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JEROME SAPP, one of Circleville's old established business men, a large dealer in staple and fancy groceries, was born at Circleville, December no, 1845, and is a son of John and Susan (Landis) Sapp.
Both the Sapp and Landis families came to Pickaway County from Pennsylvania. Jacob Landis, the maternal grandfather of Jerome Sapp, was prominent in the business life of Circleville for a long period. John Sapp settled at an early day at Circleville, where he was a pioneer in the bakery business and continued the same for an extended period.
Jerome Sapp spent the larger part of his time in school, until he was 13 years of age, when he became self-supporting, working first on a farm and then learning the carpenter's trade. After working at this for eight years, he became a clerk in the grocery store of D. B. Wagner, with whom he remained 14 months, and then entered the employ of Amos Beach, in the same line, with whom he remained something like two years, going then to F. M. Shulze, in the queensware line. After some six years with this employer, he became connected with the firm of Lynch & Weaver in the wholesale and retail grocery line, remaining with them for to years or until the firm was dissolved and then continued with Mr. Lynch. two years longer: In 1891 he em-barked in the grocery business for himself, his many years of training serving to make him an excellent judge both of commodities and their handling and also the demands of the public. The latter he has been able to anticipate and to supply, as his abundant returns testify. His business is a leader in the line of staple and fancy groceries at Circleville and he has many country customers whom he has known and served for years. Mr. Sapp located in his present quarters, the Pythian Castle, in 1893.
Mr. Sapp was married June 19. 1880, to Alice Howard, who for nine years was a school teacher in Pickaway County. She is a daughter of Thomas Howard, who was one of the early settlers of Pickaway County. Mr. Howard was born in Ireland and emigrated from his native land in the days when vessels spent many weeks in crossing the Atlantic.
Mr. and Mrs. Sapp have these children : Elizabeth M., who is living at home with her parents; Nellie, who married Dennis Phillips and lives on a valuable farm on the Pickaway Plains, in Pickaway township; Fannie, who is employed by a telephone company ; Margaret, who is her father's bookkeeper; and Howard, who is his father's right-hand man in the business.
As one of the city's reliable, dependable men, Mr. Sapp has long been more or less prominent in public affairs . in city and county and on one occasion was brought forward by the Republican party as its preferred candidate for sheriff. Fraternally he is a member of the Foresters and of the Knights of Pythias and has been master of exchequer of the latter organization at Circleville, for the past six years.
GRANVILLE MOODY BULEN, who has resided upon his present farm in Harrison
township since 1885, . has one of the most valuable and attractive homesteads in Pickaway county,
being the owner of 340 acres of land, originally known as the Lincoln Goodale farm. The
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property has been in the possession of the Bulen family for 28 years. Mr. Bulen is both a large grain producer and an extensive raiser of live-stock. About one-third of his land is given over to the cultivation of corn, his crop averaging 6,500 bushels, and an equal area to wheat and grass, his wheat crop amounting to some 2,000 bushels per annum. His live-stock operations are chiefly in cattle and hogs. He raises and markets about 200 head of hogs per season, and feeds from two to three carloads of cattle in winter. In 1901 Mr. Bulen erected the residence which he now occupies, which is one of the most attractive in Harrison township and adds greatly to the modern and prosperous appearance of the entire homestead. In the agricultural operations on his farm 12 horses are constantly employed, about four teams being used in the direct cultivation of the farm.
Granville M. Bulen was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 3, 1862, and is a son of William and Mary A. (Thompson) Bulen. The father, a native of England, came to America with his parents when 11 years of age. They lived in Canada for one year and then came to the States, settling at once in Franklin County, Ohio, where William Bulen resided until his death, March 10, 1899, at the age of 77 years. Throughout life he had been engaged in farming. His widow, now in her 82nd year, still resides on the old homestead near Columbus.
On October 3, 1883, Granville M. Bulen was married to Anna M. Barlow, daughter of John Barlow, of Franklin County, Ohio. Three daughters have been born to their union, namely : Grace E., wife of Vause Blake, residing on the farm with her husband and their one child--Lucile Fay Blake ; Myrtle M., unmarried, who lives with her parents, and Ada M., deceased in infancy.
In politics our subject is a Republican from the standpoint of national affairs, but in local matters he supports the most honest and capable man, irrespective of party. Since he was 17 years of age he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being at present identified with the organization at Lockbourne.
DILDINE SNYDER, son of one of the early pioneers of Pickaway County and himself a resident of it for three-quarters of a century, is the owner of a fine homestead of about 350 acres in a compact body, situated in section 23, Walnut township. He was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Solt) Snyder. In 1831, when he was three years of age, his parents with their family removed to Pickaway County, coming from Pennsylvania in covered wagons, and for years after their settlement experiencing all the hardships of pioneer life with the brave spirit which was general in those days, and enjoying also to the utmost its rugged and healthful pleasures.
Mr. Snyder has therefore been reared from infancy in this county. He was educated in its log schoolhouses, passed through all the primitive stages of agricultural development, and emerged a thorough, intelligent farmer. He was married in 1855 to Syrena Walters, daughter of Daniel Walters, and became the father of nine children, six of whom are living. A brief record of the family follows : Sarah, the eldest, who married Daniel Stein, and died when her daughter, Myrtle, was quite young, the latter being adopted by her grandfather (our subject) with whom she still re-sides; Mary, who became the wife of William May, and is the mother of one son--Roy; Jane, who married Lyman Reigel and has two children--Clarence and Ruth; Emma, who married John May and is the mother of four sons--Ralph, Walter, .Alva and Virgil; Clara, who married William Hall and has three children--Ruth, Esther and John ; Edson Jerome, the only son of the family, who married Sallie Courtright, and died in 1899; Ada, who married David Belong and has one daughter--Alice; and Ella, who lives at home with her father. The mother of the family died March 21, 1904, and with her passed away one of the noble, pioneer women of the county. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.. Of the members of Dildine Snyder's immediate family, three are still living--two brothers--William H. and Wilson--
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and a sister--Mrs. Delilah Brown. It may be added that he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has always been a Democrat. In public affairs he has taken the legitimate interest of a faithful, intelligent citizen and at various times has served as township trustee.
HENRY GUSTAV JOCH, the owner of a fine farm of 153 acres in Salt Creek township, for many years was a leading business man at Tarlton, where he conducted a tannery. He was born March 28, 1836, in a small German principality bordering on the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, and was a sow of Frederick William and Christiana (Neumeister) Joch.
The father of Mr. Joch was an educated man and followed the profession of teacher in his native land. Although Henry Gustav Joch was afforded a good, public school education, he did not adopt his father's calling, his inclinations leading him to learn the excellent trade of tanner and currier, at which he served three and a half years as an apprentice under the instruction of his maternal uncle, Ernest Neumeister. He then traveled as a journeyman for some years through his own country, Austria and Russia, until 1867, when he emigrated to America. He took passage on a steamship at Bremerhaven and within two weeks was landed at the port of New York. He proceeded immediately to Zanesville, Ohio, and found work there at his trade and subsequently married in that city. In 1872 he came to Tarlton, where he operated a tannery for some years and then took charge of his excellent farm in Salt Creek township: He still resides, however, in the village of Tarlton, where he has a handsome home.
At Zanesville, Ohio, on November 7, 1870, Mr. Joch was united in marriage with Johanna Ditmar, who was born in Germany, May 16, 1838. They have four daughters, namely : Anna J., wife of H. E. Defenbaugh; Mary E., of Zanesville; and Sophia P. and Edith F., living at home.
Mr. Joch is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tarlton, in which he is a class leader. His estimable wife is also an active worker in this church. They are well known and enjoy the esteem of many friends and the regard of all who know them. Mr. Joch is a very intelligent man, having traveled extensively in his youth, and has taken an active interest in public affairs and local concerns ever since becoming a respected resident of Pickaway County.
J. J. BREHMER, florist, at Circleville, has been a resident of this city for the past 20 years and stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. He was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of Jacob Brehmer, who was born in Germany in the neighborhood of Wittenberg. By trade he was a cooper. He emigrated to America and his first work was in connection with the construction of the old canal at Chillicothe.
J. J. Brehmer was reared and educated at Chillicothe, and as soon as he was able started out to learn a self-supporting trade. He found work with William C. McKellar in the "Rose Grove Nursery." Mr. McKellar was one of the largest rose growers in the United States. Mr. Brehmer was trained in the propagation house and remained there for nine years; during all this period he lost but one week, which was the result of illness caused by vaccination.
Mr. Brehmer then went to Cincinnati and during his two years there had charge for a time of the greenhouse of S. S. Jackson. He visited a number of places, in all of which he studied details of the florist's business and then went back to Chillicothe for a short time. He was then called to Adelphi, Ohio, to take charge of the Reigel nursery, in which he worked for two years and then became a partner in the business. After 12 years there, he came to Circleville in 1886 and located on 11 acres of ground in the east end of the town, where he carried, on a combined florist and nursery business for four years. His next change was to the old Fair Grounds on the
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Folsom place, and there he carried on a florist business for 13 years. In 1902 he bought his present place where he has a fine plant and has some 12,000 square feet of glass. He also owns a fine nursery in connection with his greenhouse and does an extensive business in that line.
In 1901 Mr. Brehmer was married to Minerva Sherburn, of Bremen, Ohio. By a previous marriage, Mr. Brehmer had three chiIdren, namely: Pearl R.; Robert Lewis ; and Hazel, the wife of Oliver Fellows, of Columbus.
Mr. Brehmer is a member of the Foresters. He belongs to the United Brethren Church.
G. W. RUNKLE, the able superintendent of the Pickaway County Children's Home, located in Washington township near Circleville, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 21, 1859, and is a son of Daniel and Passy (Swoyer) Runkle.
Mr. Runkle was reared and educated in Pickaway County and until he accepted his present position had always followed agricultural pursuits. He is known as a man of sterling character and no better selection could have been made for the responsible position in which he is serving his second term.
The Pickaway County Children's Home is under the direct supervision of Mr. Runkle and Mrs. Runkle is its efficient matron. It is under the management of a board of trustees which is composed of the following prominent and responsible men : H. V. Johnson, John Courtright, M. B. Radcliffe and E. E. Winship, Sr.
In 1887 Mr. Runkle was married (first) to Elizabeth Bownocker, a daughter of Michael Bownocker, of Fairfield County, Ohio. At her death in 1894 she left two children, Olive and Roland, both of whom live in Walnut township. On December 29, 1898, Mr. Runkle was married (second) to Carrie Talbut, a daughter of Alphonse Talbut.
Mr. Runkle was appointed superintendent of the Children's Home on September 18, 1905, for a term of one year and his administration gave such satisfying results that his reappointment followed. In all his work he is ably assisted by his excellent wife and both are much beloved by their charges.
Mr. Runkle is a member of the beneficiary society known as the Court of Honor, of Springfield, Illinois. Both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church.
CHARLTON A. VALENTINE, who resides upon a farm of 81 acres situated in section 5, Circleville township, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, February 14, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Eccard) Valentine and a grandson of Henry Valentine, who was a prominent farmer in Frederick County, Maryland.
Henry Valentine and his wife, both of whom were natives of Frederick County, Maryland, came to Pickaway County in 1851, at which time their son, Charlton A. Valentine, was but four years old, and settled on a farm east of Circleville where Henry Valentine devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until the time of his death in 1857. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1895.
Since his loth year, Charlton A. Valentine has lived in Circleville township with the exception of two years spent in farming in Tennessee. For a considerable period Mr. Valentine was a breeder of thoroughbred horses, but now devotes his whole time exclusively to farming. He was at one time interested in selling farm implements through the country. He was married in 1876 to Sallie Morrow, a daughter of Robert and Mary Morrow, both well-known citizens of Pickaway County. Mr. Morrow died in 1884 and his wife died in April, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine were married in the same house which they now occupy. They have had three children as follows : Ella and Robert, Who live
846 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
at home; and Alice, who died in her ninth month. Mr. Valentine is a member of the Foresters and is a Democrat in politics.
SAMUEL H. RUGGLES. The late Samuel H. Ruggles, who was one of the old and esteemed residents of Circleville, and one of the city's most ingenious and successful business men, died at his home, April 18, 1904, about the close of his 83rd year. Mr. Ruggles was born June 8, 1821, at Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, and was a son of Samuel and Anna H. Ruggles, who were natives of Boston, Massachusetts. In the early years of his life Samuel Ruggles was engaged in commercial shipping in Boston, but after the capture of his vessel by the British, in the War of 1812, he moved to the northern part of New York State, where he engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He died at Lowville, New York, in 1834, leaving a widow and five children.
Before his father's death, Samuel H. Ruggles attended Lowville Academy, but afterwards, on account of his mother's limited income, he was obliged to leave school. He came to Circleville, Ohio, where his uncle, Gen. Hoel Lawrence, then a prominent business man, had secured for him the position of junior clerk in the mercantile house of Rogers & Martin. Although he started here with a very small salary, even for those days, at the end of eight years he had saved enough to justify his admission to a partnership in the firm. This advancement meant a one-fourth interest in all the business, including the grain trade and pork-packing, the latter an industry then in its infancy. In 1845, when the firm opened a commission business in New Orleans, Mr. Ruggles took charge of this branch house. In a very few years, he bought out the interests of his partners and became head of the firm, himself.
In 1852 he disposed of his mercantile and grain interests and for the next 20 years devoted his attention to pork-packing, owning one of the largest pork-packing houses in Ohio.
Mr. Ruggles organized the first canning factory at Circleville and from this have emanated 15 busy canneries in the vicinity. In fact the number of prosperous business concerns in the city with which he had some connection is surprisingly large.
He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Circleville and was one of its directors before he became connected with the Second National Bank. In 1863 he became a director of the Second National Bank and was made its president on January 12, 1882, which position he filled with rare judgment and success for 21 years, until his death.
