily, and for thirty-one years he enjoyed a large and remunerative trade. He-had commenced life poor, his only capital being two willing hands, good health and a large stock of tireless energy. At the expiration of his thirty-one years of mercantile life, he had accumulated means sufficient for old age and its attending wants and sold out to his son, James M. Dungan, and P. C. Cowling, with the intention of retiring from the business cares of life. A desire to assist his other sons induced him to engage in the furniture trade. He sold out to one of them two years later, and subsequently engaged in his present business. In this latter enterprise he has also met with fair success. Mr. Dungan has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years-half a century and is at present a Trustee in that body. Ha is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Republican party. He served two years as member of the Village Council. Ten children have been born to himself and wife, six living-Elmira, wife of Stephen Watson, President of the Madison Na tional Bank of London: James M., engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lima, Ohio; Martin W., dealer in furniture. London; Elizabeth; LeRoy S.. with his father in business; and Eliza, wife of Franklin N. Bebee, of Co lumbus. Mr. Dungan's oldest son and child, Jesse W.. enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1863. One leg was subsequently amputated, from the effects of which he died on the following anniversary of the nation's independence. Mrs. Dungan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. John Dungan has been a lifelong resident of Madison County. and an exemplary Christian in all his
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acts, both in mercantile and social life. His integrity and sincerity in all business matters has never been questioned, and his influence has ever been asserted for the right. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of this city. and is an enterprising citizen.
MARTIN W. DUNGAN, London, the oldest dealer in furniture, was born in that city December 25, 1843. He is a son of John Dungan, whose sketch can be found elsewhere in this volume. His mother's maiden name was Susan Blue. Our subject was reared in London, and has always resided there. In September 1861 he enlisted in the Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Col. Crainor. of Darke County, commanding, and served two years. He then re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, serving a like term, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. During this latter period of service, he participated in the battle of the Wilderness; witnessed Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, and came very near seeing Johnston's surrender. He returned home and assisted his father in the hardware trade until 1874. when he purchased the furniture stock and trade of his two brothers. Le Roy and Jehial (the latter now deceased), and was a partner of his father until 1878, since which time the firm has been Dungan & Watson. the latter member being Algiers Watson, Cashier of the London Exchange Bank. The firm have met with very good success. Mr. Dungan is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council of London, and Mt. Vernon Commandery. No. 1. Knights Templar, of Columbus. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and its Board of Stewards, and connected with the American Legion of Honor. Mr. Dungan was married. August 12, 1867, to Mary. daughter of George W. Lohr. Of their five children, four are living-Minnie. Emmett, Bessie and Frazia. Mrs. Dungan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr Dungan is Republican in politics, and at present one of the Trustees of Union Township.
A. DUNKIN. farmer. and stock raiser. residence, London, was born in the village of London. November 8, 1830. His father, David Dunkin. was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Madison County. Ohio, about 1829. He located in London and engaged in the dry goods business. He was a pioneer merchant of the then l small village and his mercantile operations were very profitable. In after years. he was engaged in loaning money He was a Whig in politics and later a Republican and for many years was Coroner of the county. David Dunkin married Nancy Turner. a native of London and daughter of William Turner. They were the parents of three children. oar subject the only survivor. Mrs. Dunkin departed this life in 1835 and Mr. Dunkin afterward married -Jeanette E. Chenoweth, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. Three children were born to this union, only one living--Mrs. R. B. Cowling. Mr. Dunkin died in July 1862. Our subject was reared in London. and has resided there during life. the greater part of which he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a farm in Range Township of 1,500 acres, and one of 237 acres in Deer Creek Township. For eight or nine years he was proprietor and landlord of the Madison House, London. He is Republican in politics, and once served as a member of the Village Council. He was married. July 11, 1848 to Sarah daughter of Simon Kenton, the latter of whom was a nephew of old Simon Kenton, the Kentucky pioneer hunter and trapper. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunkin, nine living-S. Ken. ton: Nannie. wife of B. H. Lewis. an attorney at law of London: William B. proprietor Madison House. London: Fannie. wife of S. D. Kumler, of
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London: McLoud, David Ted, Clara May, Nellie and Sarah. Mrs. Dunkin's father, Simon Kenton, was one of the largest stock-dealers in Madison County, his principal operations extending from 1834 to 1844. He was native of Kentucky. Mrs. Dunkin was born in 1832.
JAMES DWYER. merchant. London, was born in the town of Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland. October 1834. His parents were William and Johanna (Roach) Dwyer, living in Ireland till their death. The for mer died in 1870, and the later when our subject was but ten years old. He grew up in Ireland, and, when but sixteen years of age came to America He had previously worked some at tailoring and located in Philadelphia where he remained two years and finished iris trade. He then cam to Xenia, Ohio. and remained there till 1856, when he located in Springfield, Clark County. He was working at his trade there for about three years and then lived in Vienna, same county. one year. After six mouths residence again in Springfield in April, 1860, he came to London. He immediately opened a shop and by perseverance and energy, succeeded in building up a fine trade and gradually worked himself into general merchandising. He erected a portion of his present building in 1870 and finished it in 1879. It is a two-story brick, containing four rooms with sizes follows: 22x80, 17x65, 16x45 and 16x25. The building, was erected at a cost of $10,000 to $12,000, and the larger portion of it is ailed with a general stock, embracing, dry goods, boots, shoes and clothing . Mr. Dwyer enjoys a very good trade and has been fairly successful during his business life. He is one of the more prominent members of the Catholic Church at London. and is Democratic in state and national politics but in local affairs voting for the man who will best subserve the interests of the people. He was married while residing at Xenia. December 30, 1856, by the Rev. Thomas Blake, to Margaret Anderson. also a native of Ireland. Of their ten children, eight are living-Johanna, wife of Thomas Maddigan an assistant in the Central Ohio Insane Asylum at Columbus; Will. traveling salesman with R. W. Linen, of Columbus: John, Edmund, Walter, Joseph, Emmet and Robert. Mary and Edward are deceased. Mrs. Dwyer and family are also members of the Catholic Church.
E. R. EBNER. London. boot and shoe manufacturer and dealer, was horn in the Province of Saxony,. Germany. February 21, 1840. His father, Charles August Ebner was also a native of Saxony and during life has been a manufacturer of violins. He still resides in Germany, and is seventy-three years of age. He was united in marriage to Wilhemina Stark. who is still living and in her sixty-eighth year. They are the parents of eight children five living. Our subject is the fourth child, the oldest living one and the only one of the family in America. He learned his present trade in Germany when but fourteen years of age, and when twenty-six years old came to America and direct to London. having been acquainted with, and worked for William Stahl. brother of John Stahl, in Germany. He obtained employment with John Stahl, and remained with him two or three years and in 1869 went to Midway, Range Township, where he opened a shop. He returned to London in 1871, and in 1873 established his present business. He first commenced dealing in boots and shoes in May 1881 and have had fair suceess in both branches of the business. Mr. Ebner is a member of the Democratic party. He was married October 14, 1869 to Dorothy Young, a native of Germany. Of the four children given them, two are living-Annie and Otto. Mr. Ebner and family are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of London.
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PAGE 876 - PICTURE OF BENJAMIN THOMAS (DECEASED)
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R. H. EDWARDS, proprietor Empire Livery. and a prominent grain dealer of London and Central Ohio. was born in Fayette County. Ohio. January 16, 1844. He is a son of James P. Edwards, a native of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Society of Friends. He came to Ohio about fifty years ago. locating in Jeffersonville where he was a pioneer merchant. He subsequently removed to Charleston. Clark County where he died October, 1872. He married Susan, daughter of Col. Robert Hill of Virginia. and a pioneer of Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Edwards passed away from earth, in December 1879, Our subject is the oldest of four Children, three living, and two residents of Madison County. He was mostly reared in Charleston, Clark County. and when young assisted his father in the mercantile trade. He subsequently traveled for Erhart & Beeson. wholesale grocers of Columbus. remaining with them six years In 1862, he enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but officiated as Private Secretary to Gen. Milroy, during his two years services. After leaving the army, he traveled some and finally located at Detroit, where he became a member of the firm L. W. Linker & Co., wholesale grocers and tea dealers. He was engaged in this business eight or nine years, and in 1879 came back to Ohio, locating in London. In April 1880. Mr. Edwards purchased the Empire Livery Stable where he has met with good success. He first commenced buying grain in 1878, and has purchased and shipped for Eastern parties since. He buys all over Central and Southern Ohio. his yearly trade averaging 1,000 to 1,200 cars. Mr. Edwards was one of the organizers, and is now a Director and Secretary of he London Driving Park Association. He is Unitarian in religious belief and Republican in politics. He was married January 10, 1869, to Fannie Thomas. of Delaware County. Penn. Mrs. Edwards died of consumption in October 1876, while in attendance at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. He was again married. October 2, 1878 to Lydia M. Leach native of Fayette County, Ohio a sister of Mrs. Jeremiah Rea of London and daughter of Benjamin Leach. a pioneer of Fayette County, Ohio. They have a son and daughter- Pierrepont and Wanah.
WILLIAM A. EVANS. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 25, 1846. He is the son of William B. and Sarah (Bowen) Evans, the former a native of Virginia, of Welsh descents and the latter a native of New York, of German and English descent. His father died when our subject was eighteen years old. and the burden of supporting the family devolved largely on him. He took charge of the farm and iterated it successfully. He is a natural machinist, and can set up or use almost any piece of machinery. He was married, in 1869 to Victoria P. Orcutt, born in Greene County, January 14, 1848 and a daughter Henry Orcutt. They have had two children. viz.: P. B., born November 3, and Carrie E., born May 21, 1873. Mr. Evans is a Republican and is now serving his third term as Trustee. He has served as a delegate to the Ohio State Convention. He has been an Odd Fellow twelve years.
WILLIAM FARRAR. London. Cashier of the Central Bank. was born at the mouth of Oak Run. in what is now Oak Run Township, this county November 26, 1832. His father. Jonathan Farrar. was born in Yorkshire. England. in August, 1790. He was there reared and in April, 1820 came America, locating near Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he remained three "ears. He then went to Cincinnati. and two years later to Columbus. Two years subsequently. he located on what is now the "Gwynne land." in both Pleasant and Oak Run Townships. He resided there two and it half or
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three years, and then on Deer Creek. a short distance away. He bought a, large amount of land, having at one time 1,300 or 1,400 acres in different farms throughout the county. He remained in Oak Run Township several years. and after a short residence at Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio. located at London, where he died July 22, 1874, aged eighty-four years. He married Mary Kilby, a native of England, and daughter of Henry Kilby, one of the better class of farmers of Great Britain. They had born to them eleven children-six now living, and four residents of Madison County. Mrs Farrar died about 1852. aged fifty-nine years. Jonathan Farrar was a great reader, and well read in Bible history. In early and middle life, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but at the time of hid death, of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was an honest, industrious man, fond of intelligent company, and when he hired a man to labor for him, the contract was made on the basis that the employe was to use no profane language while working for his employer. Mrs. Farrar was a very pious woman, and both were highly honored and respected. On one occasion (after his wife's death). Mr. Farrar, in company with Benjamin Browning and Charles Phellis made a trip to England, for the Madison County Importing Company, and returned with a herd of fine cattle. At the time of his death, he was very comfortably fixed. financially and otherwise. William Farrar was reared on the home farm, receiving a common school education. In early life. he went to Dayton. Wis.. and for a year was engaged in shipping grain and flour to Chicano. He then returned to Madison County. and on January 1, 1859. he, in company with his brother John, purchased the business now owned by Jones Bros., and soon after the property. He also bought wool. and was engaged there until January 1, 1876, when he in company with his brother John. Robert Rea and others, organized the Central Bank. and was made Cashier. which position he still holds. He continued the wool business two years and is now engaged in the grain trade with Thomas Wood. under the firm name of Farrar & Wood. The firm own the large elevator on the Pan-Handle Railroad. and have an office on Center street. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and for the past eight or nine years has been a Trustee in that, body. He is a strong Republican, and has served as Trustee of Union Township. member of Council and Clerk of the Village. Mr. Farrar was married. February 5, 1860 to Harriet S. Thomas. a native of Genese County. N. Y. They have five children--Ida, Jessie, Colburn. Wade and Morton. Mrs. Farrar and the three eldest children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
FRANK FATH. London. retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars was born in Bavaria. Germany. August 2, 1845. He is a son of Jacob Fath who came to America in 1851. He was a miller by trade. and locate.; at Miamisburg, in Montgomery County. Ohio ten miles from Dayton where he died in 1875. He married Phebe Mayer. also a native of Bavaria, and who bore him eight children, four now living. Mrs: Fath resides it. Dayton, and is sixty-four years of age. Our subject was the second child of this union. and was six years old when he accompanied his parents to America. In early life. he was in the butcher business, and subsequent! learned the printer's trade. He came to London in the spring of 1875, and worked at his trade the greater part of the time for the succeeding dye years. He then engaged in his present business. In March, 1882, Its refurnished his place of business at a cost of over $3,000. His rooms are
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fitted up in magnificent style, and his trade is of the best. Mr. Fath is Democratic in politics.
E. R. FLORENCE. ex-Treasurer of Madison County, London, was born in Paint Township September 7, 1837. His father, Robinson Florence, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to Madison County about 1831 or 1832. He located in Paint Township, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He married Elizabeth Williams, a native of this county. This union has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living. Our subject is a second child and son, and obtained a very thorough English education at a private school. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising on the old home farm until January, 1873. when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County. on the Democratic ticket. He served four years in this position, and during that period was further honored by being nominated and elected to the position of Treasurer of Madison County. He took possession of the latter . office in September, 1878. and was subsequently re-elected in 1879. His second term expired 1682. Mr. Florence was an able and efficient public official and well esteemed by all. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Presbyterian Church, and has ever been Democratic in political matters. He was united in marriage in the spring of 1879, to Mary E. Cover, a native o Madison County. They have no children. Mrs. Florence is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. W. GARDNER. of Gardner & Lohr, the popular clothing merchants of London, was born in Adams County, Penn., November 17, 1846 His father. Daniel Gardner. was also a native of the Keystone State and lime burner by occupation. He died in 1863, aged fifty-two years. Mr. Gardner married Harriet Arnold. a native of Pennsylvania, who became the mother of four children, one daughter and three sons, the former now deceased Mrs. Gardner is living in her native State, at the good age of sixty-eight years. One son. J. M. Gardner. formerly of Gardner & Miles, resided in London from 1870 to 1877. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Jacob Gardner. and the maternal one Dr. Arnold. He was reared in old Pennsylvania. receiving a good common-school education, and subsequently attending a college for two years. He taught school for six months. subsequently cultivating tobacco for one year. He was then em ployed as a clerk five or six years, and in the spring of 1870 came to London. securing like employment from Gardner & Miles, with whom he remained two years. Then in connection with William Ronemus, he purchased the stock and trade of his employer, and the firm enjoyed a good trade for six years. when Mr. Gardner purchased the half-interest of Mr Ronemus. and subsequently sold a third interest to William F. Lohr, the new firm being the present one of Gardner & Lohr. They have met with fine success and enjoy a rapidly increasing trade. A merchant tailoring department is connected with the house, with Charles C. Corey as cutter, and employs from twelve to fifteen hands. Mr. Gardner is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of London. and connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Republican party. He was united in marriage, October 10, 1872, to Florence, daughter of George W. Lohr, a pioneer citizen of London. They have three children-Frank W. and Howard L.. twins. and George D. Mrs. Gardner is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
F. C. GILLETT. dealer in coal, London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 17, 1852. His father. Dr. J. H. Gillett, is a native of Medford,
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Mass., and a physician by profession. He carne to Ohio about 1840, and located at Springfield. Clark County, where he was engaged in attending a large and lucrative practice until his death. He was one of the oldest and most prominent physicians of Clark County, and died at Springfield October 16, 1881. He married Leonora Vickersy, a native of one of the Southern States. They were the parents of four children all living. and residents of Clark County except our subject. Mrs. Gillett is still living and resides in Clark County. Our subject was the youngest child, and was sent to Wittenberg College. Springfield where he was in attendance only a short me. He left school to accept employment as clerk in a bookstore and was engaged in that capacity four or five years. He then purchased a like business at Tiffin, Ohio. where he was in business three or four Pears. In 1880. he came to London and started a tobacco store. He then established his present business, in which he has an excellent trade and is meeting with increased success. Mr. Gillett is Republican in politics. He was carried, October 16, 1877 to Hattie, daughter of Washington Wilson, a retired farmer of Springfield. Mfrs. Gillett member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN GILLILAND. a well-known citizen of Madison County, any a merchant of London. was born in what is now Fairfield Township. July 25, 1812. His father. Andrew Gilliland. was a native of Virginia. and came to Pickaway County. Ohio in 1807 or 1808. He removed to Logan County, out subsequently back to Pickaway County where be died in August, 1836. He was a son of Samuel Gilliland and Elizabeth Smith. He married Mary. daughter of John Williams. and a native of Maryland. Of their nine children, six are living-three daughters and three sons. Our subject was the second child of this family, and was reared in Pickaway Courty. He has been engaged in farming nearly all his life, and resided in Fairfield Township. where he now owns sixty-five acres of land. In March, 1874, he came to London, entering into the boot and shoe trade. He has gradually drifted into general merchandise. and his success has been fair. He was formerly a Democrat, but is now Republican in politics. He was married November 3. 183f1, to Palmyra. daughter of Shubal and Esther Crippen Waldo, natives of the Eastern States. Of their ten children six survive--all daughters. Mrs. Gilliland is a member of the Christian Church.
E. J. GOULD. of E. J. Gould & Co.. proprietors of planing mill and lumber yard. London, was born in Essex County, N. J., January 6, 1828. He is a son of J. N. Gould. also a native of New Jersey, and came to Ohio in 1841. He located in Pleasant Township, this county, and resided there for ten years. He was a Methodist Episcopal minister. but also carried on a farm. with the aid of his sons. He sold the farm about 1851 and removed to London where he resided till his death. about twenty years ago. He married Elizabeth Reeve, a native of New Jersey. There were born to them five sons-three living. Mrs. Gould died about 1879. Our subject is the only son in this county (other two residing in Newark, N. J. and was reared to manhood in Pleasant Township. He was a farmer in early life, but accompanied his father when the latter removed to London. Mr. Gould then engaged in the lumber business, in company with his brother William. They were also carpenters and builders, and remained together two or three years. Mr. Gould was in Oregon four years. building saw. mills, but still carried on his business in London. In the spring of 1875, Gerald Fitsgibbons became associated in business with Mr. Gould. and the firm of E. J. Gould & Co. carry on the most extensive business in their line
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of trade in Madison County. Mr. Gould :s a conservative Democrat, and while a resident of Oregon represented Coose and Curry Counties in the State Legislature. He has had fair success in his business operations. Mr Gould was married October 5, 1864, to Anna G. Kellogg, a native of Georgia. and daughter of the Rev. Ezra Kellogg, D. D., an Episcopal minister Seven children have been born to them, six living--Theodore, Florence. Anna. Stephen. Donald and Cecil. Mrs. Gould is a member of Trinity; Episcopal Church of London, and Mr. Gould is a regular attendant on it: services.
THOMAS GRAGG. farmer. P. O. London, was burn in this township February 2, 1823. He is a son of Reuben and Phebe (Harpole) Gragg. natives of Virginia, of Dutch descent, who came to Ohio in 1810 and. after clue years residence in Chillicothe settled in Union Township where the father died in 1828. His wife still survives, at the age of eighty-six year. Our subject was the second child of a family of ix children. His father died when he was a child. preventing him froth obtaining inure than a Aim iced education. He early began the work of a farmer. and has iinco followed that avocation, now owning 125 acres of land. He commenced working by the month at the age of fourteen years, soon after rented a place. and finally purchased a small farm. He was married, in 1851 to Hannah E. Wagoner. a native of Paint Township, and a daughter of James Wagoner The: have seven children--Stephen D.. Mary Elizabeth. Josephine M., Rhoda M.. Emma, Grant W. and Lucy Lucinda. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg and the four eldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected twenty-five years. He is a Republican in politics.
JOHN M. GRAHAM. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Pleasant Township July 19, 1836, and is a son of John and Lydia (Alkire) Graham the former a native of Kentucky, of Irish descent, and the latter a native Virginia. of German descent. Our subject attended school at London, and remained on the farm until seventeen years of age when his father moved to London and opened a store, and John became a clerk, in which capacity he continued five years. He was married in 1859, to Gertrude, a daughter of John Smith and by her he had seven children-.John K., Anna S., A. L., Lydia J., Gertrude, Milton and James S. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the Christian Church.. He is a Republican and owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm.
CHARLES GULCHER. baker and confectioner, London was born in Rhine Bavaria, Germany. November 30, 1837; his father was Charles Gulcher a native and farmer of Germany he married Mary Weber, also of Germany. The former died about 1875 or 1876. The latter is still living; in Germany and is about. sixty-five years of age. They have four living children three in America Our subject is the only one of they family in Madison County: he learned the baker's trade in the old country, and in. July 1855, came to America. locating in New York City. He there learned the confectioner's trade and than came to Ohio: he worked at Waynesville,. Warren County, two years, and then came too London. He was employed by his uncle. Peter Weber, for some time. and then returned to Waynesville. He came back to London again in April, 1861, and was once more employed by his uncle. About 1867, he commenced business for himself and has, succeeded very well: he has a nice restaurant in connection and enjoys a nine trade. Mr. Weber visited the Paris Expedition in 1878 and Centennial exhibition in 1876; he was Chief of the London Fire Depar-
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ment for five years, and with Philip Speasmaker purchased its first engine (one worked by hand), from Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Gulcher is a member of Madison Lodge and Hiawatha Encampment (I. O. O. F.) Presbyterian in religious belief, and a "Jackson Democrat " in politics. He was married January 16, 1859, to Miss R. K. Giegley a native of Baden, Germany. Of their eight children six are living, three daughters and three sons Mollie. wife of Joseph Rea, a farmer of Oak Run Township: Barbara. William, Harry, Edward and Matilda. Mrs. Gulcher is also a believer in they religion taught by the Presbyterian denomination.
TIMOTHY HALEY. London. Deputy U. S. Marshal of the Eighth Ohio District, and U. S. Railway Postal Clerk residence, London. was born in Ireland April 6, 1842. His father Michael Haley was a native of County Killarney and came to America when our subject was seven years old: he located Killarney. Springfield, Ohio. and subsequently went to Mattoon, Ill., where be died. Mrs. Haley died in Ireland. Our subject came to London when but nine years of age: he was adopted by Mrs. Mary Freeman, and resided with her till of age: for two or three years he was engaged in traveling over the Southern States. In 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C. Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Capt. Acton, and served the three months' term of the regiment. He then reenlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment; was in the Army of the Cumberland. and with Sherman marched down to the sea: witnessed the destruction of Raleigh. N. C.. and participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C.: mustered out of the army as First Lieutenant of his company. After returning to London, in company with S. E. Freeman engaged in the grocery business, under the firm name of Freeman & Haley. Three years later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Haley then conducted the business alone; he subsequently went to Paulding County, Ohio. retraining a short time. In December, 1850 he was appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal of the Eighth Ohio District, by Col. Ullery. of Cincinnati. In September, 1882. he was appointed U. S. Railway Postal Clerk. Mr. Haley is Adjuant of Lyons Post. G. A. R., of London. a member of the Lodge and Encampment (I. O. O. F.) and Republican in politics. He was married October 25, 1880 to Ellen Holland. a native of Louisville, Ky. They have one daughter-Florence.
JAMES HAMILTON, dealer and shipper of grain, London was born in Livingston County, N. Y.. March 30, 1836. His father, James Hamilton. Sr., was a native of Scotland, and there reared. He came to America about 1831. locating in Livingston County. N. Y., where he died in 1878. He was a farmer by occupation. and married Grace Marvin. also a native of Scotland. They had eight children. six now living. James being the only one in Ohio. Mrs. Hamilton departed this life in 1875. Our subject was reared and educated in New York. and in early life was a school teacher. He located in Clark County Ohio in 1856, and taught school there for seven years. He was in the mercantile trade one year at Selma that county and next engaged in general merchandising at Plattsburg. He was there in business for nine rears. and then sold his stock. He removed to Newark, Ohio. and resided there two years. being exclusively engaged in the grain trade. He came to London in the spring of 1876 and at present is probably the largest grain dealer in the county. He handles about 1,000 bushels of grain per year, buying and shipping from London and nine other points in Ohio. He employs an average force of twenty-five men during the grain season. and has the personal supervision of the entire
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business. On June 16, 1879, Mr. Hamilton suffered the loss, by fire, of his warehouse at London. containing 2,000 bushels of wheat, and 400 bushels of corn-total less over insurance. about $4,000. Mr. Hamilton is a regular attendant on the services of the Presbyterian Church. and a Trustee in the official board. His politics are Republican. but he never aspired to office. Mr. Hamilton was married March 8, 1866 to Addie Chamberlain, a native of Ohio. They have four children-Ralph, Grace. William L. and Mabel.
