550 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY dians were numerous, and deeply resented the invasion of the pale-faced whites. From Volume I, "Howe's History of Ohio," we make the following extract : "Adam and Andrew Poe. "In 1782 seven Wyandotte Indians invaded the section some distance below Fort Pitt and killed an old man living alone. Among them was a Wyandotte chief. Eight men, including Adam and Andrew Poe, started in pursuit. They used every precaution against an ambuscade. A short distance before they reached the river, Adam Poe left the party, and went ahead to the river, and there saw the Chief, a very powerful man, and a small Indian. He raised his gun to shoot the Chief, but the gun missed fire, the click, however, attracting the attention of the Indians. Being too near to successfully retreat, he sprang upon the Indians, and threw them both to the ground. The smaller Indian got away and tried to tomahawk him, but he kicked the Indian and knocked the tomahawk from his hand, then broke from the Chief, picked up the Indian's gun, and shot the smaller one. Then the Chief seized him, and they struggled and fell into the river, where each tried to drown the other. After struggling for some time Adam Poe drowned the Indian." Andrew Poe, Jr., was born in Penn County October 21, 1781, the year prior to his father's encounter with the Wyandotte chief. He was subsequently one of the earlier settlers of Chillicothe, where he lived several years. He then removed to his farm, in West Scioto Township, and there he died, October 30, 1861, his body being buried in Grand View Cemetery. Mrs. Catherine (Poe) Robinson died in November, 1875, leaving two children, Elwynn S., and Andrew P. Receiving his elementary education in the rural schools of his native township, Andrew P. Robinson continued his studies for a while in the Circleville schools, later taking a course at the Chillicothe Business College. Returning then to the home farm, he assumed its management, and was there profitably engaged in cultivating the soil until 1905. when he removed to his present home in Chillicothe, where he is living retired from active pursuits, enjoying a well deserved leisure. Mr. Robinson did not sell his land, however, but still owns, in Union Township, two farms, aggregating 386 acres, which he operates through tenants, and he also has an interest in valuable farming property in Logan County, Illinois. Mr. Robinson married, in 1886, Jennie Isabelle Woodside Clark, who was born in Chillicothe, a daughter of Hon. Milton Lee Clark, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have three sons, namely : Elwynn Wilson ; John Drew, who served for three years in the Regular Army, having been sergeant of Company B, First United States Infantry, one year in Vancouver barracks, State of Washington, and two years at Schofield barracks, Hawaiian Territory ; and Clark Woodside. HON. MILTON LEE CLARK. On the long roll of illustrious names that have conferred honor upon the Ohio bar, not one shines with more HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 551 brilliant luster than that of Hon. Milton Lee Clark, late chief justice of the Supreme Court. Possessing a profound knowledge of law, and with justice as his constant motive, his judicial ermine was ever free from the shadow of suspicion, and his name will hold a lasting place among those of his predecessors. A son of Col. William Clark, he was born in Clarksburg, Ross County, Ohio, April 21, 1817, of honored Scotch ancestry. John Clark, his grandfather, immigrated to America from Scotland, settling first in Pennsylvania. In 1800 he came with his family to Ohio, locating in that part of Ross County that is now included within the boundaries of Deerfield Township, where he cheerfully endured all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. He began the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm from the forest, and until his death, while in manhood's prime, was engaged in general farming. He married, in Pennsylvania, Mary Blair, who survived him. She moved with her children, in 1838, to Indiana, locating on the Wabash River, near Wil- liamsport, where she continued to reside until her death, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. She reared a family of eleven children, as follows: William, Thomas, John B., Samuel, James B., Daniel, Stephen, Joseph, Alexander, Wesley, and Elizabeth. Thomas, the second son, wandered to Texas when young, and was never again heard from. John B., a physician, located first in Kentucky, later settling permanently in Indiana. Samuel, an attorney, became an associate judge in Indiana. Daniel, Alexander and Wesley spent the larger part of their lives in Indiana, the latter becoming a successful physician, and an extensive landholder. Joseph died at an early age, unmarried. Stephen, said to have been "the handsomest man in Ross County," was accidentally killed by a fall from a horse. James B., for many years one of the more prominent lawyers and chancellors of Alabama, reared a highly educated and distinguished family. Elizabeth, the only daughter of her parents, married James Beard. The oldest son of the parental household, William Clark, began as a boy to assist his father in eliminating a homestead from the wilderness. After his marriage he settled on the farm adjoining his father's, and in addition to tilling the soil carried on tanning to a considerable extent, having established a tannery on his land. During the War of 1812, he served as colonel of the Second Regiment, Sixteenth Division, Ohio Militia, equipping his regiment almost entirely at his own expense, and never being reimbursed by the Government. He resumed farming and tanning at the close of the war, and in 1816 laid out, on his own farm, the Village of Clarksburg. He was active in public affairs, serving many years as justice of the peace, and his death, August 10, 1824, was a loss to the entire community. The maiden name of the wife of Colonel Clark was Keturah Brown. Her father, James Brown, a wealthy landholder and slave owner of Maryland, for many years extensively engaged in domestic and foreign commerce, died in early life, and his widow subsequently came with her children and her brother, 552 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY White Brown, to Ohio, locating in Ross County, where her daughter Keturah met and married Colonel Clark. Left fatherless when but seven years old, Milton Lee Clark began working on the farm as soon as strong enough to be of use, attending school in the meantime as opportunity offered. In 1833, a lad of sixteen years, he began clerking in the store of his brother, Edward B. Clark, who was then located in Chillicothe, but who, in 1834, removed to Clarksburg, where he subsequently formed a partnership with a Mr. Williams, and the new firm established a branch store at Williamsport, putting the young clerk in charge of the establishment. Returning to Clarksburg in 1837, Mr. Clark taught school there one term, and the following year clerked in the store of Radcliff & Shaughnessy, at Williamsport. Coming to Chillicothe in 1838, Mr. Clark was a clerk in the dry goods house of John C. Scott, and his successors, Douglas & Anderson, until May, 1839, when he migrated to Louisville, Kentucky. He was taken ill soon after reaching that city, and on recovering his health entered the employ of John Watson, first as bookkeeper, and later as general manager of the entire business, in the latter capacity having been given the power of attorney to sign Mr. Watson's name to checks and drafts, and supervision of the other employes. At the end of three years Mr. Clark was offered a position as bookkeeper in the large wholesale dry goods house establishment of W. C. Fellows & Company, with a salary of $1,000 a year, and was advised by his employer to accept it, but preferred remaining with Mr. Watson if he was to continue as a clerk. Strongly resolved, however, to enter upon a professional career, Mr. Clark returned to his home in Ohio, and on August 9, 1842, began reading law with Col. Jonathan T. Woodside, and made such rapid progress in his studies that on November 23, 1844, he was admitted to the bar. Beginning the practice of law in Chillicothe, his legal ability was soon recognized, his clientage becoming cumulative, and his business one of the largest and best of any lawyer in Ross County, for many years he having been the leading criminal lawyer in this part of the state. During his later years, however, he was more particularly interested in civil practice, his cases in that branch having been many and important. Becoming prominent in public affairs, Mr. Clark, as a whig, stumped the state in 1844 for the presidential candidate of that party, Henry Clay. In 1845 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Ross County, and re-elected in 1847. In 1849 he had the distinction of being elected as a representative to the State Legislature, in which he served with ability and fidelity. He became a republican at the formation of that party, and in 1860 was a delegate to the convention that met in Chicago, and was the first member of the Ohio delegation to cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1884 Mr. Clark was elected circuit judge for a term of six years, and having been re-elected in 1890 served two full terms in that position. At the annual convention of the circuit judges of the state, September 18, 1894, he was elected chief justice of the HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 553 Supreme Court, a position for which he was exceptionally well fitted, not only by natural gifts, but by great learning, and incorruptible integrity. His death which occurred June 11, 1897, was deeply deplored by all who knew him. Mr. Clark married, October 11, 1849, Jane Isabel Woodside, a daughter of Col. Jonathan and Eleanor (Bailey) Woodside, of