On February 15, 1859, Samuel H. Ruggles was united in marriage with Catherine Osborne, daughter of Ralph Osborne (at one time prominent in the affairs of this State) and granddaughter of Gen. James Denny, of the War of 1812.
Of this union were born four children : Samuel T.; Elizabeth Joslin (who resides with her mother in the old home at Circleville) ; Nelson J.; and Fanny M., the latter of whom died in 1873.
In bringing this brief record of one of Circleville's most valued citizens to a close, mention must be made of his wide-spread charities: His benefactions were not distributed with any ostentation, but they were constant and liberal.
He was a forceful and evenly balanced man and although public life had no attractions for him, he possessed just the qualities needed in the successful management of the country's affairs. His life was exemplary and its influence will long be felt.
SAMUEL TURNEY RUGGLES, president of the Second National Bank of Circleville, is one of the best known men of this city, where he has lived all his. life. He is a son of the late Samuel H. Ruggles, who for a period of nearly 6o years was intimately connected with the most important business enterprises of Circleville.
Samuel T. Ruggles completed his educa-
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tion in Eastern schools where he was trained in business methods. For 10 years he was engaged in the pork-packing business with his father, and for six years under the firm name of Ruggles & Morrow. Upon the death of his father in April, 1904, he became president of the Second National Bank of which he had previously been one of the directors. In addition to the banking business, he is largely interested in farming and other pursuits, and is the manager of the Marshall Anderson estate. Like his father, he possesses remarkable business ability and is looked upon as one of Circleville's most enterprising and successful men of affairs.
Mr. Ruggles was married to Maude Richards and they have two children--Catherine Osborne and Miriam J. They reside in one of the city's most beautiful homes, located on South Court street. Mr. Ruggles and family attend the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.
GEORGE W. ALKIRE, one of the prominent agriculturists of Madison and Pickaway counties, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section of Ohio, and is the only surviving son of Isaac and Mary (Graham) Alkire.
The Alkire family is of Scotch extraction and many members of it still reside in old Scotland, where the name is spelled Alkirk. The founder of the Alkire family in America was a member of the colonizing expedition of Lord Baltimore, which crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made the first settlement in Maryland in 1634. Evidently this early settler was a :man of virile strength as his descendants have increased a d multiplied, their lives and histories being mote or less interwoven with the annals of a number of the States of the Union. From Maryland the name is traced to Virginia, thence to Kentucky and about 1800 it became known in Ohio.
Almonas Alkire, of Virginia, in 1720 married Mary Crayman, the daughter of a neighbor, and from this union came a family, the four preserved names being: William, born in 1724; Deborah, born in 1728; Almonas, Jr., born in 1730; and Sarah, born in 1732.
William Alkire, the eldest son of the above family, was born and probably reared in Virginia and there married Elizabeth Moore, for his first wife. Subsequently he removed to Kentucky but no records are at hand to show whether the following children were born in Virginia or Kentucky. They were : Mary Ann, born October 5, 1781, who married Courtney Tanner; Robert, born October 3, 1783, who married Elizabeth Douglass ; John, born December 17, 1785, who died in infancy; Margaret, born in 1786, who married James Denison ; Jacob, born April 1, 1787, who married Mary Phebus, who died March 20, 1842, his death following on June 5, 1847; Isaac, the father of our subject; Abraham, born August 6, 1790; Lydia, born January 3, 1792, who married John Graham ; Harmon, born February 10, 1794, who never married; John (2), born October 15, 1795, who married Susan Mantle; Delilah, born in 1796, who married John Metz; and William, born 1797, who married Hannah Osborn. After the death of his first wife, William Alkire married Temperance Clay, who was a sister of the distinguished statesman, Henry Clay. Two children were born to this marriage, viz.: Henry Green Clay and Joseph. The former was born May 25, 1807, in Ohio, and died July 23, 1863. His wife was Elizabeth Neff, of a well-known Ohio pioneer family.
Isaac Alkire, son of William and Elizabeth (Moore) Alkire, and father of George W. Alkire, was born October 12, 1788, probably in Kentucky. His death occurred May 16, 1877, on his farm in Darby township, Pickaway County, Ohio, where he owned 500 acres of land. He inherited 100 acres of land from his father, who came to Ohio about 1800. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married Mary Graham, who became the mother of eight children and died November 14, 1862. The two living children of Isaac Alkire are : George .W., of this sketch; and Cynthia, the wife of F. O. Bostic, of Mount Sterling.
George W. Alkire was born in Darby town-
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ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, on January 4, 1836. He was educated in the district schools and was reared a practical farmer on the old homestead, where he remained until he was 38 years of age. He owns 807 acres of excellent land in Pickaway County, as mentioned above, and also 75 acres in Madison County, on which he lives. Formerly the family owned the present site of Mount Sterling, which town was originally laid out by Mr. Alkire's uncle, a Mr. Smith.
George W. Alkire was united in marriage with Katherine Smith, who was a ward of Dr. Whitford, of Circleville. They have had four children, viz.: Martha, who died aged 18 years ; Nella, who lives at home ; Katherine, who also resides at home; and William, who married Bessie Snyder.
Mr. Alkire is a charter member of the Mount Sterling lodge of Odd Fellows and is one of the oldest members of the fraternity in his section. He has been identified with the improvement and growth of Darby township since his earliest days and no citizen is held in higher esteem.
HON. RENICK W. DUNLAP, a member of the 76th General, Assembly of Ohio--State Senator from the l0th Senatorial District--is one of the men of prominence in Pickaway County, where he was born October 21, 1872. He is a son of Nelson J. and Elizabeth (Bell) Dunlap, and a grandson of John and Mary (Minear) Dunlap.
The Dunlap family can justly lay claim to be one of the old' pioneer ones of this section of the State. As far back as traced, its ancestry belongs to Virginia, and it was from that State that the great-grandfather of our distinguished subject came to what was then the wilderness of Ohio, and established his family among the first in Ross County. He had married a native of Maryland, and at least one son was nine years old when the settlement was made. John Dunlap, the son mentioned, served in the War of 1812, and lived in Ross County until his death in 1878.
Nelson J. Dunlap, father of Renick W. Dunlap, was born in Ross County and was educated in the early schools of the neighborhood, having better advantages than many of his comrades, through his parents' care in sending him to an excellent private school at Chillicothe. Had the Civil War not come upon the country, it is probable that his life would have been entirely confined to agricultural pursuits in his native county, but in November, 1863, he enlisted in the United States Navy, in defense of his country. He was attached to the Mississippi squadron and for more than a year took part in the general warfare along the river. Prior to entering the navy, he had been a volunteer in the defense of Cincinnati and thus became somewhat acquainted with the hardships of a soldier's life, proving his bravery by acting as a scout under Colonel Reed. The life on the water was scarcely less exciting and hazardous, but Mr. Dunlap returned home without serious injury.
After his return from the army, Mr. Dunlap resumed farming and in 1868 settled in Pickaway County, near Kingston, where he remained until 1905, when he removed to Kingston. He still retains his cultivated farming lands, which aggregate some 1,100 acres, and also gives attention to the business enterprise known as the Kingston tile factory, of which he is the proprietor. He has also long been prominent in county politics and served two terms as township treasurer and had the honor of being the first Republican ever elected in Pickaway township.
On December 10, 1867, Mr. Dunlap was married to Elizabeth Bell, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1846, and is a daughter of Hugh and Lovina (Renick) Bell, the former of whom was born in Pickaway and the latter in Ross County. Hugh Bell was a son of Thomas Bell, who was an early settler in this part of the State. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap were born the following children : Mary E., wife of Amos Leist, of Kingston, Ohio; Renick W., our subject; Nellie T., wife of Dennis Dreisbach, of Pickaway County; and Alice J., who resides with her parents at Kingston.
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PAGE 850 - PICTURE OF MRS. ELIZABETH G. MCGUIRE; MRS. ELIZABETH S. GULICK; ABELSYEMOUR GULICK AND SEYMOUR J. MCGUIRE (FOUR GENERATIONS)
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For a number of years Nelson J. Dunlap was president of the township School Board, having always been an earnest advocate of public education. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Kingston and for years has been one of the leading members of the Patrons of Husbandry and has served as master of the Scioto Grange. He is a member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church at Kingston.
Renick W. Dunlap passed his boyhood on his father's farm and secured his early education in the local schools and completed his course at the Kingston High School. In 1895, after a thorough course of agricultural training, he was graduated at the Agricultural College of the Ohio State University. His tastes have always been in the direction of agricultural pursuits and, although public affairs have claimed a part of his time, his greatest pleasure is found on his beautiful farm, where work is carried on systematically and scientifically, with the most satisfying results. For some time he has been interested in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and owns some valuable herds.
From his youth up Mr. Dunlap has been an intelligent student of public affairs and has been more or less prominent in the councils of the Republican party, for an extended period. He belongs to the younger body of political workers and was elected to his present honorable and responsible position by a very flattering vote. In September, 1906, he received the Republican nomination for the office of State dairy and food commissioner.
Mr. Dunlap was married June 9, 1897, to Maxie E. Cummins, who was born at Columbus, Ohio, and is a daughter of Edward W. Cummins, of that city. They have one son, Nelson H., who was born February 16, 1902.
Fraternally Mr. Dunlap is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the various Masonic bodies. He has always been notably public spirited, has always worked for the welfare of his township and county and has testified to his interest in educational and religious. enterprises by liberally contributing to their advancement.
ABEL SEYMOUR GULICK, whose name unites two old and honorable family names of this section of Ohio, is a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Muhlenberg township. He has always lived on his present ,farm of 250 acres in Muhlenberg township, on Darby Creek, where he was born April 17, 1845. He is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Seymour) Gulick.
The Gulick family is of Welsh descent and came to Ohio from Virginia. The Seymour family came from the North of Ireland, was well established in Virginia, coming to the United States at the same time as did the Renicks, and settled in Ohio at a very early day.
Jesse Gulick was a son of William Gulick, who came to Ohio from Virginia in 1818. The former was born in Virginia and was about three years old when his parents settled in Muhlenberg township. He died here in 1878, aged 63 years, and was buried on Decoration Day. His whole life after marriage was spent in Muhlenberg township, where he owned a farm of 150 acres. He was a stanch Democrat. He married Elizabeth Seymour, who was born near Waverly, Pike County, Ohio, and died at Mount Sterling, Madison County, Ohio, in February, 1903, aged 8o years. She was a daughter of Aaron Seymour; her mother dying when she was 12 years old, she was reared by her cousin, Abel Seymour.
The fine farm now owned by our subject is known as the old Seymour farm, its original owner having been William Seymour. It is situated on the old Federal road and its location and value have been known to the people of this section for generations. Mr. Gulick utilizes it mainly as a stock farm, raising many sheep. There are several old mounds on the farm which scientists are of the opinion were constructed by another race, for burial places for their dead. From a valuable gravel pit which is on one portion of the farm, a proof that at a remote period water covered this territory, Mr. Gulick has removed many human relics. Portions of skeletons have been found, which, when exposed to the air, fell to
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pieces, and a number of teeth imbedded in skulls which indicate that once a race of giants lived and died here. All trace of that civilization seems to have passed away.
Our subject is one of a family of 10 children and the eldest, the others being : Mrs. Mary Merrill, deceased in 1892; Minerva, who is the wife of William C. Hill, of Jackson township; Augustus P., of Darby township; Elizabeth Sidney, wife of Elmer Strader, of Darby township; Margaret, widow of Alexander McCord, of Grove City, Ohio; Jonathan Renick, of Darby township; Rachel, wife of L. C. Closan, of Mount Sterling; Fannie, wife of Nelson McKinley; and Josephine, a resident of Columbus.
Mr. Gulick was married (first) on December 6, 1877, to Anna B. Carpenter, who was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, January 25, 1854, and died October 26, 1886. She was a daughter of John R. Carpenter. The children of this union were : Milward N., born December 8, 1878, who lives in Darbyville; Elizabeth C., born September 16, 188o, who married William McGuire; John R., born September 29, 1882, who died aged one year; Harry, born November 6, 1884, who died aged four years; and Anna Belle, born October 5, 1886, who resides with her grandfather in Kentucky. Mr. Gulick was married (second) on August 8, 1889, to Mrs. Matilda Strader, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 17, 1854, and was the widow of Jesse Strader and a daughter of Abner and Anna (Gorrel) Wade. She had four children by her first marriage, namely : Effie, Isabel and Claude, all deceased, and Pearl, wife of Russell Hill. To her marriage with Mr. Gulick have been born three children, viz.: Ursil 0Irene, born May 25, 1890; Guy Bryant, born January 20, 1892; and Nolo Wade, born April 27, 1894. A group picture of the Gulick family accompanies this sketch.
In political sentiment Mr. Gulick has always been identified with the Democratic party. He has taken an active part in public matters in the township and has served two terms as township trustee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM FORESMAN, vice-president of the Second National Bank of Circleville, is the senior banker of this city, and for years has been one of the prominent business men here. Mr. Foresman was born in Lafayette, Indiana, in October, 1845, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Bennett) Foresman.
The Foresman family is of Scotch-Irish descent, its founders in America being the great-grandparents, who came from the North of Ireland. They settled in Virginia and there William Foresman, the grandfather of the present William, was born, and from there, in boyhood, he accompanied his parents to Wayne township, Pickaway County, Ohio. He accumulated land to the amount of 520 acres, not far from the present city of Circleville, and when it was proposed to construct the Ohio Canal he gave the right of way through his farm. He built a mill here, on Darby Creek, which he carried on until 1849, establishing what has become one of the largest milling industries of this part of the State. In religious observance he was a Presbyterian. Of his five children, Philip, father of our subject, was the second eldest.
