A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 1

Author: Lyle S. Evans
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 549

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio

An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Civic and Social Development.

Under the Editorial Supervision of LYLE S. EVANS

LLUSTRATED

VOLUME II

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1917

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TO NEW YORK, PUBLIC LIBRARY 1219941 ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1024 L

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Robert 6. Galbraith,

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History of Ross County

REV. ROBERT C. GALBRAITH. A man of strong character, earnest convictions, and deep consecration, Rev. Robert C. Galbraith, of Chilli- cothe, who died November 18, 1916, was for upwards of forty years an active worker in the Presbyterian denomination, holding pastorates in different parts of Ohio. A son of Robert C. Galbraith, Sr., he was born in Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, November 30, 1833, and there spent the earlier years of his life.

Robert C. Galbraith, Sr., was born, March 17, 1790, in Gortin, County Tyrone, Ireland, where his father, Andrew Galbraith, who was of Scotch descent, spent his entire life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. Growing to manhood in Ireland, he was employed as a clerk in a mercan- tile establishment in County Tyrone until 1819, when he came to America, making his way directly to Chillicothe, Ohio. Soon after his arrival, he secured a position as clerk in the store of William Carson, with whom he subsequently formed a partnership, and operated a store in Frankfort for some time. At that time there were neither railroads or canals in the state, and all goods were transported from the rivers or lakes with teams. Giving up his connection with the general store in 1839, he located on a near-by farm that had been improved by his father-in-law, Elijah Johnson, and thenceforth was engaged in tilling the soil until his death, May 11, 1862.

The maiden name of the wife of Robert C. Galbraith, Sr., was Martha Johnson. She was born February 16, 1801, in Louisa County, Virginia, a daughter of Elijah and Betsey (Watkins) Johnson, natives, it is thought, of the same county. Coming with his family to Ohio in 1809, Elijah Johnson bought 1,000 acres of land in Concord Township, Ross County, and immediately began the pioneer task of improving a home- stead. He succeeded well in his undertakings, and in the course of a few years erected a substantial brick house, which is still used for residential purposes, burning the bricks used in its construction on his own farm. Late in life both he and his wife moved to Montgomery County, and there lived with a son. Mrs. Robert C. Galbraith, Sr., survived her husband, passing away March 5, 1875. She reared two children, namely: Robert C., the special subject of this sketch; and Elijah J., who became a physi- cian, and was actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Chilli- cothe until his death, in 1907.

Acquiring his preliminary education in the district schools, Robert C.

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Galbraith was fitted for college in the academy at South Salem, Ross County, after which he continued his studies for a year at Hanover Col- lege, in Madison, Indiana. Going then to Oxford, Ohio, he was gradu- ated from Miami University in 1853, and the following year studied theology at Princeton University. Wishing then to further advance his knowledge of theological subjects, he attended the Theological Seminary at New Albany, Indiana, which is now the McCormick Theological Semi- nary of Chicago, Illinois. In 1856 Mr. Galbraith was licensed to preach by the Chillicothe Presbytery, and in 1857 was ordained as a minister by the Presbytery of Columbus. He soon after became pastor of the Presby- terian Church at Lancaster, Ohio, and continued active in the ministry for forty-two years, holding pastorates in Concord, Frankfort, and Chilli- cothe, filling the pulpit of the Third Presbyterian Church in the latter named city for seventeen years. Early in 1861, Mr. Galbraith was appointed chaplain of the Third Brigade, Ohio Volunteers, with rank of captain, and was in the service four months, being with his command in West Virginia. While pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Lancaster he was for four years chaplain at the Ohio Reform Farm.

On June 11, 1856, Mr. Galbraith was united in marriage with Margaret Lapham Pugsley, who was born in Dutchess County, New York, and died in Chillicothe, Ohio, July 24, 1912. Her parents, Jacob and Mary (Ketcham) Pugsley, natives of the same county, came with their family to Ohio, locating first in Fayette County, later settling in Dayton, from there moving to Hamilton County. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith, namely: Jacob R., an attorney ; Helen K., also engaged in the practice of law; and Elijah Johnson, a dentist. All are residents of Chillicothe. Mr. Galbraith was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He is the author of a very interesting history of the Chillicothe Presbytery, which was published in 1889.