ROBERT M. HANSON (deceased), late United States Consul to Bremen, was born in Madison County. Ohio. on the 14th of April. 1837, being the youngest son in a family of four brothers and three sisters. He was left n orphan at an early age by the death of his parents. In his boyhood days. he was distinguished among his fellows and playmates as a boy of more than common energy and determination. On arriving near the years of maturity, and foreseeing the necessity of it, he determined to avail himself f the advantages of a more thorough education than the facilities of his neighborhood supplied. Having prepared himself, he entered the Miami University .at Oxford, Ohio. The path of knowledge to him was no "flowery path of ease," he being obliged to earn the means to pay for his tuition. This he accomplished by teaching part of the time, and attending his studies the remainder. Having accomplished his studies, he chose the profession of law, and began reading in the office of Hon. H. W. Smith. of this place. Here again stern necessity held him back, and he returned to teaching to procure means. This life was a laborious one, for its soon as school hours were over, he was reading gent and Blackstone. He was admitted to the bar late in the winter of 1860-61. Before he could locate himself, the distant mutterings of that storm of civil war that for four years deluged our land with blood was heard. and when, on the memorable 14th of April the wires flashed the news to us of the fall of Fort Sumter. and then the immediate call for 75,000 men-the formation of the first company of Madison County's quote-the enlistment of the Madison Guards their departure for the front the wild enthusiasm that pervaded the community-all these incidents are still fresh in the memory of most of its. Capt. Hanson was among the first to enlist tinder this call. His feelings and comprehension of the work before him can be better shown by quoting from his own correspondence with the writer. dated at Camp Jackson. Columbus. Ohio, May 2. 1861. Referring to some of his comrades who wished to return home, he says: "As for myself, I feel in duty bound, by my oath to stand by that flag, and that. only, and I will do so at all hazards and all sacrifices, and as long as there is a pulse in my arm I will be seen under her wide folds." And again, when en route for the front. he writes from Parkersburg, Va., June 24, 1861: "I have been sick for two or three days. but now feel better, and will go on with the regiment, live or die on the way. This war, my friend, will be no fool's play: thousands are entering the devouring jaws of death." How well and truly he carried out these assertions, the result lies before you. The Eagle Guards were mustered in under Capt. Acton as Company C. Seventeenth Regiment, and served their three months in West Virginia, and were discharged from service at the expiration of that time. The second call for troops was made soon afterward, and the Military Commission of the county appointed him Captain and gave him permission to recruit a company for service for three years. This was speedily done, and the company was mustered at Camp Chase by Gov. Tod, on the 19th of August. 1862. as Company B. Ninety-fifth Regiment.
and immediately started for
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the front. On the 30th of August. at Richmond. Ky., our army met the rebel forces under Kirby Smith, and the battle of Richmond was fought, resulting disastrously to our forces. Most of the Ninety-fifth were captured, paroled and sent to Camp Chase. In December following, they were exchanged, reequipped and arrived at Memphis, Tenn., about the 20th of January 1863, from thence about April 1 to Vicksburg, thence back with other regiments into the interior and on the 12th of May fought the battle of Jackson Court House. Here Company B. under Capt. Hanson, took an active part, and distinguished themselves by capturing three pieces of artiliery. Again they went back to the trenches at Vicksburg, and participated in that long, terrible siege that was followed by the fall of Vicksburg on the 4th of July. The regiment again went back to Jackson C. H., which had been re-occupied by the rebels and fortified, and after a siege of nine days again captured the town. From thence they were sent out on the Charleston & Memphis Railway, to guard against the raids of Forrest and were thus employed from October to the 1st of may when a raid was made on our forces to a point near Ripley, Miss. A second raid was started from Memphis the 1st of June of which the Ninety-fifth was a part, and on the 10th of June, near Guntown, Miss.. they met Forrest with an overwhelming force: a severe engagement ensued our army was driven back fighting over the ground foot by foot. About 3 o'clock P. M., Capt. Hanson fell terribly wounded, being struck by a minnie ball in the left breast near the heart, the ball lodging under the lower point of the shoulder blade. He was carried back by his own men a mile and placed in an ambulance, and taken about six miles, when the driver supposing him dead, cut the harness loose from the ambulance and fled leaving him to be captured. The next morning about daylight he returned to consciousness and about 10 o'clock was taken as prisoner a short distance to a cabin. Here the rebel surgeon, removed the ball, and dressed the wounds. He lay at the cabin some two weeks and was then taken to Catawba Prison near Selma, on the Alabama River where he was nursed by the Sisters of Charity until he was able to be paroled, about the 20th of November. All this time his friends supposed him dead. He returned North about the 1st of December, when his wound opened again and for nearly three months it was very doubtful if he would ever recover. Having sufficiently recovered, he was placed in the Reserve Corps, and ordered as Judge Advocate to report at Milwaukee, Wis Here he remained until his term of enlistment expired, and he was honorably discharged. Again we guote from his correspondence, dated July 7, 1865. He says: "On last, Thursday I was made a citizen again. Congratulate me, for I am free to think and act for myself. and truly, my dear friend, after almost four years' service, it is no small gratification to thus placed in this independent position. Knowing that I have faithfully labored for my Government this people and the people yet to come after me and that I can reflect on the past without scruple and without sorrow, only that I could not have done more." In the fall of 1865, after his return he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature. and represented the county in the sessions of 1866-67, with credit to himself and the county. After the election of Gen. Grant as President in 1868, he received the appointment of Consul to Bremen. and arrived there in June 1869. His strength had almost returned from the long weakening influence of his wound. Latter the effect of the, cool summers he rapidly recuperated, and was much elated, thinking the climate would make his recovery complete. But the long, northern winter began. and the piercing chilly winds of the North
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Sea were more than his weak lungs could endure. In the spring, hemorrhage set in. We again quote his own language. He says: "On May 28, I went to Hanover, to visit some American friends, and to tear myself away from business and relieve the mental exertions under which I had been laboring for weeks. In the afternoon, we visited Herren Hausen, and other places of sight-seeing. Having walked several miles, we returned, and feeling fatigued. I retired early and slept soundly all night. I awoke about 7 o'clock in the morning. and arose, feeling perfectly well and natural. I was immediately attacked by a hard cough, and the first I knew of anything like hemorrhage, the blood flew splattering over the mirror and wash-stand before me. I was not frightened, for I had seen blood before. and from the same source. It continued for near half an hour, and at first was so rapid that it almost produced strangulation. What was, and always will be strange to me this spell of bleeding was a repetition of Guntown to me, it, feeling. All the horrors of that day were emblazoned before my vision in a burning light, which produced a feeling as if I were again in the midst, of the commingled reality. Artillery deafened my ears-powder burnt in my face--the din and smell of battle filled my nostrils, and oh ! horrible the skrieks of the wounded and dying paralyzed my very soul; and all the while I sat gulping' out blood. I shall never be able to account for this strange turning back into the midst of one of the active scenes of my life The hemorrhage returned again about 6 P. M. and lasted near forty minutes. This attack was followed by a chill and fever, and was the climax of my case, and on my back! laid for thirteen days. and in my room for twenty-one days. This attack brought me near the valley, where I could look ever and see the 'dark shadows.' once beneath the shadow of which you are lost from the sight of all things earthly forever. The sighs, and love, and friendship of those whom one leaves behind may go out faintly across that vale of immortality and futurity. but the departed never returns, and we use our eyes enshrouded with his memory; around us that he was one among us, loved, but the still deep, dead silence which comes back to us from the departed, says--"never to return " From this attack. he never recovered his strength and fearing to stay another winter in Bremen he returned in December to the United States. On the 29th of February following, he was married to Miss Kate Williams. and with renewed hope and energy sailed again for Bremen on the 21st of March. From this time until his return it was a gradual wasting away of life. He was advised by his physician to go to Meran, in the Tyrol Valley, among the Alps From there they went to the Island of Sicily, and in early spring returned Naples, Italy, where they remained until they embarked, on the 20th of August 1873 for New York. He was then so weak that he had to be carried aboard the steamer but he started with the strong hope of being able to reach home. A few days after the vessel sailed the old wound opened again externally and from that time he sank rapidly. On September 14 while the bright sunshine of the calm Sabbath morn was throwing its first rays over the iron steamer, far out on the deep, rolling ocean there in the midst of that grand scene of beauty and holiness, with none but the Faithful, grief-stricken wife kneeling by his side--the vail of man's immortal destiny was lifted and long suffering and sorrow was with him no more. The officers of the steamer were very kind to the deeply-afflicted widow in her grief and loneliness, and did all they could with the means at hand. There was nothing aboard the steamer by which the body could be preserved. The carpenter made a coffin of pine and it was placed on
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the upper deck to get the sea breeze, which was fortunately cool. On Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock P. M. the vessel arrived at her dock in -New York. The remains were brought to this county and interred in Paint Township Cemetery.
CYRUS HORNBECK. deceased, was born west of Midway in this county January 27, 1S23. At the age of twenty-one years he married Elizabeth Miliner. daughter of John Miliner, of Highland County, Ohio. Mr. Miliner was born in Halifax County. Va., August 25, 1800. With his father, moved to Highland County. Ohio in 1807, where he married Mary Slaughter when twenty-one years of age. He settled on a farm three miles from Leesburg. where he has followed the occupation of farming and milling ever since. His wife died three years after marriage leaving Elizabeth. who was the only child. She was taken when one year old by her aunt, Elizabeth Slaughter. who cared for her until her marriage. Mr. Hornbeck started in life as a poor boy. but one Year after marriage bought a farm of 200 acres, two and a half miles from London, on the Springfield road, which, hard labor, he succeeded in paying for. He took great delight in raising fine stock was of a cheerful disposition, kind to all. and at his death owned 400 acres of land. He died July 23, 1863, at the age of forty years. He was the father of four sons and three daughters. four surviving, viz.: Mary E.. Cyrus R., Sidney E. and Isaac W. Cyrus was married at the age of nineteen to Rolla Parker; he is a farmer and also studied theology at Union Christian College. He is a member of the Christian Church. and the father of one child-Roscoe Garfield. Sidney E. is the wife of Jackson Hays. and the mother of two children. one deceased. Isaac W.. left the farm at the age sixteen, went to Colorado, and in two years came back to London. where he is engaged in photographing. John Q. Hornbeck, Cyrus Hornbeck's eldest child, married Cornelia Watson, and was the father of two children. one, Owen Edgar, surviving; John enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry for three years, but was only in the service one mouth. when he sickened and died at Nashville, Tenn., at the age of twenty years, another martyr to freedom. He sacrificed wife. children and life for his flag.
T. J. HOUSTON. of Houston & Burnham, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, London. was born in Somerford Township, this county, April 24, 1842. His grandfather. Joseph Houston, was a native of Kentucky, and located on Buck Creek. in Clark County. Ohio. in an early day. He subsequently removed to Charleston, same county. One son, J. M. Houston, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky. being only two years of age. when his parents came to Ohio. He was reared near Springfield, Clark County and married "Maria Cartmill, a native of Clark County, and daughter of Nathaniel Cartmill. shortly after he removed to a farm in Somerford Township. this county, where he resided some years. He died June 30, 1879. He was the father of ten children. only two living our subject and sister. Mary E., both residents of London. "Mrs. Houston is still living, at the age of sixty-seven years. T. J. Houston was the fourth child of this family, and his early life was passed on the home farm in Somerford Township. He received only a common school education, and when young was engaged in trading and handling stock for a period of ten years. He then came to London, and, in connection with L. P. Burnham, purchased the hardware stock and trade of P. C. Cowling, the new firm being known as Houston & Burnham. They have been very successful for the short time they have been engaged in this business. Mr. Houston is Republican in politics. He was married, November 11, 1875 to Kate
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Locke a sister of the Hon. John F. Locke. Of their three children, two are living-Eva and John L.
A. A. HUME. ex-Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, London, was born in Paint Township. this county. September 30, 1809. His parents were Robert and Isabella S. (Davis) Hume, natives of Virginia, and pioneers of Madison County. The subject of this sketch was about two years of age when his parents removed to London. and he has since resided there. with the exception of four or five years in Kentucky. He enjoyed but limited educational facilities in early life, and when quite young was employed as a clerk. He soon after established himself in business on the northeast corner of Main and High streets. remaining in mercantile circles about four years. He subsequently engaged in bringing cattle into Madison County from the West. and in the business of hotel keeping. In 1841, he was appointed Clerk of the Courts of Madison County, and served in that position the remarkably long period of nearly forty-two years in succession, a case without parallel in the history of the State, and probably in the Union. He has now retired from public life. and is the oldest officer (that has served or is serving) in the county. Mr. Hume is a member of Madison Lodge. No. 70. and London Encampment, No. 36 (I. O. O. F.). In early life, he was a member of the Whig party. and of late years has been identified with the Republicans. He has several times served as Councilman in the village of London. He was united in marriage in June. 1852, to Rachel Groves, a native of this county and a daughter of David Groves. Two children were sent to bless this union-a daughter and a son: the former is deceased, and the latter is a stock-broker at Quincy, Ill. Mrs. Home died in 1860 and Mr. Hume's second marriage occurred in 1868. when he was united to Mrs. Matilda (Harpole) Cheney, widow of Jonathan Cheney. Mr. Hume's first wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the present wife of the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Hume's son. James R.. enlisted in Company K, Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was subsequently appointed Captain of another company in the same regiment. He was elected First Lieutenant of Company K. and was subsequently made an aid to Brig. Gen. Haskell. He served about three years altogether. A. A. Hume has been a resident of Madison County for seventy-three years, and his actions, in both public and social life, are well known to the present generation. The long term in which he held public office was a high appreciation of his sterling integrity and clerical qualifications. He is a quiet unostentatious citizen, and a pioneer of Madison County.
WILLIAM M. JACKSON, farmer. P. O. London. was born in Virginia, February 29, 1820. He is a son of William and Nancy (Rea) Jackson the former a native of Pennsylvania of Irish descant. and the latter a native of Maryland. of Welsh descent. Our subject's education was limited to the subscription schools in the old log schoolhouses. He came to Madison County with his parents in 1828 and here grew tip to farm life. which he still follows. He was married in 1851 to Melinda Peterson. daughter of Michael and Susan (Baffenbarger) Peterson, and has two children-Filmore and Eudora. Mr. Jackson is a Democrat, and he has served his county as member of the board of Infirmary Directors.
JOHN F. JOHNSTON. London. Sheriff of Madison County was born in Range Township this county, June 15, 1844. His father. John Johnston, a native of Ross County. Ohio and a farmer by occupation. He came to this county with his parents. William and Margaret (McClimans) Johnston.
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They located in Range Township, where they reared a family of eight or nine children. and lived till death called them away from earth. Seven of this family of children are yet living. John Johnston has resided in Range Township all of his life. He married Elizabeth Mathers, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Our subject is the seventh child and second son of a family of eleven children ten of whom are living. He obtained a good English education in early life, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1881, when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County on the Democratic ticket for the term of two years. being the only man elected on that, ticket. He took possession of his office January 2, 1882. Mr. Johnston is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138, of the Masonic fraternity, and has always taken a great interest in church matters. He was married. March 19, 1872 to Ella, daughter of William and Massey Warner. Of their five children, the following four are living Myrtle, Eva, Howard and Florence Pryor died at the age of six years. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIS D. JOHNSTON. farmer and machinist. P. O. London, was born in Oak Run Township, August 15, 1853. He is the son of William and Felicity (Hall) Johnston native of Ohio of Dutch. Irish and English descent. Our subject attended the common schools of his township. and the graded school of London. after which he took up the occupation of farming. He has a natural inclination for machinery, operated a self-binder an steam thrasher. and is a good engineer of stationary engines with which he has had a good deal of experience. He was married in 1879 to Mary K Hust, by whom he has three children-Irene and Inez (twins), and Wilson, Cooper. Mr. Johnston's father is a prominent and wealthy farmer of Oak Run Township.
DR. TOLAND JONES, physician and surgeon, London. was born four miles west of London, in Union Township, Madison County, Ohio, January 10, 1820. His father, Thomas Jones. was a native of Worcester County, Md.. a farmer by occupation. and came of English parents on both sides His great-grandfather, on his father's side was among the early English settlers of Maryland. His mother Elizabeth was a daughter of Dr. Edward Cropper, who also came from England. Thomas Jones, father of the subject of this sketch. becoming disgusted with the institution of slavery and wanting more room for an increasing family, emigrated to Ohio in 1816, locating first in Ross, but soon moved to what is now known as Union Township. Madison County, Ohio. Here he purchased a small tract of Ian' which was afterward increased to 1,000 acres. Thomas Jones resided in Madison until his death at the old homestead in 1859. He was an Old Line Whig until the formation of the Republican party. when his interest in the latter became as intense as it had previously been in the former. He took an active interest in politics, and under the old constitution served as Associate Judge from 1841 to 1851 inclusive. and was also a member of the Board of County Commissioners for many years. He was a charitable, warm-hearted man, and an enthusiastic partisan. He married Mary P. Truitt. a native of Eastern Maryland, who died in 1865. Their children seven boys and one girl, all grew to maturity, and five are now living . D, Jones was reared on the home farm, where he remained until twenty years of age, obtaining only a limited education. He then came to London, and three months later went to Springfield where he remained three month.. Leaving Springfield he entered the preparatory department of Granville College, in which two terms completed his literary education. Delicate
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health. and inability to do farm work were perhaps the main reasons for his being sent away to school. He was named after Dr. Aquila Toland, of London, with whom he read medicine three years. and in 1847--48, attended one course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati. Scarcity of money precluded graduation. but the degree of M. D. was subsequently conferred by the Cleveland Medical College for the first successful amputation of the lea at the hip joint, in this State. After leaving college he commenced practice in London, ostensibly alone, but really under the tutelage of Dr. Toland. In 1862, he left a lucrative practice to enlist as a private in a company then forming in London, to assist in putting down the rebellion. He was, however, elected Captain of his company by unanimous choice. This was afterward Company A. of One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This position he continued to fill tip to 1864, when he succeeded to the command of the regiment at the battle of the Kenesaw Mountain. and in this position continued to command it through all its fortunes, bivouacs, skirmishes and battles. His regiment belonged to that brigade which was always in the front-the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps. At the battle of Jonesboro, it led the brigade that captured everything before it. Col. -Jones halted his regiment within sixty yards of the enemy's works under a terrific fire, dressed it up for a final dash, and carried all before it. Gen. Goran of the rebel army surrendered in person to him on his own breastworks, with all his headquarters. papers. etc. The spoils of the day were many prisoners, two cannon. one battle flag, etc. He marched with Sherman to the sea and back through the Carolinas. and was in the last grand battle of Sherman's army at Bentonville, where his regiment fought front and rear from both sides of its breastworks, capturing many prisoners. It was complimented the Division Commander, in a general order with the remainder of the division, for saving the army on that day. His term of service lasted until i my 6. 1865. when he and his regiment were mustered out at Louisville, Ky. Col. Jones returned to London, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1878, he purchased the drug store of Dr. A. H. Underwood and has since been engaged in that business in connection with the practice of medicine. He owns Toland Block in London, and about sixty acres of land within the corporate limits. He is a member of the Ohio Medical Society, Central Ohio Medical Society, Madison County Medical Society and the Masonic Fraternity. He has been President of the Madison County Medical Society, and has undoubtedly performed more surgery than any other physician who has ever lived in this county. Politically, he is a Republican. and has served as member of the board of the City Council of London, and of the board of Public Schools. In 1866-68, Dr. Jones was member of the Ohio State Senate from Madison, Clark and Champaign Counties. Dr. Jones was married March 19, 1846, to Frances Ann, daughter of his preceptor, Dr. Aquila Toland. They have four children living, viz.: Imogene. wife of E. K. Stewart, of Columbus; Eva, widow of Z. T. Graham, and now the wife of W. B. Hamilton, of London; William Pitt. and Bessie Mary, wife of John Riley. of London. Dr. Jones is a man of much natural ability, and considerable culture, firm in his convictions and just in his dealings with his fellows. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of his town and county, lends his assistance freely to any enterprise tending to the good of the people. and is always found ready and willing to make any reasonable sacrifice for the upbuilding of the moral condition of the community. His
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military record, of which he may be justly proud, is one far above the average.
JOHN JONES a well-known retired merchant of London. was born in that village October 31, 1818, and is probably the oldest native-born resident in it His father. William Jones. was born and reared near Knoxville, Tenn. He accompanied his father. Solomon Jones. to Ohio, at a very early day William Jones was a blacksmith and a pioneer in that trade in London, where he settled in -November 1814. He was also engaged in various occupations through life, such as buying; property. dealing in grain, buying and selling goods, etc., and became very wealthy. He was a very liberal man. giving a great deal of money to assist those who needed financial help and for various charitable purposes. He was familiarly known as "Dad Jones." and was everybody's friend." He suffered severely in the "crash of 1837," by paying security debts, and removed to his farm. A few years late:, he died at London. John Jones was reared in the village of London, an, the entire period he attended school would probably not exceed two years. He assisted his father in the store till of age, and was then employed clerk in the store of William Warner, remaining in that position two year In February, 1841 he married Jane H., daughter of John and Sarah Melvin. and a native of this county. After marriage. he rented a piece of land, near London where he farmed that following summer. The same fall William Warner was elected Sheriff of Madison County, and Mr. Jones was made his Deputy, removing to town, and serving in that position for foot years. He was then elected Sheriff of the county on the Whig ticket. an-I served one term of two years. He refused a re-nomination, and since then has retired from official life, with the exception of serving twelve years a, Justice of the Peace. Mr. Jones, like his father. has engaged in various occupations, and has accumulated a good property. He purchased a stock of groceries and started his three sons in business, and about 1875 retires' from active business labor. He took charge of a younger brother, sent him to school. started him in business and subsequently studying law, and h:+ is now a resident of Champaign. Ill. Mr. Jones was once a member of the Sons of Temperance. and oil September 15, 1846, became a charter member of Madison Lodge. No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), of London. Six children have been born to himself and wife. four living-Frank, Horace, Dollie (wife of V. H. Wilson of Lafayette), and Emma. wife of Harvey Chandler. of London. Frank. of Jones Brothers, wholesale and retail grocers, was born in London, February 26, 1847. He obtained a good education in the public schools of his native village. and in early life was engaged in farming He then entered the employ of his father as a clerk, and subsequently farmed one year in Illinois. Upon the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad. he made a trip to California. being absent eight or nine mouths In 1874, with his elder brother, Lucien. he purchased his father's stock and trade, and they remained together until the death of Lucien in 1876 A younger brother. Horace, then became a partner. the firm name still remaining "Jones Bros." The brothers have built up a very large trade, and no firm in London stand higher in the estimation of its citizens than they. Mr. Jones is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), and is Republican in politics. He was married, September 30, 1875 to Lizzie Koogler, a native of Champaign County, Ill. They have one child-Nina K. Horace. the junior member of the firm, was born in London. September ii. 1852. He received a good education, and early in life was employed in his father's grocery. He subsequently clerked for his brothers. Lucien and
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Frank, and upon the death of the former became a member of the present firm. He resides in a neat and pleasant frame cottage on East High street. Mr. Jones is connected by membership with Mystic Lodge, No. 36. Knights of Pythias. and Madison Lodge, No. 70 I. O. O. F. His political views are decidedly Republican. He was united in marriage, September 10, 1879, to Lizzie, only daughter of Dr. J. T. Houston, of London.
COL. WILLIAM JONES. ex-Sheriff of Madison County, London, is a life-resident of the county. He was born in Jefferson Township, November 13, 1832. His father. Isaac Jones. was a farmer and miller by occupation. He laid out the village of Jefferson; was its founder and principal citizen for some years. He was a minister of the Baptist denomination. and discoursed upon the views of that church whenever opportunity afforded. He married Eliza. daughter of "Old John Mills," who built a mill on Darby Creek in an early day. probably the first mill in that township. Our subject was reared in Jefferson Township, and was about ten years of are at the time of his father's death. He resided with his mother on the old homestead until the fail of 1877 when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County, on the Republican ticket. He took possession of the office in January 1878 and served two terms, giving way to his successor, John F. Johnston. in January. 1882. Mr. Jones. in 1861, took out an order from headquarters to raise Company A.. Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The order was speedily obeyed, and Mr. Jones made Captain. In the latter part of 1862, he was elected Major of the regiment, and the following February or March was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the latter position until April. 1864, when the regiment was mustered out of service. Col. Jones was married, January 1, 1858. to Jennie HukilL a native of Columbus. Ohio. but reared in this county. They have seven living children-Alta. Albert, Fannie (wife of Frank Speasmaker), Foster, Zura, Truman and Loraine. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church
B. JUDY manufacturer of wagons carriages and buggies, London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 5, 1827. His father. John Judy. was a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to Clark County about 1812. He resided in the eastern part of that county about fifty years, being engaged in farming and stock dealing. He subsequently moved to Springfield. and later to Lawrence County. Ill., where he died in 1878, aged eighty-three years. He was twice married. His first wife was Lydia Hull, who bore him one son- Amaziah, now a resident of Plattsburg, Clark Co., Ohio. She died about 1824. His second wife was Ann Hull, a native of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of nine children. all living. Mrs. Judy departed this life at Sumner. Lawrence Co., Ill.. in 1850 aged seventy-eight years. Our subject was the oldest child. and in early life received a good common school education. soon after arriving; at his majority. he went to Springfield. and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then went to Plattsburg, in the same county. and there erected a grain warehouse and other buildings and resided there four years. He then removed to Lawrence County. Ill., and " farmed it" for four years. He then removed to Marion, Ind.. the seat of the Christian Union College, for the purpose of better educating his three children. He was married in February, 1849 to Rosanna Markley, a native of this county She died in Marion in 1868. Mr. Judy then returned to Sumner. Ill.. and (engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years. He then located at Yellow Springs. Ohio, remaining there three years. After another three years' residence at Plattsburg. he came to Lon-
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Don (March, 1877) He then established his present business in which he has met with good success. He is a member of Yellow Springs Lodge. 829 (Masonic) and the Knights of Honor. He is also a member of the Christian Church and the Republican party. Mr. Judy has been twice married. Three children were born to the first union- Laurette, wife of W. W. Shepherd of Sumner, Ill.: Charles C.. who married Caroline Burgett, and Arthur M. The latter attended Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio and subsequently prepared for the ministry at the Theological Seminary at Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Judy's second marriage was to Kate Miller and occurred in 1870. She was a native of Clark County and is the mother of three children, two living- Charles and Herbert B. Both wives were members of the Christian Church.