Hon. Philip Foresman was born on the present site of Foresman's Mill and learned the milling business. Soon after his marriage, he moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he purchased a large tract of land, comprising some two sections, where he was extensively interested in farming and where he also built the first as well as the largest mills in that locality. These he operated in .connection with a large grain business for many years. He was a very prominent political factor, a Whig in politics and served two terms in the Indiana State Legislature. His death took place in 1847, when a comparatively young man, being but 45 years of age; at that time he was considered one of the largest capitalists of his county.
Hon. Philip Foresman married Elizabeth Bennett, who was born in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a daughter of George and Margaret Bennett, natives of Virginia, who were early settlers in Deer Creek township. After the death of Mr.
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Foresman, Mrs. Foresman returned to Circleville, with her three sons, Bennett (who is a resident of Lafayette, Indiana), William and George P.
William Foresman obtained his early education at Circleville and then graduated at a commercial college at Cincinnati. Returning then to Lafayette, he followed farming until 1869, when he came back to Circleville, and, with his brother George P., purchased the mill property, which continued in their possession until 1900, and on which were operated mills having a capacity of 150 barrels of choicest family and baker's flour per day. The location, at the junction of three thoroughfares west of the city with superior railroad connections, gave the best imaginable 'facilities for transportation. . They manufactured several special brands, all of which commanded an immense sale. Shipments were made all over the country. The equipments of the mills were of the most modern description, every invention of approved utility having been introduced. In connection with their large milling interests, the Foresman Brothers owned and operated a farm of 225 acres of valuable land adjoining the mills and were also large cattle feeders. It was in 1900 that Mr. Foresman disposed of his milling interests and has since been engaged in looking after his farm lands, which consist of about 700 acres.
Mr. Foresman was elected a director of the Second National Bank of Circleville, on January 9, 1883, and upon the death of Samuel H. Evans, he was elected vice-president of this institution, on January 10, 1893. At present he is the senior banker in Circleville, having survived all the members of the board in office at the time he was chosen as vice-president.
William Foresman was married (first) to Mary Millar, a daughter of Adam Millar. She was born at South Bloomfield, Ohio, and died at Circleville, leaving one son, Adam, also deceased, who inherited his grandfather Millar's farm of 64o acres of land, near South Bloomfield, the finest in the county.
On January 20, 1900, Mr. Foresman was married to Mrs. Nannie (Winship) Partridge, daughter of E. E. Winship, Sr., of Circleville, now living retired. Mrs. Foresman has one son by first marriage, Elton Winship Partridge, who resides in Columbus. Mr. Foresman resides at No. 239 South Scioto street, where he located in 1849 and which has continued to be his home ever since.
Politically William Foresman was a Republican for some years and under the administration of President Grant served four years as postmaster of Circleville. Mr. Foresman has seen reason to change his political sentiments and is now identified with the Democratic party. In religious views he is, like his ancestors, a member of the Presbyterian Church.
C. D. HESS, manager of the Pressing & Orr Company, a business concern of magnitude which has been established at Circleville since 1901, is one of the experienced cannery men of this part of the country. Mr. Hess was born in Northern New York and is a son of Alexander Hess, who is a retired farmer of Northern New York.
Mr. Hess was reared and educated in his native place. He came to Circleville in 1885 and was identified with C. E. Sears & Company until 1897, next was for two years with Sears & Nichols Company, of Chillicothe, and then was manager for four years with the Winorr Canning Company at Circleville. The business underwent reorganization and the firm name became the Pressing & Orr Company. Mr. Hess has entire management of their plant at Circleville. They are extensive canners of corn, tomatoes, beans, spinach and beets and packers of pickles, and have first-class facilities and an . annual capacity of some 150,000 cases.
In 1887 Mr. Hess was united in marriage with Etta M. Ashworth, who is a daughter of the late William Ashworth, of Kingston, Ross County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have two children: Blanche M. and Malcolm C., the former of whom is a member of the graduat
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ing class of 1906, at the Everts High School, Circleville.
Mr. Hess is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Circleville, in which he is a steward and a member of the board of trustees.
JAMES REICHELDERFER, one of Circleville's representative businessmen, a director in the Sears & Nichols Company, of Chillicothe, and also one of the managers and part owner of C. E. Sears & Company, of Circleville, belongs to one of the pioneer families of Pickaway County, Ohio. He was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, in 1844, and is a son of Samuel Reichelderfer.
The family was established in this county by John Reichelderfer, who was a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and who came here when this whole extent of country was one vast wilderness. Here he reared a large family, one son, Henry, becoming the grandfather of our subject. Samuel Reichelderfer, son of Henry and father of our subject, was born in 1813 in Salt Creek township and became one of the locality's extensive farmers.
James Reichelderfer was reared in Salt Creek township and went to school in the little log structures then used for educational purposes. He continued on the farm until 1876, when he moved to Circleville where he embarked in a grain and milling business with William Heffner, under the firm style of William Heffner & Company. About 18 months later he became associated with the firm of Heffner & Company and continued interested with this firm from 1879 until 1897, when he sold out his interests to the Heffners. Subsequently in partnership with his brother, Francis Reichelderfer our subject engaged in a grain business and in connection with their elevator they built a canning factory. After operating it for some time, they sold to the Sears & Nichols Company, of Chillicothe, but Mr. Reichelderfer remained an interested party in the business as mentioned above.
Mr. Reichelderfer was married (first) in 1864 to Maria Westman, who died in 1886. In 1889 he was married (second) to Julia M. Work, of Lancaster, Ohio. They have two children, Evan W. and Ruth M., both bright students in the Circleville High School. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, Mr. Reichelderfer is a Royal Arch Mason.
CORBAN GRANT ALKIRE, a well-known resident of Mount Sterling, Ohio, and a member of one of the old and honorable families of Pickaway and Madison counties, was born on his father's farm in Madison County, Ohio, May 26, 1863, and is a son of Abraham Reid and Mary Jane (Tanner) Alkire, grand-son of Abraham and Jennie Martin (Creath) Alkire and great-grandson of William and Elizabeth (Moore) Alkire.
The Alkire family in America was established by Almonas Alkire, who in the time of James I., of England, was a member of Lord Baltimore's colonizing expedition, which settled in Maryland. Old records demonstrate the fact that in 1626 there lived in Holland a noble family by the name of Algire, which had originally come from Scotland where the family name was Alkirk. From Maryland the Alkires passed to Virginia, thence to Kentucky and finally to .Ohio, where the family has been established nearly loo years. The early family history has been given at length in the sketch of William Harvey Alkire, brother of our subject, which appears elsewhere in this book.
Abraham Reid Alkire was born on the old Alkire homestead, in Pleasant township, Madison County, Ohio, on February 27, 1830, and died February 12, 1902. He married Mary Jane Tanner, who was born February 22, 1839, and died October to, 1886. They reared five sons and one daughter, as follows : William Harvey, vice-president of The Citizens' Bank
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at Mount Sterling; Charles Francis; Abraham Scott; Corban Grant; Tully Smith and Lillie Annie, wife of Charles Edgar Zahn. Abraham Reid Alkire was president of The Citizens' Bank at Mount Sterling from the date of its organization to his death. He married for his second wife Mrs. Flavilla (Coalton) Tenny, January 29, 1889. She died January 16, 1899, aged 66 years, 9 months and 15 days.
Corban G. Alkire was mainly educated at Columbus and is a man of solid intellectual attainments. At the death of his father he came into possession of land amounting to 273 acres, in Madison and Pickaway counties, and owns an elegant home at Mount Sterling.
Mr. Alkire was married at Columbus, Ohio, June 29, 1898, to Clara Liggett, who was born April 22, 1868, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a daughter of the late Col. John B. Liggett. Mrs. Alkire has two sisters, Georgia and Kate.
The late Col. John B. Liggett was born at Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, November 25, 1839. Like many other men who have reaped success in other fields, Colonel Liggett was reared on a farm and had only the educational advantages offered by the public schools. On leaving the farm he engaged in a mercantile business in various places until the out-break of the Civil War. During the war he had a contract with the United States government to supply coal and for some time he followed the river in fulfilling his contracts. At the close of the war he went to Louisiana and for a time was engaged in a coal business there, later removing to New Orleans,. where he was very successful in the same line.
Colonel Liggett then came North, established his home at Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio, and there became connected with the sewer-pipe industry and continued in that business for several years. He then became interested in the Bell Telephone Company and was soon recognized as one of the company's most valuable employees in this whole section. Important interests were soon placed in his hands and they were managed with skill and efficiency. He became general manager of the Central at Toronto and was noted for hispromptness as well as his courtesy. Personally he was held in the highest esteem and many expressions of intense regret were heard at the time of his decease. The mother of Mrs. Alkire still survives and resides with her two daughters at Toronto.
A visitor to Mount Sterling could not help but admire the beautiful home of Mr. 'and Mrs. Alkire, situated as it is in a wealth of flowering loveliness. Winter is turned into summer with them, for flowers bloom for these true lovers of the floral kingdom, within doors as well as out. They have a fine collection of palms and ferns, among which may be seen many fine specimens. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire are both deaf mutes, but with such beautiful surroundings and with congenial tastes, the affliction seems a light one. Mrs. Alkire was born thus but Mr. Alkire sustained his loss from a severe attack of fever in his childhood. Both enjoyed the educational advantages afforded at the Deaf Mute College at Columbus and are highly educated and also variously accomplished. The atmosphere of their quiet home, with its refined influences, is very attractive.
THOMAS WHITE BROWN, a well-known business man of Wayne township and Circleville, who has been identified with many interests in Pick away County for some years, was born in Deerfield township, Ross County, Ohio, in 1869, and is a son of Ambrose White Brown.
The father of Mt. Brown was also born in Deerfield township, Ross County, Ohio, where his parents had settled at an early date. In 1876 he removed to Pickaway County, where he died in the following year.
Thomas W. Brown was reared in Ross County, attended the Chillicothe High School and in 1887 entered Wooster University, where he remained until 1891. He then returned to his farm in Ross county, but on May 1, 1900, he came to Pickaway County, where he bought the flour mill, elevator and farm of William Foresman. He operated this prop-
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erty until his mill was totally destroyed by fire on July 26, 1905. Mr. Brown has not rebuilt but has given his attention to other interests. With other capitalists he is contemplating the erection in the near future of an ice plant for the manufacture of artificial ice. He is a man of business enterprise and has met with success in his previous business ventures.
Mr. Brown was united in marriage in 1903 with Annie E. Wright, who was born at South Bloomfield, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a sister of Dr. T. B. Wright, of Circleville.
Mr. Brown retains his membership with the various societies with which he became identified at Wooster University and he belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
WAYNE CALDWELL, treasurer and manager of the Scioto Canning Company, one of the leading industries or canning concerns of the Scioto Valley, is a resident of Circleville. He was born in Jackson township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1848, and is a son of Alexander Caldwell.
The Caldwell family is of Scotch ancestry and was founded in Ohio by Alexander Caldwell, a native of Scotland, who came hither in early days. Alexander Caldwell, the younger, was born in Pickaway County in 1812, and his whole life was spent as a farmer and stock-raiser in Jackson township.
Wayne Caldwell was reared in Pickaway County and after attending the district schools entered Bloomingburg Academy, where he spent three years. Upon his return he became a farmer in Scioto township for three years and in Jackson township for five years: In 1878 he moved to Circleville and entered into a mercantile business in which he continued until 1898, when he became interested in the Scioto Canning Company. This company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, with a capital stock of $100,000, all paid up. Hon. Festus Walters was elected president ; Wayne Caldwell, vice-president; S. P. Deeds, secretary; and James Reichelderfer, treasurer. The other stockholders were John L. Krimmel, Irvin F. Snyder and H. C. Allen.
After two years of business, Mr. Caldwell, with Judge Walters and S. P. Deeds, bought out the other stockholders and reorganized the business, admitting some of their faithful employees. The officers of the present company are: Hon. Festus Walters, president; Milton Marris, vice-president; S. P. Deeds, secretary, and Wayne Caldwell, manager and treasurer. The board of directors is made up further of James Ward, of Ashville; Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley, of Ashville; Mrs. Dorothy Turney, widow of the late Hon. Nelson J. Turney; and Mrs. Elizabeth Renick, widow of the late Harness Renick. The company's plant, which is located at Ashville, has an annual output of 200,000 cases. They have a plant at Ashville also for the manufacture of cans, which turns out 50,000 cans a day. The company owns 655 acres of land which is utilized in the raising of vegetables for their factories. In addition to this business connection, Mr. Caldwell is a director in the Third National Bank of Circleville.
In 1878 Mr. Caldwell was married to Margaret Renick, who is a daughter of Felix Renick, one of the old and prominent settlers of Pickaway County. They have two sons--Felix R. and Arthur R. The former is a graduate of the Circleville High School and of Cornell University, where he took a four-year course in law and art, graduating in 1903, and is now located at Seattle, Washington. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Caldwell is an elder. Both he and his older son are Masons, Mr. Caldwell being a member of blue lodge chapter and council, and the son having taken the 32nd degree.
HENRY R. HEFFNER, of the Heffner Milling Company, at Circleville, has been a resident of this city since 1868. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1834, and is a son of Henry Heffner.
The father of Mr. Heffner was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and came to
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Fairfield County, Ohio, in young manhood. He operated a sawmill and became the possessor of a pioneer farm.
Henry R. Heffner was reared in Fairfield County and attended the little log schoolhouse in the neighborhood of his father's farm and mill. In 1868 he came to what was then the village of Circleville and carried on a large grocery business here for some two years and then became interested in a grain and' milling business. He purchased a corn and flour mill at Brooklyn, New York, and bought grain at Circleville and shipped it to Brooklyn for grinding. After operating the Brooklyn mill for some three years, partly as owner and partly as lessee, with his brother William he erected another mill, which was subsequently burned. In 1897 and 1898 Mr. Heffner, together with his brother William and Harvey S. Heffner and William F. Heffner, built the present substantial corn mill, which has a capacity of 1,500 barrels of meal per day and 100 tons of feed. The company makes a great quantity of export meal, the main brands being "Sagamore" and "Dixie."