ALEXANDER RENICK. A wide-awake, brainy man, possessing a nat- ural aptitude for dealing with matters of finance, Alexander Renick, a prominent business man of Chillicothe, holds a conspicuous position among the leading financiers of Ross County, his official connection with numerous moneyed institutions bearing testimony not only to his ability and sound judgment, but to his integrity and honesty of purpose. He was born in Chillicothe, a son of the late Alexander Renick, Sr., and grandson of George Renick, a pioneer settler of this section of Ohio. There is a well-established tradition in the family that the early ancestors of the Renicks lived in Scotland, where the name was spelled "Renwick." Moving to Holland and finally settling in Ireland, the family name assumed its present spelling.

The emigrant ancestor of Mr. Renick was George Renick, who came to America in about 1720, from Enniskillen, County of Fermanagh, Ireland. In 1738, he located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. From there a part of his family went to Augusta County, Virginia, and a part to Hardy County, Virginia, on the south branch of the Potomac.

George Renick, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was

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born in Hardy County, Virginia, July 7, 1776. Attracted by the glow- ing descriptions of his brother, Felix Renick, who had made several visits to the western country, he came in early manhood to the Northwest Territory, on a prospecting tour, and after spending some time seeking a suitable location, he returned to Virginia. He was married in 1802 to Dorothy Harness, and came with his bride to Ohio, journeying on horseback to Chillicothe, where he started in business as a merchant.

He bought a tract of land west of the city, and having erected a stone house thereon, assumed its occupancy in 1807. He subsequently devoted his energies entirely to the improvement of his property, and in addition to carrying on a general farming business, he made a specialty of raising blooded stock, being among the first to introduce Shorthorned cattle into this part of the state. He was the owner of the noted Short- horn cow, Rose of Sharon, which, with her calf, he sold to Abram Renick, of Kentucky, who thus started his famous herd of Shorthorns. George Renick, with the exception of two years spent in Kentucky, remained on his home farm until his death, which occurred in Septem- ber, 1863. His wife, Dorothy Harness, also a native of Hardy County, Virginia, died in September, 1820, leaving nine children, namely: Wil- liam, Josiah, Harness, Mortimer, Elizabeth Ann, Alexander, Lavina, George and Dorothy. Subsequently Mr. Renick married Mrs. Sarah Boggs, who survived him.

Alexander Renick, Sr., was born at the homestead, one mile west of Chillicothe, February 11, 1815, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Being presented, soon after attaining his majority, by his father, with a tract of land lying two miles southeast of Chillicothe, he was there suc- cessfully engaged in farming and stock raising until 1864, when he removed to Chillicothe. Previous to that time, in November, 1863, the First National Bank was organized, and he was made a director. After taking up his residence in Chillicothe, he devoted his entire time to the bank and his own private affairs, remaining here until his death, in September, 1875.

The maiden name of the wife of Alexander Renick, Sr., was Jane Osborn. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1817. Her father, Ralph Osborn, whose emigrant ancestor came to New England in the good ship Speedwell, which followed the Mayflower, was a pioneer settler of Chil- licothe, and when the State of Ohio was organized, he was elected state auditor, and held the position many years, spending his last days in Columbus. Mr. Osborn married Catherine Renick, a daughter of John Renick, who was a brother of William Renick, of Hardy County, Vir- ginia. Mrs. Jane (Osborn) Renick died in October, 1886, leaving four children, namely : Ralph Osborn, Dorothy Harness, Henry Turner, and Alexander, one son, George, having died a few years previous.

Having acquired his rudimentry education in the Chillicothe schools, Alexander Renick attended the military school at West Chester, Penn- sylvania, and in 1865 entered the scientific department of Yale Uni- versity, from which he was graduated in 1868. Returning home, Mr. Renick operated the home farm until the death of his father, in 1875,

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when he succeeded to his father's position as a director of the First National Bank. In 1887 Mr. Renick was made vice president of that institution, and since 1892 has served ably and faithfully as its president. In 1888, Mr. Renick assisted in organizing the Mutual Loan and Savings Association, of which he has ever since been one of the directors, and the president. In 1907, with George Hunter Smith and John H. Blacker, he organized the Valley Savings Bank and Trust Company, which he has since served as a director and vice president. Mr. Renick still owns and operates the old home farm, which was improved by his father, and takes an active and intelligent interest in agriculture and stock raising.