I. C. KEMP. farmer and stockman. P. O. London. was born in Maryland June 18, 1829. He is the son of Jacob and Julia (Lutton) Kemp, natives of Maryland of Dutch dedcent. He received a common school education and since then has followed various occupations. His early life was spent with his parents. In 855, he came to London and for twenty years was engaged in the grocery business. In 1867, he began farming, and has since followed that avocation with good success now being the owner 202 acres of good well-improved land. He married Ellen Fullerton,by whom he had one child-Albert, now living at Xenia. Mrs. Kemp died in 1862 and in 1866 he married Mrs. Margaret (Witherow) Rankin, by whom he had four children, viz. : Fulton, Findley, Charles and George. Mr and Mrs. Kemp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is a class-leader. He is an earnest advocate of total abstinence principles, and votes the Prohibition ticket. He is the proprietor of the London stock yards situated on the Little Miami Railroad, near London. These yards are conveniently situated well watered and furnished with ample accommodations for any amount of stock that may be consigned to him. The proprietor is an experienced stockman, and attends promptly to all orders. He keeps annually an average of 7,000 head of cattle which are shipped to him to be sold at the London stock sales.
HENRY KILGORE. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Madison County, Ohio, September 14, 1828. He is a son of James and Sarah (Hutson) Kilgore, natives of Kentucky the former of Scotch and the latter of English descent. The former was a Captain in thewar of 1812. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a limited education. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He has followed farming during life, and now owns 116 acres of good land. He was married in 1872 to Martha Ellsworth, by whom he has two children-Simon G. and Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics. We append herewith a sketch of his mother, written by a member of the family: * * * * * * * Sarah Kilgore was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in the year 1789, and was married to Jonathan Denton in the year 1806. During the few years they were permitted to live together, their lives were full of suffering and danger they finally being driven by the Indians from their home to the fort. Here she remained and at the risk of her life rode home each day to attend to the stock they were obliged to leave behind. But a short time elapsed until her husband was killed in a skirmish with the Indians and with her three small children she was forced to flee to her parental roof. In the year 1814, she was married to James Kilgore. who still survives her. She departed this live
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November 2, 1872, in her eighty-fourth year leaving behind a family of eight children thirty-eight grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren and one of the fifth generation. She united with the Methodist Church at the early age of sixteen years. and the prayer and class meeting, in which she assisted as leader for many years, were her delight. When she united with the church there was no house of worship but the cabin of the early settler. The cares of domestic life, and the privations of the pioneer did not cause her to falter in the path of duty. With a cheerful and brave heart she did what she could and her children rise up and called her blessed, and though her family and friends mourn her absence here, yet they rejoice in the prospect of a re-union on the evergreen shore.
THOMAS LANGEN, Jr. farmer. P. O. London. was born in New York State in 1846 and is the son of Thomas and Ellen (McCarty) Langen, natives of Ireland. who emigrated to America in 1832. In 1846, they came Ohio settling in Fayette County, where they remained until 1868, when they came to this township. The father died in 1873, leaving an encumbered estate and making his son Thomas his executor. Thomas soon released the land from its encumbrances made additions to it, but has recently sold it all with the intention of purchasing a larger tract. The family consisted of four children-Thomas, Francis, James and George. Thomas married Mary Mahan, of Clark County, in 1876, and has two children--Charles F. and William, George, who is assisting Thomas on the home farm, was born in Fayette County, June 28, 1860, and now owns 127 acres of land. These boys are all energetic steady industrious farmers, who look well to the interest of themselves, and of their community.
B. W. LAWSON. photographic artist, London, was born at Baltimore, Md., March 14, 1844. He is a son of Alexander Lawson, also a native of Maryland. and a farmer by occupation. He died in 1877. He married Susan daughter of Harrison Gould. Eleven children were born to this union eight now living. Mrs. Lawson resides in Monongalia County, W.Va., aged about seventy years. When our subject was ten years of age his father removed to West Virginia. and he there remained till the war commenced. He then enlisted in the Third Virginia Cavalry and served three rears as a private. After the war closed, he went to St. Louis, Mo., and there learned his present trade. For the past eight or nine years he has been located in Ohio. and came to London August 18, 1880. He has succeeded in establishing a very fine trade, and a far better one than anticipated. Mr. Lawson is a member of Madison Lodge,. No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). He was married in 1875, to Anna Gronauer a native of Fort Wayne. Ind., and a daughter of Joseph Gronauer, who located at Fort Wayne when it contained but five houses. One son born to this union died in infancy. Mrs. Lawson studied ornamental painting, at St. Mary's-of-the-Woods Academy, four miles west of Terre Haute. Ind.. and portrait painting at St. Louis, Mo. She works in water colors. oil and crayon, and teaches several classes. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson are members of the Presbyterian Church.
SAMUEL LENHART. manufacturer of buggies and spring wagons, London, was born in York County, Penn., April 27, 1840. His father, George Lenhart, is a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He now resides at Dover, Penn., in his sixty-seventh year. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Gerber, a native of Pennsylvania who became the mother of four children, three sons living. Mrs. Lenhart is still living at about the same age as her husband. The subject of this notice resided in
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Pennsylvania until twenty years of age. When seventeen years of age, he learned the blacksmith trade. and worked at it three years. He then came to London (in 1860) and worked at. his trade for one year. In April, 1861 soon after the call for troops by President Lincoln. he enlisted in Company C. Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and served during the three month.-, term of the regiment. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and at the battle of Antietam was wounded through the left arm and body by a rifle ball He was discharged on that account. and returned to London. He afterward went to Montana Territory, where he worked at his trade till 1863. He returned to London again and in the fall of that year purchased his present shop of a Mr. Knapper,. where he has since been engaged in business Mr. Lenhart is a member of Madison Lodge. No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). Democratic in politics, and has served as Councilman of the village. He was married March 11, 1860, to Isabella Crawford a native of Paint Township. They have three sons-Eddie. Charlie and Samuel Glenn.
JAMES LILLY (deceased), was the youngest of his parents' nine children he was born in Ross County. Ohio. October 4, 1816. His paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Pollet) Lilly, the former a descendant of English ancestors, and the latter a native of France. They resided in Fluvanna County, Va. Mr. Lilly's father, Thomas Lilly was born in 1771 in Virginia, where he married Theodosia Riley, who was born in New Jersey in 1773. They came to Ohio in 1809. with five children, and located in Ross County, where the father died in 1823. In 1830, Mrs. Lilly and family came to Madison County. and located in Fairfield Township. near the present site of Lilly Chapel. where the mother died February 4, 1839, aged sixty-six years. Their family consisted of nice children, four daughters and five sons: two died single and five are now living; of the latter, two reside in this county. James Lilly was fourteen years of age when his mother removed to this county and grew to manhood on the farm near Lilly Chapel. Previous to and during the war he was largely engaged in the grazing trading and shipping of stock. He subsequently dealt extensively in laud. and at the time of his death owned saveral large tracts. In 1866, he removed to London. and two years later removed to the " Judge Jones farm." four miles west of London. After a two years' residence on this farm, he returned to London. and there died typhoid fever October 10. 1874. He wag twice married, his first wife being Matilda Anderson, a native of Virginia and a resident of this county, who he married in 1843. By her he had seven children. four living, viz.: Emma wife of J. B. Young. of Lexington. Iowa. Mary E.. wife of J. S. Gardner of Franklin County: George W., who graduated at Wesleyan University. Delaware. in 1879, with the degree of A. B., and at Michigan University in 1881, with the degree of C. E., since which he has been engaged as a civil engineer: and Eugene A. One son, William, enlisted when but seventeen years of age in the Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in a hospital in Kentucky. Mrs. Lilly died in 1859 aged thirty-six years, and in 1861 Mr. Lilly married Mrs. Susan (Melvin) Davidson, widow of George W Davidson. deceased. Of their three children, two are living, viz.: Ella. a student at Wellesley (Mass.) College: and John W. A.. who lives with his mother on East High street. London. James Lilly united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when quite young, and in after years donated the site of the present church to that denomination, the new building taking the name of Lilly Chapel, and the village is now known by the same name. He was a Republican
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in politics and at the time of his death was senior County Commissioner, serving a term of three years. He owned property in the village of London, and laid out James Lilly's Subdivision of that town. Honest and upright, firm in character and decision. full of benevolence and charity, and a shrewd business man, he accumulated a considerable fortune, and occupied a prominent and influential position in the community. Few men were more useful to the town in which they lived. and but few men contributed more to the moral and material prosperity of the county than he. Eugene A. Lilly, dealer in real estate. London. was born on a farm in Fairfield Township 'now the site of Lilly Chapel) May 9, 1858. He came to London when eight years of age. and was there reared. He took a course of study at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and subsequently attended the University of Michigan graduating from the latter in the class of 1880, with the degree of Pharmaceutical Chemist. He then went to Chicago, where for a short time he was assistant to Prof. Wheeler, of the University of Chicago. He then returned to London. where he has since resided, with the intention, however, of resuming his work in chemistry in the future. He is still a young man, bat so far in life has met with good success in his business transactions. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council, and a Republican in politics.
GEORGE W. LOHR. London, a resident of Madison County over sixty-two years and the oldest liveryman in the business in the county, was burn in Rockingham County, Va., December 24, 1813. His father, Michael Lohr. was a native of Virginia. and a farmer by occupation. He married Catherine Miller, also a native of the Old Dominion, who bore him four children-two daughters and two sons. three living in this and one in Fayette County. Ohio. Mr. Lohr died about 1818; Mrs. Lohr married for her second husband Samuel Messmore. a native of Pennsylvania. Of the three children given them two are living. George W. Lohr accompanied his mother and step-father to Madison County in 1820, coming the entire distance from Virginia in a one-horse wagon. They located on the present site of the Kreider farm. South Charleston pike three miles from London, and subsequently moved to Paint Creek. Mr. Lohr was apprenticed to George Phifer, to learn the saddlers trade, and finished it with William H. Squires. He then started in business, in partnership with James Q. Lotspeich. on the present site of the storeroom now occupied by Gardner & Lohr. The firm was known as Lotspeich & Lohr: a year later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Lohr commenced business alone, on his present property (fall of 1837). making saddles. and carrying on the business for fifteen years. During the latter five years of this time. he had been running a livery on a small scale, and finally concluded to go into the business. This was 1840 or 1842, and since that time. Mr. Lohr has attended to the wants of his customers to " anything on wheels." He has been in the undertaking business with his son J. M. Lohr. for the past two years and has been very successful in all his business operations: he owns a business block or two, and some other city property. Mr. Lohr's political views are Republican; he has served an unexpired term as Coroner of the county, and some time as Councilman of London: he was united in marriage, February 12, 1837, to Sarah F. Reeder, a native of Clark County. Ohio. Of their eight children, five are living-.James M.. who married Molly K. Pringle, of Clark County, Ohio; Josephine: Mary H., wife of Martin Dungan, a merchant of London; Florence. wife of Arnold W. Gardner. of Gardner & Lohr, and William H., Jr., member of the latter firm. Irvin. George and Fannie are deceased. Mrs.
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Lohr departed this life December 15 aged fifty -eight years six mouth and twenty-two days; she was a faithful Christian a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and a lady well respected by all.
JOHN LOHR. London, was born in Shenandoah County. Va., April 1816. His father died when he was but three years old. His mother afterward married Samuel Messmore and the family moved to Madison County. Ohio and settled within two miles of London, in 1820. Until eighteen years of age. Mr. Lohr worked on a farm after which with the consent of his mother and step-father he learned the saddler's trade was engaged at this trade about twelve years and was traveling part of the time. Coming to the conclusion " that a rolling stone gathers no moss" he settled in business in London. In 1844, was united in marriage with Ann Noteman. This lady was the fortunate possessor of an interest in a farm and Mr. Lohr thinking to better himself by returning to agricultural pursuits purchased his brother-in-laws interest in the farm and selling his property in town moved to the farm in 1847 which is situated only five miles distant from where he first settled in this county, and where he at present reside?. Mr. Lohr has been the father of ten children, eight of whom are now living. When these children were growing up. Mr and Mrs. Lohr realized that other and higher duties should claim their attention and they united with the First Presbyterian Church at London. We here will quote what Mr. Lohr writes regarding this change. This was one of the best steps of my life. In our Presbytery and Synod the question has often been discussed. What is the best mode of getting children to attend church? My experience is to go yourself and take, the children with you the result is my family all belong to the church but one. A short time after I united with the church. I was elected one of the ruling members. "
JAMES Q. LOTSPEICH (deceased) was born in Ross County, Ohio May 30, 1809. His father. Ralph Lotspeich was a native of Tennessee and located at Chillicothe, Ohio, in an early day. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination and a pioneer in the missionary work in the State of Ohio. He was an able and earnest advocate of the religion of Christ, and possessing a remarkably tender heart, could never mention the name of his Master, or tell of His sufferings on the cross. without shedding tears of sympathy. In fact, it was seldom he preached without crying, and this gained for him the title of " the Weeping Prophet." and by that name he was generally known. When twenty-four years of age he married Amelia Rigby, who bore him one daughter and three sons, two now living. He died at the early age of thirty-two years. Our subject was the oldest child and came to Madison County about 1830 or perhaps a little earlier. He was a saddler by trade, and located in London where he was engaged in business until 1874, a period of forty-three years with the exception of two years. He was an honorable and upright citizen. and a man highly respected. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity the Methodist Episcopal Church of London. and one of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson. South Charleston & Xenia Turnpike until it was sold to the county of Madison. In early life he was a Whig; later a Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace a number of years. Mr. Lotspeich married Sallie, daughter of William Jones. and a sister of John Jones. a retired grocer of London. They were the parents of two daughters and four sons. all living but one, and four in this county. Mr. Lotspeich died in February, 155, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Lotspeich is yet living. and in fair health. She is sixty-nine years old.
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W. RALPH LOTSPEICH, saddler and harness maker, London, was born in London June 8,1834. He was the oldest child, and received a fair education. At fourteen years of age he learned his present trade with his father, and in 1866 went to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1873 He then returned to London. and in 1874 purchased the stock and trade o' his father. He has since conducted the business with moderate success. Mr. Lotspeich is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Knights of Honor, and a Prohibition Republican in politics. He was married. November 13, 1859, to Ellen Melvin. a native of Union Township, this county and daughter of Joseph B. Melvin and Elizabeth Gardner. Her grandfather was a pioneer of Georgesville. Franklin Co.. Ohio. Two children have been given them--Leon and Joseph Edgar. Mrs. Lotspeich and her young est son are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN E. LOTSPIECH with John Kinney dry goods, and chief of the London Fire Department, was born in London September 12, 1837. Ho grew to manhood in his native place. and when quite young served as messenger in the Ohio House of Representatives, session of 1855-56. and 1856 -57. He next entered the employ of Addison Shanklin, in the dry goods line. London. remaining with him four or five years. He then went to Springfield. but subsequently returned to London, and for the past thirteen years has been connected with John Kinney in the dry goods business. Mr. Lotspiech has been a member of the London Fire Department since its purchase a steamer and in 1880 was elected to his present position. He has mad, an efficient officer and takes an active interest in his business. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, and Republican in politics. He was united in marriage May 23, 1864, to Mary L. Davidson. a native of Madison, Ind. They have four children--Howard, Annie. William, and Robert. Mrs. Lotspiech is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
J. W. MACKINNON. Superintendent of the London Public Schools, London was born in Logan County. Ohio. February 13, 1850. His grandfather. William MacKinnon. located in Logan County in an early day, and there became an Associate Judge of the Courts. One son Daniel W., the father of our subject, was born in Clark County. and was a farmer and stock-raiser through life. He died at a son's house in Auglaize County, Ohio March 16, 1864. He was united in marriage to Phebe Hogge, a native of Clark County. and daughter of John Hogge a native of Ireland. Mr MacKinnon still resides in Logan County, is fifty-three years of age, and in the enjoyment of good health. Our subject is the elder of five children, four living. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and when nineteen years of ago entered Wittenberg College. Springfield, Ohio, where he remained five years, and graduated in June 1874. Soon after he was made Principal of the Bellefontaine High School holding that position three years. He then came to London to accept his present position tendered him by the School Board of the latter place. Prof. MacKinnon has had charge of the London schools for six years. and their high standing among the graded schools of the State is due in a great measure to his energetic and tireless energy in their behalf. Mr. MacKinnon is a member of and Secretary of each of the Ohio State Teachers' Associations and the Central Ohio Teachers' Association. He is also a member of the Madison County Teachers' Association. the knights of Honor, American Legion of Honor and the Presbyterian Church. Previous to coming to London. Prof. MacKinnon was a member of the Logan County Board of School Examiners, and since his residence here has held a like position in Madison County for the past five
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years. He was married July 23, 1874 to Clara E. Wallace, a native of Logan County, Ohio, and daughter of Dr. John P. and Emeline (Hover) Wallace, of that county, both now deceased. They are the parents of one -Lee. Mrs. MacKinnon is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JACOB MARCH, dealer in foreign and domestic marbles, a proprietor of the London Marble and Granite Works, London was born in Pennsylvania February 25, 1839. He is a son of Daniel March, also a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer in early life and subsequently a merchant. He lived in Pennsylvania until his death. about seven years ago. He was united in marriage to Rebecca Sparh. also a native Pennsylvania, who became the mother of ten children. Four of these now living, and two residents of Madison County. Mrs. March died over thirty years ago. Mr. March was reared in his native State. and after his mother's death went to live with a drover, remaining with him over two years, and assisting; in driving stock to Baltimore. He then learned th drug trade at East Berlin, Penn., where he was employed for four years. 1858, he came to London. and learned the marble cutter's trade with Samuel Menter, remaining with him until his death in September 1801. H then carried on the business for his employer's widow until 1802 when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Wilcox commanding. He was in the service three years, serving as a private the greater part of the time, and was honorable discharged July 11, 1865. Upon coming back to Ohio, he engaged in business at Springfield until June 1866, when he returned to London, and bought a half interest in the marble trade of N. M. Hutchinson. He became sole proprietor a year later, and has remained such, with the exception of six months, when his brother Levi was a partner. Mr. March is an enterprising business man, and has succeeded in building up a good trade. He is a member of all the organizations in London pertaining to the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, the American Legion of Honor, and is a member bar of and Treasurer of the Board of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. March is also Treasurer of the Homestead Aid Association, of London. Politically, he is Democratic. He was married, November 27, 1807, to Kate Crawford a native of this county. Of their five children, four are living-Arabell, Ida May, Kittie Z. and Algeraus C. Mrs. March and daughter Arabell are also members of the Presbyterian denomination.
JACOB MARTIN, superannuated minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, was born near Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio. April 3, 1806. His father was Charles H. Martin, a native of England. who carne to America previous to the Revolutionary war. He served in the Colonial army, and subsequently drew a pension for services rendered. He was single man, and in 1789 removed to Marietta. Ohio. one year after its first settlement, and where he met and afterward married Mary M. Gayler, a native of Pennsylvania. The date of their marriage was 1797. Soon after their union, they located on the Muskingum River. about six miles above Marietta, and in 1815, to Licking County. Ohio. where both passed the remainder of life. The father was a member of the Seceder Church in early life. but subsequently let his thoughts turn to things of a more worldly nature. He was again converted through the ministration of his own son and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in August 1833 and died in the full faith of a blissful immortality. in November 1838, aged eighty years. His wife became a member of the Baptist Church in 1821 or 1822, but for convenience. joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1848, living in that faith
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till her death December 8, 1860. She was burn March 31, 1777. Jacob Martin, born 1806, was in his tenth year when his parents in 1815 removed to Licking County. His educational facilities, like those or all "pioneer boys." were limited, he receiving only fifteen months' schooling in all his life (outside of his theological studies), and that at scattered intervals, between the ages of five and twenty years. He remained with his father until he entered the university. He first thought of taking the step when twenty-one years of age. and in 1831 joined the Ohio Conference when twenty-five years of age. He was first assigned to the Wilmington (Clinton County) Circuit and his subsequent locations are as follows: In 1832 , to the Tiffin Circuit: in 1833 to Fort Defiance, and thence to Logan County, W. Va.. one year. his circuit covering 600 miles: thence to Gallipolis: in to London Circuit; next to Franklinton Circuit, one year: Granville Circuit, a like period. At close of that year, superannuated on account of tailing health. and removed to Range Township. in this county. and was there engaged in farming for fourteen years. He then returned to the regular ministry again, and, in 1853, was assigned to the Dublin Circuit; thence to Groveport two years and two years later to Worthington where he had formerly bought property: two years later, was assigned to the Darbyville Circuit, in Westport. Franklin County, while family remained at Worthington: was there one year: thence to Mount Sterling, this county and then to Johnston, Licking Co., two years: Baltimore, Fairfield Co.. one year: thence. again to Mount Sterling, one year Bloomingburg, Fayette Co., one year: Frankfort, Ross County, two years. and finally in 1867 again superannuated, and purchased his present property in London, where he has sincee resided. Rev. Mr. Martin has been an able and efficient worker in the Lord's vineyard, having traveled a great deal in the State of Michigan, doing missionary work, and prior to his entering the regular ministry. In the latter, he has labored over a period of twenty-two years. averaging over 3,000 miles traversed each year., and probably a grand total of 75,000 miles. or three times the circuit of te globe. He is now resting from his labors amid pleasant surroundings and hosts of admiring friends. Before long his bark will pass over the river to the great beyond, and where a crown of righteousness awaits him at the last day. Mr. Martin was married in March 1836 to Johanna C. Leonard, a native of the District of Columbia, now a portion of Fairfax County. Va. Three sons were sent to bless this union. two living. The elder James D., has been in Washington D. C., in a dry goods house, part of the time as partner. Near the end of the rebellion. he was sent to Savannah. Ga.. as Post Office Agent. thence to Charleston, S. C., where he remained in charge some is months. after which he returned to Washington. He was then appointed one of the " Tax Commissioners " of the South, with headquarters at Beaufort. S. C. At the end of eighteen months. he returned to Washington D. C., where he still is. in single blessedness. The younger son Joseph S., is farmer and stock-raiser of range Township. where he was born and reared. He married Isabel, daughter of Benjamin Harrison (deceased). They have three children-James F., Benjamin H. and Joseph S. The youngest son of Jacob Martin, John Wayland, died September 23, 1845 aged fourteen months. Mrs. Martin is still living, aged seventy-three years. Like her husband. she has also been a faithful worker and with her husband, will enjoy the Gospel sweets of the great eternity.
WILLIAM McCABE McCLOUD. London, the oldest son and oldest living child of J. C. McCloud, is the junior member of the firm of J. C. & Mac
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McCloud. druggists. He was born at Milford Center, Union Co.. Ohio. June 25, 1855. He was but a year old when his parents removed to Madison County, and was reared and educated here. In early life, he was employed a clerk in the grocer trade, and, in 1875, entered the employ of Abram Smith a prominent druggist of London. He remained in this position for five years and then, in company with his father established his present business. August 7, 1880. His trade has slowly increased, and his business proven profitable. Be is a member of the Republican party. Mr. McCloud was married. September 22, 1877 to Josie B., daughter of William Jones (deceased).