In addition to his large mill interests, Mr. Heffner owns other property and considerable real estate, his fine residence at the corner of Pickaway and Watt streets having been erected at a cost of about $12,000.
In 1856 Mr. Heffner was married to Sarah A. Brobst, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio ,and is a daughter of Daniel Brobst, one of the early settlers of the county. The eight children of this marriage have all passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Heffner are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Heffner has been an officer for a half century. Mr. Heffner is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Circleville.
ISRAEL U. FINKEL, one of the, older merchants of Circleville, where he has been established in business since 1876, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of the late Hon. W. C. Finkel.
Judge Finkel was born in Maryland and inboyhood accompanied his parents to Pickaway County, where they settled on a farm in Walnut township. Judge Finkel was reared among pioneer surroundings. In early manhood he went into a mercantile business, first at East Ringgold and later at Circleville and continued in business until he was elected probate judge. He served two terms and then completed the unexpired term of Judge Taylor, who died in office. During the second term of Judge Finkel he was taken seriously sick, necessitating calling his son, Israel U. Finkel, from Tiffin and making the latter his deputy.
Israel U. Finkel was 14 years old when his parents moved to Circleville, where he continued some years at school and then went to Tiffin to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a commercial college. He was at school in Tiffin when recalled to Circleville by his father's illness as above stated.
Soon after the close of his official duties, which were satisfactorily performed, Mr. Finkel became clerk and bookkeeper in the Peirce dry goods store, in June, 1873, and he continued as bookeeper and head clerk until the death of Mr. Peirce in February, 1888. The stock was then sold to C. W. Wooden, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Mr. Finkel remained with the new firm for one year. In 189o, Mr. Finkel, in association with Mr. Henderson and Mr. Heckle, formed a business partnership under the firm name of Finkel, Henderson & Heckle. They conducted a mercantile business for 10 years, when Mr. Heckle sold his interest to his partners. The business was then carried on under the .style of Finkle & Henderson, but two years later Mr. Henderson sold his interest to Oscar Howard. The firm of Finkel & Howard continued five years, when Mr,. Finkle bought Mr. Howard's interest and consolidated with Schleyer & Henderson, the new firm doing business under the name of Finkel, Schleyer & Henderson. Three years later Mr. Finkel and his son Charles J. bought out Messrs. Schleyer and Henderson and the firm name then stood I. U. Finkel & Son, as at present, although the junior member is deceased.
Mr. Finkel was married in 1871 to Ella
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Bitzer, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, and they had two children, viz.: Mame W., who became the wife of C. E. Blue, a prominent attorney at Columbus ; and Charles J., who died May 26, 1905.. Mrs. Blue died in October, 1894, leaving a little daughter, Lucile, now six years old.
Mr. Finkel has always taken a good citizen's interest in politics but has always declined to assume the cares of office. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to .the various Masonic bodies at Circleville. He is also a member of the Elks and the National Union. For many years he has been a member of the official body of the Methodist Church.
JOHN GROCE BOGGS, manager of an extensive grain elevator business at Elmwood, belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of Pickaway County. Mr. Boggs was born on the old Boggs homestead, "Elmwood," in Pickaway township, in 1884, and is the only son of Lemuel and Jennie (Groce) Boggs.
The mother of Mr. Boggs was a daughter of Hon. John Groce, one of Pickaway County's distinguished men. His father, the late Lemuel Boggs, was long one of the county's enterprising, useful and honored citizens. He was born in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, Ohio, January 16. 1845, and was a son of Moses and Margaret S. (Cook) Boggs, and a grandson of Maj. John Boggs, the founder of the family here, who came from Virginia in 1798.
John Groce Boggs spent his early boyhood on the farm, being 13 years of age when his parents moved to Circleville. They were people of education and substance and the only son had every educational advantage he desired. After graduating at the Circleville High School he entered Kenyon College, where he spent three years. Immediately upon his return home he took charge of the Elmwood grain elevator which had been built by his father. The business is conducted by Boggs & Weldon, Mr. Boggs being the manager. Thebusiness in corn and wheat at this point is one of the largest in the State.
Mr. Boggs has much of the energy and enterprise which made his late father one of the capitalists of this section. He is also a young man of personal popularity. He retains his college membership in the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and he belongs also to the Elks. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ALKIRE, one of Williamsport's leading business men, manager of the Heffner Grain Company, incorporated, of this city, was born at Williamsport, Pickaway County, Ohio, September 10, 1868, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Simons) Alkire, and a grandson of Michael Alkire, who was the founder of this prominent family in Ohio.
Michael Alkire was born in Kentucky in 1771. There he married Dorothy Phebus, on January 6, 1793. They had three children born in Kentucky and seven more after settling in Ohio. In 1800 they removed from Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Pickaway County, Ohio, Michael Alkire securing large tracts of land in Deer Creek township. He erected the old log cabin of two rooms which remained the family home for a long term of years and in which he spent the remainder of his life. The historic old structure was demolished in 1906. Michael Alkire died February 11, 1843, and his wife, on May 11, 1854.
Alexander Alkire, father of our subject and son of Michael, was born at Williamsport, Ohio, but later removed to Mount Sterling and now lives retired at Washington Court House. He was an early volunteer in the Civil War and his faithful service continued almost to the close. He was a member of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., which was a part of the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in all the great movements, marches and battles, which culminated in the notable "March' to the Sea." Mr. Alkire survived the many hardships of war but returned home
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PAGE 860 - MR. AND MRS. JAMES MCCOLLISTER AND SON.
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with health undermined and he has never regained his former robustness. For some years he has lived in quiet retirement. He married Elizabeth Simons, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and they had seven children, the four survivors being: Charles C., a resident of Big Plain, Madison County; George W., of Columbus ; Abraham Lincoln, of this sketch; and Harry S., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 'Church, at Greenfield, Ohio. Mr. Alkire has been a lifelong Republican.
Abraham L. Alkire was about eight years old when his father moved to Mount Sterling, where he attended school and later became a member of the family of Wesley Sidner, residing in the vicinity of Mount Sterling. Mr. Alkire completed his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, then returned to his former home and soon after was married. He then settled at Ashville, where he engaged in a real estate and loan business for a few years, after which he removed to Woodlyn, Deer Creek township, locating here in 1895. He purchased the Betts elevator, which he operated alone until July, 1900, doing a very large grain, coal and implement business. He then rented this elevator to the Woodlyn Grain Company, which also had the S. W. Dunlap elevator. He owned a third interest in this company and was concerned here until October, 1904. Mr. Alkire then sold the property and for a time was out of business.
In the spring of 1905 Mr. Alkire erected a fine home at Williamsport, and took possession on the first of the following July. This is one of the most spacious modern homes of the town and is equipped with every convenience conducive to comfort. It is heated by a furnace and is lighted by acetylene gas. On July 15, 1905, Mr. Alkire assumed the management of the business of the Heffner Grain Company, incorporated, an important enterprise at Williamsport, with which he has since been identified.
On February 22, 1891, Mr. Alkire was married to Mary J. Hughes, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Robert and Emily T. (Durrett) Hughes and a granddaughter of the late J. W. Durrett, formerly a prominent citizen of Scioto township. The father of Mrs. Alkire was the founder of the grain business at Millport, on the Ohio Canal, and after the railroad went through Ashville he built an elevator which he operated until his death in 189o.
Mr. and Mrs. Alkire have three children, namely : Maud, born March 18, 1893; Mabel, born August 8, 1895 ; and Minnie, born August to, 1896.
Mr. Alkire has always been a Republican. He is a very popular citizen as was shown in November, 1905, when he was re-elected to the position of justice of the peace, in Deer Creek township, by a majority of 168 votes, the largest majority ever given a candidate in the township. He was first elected to the office in April, 1902, and served so acceptably that his re-election was the desire of both political parties.
Mr. Alkire is prominently identified with the Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of the Ashville lodge and is connected with the Williamsport lodge. A thorough business man and a good citizen, he is a worthy representative of a family which has just claims to prominence in Pickaway County.
JAMES McCOLLISTER, a substantial farmer of Wayne township, was born August 26, 1845, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Thompson) McCollister and a grandson of Jacob and Margaret McCollister.
Jacob McCollister was born June 16, 1778, and died April 21, 1844. His wife Margaret was born June 1, 1783, and died July 24, 1852. They were married in Maryland, their native State. Nelson McCollister was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 6, 1809, and on November 8, 1837, was married to Elizabeth Thompson, who was born December 26, 1817. They became the parents of five children--four daughters and one son, James, the subject of this sketch.
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James McCollister lived in Jackson township until he was four years old when his parents moved to his present home in Wayne township, where his father died on October 15, 1888. His mother lived until August 16, 1894. Mr. McCollister received his education in Pickaway County. He was married October 9, 1888, to Mary E. Neff, a daughter of John S. Neff, of Jackson township, and started to keeping house on the farm where he now lives. This farm consists of 93 acres, and he also owns another farm of 122 acres on the same side of the road, and a third tract of 86 acres on the opposite side of the road from the residential property. Mr. and Mrs. McCollister have had two children: John N., born August 11, 1889, who is living at home ; and James L., born July 15, 1891, who died in infancy. Mrs. McCollister died January 5, 1892. Mr. McCollister attends the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Democrat. A group picture of Mr. and Mrs. McCollister and son, John N., accompanies this sketch, being presented on a foregoing page.
HARRY D. JACKSON, a well-known business man of Circleville, and a member of one of the old established families of this city, was born here and is a son of Henry Allen and Ella M. (Demuth) Jackson.
The late Henry Allen Jackson was identified with many important business interests of Pickaway County for many years. He was born at Circleville in 1847 and died here in 1896. His father, William Jackson, was born in Pennsylvania and came at a very early day to Pickaway County, Ohio, where, in association with a Mr. Metzger, he established the first tannery at Circleville. Henry Allen Jackson was reared and educated at Circleville and after completing his schooling he entered an express office at Circleville, but soon went into business, for himself, forming a grocery partnership with Amos Beach. In 1885 he became interested in a grain business, leasing the old Florence elevator, which he operated until itwas burned in 1887, when he purchased land on North Canal street and built an elevator, which he conducted with large returns until the time of his death.
In 1877 Mr. Allen married Ella M. Demuth, a daughter of Daniel Demuth, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of this county. To this union was born one child, Harry D. Jackson, of Circleville.
Our subject completed the common-school course at Circleville and in 1901 he was creditably graduated at the Everts High School, following which he was engaged as a reporter for two years on the Circleville Daily Herald. He was concerned in the grain business for two years, and then managed his father's elevator for one year for the Crites Mill Company. He is now connected with the Ohio Cereal Company.
Mr. Jackson is a popular young man in social circles and when Company F of the Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, was organized, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant and in 1905 was elected captain. He is a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the blue lodge at Circleville, and of the consistory and shrine at Columbus. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. He was reared in the Presbyterian Church. .
JAMES I. SMITH, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Cereal Company, vice-president of the Esmeralda Canning Company, and a director in the Third National Bank, is one of the prominent men and leading capitalists of Circleville. He was born in this city in 1867 and is a son of Edward Smith. With the exception of four years spent at the University of Notre Dame, he has resided continuously in Circleville.
In 1889 Mr. Smith became a member of the firm of J. S. Smith & Brothers, millers and dealers in grain, flour and feed. This firm was succeeded by the Smith Mill Company, which was organized in 1893, and in which our subject held an interest. In 1900 the Ohio Cereal Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $260,000, with Joseph
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S. Smith as president; Edward E. Smith, vice-president, and James I. Smith as secretary and treasurer. This company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine and was authorized to do business in the State of Ohio. This company took over the interests of the Smith Mill Company and Crites Brothers & Company. They manufacture flour, corn meal and all kinds of feed.
Mr. Smith and his two brothers form the Ideal Stock Food Company, which manufactures the "Ideal" stock and poultry 'condition powders and various veterinary remedies.
Mr. Smith is also vice-president of the Esmeralda Canning Company, a very successful business enterprise, an incorporated concern, with R. G. McCoy as president; James I. Smith as vice-president; Edward E. Smith as treasurer and M. B. Trout as secretary. He is one of the directors of the Colonial Carriage Company and a director in the Third National Bank of Circleville. He owns a fine farm of 500 acres in Pickaway County.
In 1893 Mr. Smith was married to Ellen B. Renick, who is a daughter of Felix Renick, one of the old settlers of . Pickaway County. They have three children, viz.: Regina, James I., Jr., and Felix E. The family belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
H. M. CRITES, a prominent citizen of Circleville, who is identified with the leading business interests of the city, was born in 187o in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Levi S. Crites, one of the most highly esteemed retired residents of Circleville, whose life is sketched on another page of this work.
H. M. Crites was reared in Fairfield County and attended school there until 20 years of age. In 1890 he came to Circleville, and entered the employ of his brother, E. B. Crites, as a bookkeeper. In 1892, in connection with his brother, he built a flour and corn meal mill, which was operated under the style of Crites Brothers & Company until 1900. In the meantime, E. B. Crites died in 1899. In 1900 thefirm of Crites Brothers & Company was consolidated with the Smith Mill Company and a new concern was organized and incorporated as the Ohio Cereal Company, of which Mr. Crites remained a member and president of the company for two years.