Mr. Renick has always been a republican and takes an active part in politics, but has never sought or held any political office, except that of trustee for the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics, located at Gallipolis, Ohio, having been appointed to this positon by Governor Herrick in 1904, holding it until 1911, when the boards of trustees of all benevolent institutions of the state were legislated out of office.

. Mr. Renick married, December 29, 1874, Elizabeth Waddle, a daugh- ter of Dr. William and Jane S. Waddle, of whom further account may be found on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Renick have one son, Alexander Mortimer Renick, who married Edyth Henrietta, daughter of Charles A. Smith, and has two sons, Charles Alexander and Ralph Osborn. Mr. and Mrs. Renick are true to the religious faith in which they were reared, their parents having been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM WADDLE, M. D. Prominent among the skillful physicians and surgeons who were successfully engaged in the practice of their profession in Chillicothe a half century and more ago, was the late William Waddle, M. D., who was especially skillful in his treatment of the various diseases which human flesh is heir to.

He was born in Chillicothe, September 19, 1811, in the family resi- dence which then stood on the southeast corner of Paint and Second streets.

Alexander Waddle, the doctor's grandfather, was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and was there reared and married. In 1784, accom- panied by his wife and children, he came to America, and having purchased land in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McCormick, was also born in Ireland, of Scotch lineage. She survived him, and spent the later years of her life in Portsmouth, Ohio. She was the mother of five children, Mary, Alexander, John, Joseph, and William.

John Waddle was born in 1783, in Belfast, County Tyrone, Ireland, and was little more than an infant when brought by his parents to this country. Brought up in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, he was apprenticed at the age of fifteen years to Alexander McLaughlin, a pros- perous merchant in Pittsburgh. In 1803 he was sent by his employer to Chillicothe with a stock of merchandise, which he disposed of at an

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advantage. After his return to Pittsburgh, he formed a partnership with John Carlisle, in Chillicothe, with whom he was associated for a short time, later having as partners Thomas Worthington and Amaziah Davidson. During the War of 1812 he was associated in business with General Denney, supplying the Government with provisions. In 1822 he retired from mercantile pursuits, and in 1830 removed to Clark County, Ohio, where he had acquired title to considerable land, in Clark and Greene counties, which he intended to improve. In 1831 he again visited Chillicothe, and having been suddenly taken ill with pneumonia, died in this city.

John Waddle married, in 1806, Nancy Mann, who was born in Ken- tucky. Her father, William Mann, a native of Augusta County, Vir- ginia, married Eleanor Raeburn, and soon after moved to Kentucky, locating in the Blue Grass region, between Lexington and Georgetown. Mr. Mann died leaving three daughters, Elizabeth, Nancy and Mary. His widow subsequently married Captain Lamb, and in 1797 came with him and her children to Chillicothe. Mrs. John Waddle survived her husband forty-three years, dying in 1874, at the advanced age of eighty- five years. She reared eight children, six of whom were living at the time of her death. They were Alexander, William, John, Eleanor, Lucy Ann, and Angus Laugham.

Having laid a good foundation for his future education at the Chilli- cothe Academy, William Waddle continued his studies for two years in the Ohio State University, at Athens, leaving that institution at the age of eighteen years. Returning to his home in Clark County he worked on the farm for a year, and then began the study of medicine in Chilli- cothe, under the preceptorship of Doctor Fullerton. Subsequently enter- ing the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, he was there gradu- ated in 1836, and during the ensuing year traveled in the South. In 1838 Doctor Waddle located in Chillicothe, where his skill and ability found recognition. He built up a large and highly remunerative prac- tice, and continued a resident of this city until his death on August 23, 1895. In 1863 the doctor was appointed trustee of the Ohio Uni- versity, and in 1868 was made a trustee of the Athens Insane Asylum, and for ten years filled the office, resigning in 1878. In 1880 he was appointed a trustee of the Central Insane Asylum at Columbus.