whom further mention is made an another page of this volume. Their union was blessed by the birth of nine children, namely : Milton Lee ; Eleanor Woodside; Jonathan Woodside ; William; Walter Scott; Nannie Woodside ; Jennie Isabel Woodside ; Cynthia Keturah ; and Arthur Addison. CHARLES ALBERT FROMM. One of the most enterprising and successful newspaper men of Ross County, Charles Albert Fromm, of Chillicothe is widely known as editor and publisher of the Unsere Zeit, and has the distinction of being the third in direct line of descent to hold that position. A son of the late Charles Fromm, he was born in Chillicothe, March 8, 1877, of excellent German ancestry. John Balthaser Fromm, grandfather of Charles Albert, was born about 1818, in Meiningen, Saxony, Germany, and there spent his early life. A man of great intelligence, and of decided opinions, he took much interest in public affairs, and as a co-worker with Carl Schurz and Franz Sigel took an active part in the revolutionary movement of 1848-9. Forced, on that account, to leave his native land, he came to Ohio in the latter part of 1849, locating at Cincinnati, where for nearly a score of years he edited a lodge paper. Going to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1868, he, with his son, established the Unsere Zeit: There having been at that time two German papers published in Portsmouth and none in Chillicothe, he removed the entire plant to Chillicothe, bringing all its equipments on a canal boat. Meeting with encouraging success in his journalistic work, he continued as editor of his paper until his death, in 1872. He married, in Germany, a Miss Albright, and they became the parents of five children, as follows: Charles, Dorothy, Henry, Bertha, and Kossuth. Born in Meiningen, Saxony, Germany, in 1847, Charles Fromm was scarce two years old when brought to this country by his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati, and began his career as a newspaper man in the office of the Volksblatt, with which he was associated until 1868. Going then to Portsmouth with his father, he assisted in the starting of the Unsere Zeit in that city, and after its removal to Chillicothe was assistant editor and manager of the paper for the remainder of his comparatively short life of but forty-six years, after the death of his father, however, having entire control of the sheet. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ringwald, was born in Springfield Township, Ross County. Her father, Jacob Ringwald, a native of Germany, emigrated from Baden to America in the early '30s, settling in Ross County, Ohio. Purchasing a tract of heavily timbered land in Springfield Township, he hewed a farm from the forest, and there he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kessinger, and who was 554 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY likewise a native of Baden, spent their remaining days. Mrs. Charles Fromm, who resides in Chillicothe, has four children, namely : Charles Albert, Adolph, Carl, and Frederick. Acquiring a practical education in the schools of Chillicothe, Charles Albert Fromm early displayed a natural taste and talent for journalism, and at the age of sixteen years entered the office of the Unsere Zeit, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of all the departments connected with the making of a good newspaper. Since the death of his father, Mr. Fromm has had entire control of the paper, both as editor and general manager, and has met with unquestioned success in his labors, the Unsere Zeit, the only German newspaper of Ross County, having a large circulation, which is constantly increasing. In 1900 Mr. Fromm enlarged his operations by adding to his publishing business that of job printing, his plant being now amply supplied with all of the most approved appliances and machinery for carrying on his work. On September 19, 1914, Mr. Fromm was united in marriage with Ida Margaret Cochrane, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of S. H. B. and Mary Ellen Cochrane, the former of whom was born in Virginia, and the latter in Illinois. Mr. Fromm is a member of the Eintracht Singing Society, in which he takes great interest. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and to the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Religiously he is a member of the Salem Evangelical ChurCh. JAMES V. SHOOK, a resident of Ross County more than twenty years, has become especially well known as a dairyman, and is the owner of the picturesque and historic estate at Chillicothe known as the Woodbridge Homestead—Dun Glen Farm. He has had a career of varied environment and achievement. He was born at Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio, October 13, 1855. His grandfather was born in Pennsylvania of early German ancestry, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Fairfield County, where he met his death by accident when in his prime. John A. Shook, father of James V., was also born in Fairfield County, was reared there, and from early youth found his greatest pleasure in handling horses. After reaching manhood he trained many noted horses for the track. On February 10, 1864, John W. Shook enlisted in Company M, of the Twelfth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry, being appointed sergeant of his company. He went to the front, and during more than a year of active service was present at the following battles : Mount Sterling and Cynthiana, Kentucky ; Sallville, Virginia ; Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee ; Abingdon, Wytheville and Marion, Virginia ; second battle of Sallville, Virginia ; Salisbury, Dallas and Catawba River in North Carolina. With the close of actual hostilities his regiment was engaged in guard duty until honorably discharged at Nashville on November 14, 1865. After his army career John W. Shook returned to Fairfield County, and died there about one year later. The maiden name of his wife was Elenora Crooks and she died still earlier in life, leaving four children named Charles, John W., HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 555 James V. and Elizabeth. The son Charles died young; John W. is an active physician at Canal Winchester; Elizabeth is Married and lives in Zanesville. James V. Shook was little more than an infant when his mother died, and he was only about ten years of age when his father passed away. In the meantime after his mother's death he went to live with Solomon Berry at North Bern, and became a member of that family. He received his education in the district schools, and early found employment at the home of his foster father. Mr. Berry was an extensive land owner, operating his land through tenants, and he also made a business of buying and feeding cattle. In this latter department James V. Shook began taking an active part at an early age, and he continued a member of the Berry household until he was twenty-six. He then moved to Chillicothe, and four years was associated with his brother-in-law in the millinery business. In the meantime his foster father had moved to Upper Sandusky, and there Mr. Shook joined him. In 1889 Mr. Shook returning to Chillicothe engaged in the livery business and was active in that line until 1896. At that date he made his first venture as a dairyman. With only one cow he supplied five customers, but in a short time was at the head of a growing business, and he now keeps a herd of from forty to fifty cows. In 1907 Mr. Shook bought the estate formerly known as Dun Glen, which for many years was the home of John Woodbridge, president of the first bank ever established in Chillicothe. It is one of the most picturesque suburban homes in Ross County, and under Mr. Shook's management is both a beautiful home and a fine business plant. His is one of the leading dairies of this section of Ohio, and he and his family reside in an attractive home surrounded with extensive grounds kept in the best repair. In April, 1883, Mr. Shook married Elizabeth Dydarman, who was born in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. Mrs. Shook is an active member of the Walnut Street Methodist Church at Chillicothe. Fraternally Mr. Shook is affiliated with Chillicothe Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. JOSEPH L. SCHILDER. The name Schilder has been closely and prominently identified with business affairs in Chillicothe for more than fifty years. One of the largest produce and seed houses of Central Ohio is Schilder Brothers, one of whose members is Joseph L. Schilder, a son of the founder of the business. Born August 13, 1869, in Ross County, Joseph L. Schilder is a son of Martin and Caroline (Oberer) Schilder. Martin Schilder was a native of Germany and was twelve years of age when brought to America in 1836 by his parents. The family located in Chillicothe and they and their descendants have lived here continuously now for fully eighty years. In 1853 Martin Schilder became associated in partnership with Mr. Eichenlaub under the firm name of Schilder & Eichenlaub in the milling business. The firm conducted one of the leading enterprises of the city up to 1875. In 1876 Martin Schilder went into the produce 556 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY business with his sons under the name M. Schilder & Sons, and his active connection with the firm continued fifteen years. Since he withdrew the business has been conducted under the name Schilder Brothers. They are not only extensive shippers of produce and seeds but also grow large crops for the market, and in addition to handling large quantities of potatoes and other staple commodities they specialize in onion seeds and onion sets, and they supply immense quantities to onion growers all over the Middle West. Martin Schilder died in 1893. He had long been one of Chillicothe's prominent citizens, was a member of the city council for twenty