In 1899 Mr. Crites bought a one-third interest in C. E. Sears & Company's canning factory, and in 1903 he bought the entire plant. Later he sold a one-half interest to the Sears & Nichols Company, of Chillicothe. He is the present . manager of C. E. Sears & Company, and is also half owner. . The capacity of C. E. Sears & Company's establishment is 5,000,000 cans of corn annually; in 1904 they packed 6,300,000 cans of sugar corn. This is the largest plant of its kind in the United States or the world. This company also owns a tomato canning plant which is located at Laurelville, Ohio, which has a capacity of 500,000 cans of tomatoes annually. Mr. Crites is also interested in the Crites Milling Company. He owns 1,200 acres of land in the Pickaway Plains, the finest improved land in this section, and also owns 260 acres of bottom land adjoining Circleville. He is a man of splendid business capacity. With a capital of but $4,000, he has developed one of the greatest industries of this part of the State, has furthered many other successful enterprises and has accumulated property of very large value. He carries life insurance amounting to $124,000.
In 1892 Mr. Crites was married to Mary Minnie Van Hyde, who is a daughter of the late G. M. Van Hyde, formerly one of the prominent men of Circleville, where he died in 1903.
JOHN J. MAST, an enterprising and up-to-date farmer of Pickaway County, residing on a farm of 140 acres in section 9, Washington township, was born in York township, Morgan County, Ohio, April 3, 1853, and is a son of John and Phoebe (Miller) Mast, who were both natives of Germany.
John Mast came to this country when 12
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years old with an uncle, who settled in Muskingum County, Ohio. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Mast, the grandparents of our subject, came to this country later and located in Muskingum County, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their days. John Mast moved to Morgan County after his marriage and bought a farm of 120 acres, upon which our subject was born. John Mast and his wife both died in Morgan County.
John J. Mast was reared and educated in Morgan County and at the age of 21 years moved to Circleville, where he husked corn the first five days. He then worked for a week at hauling corn and from the fall of 1874 until the spring of 1873 he hauled corn, chopped wood and worked at any and all odd jobs he could find. In the spring of 1875 he went to work for Mrs. Eliza Newman, and for 17 years superintended the operation of her farm of 190 acres. On February 14, 1891, he was married to Emma A. Brinker, a daughter of George Brinker, of Walnut township. They have three children: John, Phoebe and George. After his marriage, Mr. Mast continued for five years more to operate the Newman farm, making in all 22 years that he lived on this farm. In 1896 he bought of Daniel Stein 89 acres and two years later purchased of Jacob Balthaser 51 1/2 acres. His farm now consists of 140 acres, on which he has made many improvements. In the summer of 1905 he erected a fine large 10-room brick house, which has all the modern improvements, including furnace, running water, illuminating gas, etc. Mrs. Mast is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Mast is a member of the Foresters and Knights of Pythias.
HENRY GREEN CLAY ALKIRE, a worthy member of one of the most prominent families of Darby township, Pickaway County, and a highly esteemed citizen and representative agriculturist, resides on a farm of 195 acres, which extends through Darby township, Pickaway County, and Pleasant township, Madison County, Ohio. Mr. Alkire was born in Fountain County, Indiana, December 2, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Tillitha C. (Dehaven) Alkire.
The Alkires originated in Holland and the family records can be traced as far back as William II, Prince of Orange. The Hague records present the information that near Arnheim, on the Rhine, in Holland, in 1626, there lived a family bearing a coat of arms which was given by this Prince of Orange, with the baronial name of Algire. This insignia may be thus described : Arms on a silver shield ; crest, a falcon, red beak and feet, a bunch of grapes and a wineglass, a pike and cross swords, with the motto, Cum Salus. It would not be very difficult for the present generation to decipher the meaning of these symbols, helped out with the Latin inscription. That the Algires were noblemen was proved by the composition of the shields, only men of rank being permitted the use of gold or silver. The middle class used leather and wood shields. In religious belief the Alkires became notable during the Reformation, espousing the Lutheran cause.
Still other Alkires or Alkirks were found in Scotland and that they were of the same family is proven by their possessing the same coat of arms. In the 17th century, one Almonas Algire left the British Isles and accompanied Lord Baltimore to the English Colonies. He subsequently settled on Albemarle Sound and assisted the Governor of Virginia in his various campaigns against the Indians. There was an Alkire at the battle of Fort Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio.
The Algire or Alkire family of Pickaway County trace their direct ancestry to Almonas Alkire who was married to Mary Crayman in 1720 near Moorefield, Virginia. They had four children.
Joseph W. Alkire, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky November 24, 1805, and was quite young when his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Pleasant township, Madison County, where he lived until the death of his father. At the age of 18 years he went to Indiana and took possession of a piece of land
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which he probably had inherited, and shortly afterward was married to Tillitha C. Dehaven. She was born in Kentucky, January 7, 1805, and had been taken to Indiana with her parents. She died. in Pike County, Illinois, whither the family had moved in 1843, after selling the Indiana farm. Our subject and a sister, Nancy, who married Hiram Smith, both now being deceased, were born in Indiana. While the family lived in Illinois, two more children were added to the household : Jacob, who died in Illinois, at the age of 11 years, and Mahala, who subsequently married America Murry, and died also in Illinois.
The first wife of Joseph W. Alkire died about 1855 and he was later married to Katherine Taylor. Before they left Illinois, they had one child--Louise. Mr. Alkire then decided to move to Southwestern Missouri and sold his Illinois property. He died in Missouri in 1872.
Henry Green Clay Alkire was nine years old when his parents moved to Illinois, but when his father married again he returned to Ohio, leaving his farm of 40 acres in his father's care. He made his home until his marriage with his uncle, Henry Green Clay Alkire, on the farm he now owns and occupies. This property was willed to his son, Stephen A. Alkire, by the uncle above mentioned, and in 1879 our subject bought the farm and has resided here ever since.
On May 10, 1857, Henry G. C. Alkire was united in marriage with Harriet Snyder, who had also made her home with the elder Henry G. C. Alkire, and they continued to reside on the farm until 1864. During this period four children were born here, three of whom they lost in 1863. The survivor, Stephen A., grew to manhood and subsequently married Maggie Leach, who was born in Ohio. They have four children--two sons and two daughters.
In 1864 Mr. Alkire with his wife and remaining son moved to Illinois and settled on the 40-acre farm, which he had owned for a long time. They remained there until 1866, when he disposed of the property and removed. to Quincy. While living there they had one daughter, Vola May who was later married, in Ohio, to Edward Mantle, whose widow she now is. She resides at Derby with her five children. In 1868 Mr. Alkire removed with his family to Missouri, but after trying agricultural conditions in that State decided to return to Ohio and in 1872 settled again on the farm he now owns. During the family's stay in Missouri another daughter was born--Magnolia. She resides at home as does Dora, her younger sister, who was born after the family's return to Ohio. Frank, also born in Ohio, the youngest of the family, resides at home. Mr. Alkire's other son, Charles W., was born in Illinois and married Margaret Horton. Charles W. Alkire and wife reside on a farm in Darby township, Pickaway County.
The Alkire home, a two-story frame dwelling of 11 rooms, is set in the midst of one of the most beautiful groves in Pickaway County. The other buildings are substantial in character and the whole appearance of the place gives testimony as to the pride and affection its residents feel in it.
Mr. Alkire is still actively interested in all that concerns the township and consents to serve as school director as a matter of duty. He has never been much interested in politics, although as a very well-informed man he keeps posted on all that is going on in the world. Like the rest of his family, he is a quiet, observing man, one whose word or integrity is never questioned in his community, always ready to promote objects of general welfare, devoted to his family and respected and esteemed as a neighbor.
BENJAMIN FLOYD YATES, one of the leading citizens of Circleville, who recently completed a service of six years as auditor of Pickaway County, owns a fine estate of 350 acres of valuable land in Deer Creek township, which he maintains as a great stock farm. Mr. Yates was born in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1865, and is a son of Hon. David R. Yates.
Mr. Yates was reared and educated, in
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Pickaway County and at Antioch College. After completing his collegiate course, he spent two years in farming and then embarked in a general mercantile business at Williamsport, which he conducted for six years. After selling out and spending a year in California, he resumed business at Williamsport and continued there until 1896, when he was elected to his first term as auditor of Pickaway County. His services were so acceptable to his fellow-citizens that he was elected to a second term in the fall of 1899 by the largest majority ever given in this county for the second term. He thus served six years in this responsible position.
Since retiring from public life, Mr. Yates has been interested in dealing in real estate and in the management of his stock farm above mentioned.. He has a reputation in the county for breeding high-class horses, roadsters and trotters and owns some notable animals. Among these may be mentioned "Sir Liss," No. 13,583, the greatest son of "Sphinx," the greatest son of "Electioneer." His dam was "Bliss,". whose record was 2:21 1/2 as a four-year-old. This stallion is one of the best bred in the State of Ohio and has never had a colt worked that did not beat 2:30. While his own record is 2:30, he has worked a mile over a half-mile track in 2:18 1/4 and showed his ability to trot in still faster time. "Sir Liss" is sire of "Hazel Banks," 2:10 1/2 ; "Maggie V." 2:12 1/2 ; and "Hortense," 2:20 1/2. Others are: "Thaddie Burns," 2:18; "Enolia," 2:27 1-9 and "Midnight Liss," 2:24 1/2, the handsomest daughter of "Sir, Liss." Mr. Yates is also owner of the handsome young stallion, "Bobby B." No. 38,240, son of the great "Bobby Burns."
Mr. Yates was married (first) in 1887 to Etta Dungan, who was a daughter of George Dungan, of Wayne township, Pickaway County. She died in 1888, leaving a son, Grover Allen, who makes his home with his grandparents.
Mr. Yates was married (second) in March, 1892, to Luella M. White, who is the second daughter of the late Dr. T. F. White, who for years was the leading physician at Williamsport. To this union have been born : Benjamin B.; Thaddeus W., who died aged three years; David A.; Harry Addison and Melvin Austin, as fine a family of bright young Americans as can be found in the State of Ohio.
Mr. Yates is past noble grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; a high official in the Knights of Pythias; a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Williamsport Grange. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat. Religiously he is a Methodist.
ISAIAH HULSE, deceased, was one of the leading men of Jackson township, proprietor of "Lick Run Stock Farm"--an estate of 600 acres, situated on the Dawson turnpike. He was born on the old Hulse homestead, not far from the present home of his widow in Jackson township, on October 15, 1850, and died February 19, 1898. He was a son of Aristes and Lucinda (Alkire ) Hulse.
The parents of Mr. Hulse were born in Pickaway County and spent their whole lives here. They had four children, namely : Isaiah; Rebecca, wife of Eugene Halstead, of California; Mary, wife of James G. Hayes, of Pickaway County; and Ida L.
Isaiah Hulse remained on the home farm in Jackson township until he married and then removed to "Lick Run Stock Farm," having previously erected the handsome brick residence now occupied by his widow and son. Mr. Hulse operated the farm as a stock farm, devoting his entire attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, making a feature of the latter.
Mr. Hulse was married on January 8, 1895, to Martha Anderson, who was born in Wayne township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James H. and Sarah (Fleming) Anderson, both natives of Wayne township. The father died. on the farm in Wayne township on which he was born, but Mrs. Anderson resides in Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had seven children, namely : Martha (Mrs. Isaiah Hulse) ; William, who married
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Mary Holderman, daughter of Louis Holderman; Minerva, wife of James Swearingen, of Jackson township; Ida, wife of Thomas Woodrow, of Xenia, Ohio; Elizabeth S., wife of J. Sines, of Columbus; and Benjamin and Edward, who live with their mother in Columbus.
Mrs. Hulse has one son, Isaiah Smith, who was born July 19, 1896. Since the death of her husband, she has had the entire management of the farm and has shown great capacity as a business woman. A part of her land she rents and the rest she utilizes in raising stock.
The late Isaiah Hulse was an excellent business man but he was much more. He was a kind and tender husband and father and a great lover of home. It is remembered how fond he was of flowers .and never felt time wasted in their cultivation. He had many friends all over the county; all wished him well and sorrowed when he died. Politically a Democrat, he held some minor offices, being too busy to accept more important ones. He was a good man in every sense of the word.
GEORGE P. HUNSICKER, cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Williamsport, is one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men of this community and is prominently identified with its business, religious and social life. Mr, Hunsicker was born at Williamsport, on February 19, 1861, and conies from one of the most prominent families of Deer Creek township, Pickaway County. He is a son of Samuel G. and Lizzie A. (Gordy) Hunsicker.
Jacob Hunsicker, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the first of the family to come to Pickaway County, early in the 19th century, at a period when Williamsport was mainly in the dreams of the two settlers who had built their homes on the site. His business was teaming. As the place soon gained inhabitants, his services were in continued demand and his business increased so that he used a six-horse team, those being days when the present well-kept turnpikes had not been more than hoped for. He lived at Williamsport until his death. He was almost one of its founders and certainly one of its developers.
Samuel Hunsicker, a son of Jacob, was born in 1805, at Philadelphia or in the near vicinity, and accompanied his parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio when a small boy. He died at Williamsport on February 11, 1857, at the age of 52 years. He married Eleanor Webb, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and died at Williamsport on August 11, 1844, of erysipelas, at the age of 36 years. Of their children two survive, viz.: Samuel G., of Woodlyn, Pickaway County, and Jerome, of South Dakota.
Samuel G. Hunsicker, son of Samuel and father of George P., was born at Webb Summit, Hocking County, Ohio, March 12, 1836, and was three years old when he was brought by his parents to Pickaway County. He was reared at Williamsport and during his boyhood days clerked in a store, remaining a resident of Williamsport until, 1852. For the following seven years he as engaged in the grain business, in the employ of Washington Delaplane, at Circleville. Mr. Hunsicker then returned to Deer Creek township and. rented a 30-acre farm, adjoining the corporation of Williamsport, which he still owns. He has acquired a large amount of land in the township and is one of the most substantial citizens of his section. At one time he conducted a general store at Williamsport, established the grain and elevator business at Woodlyn and has been identified with various other business interests. He is a stockholder and one of the board of directors of the Farmers' Bank at Williamsport, one of the leading financial institutions of the county.