L. G. McCOLLUM (deceased) formerly of Squires & McCollum grocers. was born at Marysville. Union Co., Ohio, March 17, 1840, father. John McCollum was born near Glasgow. Scotland, and came America in 1812. He was a pioneer of Clark County, and there resided number of years. He subsequently lived in both Union and Madison Counties, but now resides at South Charleston. Clark County in his seventy-fourth year. He was a cabinet-maker and later a carpenter through active life. He married Margaret Irven a native of London. They are the parents of thirteen children, all living but two. Mrs. McCoy him is still living, and is seventy-two years of age. The subject of the notice was the fourth child. and was reared mostly in Clark County. H. learned telegraphy when quite young, and worked at it eight years. 0n August 22, 1865 he came to London in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and took charge of their office, remaining in the position four years. He was then engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years, and when the C. S. & C. (now the I. B. & W.) Railway was opened to Georgesville, Franklin County. he was put in charge of the office. H was subsequently employed for Fitch & McCorry, coal dealers, two year, and then accepted a position as passenger conductor on the C., S. & C. Railroad, which he held for nine years. On May 9, 1882, in company with W. S. Squires he purchased stock and trade of Isaac G. Peetrey, grocer, London, and was a member of the firm of Squires & McCollum until it was dissolved. August 26, 1882. He died September 9 1882 and is buried Oak Hill Cemetery near London. He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, a Thirty-second degree Mason. a member of Mount Vernon Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar of Columbus. also connected with the Railroad Conductors' Union and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was Republican in politics. Mr. McCollum was married, June 13, 1867, to Laura B. Squires, daughter of W. H. and Catherine (Phifer) Squires. There were three children given them-Louise G., Reed S. and Harry K. Mrs. McCollum and the two oldest children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ERNEST McCORMACK London, Clerk of the Courts of Madison County, was born in London. December 31, 1853. His father, Edwin McCormack, was born in this county in 1819, and resided here during H was Deputy Assessor of Internal Revenue of this district for many years and once served as Sheriff of Madison County. He died in 1875, aged fifty-six years. He married Adelia Webb a native of Connecticut, who bore his six children. Two of these yet survive-our subject and brother Edward. clerk in Jordan's coal office London. Mrs. McCormack is still living an resides in London. Ernest McCormack attended the public schools of h; native place, and subsequently the Commercial College of Dayton, Ohio. Upon leaving the latter institution. He secured a position as book-keeper for
PAGE 905 - PICTURE OF WILLIAM ALLEN (DECEASED)
PAGE 906 - BLANK
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L G. Peetrey in the mercantile trade. He remained there five years, and was then appointed Recorder of Madison County, to fill an unexpired term of six months. Upon the expiration of this time, he entered toe Auditor's office as a clerk, remaining there one year. In the fall of 1581, he was the Republican candidate for Clerk of the Courts of this county , and was elected for a term of three years, commencing February 9, 1882. Mr. McCormack is connected by membership with Mystic Lodge, No. 36, Knights of Pythias, of London:
W. H. C. McCOY, London. a life resident of Madison County, and a resident of London, was born in Deer Creek Township August 10, 1828. A sketch of his father is well worth a plate in our work. William McCoy (deceased), was born in Washington County, Penn., January 30, 1785; his father, Daniel McCoy, emigrated to Kentucky in 1787, and there resided till 1806. He then removed to Clark County, Ohio; he departed this life in Highland County. He married a Miss Sutherland; on Marco 10, 1815, William McCoy came to Madison County, locating in Deer Creek Township, one and a half miles east of toe present site of La Fayette; he was a farmer and stock-raiser through life, and took great interest in toe breeding and raising of horses. He owned 300 acres of land at toe time of his death. He was a soldier in toe war of 1812; a Whig in early life, subsequently a stanch Republican. and for many years was a Justice of toe Peace in Deer Creek Township; he was one of the founders of toe Presbyterian Church of London, and among its first Elders. He died September 3, 1869, aged eighty-four years eight months and three days. His wife was Ann Tweed Fielding, woo was born in Washington County, Penn., January 17, 1793; they were tow parents of nine children, six daughters and three sons, two now living-Mrs. M. M. Davidson, of London, and our subject. Mrs. McCoy departed this life March 28, 1854. Both parents were buried in the cemetery. two and a half miles east of La Fayette. Our subject was toe eighth child, and grew to mature years on the old home farm. In early life he walked two and a half miles to district school, and subsequently attended an academy at Jefferson; he has been engaged in farming toe most of his life, having inherited 100 acres of the home farm, and afterward buying the other 200 acres, and then adding 140 more to it; he came to London February 23, 1873, and sold his farm in December, 1879; since his removal to London he has been working at toe carpenter's trade, which he learned about 1855. Mr. McCoy is a member of Chandler Lodge No. 138 (Masonic), Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination for twenty-eight years he was class leader of the church at La Fayette, and has held toe same position in the church of London; he is Republican in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace of Deer Creek Township. He was united in marriage. March 6, 1853, to Elizabeth Simpson, a native of Nottingham. Eng., who came to America when but ten years of age. Four children were born to this union, three living-William, in A.. T. & S. Fe Land Office. Topeka. Kan., woo married Jennie McCoy: Henry C. and Celestia B.: Lydia T., the oldest child is deceased. Mrs. McCoy departed this life February 7, 1880; she was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The full name of our subject is William Henry Clay. and the manner in which it was given him will be of interest. When his parents lived in Kentucky. they were well acquainted with Henry Clay, and when our subject was born, he was named for toe Kentucky statesman. When he had attained the age of two and a half years. Henry Clay stopped at the Gwynne farm.
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and sent word to the parents to bring his namesake over. He then pre sented the child with a five dollar gold piece. This money was taken charge of by an elder brother. and used in the purchase of calves. At the. time of the Tatter's death. the sum amounted to $200. This money was put on interest for two or three years. and then the father saw a chance to buy forty-one acres of land adjoining the homestead. which he purchased. When our subject grew of age. he was presented this piece of land, and kept it till he finally disposed of the whole farm.
GEORGE G. McDONALD, London, is a retired farmer, and has been a resident of Madison County for three-quarters of a century. He was born in Washington County. Tenn.. on Christmas Day of 1803. He is a son of James McDonald. a native of Botetourt County. Va. He left his native State when quite young, and emigrated to Tennessee. where he married Nancy Cook. a native of New Jersey. They came to Ross County, Ohio. in the winter of 1806-7, and the following spring came to Madison County. He located on a farm in Union Township. six miles from the present site of London, and on the Georgesville pike. He was a farmer by occupation, and a pioneer of that part of Madison County. There was only one house in what is now the village of London when he came to this county. and Indians and wild beasts were entirely too plentiful for comfort. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, six living, and their ages are as follows: daughter. eighty-one; our subject. seventy-eight; daughter. seventy-six; daughter. seventy-four: daughter. seventy-two: and son fifty-nine. an average of over seventy-three years each. This is probably the highest average of any family in Madison County. Our subject was the third child and second son. and in early life assisted his father in the general duties of the farm. He way accustomed to clearing land, and burning up the walnut timber to get it out of the way. His mother was a good scholar, and taught him what early education he possessed. He married Melinda Ferguson, a native of Lexington. Ky., and a resident of Franklin County, Ohio. He remained with his father three years after marriage, and then purchased 385 acres of land in Deer Creek Township, where he resided until 1878. In the meantime. he had increased his farm to 623 acres. His original farm he gave to his daughter. and now owns and farms the remainder. 288 acres. In 187 8, he removed to London, where he now resides. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination fifty-five years, probably as long as any present resident of Madison County. He was formerly a Whig, but became a charter member of the Republican party on the date of its organization. He has always enjoyed perfect health, and to use his own language-" When I am 'a little indisposed, I don't take any medicine, but just starve the sickness away. I find that the best plan." Thirteen children have been given to him, only one living-Mary A., wife of "Judge" Robert C. Fulton, of Columbus. " Uncle George," as he is familiarly known to the greater part of our readers. possesses a most remarkable memory. He can relate many stories of " days gone by." when the little band of pioneers in this county had all they could do to keep body and soul together, and wait for the day when the white settlers would predominate. He has been a "tiller of the soil" for three-quarters of a century. honest in every action, and enjoys the true esteem and respect of every citizen in the county.
W. H. McKINNON. London, is a member of the firm of McKinnon & Watts, the well-known saddlers and harness-makers. He is a native of Lisbon, Clark County. Ohio, and a son of Theophilus McKinnon. who came
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to Ohio in 1802. He was born in Harrison County, Ky., in November, 1774. His father came to Ohio with his family in 1802, and settled on Buck Creek, a few miles north of Springfield, Ohio. he being the first settler on that stream above the site of Lagonda. He also planted the first apple-orchard in that part of the country. At the time the family settled in Ohio, this entire region of the State was inhabited by many Indians. Mr. McKinnon, in his younger (lays, witnessed a number of councils of Indians, at which the "pipe of peace" figured prominently. He once heard the famous Indian chief and warrior, Tecumseh, make a speech at a council in Springfield. He was married to Pricilla Houston, sister of Dr. J. T. Houston. of London, January 2, 1823. Mrs. McKinnon departed this life July 24, 1872. Nine children were born to them, all of whom lived to the years of maturity, and six of them are now living-Mrs. Reed Marquart and Mr. J. Q. McKinnon. of Atlanta, Ill.; Mr. J. T. McKinnon, of Washington Territory; Hon. J. H. McKinnon, of Ashland, Neb.; Mrs. E. R. Watts and W. H. McKinnon. of London. For almost thirty years Mr. McK. was a resident of Madison County, with the exception of a short time of residence at Xenia, spending the last fourteen years of his life in London. Mr. McK. possessed a remarkable memory, and, with his mind stored with the numerable facts gained from many years of diligent reading, he was a veritable living history of Madison County. Always interested in the affairs of the nation, he kept himself posted upon all subjects of importance so that it was a pleasure to hear from him through his knowledge of affairs seventy and seventy-five years ago. During the last thirteen years of his life, he was blind, and it seemed to be true in his case. that the loss of one of the powers strengthens the remaining, for up to within a short time of his death his mind remained perfectly clear and ready, and his memory surprisingly accurate. During the years of his blindness, he was kept informed upon all matters of interest by friends reading to him, and he continued to manifest a great interest in matters of daily concern. For nearly sixty years, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. having been converted while a resident of Lisbon. Clark County. Ohio. He was active in his church relations, and made his house a home for ministers, delighting to entertain and keep them with him. His days of life reached from the days of George Washington to the present. He lived under every administration since the organization of our present government. His first Presidential vote was cast for James Monroe, in 1820, after whom he voted for President at every election for that office, making in all, for him, sixteen such votes. He said that he had crossed the Alleghany Mountains twelve times on horseback, a feat that few would care about performing at the present day. He was a grandson of Maj. Harrison and a great-grandson of Col. Crawford, both of whom were tortured to death by the Indians, the former having been " squibbed " to death with powder, at a place near the present site of Zanesfield, Logan County, Ohio, and the latter having been burned to death at a stake, near Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. Mr. McKinnon passed away from earth the evening of Friday before Easter Sunday. in 1882. aged eighty-eight years, being, with possibly two exceptions, the oldest man in the community. He sleeps the sleep that knows no awakening in Oak Hill Cemetery, east of London. W. H. McKinnon was reared in Clark and Madison Counties, and served a four years' apprenticeship at his present trade with an uncle, Thomas Houston, of South Charleston. Ohio He worked at his trade in Logan County, Ill., for two years. and then returned to South Charleston. After a short time, he went to Catawba, Clark County, and subsequently to
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Jefferson, in this county. In 1865. he came to London with his uncle, and three or four months later the present partnership of McKinnon & Watts was formed. They are among the oldest merchants in the village, have met with very good success, and both members of the firm are highly esteemed. Mr. McKinnon is Republican in politics, and once served two years as a member of the County Central Committee.
ABRAM MILLER, of Lohr & Miller, undertakers, London. was born in Virginia January 24. 1817. He is a son of John Miller, a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio about 1822, locating near New Lancaster. He resided there a year or two, and then, becoming dissatisfied, went back to Virginia. where he died about 1831. He married Mary Groves, also a native of Virginia. and daughter of John Groves. They were blessed with eight children, three living. Mrs. Miller subsequently married Thomas Lang, but there were no children born to this union. She died about 1862. Our subject was the third child of the first union, and the only one residing in this county. He lived in Virginia until twenty-one years of age, and in April following came to Urbana, Champaign County. where he learned the wagon-maker's trade. He worked at it there for ten years, and in 1848 came to Madison County, locating at Midway, Range Township. He still worked at his trade. but about 1862, commenced keeping hotel, which latter business he followed for ten years. During a portion of this time, he worked at his trade. In 1869, he came to London, and was landlord of the old Miller House for nine years. In September, 1879, he became associated in business with George W. and James Lohr, in his present business. Mr. Miller is a good undertaker, and thoroughly understands the embalming process. The firm has met with good success in business. Mr. Miller is a Prohibition-Democrat in politics. He was married, in October, 1841, to Harriet Minshall, a native of Madison County. Of their three children, two are living-Ella, wife of Robert Morris, and Theodore W. Mrs. Miller departed this life in January, 1848. He was again married, November 2, 1848, to Sophronia Chappell, daughter of William P. Chappell, who was born in Virginia January 28, 1804. He accompanied his father, George Chappell, to this county, when quite a small boy. Five children were born to this second marriage, four living--Leora A., wife of Isaac N. Fisher, of Midway, Range Township; Fannie, wife of W. H. H. Williamson, of Danville, Madison County; Amanda B. and Vincent C. Cordelia J. is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES Q. MINSHALL (deceased) was born in Paint Township, this county, March 7, 1815, and died in London August 28, 1878. His parents. Jonathan and Eleanor Minshall, came from Virginia to Ross County, Ohio, in 1806, and moved from there to Paint Township, Madison County, one year later. James Quinn Minshall began life for himself at twenty-one years of age, by accepting a position with a Mr. Anderson, who kept a stage station near, and subsequently a hotel at La Fayette. in this county. After remaining three years with Mr. Anderson, during which time he accumulated about $300. he engaged in farming and stock-dealing, renting the John Creamer farm in Range Township, in connection with Jesse Watson. In this business he continued until his death, accumulating property which, clear of all indebtedness. was worth not less than $200,000. During his lifetime, he paid, interest included, not less than $70.0.10 as security for others. He was the owner of between thirty-four and thirty-five hundred acres of land in Range, Paint and Union Townships. and was a large stock owner in the
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Madison National Bank, of which he was President for a long time prior to and until his death. He was married to Hannah Watson, daughter of Samuel Watson. and by her had five children, viz.. Wyatt. Clarestine (deceased), Leon, Sarah and Ada. Mrs. Minshall died in June, 1866, after twenty-seven years of happily married life, and in April. 1867. Mr. Minshall married Lydia Powell. by whom he had no children. Mr. Minshall was one of the best known, most influential and wealthy citizens of Madison County. From a penniless boy, he gained his high position in the world by his own personal efforts, and though he lost a great deal of money, during his life. his business ability and untiring energy enabled him to overcome all reverses, and to reach a position of the highest honor in the community. Some time before the beginning of his residence in London. in 1865, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. and was ever afterward a steadfast, working Christian. Tireless in doing good, and unbounded in his charity. with a warm heart and sympathetic nature, he never turned a deaf ear to the cry of want, but always stood ready to help the deserving poor. In his death the community mourned the loss of one of its most noble members.
LEON MINSHALL. of Armstrong & Minshall, dealers in furniture and queensware. London. He was born near Midway, Range Township, April 7, 1847, and is a son of James Q. Minshall and Hannah Watson. Our subject was reared and educated in Madison County, and in 1866 located in London. He was first engaged in the grocery business with Watson, Cowling & Co.. and in 1870. went to Bloomington. Ill., where he was engaged in the transfer business with William Armstrong, the firm being known as Armstrong & Minshall. He continued there in business for two years, and then returned to Ohio. His next step was taking a course of study at Dickison College, Carlisle, Penn. In 1878, he engaged in the boot and shoe trade, and three years later. November 1, 1881, sold out to William Ronemus. In June. 1882. he formed a partnership with Edward Armstrong, in his present business, and the firm have so far secured a very substantial and encouraging trade. Mr. Minshall is Republican in politics. He was married March 15, 1877 to Mary Ganlin. a native of England. They have two children-Imo and Elsie. Mr. and Mrs. Minshall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHARLES MINSHALL, with W. S. Squires & Co.. grocers, was born in Range Township, Madison County. Ohio, July 30, 1859. His grandfather. Jonathan Minshall, was a native of Maryland, and came to Madison County about 1805 or 1806. He was an early and honored pioneer of this county. and a very successful man in business. He died at the age of eighty-eight years. One son, W. W. Minshall (deceased). the father of our subject. was born in Paint Township, on the farm now owned by David Watson. December 25, 1810. He was a stock-dealer through life, and late in life removed to London, where he died. October 18, 1873, aged sixty-three years. He was probably the first white child born in Madison County. He was twice married, his first wife bearing him six children, all of whom are living. His second wife was Mrs. Hannah (Littleton) Beers, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Littleton, natives of Virginia and Maryland. They had three children, our subject the oldest and only one living. Mrs. Minshall is still living, resides in London, at the age of sixty-two years, and in the enjoyment of splendid health. Charles Minshall lived in this county till fourteen years of age, and then spent three or four years in the States of Missouri, Texas and Iowa, being engaged during this period in the
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stock business. He then came back to Madison County, and since March 17, 1882, has been engaged in his present business. He was united in marriage, February 7, 1882, to Florence, daughter of Seth McCollum, grocer of South Charleston.
ELISHA MOORE (deceased) was a native of Virginia, born near Winchester in 1797. His father, John Moore. was also a native of the "Old Dominion," and came to Ohio about 1811. He located in Ross County, and a year later came to Madison County, settling on 300 acres of land belonging to the Littler family, in Union Township. He was a farmer by occupation, a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, and a great lover of fun He was a " Jackson Democrat " until 1840, then joined the Whig party and remained that way till his death. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Smith, who bore him two children. both now deceased. His second wife was Sarah Littler. They were the parents of nine children. probably two now living. Our subject was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county. He farmed two or three year in early life, in floss County, raising wheat and floating it down to New Orleans to market, on a flatboat. He then located on his father's land, in Union Township, and resided there till 1840. He then removed his family to Noble County, Indiana, and there departed this life in 1861. He was also twice married. His first wife was Annie Cooms. a native of Virginia or Maryland, and daughter of Jacob Cooms. They had four children, three living. Mrs. Moore died in the fall of 1836, and Mr. Moore married for his second wife Nancy Scott, a native of Madison or Clark County, and daughter of Robert Scott. No children were born to this union. Mrs. Moore is still living, and resides at Pearson. Kosciusko Co., Ind. Politically, Mr. Moore was a Whig, a "Know Nothing," and subsequently a Republican. Robert Moore, a carpenter of London. and the only member of the family now residing in this county. was born on the old home farm, in Union Township, April 17. 1828. When twelve years of age. he went to Noble County. Ind.. with his parents. and assisted in " clearing tip " a large "patch of timber" which then covered the farm. Wild beasts and Indians were very plentiful then, and Mr. Moore remembers a day when his father killed three deer and brought them home. Wolves and wild turkeys were numerous, and the former were so bold as to steal close to tie log cabin, attack and kill the dog which stood on guard. Mr. Moore', father was in rather poor health after going to Indiana. and his two sons were engaged in doing all the work of the farm. At twenty-two years of age. Robert Moore left the old fireside. and that summer assisted on another farm in the same county. The following winter he came to this county. and the next summer worked in a saw-mill. He was then employed to drive 100 head of cattle from London over the mountains to Philadelphia. He returned to London, and then to his father's. He rented the home farm, remained there two years. and then returned to London again. He was then engaged in different occupations, visiting both the East and the West, for some time. but was principally employed in working at his trade in London and Madison County. Failing health has caused a cessation of active labor for the past seven or eight years. Mr. Moore united with the Masonic fraternity in 1855 or 1856, and is a member or Chandler Lodge, No. 138, of London. He is a stanch Republican, bat has never been as once-holder. He was married in the last week of 1863 to Thoressa Lohr a native of London and daughter of John Lohr. Of their five children, three are living-Annie, Mary and
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Clara. Mrs. Moore is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of London, and Mr. Moore is a regular attendant on its services.
MAJ. WILLIAM ALLEN NEIL, stock-dealer and farmer, residence London, was born at Columbus, Ohio, January 23, 1838. His father, Robert Neil, is a native of Clark County, Ky., and in early life was proprietor and manager of a line of stage running between Washington, D. C., and Lexington, Ky. In 1811, he removed to Ohio, locating at Urbana, Champaign County, and there resided during the war of 1812. He subsequently went back to his native State, and afterward came to Ohio again, this time locating at Franklinton, now Columbus, the capital of the Buckeye State. He now resides there, and is probably the oldest living pioneer resident. He was one of the early Presidents of the Little Miami Railroad, and its principal executive officer for many years. He married Mary M. Hoge, daughter of Rev. James Hone, one of the first settlers in Franklinton. Ohio, and by profession a minister of the Presbyterian denomination. He preached one of the first sermons of that body in the new village. and was pastor of the Presbyterian Church there for over fifty years. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neil. seven of whom yet survive. and two are residents of Madison County. William A. Neil was reared on the old homestead farm (now within the limits of the city of Columbus, and cut in parts by three railroads), and educated in the high school of the town. In early life, he was employed as clerk in a dry goods house. and also learned the jewelry trade. Indoor life proving disastrous to his health. he resolved to try farming. and to further that purpose. on April 14, 1856. he came to Madison County. locating a farm of 1,030 acres on the Midway pike in Union Township. At this time, there were but two pikes in Madison County. and the Major. seeing the necessity for good roads for travel hiring the rainy seams, was largely instrumental in bettering the condition of the roads and in building the "Midway pike," considered one of the best in the county. He greatly improved his farm by drainage. etc.. and subsequently sold 230 acres, until at present it embraces 800 aces of the best farming land in the county. Maj. Neil also took an active interest in the breeding, rearing and handling of fine stock, and deserves great credit for his efforts in behalf of the farmers and stockmen in the county. In 1870 he removed to the city of London taking up his residence in the fine mansion on South Main street erected by Jesse Watson, late President of the Madison National Bank. Maj. Neil is a member of the Lodge. Chapter and Council (Masonic ) of London, and of Mount Vernon Commandery No. 1. Knights Templar. of Columbus, Ohio. He is also a member of Lyons Post, G. A. R.. of London. He is Republican in politics. a Councilman and Chairman of the Committee on Streets. On May 4, 1864. Mr. Neil enlisted in Company B. One Hundred Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. and accompanied there to Camp Dennison. and was mustered into duty on the 9th of the month as First Lieutenant.* Through the kindness of the Governor. he obtained a furlough, came home, and on the 12th was married to Sarah E. Chrisman. daughter of Jacob Chrisman. a native of Virginia. and a large land-owner in Madison County. Leaving his bride at home, he rejoined his company in West Virginia. While here. he was brevetted a Lieutenant Colonel, and soon after returned to his home, having served about four months. Maj. Neil and wife have three children--Louise. Robert Allan and Grace His wife is a member of the M E. Church.
* He was subsequently elected Captain and Major while at Camp Dennison.
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S. B. NORRIS. Principal of the Colored Schools of London. was bo at Elizabeth. Allegheny County, Penn.. November 17, 1838. His father was Zaccheus Norris, a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He resided in his native State till his death, in 1838. He married Nancy Batch, also a native of the Keystone State. Our subject was the only child of their union Mrs. Norris subsequently married George Myles, a widower, with two children. There were three children born to this latter union, all living, but none residents of Madison County. Mrs. Myles departed this life in Pennsylvania. in 1879. S. B. Norris grew to manhood in the old "Keystone State." obtaining a good common school education. At twenty-two years of age. he came to Ohio. and entered Iberia College, located at Morrow, then under the management of the Free Presbyterian Church (now Jefferson College, of the United Presbyterian faith). Mr. Norris remained there the greater part of three years. taking a scientific course, and graduating in 1867. In September, 1864. he enlisted in Com pang A, One hundred and Twenty-seventh United States Colored Troops, of Ohio. at Pittsburgh, Penn.. and was re-organized at Camp William near Philadelphia. It became a part of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment went out late in the war participating in the bat ties of Big Bottoms, on the James River. Fort Harrison. Hatcher's Run, witnessed the evacuation of Petersburg, and the pursuit and surrender of Gen. Lee and the Confederate forces at Appomattox Court House. The regiment was then transferred to Brazos Santiago. Texas. arriving there June 1. and being mustered out of service September 12, 1865. Mr. Norris was Quartermaster Sergeant of regiment. and was subsequently detained there as Forage Master under the Post Quartermaster Sergeant. He remained in that position until January 28. 1866. when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Ohio, and was placed in charge of the colored schools of Delaware for two, years. He came to London in the fall of 1871 and in September of that year accepted his present position. The fact of his having been kept in this position ever since shows the high esteem in which his professional services are held by both races of people. Mr. Norris has been an indefatigable worker in the cause of education. and to him is due the praise for the high standing of the London colored schools, and the fine school building in which they are located. Mr. Norris is a member of the Colored M. E. Church of London. and Trustee in that body. He is connected with the Widows' Sons Lodge, No. 4 (colored Masons), of Philadelphia, and a thorough Republican. He was married, March 21,1866, to Elmora Osborn, a native of Delaware. Ohio. Of their five children, the following are living: Mary E.. Jesse and William H. Birny O. and James B. are deceased.
HENRY ORCUTT, farmer, P. O. London, son of B. and Mary A. (Miller) Orcutt, who came to Ohio in 1820, was born in Greene County, Ohio. February 9, 1821. He was reared on the farm, and in 1852 came to this county, where he engaged with his brothers in operating a saw mill; he was married, in 1848, to Maria F. Little, a native of Virginia, of German descent, and a daughter of John Little. of Greene County. They have had three children--Rufinia Almira. Victoria P., wife of William Evans, and Mary Elizabeth. wife of James W. B. Evans; Mrs. Orcutt died March 21, 1882. Mr. Orcutt has retired from active life and only works when he thinks it would be beneficial to his health. He started in life as a poor man. but now has a comfortable home and a nice farm; he is a moral.
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PAGE 916 - JAS. M. WILLARD
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conscientious man, who carries his principles into politics, voting for the man and not for the party.
DANIEL ORCUTT, farmer and stock-raiser. P. O. London. was born in Greene County. Ohio, January 2, 1831. He is the son of B. and Mary Ann (Miller) Orcutt, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject received a common school education in Greene County, and remained on the farm until twenty-two years of age. when he engaged in milling. He operated a saw mill in this township in connection with his brother, for twenty years. He was married, in 1859, to Mary E. Cryder, a native of this county, and a daughter of William Cryder, whose biography appears in this work. By his marriage, Mr. Orcutt has had two children-Louella F. and J. H. Mr. Orcutt is a Republican in politics; he owns 120 acres' of land, having turned his attention entirely to farming.