years and president of the council six years. He also served as a member of the board of public works for two terms. In politics he was a democrat. In the Schilder family were eleven children, and seven of them are still living. Joseph L. Schilder grew up in Chillicothe, attended St. Mary 's parochial schools and was also a student in two private schools and a business college. He has for upwards of thirty years been an active member of the firm of Schilder Brothers, and has been largely responsible for its success. He is a democrat, and is married and has a family of three children. HIRAM STREITENBERGER. For more than thirty-five years Hiram Streitenberger has conducted one line of business at Chillicothe and there are hundreds of citizens and patrons who accord him the distinction of being the master tonsorial artist in the city. He was born December 31, 1860, in Pike County, Ohio, a son of John and Margaret Streitenberger. His father John and his grandfather Peter were natives of Germany, and the latter brought his family to America in 1832 and located three miles north of Waverly on a farm. John Streitenberger followed farming all his active career in Pike County and died there February 28, 1892. The ninth in a family of ten children, Hiram Streitenberger had to begin the struggle for a livelihood at an early age and after attending the district schools of Pike County and remaining at home until he was sixteen, he went to Circleville and spent two years in learning the barber's trade. Then in 1878 at the age of eighteen he came to Chillicothe, and for more than a generation he has quietly followed his vocation and while providing for his family and home has also acquired a host of friends. In 1910 he began the _manufacturing of toupees, and in that he excels and his shop has become noted all over this section of Ohio. He employs a force of expert operators, and the best of workmanship and the best quality of goods are his business motto. He also conducts one of the largest and best equipped tonsorial parlors in the city. Mr. Streitenberger is a member of the U. C. T. Council, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is affiliated with Scioto Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is now independent though reared and for many years a democrat. For two years he served as coroner of Ross County. On June 10, 1885, Mr. Streitenberger was married in Ross County to HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 557 Miss Mary R. Hess, whose people were also of German nativity. To their union have been born six children, and the five now living are : Clara R., born May 8, 1886 ; Bertha R., born February 18, 1888, and a stenographer; Leona M., born January 8, 1891, and also a stenographer; Freda K., born November 25, 1894, and clerking for her father ; Elinor T., born November 30, 1897, a graduate of the Chillicothe High School and now a nurse in the Mount Carmel Hospital at Columbus, Ohio. "COL." RICHARD ENDERLIN. A citizen in whom any community might justly take pride, is Col. Richard Enderlin of Chillicothe. For half a century he has been usefully identified with the business and civic welfare of Ross County, and his name for all time in the future will be perpetuated in one of the best institutions of philanthropy in the State of Ohio. He was born in Germany and spent part of his early life in Ohio on a farm in Ross County. His birth occurred at Eichstetten in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, January 11, 1843. He was brought to this country by his parents, John M. and Barbara (Eberlin) Enderlin, who arrived in Chillicothe, Ohio, January 11, 1854, accompanied by nine children. His father was a resident of Ross County and Chillicothe until his death in 1897. Altogether there were eleven children, four of whom are still living. For more than fifty years Colonel Enderlin's home has been in or near Chillicothe. His life work began as a boy on the farm. By working as a farm hand he employed his services to good advantage for a time, and at the age of eighteen, though considered too young to enlist regularly in the service of his adopted country, he managed by dint of ingenuity to get enrolled as a drummer boy in Company B, then en route from a neighboring county to Chillicothe, in the fall of 1861. Company B was attached to the Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which company he served except for a time in a hospital with a bullet wound, and both in the East and in the West until his honorable discharge on May 30, 1865. For an act of valor performed on the battlefield at Gettysburg the Congress of the United States voted him the Congressional Medal of Honor, and he was promoted to duty sergeant of his company. The congressional medal is one of Colonel Enderlin's most prized relics. Since its organization Colonel Enderlin has been a member of the A. L. Brown Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The valor and enthusiasm which he displayed during the war for the Union have been characteristic of his work as a business man and citizen. After the war he returned home to Chillicothe and became a member of the Union Coal Company, a concern which is still in existence at Chillicothe. Colonel Enderlin is now president of The Union Shoe Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated in 1896 and succeeded the Union Shoe Company. He is president of The Carbondale Coal Company of Athens County, with headquarters in Chillicothe. He is a Knight. Templar Mason and a member of the Order of Elks, in politics is a repub- 558 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY lican and is the father of seven living children : Flora S., now Mrs. H. V. Hopkins; William M., now superintendent of the Union Shoe Manufacturing Company; Pretley, assistant superintendent of The Carbondale Coal Company ; Anna Welch, now Mrs. Daniel Friend; Rowena L., living at home ; Carl H., secretary of the Union Coal Company ; Nell, Mrs. Frank Ferguson. Colonel Enderlin's career in the past half century has been one of progressive effort, and he is now at the head of and actively identified with several of the leading enterprises of Chillicothe. At the same time he has been foremost in nearly all public movements for the real betterment of Chillicothe. It was his sincere and deeply grounded interest in humanity that gave him the idea, while his business capacity and means enabled him to carry out the plan which bore fruitage in 1914 in the Richard Enderlin Welfare House, an institution appropriately described in other paragraphs. It should be noted that this welfare house is in some features of its equipment and service a first model of the kind in the United States. For his charitable deeds and his extensive contributions to all worthy causes, Colonel Enderlin is known not only in Ross County but pretty well over the State of Ohio. It is an old saying with him that when you find a fellow in good health in distress, give him something to do. That idea being always present in his mind, he is even at the date of this writing a very large employer of labor in the several industries of which he is the head. It might not be out of place to add that Colonel Enderlin has been the direct means of a number of young men getting started in honorable business careers. In his time he has given in proportion to his means as liberally to public charities as anyone in Chillicothe, and he has been equally generous to those in whom, he felt interested and those who needed real charity. Few of his personal friends have any idea of the pleasure it seems to give him and the amount in dollars as well as spirit that he has and is still dispensing in these worthy causes. JACOB OVERLY. One of the most successful farm managers in Ross County is Jacob Overly, who now directs the operations of a large place of 200 acres located on the Cincinnati Pike three miles east of Bainbridge on Rural Route No. 1 out of that town, and known as "Maples Farm." Farm management is now a matter of science as well as routine application of industry, and if any one knows how to get the most out of land and stock in this section of Ohio it is Jacob Overly. This is a family that has been identified with Ross County for a great many years. Jacob Overly was born in Springfield Township of this county on January 19, 1866, a son of John H. and Rebecca (Arthurs) Overly. His father was born in Springfield Township in 1830. The grandfather, Frederick Overly, arrived in Ross County as a boy with his parents, and thus the family was established here early in the last century when the country was all new and undeveloped. The Overlys bore HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 559 their share of the hardships and difficulties connected with the improvement of Springfield Township and they selected as their first home location a site on the high ground in preference to the swampy and unwholesome bottom lands. It was in that locality that John H. Overly grew to manhood. Rebecca Arthurs was born near McArthur in Vinton County in 1838. She came with her parents. to Ross County, her people settling on a rented farm close to the old home place which Jacob Overly now owns. In that way the destinies of the two families were thrown together and John H. and Rebecca were married not long afterward. They spent the rest of their years on their farm and John H. died in 1896 and his widow in 1910. There were eight children in their family : William H., who lives on his brother Jacob's farm in Springfield Township ; Ellen, who died as the wife of Clinton Tripp ; Jacob ; Catherine, wife of John Ramley ; Mattie and Charles, both living in Springfield Township ; Oscar, of Dayton, Ohio ; and Samantha, of Springfield Township. The father of these children was a very ardent democrat, seldom missed a vote, and was ever ready to work for his friends and for the benefit of the community. He