Mr. Hunsicker has witnessed many changes since coming to this county and probably the greatest and most marked has been the appreciation in land values. He well recalls seeing the late Amos Rector bring a tin pail into the store, where he worked, and count out in coin in payment, at $6 an acre, for the 75 acres of the old Reed place, which he had pur-
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chased. Mr. Hunsicker subsequently purchased the same tract and paid $70 an acre for it and has recently refused $100 for the same. He now resides on the old George Gordy land, at Woodlyn, which he bought in 1876.
On January 3, 1860, Samuel G. Hunsicker was married to Lizzie A. Gordy, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Susan (Hoskins) Gordy. The following children were born to them : George P.; John L., who is bookkeeper in the Farmers' Bank at Williamsport; Charles S., who is a member of the grain and implement firm of Hunsicker & Yates, at Woodlyn ; and Ella H., who is the wife of Edward Hornbeck, of Mount Sterling, Ohio.
George P. Hunsicker was reared at Williamsport and attended the public schools until 18 years of age, when he engaged in a mercantile business at Woodlyn, in which he met with satisfactory success. For eight years he continued in business there ,but as Williamsport offered better business advantages, he removed to this place and conducted a general store here for five years. Mr. Hunsicker possessed sufficient capital for a still larger enterprise and he then organized the Farmers' Bank and has served as cashier and director continuously until the present. He deserves the credit for the splendid condition in which this institution stands and for the universal confidence accorded it. He is an owner of real estate and this includes a handsome home erected by him recently at Williamsport.
In 1883 Mr. Hunsicker was married to Belle Sly, who was born in Jackson township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and. is a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Keyes) Sly. They have one daughter, Florence, who married Leroy H.. Ewing and resides at Washington Court House, Ohio.
Mr. Hunsicker is a Republican and exerts a large influence in the affairs of his party in his locality. He has served as a member of the Town Council, as township clerk and in other offices, including membership on the School Board of Deer Creek township, having always been an earnest worker for the betterment of the school system. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Williamsport and is one of the board of trustees. For years he has given time and close attention to the extending of Sunday-school work; for 16 years consecutively he served as superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school at Williamsport. For the past nine years he has been secretary of the Pickaway County Sunday School Association, which arranges for 15 conventions in the county every year. He is a member of a committee of 17, controlling the Ohio Sunday School Association, which supervises the expenditure of $20,000 per year in Sunday-school work in the State of Ohio.
Fraternally Mr. Hunsicker is a Mason of prominence, belonging to Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M.; Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M., at Circleville; Scioto Commandery, K. T., at Circleville; and Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to other leading organizations, including the Knights of Pythias and the auxiliary order--the Rathbone Sisters; the Odd Fellows lodge at Clarksburg and the Rebekahs. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has been consul of Camp No. 4475 ever since it was instituted at Williamsport. He has represented this order in the head camps at St. Paul, in 1901, and at Milwaukee, in 1905. As chairman of the Ohio delegation at the latter, he received the delegates' endorsement and was appointed a member on new territory for the order, which will report on the admission of new territory to the jurisdiction at the next meeting of the Head Camp, which will take place at Peoria, Illinois, in 19o8.
Notwithstanding, the exacting duties of his position as cashier in one of the large financial institutions, as mentioned above, Mr. Hunsicker in some way finds time to intelligently promote all those measures and enterprises which have for their object the substantial upbuilding of Williamsport, and also keeps closely in touch with the various benevolent agencies which are the avenues through which the poor and unfortunate receive relief. Such men as Mr. Hunsicker cannot fail to be benefactors to any community in which their life lines have been cast.
PAGE 869 - BLANK
PAGE 870 - PICTURE OF MR. AND MRS. CALEB GLICK
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CALEB GLICK, a representative agriculturist of Washington township. who owns a valuable farm of 224 acres all in one body, situated in sections 26 and 35, was born at Circleville, Ohio, July 28, 1843, and is a son of Philip and Nancy ,Glick, extended mention of whom will be found in another part of this work.
Caleb Glick has been a life-long resident of Pickaway County. On September 12, 1872, he was united in marriage with Anna Fisher, a daughter of Conrad and Margaret Fisher, the former of whom was a native and a prominent farmer of Madison township. Mr. and Mrs. Glick have had four children, of whom two survive: Eda and Asa. The former married George Bolender, has two children, Byron and Vernon, and lives on a farm in Wayne township. Asa married Viola Leist and works his father's farm. Flora and Virgil died in infancy.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Glick settled on the farm which they still occupy. but in another house, about a quarter of a mile distant from their present one. Their present residence is a handsome brick one which was erected by a Mr. Mowery about 185o.
In the fall of 1862 Mr. Glick enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company A, 114th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in eight different battles, including the siege of Vicksburg. He was mustered out at Houston. Texas, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, at Columbus. His war record is one to be proud of and Mr. Glick is an honored member of Groce Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Circleville. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Their portraits accompany this sketch.
WILLIAM NELSON GORDY, who is engineer of the Hunsicker & Yates elevator at Woodlyn, in Deer Creek township, was born in Perry township, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 8, 1842, and is a son of George and Susan (Hoskins) Gordy.
George Gordy was one of the early citizens of prominence in Perry and Deer Creek townships. He worked on the canal at Circleville when a young man and acquired, later, several hundred acres of land in Perry township. For a time he lived at Crownover's mill and, later, on what is known as the Shaffer farm. In 1869 he moved to the farm now owned by Samuel G. Hunsicker, adjoining that of our subject, in Deer Creek township, where he resided until his death in 1876.
George Gordy married Rebecca Kinney, who at death left one son, John, now also deceased. Mr. Gordy married (second) Susan Hoskins and of the large family born to this union, these survive: Lizzie, wife of Samuel G. Hunsicker: William Nelson, of this sketch; Sarah, widow of F. R. Hancock; Mrs. Rhetta Noble, a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jasper L., of Portland, Oregon; and Clinton, of Kansas. The third marriage of Mr. Gordy was to Harriet Betts, the mother of Col. George Betts, now deceased.
William Nelson Gordy was reared in Perry township and attended the district schools. In 1867 he moved to Deer Creek township and located on the farm now occupied by John W. Betts, where he engaged in farming until April, 1871, when he removed to his present farm at Woodlyn. Here he has 11 acres of richly cultivated land and a beautiful home. Since 1879 he has been running the engine at the Hunsicker & Yates elevator.
On August 16, 1866, Mr. Gordy was married to Sarah A. Stinson, who was born in Perry township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Hugh and Roxanna (Dick) Stinson. Mr. and Mrs. Gordy have seven children, viz.: Ella, who married Clinton Bragg, of DanviIle, Ohio, and has two children--Frank and Lena; Harley, a resident of Morrow, Ohio, who married Ella Titus and has one daughter--Helen ; Charles, a resident of Lancaster, Ohio, who married Leota Rudolph, and has one son--William; Mary Belle, who resides at home; George I., a resident of Canton, Ohio, who married Margaret Conn ; Thomas, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; and Rhetta, the youngest daughter, who also lives in that city.
Politically. Mr. Gordy is affiliated with the
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Republican party. He has served as trustee of the township but is not an aspirant for office and when elected a justice of the peace declined to serve. He is one of the leading members of the Christian Church. Fraternally he is a member of Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M., at Williamsport, and of the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at the same point.
EDWARD K. CAMPBELL, one of the best-known men in the milling business in Harrison township, has operated the historic old mill, known in all this section as the old Foresman Mill, for the past 27 years, his purchase of it dating from January 6, 1879. Mr. Campbell was born August 7, 1853, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Hedges) Campbell.
On both sides of the family, Mr. Campbell's ancestors came to Ohio from Virginia, settling among the earliest pioneers in this section of the Buckeye State. Samuel Campbell was born at Stoutsville, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1817, and died July 9, 1903, at the age of 85 years and to months, to a day. He married Rebecca Hedges, who was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1832 and died April 28, 1882. She was a daughter of John and Susan (Miller) Hedges, very early settlers here. The children born to this union were : Edward ; Aaron, who resides at Circleville; Mary, wife of Jacob Hoover, of Harrison township; Ezra, residing in the northern part of Ohio; Ida, Wife of John Frazier, residing near Amanda, in Fairfield County ; Nancy, wife of L. A. Gray, of Ashville; Amanda, wife of Frank Raymond, of Columbus; and Irene, who resides with her sister in Columbus.
Edward Campbell acquired a fair common-school education and remained with his father until 21 years of age and then went to work for Joash Cromley, in Walnut township. He had almost no capital at this time but he had what sometimes proves more valuable--habits of industry and frugality. After working for four years for Mr. Cromley, he had accumulated the sum of $450, enough to enable him to purchase the old William Foresman mill. This old landmark of Harrison township was erected in 1838 by William Foresman, whose father was a pioneer here, and was named the "Good Intent Mill." It was started up in the following year and still is utilized for the purpose for which it was built. Of course, many changes have been made and numberless improvements have been introduced by Mr. Campbell. It was originally an old-fashioned burr mill, the motive power being water. Mr. Campbell now operates' it with steam and has equipped it with the modern roller process. Its daily capacity is 50 barrels.
Mr. Campbell was married March 10, 1885, to Carrie McMun, who was born at Waverly, Ross County, Ohio. They have four children --Grace, James E.; Samuel and Marie.
Although Mr. Campbell has been a hard worker all his life he has results of a satisfactory nature to show for his endeavors. He has a beautiful homestead of 45 acres, a paying business, a family to be proud of and a wide circle of friends who esteem and respect him. In all that implies good citizenship. He is a representative man of his township.
ISHAM A. JONES, proprietor of the "Lone Elm Farm," a fine 344-acre estate, located four miles west of Circleville, on the Darbyville turnpike, is one of the prominent farmers and extensive stock-raisers ,of Jackson township, as well as one of her representative citizens. He was born in Logan County, Illinois, August 27, 1850, and is a son of Stephen and Ariadna (Ware) (Ham) Jones.
Stephen Jones, who was a native of Pennsylvania, settled in early manhood in Logan County, Illinois, among the pioneers there, and as he was a man of sterling worth he soon became one of the prominent men there. He was a farmer by occupation and was also a shrewd business man and accumulated an ample fortune. He served as a captain in the War of 1812 and received a land warrant for his serv-
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ices. He became a purchaser of the warrants which other soldiers were willing to sell, some of these being in the possession of our subject at the present time. Stephen Jones left an estate aggregating some 800 acres. In politics and in religion he was a man of firm convictions, voting with the Democratic party and supporting the Methodist Church. He married Mrs. Ariadna (Ware) Ham, who had one son, Jason. She died aged 48 years.
Isham A. Jones, who was the only child born to his parents, has been an orphan since childhood, his father dieing when he was only three years old and his mother one year later. He lived with relatives until he reached his majority, and obtained his education in the local schools. For some years he carried on farming near Waynesville, Illinois, and then embarked in a hardware business at Waynesville, where he resided some seven years and then returned to farming, on the 120-acre farm he had purchased before moving to Waynesville. The coming of Mr. Jones to Pickaway County, in 1885, was on account of Mrs. Jones having inherited a tract of 400 acres in Jackson township, which was a part of the old McArthur estate, which had long been in the courts. Mr. Jones found the property in a neglected condition but with his characteristic energy he soon made many changes. The old log buildings gave way to handsome, substantial frame ones, and he built a beautiful residence on a favorable location which makes it one of the most attractive rural homes of the township. His land is managed carefully and he pays attention to the raising of. grain and the growing of stock, making specialties of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs.
The "Lone Elm Farm" takes its name from a historic old elm tree, 15 feet in circumference, which stands in front of Mr. Jones' residence. It has survived all its forest companions, and has seen generations of those who have rested beneath its shade pass away.
Mr. Jones was married December 12, 1872, to Effie McArthur, who was born September 22, 1844, and is a daughter of Allen C. and Olive (Whitney) McArthur, and a granddaughter of Gen. Duncan McArthur, who was an officer in the regular army and was subsequently elected Governor of Ohio. Mr. Jones' father served under General McArthur during his army service. Her father was born in Ross County, Ohio, and her mother in the State of New York.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are : Flora T., wife of Frank Anderson, residing near Williamsport; Susie Van B., who married Joseph Shortridge, lives five miles north of Mr. Jones and has two daughters--Mary Isham and Lillian Josephine ; Stephen A., who married Carrie Trimble, a daughter of James Trimble, of Circleville, lives on the home place and has these children--Arthur Trimble, Richard Edward, Dorothy Emily and McArthur Atchison.
Mr. Jones has been a lifelong Democrat and has always been a prominent factor in political circles. Ever since locating in Jackson township, he has, been connected with school affairs and is now serving as a very efficient member of the Board of Education. He is a man of wise public spirit and is ever ready to promote agencies working for the ultimate good of the township. He gives liberal support to the churches in his neighborhood, but is an attendant of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
JOHN METZGER, a representative citizen and prominent farmer of Pickaway township, resides on his well-cultivated farm of more than 90 acres, situated in section 7, and has been identified with this township for almost a half century. He was born in Washington township, Pickaway County, November. 8, 1834, and is ,a son of Benjamin and Mary (Zeimer) Metzger.