JACKSON ORCUTT. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Ross Township, Greene Co., Ohio. He is a son of B. and Mary A. (Miller) Orcutt who came to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Greene County, where they remained until their death, he May 27, 1871, in his seventy-fourth year, and she January 2, 1846, in her forty-eighth year. The father was a very religious man, and took great delight in his Bible, which was his constant companion, and a source of much pleasure and comfort to him. His opinions were always founded on the truth as found in the Gospel, and they were so sound in theory as to be seldom questioned. His walk through his long and eventful life may well serve as an example to his posterity, and the true Christian spirit manifested by him will ever shine as a beacon light to guide them in the path of rectitude and morality. He died in the full hope of a complete salvation, without aught to regret in his well-spent life. Our subject received an ordinary education in Greene County, and has missed one-third of his life in a saw mill with his brother, the rest of his Me having been devoted to farming. He was married to Ruth Watson, a daughter of Samuel Watson, by whom he has had a family of live children-Leroy, Clinton. Olive, Edgar and Viola. Mr. Orcutt started in life with $1 in money he now owns 100 acres of good land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SAMUEL PAINE. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 20, 1820, and is the sun of Jesse and Ann (Griffith) Paine. Natives of Maryland. the former of English and the latter of German decent, who came to this county in the latter part of 1820, and settled seven miles southeast of London. Our subject was married, in 1858, to Sarah Black, by whom he hits one child-William, born in 1859. Mrs. Paine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Paine is a life long farmer. He began life as a poor boy. working by the month for three years and has given his attention to anything by which he could turn an honest penny; he has driven cattle from here to the Eastern market at Philadelphia, and now, though over threescore years of age, he is full of vigor and is capable of doing a hard day's work at anything.
SAMUEL T. PEARCE. London. is one of the oldest residents of London and vicinity. He was born in Fleming County, Ky., June 24, 1798, and is therefore in his eighty-fifth year., His grandfather was a native of Virginia, and located in Tennessee at an early day. He subsequently settled in Kentucky. and afterward removed to Clark and Champaign Counties, Ohio. passing away from earth in the latter county. His son. Joseph Pearce. father of Samuel T.. was also born in Virginia. and
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worked at the carpenter's trade at Harper's Ferry. He was there married to Martha Taylor. who sacrificed her life in giving birth to our subject. In 1801. Mr. Pearce married Elizabeth. daughter of the Rev. John Hubbard. of Virginia. The same year he visited Ohio with his wife and son (our subject), going to see his father, in either Clark or Champaign County. On this journey, they camped one evening about the present site of Somerford. in this county. Samuel T. Pearce, although but then three years of age. told the writer he distinctly remembered this camping-out episode. Our subject was subsequently put in charge of his mother's brother, Judge Samuel Reed. near Portsmouth. Ohio. and four years later his father took him to his home in Ross County. The latter died at Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. in 1836, and his wife about 1566. In 1812, Mr. Pearce went to Chillicothe. Ohio, and served an apprenticeship at the saddler's trade. He then returned to Chillicothe. commenced business for himself. but in 1831 came to London and opened a shop. Three or four years later, he purchased 385 acres of land in Jefferson Township. and there resided. with the exception of two years in business at Jefferson, until March, 1880, when he retired from active labor. and purchased a residence property in London. Mr. Pearce owns 335 acres of his first purchase. and in connection with a son has another farm of 258 acres, lying in Jefferson and Deer Creek Townships. Mr. Pearce was married, in June. 1825. to Elizabeth. daughter of -John McDonald. who planted his first crop in Madison County in 1808. They had ten children. five living--Mary. wife of A. A. Gregg. of Jefferson Township; Sarah Jane. wife of E. B. Haynes, a farmer Jefferson Township: Thomas, who married Sarah -McCollum, and resides on George G. McDonald's farm in Union Township: Harriet, first married Vesuvius McCollum. and now the wife of John Gilbert, and Lemuel. probably a resident of Texas. Mrs. Pearce departed this life. December 1, 1848. and Mr. Pearce was again married April 23, 1850, to Mrs. Mary (Lilly) Durflinger, widow of Philip Durflinger, by whom she had two sons-Philip S.. residing on the home farm in Jefferson Township. and S. W., attorney at law, of London. They have one child--Theodosia, wife of John Silvers. Mr. Pearce has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church sixty-seven years. and is probably the oldest church member of that denomination in Madison County. Mrs. Pearce is seventy-two years of age. and has been connected with the church for half a century. Mr. Pearce became a Whiz it! 1824: since 1854, he has been a member of the Republican party. untii recently. when he joined the ranks of the Prohibition party.
L. C. PECK. farmer. P. O. London, was born in the Buckeye State August 12, 1804. and came to this county in 1828. He is the son of George and Mary (Lancisco) Peck, natives of Germany. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a district school education. He has made farming the occupation of his life. and has passed through the routine of a poor boy. who by industry and perseverance became a well-to-do farmer. He owns a good farm of 213 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation. On December 28, 1829) he married Mary Melvin a daughter of Benjamin and Ruhamia (Crabtree, Melvin. who came to this county in 1.800. By this union, six children" were born, viz.: Amanda, Henry, John. Jane. Francis and Ann. These children are all married and doing well.
PETER PEETREY, an old and respected pioneer of London. was born near Boonesboro. Washington Co., Md., February 6, 1810. His father was Ludwick Peetrey. a native of Maryland and of German ancestry. He was a pattern-maker by trade and worked at that through life. He
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owned a mill in Maryland, run by water-power. In the winter of 1810-11, he was cutting away the ice from the over-shot wheel, and caught cold. This proved a fatal ending, and he passed away from earth at the age of fortytwo. He married Elizabeth Summers, a native of Maryland, who was the mother of six children, three daughters; and a like number of sons. Mrs. Peetrey died in 1812, seven months after the death of her husband, leaving our subject an infant of eighteen months' age. He was reared by an uncle. Jacob Summers, and resided with him until fourteen years of age He then learned double coverlet and figured weaving and dyeing. remaining at that occupation till obtaining his majority, a period of seven years. He then went to Lexington. Ky., and learned jeans weaving. Returning home, he remained but a short time, and in the summer of 1831 went to Dayton. Montgomery Co.. Ohio. In December of the same year, he came to LOudon, and after a short time engaged in weaving, purchased 115 acre, of land, where he resided five years. At the expiration of this time he removed to his present residence on East High street, where he has since resided. Mr. Peetrev cast his first vote for a Democrat: was subsequently a Whig, and lately a Republican. He was Treasurer of London Village for two year,. during this time. handling large sums of money with no loss either to the town or himself. Mr. Peetrey was formerly a member of the Good Templars and Odd-Fellow fraternities, but at present is not connected with any secret organization. He was married. June 13, 1833, to Jane, daughter of William and Jane (Burris) Patterson, and a native of Pittsburgh. Penn. Of the eight children born to this union, only two are living-Jacob, a general insurance agent, and Isaac G., just retired from a sixteen years' mercantile trade. The latter enlisted as a Sergeant in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was a prisoner nine mouths, and mustered out as First Lieutenant. The former, on account of ill health was refused admission to the service.
JACOB PEETREY, prominently identified with the insurance business of Ohio and Madison County residence London, was born in London February 14, 1837. He is a son of Peter Peetrey. an old and honored citizen of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Peetrey received a fair common school education, and from 1853 to 1856, was engaged as a clerk in a dry goods house of London. He was a year in the "Great West," and was employed a like time in the Franklin Branch of the State Bank of Ohio at Columbus. In 1840. he was appointed Postmaster of London by President Buchanan. serving about one year. The same year he was made local agent of the Phoenix Insurance Company of Brooklyn. N. Y. He was elected Auditor of Madison County in the fall of 1862, on the Democratic ticket. and served from March, 1863 to March 1865 He then engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1868. he was made a special agent of the Home Insurance Company of Columbus, and a year later. was made general agent. In 1872 he was elected Secretary of the company. holding that position one and a half years. He was then appointed supervising agent of the -National Board of Fire Underwriters. A year and a half later, he was appointed manager of the Southern Department of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia, Penn. He resided at Philadelphia during the time he held the two latter positions. In February 1879, Mr. Peetrey returned to London, and since that period has been special agent of the following Insurance Companies: Shawmut of Boston Mass.: New York Alliance of New York. and is now State agent for Ohio and West Virginia of the Queen Insurance Company of Liverpool. England. with headquar-
920 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ters at London. Ohio. Mr. Peetrev was married September 11, 1861, to Fannie Vethake, a native of New York City, and a niece of Col. Henry Brush, a prominent Mason and politician of the Empire State. They have one child Henrietta. 'Mrs. Peetrey and daughter are members of Trinity Episcopal Church of London.
ISAAC G. PEETREY, retired grocer. London. born in London January 27, 1839. A sketch of his parents will be found in this work. Our subject was reared and educated in London. and in early life assisted his father on the farm. When sixteen years of age. he commenced active business as a clerk for John M. Smith. a pioneer merchant of London. in the dry goods line. He remained with him till his death in the spring of 1858. Mr. Peetrev continued as a clerk until the war broke out. Then, with three others, including Charles L. Cover, of London. he went to Springfield. Ohio, and enlisted in Company F., Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, " ninety-days men." He accompanied the regiment to Washington. and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of the ninety days. he was mastered out. but immediately re-enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Regiment. but six weeks later. came home. In August, 1862, he again re-enlisted, this time in Company B. Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in 1863 was made Second Lieutenant of the company. The following year (1864) he was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He accompanied Sherman. when the latter marched down to the sea." but was captured in June, 1864, at Guntown, Miss., and was in the rebel prisons at Macon and Savannah, Ga.: was thence transported to those at Charleston and Columbia. S. C.. and exchanged at Wilmington, N. C.. March 5. 1865. after nine months' imprisonment. He then returned home on a short furlough. hat was soon ordered to report for duty at Mobile, Ala. He was finally mustered out in August, 1865. For two months. he was Provost 'Marshal of a war district in Mississippi. with headquarters at Enterprise, in that State. After his return to London. he purchased the interest owned by James M. Warner, of Wildman & Warner, grocers. and was in that business till May. 1882, a period of seventeen years. He then disposed of his stock to W. S. Squires and L. G. McCollum. Mr. Peetrey is a member of the Masonic Lodge. Chapter and Council. of London, Palestine Commnandery. Knights Templar, of Springfield, and Lyons Post. G. A. R.. and American Legion of Honor, also of London. Politically, Mr. Peetrey is a strong Democrat. Gov. Bishop appointed him one of the Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, which position he held two years. He has been Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee for a number of years. He was married, in August, 1863, to Delia Willis, a native of Pleasant Township. this county. They have two children-Willis G. and Donna P. Mrs. Peetrey is a member of the Universalist Church.
ELIJAH PETERSON, retired farmer. P. O. London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 30. 1825. He is the son of Michael and Susan Peterson, natives of Hardy County, Va., of German descent. He received his education in Clark and -Madison Counties, and adopted the occupation of a farmer. which he has since followed. He was married, in 1848. to Mary Wilbur, by whom he had three children, viz.: Barger, married and living on the home farm; Clinton, a teacher, also married; and Cadmus, a farmer, married and at present living in London. Mrs. Peterson died in 1881. Mr. Peterson is a Republican in politics, and for eighteen years served as an officer of Paint Township. He owns a farm of 240 acres, well improved
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and most of it highly cultivated. Mr. Peterson has retired from the active duties of life, and is now taking the rest that his years merit, while the work of his farm is being performed by younger and stronger hands.
JAMES PHIFER, retired farmer and stock-raiser, London, was born in Stokes (now Paint) Township July 12,1815. His paternal grandparents were John and Catherine (Rader) Phifer. natives of Virginia One son. Abraham Phifer, the father of James, came to this county in 1809 or 1810, locating 270 acres of land in what. was then Stokes Township (now Paint), where he resided till his death, April, 1875. He married Ann Withrow, probably a native of Pennsylvania, who departed this life in July, 1860. Our subject is the oldest of four children, one daughter and three sons, all yet living. In early life, he assisted his father with the farm duties, obtaining only an ordinary education. He married Phebe Harpole, a native of Greene County. Ohio. Soon after marriage, he rented a piece of land for farming purposes, and three years later bought 310 acres. During the intervening years, by perseverance, energy and strict economy, he has added to his first purchase until he now owns over 1,700 acres. and he is considered one of the wealthy citizens of London and the county. About 1872, Mr. Phifer removed to London, where he has since resided. He is Republican in politics. Mr. Phifer and wife have four children-Albert, who married Vinnie Neiberger and resides on the home farm; Vandalia, wife of H. D. Strowbridge, of Washington, D. C.: Melissa, wife of Thomas Duncan, of Columbus. Ohio, and Mary. Mr. Phifer, wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
STEPHEN PHIFER. farmer, stock-raiser and horticulturist, P. O. London, was born in Madison County in 1833, and is a son of Abraham and Ann (Withrow) Phifer, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent. and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained at home until 1852, when he went to California via Panama. In the next year, he went to Australia via the Sandwich Islands, landing at Sidney, New South Wales. From there he went to Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, where he engaged in mining and hotel-keeping for several years. He subsequently returned to America, and bought 215 acres of land in Paint Township. In 1875, he came to Union County, where he is engaged as above mentioned. He was married in Australia, in 1859, to Alice Haub, a native of Germany, by whom he has one child, Anna. Mrs. Phifer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Phifer is comfortably situated in life, and enjoys the respect of the whole community.
FREDERICK PLACIER, London, proprietor London Mills, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. October 2, 1834. His father was George Placier. who married Katrina Boisal, also a native of Germany. They resided in their native country till their death, the former dying in 1861, and the latter in 1863. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven daughters and seven sons, thirteen now living, seven residents of America. but our subject the only one in this county. He was reared in Germany. and obtained a fair education. He learned the miller's trade, and when nineteen years of age came to America. He remained in New York State six months, and thence went to Lehigh County, Penn., where he worked on a farm for six years. In 1860, he located in Pickaway County, Ohio. engaged in farming a few years. married and then bought a flouring mill in Walnut Township. He operated this mill from 1865 to 1874, and then came to London. At this time, there was no grist mill in the village, all
922 -BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
flour being shipped in from neighboring cities and villages. Mr. Placier erected the present London Mills at a cost of $12,000, and has been very successful in his milling operations. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of London, and at present is a Trustee and Treasurer of the official board. He is Democratic in politics, but has never been an ardent politician. Mr. Placier was married April 17, 1854, to Sophronia Scothorn. a native of Hancock County. Ohio, and daughter of Louis and Susannah Scothorn, natives of Ohio. Five children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Placier, four living--Charles R., William A., Henry W. and Harry W. (twins). Lizietta is deceased. Mrs. Placier and sons are also members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Placier is a prominent German citizen of Madison County, an enterprising manufacturer, and a man highly esteemed by all of his acquaintances.
JOSEPH PLOWMAN, London, a prominent farmer of Paint Township, residence, London. was born near London, England. September 25, 1827. He is a son of Joseph Plowman, who came to America in 1828. He was a silversmith by trade, and first worked at his trade in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He subsequently located at Springfield. Ohio, Pennsylvania in 1833 came to Madison County. He married Phebe Tankard, also a native of England. They were the parents of six children, three living, and our subject the only one in this county. Mr. Plowman died in September, 1849. The subject of this notice received but a limited education. He early worked on a farm (his mother having died in 1836, when he was but nine years of age), near South Solon, this county, for Joel Irvin, at $3.75 per month. He remained with him three years. and was then employed in a like capacity for Abraham Phifer, remaining with him for four years, wages averaging $10 per month. He then secured employment with Jacob Pearce, in Clark County (adjoining Stokes Township. this county). for four ears at $200 per year. On December 24, 1851, he married Miss M. S. Phifer, sister of James Phifer, now of London. After marriage, he remained with his father-in-law. Abraham Phifer, for two years, and has since been engaged in farming for himself. While in the employ of Jacob Pearce. he was engaged in attending to thoroughbred cattle, and since that time. has always taken an interest in pure blooded stock. Mr. Plowman has been very successful in his farming operations, and now owns a good farm of 330 acres in Paint Township. Mr. Plowman and family reside on the farm during the summer months, and in London during the winter. Mr. Plowman has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-four years. He is Republican in politics, and has served as Trustee of Paint Township. One child has been born to him, George. who married Lizzie Cooper, of this county. He is engaged in farming with his father. He has one child, Gertie. who resides with her grandparents. Mrs. Plowman is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Miss Gertie of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School.
JAMES G. PORTER, farmer and stockman, P. O. London, was born in Ross County. Ohio, February 2,1825, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter. The former, a native of Maryland and a soldier of the war of 1812. came to this county soon after that war, and located where our subject now lives. He owned 1,000 acres of land, on which he, in 1813, planted an orchard which is still standing. He died in 1856. Our subject remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he rented his father's place and farmed for himself. In 1847, he married Mahala Girard, by whom he had two children-Frances, wife of W. Wilson; Napoleon. a
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student of Dartmouth (N. H.) College, from which he graduated in 1881. and now studying law. Mrs. Porter died in 1872, and in 1879 Mr. Porter married Rachel G. Judy, of Clark County, by whom he has one child, Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and an enthusiastic stockman. his farm of 142 1/2 acres being well stocked with the finest and best cattle and horses obtainable. He spares no expense in getting the best breeds.
ISAAC POTEE. London, retired farmer, was born near the National pike in Somerford Township, September 16, 1823. He is a son of Sutton Potee, a native of Maryland, who came from Baltimore to Somerford Township, this county, in 1816. He purchased 270 acres of land, paying for a portion of it the sum of $16 per acre. He was a butcher by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He resided on his farm in Somerford Township till death ended his earthly labors, in March, 1803. He is buried in the "Old Wilson" or "Mill Graveyard." He married Hannah Makley, also a native of Maryland. Six children were the fruits of this union, four now living-one sister and three brothers. Mrs. Potee died in February, 1868. and is buried near her husband. The subject of this notice was the youngest child, and consequently his education was somewhat limited. He grew up amid pioneer surroundings, often seeing a drove of twenty deer pass his father's door. He resided on the old homestead until twenty-four or twentyfive years of age, and in 1850 married Rachel Marsh, a native of Madison County, and daughter of Josiah L. Marsh. He remained with his fatherin-law one year and until his wife's death, which occurred the same year (1852). His second marriage occurred March 25, 1853. when he was united to Elmira. daughter of Claudius Mitchell. and a native of Champaign County, Ohio, near Mechanicsburg. A year after this second marriage. Mr. Potee removed onto a farm of fifty acres in Somerford Township. and the following fall to Mr. Mitchell's farm in Champaign County. On March 10, 1857, he returned to Somerford Township. and bought a farm of 158 acres from Thomas Taylor. and located one mile northeast of Somerford Village, on the old Columbus road. He there resided, and was engaged in farming until January, 1880, when he removed to his present residence in London. Mr. Potee is connected with no organization whatever. except the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which be has been an able member for over forty years. In 1873, while a resident of Somerford Township he erected at a cost to himself of over 2,500, what is known as the Somerford Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was dedicated in fall of 1874 by the Rev. Granville Moody. Mr. Potee was a Trustee of the congregation at that time. and also served as a member of the school board, being Republican politically. Ten children have been given Mr. and Mrs. Potee, seven living. They are as follows: Claudius D., who married Emma Brown. of Logan County, Ohio-he owns a farm of 105 acres, in Somerford Township, but is now in the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company. Amelia. wife of Frank J. Kiefer, a farmer. residing two miles west of Somerford: Idelia, Della, Gabriel. Isaac Milton and Cordelia. Both wives have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
PATRICK POWERS, grocer, London, was born in Ireland March 12, 1816. His father, Martin Powers, came to America about 1825, locating in Baltimore., Md. Two or three years later, he came to Zanesville. Ohio, and there resided four or five years. He subsequently resided at Columbus and Springfield being naturalized in the latter place. He was a teacher by profession and went to Hocking County in 1838. where he died
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in 1840. He married Nancy Blanshaw. also a native of Ireland. They had six children born to them, two now living, and Patrick the only one in this county. Mrs. Powers departed this life in Clark County in 1838. Our subject came to Madison County in 1843, locating on the "Sawer place," near Somerford, and was engaged in farming for some time. He the: removed to Somerford Village, and there resided twenty-five years. the greater part of this time being spent in "keeping tavern," etc. He removed to London in the spring of 1872, purchasing his present property. He opened a grocery, and has since been engaged in that business. He has met with fair success in business life. Mr. Powers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Democratic party. He was married, in the fall of 1868, to Mrs. Catherine (Hayes) Rohan. widow of John Rohan. They have two children-Nannie and Margaret. Mrs. Powers is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
THOMAS W. PRESTON, a prominent blacksmith, London, was born in Lancaster County, Ky., January 25, 1841. His father. Thomas Preston, was also a native of Kentucky, and a carpenter by trade. He resided in his native State until his death, in 1851. He married Mary Owens, of Kentucky, and our subject was the only child born to this union. Mrs. Preston died in 1841. Our subject was reared by Mrs. Polly Baker, of Lancaster County, Ky., till sixteen or eighteen years f age, obtaining a very fair education. He then went to Flat Rock, in his native State, and learned general blacksmithing, remaining there three and a half years. He then removed to Cincinnati, and two years later (in fall of 1860) located at Pittsburgh, Penn. He subsequently went to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1801 to Jefferson, in this county. Soon after, he came to London, and thence to Newport. He was there married, August 7, 1862, to Almira, daughter of Laban Willoughby, of Range Township. On May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. David Watson, and served one hundred days. He then re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, March 1, 1865, and received an honorable discharge at Baltimore, Md., in September, 1865. He then returned to Newport, and in 1870 removed to London. Mr. Preston has met with fair success in his trade. His shop is located on the south side Fourth, between North Main and North Oak streets, where he does blacksmithing and general repairing. Mr. Preston is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), of London, Gilroy Lodge, No. 695, of Lilly Chapel, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I. O. O. F.). He is Republican in politics. Mr. Preston has been thrice married. His first wife died February 22, 18 7 5. His second marriage, November 14, 1878, was to Lizzie Wilson, a native of Madison County, who died June 10, 187H. His third marriage occurred February 21, 1882, to Angie M. Fuller, a native of New York. The first and second wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church: the present one, of Trinity Episcopal Church, of London. Seven children have been born to Mr. Preston-Viola, May, Katy (wife of John W. Maddux, of Lilly Chapel), Ada M., James E., Maud M., B. Frankie and Jessie M.
SAMUEL M. PRUGH. London. Auditor of Madison County, was born in Union Township, January 15, 1854. His grandparents. George and Margaret Prugh, were natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio when their son, Samuel Prugh. the father of our subject, was but a year old. They located in Somerford Township, where Samuel was reared and educated. He has been a farmer all through life, and moderately successful. He married
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PAGE 926 - BLANK
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Nancy Bradley, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Of the thirteen children given them eleven are living, all being of age, and nearly all married. Our subject was the eleventh child and fifth son of this large family, grew up on the farm, and received a fair education. When eighteen years of age, he commenced teaching school, following this profession at intervals for a period of eight years. During this time he also engaged in the book and music trade, with a brother, at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, and subsequently attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1875, he again engaged in business at Springfield, where he remained two years. On August 4, 1877, he married Mary F. Yeazell, a native of Clark County, Ohio. After marriage, he once more engaged in teaching, and continued the same until the summer of 1880, when he accepted a position on the editorial staff of the London Enterprise. On October 12, of the same year, he was elected to his present position, for a term of three years. Mr. Prugh is a stanch Republican. Himself and wife have one child, Earl E., a bright little son of three years of age.
ALBERT G. RANKIN (deceased) was born in Worcester County, Md.. March 7, 1814. We will here endeavor to trace his ancestry back to about the middle of the eighteenth century. Rev. John Rankin was probably a native of the North of Ireland, born in 1750. He located in Lancaster County, Penn.. thence went to Berlin, Md., and was the first pastor of Buckingham Church, of the Presbyterian denomination. He there died in 1798. he married Mary Atkinson. a resident of Berlin, Md., who bore him five children-John. James, George, Diary Priscilla and Sally Atkinson. The second son, James, married Margaret Truitt, of Worcester County, Md., and they started for Ohio in the spring of 1817. They were all summer on the road, and arrived in Madison County in the fall. The first winter, they staved at the sugar camp of Mary Truitt, the entire party, consisting of fourteen persons. sleeping in a log cabin of one room during the winter. The next spring. Mr. Rankin located on the land now known as the County Infirmary farm. He was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian denomination, and one of the original members of what is now the First Presbyterian Church of London. when it was re-organized in 1829. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was born May 20, 1786, and died August 21, 1857, at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Rankin was born January 1, 1788, and died December 12. 1871, aged eighty-three years. She was a daughter of George and Martha Truitt. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, near London. They were married February 10. 1808, and were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah Maria Purnell. born April 2, 1809; John T. N. December 16, bill: Albert G., March 7, 1814; Charlotte Ann Selby, January 23. 1817: Eliza White, September 4, 1819: Caroline Matilda. October 25. 1821; Joshua Truitt. April 29. 1824: Mary Atkinson, May 3, 1826: James, May 11. 1829; and Washington Purnell, July 6, 1831. Five of these children are now living, and three residents of this county. Albert G. Rankin removed to this county with his parents, and grew to maturity here. About 1842. he commenced dealing in cattle, and about 1845 or 1846 engaged in the dry goods business at South Charleston. Clark County, Ohio, in company with his brother. John T. N. A short time after. he went to Midway, this county, and there engaged in the same business. He remained there for some years. and then bought a farm in Paint Township. He subsequently sold this land, and purchased the "Gossard farm." in the
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same township. He afterward purchased the old "Rayburn farm" of 400 acres, in Union Township, close to London, where he resided till his death. He was largely engaged in handling stock during his lifetime, and was very prosperous in whatever occupation he engaged. At the time of his death, he owned over 1,000 acres of land in this county, and about a section in Illinois. He was reared a Presbyterian, but subsequently united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin lived a truly Christian life, enjoying the full confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was Republican in politics. He was married February 15, 1848. to Abigail Cooper. They had one child--George W., born November 3, 1848. and died December 6, 1878. She died November 29, 1848. On the ''4th of September, 1850, Mr. Rankin married for his second wife Margaret A.. daughter of Washington and Catherine (Truman) Withrow. honored pioneers of Paint Township. They were the parents of six children--Harford Toland, an infant daughter, Fulton A., Carrie M. (now wife of A. J. Blue, of Union Township), Fannie (now wife f James Winans, of Xenia, Ohio), and William Moody. Mrs. Rankin married Isaac C. Kemp, December 21, 1865 and still resides on the old homestead.