also belonged to the Hopetown Methodist Church in Springfield Township. Jacob Overly attended district school at Bunker Hill. When he was about twenty years of age he started out to make his own way in the world. He had no capital at the time and his main dependence was upon his industry and perseverance. He rented a farm and also farmed on the share. In that way he gradually accumulated the capital which enabled him to buy the old home place of thirty-three acres. He kept adding to that until he had it 100 acres, and that property now represents the steady accumulation of years of industry and well directed effort. Most of his success in the way of accumlation of land has come from farming both his own property and other land. For four years he had charge as overseer of the Dunn farm of 600 acres. On April 16, 1903, he married Miss Josephine Smith, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Perry) Smith. Soon after his marriage Mr. Overly moved to the Smith farm, and has since managed its broad acres, and that is the home of himself and his worthy wife. He is one of the republican voters of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Overly 's home is one of the attractive places along the Cincinnati Pike. JOHN C. FOSTER. Of the families which have contributed to the agricultural welfare and development of Ross County, one of the best known and most highly regarded is that bearing the name of Foster, of whom a worthy representative is found in the person of John C. Foster. Mr. Foster, who is now nearly seventy years of age, has spent practically his entire life in one community, and by constant devotion to one line of business, farming, has prospered beyond the ordinary. His home place of 260 acres is on rural route No. 1 from Hgby and in Franklin Township. He also owns another farm of 260 acres and a three-fourths interest in one of 110 acres, one being located in Franklin Township of Ross County, and the other in Jackson Township of Pike County. 560 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY A substantial quality of human character is persistence and permanence. This is well illustrated in the fact that two successive generations of the Foster family were born in the same house on the same farm. John C. Foster was born on the farm where he now resides January 4, 1847, and his father Thomas C. Foster was born in the same house and on the same farm in 1813. This latter date indicates how early the Foster family came to Ohio. The grandfather John Foster was born and spent his early life on the line between Maryland and Virginia. He married there, and soon afterward came west to Ohio. Ohio was not a state thenNorthwestpart of the great NorthweSt Territory. John Foster arrived about the year 1795, soon after Gen. Anthony Wayne had completely subdued the Indians of the Northwest and had opened the way for white settlement. John Foster the pioneer was accompanied by his brothers Thomas and Joseph, each of whom took up a quarter section of land in Ross County. John Foster lived in this county the rest of his useful years, but he died while visiting his sons in Madison County, Ohio. He was a man of much prominence in his day, and besides the heavy work of farming he was also a local Methodist minister. Thomas C. Foster married Jane E. Davis, and he subsequently bought out the heirs of the old homestead and lived there until he was killed in a railroad accident in 1882. His wife was the daughter of John Davis, one of the early settlers of Ross County. They had six children, and the three now living are Martha, widow of J. P. Foster of Franklin Township ; James and John C., both of Franklin Township. Reared on the old farm, John C. Foster found abundant opportunities for work and improvement of mind and body from an early age. His district school education was continued by a course in the National Normal College at Lebanon during the years 1866-67. With the exception of six years spent in Scioto County, he has lived on the old homestead in Franklin Township since his birth. On August 14, 1867, he married Mary E. Foster, daughter of Joseph Foster of Pike County, Ohio. Eleven children were born to their union, and the six now living are Jennie, wife of Joe Higby ; William, at home; Emma, at home ; John, living in Liberty Township ; Joseph, in Pike County ; Charles, of Marietta, Ohio. The other children died young with the exception of Herbert W. In politics Mr. Foster is a republican. WILLIAM A. WALLACE. A lawyer by profession, a farmer by avocation, a public leader since boyhood, William A. Wallace, of Chillicothe, has played a very interesting and useful part during his course through life, and he is still only in his prime. He was born in Chillicothe September 24, 1867, a son of Augustus and Ann Elizabeth (McGinnis) Wallace. An interesting fact of his ancestry is that he is a grandnephew of Governor Edward Tiffin, the first governor of Ohio. Augustus Wallace was born in Chillicothe in 1833. The grandfather was Cadwallader Wallace, who came from Culpeper Court House, Virginia, in 1807, being a single man at the time, HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 561 and in the capacity of a government land surveyor. His work is a part of nearly all the land records of this section of the state. He laid out many of the township lines and many of the parcels of land included in family estates. He made his home at Chillicothe until his death in 1860, and was active in business affairs until some ten or fifteen years before his death. He acquired large holdings of land and was considered a man of considerable wealth for his time. Augustus Wallace was one of his parents' eleven children, six of whom survived their father. For many years he employed his time in managing and overseeing the Wallace estate. His wife, Ann Elizabeth McGinnis, was born in Chillicothe in August, 1837, a daughter of James S. McGinnis, who came to Chillicothe from Massachusetts. By trade he was a furrier and hatter, and through those lines acquired a very substantial place in Chillicothe business affairs.. Augustus Wallace and wife had five children, and the three now living are : Elizabeth, wife of John J. Frazer, of Los Angeles, California; William A.; and Adah, wife of Dennis McConnell, of Chicago. As his parents were very well-to-do people, William A. Wallace had every advantage he desired in the way of a good home and opportunities for education. He grew up in Chillicothe, where he attended school, and he took up the study of law with Hon. Lawrence T. Neal of the Chillicothe bar. For a number of years he was engaged in office practice, but has had comparatively little part in the legal profession for the past fifteen years. Most of his time is now given to the management of his various farming and other business interests, and particularly to the control of his estate of 300 acres known as the Mountain View Farm and located four miles east of Bainbridge, on the Chillicothe-Milford Turnpike Road. He is also one of the owners of the noted Rocky Fork Caves at Bainbridge. For many years he has been an influential factor in republican politics in this section of Ohio. When twenty years of age he was nicknamed the "young eagle of Ross," and possessing unusual eloquence and the strong convictions that make a political leader, he was a forceful campaigner and stumped the state with such celebrated figures as John Sherman, William McKinley, J. B. Foraker and Marcus A. Hanna. He has always been interested in politics, but never as a seeker of office for himself. On January 5, 1899, William Wallace married Anna M. Jones, daughter of William A. and Jane (Storms) Jones. The Storms family in Ross County dates back to John Storms, who came from Virginia in 1810, spent the rest of his life in this county and became an extensive land owner. William A. Jones, father of Mrs. Wallace, acquired much wealth in land and other property and died in Ross County in December, 1901. His widow is still living on the old homestead here. Mr. Wallace is very active in fraternal circles, being affiliated with Scioto Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons; Chillicothe Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons ; Chillicothe Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters ; Chillicothe Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; Scioto Con- 562 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY sistory of the Scottish Rite at Columbus, and Alladin Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus. He and his wife are both members of Chapter No. 183 of the Eastern Star at Bainbridge. He also belongs to Chillicothe Lodge, No. 52, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is past exalted ruler. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Chillicothe. E. E. ROCKHOLD. Historically one of the most interesting estates in Ross County is the old Nathaniel Massie homestead, a mile west of Bainbridge. This is now the home of Mr. Rockhold, a progressive citizen of Ross County, whose business affairs are of a varied nature and who is especially well known for the successful manner in which he conducts his farm as a stock raising proposition. The farm comprises 450 acres. Mr. Rockhold was born in Bainbridge November 19, 1873. He belongs to one of the old families of Southern Ohio, and it was his great-grandfather, Joseph Rockhold, who came to Ross County from Pennsylvania in the early days. His first settlement was along the river bottoms, but on account of the sickness which prevailed there, he soon afterward moved back to the hills and spent the rest of his life as an industrious pioneer farmer. Elijah Rockhold, a son of the pioneer Joseph, was born on the High Banks of Ross County. When a young man of eighteen years of age he started out for himself. At that time railroads had not yet penetrated this section of Ohio and he was employed as driver of a stage on the line between Marietta and Chillicothe, his route extending between Chillicothe and Hillsboro. From that he took a position as clerk for a merchant named Adams, and progressed so rapidly that Mr. Adams soon made him active manager and in time he bought the entire business and was long known as one of Ross County's successful and well-to-do merchants. E. C. Rockhold, father of E. E. Rockhold, was born in Bainbridge, one of eight children and the only one who reached mature years. His wife, Cidna M. Jones, was born at McArthur, in Vinton County, Ohio, where her father was an extensive farmer and became widely known as one of the early importers of Merino sheep. E. C. Rockhold and wife had three children : E. E. ; Georgiana B., living at home ; and Cyrus K., who is a graduate in the mining course from the Ohio State University and is now located at Castle Gate, Utah. Mr. E. E. Rockhold has had a various business experience. His early training was directed largely to preparation for a business career. He attended the Bainbridge schools, the old Salem Academy, the New York Military Academy, and the University of Pennsylvania. For six months he was employed at a bank in Philadelphia. He then returned home for two years, following which he spent four years in New York City. His father had served three years in the Union army during the Civil war, going out with Company H of the Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was captured and spent fifteen months in the Andersonville and Libbey prisons, and the suffering of prison life undermined his health and he was never entirely strong after the war. It was to take charge of his HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 563 father's business that E. E. Rockhold resigned his position in New York City and returned home. After that he had complete charge of the business. As a farmer, Mr. Rockhold specializes in registered hogs of the Duroc strain, and he keeps all his livestock up to a high grade. Besides his interest as a farmer and stock raiser, he owns stock in banks and is one of the prominent business men of Ross County. During the Spanish-American war Mr. Rockhold enlisted in the First Naval Battalion and was assigned to the signal corps. On September 24, 1906, he married Nelle H. Elliott, of a family from Waverly, Ohio. They are the parents of two daughters : Helen D. and Pauline E. Mr. Rockhold is affiliated with Bainbridge Lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons ; Greenfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Chillicothe Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters, and Chillicothe Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar. His politics is republican. In his home community he has served as member of the town council, also on the board of public affairs' and the school board. JOHN M. WILTSHIRE, M. D. Among its prominent medical men Ross County has in the person of Doctor Wiltshire one who did his first professional service before the Civil war. He was a soldier of the Union army, and for more than half a century has been a kindly, helpful and skillful practitioner of medicine and a friend to hosts of people who admire his character and personality in Ross County. His home is now at Richmond Dale in this county. He was born at Waller, in Ross County, October 8, 1834, and has nearly reached his eighty-second birthday. His parents were William and Lydia (Stinson) Wiltshire. A native of Virginia, his father came when very young with his parents to Ross County. That was early in the last century, and here he grew up on a farm practically on the frontier, with such education as the schools of that time afforded, and became a successful farmer near Waller. He owned a place of about 150 acres, and it was by farming that he provided for himself and his family. After the formation of that party, he was a republican, and was also a member of the Swedenborgian faith, though his wife was a Methodist. They had eleven children : Dr. John M. ; James and Jacob, who died in infancy ; Gaines. who became a member of Company K in the Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain ; William, now deceased ; Benjamin F., deceased ; Henry C., who lives in Londonderry; Horace, a resident of Macey, Wells County, Indiana; Mary, wife of Scott. Finley of Massieville ; Margaret, wife of Gibson Recob, of Dayton, Ohio ; and Grace, wife of John Wood, of Dayton, Ohio. Dr. John M. Wiltshire grew up on his father's farm, attended the district schools when they were still conducted on the subscription plan, and in early manhood he began the study of medicine. He read books at home, also had Doctor Lander, of Chillicothe, as a preceptor. He began practice and also had his military experience before he entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus, from which he graduated M. D. in 1865. For one year Doctor Wiltshire was in the army, a mem- 564 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY ber of Company E of the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He practiced at Chillicothe and afterwards was at Mooresville, until he entered the army. Later, for a year, he was at Londonderry, then completed his university education and returned there and started on an extensive practice over a wide surrounding territory until 1910. Since that year he has lived at Richmond Dale, and though an old man, is still practicing. Doctor Wiltshire practically has a better knowledge of conditions under which the medical men of Ross County have practiced than any other living physician. He did a large practice in the years before the good roads movement had begun, before telephones and automobiles were thought of, and he had his share of that arduous toil connected with medical practice forty or fifty years ago. In 1856 Doctor Wiltshire married Mary Sutherland, a daughter of. James Sutherland. Doctor Wiltshire may well take pride in the worthy sons and daughters who follow him in life's generation. These sons are Dr. J. S. Wiltshire, W. H. Wiltshire and J. E. Wiltshire, and the daughter is Mary F. Counts. W. A. ACTON. For many years Mr. W. A. Acton was in the service of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway Company, but his inclinations were largely settled in the direction of farming as a youth, and for the past six years he has enjoyed the fruits and comforts of a fine farm of 138 acres a mile from Richmond Dale on the Richmond Dale and Vigo road. This is a place long known as the Heath farm, and is on rural route No. 2 out of Chillicothe. The Acton family has been identified with Ross County for fully a century. Mr. Acton was born on a farm at Musselman, in this county, June 11, 1858. His parents were Lott and Isabelle (Kellenbarger) Acton. His grandfather, William Acton, was a Virginian. He enlisted from that state for service in the War of 1812, and after leaving the army he married in Virginia and at once brought his bride to Ross County, locating in Union Township. A century ago nearly all of Ross County was a wilderness, and the Actons were among those who laid the foundations for the civilization which the people of the present generation enjoy. William Acton acquired a farm, and in his time was one of the substantial citizens of the county. Lott Acton was born in South Union Township, grew up on a farm, and for his first wife married Miss Houser. She became the mother of two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the other is Alfred Acton, of Chillicothe. For his second wife Lott Acton married Isabelle Kellenbarger, and they then settled on a farm close to Musselman, in Ross County. In 1863 Lott Acton left his farm and his family to give his services to the preservation of the Union. He died at Camp Dennison from illness contracted while in the service. He and his second wife became the parents of five children : Joseph, of Chillicothe ; W. A. Acton ; Mary Elizabeth, now deceased ; John, a resident of Concord Township ; and Lott Albert, of Chillicothe. Mr. W. A. Acton was only a child when his father died. He grew HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 565 up on the home farm, made the best of his advantages in the district schools, but early in life determined to make his own way and do what he could to support himself and contribute to the support of the household. He helped to conduct the farm, worked out by the month, spending two years in that way in Pickaway County, and for twenty-seven years was employed on the different branches of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway in the section service. He was made foreman, and in that capacity spent nineteen years, with headquarters at Richmond Dale. In 1910 Mr. Acton, leaving the railroad service, bought his present farm and is giving all his time and energies to, its profitable management. On November 15, 1893, Mr. Acton married Miss Margaret B. Wood-ring, who was born in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, and came as a girl with her parents to Ross County. She is a daughter of John and Jennie Woodring. While growing up in Ross County she met Mr. Acton, and to their marriage have been born six children. William Herman, who graduated from the public schools of Richmond Dale, furthered his education in Dennison University, has been a successful teacher and is now in a business college at Columbus. Ruth Juanita is the wife of D. D. Weinrich, a telegraph operator. Clarence Franklin lives in Chillicothe and married Mary Drummond. Floyd Edward is still at home and in the eighth grade of the public school. Herbert died in infancy. Louise is still at home and a schoolgirl. Mr. Acton is a past noble grand of Garfield Lodge, No. 710, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While always a busy man, he has found time to serve the interests of his community, and for the past seven years has