Doctor Waddle married, in 1845, Jane S. McCoy, a native of Chilli- cothe. Her father, John McCoy, was born in Franklin County, Pennsyl- vania, a son of Alexander McCoy, coming on both sides of the house of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Migrating to Ohio, he was for many years engaged in mercantile business in Chillicothe, as a merchant meeting with excellent success. The maiden name of the wife of Mr. McCoy was Janet McCracken, who was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of honored Revolutionary stock. Nine children were born of the union of Doctor and Mrs. Waddle, namely: John McCoy, Eliza- beth, William, Eleanor, Jane, Lucy, Edward F., Nancy, and Charles C.

Doctor Waddle's was pre-eminently a pioneer spirit. In all that related to the betterment of mankind, he was ever foremost. Especially

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was this true of the profession he loved, and of his native town, which he had seen grow from such small beginnings, and for which he enter- tained such an enthusiastic devotion. He served for many years on the school board, and when the question of making a public library of the small school library arose, he threw himself with ardor into the project, using both his influence and his means to secure for the town so desirable an improvement.

When the question of reclaiming the swamp of the "old riverbed" for a park was mooted by Mr. Bovey, he carried his plan to Doctor Waddle, who gave enthusiastic approval to the scheme. Being at that time a trustee of the Athens Asylum, he invited Mr. Haerlein, who was land- scape gardener there, to visit Chillicothe as his guest, to decide whether the scheme was feasible, and when his report was favorable, the doctor used every energy, every influence, to make possible the park of which all Chillicotheans are now so justly proud. Major Poland, Doctor Waddle, and Mr. Meggenhofen were the original park board, each one of them having a deep interest in the park which was born under their auspices.

The words of his friend, Judge Milton L. Clark, delivered in the Constitutional Convention of 1873-1874, will most fittingly close this imperfect sketch :

"Of my townsman, Dr. William Waddle, no words of mine can exaggerate his merits. Eminent in his profession, second to few, if any in the state, a gentleman of large mind and superior mental abilities, a native of the 'Ancient Metropolis' and foremost in every good work, his humanity and philanthropy know no bounds!"

CLARK W. STORY. Inheriting in no small measure the habits of industry and thrift, and the integrity and ability, characteristic of a long line of sturdy New England ancestors, Clark W. Story, of Chilli- cothe, is amply fitted for the responsible position he is holding as presi- dent of the Ross County National Bank. He was born in Cuttingsville, Rutland County, Vermont, a son of Jonathan B. Story, and grandson of David Story, a life-long resident of New England.

Born, October 7, 1804, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, Jonathan B. Story was there brought up and educated. Learning the carriage maker's trade, he established a factory at Cuttingsville, Vermont, where he made a specialty of building Concord wagons, a popular vehicle in that section of the country. He continued in business there for half a century, remaining a resident of the place until his death, at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, was Ann Jane Hill Putnam. She was born in Craydon, New Hampshire, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Gibson) Putnam. She died in middle life, leaving five children, as follows: Susan M., who married John A. Poole; Austin P .; Emma I., . who married Henry Jones; Lucy J., who became the wife of J. Manley Snyder; and Clark W. The father subsequently married, for his second wife, Mrs. Nancy Todd, who survived him a short time.

Receiving a practical education in the public schools of Cuttingsville,

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Vermont, Clark W. Story came to Chillicothe when but fifteen years old to enter the dry goods establishment of his brother Austin P., with whom he remained until thoroughly mastering the details of the business. Then, in 1875, he formed a partnership with E. P. Smith, and as head of the firm of Story & Smith carried on a satisfactory mercantile business until 1901, more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm in that year, and Mr. Story's second son, Otis Jewett Story, and John G. Brandle were admitted to partnership, and the business has since been successfully carried on under its present firm name, "Story, Brandle & Story." In 1888 Mr. Story was made a director of the Ross County National Bank, and the following January was elected vice president, and with this institution he has ever since been officially con- nected, having been elected its president upon the death of Major Poland, in 1908. He is much interested in agriculture and horticulture, and has a fine estate, known as "Grand View Farm," situated near Chillicothe. For several years he served faithfully and intelligently as president of the Scioto Valley Agricultural Society.