J. T. RANKIN, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this county April 29, 1824. He is a son f James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, who were among the early settlers of the county. Our subject has been a farmer during the whole of his life. When twenty-two years of age. he worked by the month, after which he rented land until able to buy. He finally purchased a small tract, to which he added from time to time until he owned 200 acres, on which he lived until he concluded to retire from active life, when he sold it. He is now living on a small farm of thirty-two acres, on which he has erected a neat and comfortable home. He was married, in 1850. to Sarah E. Evans. a native of this State. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rankin is a live and enthusiastic Republican in politics.
JAMES RANKIN. farmer, P. O. London. was born three miles west of London May 11, 1829; he is the son of James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, natives of Maryland, the former of English and Irish. and the latter of Dutch descent; his father was one of the early settlers of this county; he became a prominent farmer, and was ever characterized by his honesty and fair dealing. Our subject attended the common schools in his younger days, and early adopted the occupation of a farmer, in which he still continues. He owns a farm of 136 acres, part of which lies within the corporation limits of London: he was married in 1852, to Ann Eliza Warner, a daughter of William Warner; they have three children-Flora L., Willie Me. and James D. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin is a prominent farmer and stock dealer of the county, and occupies a handsome residence adjoining the corporation.
CLINTON D. RAYBURN. London, an old citizen of Madison County, and a well-known grocer of London, was born in Range Township July 22, 1833. His father, John Rayburn, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and a farmer by occupation; he died in 1838. He married Rebecca Dungan, a sister of John and Wilson Dungan, they were the parents of five children, four living-subject, and sister, Mrs. F. M. Chapman, being the only ones now residing in the county. Mrs. Rayburn is still living, and resides with her son James at Jamestown, Greene Co., Ohio. Our subject was the third child, and accompanied his parents to London when quite a child. They lived on a farm near the village, but, "Clint" was mostly reared in Lon-
UNION TOWNSHIP. - 929
don, learning the tanner's trade with John Dungan, and remaining with him several years. He was a resident of Finley, Hancock County, two years, and Superintendent of the Gwynne farm in Deer Creek Township for five years. He then removed onto the farm of Gideon Peck (now owned by James Phifer), in Paint Township, where he resided seven years. Mr. Rayburn then came to London, and for two years was associated with James Hamilton in the grain trade. On December 16, 1880. he purchased the grocery stock and trade of William Ronemus, and his success in this line of trade has been very good. Mr. Rayburn is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, is Republican ?n politics, and has served as a member (if the City Council. He was united in marriage, September 22, 1853, to Sarah J., daughter of Gideon Peck, of Paint Township. Of their two children, one survives-Frank G., with his father in the store; Emma B., is deceased; Mrs. Rayburn is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
ROBERT REA, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born on a farm in Union Township, this county (now in the corporate limits of London), September 6, 1831. His father. Matthew Rea, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 22, 1793, and died at the house of his son-in-law, Marion Chenoweth, in Fairfield Township, September 23, 1873, aged eighty years. He removed with his father, Joseph. to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and was subsequently in the American Army. when Gen. Hull surrendered his forces to the British at Detroit, Mich. He first visited Madison County in 1812, and purchased a large tract of land in Oak Run Township. In 1818, he removed to Madison County, and up to within a few years of his death was one of the largest live-stock dealers in the county. Mr. Rea was as largely identified with the growth and prosperity of Madison County as any within its borders; he was a man of rare good judgment, fine business qualifications, renowned for his probity - a man whose word was as good as his bond. He married Ann Amos, a native of Maryland; they were the parents of seven children. only three living, and those residents of this county. Mrs. Rea departed this life in 1857. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on the old homestead, and when young assisted his father in his stock operations, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He has been engaged in farming, and the raising, ;razing and feeding of stock all through life. He resided in Oak Run 'Township till 1870, when he removed to his present residence on South Main street, London. Mr. Rea is the owner of 1,250 acres of land in Oak Run Township, and is still engaged in handling stock. He is Democratic in politics, and since his residence in London has served one term as member of the Village Council. He was united in marriage. September, 1856, to Ann Thomas, sister of M. M. and Owen Thomas, of London. One daughter was born to them-Anna Laura (wife of John Pancake. who resides on the home farm in Oak Run Township). Mrs. Rea departed this life in September, 1858, and Mr. Rea was again married, March 13, 1862, to Louisa G. Bales, a native of this county, and a daughter f Moses Bales, of Fairfield Township.
H. W. RICHMAN, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, London, was born in Salem County, N. J.. May 7, 1824. He is a son of David Richman, a native of New Jersey, and there reared. He was a farmer and merchant by occupation, and came to Ohio in 1827, locating in Dayton, where he resided till his death, about 1838. He married Ruth Johnson, also a native of New Jersey, who became the mother of four children, two living-William Richman, of Montgomery County, Ohio, and our subject. Mrs. Richman sub-
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sequently married Robert Hutchison. They had one child-Laura, wife of Augustus Prugh ) Mrs. Hutchison died in July. 1879. Our subject was the eldest child, and as his mother was a widow during his early life, he received but a limited education. When twenty years of age, he took a drove of horses across the mountains to New Jersey. He returned to Somerford, in this county, where he sold general merchandise for three or four months. He then took another drove of horses to New Jersey, and finding that business profitable, engaged in it with his brother William for the succeeding thirty-five rears. His business haying proven good financially. he purchased a farm of 475 acres in Somerford Township. He subsequently purchased eighty acres in Deer Creek. and two farms in Union Township (one of the latter is his present home residence, fifty-five acres of which is in the corporate limits of London), aggregating in all about 1.300 acre.-a. Mr. Richman is still engaged in farming, stock-raising and dealing, although since the spring of 1870 he has resided in his beautiful residence on East . High street, London. He is Democratic in politics, but never an officeseeker. Mr. Richman was married, September 23, 1856, to Emeline, daughter of Valentine Wilson. and a sister of Mrs. Robert Boyd. They have three children-Alice, wife of Edward Armstrong, of Armstrong & Minshall, dealers in furniture and Queensware, London; Charles. engaged in same a business as father; and Emma. the two latter being at home. Mrs. Richman and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM RIDDLE, deceased, was born near Troy, Ohio, October 11, 1810, and died in London, Ohio, March 15, 1882. His father, John Riddle, came to Ohio from Virginia, and located near the town of Trod. He had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one son and two daughters survive, the other two sons, Abner and William, dying within twenty-three hours of each other. Our subject grew up on his father's farm; about the time of his majority he went to Iowa. where he engaged in farming for two years. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Ohio, and located at Mt. Sterling, Madison County, where he engaged in business for fifteen years, first with William Graham, and afterward with J. Swetland, Harry Moore, Daniel Wickle and N. T. Tenny. He came to London about 1860, but during his residence here was engaged in no particular business, other than managing his farm as he had a sufficiency of this world's goods to retire from active life. On October 21, 1853. he married Elizabeth Warner. a daughter of Henry Warner, and by her had three children, viz.: Sarah. wife of E. J. Robison, May and William H. The latter is engaged with Mr. Robison in the drug business in London. Mr. Riddle was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for about eighteen years previous to his death, and always lived a true Christian life. He was one of London's most highly respected citizens, a man of unquestionable integrity. generous, warm-hearted and affable in his manners, and just in all his business transactions. His death was a heavy blow to the community.
JOHN RILEY, of M. Riley & Son, grocers, London, was born at Morrow, Warren Co.. Ohio, May 8, 1859. His father, M. Riley. was born in County Meath. Ireland. May 9, 1830. His parents were Edward and Bridget Riley, both now deceased. Mr. Riley was reared in his native land, an-l when seventeen years of age came to America. He landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Morrow, Warren County, Ohio, where he was employed as foreman of Alfred Watt's distillery. He there learned the distilling business thoroughly, remaining with Mr. Watts for fourteen years. During the last four years of this time, he was engaged in the manufacture
UNION TOWNSHIP. - 931
of liquors for himself. In April, 1866, he came to London, and established a wholesale liquor and grocery trade. Mr. Riley enjoys a very large trade in both lines of goods, selling at wholesale and retail. In 1879, he erected his present building, which is a brick, 100x25 feet in size, three stories high. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Democratic party. He was married, July 3, 1856, to Anna Malloy, a native of Ireland. Of the four children born to them, three are living-John, Edward and Katy, the latter attending convent school. Mrs. Riley and the family are also members of the Roman Catholic Church. John Riley came to London with his parents when but seven years of age. He obtained only a fair education, and has been clerking in his father's store mostly during life. In June, 1877, be became associated with his father in business, and the firm have prospered exceedingly. Mr. Riley was married November 1, 1881, to Bessie, daughter of Dr. Toland Jones, of London.
JOHN J. ROBERTS, deceased, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 17, 1782, and died in Somerford Township April 26.1860. He was a pioneer in the fullest sense, as he came to what is now Columbiana County before Ohio was a State. He was compelled to flee into Virginia, by the Indians, and remained in that State one year, when he returned to his former residence in this State. He removed to what was then called New Lancaster in the year 1809, and to Delaware, Delaware County. in 1810, where he resided till 1812. He was drafted as a soldier in 181'2, but being sick at the time was unable to go, and procured a substitute. After this time, a volunteer company was enlisted in his neighborhood; he joined this company and marched to the frontier. The company to which he belonged built Fort Stephenson, which was afterward named Fort Croghan, in honor of its defender, who successfully defended the fort against the combined forces of British and Indians, August 2, 1813. He would have been in this engagement had he not been confined to his bed by a severe attack of camp fever. Several persons having been killed while conveying dispatches from this fort to the army which was stationed at Franklinton, in Franklin Co., Ohio, he volunteered to act as bearer of dispatches, which he did for some time, or until the headquarters of the army were removed from Franklinton. The carrying of the dispatches was the most difficult and dangerous service in the army, as they had to be carried through an unbroken wilderness, over fifty miles in one day; and nothing to indicate the route except blazed trees. The company to which he belonged was very unfortunate, and most of the members died of sickness brought on by exposure to the malaria of the wet, flat country in which they were compelled to encamp. During the war, his family, with many others. fled from Delaware to Franklinton, as a report had been circulated in the neighborhood that the Indians were coming from the north, killing all the white people they found in their line of march. He never returned to Delaware to live, but removed soon after the war closed to Darby Plains, in the northern part of Madison County. He removed to Somerford Township in 1823. where he resided until the time of his decease, except about three years which he spent in Illinois. He was a man of wonderful physical power, and was capable of performing a great deal of labor. He was engaged for several years in trading with the Indians, and was able to act as interpreter. He kept a tavern on the old Federal road, one mile north of Somerford, for several years, but the building of the National road diverted the travel from that route so much that he could no longer make the business pay, and so abandoned it. He built a grist mill, and had a small distillery for several years. His father was born in Wales, and in
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early life had followed the sea, and crossed the Atlantic thirteen times before he settled in America. John J. Roberts' sister married a Colonel in the English Army. This man was present at the meeting which Gen. Hull, of unsavory memory, had with the English officers who bought the men anti stores composing the United States Army of Gen. Hull. This man said that Gen. Hull received so much money for every man surrendered by him to the English. This matter was revealed after Hull's trial and told to John J. Roberts by his brother-in-law, when he visited him in Canada. Charles Roberts. son of John J. Roberts, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1805, died in Madison County, Ohio, in 1853; married Harriet Macan, in 1832. He taught school in Madison and adjoining counties for eighteen years. He moved from Somerford Township, Madison County, to Union Township, in 1839, and built the Roberts Mill, in 1844. This mill, which is still running, is three miles west of London, contains two run of buhrs, and is capable of doing merchant work. It was property originally owned by Judge Jacob Garrard, who owned a custom mill with but one pair of raccoon buhrs. Judge Garrard also carried on the distilling business, up to 1839. Charles Roberts, however, being conscientiously opposed to the manufacture and sale of whisky, would not purchase the still-house and fixtures, so that business was discontinued when he took possession of the property. In 1849, Charles Roberts purchased 200 acres of land in Jefferson Township, and built a saw-mill on Little Darby, two miles south of Jefferson. Having contracted consumption by exposure while engaged in building the saw-mill, he leased the mill to Dr. J. Randall, and removed from Darby to Union Township, where, after a lingering illness, he died. A great many of the older citizens of London received their education in the schools taught by Charles Roberts, and his name is frequently mentioned by them in speaking of the pioneer teachers of Madison County. He had traveled in nearly every county in Ohio, but was never outside of the limits of the State. He was the father of nine children, as follows John U. Roberts, born August 21, 1833, married and resides in Union Town ship. Madison County; William H. Roberts, born 1835, married and resides in Clinton, Henry Co., Mo.; Catharine M. Roberts, born 1837, died, never was married; B. F. Roberts, born 1839, unmarried, and resides in Jefferson Township; Mary E. Roberts, born 1841, unmarried, deceased; Charles C. Roberts, born 1843, married, resides in Union Township; Malvina Estelle, born 1819, married to Michael B. Wilson, resides in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio. Mrs. Harriet Roberts. nee Macan, was born in Chillicothe. Ohio. in 1814, married to Charles Roberts in 1832, resided in Madison County fifty years, and resides three miles west of London, near the Roberts Mill. She came to the county before the National road was surveyed, and was acquainted with the people of London before a solitary turnpike road was built in the county. John 31. Roberts received a common school education, and attended the National -Normal University at Lebanon. Ohio. He has followed teaching since old enough: has taught twenty-seven years, twenty-five in this county. In 1859, he married Emeline Truitt. by whom he has three children-Flora, Alma and John F. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat. Charles C. Roberts was married in 1872, to Virginia Ann Douglass, by whom he has two children-Olive and Charles 1V. Mr. Roberts enlisted in 1862. in Company A, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Capt. Jone,, and served until 1865. He was a merchant for a short time in Jefferson, and operated a lime-kiln in this county in 1861 and 1862. He also operated a sawmill for a time, and is now engaged in the Roberts flour mill.
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E. J. ROBISON, of Robison & Riddle, proprietors Eagle Drug House. London, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 7, 1850. His father. S. S. Robison. is a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He has been a resident of Pleasant Township for many years. He married Margaret Fitzgerald. daughter of Judge Fitzgerald, a well-known citizen of Fairfield Township. They were the parents of three children, two now living. Mrs. Robison departed this life in December, 1878. E. J. Robison received a good collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware. graduating in 1875. He then came to London, and, with Edward Armstrong, engaged in the drug business. This relationship continued about four years, when Dr. Platt King purchased Mr. Armstrong's interest, and the firm remained as Robison & King until July, 1882, when the junior partner was drowned at Lake Chautauqua. N. Y. In August of the same year Mr. Will Riddle became associated in the business with Mr. Robison, under the firm name of Robison & Riddle. Mr. Robison is a young man possessing good business qualifications, and will certainly succeed in life. He is connected with the American Legion of Honor, the Masonic Lodge and Chapter. Methodist Episcopal Church. and politically, an earnest and outspoken advocate of Republican principles. He was united in marriage, November 20, 1878. to Sarah K. Riddle, a native of Madison County. They have one child-Margaret C. Mrs. Robison is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE RONEMUS. London. merchant tailor and gents' furnisher, was born in Jefferson County. Va.. February 12, 1824. He is a son of Conrad Ronemus. a native of Germany, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Virginia when quite young, and died there in 1832. He married Sarah Fizer, a native of Jasper County, Va. They were the parents of eight children. six now living. Mrs. Ronemus departed this life in 1873. Our subject was reared in the " Old Dominion." and obtained but a limited education. He learned the tailor's trade at Martinshurg, Berkeley Co.. Va., and worked at it there for five years. He came to Ohio in 1855, locating at Springfield and in 1863 came to London. He worked steadily at his trade until September 1, 1881, when he engaged in his present business. Mr. Ronemus is Democratic on political questions and has served two years as Village Councilman. He was married. September 27, 1860, to Maggie Heaton, a native of Clark County. Ohio. They have nine children-Florence. Charles S., Laura, Fannie. Ettie. Arthur, Lulu, Mabel and George, Jr. Mrs. Ronemus is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE H. ROWLAND. Superintendent of construction of the Ohio Penitentiary. residence Columbus was born in Chester County, Penn., July 8, 1836. He is a son of Charles Rowland, also a native of the same place and whose ancestors came to America with William Penn. Charles Rowland was a stone mason by trade. and a farmer by occupation. He resided in Chester County. Penn., till his death, February 19, 1857. He married Margaret Shriver. born in the same county. They were the parents of seven children. our subject the only one in Ohio. Mrs. Rowland departed this life January 22, 1858. George H. resided in his native place till seventeen years of age. He then went to Philadelphia and was employed as a shipping clerk in the B. & O. R. R. offices, for a period of three years. He then went to East Tennessee. and was engaged in lead mining until the commencement of the war. In August. 1861, he started for Pennsylvania. and at London. Ohio, stopped off on account of sickness. Upon recovery from his illness. he went to work, and remained there one year. After a short
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time spent at home, he returned to London, and there remained till 187;3. He was an architect and builder, and erected many of the business blocks and residences of London. He removed to Columbus, March 1. 1877, and worked at his trade till September,1878, when he was appointed to his present position by Warden McWhorten. He was subsequently re-appointed by Warden Dyer, and twice by the present Warden. Noah Thomas. also a former resident of Madison County. Mr. Rowland has had goad success in his present position, and likes its duties very much. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138 (Masonic), of London and Masonic Council and Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1. Knights Templar, of Columbus; also McCoy Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of the latter city. Mr. Rowland is an Independent Democrat, and while a resident of London, was a member of the Village Council two terms. He was married. November 26. 1866, to Almira Betts, a native of London, and daughter of John Betts. They have one son-Neal C. Mr. Rowland and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of London.
JOHN P. SEARLE, blacksmith, London, and a well-known and esteemed citizen of London, was born in Cornwall, England, July 16, 1833. He is a son of William Searle, also a native of Cornwall, and a farmer by occupation. Our subject was apprenticed for six years to a blacksmith in his native country, remaining with him till his trade was fully learned, besides buying his clothes, and paying his "master," $5 per annum. In December, 1857, he came to America on board the. James Morton, forty-two day's passage. He came direct to Ohio and first worked six miles east of Newark. He remained there nine months, and then went to work near Jacksontown, Licking County, on the National pike. He was employed on a threshing machine during the grain season, and in September following went to Thornville, Perry County, and worked five months for David Rank. He then rented a shop, and carried on his trade in that county for live years. He came to London, April 1, 1864, and went to work at his trade. This increased rapidly, and in the summer of 1867, he purchased thirty-four feet front on Main street, from William Farrar. paying therefor $3,100, and assuming an indebtedness on it of $1,600. with three years in which to pay it. When this purchase was made, after making the $1,500 cash payment, Mr. Searle had but $35 left in his pocket, but in two years he had paid for the property. He remained there eight years; sore eyes caused him to quit work four months. He then purchased his present property for $2,500, and erected his shop. He came to London with $400 in ready cash, and by energy and perseverance, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his trade, has succeeded in gaining a comfortable competence, and is the owner of a nice brick cottage on South Main street; besides this he owns a large tenement property on Oak street, estimated at $3,500. When Mr. Searle landed at New York he had only $4.84, but his property in London to-day is valued at over $10,000, and this in spite of many obstacles which he has had to encounter. Mr. Searle is a member of the Madison Lodge, No. 70, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I O. O. F.). He is Republican in National and State politics, but in local matters gives his support to the " right man in the right place." He was married April 27, 1857, to Elizabeth R. Coplin, a native of St. Austle, Cornwall, England. Ten children have been sent to bless this union, only two living- Kate A. and Spartan C. Mr. Searle, wife and daughter, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Searle sees in his life the guiding hand of an over-ruling Providence. which has more than once led him into paths that opened to
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success. It was only three days after his marriage that he bade his wife farewell in his native land, and started on his long journey to America. The future seemed uncertain to him, and though he possessed a brave heart and a ready hand, he was unwilling to take her from her home to an unknown land. He went from St. Austle to Liverpool by steamer, and, on arriving, a tug approached to convey the passengers ashore; all except him boarded the tug, but an indescribable hesitancy held him back. As he stood there alone. a stranger on the quay inquired if he did not wish to land. His reluctance disappeared and he landed at once. This stranger. whom he only met by obeying his impulse to remain aboard the steamer. while the others landed, proved a friend indeed. He invited him to his house, treated him as a son. and in various ways assisted and befriended him. When in mid-ocean there appeared to Mr. Searle a distinct picture or vision of a blacksmith shop, which he afterward recognized as Mr. Lippencott's in Licking County. The vision and reality corresponded and agreed in every particular. After his arrival in Ohio. while walking along the railroad between Newark and Louisville to his work in the harvest field, the thought flashed into his mind to inquire for a letter at the latter post office. He did so and received one, directed to himself and written by John Lippencott. an entire stranger to him, asking him to work in his shop. He accepted the offer, and on approaching the shop recognized it at once as the scoop he had beheld on the ocean. From that day to the present, he has never lacked work. His wife joined him in America after sixteen months' separation.
JAMES SELF, architect and builder, London. Mr. Self was born in England 'lay 12, 1829. He is a son of Stephen Self, a native of England. He married Lydia London. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, residing there till twenty-nine years of age. He learned his present trade when sixteen years of age, working at it for five years. On September 11, 1857, he came to the United States and direct to London. Ohio. where he has since resided. Mr. Self has resided here over a quarter of a century, and during that time has been prominently identified with the building interests of Madison County. He owns a farm of forty acres adjoining the village, where he manufactures brick. In 1881 he made over 1,000,000 He has been fairly successful in life, and owns Some good village property. He was married in 1856, to Lavina Johnson, ,,[so a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Self are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY J. SHARP. physician and surgeon, London. was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 2. 1845. His father, Dr. E. T. Sharp, a native of Penn. removed to Ohio at an early day, where he reared a large family, practicing his profession for over forty-five years and, by natural selection, the subject of our sketch has transferred to his own the professional mantle which the father, through declining years, let drop from his shoulders. The father and mother both having surpassed the limit of life, as sung by the Psalmist, are now residing at Worthington. Franklin County, Ohio. Henry was the ninth of a family of eleven children, and is the youngest of three brothers now living. Living so close to the border, and at the important rendezvous, Gallipolis, the headquarters of the military department of West Virginia, during the late war he became imbued with the war spirit. and though too young for the volunteer service, enlisted while not yet sixteen years old in the Ohio National Guard. Company C. One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment. His company, during the raids and threatened
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raids of the rebel Gens. Wise and Morgan, was frequently under arms, doing guard duty at Gallipolis and other points on the Ohio River, until the call for the hundred-days men by President Lincoln, when the One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio National Guard. Col. Jaynes commanding, was transferred to West Virginia and divided into detachments, were stationed at the different garrisons on the line between Charleston and Guyandotte, West Virginia, thus relieving the garrisons at these places and permitting them to be transferred to the more active services at the front, under Grant in East Virginia. After about four months' service, the One Hundred and Forty-first was ordered to Gallipolis, discharged and mustered out of the service. The subject of our sketch entered a local academy, and after a few months here, his parents moving to Franklin County, he matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he continued his studies, leaving there in 1868, to take up the study of medicine. He studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Hamilton. of Columbus, and being his only student for nearly two years, gained largely in valuable experience and practical participation, as an assistant to his preceptor in all extensive surgical and general practice. He graduated in medicine front Starling Medical College, in the spring of 1871, and settled during October of the same y ear in London, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice, and is now doing an extensive and remunerative business. Dr. Sharp belongs to the students and progressive men of his profession, finding time. aside from the actual practice to contribute to the literature of his profession by articles written for the various medical journals, and for participation in the proceedings of various medical societies, being a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Central Ohio Medical Society and the Madison County Medical Society. He was married to Miss E. C. Dooris, of Zanesville, Ohio, April 10, 1872. His wife is a lady of culture and of future promise in literature, she having contributed in the past to different periodicals, and having only laid down her pan for devotion to the growing demands of an interesting family, that, for the, time, overshadow all other pleasures and duties of less moment. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and by their devotion and work have aided largely in the erection of a handsome church building on Fourth street, in the city, where the society hold their services. They have living three children--Henry J., Leighton and Wilfred
W. STALEY SHEPHERD, London. was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 25, 1823. He received such an education as the public schools of that vicinity could give him, which, with a taste for read ing, enabled him to become a well-informed man. He was married at Woodstock, Ohio, January 1, 1850, to M. Louise Clark, daughter of Jeremiah Clark. of Connecticut. In the spring of 1857, he re moved to London, Madison County, and was soon thereafter appointed Deputy Sheriff of the county. He so discharged the duties devolved upon him that in the fall of 1858 he was elected Sheriff, and was re elected ii: 18G0-serving out the two terms in succession to which he was restricted by the Constitution. At the expiration of his term as Sheriff, he was appointed the first collector of Internal Revenue for his county. which once he held until 1866. retiring, with an unblemished record, to the business pursuits of private life. In 1870, he was elected to the position of Clerk in the House of Representatives of the Fifty-ninth General Assembly of Ohio, and discharged his duties with fidelity and efficiency. In 1872, he was appointed chief book-keeper in the auditor of State's office, which posi-
UNION TOWNSHIP. - 939
tion he held for eight years, a portion of which time he served as Deputy Auditor of State. Soon after retiring from the Auditor's office. he was appointed to a clerkship in the Interior Department at Washington, D. C.: there he remained until June, 1881. when he resigned his position and returned to London. Soon after this, he purchased a half-interest in the London Times and entered at once upon the field of journalism, in which capacity he now devotes all his time and energies. In politics. Mr. Shepherd is a firm but candid Republican. In manners, he is agreeable. and tolerant of the views of others differing from him.