administered the duties of trustee of Jefferson Township. Politically he is a democrat. JACOB E. DuBOIS. For upwards of eighty years members of the DuBois family have been factors in the agricultural improvement of Ross County. The old DuBois homestead, particularly known as the Far View Farm, is situated on the Richmond Dale and Londonderry roads, half a mile south of Vigo. The active manager of this farm at present is Jacob E. DuBois, grandson of the original settler, and a very capable and progressive young man. His birth occurred on this farm August 21, 1871, and his personal industry has been concerned with its cultivation and management since early manhood. This branch of the DuBois family is a very old one. For a number of generations during the colonial period they lived in Ulster County, New York. All of them are descendants of Louis DuBois, who was of French Huguenot stock, and emigrated from Holland to the State of New York in early colonial times. The family had its original seat in France, and on account of religious persecution moved from there to Protestant Holland, and then some of its members crossed the Atlantic and found homes in the New World. Vol. II-6 566 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY The founder of the name in Ross County was Henry DuBois, who was born in Ulster County, New York, February 3, 1797. In the same county was born, on January 2, 1803, Elizabeth Ransom. These two young people grew up together, had their education in such schools as were provided at the time, and Elizabeth taught for ten years in one district in New York. They were married October 12, 1837, and in the following year they came west to Ohio, locating in Ross County on the farm in Jefferson Township where they spent their peaceful and useful lives. Henry DuBois was a whig in politics, until the decline of that party, and afterwards was a republican. They had only two children, and the daughter, Mary E., who was born in 1839, died at the age of sixteen. Jacob DuBois, Sr., who is now living retired at Vigo, was born on the old homestead in Jefferson Township July 20, 1841. He attended the district schools and also the academy at Kingston, and for three winters followed the profession of teacher. Being the only son and only surviving child, he inherited the old homestead of 320 acres, and was actively concerned with its management until 1902, when he turned over the responsibilities to his son Jacob, and has since lived retired. On April 5, 1865, Jacob DuBois married Margaret Jones, who was born in Ross County, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob DuBois have five children : Henry J., a resident of Houston, Texas; Mary E., who is unmarried and still lives with her parents ; Eliza A., wife of H. F. Rittenour, of Chillicothe ; Gertrude R., wife of Joseph Higby, of Franklin Township ; and Jacob E., who is the youngest of the family. Jacob DuBois, Sr., now has fourteen grandchildren. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Londonderry and in politics he is a republican. Jacob E. DuBois obtained his early education in the district schools at Richmond Dale. He grew up on the farm, and before reaching manhood was skilled in all phases of the agricultural business. He is making a great success as a farmer and is one of the highly esteemed men of his community. On April 25, 1900, he married Claire Lewis, of Jackson, Ohio, daughter of David Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. DuBois are the parents of eight children : Mary A., aged fifteen ; Margaret, aged thirteen ; Jacob E., aged twelve ; Lewis, aged ten ; Janetje, aged eight ; David, aged six ; Cornelia, aged four ; and Dwain, aged two. All -the children except the two youngest are now attending the district schools, and their parents are doing their best to give them careful and methodical training while young. Mr. DuBois, as the father of a large family, is serving his community as member of the Richmond Dale School Board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church of that place, and in politics he is a republican. C. L. COUNTS. Head miller of the Richmond Dale Milling Company, Mr. C. L. Counts has spent his years actively and energetically and among varied employments. He comes of a family that possesses unusual HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 567 skill in mechanical trades. Mr. Counts himself is practically a master of all kinds of machinery, and that faculty has been an important cause in his ability to get ahead in the world. Besides looking after the interests of the mill at Richmond Dale, he also owns and lives on a farm of 120 acres in Jefferson Township. He was born at Richmond Dale February 2, 1864, a son of L. F. and Lucretia (French) Counts. His father was born at Uniontown, Virginia, January 7, 1836, but when four years of age his parents came out to Ross County, Ohio. Grandfather Counts was a blacksmith, and in 1840 set up a shop in Richmond Dale, and made that shop the medium of an important service to the community until his death. Ross County had few citizens who worked longer and were so highly regarded in their community as the late L. F. Counts. He learned the trade of blacksmith in his father's shop and, beginning his apprenticeship there at the age of twelve years, was constantly on duty as a blacksmith and general mechanic in that one location from that time forward for sixty-eight years. He celebrated his eightieth birthday on January 7, 1916, and on the following day he was again at his shop and shod a horse, among other work. He continued active almost up to the date of his death, on June 12, 1916. He and his wife became the parents of seven children : James Edward, of Jefferson Township ; Jennie, wife of T. M. Heath, of Gillespieville ; C. L. Counts ; Letitia, who died in 1895; Daisy, wife of T. G. Hedges, living on their farm north of Chillicothe ; and two that died in childhood. Mr. C. L. Counts grew up in the old home at Richmond Dale, attended the common schools, and from boyhood up has been familiar with the use of tools, and particularly with the activities carried on in his father's shop. He learned the trade under his father, and worked in the old shop for a number of years. He was also employed in farm labor and in railroad work. On October 30, 1888, Mr. Counts married Nellie E. Rogers, who was born in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, October 5, 1867, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Watson) Rogers. Thomas Rogers was born at Newcastle, England, grew up there, passed a thorough apprenticeship in the machinist's trade, and for many years conducted a blacksmith and general machine shop at Portsmouth. He was married in England, and six months later he brought his bride to America, first locating in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. While they lived there one child was born to them, and from Pennsylvania they removed to Portsmouth, where Thomas Rogers followed his trade for many years. Both the Watson and Rogers families have been capable and splendid people through a number of generations in England. Thomas Rogers was a natural musician and from the age of fourteen he and his sister Mary sang in the choir of their church in England. The Watson family furnished many useful men to the profession of the ministry, and that branch of Mrs. Counts' ancestry has an honorable record as far back as it can be traced. Mrs. -Counts was graduated from the Portsmouth High School, and before her marriage was a substitute teacher in the Portsmouth schools. 568 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY In 1890, after his marriage, Mr. Counts removed to Portsmouth and for about a year was engaged in blacksmith work. During 1894-95 he was a clerk in the store of W. A. Maxwell, and in the fall of 1895 first began work in the mill at Richmond Dale. In 1897 he left that employment and followed other lines of work for a few months, and in January, 1898, returned to the mill and was actively connected with its operation until 1906. In January, 1906, Mr. Counts entered the service of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Chillicothe, but in a few months returned to his old home and worked in different lines until 1911. He then entered the service of A. Patterson in the mill, and since June, 1913, has been associated with Mr. J. E. Counts as head miller. Mr. and Mrs. Counts are the parents of five children : Lewis J., who graduated from the Richmond High School and the Chillicothe High School, was for four years engaged in teaching, for two years served as postmaster, and resigning that office, moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where he is now engaged in office work. Florence, the second child, is a graduate of the Chillicothe High School and of Dennison University at Granville, Ohio, and since 1915 has been one of the capable teachers at Richmond Dale. The three younger children, Edwin, Agnes and Lydia, are all at home, and Edwin is carrying many of the duties connected with the management of the home farm. Mrs. Counts is one of a family of nine children, mentioned briefly as follows: Jennie, widow of John Woodring, of Jefferson Township, Ross County ; Mary, who taught school for thirty years in Portsmouth and is now living in Scioto County, the widow of Henry Yengling ; George is a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Stella married Thomas Smith, now deceased, a resident of Maryland ; Fannie lives with her sister Mary and is unmarried ; Lydia is the wife of Charles Rowe, of Portsmouth ; Leona, who taught school seven years, is the deceased wife of Joseph Sultzer of Cincinnati ; Mrs. Counts is the next in age ; and John is a practical machinist and fine workman living at Dayton. Mr. Counts has served in the office of noble grand of Garfield Lodge, No. 710, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Richmond