Benjamin Metzger and wife were both natives of Washington township, where they were reared and married. In 1857 they removed to Pickaway township, settling on the famous Pickaway Plains. Benjamin Metzger was a man of excellent business capacity and became possessed of 900 acres of land. He
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met death by accidental drowning in the Scioto River in June, 1868. Of his children these survive: John; Benjamin, of Circleville; Elizabeth, widow of Michael Henry, residing at Williamsport; Andrew, of Wayne township; Abraham, of Circleville township; all the above being children of his marriage with Mary Zeimer. The surviving children of his second marriage are: Catherine, wife of John Shaner, of Colorado; Joseph, of Walnut township; and Samuel, of Jackson township. Benjamin Metzger was one of the representative men of Pickaway township. His father, John Metzger, came to Ohio from Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and was one of the first settlers in Washington township; he removed, late in life, to Allen County, Indiana, and died there in 1857.
John Metzger, the subject of this sketch, grew to maturity in Washington township, from boyhood assisting in the agricultural work carried on extensively on the home farm. He attended the log schoolhouses which were the best then provided in his neighborhood, and received good elementary training which later life and experience with men and affairs developed into well-informed citizenship. During the Civil War he was a member of the Ohio State militia and was commissioned a captain by the Governor, and in this capacity assisted' in repelling the Morgan raiders.
Mr. Metzger married' Maria Terwilliger, who was born in Wayne township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and died May 28, 1893. She was a (laughter of David Terwilliger, formerly one of the leading men of Wayne township and one of its early settlers. Of the family of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Metzger, these survive: John W., of Detroit, Michigan : and Mary B., Lulu M. and Ralph M., all living at home. The mother of these children was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically Mr. Metzger has always been identified with the Democratic party but has never taken any active part beyond exercising his rights of citizenship. He is well known throughout the township and enjoys the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
COL. ELIAS FLORENCE was one of the most widely known and popular men of Pickaway County for a generation or more after 1828, when his public career began, and for the greater part of his lifetime was one of the most extensive landowners, owning about 5,500 acres in Muhlenberg and adjoining townships. He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, February 15, 1797, the son of William and Fanny (Robinson) Florence, both born and raised in Virginia, who emigrated to Ohio in 18o6, on the 9th of April of that year. William Florence was one of the first commissioners of Pickaway County, was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1816 and 1817, and was associate judge of the courts of the county two terms, commencing in 1828. Judge Florence lived to a great old age, 96 years, dying at his home near Darbyville, in 1870.
Elias Florence received a common-school education, such as the neighborhood in his boyhood afforded. He started in life as a farmer and became largely engaged in cattle feeding, driving them to New York and Philadelphia markets. At his hospitable home, he entertained royally and his friends were legion. From 182o to 1837, he was colonel of a regiment of the State militia. In 1829 and 1830, Colonel Florence was elected Representative in the General Assembly ; was again elected in 1834; in 1835 was elected to the State Senate, and in 184o was returned as Representative ; in 1842, was elected to Congress, defeating the Democratic candidate, William Medill, of Fairfield County, who was afterward Governor of Ohio. Colonel Florence was defeated for re-election to Congress in 1844, and retired from, official position until 185o when he was chosen to represent the county in the convention, which formed the State Constitution of 1851. On March 26, 1818, Colonel Florence married Elizabeth Radcliffe, of Kentucky. They had eight children, all of whom he survived, except his daughter, Mrs. Mary Scott. He survived .his wife many years, dying in 1881.
The kindness of Colonel Florence in as-
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sisting others financially, by going security for large amounts, wrecked his handsome estate years before his death.
THOMAS J. WINSHIP was one of the men of prominence and force, politically and in every way, in Pickaway County. in the '30's and '40's. He was the son of Winn Winship, who came from Virginia to Chillicothe, Ohio, about 1800, when Thomas was an infant. He there grew to manhood and studied medicine, afterwards locating on a farm near Leistville, Pickaway County, where for many years he gave his attention to farming and stock breeding. He was one of the most popular men in the county; was elected Representative in the General Assembly, as a Democrat, in 1835, 1836 and 1838. In 1835 the county was entitled to two Representatives, and Mr. Winship defeated William B. Thrall, then editor of the Circleville Herald, the Whig paper. Samuel Lutz (Whig) was elected as Mr. Winship's colleague, both members elected residing in Salt Creek township. The election of Mr. Winship as Representative, in 1836, gave the Democrats the majority of the Legislature in joint session, and elected William Allen to the United States Senate, the first time, by one vote. In 1845 Mr. Winship was appointed by President Polk, to be register of the U. S. Land Office, at Chillicothe, which he held for some years. In 1854, he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, dying at Independence, the old county seat, August 3, 1876, in his 78th year. He was a gentleman of the old school, and of varied acquirements.
His son, Edwin E. Winship, has been a well-known resident of Circleville since 1863; served as county auditor from 187o to 1875; as cashier of the Sergeant-at-Arms' office, of the House of Representatives, at Washington, D. C., from December, 1875, for six years; was cashier of the Second National Bank of Circleville over 15 years; and is now a member (and clerk) of the Board of Education of the city of Circleville and one of the trustees of the Pickaway County Children's Home.
WILLIAM INGHAM WOOD, one of the most progressive and widely known farmers and stockmen of the county, was born on the "Woodland Farm," near Williamsport, in 1854, and is a son of George and Hannah (Ingham) Wood, who came there from Chillicothe.
After being educated at the Williamsport school and the Greenway Institute, at Springfield, Ohio, William began his active life as a farmer, soon having the management of nearly 1,800 acres of choice farming land. In a few years he also commenced the breeding of Shorthorn and Galloway cattle, concentrating his efforts after some years in the formation of a herd of Shorthorns. He has succeeded in securing one of the best herds in the country, having the purest strains of the thoroughbred, including importations from the herd of the famous Shorthorn breeder, William Duthie, of Scotland. Mr. Wood has had eight annual sales, held in May, at each of which he has disposed of a large number of choice animals at good prices, to stockmen from every section of the county. He has also been very successful in obtaining premiums when exhibiting his prize cattle at State, district and county fairs.
Mr. Wood and his sister, Mary M. Wood, who was married to Joseph A. Shoedinger, of Columbus, on the 26th of April last, inherited from their deceased' parents 1,600 acres of the finest land in the county, which they amicably divided into equal parts nearly six months ago, Mr. Wood getting the part on which is the old Wood home. He was married on the 6th of Julie, 1906, to Mrs. Martha A. Hulse, of Jackson township.
LIEUT. COL. WILLIS WITTICH, U. S. Army, retired, is the son of G. F. and Henrietta
(Keller) Wittich, born at Circleville, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1853. He was appointed, in the spring of
1870, by Hon. P. Van Trump, Member of Congress from the 12th Ohio District, to a
cadetship in the U. S. Military Academy at West
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Point, having graduated from the Circleville High School in March of that year. He passed the required examination for admission to the Military Academy and entered upon the four-years' course, graduating in June, 1874, and receiving the commission of 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to the 21st Infantry, Company F, then stationed at Fort Klamath, Oregon, and was on duty there and at other forts in the Western and Pacific States until 1892. In 1879 was promoted to 1st lieutenant of Company B, and on July 18, 189o, was promoted to captain.
On September 20, 1892, Captain Wittich left Fort Randall, South Dakota, having been assigned to recruiting service in New York City. From 1895 to 1898 he was stationed at Plattsburg Barracks, New York. On April 18, 1898, started with the regiment for Tampa, Florida, and sailed from there June 14th for Cuba; he was in the battle near Santiago on July 3rd, in which his regiment (the 21st) had 6 killed and 33 wounded. The regiment sailed for the United States on August 12th and arrived at Plattsburg Barracks, New York, September 15th. He remained there until July 14, 1899, when he was ordered to proceed to San Francisco, California, and thence to Manila to join the 21st Regiment. He sailed from San Francisco, August loth, on the "Morgan City," which struck a reef near the Island of Inoshima, Japan, at three o'clock a. m., September 3rd. On the ship were 675 recruits under command of Major Wittich. In the afternoon the ship slid off the steep beach into deep water and proceeded on the way with all safe on board, arriving at Nagasaki, Japan, September loth; four days later they sailed on the "Ohio," for Manila, arriving there on the 17th.
Major Wittich was in active service at points in the Philippines until June 13, 1900, when he was stricken with serious illness. On June 23rd he was given sick leave, being sent to San Francisco, where he arrived July 22nd. He was in the military hospital in that city until he was able to travel, being sent. on September 11th to Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island, where he remained until May, 1902. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, May 5, 1902. His health not improving, he wasretired on November 28, 1902. He is now living at Plattsburg, New York. He was married, on June 27, 1876, to Lillian Mearns, of Highland Falls, New York.
JAMES R. HULSE was one of the early settlers in Jackson township, coming here from Orange County, New York, about 1810 or 1811, and on the 17th of May, 1812, marrying Rebecca Van Meter, of the neighborhood. An energetic, industrious man, he was successful in farming and stock-raising, accumulating one of the largest properties in the county, owning at the time of his death, several thousand acres of land. It was written of him, that "as a man he was intelligent, quiet and upright in all his dealings, a man of decisive character, and sound judgment ; few men ever possessed better business capacities; system, prudence and great care characterized all of his acts." Mr. Hulse was a Democrat in politics, and in 1853 was elected to represent the Franklin Pickaway senatorial district on the Decennial State Board , of Equalization. Mr. Hulse left three children by his first wife--Aristeus, Hephzibah and James R. Hulse, and two born to his second wife--Jonas T. and Effie Hulse, all deceased for a number of years. There are eight grandchildren now living.
COL. WILLIAM MARSHALL ANDERSON was a widely known and greatly esteemed citizen of Pickaway County from 1853 until. his death, January 7, 1881. He belonged to a historic family, distinguished in the country and especially in the West.
His father, Col. Richard Clough Anderson, a native of Hanover County, Virginia, served with great gallantry in the Revolutionary War, and came out with the rank of colonel. In 1783 he was chosen by his brother officers and appointed by the Virginia Legislature, surveyor-general of the lands reserved for the Virginia continental line, and known as
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the Virginia Military District, which position he held until his death in 1826, at the age of 76 years. He was a member of the first electoral college in Kentucky, at the time of Washington's second election, and several times a member of the Kentucky Legislature. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Clark, a sister of Gen. George Rogers Clark, who was conspicuously prominent in the conquest and settlement of the States of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and a famous Indian fighter. By this wife he had five children, of whom one was Richard Clough Anderson, one of the most brilliant men Kentucky ever produced, serving in the Legislature, in Congress from 1817 to 1821, and as United States Minister to Bogota, where he died in 1826. His second wife was Sarah Marshall, of the illustrious Marshall family of Virginia and Kentucky, by whom he had 12 children, eight of whom were as follows : Mrs. Maria Latham, of Cincinnati, the wife of the late Allen Latham, formerly a resident of Chillicothe; Larz Anderson, of Cincinnati, who died in 1878; Gen. Robert Anderson, who was in command of Fort Sumter, when the Civil War began; William Marshall Anderson ; Mrs. Judge Hall, who resided near Cincinnati ; John Anderson, who was sheriff of Ross County, deceased in 1863 ; Charles Anderson, who was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Ohio in 1863, and was Governor for the unexpired term of Governor John Brough, who died in the summer of 1865, afterwards residing at Eddyville, Kentucky, where he died some years ago; and Mrs. Sarah J. Kendrick, of Cincinnati, also long since deceased.
William Marshall Anderson was born at a place known as "Soldiers' Retreat," in Jefferson County, Kentucky, near Louisville, June 24, 1807. When a boy he came with his sister, Mrs. Latham, to Chillicothe, where he attended school, one of his schoolmates being the late Governor William Allen. Returning to Kentucky, he received a classical education at the Transylvania University, at Lexington, subsequently studied law, was admitted to the bar, and for a few years practiced with his brother Larz, in Louisville. In 1834, his health becoming impaired, he made a tour to the Rocky Mountains, with Lieutenant Sublett, of St. Louis. He was married to Eliza A. McArthur, daughter of Governor Duncan McArthur, of Chillicothe, February 16, 1835. After a year's residence at Louisville, Kentucky, they removed to Chillicothe and Governor McArthur's health having broken down, Colonel Anderson managed his affairs until Governor McArthur's death three years thereafter. Their home was at "Glen Mary," adjacent to Chillicothe, until 1853, when they came to Circleville, and a year or more thereafter removed to the "Seven Oaks Farm" in Wayne township, Pickaway County, their portion of the McArthur estate, where Mrs. Anderson died September 2, 1855. She was the mother of 10 children, three of whom are now living: Gen. Thomas M. Anderson, U. S. A., retired, who commanded the first army corps sent to the Philippines; Lieut.-Col. Harry R. Anderson and Dr. Charles Anderson, of Santa Barbara, California. Colonel Anderson's second wife was Ellen C. Ryan, of Urbana, Ohio, who died in New York City, in May, 1898, leaving one son, Robert M. Anderson, who is an expert civil engineer in New York City.
In the spring of 1865, Coloned Anderson made a trip to Mexico, and remained there two years during the reign of Maximilian. He made a scientific tour of part of the country, had many perilous adventures, narrowly escaped the Mexican assassin, and on his journey home was seized with yellow fever, which came near resulting fatally. During his absence his family removed to Circleville, where they resided at the time of his death.
The profession of law was not congenial to Colonel Anderson and he abandoned it for other pursuits. He was literary in his tastes, an accomplished scholar, a great reader, conversant with the best authors, a good linguist, speaking the French and Spanish languages fluently, and possessed one of the best selected private libraries in the country, comprising many rare works. He was an art connoisseur, and an antiquarian, with a choice collection of relics, curiosities and minerals. He was a great lover of the beautiful in nature, familiar with ornithology, botany, horticulture and floriculture. He was an enthusiastic admirer of the
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high-bred horse, and for several years was a breeder of thoroughbreds. He was perfectly versed in the pedigrees and performances of noted horses, was an accepted authority upon such matters and a frequent contributor to stock and turf journals. He engaged in the business of farming for more than 25 years, having life tenure in nearly 1,100 acres of land in Wayne township, which became the inheritance of his first wife's children. He also had a large farm near Portsmouth, Ohio.