AUBURN SMITH (deceased). In 1862. two brothers, pincher and John Littler. came from England to America. locating near Philadelphia. There is a tradition in the family that these two belonged to the colony founded by William Penn. The son of John. John Littler. Jr., settled near Winchester. Frederick County. Va.: he was the father of ten children, one of whom. Ann Littler. was born October 17, 1782. She was married in February. 1800. to Robert Smith. also a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert Smith's father, a widower, with part of his children. emigrated from Virginia to this county, as early as 1804 or 1805. and occupied the land on Walnut Run. which belonged to the late Samuel Watson. The children became dissatisfied and eventually dispersed, leaving the old gentleman alone. some going back to Virginia and others going back toward the southern part of the State. Robert and Ann Smith emigrated to this county with five children. and had one born after their arrival. Mrs. Smith's father. John Littler, had previous to this purchased 4,000 acres of land in Union and Deer Creek Townships, paying about 12 1/2 cents per acre. Ann inherited from her father 200 acres. what is now known as the "Phifer farm." where she and Robert lived. He died in 1816. about one rear after their arrival. They had six children -John. Rosanna, Rachael, James. Samuel and Robert. Samuel is now living in Ligonier, Ind., and Rachael married William T. Davidson, whose son is now the Superintendent of the Infirmary. Mrs. Smith subsequently married William Noteman. by whom she had five children. She died in 1826. Her son. James Smith. was born in Virginia. but was reared in this county. coming here at the age of seven years. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade. and in 1833 married Ann Rosser. a native of England. They lived in Springfield for a time. and in Somerford, but permanently located in London about 1844. In 1851. he established himself in the drug business. and in 1854 lost most of his stock by fire. He died in September of that year. leaving four children of whom Auburn. then aged fifteen, was the only son. He was horn in Somerford December 14, 1830: came to London when four years of age and resided here until his death. Having assisted his father in the drug store. he became imbued with a liking for the business. and in 1865. with J. S. Davidson. he purchased the Ridenour drug store. Three years afterward. he became sole proprietor. operating one of the largest and best regulated drug houses in Central Ohio. In 1870, he began dealing in ice, hauling it from Deer Creek. About 1875, he made a pond in the northern limits of London, and adjacent to the pond erected three ice houses from which he supplied the home demand and shipped a great deal of ice. He was married to Anna E., the third daughter of E. V. Arnett. of West Jefferson. in 1863, and by her had five children-Robert, Harriet, James, Arnett and Gertrude. Mr. Smith was a strong adherent to the doctrine of Methodism, having united himself with that church in 1864. He was for several years Assistant Superintendent and a regular attendant
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of the Sabbath school, and his whole church-work seemed to be devoted to the Missionary work and Sabbath school. He was a loving father and husband, a good neighbor and a most estimable citizen, whose place in life will not be easily filled either in a social or commercial relation, and whose loss is deeply felt and deplored by the church. State and community at large. He died on Tuesday, October 10, 1582, of Bright 's disease, from which he had been suffering since 1876. The nature of his disease was unknown to him until several years later.
JONATHAN M. SMITH. farmer. P. O. London. was born in Greene County, Ohio October 1, 1847. He is a son of John and Sophia (McFarland) Smith. the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. Our subject received a common school education, mostly in this county, and chose the occupation of a farmer. which he has since followed. He was married, in 1875, to Rebecca M. Paine, a daughter of Zadock and Martha (Mooney) Paine. They have had one child-Pearl Raymond. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics; he has held several minor township offices. and is now one of the Trustees.
PHILIP SPEASMAKER. London. a well-known and popular hardware merchant of London. was born in Bavaria. Germany. May 1, 1837. He is a son of Cassimere and Catherine Does Speasmaker. both natives of Germany. Our subject was reared in his native land, and there educate('(. At the age of fifteen years he came to America. and apprenticed himself to learn the tinner's trade, at Brooklyn. N. Y. He remained there three years. and then came direct to London, this county. He was employed at his trade by John Dungan for one and a half years. and then worked for C. D. Rayburn for a short time. He then purchased the stock and trade (stove and tinware business) of his employer. and has since been engaged in this business. This was in 1857, and it will therefore be seen that Mr. Speasmaker is the oldest merchant in his line of trade in London, and he certainly enjoys the largest trade. He deals in all kinds of agricultural implements. hardware and manufactured tinware. and as a business man is highly respected for his business qualifications and strict integrity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge. Chapter and Council, of London. Palestine Commandery. No. 33. Knights Templar. of Springfield, Ohio. and also of the I. O. O. F. He is Democratic in political views; is a member of the Board of Education of London. but no active politician. He was married. November 28, 1857, to Caroline Dies. a native of Franklin County. Ohio. They have ten children, all living.
J. B. SPRAGUE. London a prominent physician and surgeon of London, was born in Harmony Township, Clark County. Ohio, June 15, 1821. His father, James Sprague was a native of Massachusetts and came to Ohio about 1816 or 1818. He was an early pioneer of Clark County, residing eight miles east of Springfield until his death. He was born December 9, 1784, and died July 10, 1844. leaving an estate of 360 acres. and considerable personal property. He married Polly Bailey, a native of New Hampshire. Eight children were given them, five daughters and three sons. Six of these are living to-day, four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Sprague departed this life in 1871 or 1872. James B. Sprague was reared on a farm, receiving a high school education. He taught school in early life for seven years at different intervals, and during the latter part of this time studied medicine for two years with Dr. Rogers (now deceased), of Springfield. Ohio. He then took a course of lectures. studied another year. then a second course of' lectures. and in 1851 graduated from the
UNION TOWNSHIP. - 941
Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. He first located at Vienna Cross Roads. Clark County, Ohio, and after a few years engaged in the practice of his profession with Dr. Burkley Gillett, of Springfield. The latter died a year later, and our subject then went to Plattsburg, and subsequently to Vienna Cross Roads once more. In 1871, he came to London. where he has since resided, and been engaged in attending to a very fair practice. In June, 1862, Dr. Sprague went into the United States service, as Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in that position nearly three years. By his own consent, he was detailed as surgeon of a colored regiment. They were located on the banks of a stream in the South, and soon after the measles and small-pox broke out among them. Dr. Sprague vaccinated over four hundred of them, and never lost a main by either disease, although some of the men had both diseases at the same time. He remained with them two or three months and then returned home. Dr. Sprague was formerly and is now a member of the Clark County Medical Society, and is also connected with the State and Madison Societies of a like nature. He is thoroughly Democratic in his political views, and once, while a resident of Clark County, served as Justice of the Peace. He was married, November 8, 1843, to Sarah, daughter of Isaac Chamberlain. an old and respected pioneer of Clark County. Of the six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Sprague, only two are living-Cecelia F. (wife of William H. Wragg, of Plattsburg, Clark County, Ohio), and Milton C. (a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College. and a practicing physician of Somerford. this county). Dr. Sprague has been a member of the Masonic order since about 1845, having been initiated at Fielding Lodge, South Charleston. Ohio. He is now a member of the Lodge. Chapter and Council at London, and of Mt. Vernon Commandery at Columbus. He has taken the first eighteen and the Scottish Rite degrees, and will soon advance, if his life is spared to the thirty-second degree. His connection with the I.OO.F. has been equally as long and honorable.
W. S. SQUIRES, of W. S. Squires & Co., grocers. London, was born in London, Madison County, January 2, 1844. His father, W. H. Squires. was a native of Chillicothe. Ross County, Ohio, who came to London at an early day and there carried on the saddler and harness trade for a number of years. He subsequently learned the dental trade, and also kept a hotel at London and Dayton for ten or twelve years. He died in London January 15, 1870. He married Catherine Phifer, a native of Virginia. who bore him eight children, two now living-Laura (widow of L. G. McCollum. deceased). and our subject. Mrs. Squires is still living, and resides in a large and comfortable residence in west part of London, at sixty - seven years of age. Our subject grew to manhood in his native city, receiving a good education. When young. he rented land of H. W. Smith. and " farmed it" for five years. He farmed eight years altogether and then came to London and engaged in the livery business. He subsequently learned paper-hanging, and worked at that and painting for about ten years. Then, in company with his brother-in-law, L. G. McCollum, he purchased the grocery stock and trade of Isaac G. Peetrey, May 9, 1882 the firm remaining as Squires & McCollum until August 26. 188'2. when it was dissolved. The firm of W. S. Squires & Co. was then formed, and they have since conducted the business with fair success. Mr. Squires is Democratic in politics. He was married November 14, 1867, to Ellen A., daughter of H. W. Smith, a prominent attorney of London and Madison County. Of their three children, two are living-Jeanette and Catherine. Mrs. Squires
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is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. H. Squires raised Company K, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied it to-the field. He finally became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. Our subject enlisted in Company K. Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Cincinnati, serving three years and three months and being mustered out with the rank of Sergeant.
JOHN STAHL, London, the second oldest merchant in the boot and shoe line in London. was born in Germany April 11, 1831. His father, Henry Stahl, died in that country. Our subject was reared in Germany. and when of age came to America. He first located at Cincinnati, where he learned the shoe-maker's trade. He remained there only a short time, and then went to Covington. Ky.. just across the river. Some time after, he went to Richmond, Ind., and in July, 1857, came to London. He started a little shop for repairing purposes, and gradually worked himself into the retail trade, until now, he carries a very large stock and enjoys a custom in proportion. Mr. Stahl has done away with manufacturing and is still located on the spot where he first commenced business in London twenty-five years ago. He is one of the oldest members of the Catholic Church of London, and Trustee of the Catholic Benevolent Society. Politically, Mr. Stahl is Democratic, but has never aspired to office. He was united in marriage, March 19, 1857, to Mary Weber. native of Germany. Of the twelve children born to this union, ten are living-John P. (with father in business), Lizzie, Edward, Annie, Flora. Charlie, Frank. Walter, Benedict and Lee. William and Harry are deceased. Wife and family are also members of the church.
A. J. STRAIN. physician and surgeon, London. was born at Greenfield, Highland County. Ohio, January 3, 1845. He is a son of Allan Strain, a native of South Carolina, whose father was John C. Strain. also a native of South Carolina. whose parents were from Pennsylvania. John C. Strain came to Highland County, Ohio, in 1809, where he lately died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His son, Allan Strain, the father of our subject, has been a farmer through life, and now' resides in that county at seventy-five years of age. He married Eliza McMillen, a native of Highland County, and daughter of William and Margaret Linn McMillen, the latter of whom was a native of Pennsylvania. and daughter of a Mrs. Gettis. near Gettysburg. Allan and Eliza Strain were the parents of eight children-four now living. Mother died in December, 1880. Our subject is the seventh child and fourth son of these parents, and grew to manhood on a farm in Highland County, to which his father removed when our subject was but ten years of age. He obtained a fair education at South Salem Academy, in Ross County. Ohio. and at twenty-three years of age commenced the study of medicine with an uncle Dr. W. A Strain, of Greenfield, Ohio. Two years later, he entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. graduating therefrom in March. 1873. He first located for practice at Danville. Highland County, and seven months later, went to South Salem, Ross County, where he remained two and a half years. In October 1876. he came to London and became associated in practice with an uncle, a practicing physician of Madison County for thirty-five years. Two years later, this partnership was dissolved, and since that period Dr. Strain has been alone in his practice, having met with fair success. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and has been a member and Secretary of the Madison County Medical Society for the past two and a half years. Politically, Dr. Strain is Republican. He is also a member of the Presby-
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terian Church and the Knights of Honor. He was married, January 7, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Washington Wilson. of Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Strain is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
T. S. STRICKLAND, agent I. B. & W. Railway, London, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio. October 3, 1845. He is a son of Franklin M. Strickland, a native of Vermont, who located in Ohio about 1840. He was a farmer by occupation. and died in 1852, when but twenty-nine years of age. He married Hannah Chapel, a native of Connecticut. They were the parents of three children all living, and our subject, the only one in Madison County. Mrs. Strickland subsequently married Rodney Mason. and one child was born to them, now deceased. Mrs. Mason resides with our subject in the sixty-sixth year of her age. T. S. was reared in Sandusky County, and early in life was in the commission business at Clyde, Ohio, under the firm name of M. C. Beamer & Co. This was in 1866. He remained with the firm six months, and then engaged in the clothing business. In the fall of 1869. he went to Iowa, coming back to Ohio in the fall of 1870. He was next employed by the L. S. & M. S. R. R., at Clyde. Ohio. in the capacity of baggageman and yardman. He remained in that position until the spring of 1878, when he came to London, and on April 1, accepted the position of agent of the C. S. & C. R. R. On May 1, 1881, this road was purchased by the I. B. & W., Mr. Strickland still retaining his position. Since he took charge of the London office, he has labored earnestly and faithfully to secure better facilities to shippers to and from this point, and to the increase of public travel. It is safe to say his efforts have met with good and increasing success Mr. Strickland is a member of the Lodge and Encampment (I. O. O. F. ), and Republican in politics. He was married the first Tuesday in 1867, to Kate Stokes, a native of Sandusky County. Ohio. They have two children- -Franklin and Elta.
JERIAH SWETLAND, London. one of the more prominent retired merchants of this village, was born in Springfield, Sullivan County, N. H., April 28, 1817. His grandparents on his father's side were Jeriah Swetland and Mary Burnham, the latter of whom was an heir to a vast estate in England. One of their sons. Roswell Swetland, was born in Connecticut, was a miller by trade and a farmer by occupation. He resided in New Hampshire during his natural life, and there married Naomi Rockwell. also a native of Connecticut. Of the ten children born to bless this union, only three are living-our subject, a sister in San Francisco, Cal., and a brother in New Hampshire. Mrs. Swetland died in 1858, and her husband two years later (1860). Jeriah Swetland was the ninth child and fourth son of this large family, and consequently he did not receive the educational training afforded some of the older members of the family. He resided with his parents until nineteen years of age, and then learned the saddler and harness trade, working at that in his native village for eight years. On August 4. 1843, he arrived in London, and soon after engaged in mercantile pursuits, continuing in such two years. In T47. he went to Pickaway County. and in 1850 to Mt. Sterling, in Pleasant Township, this county. In 1856. he returned to London. and again engaged in mercantile pursuits, this time associating himself in business with William H. Chandler, Sr. In 1866, Mr. Swetland disposed of his interest and retired from business, although the partnership between the two gentlemen has never yet been dissolved. They still own property together. Mr. Swetland, while in business. was very successful in a financial way, and at present owns a half-in-
944 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
terest in 185 acres of good land, and also in Swetland and Dixon's business block, in London. and eight acres of hone property, upon which is located a very large and comfortable residence. Mr. Swetland was made a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1850, and is connected by membership with the Lodge. Chapter and Council, at London. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in 1856 was made a member of lit. Vernon Com mandery, Knights Templar. of Columbus, Ohio. the finest organization of its kind in the State. Politically. Mr. Swetland is an able advocate of Democratic principles, and in 1867-68 and 1868-69 represented his district in the Ohio Legislature, being the only Democrat in Madison County elected on the " straight ticket." He has also been a member of the Village Council of London. Mr. Swetland became a member of the Supreme Lodge, American Legion of Honor some years ago. He was united in marriage, May 23, 1841, to Arabella Fellows, who was born at Hanover. N. H., February 1816. Three children were born to them all deceased-Isabella Miranda born in Lebanon, N. H., June 20, 1842. died in London August 26, 1843; William Jeriah, born at Palestine. Ohio, July 1, 1848. died in London February 12, 1857; Sarah Willis was born at Mt. Sterling. Ohio. May 11, 1851. died in London September 7, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Swetland are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
NOAH THOMAS, P. O. London, Warden Ohio Penitentiary at Columbus, residence London, was born in Fayette. near the Madison County line, Ohio. August 1, 1834. He is a son of William Thomas. a native of Virginia. He was a farmer by occupation, and upon coming to Ohio, located in Fayette County. About 1835. he came to Madison County, and has since lived there. He now resides in Stokes Township, and is about sixty-nine years of acre. He married Lavina Beauchamp, a native of Clark County, Ohio. They are the parents of thirteen children, eleven now living. Mrs. Thomas is still living in her sixty-eighth year, and both parents en - joy reasonably good health. Our subject is the oldest of this large family of children, and obtained only a limited education in his earlier life. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and then entered Antioch College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he was in attendance when the war broke out. He returned home, and in December, 1863, enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, commanding, and served until June 2, 1864, the date of the battle of Cold Harbor. In that affray he received a musket ball in the left arm, which caused the loss of that valuable member. He lay in Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D. C., from June 10 to July 29. of that year, and during that period was nominated for County Auditor, on the Republican ticket, by his admiring and sympathizing friends in far away Madison County. He was triumphantly elected. and re-elected three times in succession, serving eleven years in all (lacking a few months). At the expiration of this time. he was employed in a clerical capacity in one or two of the county offices, and also served as Justice of the Peace of Union Township. In April. 1850. he was elected Mayor of London. and two weeks later was appointed to his present position by the Boards of Directors of the Ohio State Penitentiary for a term of three years from April 1 after appointment His term will there end April 22, 1884. Warden Thomas has made a faithful and efficient public officer an has made a host of friends throughout every part of the State. He is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). Knights of Honor and American Legions of Honor all of London. He was formerly a member
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of the Christian Church. but of late years has been connected with the Presbyterian denomination. He has always been an advocate of Republican principles. Mr. Thomas was married in February, 1866, to Geneva, daughter of James Smith. and sister of Auburn Smith, deceased, of London. One child was given them-Maud. Mrs. Thomas died May 25, 1871. He was again united in marriage September 16, 1874, to Alice Dorris, a native of Muskingum County. and residing at Zanesville, Ohio. Four children have been born to this latter union, three living. They are John D., Alice and Helen J. Mrs. Thomas is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of London. During his army career, Warden Thomas was successively offered the position of First Lieutenant and Captain, but declined both honors, preferring to serve in the ranks.
OWEN THOMAS, buyer and dealer in grain and hay. London, was born in Fayette County. Ohio, June 18, 1835. He is a son of Jeremiah Thomas. a native of Virginia. who became a pioneer settler of Fayette County, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation, and came to Madison County about 1856. Our subject was reared in Fayette County, obtaining only a moderate education. He came to this county when twenty-one years of age. and for two years was a farmer of Oak Run Township. In 1859 or 1860, he removed to London, and was in the wholesale and retail grocery business for ten years. Since that time, he has been engaged in his present occupation. which has proven fairly successful. Mr. Thomas is Democratic in politics; served two years in the Village Council, a like number as Village Treasurer. and one year a, Treasurer of Union Township. He was married February 14, 1859, to Miss M. G. Farrar, daughter of Henry Farrar, now resident in Marshall County. Ban. Eight children have been given them-Byron. married Jennie, daughter of S. P. McLain, of Range Township; Minnie. Georgie, Mattie, Walter, Farrar, Mary and Glenn H. Mrs. Thomas and the three eldest children are members of the Methodist. Episcopal Church. -
SIMON TINGLEY, farmer. P. O. London. was born in Union Township January 26, 1831. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Tingley, of German descent, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ohio. His father died when our subject was a child, and he was deprived of most of his school privilege. He has been a life long farmer and is now dealing in cattle. He is a Democrat in politics, and has twice been sent as a delegate to Count v Conventions. He was married in 1880, to Dora Andrews. of Clark County. She was of French descent. They have had one child-Mary G. Mr. Tingley is a member of the Christian Church.
AQUILLA TOLAND (deceased), was born in Harford County, Maryland. September 26, 1793. His early opportunities afforded him only the common branches of an English education. but later in life he obtained a fair knowledge of Latin. When quite young. he became a pupil of Dr. Luckey, of Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1818 he attended one course of lectures in a University of Maryland. In the same year, an under-graduate he started West to seek a fortune through labor in his profession. After a short tarry in Franklinton, now a part of the City of Columbus, he came to the then new town of London. in the fall of 1818 and where he continued to reside until his death. On the 11th of April. 1822. Dr. Toland was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Philip Lewis. a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. and to the union were born Francis A. Harford. Aquilla and Jane D. The mother. Mrs. Elizabeth
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(Lewis) Toland, was born in Adams County, Ohio. October 14, 1805, and is yet numbered among the venerable citizens of London. Although very young. Dr. Toland did duty as a soldier in the war of 1812, serving as a volunteer in the defense of Baltimore. and was in the battle of Stony Point. In the winter of 1830-37. he attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, and received a diploma from the Institution. His practice was not limited to Madison County alone. but extended beyond its boundaries. In the years of 1823--24-25, he undoubtedly had the largest practice of any physician in the county, or perhaps in Central Ohio, and with a supply of instruments superior to that of any other physician in the county, and with a strong liking for that branch of the profession, his superiority as an operative surgeon was soon recognized and conceded. In 1843. he was elected as a Whig, a member of the Lower House of the Legislature. He became a member of the Ohio State Medical Society soon after the organization, and always manifested a lively interest in its meetings. Dr. Toland was not in the ordinary sense of the word a brilliant man, but he was a strong one. His natural good sense, his habit of careful preparation for anything to be undertaken. his pertinacity in following an enterprise to success, together. with his unswerving integrity, were, perhaps, the only principal traits of character that distinguished him. As a physician, he relied greatly upon his own judgment, and while he listened cautiously to suggestions from others, yet rarely adopted any measures that did not correspond with his views of the case. It common with other physicians of his day, he was a strong believer in the use of the lancet in sthenic diseases, and persisted in its use long after the profession generally had to a great degree discarded it. As a surgeon. he was cautious, using great care in determining the propriety of an operation, making no pretension to rapidity or brilliancy as an operator, but rather looking to ultimate success. He had a feeling of fear in the use of chloroform, much stronger than was shared by the profession generally, and rarely consented to submit his patients too complete anaesthesia. Although devoted to the profession, Dr. Toland was always interested in every question affecting the interests of his town or neighborhood, and it was mainly through his exertions that the L. M. R. R. was secured to London-a straight line from Xenia to Columbus. and a favorite route with the projectors. carrying it some miles south of that place. He also took an active interest in the building of the Springfield and Columbus Railroad. and was its first President. He was closely identified with the growth of London, and built the first and only public hall in the town. His active life would not seem to have left him much time for literary labors, and yet he has left some valuable contributions in the medical journals. In the "Medical and Physical Societies" for February and March. 163 7. then conducted by Daniel Drake. we find an interesting case of wound of the intestines and omentum, reported by Dr. Toland. In his long and extensive practice, he acquired a competency. He was economical. and by judicious investment of his early professional profits in real estate, which in later years appreciated rapidly, he died possessed of a large estate. While be was a thorough business man, and attended well to collections, yet he gave liberally of his time and professional skill to the indigent. In fact he never seemed to make any distinction in his attentions between rich and poor. In person. he was tall, and with a bearing that at first impressed one with the idea of haughtiness. He had a massive head, a solid, strong lower face, with heavy brows shading rather small blue-gray eyes altogether a head and face that would attract
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attention in any group. He was mild and even in his temper, cheerful, fond of society, and of genteel, but rather awkward, address. He was a man of strong attachments, and yet a " good hater," or in other words he cherished his friends, and did not forget his enemies. He was a good conversationalist, but a very ordinary public speaker, in fact we think he very rarely attempted public speaking. His death occurred in London, Ohio, December 30, 1866, at the age of seventy-three years. caused by erysipelas of the face and scalp.