Dale. He and all his family are members of the Baptist Church and he is one of the church trustees. Politically a democrat, he served for three years in the office of justice of the peace. HON. OLIVER P. GOODMAN. The record of Oliver P. Goodman in Ross County is a long and honorable one. He has been a farmer, a surveyor, a member of the state Legislature, and has rendered valuable service both in his home community and to the state at large. He represents one of the very oldest families of Ross County. He was born on a farm in Green Township, April 27, 1839. His great-grandfather, George Goodman, a native of Germany, came to America in colonial times, settling in Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of his days. He married Catherine Gouger, who was born in New Jersey in 1732, as a child went with her parents to Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and there, when she was twelve years of age, she and a younger HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 569 brother were stolen by the Indians and taken into the country beyond the Ohio to what was later known as Northwest Territory. Her brother was too young to endure the hardships of travel and was killed by his captors. Catherine Gouger was kept a captive five years. She finally fell into the hands of some French traders, who took her to Canada, and after two years she was released and sent back to Pennsylvania. In the meantime her father had been slain by the Indians and her mother had disappeared. She lived with friends until her marriage in 1756. Quoting from the issue of the News-Advertiser of May 3, 1915, "the first white woman of whom there is any permanent record of having been within the present limits of Ross county was Catherine (Gouger) Goodman, ancestor of the Goodman family of this county, many of whom live in Green township and some in this city—Chillicothe. The Goodman family is one of the oldest and best known in the county." After the death of her husband she came to the Northwest Territory with her children, Christena and William. She recognized the spot where they settled as one where she had camped while traveling with the Indians. The death of this venerable pioneer woman occurred in Ross County in 1801, and her grave on her son's farm was cleared by her own hand, and her request was to be buried there, the place being known as the camping ground for the Indians while she was a captive. Her resting place was marked by a suitable monument in 1916, erected by her great-grandchildren. John Goodman, a son of George and Catherine Goodman, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1797 he came out to Northwest Territory on a prospecting tour. He made the journey on horseback, and after considerable examination of various parts of Southern Ohio, bought a pre-emption right, or as it was sometimes called, squatter's claim to a tract of government land in the fractional part of section 4 in what is now Green Township of Ross County. At the time there was a small two-room log cabin on the land, and a very small portion was cleared. He put in a crop, and after harvest returned East, and in the following spring brought his family, consisting of his, mother, the historic character already mentioned, and his wife and five children. They embarked on a flatboat on the upper waters of the Ohio, floated down with its current as far as Portsmouth, and then poled the boat up the Scioto until within a convenient distance of their place of settlement. Later John Goodman erected a more commodious house, and it was for many years an inn and was the stopping place of many noted personages of the day, including President Monroe and General Hull. That was years before railroads were built, and this inn was on highways much frequented by stage coaches. After keeping this public house and improving a large part of his land, John Goodman passed away in the fullness of years, July 15, 1830. The maiden name of his wife was Charlotte Shuck, who was born in Pennsylvania and died April 23, 1825. David Goodman, father of Oliver P., was born in Green Township of Ross County in 1801, only two or three years after his parents had 570 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY settled in that wilderness community. His childhood was spent within a few miles of Chillicothe while that town was capital of the new state, and he was reared to habits of industry, thrift and made a valuable citizen. He did his share in clearing up land and was a very skillful farmer. When he was a farmer all grain was cut with a sickle, and there were many primitive customs which have long since become obsolete. The cooking was done by an open fireplace, and all the clothing worn was the product of the domestic manufacture, beginning with the raising of the wool or the flax and continuing through the various processes of carding, spinning and weaving. After he reached manhood, David Goodman and his brother Daniel began the operation of flatboats along the Scioto, down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. They loaded these boats with grain, flour, bacon and other supplies, and took them to market at New Orleans. There, after selling the cargo and disposing of the boats for lumber, they returned to Portsmouth, usually by a steamboat, and then either walked or rode horseback to Ross County, carrying about their persons the proceeds of their trip in cash. David Goodman died at his farm in Ross County March 12, 1891. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Cullum. She was born in Maryland October 4, 1812, a daughter of George and Nancy (Galloway) Cullum, who arrived in Ross County in 1815, a little more than a century ago. George Cullum was of Welsh ancestry and his wife of both English and Welsh stock. Mrs. David Goodman reared four children, Ellen, Oliver P., Margaret and Mary E. Even while Oliver P. Goodman was a boy some of the pioneer circumstances had not yet disappeared from Ross County. He attended the district schools, and in 1862 he graduated from Mount Pleasant Academy. He .then took charge of his father's farm until 1871, when he bought a farm of his own two miles west of Kingston. He still owns that place, but in 1903 he removed to the Village of Kingston and has since lived there. While attending the academy he made a special study of surveying and civil engineering, and in his earlier years spent much of his time in that profession. On October 17, 1865, Mr. Goodman married Dorcas Kelley, a daughter of John and Harriet (Williamson) Kelley. Her great-grandfather, William Kelley, was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to America in colonial times, settling in Virginia, where he died. William and Dorcas (McCabe) Kelley, grandparents of Mrs. Goodman, were among the very early settlers of Ross County, and lived near Londonderry, and they are buried in the Schooley Cemetery. John Kelley, father of Mrs. Goodman, was born July 28, 1801, near Richmond, Virginia, and when two years of age, in 1803, was brought to the new State of Ohio, the family living the first four years near Lancaster, in Fairfield County, and then settling near Londonderry, in Ross County. Harriet Williamson, the mother of Mrs. Goodman, was born October 28, 1800, and her father, John Williamson, was a native of New Jersey and arrived in Ohio in 1803. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Wilkins. HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 571 Mr. and Mrs. Goodman reared the following children : Harriet, Alice, Mamie and David K. Harriet is the wife of A. W. Jones, and her two children are Gertrude and Helen. Alice is still at home with her parents. Mamie is the wife of Prof. M. C. Warren. David K. graduated from the Kingston High School, took a special course in Ohio University at Athens, spent one year in Dennison University and graduated from the Cincinnati Dental College, since which time he has been in successful practice at Kingston. Mr. Goodman has always participated actively in public affairs in his home county. In 1883 he was elected representative to the state Legislature, and while in the Legislature served as a member of the committees on public works and agriculture and as chairman of the public ways committee. Governor Campbell appointed him a member of the committee which had charge of the presentation of the statue of Governor Allen as Ohio's contribution to Memorial Hall at Washington. Mr. Goodman was also instrumental in securing legislation creating the Ohio Livestock Commission and was one of the first members of that commission. For thirty years he served as a member of the school board of Green Township, and for eight consecutive years was honored with the office of mayor of Kingston. Thus the record of his service in private and public life entitled him to the highest consideration and esteem. For many years he has been an active member of Kingston Lodge, No. 372, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge and has served two terms as district grand master. THOMAS W. CASE. Business enterprise has notably added to the importance of Richmond Dale, Ohio, in the past few years, and this awakening is largely due to such energetic young men as Thomas W. Case, who is doing a large general mercantile business here. He was born on a farm in Jefferson Township, Ross County, Ohio, May 24, 1885, and is a son of Samuel and Elmira (Byron) Case. Samuel Case was born in Athens County, Ohio, December 29, 1845, where he attended school and assisted his father on the home farm until 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company C, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of hostilities, when he was honorably discharged. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On December 5, 1868, he was married to Almira Byrom, who was born in Morgan County, Ohio, October 18, 1847. She was reared on a farm in Morgan County, but has lived also in Jackson and Ross counties. Three children were born to the above marriage : Etta, who is the wife of Charles O'Neal, of Chillicothe; Hannah, who is a graduate of Bliss Business College and is a competent stenographer employed in Columbus, Ohio; and Thomas W. Thomas W. Case was reared on the home farm in Ross County, and after completing his course in the Richmond Dale schools, applied himself to farming for a time and then embarked in a general mercantile business at Richmond Dale, in which undertaking he has met with very 572 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY satisfactory results, possessing good judgment and being careful and courteous. In politics Mr. Case is a republican and takes a very active interest in public affairs and for several years has served with complete efficiency as clerk of Jefferson Township. He is identified with some fraternal organizations, in which he is popular, as he is with his business and political associates. Mr. Case is unmarried. ABNER J. CASH. One of the valuable estates situated in Jefferson Township, Ross County, is known as Riverdale Farm, comprising 400 acres of well-cultivated land. This farm is owned by Abner J. Cash, who is one of Jefferson Township's leading citizens and public officials. He was born in Jefferson Township February 7, 1863. His parents were Abner and Mary J. (Thompson) Cash. Abner Cash was born in North Carolina, from which state he came to Ross County when a young man. After marriage he settled on a farm in Franklin Township for a few years and then moved to Pike County, but returned to Ross County, and he and wife were residents of Jefferson Township during the remainder of their lives, his death occurring in 1870 and that of his wife in 1903. She was born in Liberty Township, Ross County. They had nine children, and the following survive : William L., who is a farmer in Fayette County, Ohio ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of James Gilmore, lives in Jefferson Township ; Eliza, A., who is the wife of Ross Crawford, of Fayette County; and James and Abner J., both of whom are farmers in Jefferson Township. The birthplace of Abner J. Cash was in the neighborhood of his present home. He attended the district schools as opportunity offered, but had to begin work very early in order to assist his widowed mother, and thus had fewer school advantages than many others. He remained on the home place, an industrious young man and dutiful son, until he was twenty-one years old. From the age of fifteen years Mr. Cash worked for a neighboring farmer, George Watson, at intervals until he was twenty-two years of age, when he was married to Mr. Watson's daughter. Mr. Watson was born in County Durham, England, and was twenty-four years old when he came to the United States, settling in Ohio. On October 13, 1861, in Jefferson Township, Ross County, he was married to Susan Soule, and they had one daughter, Addie M., who is the wife of Abner J. Cash. In England Mr. Watson united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and after settling in Ohio he was licensed as a local preacher in that body. On June 3, 1885, Mr. Cash was married to Miss Addie M. Watson, who was born in Jefferson Township September 1, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Cash have four children : Pearl E., who married Bessie Tomlinson ; John F., who married Bessie R. Jackson ; Susie J., who is the wife of Tracy G. Patterson ; and Emma L., who resides with her parents. There are five grandchildren in the family. Mr. Cash devotes his large farm to general agriculture. He owns additionally a farm of forty-nine acres situated in Pike County. In HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 573 politics he has always been a republican and on many occasions his party has elected him to office, he serving six years as township trustee and as clerk of the school board. He is a member and trustee of the Baptist Church at Richmond Dale, and is connected with a fraternal order at the same place. JACOB S. CALDWELL. The extensive stock interests of Jacob S. Caldwell, proprietor of the Hill Dale Stock Farm, situated in Ross County, Ohio, have made his name a familiar one all over the country. He is one of the leading breeders of fine horses and of high grade stock of all kinds in Ohio, and his exhibits have been prominent features at fairs in a dozen states. He was the owner of the famous trotting horse, Miss Directed, and developed her record of 2 :061/4 and subsequently sold the animal for $8,000. He also owned Miss Respected, 2 :051/4. Jacob S. Caldwell was born in Jefferson Township, Ross County, Ohio, December 23, 1865, the youngest son of Edwin and Martha J. (Davis) Caldwell, the former of whom is deceased. He was born in Jefferson Township, Ross County, May 26, 1834, and was educated in both public and private schools. In politics he was a republican. On September 13, 1855, he was married to Miss Martha J. Davis, who survives and resides on the farm on which she was born. Mr. Caldwell carried on farming during active life and was considered a man of sound judgment and much enterprise. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Richmond Dale, and for many years was a trustee in the township where he had always lived. He was one of the stockholders in the Ross County Bank, this stock being the property of his widow. Mrs. Martha J. Caldwell, mother of Jacob S. Caldwell, was born December 28, 1838, in the same house in which she yet lives, in Jefferson Township, Ross County, Ohio. Her parents were John H. and Elizabeth G. (Strong) Davis. The father of Mrs. Caldwell was born in Ross County and the mother in Jackson County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm in Franklin township and she near Jackson, Ohio, where they were married and then settled on the farm in Ross County where Mrs. Caldwell has passed her life. After the death of Mrs. Davis3 in the fall of 1860, Mr. Davis went to Missouri and remained there during the rest of his life. For many years he was prominent in politics and on the republican ticket was elected to the Ohio Legislature. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Church. His four children were : Martha J.; William H., who is a retired farmer in Nodaway County, Missouri; J. J., and James, both of whom are retired farmers in the same section. Mrs. Caldwell was reared on what was then called the Ginger Hill Farm, situated one-half mile west of Richmond Dale. While she attended the district school she also had instruction from private tutors. She had five children born to her marriage with Edwin Caldwell, namely : Charles D., who is a farmer and stock raiser near Burlington Junction, Missouri ; John, who is deceased ; Eva E., who is the wife of S. H. Beady, of Colum- 574 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY bus, Ohio; Jacob S., of Jefferson Township, Ross County; and Letitia J., who is deceased. Jacob S. Caldwell attended the common and high schools and then entered Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he spent two years, and then returned home and ever since has been interested in his agricultural industries. He owns 1,600 acres of valuable land in Ross and Pickaway counties, made up of four farms. He devotes much attention to the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle and keeps from 100 to 150 head at all times, finding a ready market and selling all over the country. The present head of his herd is Belatun. Formerly he raised many trotting horses and still has a number that may be termed "fancy steppers." He has exhibited his stock in many states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Ohio, at the state fairs usually, and at the Ohio State Fair was awarded medals for the senior and junior herd champions. Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Bertha L. Orr, who is a daughter of Presley and Martha E. Orr. They have five children : Herbert 0., who is a graduate of the Chillicothe High School and spent two years in the Ohio State University ; Presley E., who is a graduate of the Chillicothe High School; and Jacob, Elizabeth and Bertha E. On her mother's side Mrs. Caldwell is related to Edward Warwick Bradbury, who was Lord Mayor of London. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Caldwell was a direct heir to the great Trinity Church property in New York City, he being one of the lessees to that corporation. In politics Mr. Caldwell is a republican and at present is serving as a member of the county board of equalization. ROBERT ZURHMELY, who at one time lived in Union Township of Ross County, and was one of the well-known citizens of this section, represent a family that came to Ohio in the very early pioneer days of the last century. He was born in Philadelphia in 1818. His father, Samuel Zurhmely, was born in Switzerland, where he grew up and married, and in 1818 brought his family to America. Soon after their arrival his son Robert was born in Philadelphia. From Philadelphia the family came on to Ohio, locating in Pickaway County, and Samuel Zurhmely spent his last years in Stringtown, both he and his wife being buried in the Stump churchyard. They reared four sons and one daughter, the sons being Robert, Samuel, John and Peter. The son John was a soldier in the Mexican war and lost his life while with the army south of the Rio Grande. But an infant when his parents came to Ohio, Robert. Zurhmely grew up on a farm in Pickaway County. He learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that actively until his marriage, after which he settled on a farm in Union Township of Ross County. This farm had been given Mrs. Zurhmely by her father. In that locality for many years Mr. Zurhmely carried on his activities as a general farmer and stock raiser, and was one of the most successful men in the business among