Mr. Story married, on June 16, 1874, Mary A. Campbell, who was born in Chillicothe, a daughter of 'Samuel D. and Mary Anne Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania. Five children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Story, namely : Samuel C .; Otis Jewett, who married Ruth Pattison, of Easton, Maryland; John Burnham, who married Gertrude Sunnyfrank, and has one child, Elizabeth; Clark W., Jr .; and Mary, wife of T. Somerville Pattison. Mr. and Mrs. Story belong to the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, in which he has served as vestryman many years.

JOHN P. PHILLIPS. Identified with a profession demanding a veri- table measure of talent, and a vast amount of close research and hard work, John P. Phillips has won distinction as a member of the Ross County bar, and as one of the leading citizens of Chillicothe is eminently worthy of representation in a work of this character. He was born March 12, 1864, in Frankfort, Ross County, of Virginia ancestry, his father, John A. Phillips, and his grandfather, Vincent Phillips, having been natives of Raleigh County, Virginia.

His great-grandfather on the paternal side, James Phillips, an Englishman by birth and breeding, came to America as a British soldier during the Revolutionary war, but it is supposed that his sympathies were with the Colonists, as he never returned to England. Sending for his fiancee, Nancy Piper, to join him in this country, they married, and settled in Raleigh County, Virginia, where they lived happily ever after.

Brought up on the homestead in Virginia, Vincent Phillips selected for his life work the occupation to which he was reared, his farm being located in Raleigh County, about twelve miles from Hinton. He belonged to a long-lived family, and he, himself, attained the venerable age of ninety-five years, dying in 1890. He married Mary Ball, a life- long resident of Virginia, and they reared eleven children, seven sons and four daughters.

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Born in 1822, John A. Phillips became familiar with the various branches of agriculture while young, and was engaged in farming in Virginia until 1862, being at that time a Union man in a Confederate state. The neighborhood in which he lived was subject to invasion by both armies, cattle being taken, and crops and fences destroyed, first by one army, and then by the other, and he was financially ruined. In September, 1862, his land being laid waste, he came to Ross County, locating in Frankfort, where he continued his farming operations until his death, in 1882. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Hoback, was born, May 17, 1838, in Floyd County, Virginia, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Gray) Hoback, and maternal granddaughter of Joseph and Mary (Howard) Gray. Joseph Gray was born in England, but came to America in colonial days, locating in Staunton, Virginia, where he married Mary Howard, a native of Montgomery County, Virginia. Mrs. Mary E. (Hoback) Phillips died April 13, 1872, when but thirty- three years of age, leaving four children, namely : John P., the special subject of this sketch; Milton G .; Belle; and Joseph Elmer. The father had one daughter, Mary, by a former marriage.

Having acquired his rudimentary 'education in the public schools of . Frankfort, John P. Phillips continued his studies in Lebanon, at the National Normal School, under the instruction of Professor Holbrook a noted educator of that time. Subsequently teaching school near Frank- fort for a time, he devoted his leisure to the study of law, and in 1888 was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. Mr. Phillips immedi- ately opened an office in Chillicothe, and in the practice of his chosen profession has met with unquestioned success, his patronage being large and remunerative.

On April 25, 1893, Mr. Phillips married Miss Cora E. Ewing, who was born in Chillicothe, which was likewise the birthplace of her father, Capt. Samuel H. Ewing, and of her grandfather, John Ewing, whose birth occurred in 1816. John Ewing was a son of Samuel Ewing, and grandson of Alexander Ewing. During his early life he was engaged in the saddlery and harness business, but later had a general store at the corner of Main and Hickory streets. He died at Chillicothe, in 1893. The maiden name of John Ewing's wife was Evelyn Huffnagel. She was born January 26, 1820, in Ross County, a daughter of Josiah Huffnagel.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 1

Author: Lyle S. Evans Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 549

Author: Lyle S. Evans
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 549