JAMES A. TREHEARNE. farmer and teacher, P. O. London, was born in Maryland June 23, 1841. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Hazzard) Trehearne, natives of Maryland, the former of German and English descent, and the latter of Irish descent. He received a common school education, and from the age of seventeen until 1861 worked out by the month. On July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-sixth Ohio . Volunteer Infantry. Capt. W. H. Squires. and acted in the Commissary Department on detached duty most of the time. He served three Years. and in that time was only one week on the sick-list. After the war, he located a soldier's claim of 160 acres in Kansas, but not liking the country. returned to Ohio and has turned his attention to gardening. Since 1864 he has spent his winters in teaching, and is never better satisfied than when he has a good school. In 1868, he married Elizabeth Cryder, a daughter of William and Susan Cruder. and by her has two children-William S. and Annie. Mr. Trehearne is a Freemason and a Republican, and has served as Township Assessor.
JOHN TROUD, farmer. P. O. London, son of Ansel and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Troud, was born in Germany January 22, 1822, and in 1846 emigrated to America, locating in Cincinnati, where he followed his trade. tailoring, three years. He subsequently worked at his trade one year in St. Louis. and then moved to Illinois, where he conducted a business for himself in Mt. Pulaski for eight years. In 1851, he came to London. and for three years was engaged in business. In 1862, he commenced farming on the place now occupied by him. which consists of 132 acres. In 1840, he married Sarah Brown, who died two years after marriage. He then married Sarah Fletcher, who lived only three years after marriage, and he then married Amelia Ann Porter, a sister of James G. Porter, who has since died. Mr. Troud is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received a line classical education in his native country, where he also learned his trade, and is familiar with four languages-Hebrew, French. German and English.
SAMUEL F. TRUMPER. Recorder of Madison County, London. was born in Bloomingsburg, Fayette County, Ohio, May 10, 1838. He is a son of Lewis Trumper, a native of New York. who located in Fayette County. Ohio, in 1818. He was a farmer by occupation, and died .June 10, 1869, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His companion for life was Margery Boggs, a native of Pennsylvania, but reared in Highland County, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom Yet survive--Mrs.Trumper is still living, and resides with her oldest son Joseph, at Bloomingsburg, Ohio, being eighty-seven years of age. Our subject is the youngest child and fourth son of this family, and remained on the farm until twenty years of age. He enjoyed the then rare blessing of a good common school education, and subsequently taught school for two years. He then took a course of study at Duff & McCoy's Commercial College at Columbus. Ohio. and afterward resumed teaching until the com-
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mencement of the civil war. He was then anxious to respond to duty's call, so resigned his position as teacher, and enlisted as a private in Company C. Capt. George B. Gardner, of the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A short time after enlistment, he was made Sergeant. and sub sequently Orderly Sergeant. Upon the death of the Second Lieutenant three months later. he was elected to that position by a unanimous vote of the company. and served as such till the close of the war. The Sixtieth was under Gen. Fremont. in the noted Shenandoah campaign, and in the advance brigade. Mr. Trumper was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1863, and placed in a parole camp at Annapolis. He was afterward transported by rail to Camp Douglas at Chicago. Ill., where he was honorably mustered out with the regiment at expiration of term of enlistment. Going back home, he resumed teaching for two years. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1874. when he came to Madison County. He was engaged in farming for a short period, and then was engaged in teaching again for three years. In the fall of 1880, he was dominated and elected Recorder of Madison County, on the Republican ticket for a term of three years. Mr. Trumper is a member of Lyons Post, No. 221, G A. R.. of London and of Leanore Lodge. No. 512 (Masonic), of Midway. Ohio. He was married. May 16, 1867, to Maria L. Hidy, a native of Fayette County, Ohio. They have five children-Frank E, Lena M., Minnie L., Samuel O. and Bessie H. A very singular coincident connected with this family is that the second and fourth children were each born on their father's birthday.
DAVID TURNER. farmer. P. O. Somerford. was born in Clark County, Ohio, October 1, 1826. He is the son of William and Lydia (James) Turner. natives of Maryland. of German descent. The former was a wagenmaker, and died at the residence of our subject in 1876. David received a common school education, and. being of a mechanical turn of mind, soon partially acquired the trade of his father, which, however, he never followed. He rented land for a time, but now owns a place of his own. He was married in 1850, to Margaret Cornwell, a daughter of Addison Cornwell. By this union seven children were born, viz.: J., May Ellen, J. W.. Eliza J., Viola. Charles and Florence May. Mr. Turner is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. He was the seventh child of a family of eight children.
THOMAS D. TURNER, dealer in fresh and salt meats, London. was born in Richmond. Ind., September 1, 1833. He is a son of James Turner. a native of Lancastershire, England. who came to America with his brother when but ten years of age. He first located in New Jersey. and subsequently in Indiana, and Warren County, Ohio. now residing in the latter place. He was a tallow chandler by trade, and also served as foreman in woolen factories Mr. Turner is eighty years of age. and still in the enjoyment of good health. He married Lydia Dixon, a native of Yorkshire, England, now seventy-eight years of age. Our subject is the second of eleven children. nine of whom are living. He was reared in Warren County. and in early life was a farmer. He resided in Licking County a number of years, and was there married, August 17. 1856, to Harriet Lees. a native of that county. Mr. Turner resided with his father some time after marriage, and was a farmer till 1864. He then engaged in butchering, at. Granville. Ohio, and remained there six years. In the spring of 1870. he came to London, and opened out in business. His trade increased rapidly, and he now runs two shops-one on East High. and the other on South
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Main-where he supplies his many customers with the best of fresh and salt meets. Mr. Turner is connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Chandler Lodge. No. 138 (Masonic), Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). American Legion of Honor, and an advocate of Democratic principles. He has never been a politician or aspired to office. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have eleven children. seven sons and four daughters. Samuel L. (in business with his father), Ida M., Clara B., Mary F., Hattie, Nellie, Annie. Orin, William. Robert and Grace. Mrs. Turner is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DAVID TWAY, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O London, was born in Fayette County. Ohio, August 24, 1834. He is the son of Nathaniel and Sophia (Salmon) Tway, natives of Ohio, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of Dutch descent. Our subject received his education principally in the high schools of Shelby County, and early commenced farming, an occupation which he has since followed. He is the owner of a 300 acre farm, formerly known as the "Watson farm," but latterly as the Spring Branch Farm." It is well improved, thoroughly cultivated, and graced with a good and substantial brick residence. which our subject has built since his residence there. Mr. Tway is one of a family of thirteen children. He was married. October 20, 1864. to Miss Maria Louise Hidey, a native of Fayette County. and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Carr) Hidey, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, of Dutch and English descent. Six children have been bort to bless this union, viz: Albert, Joseph H., Mary S., Eliza, David Ross and Margaret. Mrs. Tway is a member of the Universalist Church. Mr. Tway is a stanch Republican and takes a great interest in the political welfare of his party His grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and he had a brother Nathaniel, who fought in the late rebellion as Orderly Sergeant, in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. Mr. Tway is a live, energetic business man, and has made his property by his own personal efforts.
JOHN WALLACE, editor and proprietor of the London Enterprise, London, was born in London June 4, 1838. At the age of twelve years, owing to the want of means, he was compelled to leave school, and entered the office of the London Sentinel, then published by G. W. Sprung. where he remained until the winter of 1855-56, when through the influence of friends, he was appointed as page in the Ohio Senate by Lieut. Gov. - Myers. At the organization of the Senate. in January, 1860. through the influence of Hon. R. A. Harrison, he was elected Second Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, and given the post office department. On May 26, 1862, he was married to Miss E. F. Baker, of Franklin County. In 1863, in connection with J. B. Stine, he bought out the London Union, now the London Times, and operated it one year, which embraced the famous Brough-Vallandigham campaign. On January 1, 1872, Mr. Wallace established the London Enterprise as an independent newspaper. In April, 1879, the Enterprise was made Republican at the solicitation of the Republican County Executive Committee, and is to-day the Republican organ of Madison County. Mr. Wallace has printed the paper eleven years. three of them under the disadvantage of loss of sight. During the eleven years, the paper has neither changed hands or name, or missed a publication.
W. C. WARD. freight agent Little Miami Railroad. and agent Adams and American Express Companies. London, was born in Range Township, this county. June 15,1841. His father, Cyrus Ward, was a native of Mary-
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land, and came to Ohio when a young man. He was a farmer by occupation, and resided in Range Township until the date of his death. He married Maria Linton. a resident of this county, and daughter of William Linton, a native of England. They were the parents of three children. our subject being the last and only living member of the family. Mrs. Ward departed this life in 1852. W. C. Ward was reared in Range Township, and when still a lad was employed as a clerk for A. &. D. T. Johnston, merchants of Midway. He remained with them two years and then went to Cuba. Fulton County, where he was employed in a like capacity for one year. He then returned to Range Township, and alternately went to school and clerked until the commencement of the civil war. Ohio answered the President's call for 75,000 men in a very short time. and as her quota was filled, Mr. Ward went to Kentucky. and enlisted in the First Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, serving the three months' term. He then re-enlisted in Company C, of the same regiment, but impaired health caused him to be discharged while in West Virginia. He returned to Madison County, and subsequently re-enlisted again, this time in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Toland Jones, Col. William Jones. commanding. He remained with the regiment until the war closed. He then went to Missouri. and for a year was engaged in the stock trade. He returned to London, and for eleven years was engaged in the boot and shoe trade, eight years of the time with John Stahl. On March 1, 1877, he was made freight agent of the Little Miami Railroad; March 10, 1877, agent of the American, and November 1, 1881, of the Adams Express Company. Mr. Ward is well-known by everybody in Madison County, and equally well-liked for his genial manners, and good business qualifications. He is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138 (Masonic), and Democratic in politics. He was married February 14, 1867 to Laura Huston, a native of Fayette County, Ohio.
WILLIAM WARNER, retired. London, Ohio was born in Fairfax County, Va., about nine miles from Alexandria, March 15, 1793. His parents were William and Betsy (Denty) Warner. both natives of Virginia. William, Jr.. was reared to farm life, residing on his father's farm in Virginia until in the spring of 1805, when he came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Belmont County, where they remained until the fall of 1812. engaged in farming, and then -removed to Madison County. purchasing land adjoining the town of London, on the east. The parents resided in the county a number of years. raised a large family and removed in town. where both died. Our subject had only meager educational advantages: having a stout and robust physique. his labor was required on the farm. After becoming of age, he learned the tanner's trade with William D. Pickard, of London. but only followed it a few years. On the 29th of February 1819, Mr. W. was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Kelley, a native of Virginia. and to them have been born the following-named children: Mary, Nancy. Adaline. John. Kate. Anna E.. Josephine and Helen Mr. Warner has-been variously occupied during his long life in London and vicinity; and as farmer, tanner, carpenter, merchant and public officer. having been Sheriff of the county twelve years. and for a period of four years Deputy Sheriff. beside filling several minor offices, his honesty and integrity were never questioned. Early in life both himself and wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his early life. Mr. W. was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He being a liberal roan and of an easy turn in business matters, has not accumulated wealth. bat ha; lived a life highly com-
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mendable, and is greatly esteemed and respected by all. In politics, he is Republican. "Uncle Billy," as he is familiarly called, is the oldest citizen of the town and the oldest person in the county, where he has passed nearly seventy-one years. Be is now nearing the goal of ninety years, and the venerable couple who have lived in the marriage relation nearly sixty-four years are now passing the evening of their life together in a comfortable house in London, where they are only awaiting the final summons.
HENRY WARNER, deceased, was born in Fairfax County, Va., nine miles from Alexandria, on the Potomac River. June 15, 1795, and came to Ohio with his parents and grandparents in the spring of 1805, settling in Belmont County. He removed to London in September, 1812, where he lived consecutively until the day of his death, a period of sixty-four years. When he came to London, it was a collection of less than a dozen huts, and he assisted Judge Patrick McLene in laying out the town. He was married, February 27,1823, to Keturah H. Gosslee, by whom he had eleven children, seven now living, viz.: Mrs. William Riddle. of London; Mrs. R. A. Harrison. of Columbus; Capt. James R. Warner; Gen. D. B. Warner, U. S. Consul at St John, N. B.; Mrs. Eliza Baker, of Chicago; Mrs. Asa Myers, of Brooklyn; and Miss Mary Warner, who lives at home. Mr. Warner came of a long-lived family, his grandfather having attained the remarkable age of one hundred and four years, his father eighty-eight, and his only living brother, the venerable William Warner, of London. is now one of the oldest citizens of the city. Mr. Warner was a merchant, surveyor and dealer in real estate, besides having held several county offices. He was four years Sheriff of the county. fourteen years County Treasurer (elected in 1834 ) and for a number of years County Surveyor. He retired from business, more than twenty years prior to his death. By industry, frugality, sound sense and force of character, be became possessed of a considerable fortune. Many anecdotes are related by old citizens, illustrative of his rigid honesty and eccentricity, for honest he was and eccentric to a marked degree. Kind of heart when convinced of duty or when charity deserved, he was, nevertheless, one of the most sarcastic of men. For instance: Once when he was representing his own cause before a magistrate, the lawyer for the other side remarked that he "did not wish to take advantage of Mr. Warner. as he saw he was there without counsel." "Oh, go on," said Mr. Warner. "your aide of the case is in the same condition." Mr. Warner had been an invalid for thirty years previous to his death. Mr Warner was an invalid, but he was always a pleasant and instructive gentleman, and a worthy member of the Methodist Church. to which he had belonged for more than half a century. He was a Whig in politics, so long as that party had an existence, and endorsed the Republican party at its birth, with which he ever after affiliated. He never missed voting at an election in his life until the fall before his death, when his physical health was such that he could not get to the polls. He died Friday, January 31, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-three years six months and sixteen days. His remains were interred in Kirkwood Cemetery. on the afternoon of Monday. February 2, 1879 the funeral sermon beging preached by Rev. J. C. Jackson. Mr. Warner was one of the oldest. best known, and most highly respected citizens of this county. As an officer, citizen. parent. or friend, he was conscientious, liberal. faithful and affectionate. and his loss was deeply felt and lamented by the church, State, and society, as well as by a large circle of mourning relatives. firs. Warner is a daughter of Richard Gosslee, who was born in Sussex County. Md.. in 1781, and died in London November 26, 1872.
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aged ninety-one years six months and one day. He emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, in 1804, and to Madison County in 1816. Before his death he represented the oldest of five generations living in London. He was married three times. He left fourteen children. thirty grandchildren, and over thirty great-grandchildren. and two great-great-grandchildren. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for seventy-one years. If he had lived three months longer he would have been enabled to have witnessed the golden wedding of his daughter. Mrs. Warner.
DENNIS WARNER. London. one of the oldest physicians and Surgeons of Madison County, was born in Union Township, this county. near London. May 19, 1818. His father. William Warner, was a native of Virginia, and is a planter by occupation. He never owned any slaves. but hired them, paving them amply for all service rendered. He married Elizabeth Denty, a native of Virginia. who bore him six children and then passed away from earth. He subsequently married Susannah Weiser. of German parentage. who was the mother of eight children. William Warner came to this county with his family in 1812 locating 200 acres of land adjoining the now corporate limits of London. He subsequently sold this. and removed to the city, where he died in his eighty-seventh year. Mrs. Warner departed this life in October. 1797. Our subject was reared on the farm. and remained there until twenty years of age. He received only a fair education, and about 1838, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Malsby. an old practitioner of London. He was subsequently under the tuition of Dr. Toland, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. March 2, 1847. He then located in London. and for nearly forty years has been ministering to the sick of Madison County. During this time, Dr. Warner has been moderately successful in a financial way, but has also been an acute sufferer from that terrible disease. rheumatism. Politically, Dr. Warner had always been a Whig, and later a Republican. He was Pension Examiner a few years, and also served a short time as Assessor. He was married, October 10, 1847, to Mary, daughter of John F. Chenoweth. an old and honored citizen of this county. They had two children, a son and a daughter, the latter dying in infancy. The former, James McLene Warner, is Deputy County Clerk. and married Ida. daughter of William Hall, now of Iowa. They have one daughter, Gertie P.
ELI G. WARNER. farmer. P. O. London. was born in London September 29, 1816. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Atkinson) Warner, of English descent, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. Our subject worked at the carpenter's trade, with his father, who was a carpenter. until he was twenty-one years of age. when he took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. He owns a farm in this county which he is cultivating in the most approved style, in addition to 160 acres in Kansas. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Ann Maria Zartman, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Zartman, of German descent. By this union three children were born-Mattie C., Edwin Z. and Clara S. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been class leader and steward. He has long been an advocate of total abstinence, and strongly indorses rigid prohibition.
STEPHEN WATSON. President of the Madison National Bank, and Acting President of the London Exchange Bank, was born in Union (now Paint) Township, Madison County, June 4. 1827. His father. David Watson. was born in Maryland October 17. 1783. He was a son of Walter Watson, also a native of Eastern Maryland, who was one of six brothers-
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said to be the smallest, and his average weight was 235 pounds. After David's birth, he moved to Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1806. He located in Ross County, near Chillicothe, and one year later moved to this county. David came to Madison County in 1805 to help his father-in- law, Peter P. Helpinstine, in surveying. Mr. Helphinstine's father was a Major in the Revolutionary war. and had a land grant calling for 5,011 acres. His son, our subject's father, came along to survey it. They laid it out in three places on Oak Run, Walnut Run, and Deer Creek. After the land was divided there were 100 acres overplus, which Mr. Watson purchased at $2 per acre, giving in exchange a horse valued at $100. and a watch valued at $20. and owing the balance. In 1807, he settled on the land in Madison County, boarding with Jonathan and Eleanor Minshall, his brother-in-law and sister, until a cabin was built on his land by friendly neighbors. His wife was Mary Helphinstine, a native of Frederick Count v. Va., who died in 1852. Mr. Watson was a farmer and stock-raiser through life, and died in April, 1870. They had twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, ,f whom only four, two daughters and two sons. are living, viz.: Susannah, wife of Wesley Yocums. of Champaign County, Ohio; Isabella, wife of A. H. Nixon. a wholesale tobacco dealer of Dayton, Ohio. Our subject, the eighth child and fourth son; and David, one of the County Commissioners, residing on the old homestead, in Paint Township. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and received his early education. which was limited, in a log schoolhouse on his father's farm. When twenty-two years of age, he purchased, with his brother Samuel, 258 acres of land, which they kept three years and then sold it at an advance of $3,000. With the proceeds, he purchased 145 acres. try which he has since added until he now owns about 600 acres. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1871. In 1868, he came to London. and purchased his present residence. He and Mr. Charles R. Cover engaged in the business of brokers on November 9, 1869, and have been engaged in it since. On July 1, 1870 a stock company was formed and bought the Madison County Bank of Addison Shanklin and Robert Boyd Mr. Watson was appointed Vice President, and the name of the bank changed to the Exchange Bank He has since been Acting President. In June, 1880 he was elected President of the Madison National Bank. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and a trustee and treasurer of the church at London. On December 23, 1852, he was married to Elmira. daughter of John Dungan.
E. R. WATTS. of McKinnon & Watts, saddlers and harness makers. London. was born at Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, March 4, 1828. His father Edward Watts, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio about 1816 or 1818. He first located at Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio. where he taught school. He subsequently located in Greene County, and there married Margaret Snively. a native of Maryland. He died in Greene County, Ohio, in 1856. - Mrs. Watts died in August. 1881. They were the parents of one daughter and live sons, four living. Our subject is the only one of the family residing in this county, and was reared and educated in his native county. he learned the saddler's trade at Xenia. and subsequently traveled for a time in Central and Western Ohio. He then returned to Xenia and there remained twelve years. On January 1, 1866, he came to London, and the same year entered into a partnership with W. H. McKinnon. in his present business. This is one of the oldest business firms in the city, and their trade is excellent Mr. Watts is a member of Madison Lodge. No. 70 (Odd Fellows), the American Le-
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gion of Honor, and a firm Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Steward in that body. He has been a member of the London School Board eleven years, and its able and efficient Secretary the greater portion of that time. Mr Watts was married September 12, 1851, to Mary J. McKinnon. Of their four children, one is living-Reed in attendance at the public schools. Mrs. Watts is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
PETER WEBER. proprietor Weber House, London. also the restaurant and bakery connected therewith, was born in Rhine Bavaria, Germany, December 29, 1823. He is a son of Jacob Weber, who lived and died in Germany. He married Barbara Riddlesburger. They were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, only two of whom are in America. Our subject was reared in Germany. and there learned the baker's trade. He was a member of the Sixth Regiment of Infantry, and served five years. He then came to America, locating at Columbus, Ohio, and worked there one and a half years. He then came to London and established himself in the bakery and grocery business. His trade increased steadily, and he soon opened a restaurant. "He also established a brewery, which he has lately abandoned. In 1880, he started a brick yard, and the same year erected his present building. Mr. Weber is a pioneer business man of London, and has been quite successful in his mercantile operations. He is Democratic in politics, and has been a member of the Village Council. He was united in marriage, in 1852, to Mary Hahen, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. They are the parents of six children. Mrs. Weber is a member of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
ALMIRA WILLIAMS, nee Rouse, P. O. London. is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Platt) Rouse. the former a native of Vermont, of English descent. and the latter a native of Connecticut, of Scotch descent. Her father was a carpenter by trade, and emigrated from the East in 1839, settling in Union Township. where Almira was raised and where they spent their lives. Our subject was born in 1826. and when eighteen ; ears of age married Harvey Fellows who was born in New Hampshire August 23, 1804. He was a son of Ebenezer and Deborah (Ross) Fellows. They had two children-Sarah A., wife of Col. Ross, of London; and Harvey, who died in 1881, leaving two children. Mr. Fellows was a War Democrat. He was County Commissioner two terms, and Township Trustee three terms. He died in 1865. and in 1876 his widow married Vincent Williams, who died in 1881, aged sixty-five years. Mrs. Williams owns a fine farm adjoining London.
DAVID M. WILLOUGHBY, Marshal of London, was born in Paint Township. this county, June 17. 1852. His father, A. J. Willoughby, was a native of Range Township, and a son of Laban Willoughby, who came to Ohio about 1807 or 1808 A. J. Willoughby was a farmer until about the time of the war, when a fever sore caused him the loss of one of his legs. He subsequently resided with his sons until the date of his death, January 22, 1810 in his fifty-fourth year. He married Catherine Coberly, a native of Paint Township Of their seven children, five are living. Mrs. Willoughby is still living, and resides with our subject in her fifty-sixth year. David M. grew to manhood in his native township, and in early life resided in Indiana one year. He learned the painter's trade, and for three years was employed in the Champion Machine Shops, Springfield. Ohio. He was a locomotive fireman on the Michigan Central Railroad, in Michigan, for a short time and was appointed Night Police of London. in April, 1880. He
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was elected to his present position in April, 1882, on the Republican ticket. Mr. Willoughby was married, March 17, 1879, to Ellen Harrahan, a native of Paint Township. They have two children--Rosser and Mabel. Mr. Willoughby has made an efficient Marshal, and enjoys the esteem of all his acquaintances.
G. H. WILSON, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Madison County, June 6, 1852. He is a son of Eli and Atha (Prugh) Wilson, who were of English descent, and among the early settlers of this county. His father was one of the leading farmers of the county, and at the time of his death, in 1880, owned 900 acres of land, which he had made by his own industry. Our subject was educated in Oak Run Township, and adopted the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. He is the owner of 119 acres of good land, on which he resides. He was married in 1875, to Delia Wilson, a daughter of Jacob Wilson. and a native of Ohio, of English descent. They have two children, Norman and Pearl. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics.
J. M. WINCHESTER. London, the oldest clothing merchant and a liferesident of London, was born in the village November 9, 1828. His father, Alvah Winchester. was a native of New York, and in early life accompanied his parents to Ohio. They came down the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Penn.. on a raft, and located on the Colerain road, near Cincinnati, and soon after entered a piece of land in Clark County, Ohio, where his father. Lyman Winchester. died. Alvah Winchester came to this county a short time afterward, and was one of the first tailors to locate and do business in the then small village of London. His trade increased, and he finally opened a clothing house, and enjoyed a good trade until his death, January 8. 1863, aged sixty-five ears. His wife was Matilda Barnett. a native of Tennessee. who bore him' ten children, four living, and three still residents of London. Mrs. Winchester departed this life July 26, 1865, at about the same age as her husband. Our subject was the sixth child of this large family, and in early life assisted his father. He also learned the tailor's trade, and worked at it until 1853. when he became associated in business with his father, under the firm name of A. Winchester & Son. The firm did business under this name until the death of the senior partner, when his son purchased the stock and trade, and has since carried on the business. Mr. Winchester has met with very fair success in business. and is well esteemed by his numerous friends throughout Madison County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Lodge, Chapter and Council of London. and Republican in political matters. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock. December 31, 1857, to Margaret Southern, a native of Maryland. who accompanied her parents to Ohio when quite young. Four children have been born to this union. three living-John and Dennis W., with their father in the store. and Nettie. Stephen is deceased. Mrs. Winchester is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM WINGATE, farmer P. O. London, was born in Union Township July 16, 1811, and is a son of William and Margaret (Warner) Wingate. natives of Virginia, of English and Irish descent. They were among the early settlers of this county. Our subject was educated in the early subscription schools of this county. He was reared on a farm and has made farming the occupation of his life, now owning 145 acres of land. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which he has been a class leader twenty years. and Trustee four years. He was the youngest child of a family of five children. He has lived in the house
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where he now resides since 1815. He has lived a life of retirement, never having married, and since 1870, has been suffering with impaired health. He is a lover of good literature. a practical farmer and an enthusiastic stock-dealer.