Colonel Anderson was never ambitious for political preferment, and refused positions of importance, only once consenting to be a candidate for a political office--for State Senator in the Ross district, when there was no chance of election. He served as .surveyor-general for a while after the death of his father. He was a member and president of the Board of Education of Circleville, from 1867 to 187o, and 1874 to 1876, in which capacity he devoted much time and attention, and was greatly interested in the welfare of the schools. He also manifested special interest in the Circleville Public Library, and was one of the managers and president of the board for several years. He favored every necessary improvement for the public good, and aided as far as was in his power all projects for the advancement of the community. The title of colonel bestowed upon him originated in an appointment on the staff of Governor Breathitt, of Kentucky, in 1832.
Colonel Anderson was converted to the Catholic religion in 1838, and continued earnest and devout in the faith, receiving the final sacraments of the church a few days previous to his death. Politically he was a zealous and unswerving Democrat, of the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian school. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and his last for Winfield Scott Hancock, in 1880.
William Marshall Anderson was a polished, chivalrous gentleman at all times and places, and in his domestic and social relations was kind, hospitable and generous. He was a man of strict integrity, open. frank and true, and lived a blameless life. He was a genial companion, a charming conversationalist, possessed of a vast fund of information on all subjects,rich in reminiscences and anecdotes, and always entertaining. Affable and pleasant to every one, high or low, whether child or adult, he enjoyed the respect and esteem of an unlimited number of friends and acquaintances, and his death was sincerely lamented by all.
COMMANDER BURNS T. WALLING, U. S. Navy, was born at Coshocton, Ohio, February 4, 1855, the son of Ansel T. and Sarah E. Walling. His parents located in Circleville in 1863.
He was appointed a cadet-midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, by Hon. Philadelph Van Trump, of Lancaster, Ohio, then representing the 12th Ohio Congressional District, and entered the Naval Academy on June 5, 1872, returning temporarily to graduate from the Circleville High School on June 20th of that year. In June, 1876, he was graduated as midshipman from the Naval Academy, standing fourth in a class of 42.
In December, 1876, Midshipman Walling joined the U. S. S. "Vandalia," stationed in the Mediterranean, and remained attached to that vessel until she was put out of commission at Boston in January, 1879, having been in the meanwhile promoted to the grade of ensign in September, 1877.
In June, 1879, Ensign Walling joined the U. S. S. "Powhatan," flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, and remained on duty on board that vessel until June, 1881. In November, 1881, he joined the U. S. S. "Ranger," Pacific Station, and assisted in the survey of the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Central America, between Mazatlan and Panama, until September, 1884, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.
In February, 1885, Lieutenant Walling joined the U. S. receiving ship "Vermont," at the New York Navy Yard, for recruiting duty and remained until the end of March, 1886. Early in April; 1886, he joined the U. S. coast survey schooner "Scoresby" as senior assistant, for the survey of natural oyster beds, and instruction in oyster culture, for the State of
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North Carolina. In the September following he joined the U. S. S. "Essex," which ship proceeded to the China Station via the Suez Canal. He remained on duty on board the "Essex" until June, 1887, when he joined the U. S. S. "Brooklyn," flagship of the China Station, remaining on duty on that vessel until August, 1888, when he was transferred back to the "Essex," arriving via the Suez Canal at New York in April, 1889. In August, 1889, he was again ordered to recruiting duty on board the "Vermont," at the New York Navy Yard, but was detached in the December following and ordered as one of the instructors in the department of physics and chemistry at the U. S. Naval Academy, remaining as such until September, 1892, at which time he was ordered as a member of the class for instruction at the U. S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. In March, 1890, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
In December, 1892, Lieutenant Walling joined the U. S. S. "Kearsarge" (which fought the famous battle with the Confederate cruiser "Alabama" off Cherbourg, France, in 1864), and in July, 1893, was a member of the class for automobile torpedo instruction at Newport, rejoining the ship in August. On the 2nd of February, 1894, Lieutenant Walling was wrecked with 202 others, including the admiral commanding the North Atlantic Station, in the "Kearsarge," on Roncador Reef, in the western part of the Caribbean Sea. In April following he joined the U. S. S. "Atlanta," on the North Atlantic Station, remaining on that duty until the ship was placed out of commission in September, 1895. In November, 1895, he joined the U. S. receiving ship "Vermont," for recruiting duty, being detached, in September, 1896, for duty as electrical assistant in the equipment department of the New York Navy Yard.
In September, 1897, Lieutenant Walling was ordered as navigator of the U. S. S. "Wheeling" on the Pacific Station, but was detached to hospital in April, 1898, after spending the winter on duty with the "Wheeling" in Alaskan waters. In September, 1898, he returned to the New York Navy Yard as electrical assistant in the equipment department.
Lieutenant Walling was promoted to lieutenant commander in March, 1899, and in the June following took a detachment of officers and men on board the U. S. transport "Solace", for duty in the Philippines. On arriving at Manila, in August, he was sent to Hong Kong, China, by the commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Station, as inspector of ordnance and equipment for the reconstruction of the three gunboats raised by Admiral Dewey, after the battle at Manila Bay. He was ordered to the U. S. Naval Station, Cavite, Philippine Islands, in March, 1900, to organize the equipment department of that station, construct shops, etc. In June, 1901, he joined the U. S. S. "Albany," as executive officer, for duty in the Mediterranean, and returned to the United States in July, 1902. In August of that year he was ordered as general assistant in the equipment department of the New York Navy Yard. In May, 1904, he was ordered as commandant of the U. S. Naval Station, Culebra, Puerto Rico, and as commanding officer of the U. S. S. "Gloucester" and U. S. S. "Alliance." In December, 1905, he was promoted to the grade of commander.
In December, 1906, Commander Walling was ordered as equipment officer of the New York Navy Yard, and as general inspector for the Bureau of Equipment (Navy Department, Washington), for vessels building at private shipyards on the Atlantic Coast, which duty he is now performing.
Commander Walling was married on October 27, 1892, to Wilhelmina Boyd, daughter of the late Captain Boyd, U. S. Navy, at Grace Church, Brooklyn, New York. They have one daughter, Grace, aged 12 years.
JACOB ARTHUR MARBURGER ,* an enterprising citizen of the county, residing at Commercial Point, was born in Amanda township, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 21, 1867. He is a son of Gideon Lee and Louisa (Grosh) Marburger.
The ancestors of Mr. Marburger, on both sides of the family, were of German descent
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and pioneers of Pennsylvania and Ohio. George L. Marburger, the paternal grandfather, was a native of the Keystone State. He removed in 1838 to Amanda township, Fairfield County, Ohio, engaged in farming and died on his estate in 1900, at the remarkable age of 101 years, 6 months and; 2 days. His wife, who was a Britinghouse, died when our subject was a boy. The maternal grandfather was born in Maryland and came to Ohio in the early '40's ; he died in 1874 at the age of 93 years. He was also a life-long farmer, so that the immediate ancestry of our subject is not only of yeoman, but of long-lived stock.
Gideon Lee Marburger was born January 31, 1831, and is still living at the age of 75 years. The active years of his life were spent in farming and contracting. He operated stone quarries and: built not a few of the bridges in Fairfield County. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in March, 1889, when 58 years of age. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Lee Marburger, of whom two, besides the subject of this sketch, are living. Marion, is the father of a family and resides with his father in Amanda township, Fairfield County. Doretta Catherine, wife of George W. Bowers, lives on part of the estate of the grandfather, also in Amanda township.
Jacob A. Marburger received his early education in the township schools and in 1887, when 19 years of age, entered the Ohio Normal University, at Ada. In the fall of that year he commenced teaching at the Darby Educational Institute, in Scioto township, and remained thus employed for three years, in the meantime continuing a scientific course at Ada. After leaving college in 189o, he taught for a year in Jackson township, this county, near Robtown, and in the fall of 1892 located at Commercial Point, where for two years he held the principalship of the special school district. Later he was appointed principal of the High School, continuing in that position until the fall of 1901. Since .the latter year Mr. Marburger has spent about a year in the interest of the Columbian Building and Loan Association and taught the Derby High School in 1903. At the present time he is in the employ of the American Book Company, of Cincinnati.
As indicative of his standing in the educational world, it may be stated that the State Board. of Examiners for Teachers, in June, 1895, granted Mr. Marburger a life certificate, and that in August, 1897, Probate Judge Van Clef appointed him a county school examiner. He was reappointed at the expiration of his term, in 1900, and served to September, 1903. For three years of the six, he served as president of the board.
Mr. Marburger has also been an active, honest and high minded leader in the Democratic politics of both the township and the county. He has repeatedly served as a delegate to the county convention and in 1897 was a representative to the State convention. For a number of terms he has been on the central and executive committees of the county, and in 1905 served as chairman of the central body.
On October 13, 1892, our subject was united in marriage to Nora L. Beavers, daughter of Peter and Olive (Kepler) Beavers, of Scioto township, where both Mrs. Marburger and her parents were born and reared. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Marburger, viz.: Ralph Emerson, Mabel (deceased in infancy), Helena, Bertrand, Irene and Olive Louisa.
WILLIAM H. KLINGENSMITH,* president of the Board of Infirmary Directors of Pickaway County, was born in Washington town-ship, Pickaway County, in 1866, and is a son of Z. F. Klingensmith.
The father of Mr. Klingensmith was born in Pennsylvania, but has been a resident of Pickaway County for a half century, being well known as a prominent citizen of Washington township. He is still interested in local political matters. In earlier years he served as school director and as trustee of his township. His present residence is Circleville.
William H. Klingensmith was reared and
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educated in Pickaway County. After his education was completed, he began to deal in timber and this has been his main business ever since. He buys timber tracts, from which he removes and sells the timber, having most of the work done by contract. Probably no man in the country is better posted on the condition and value of timber than is Mr. Klingensmith. He owns a fine tract of 20 acres in the outskirts of Circleville, for which he paid $200 per acre, when it was in an unimproved condition. This land is now of great value, Mr. Klingensmith having developed it and erected modern buildings.
In 1887 Mr. Klingensmith was married to Ida Bowman, who is a daughter of W. S. Bowman, who was formerly a county official. Mr. and Mrs. Klingensmith have two children, viz.: Merl, a lineman for the Citizens' Telephone Company; and Mason, a student in the Circleville High School.
Mr. Klingensmith has always been a Democrat and for years past he has been a very influential one in his part of the county. He has been a member of the Democratic County Central Committee, a member of the Board of Education of Circleville township and for a number of years he has been a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He served four years as its secretary and is now its president. Fraternally, Mr. Klingensmith is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is one of the enterprising and representative men of Circleville.
JOHN C. WRIGHT,* whose fine farm and attractive rural home are located in section 18, Madison township, is considered one of the representative citizens of his locality. He was born in this township, April 4, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Platter) Wright.
Joseph Wright, who was born in Ireland, came to America in young manhood, locating in Ross County, Ohio, where he married Sarah Platter, who was born in Kentucky, butwas reared: in Ross County. They moved to Adams County, Ohio, and then settled at Sinking Springs, where Mr. Wright engaged in a mercantile business and was also proprietor of a stage line, from Chillicothe to Marietta, which did a large business before the advent of the railroads. Subsequently he came to Madison township, Pickaway County and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. He was one of the pioneers and lived out the rest of his days here, dying on March 3, 1871, in his 79th year. His wife passed away on June 29, 1864, aged 70 years. In politics he was a Republican, having been a strong Whig in his earlier years. At one time he served as township clerk and at all times was a good citizen. His surviving children are : Mary A., widow of Jonathan Hay, residing at Ashville; Sarah J., who resides with our subject; William, of Ashville; Joseph P., of Ashville; Andrew, of Montgomery County, Kansas; and John C.
John C. Wright was reared in Madison township and obtained his early education in the local schools and later enjoyed a term at the Lithopolis High School. He has always been interested in farming and owns a valuable property on which, in 1892, he erected his present substantial and comfortable home.
Mr. Wright was married November 19, 1879, to Julia A. Kerns, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 8, 1848, and is a daughter of George and Mary (Stucky) Kerns. Her father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a son of Jacob Kerns, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the early settlers of Fairfield County. Mrs. Wright has one surviving sister - Sarah A., widow of Isaiah Doner, formerly of Fairfield County, but now a resident of Madison township.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright have three children, namely : Bertha L., wife of Clarence B. Noecker, of Walnut township; and George K. and William W., both living at home.
Mr. Wright and wife belong to the Lutheran Church at Lithopolis, of which he is a trustee. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to Hamilton Grange, No. 436, Patrons of Husbandry, at Groveport, Ohio.
882 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
CLINTON ELMER NEWTON,* a well-known business man of Circleville, a member of E. W. Newton & Company, extensive flour, grain and feed dealers, was born in 1873 in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Edwin Newton.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Newton was John D. Newton, who was a native of Virginia. . He came to Pickaway County from his native State on horseback, before highways had been cut or streams bridged. The father of our subject, Edwin Newton, is one of the prominent and substantial farmers of Walnut township.
Clinton Elmer Newton was reared in Walnut township and obtained his education in his native State, first in the local schools and later at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. His first business venture was in the insurance line but later he became interested in the grain and mill business, becoming connected with the Crites Milling Company in 1895 and becoming a member of the firm in 1901. Lately the firm of E. W. Newton & Company was formed.
In 1895 Mr. Newton was married to Tillie Ann Crites, who is a daughter of George Crites, a capitalist of Pickaway County. They have two children--Edith Florence and Anna Mae.
Mr. Newton is recognized as one of the able business men of Circleville and at the same time he possesses personal qualities which make him a very popular citizen. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.