USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 43
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HENRY D. COCHRANE.
Henry D. Cochrane has for more than a quarter of a century been a member of the Perry county bar. He has made a lasting impression upon the bar of this locality both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which
impresses itself upon a community. A na- tive of Jackson township. this county. he was born on the ioth of July. 1851. His ancestry can be traced back to an early period in the history of this country. The great-great-grandfather of our subject lived
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on Jersey Island and from Ireland he emi- portance until it is now of a distinctively grated to America soon after the close of representative character. He has argued many cases and has lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his cases than he. His course in the courtroom is characterized by a calm- ness and dignity that indicate reserve strength. He is always courteous and defer- ential toward the court, kind and forbearing toward his adversaries. He examines a wit- ness carefully and thoroughly, but treats him with a respect that makes the witness grateful for his kindness and forbearance. His handling of his case is always full, com- prehensive and accurate; his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive. He sees with- out effort the relation and dependence of the facts, and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove. the Revolutionary war, establishing his home in New York. The father of our sub- ject bore the name of Ira Cochrane. He was born in Meig's county, Ohio, and thence emigrated to Perry county, coming to this place when a lad in company with his fa- ther, Henry D. Cochrane. Later he entered land in Perry county and took up his abode thereon, devoting his energies to the de- velopment of a good farm. Ile died in April, 1863, when about sixty years of age. His son, Ira Cochrane, continued a resident of the county from the time of the arrival of the family here until his demise, but he attained the age of only thirty years, passing away in 1856. He married Mary O'Hagan, who long survived him, passing away on the 17th of May, 1901, at the age of eighty years.
Under the parental roof Henry D. Coch- Mr. Cochrane was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lorimer, a daughter of William and Margaret Lorimer, who were residents of Jackson township and became pioneer settlers of Perry county, Ohio. Both arc now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coch- rane have been born three children: Ed- ward, who is now in the employ of the Rob- inson Machine Company, of Monongahela, Pennsylvania: William W., who is in the employ of the Tribune Printing Company, of New Lexington; and John, who is yet a student in school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane are widely and favorably known in this city, where their circle of friends is quite extensive. In politics he has always rane, of this review, spent the days of his childhood. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein acquired a good knowledge of the common branches of English learning. He studied law in New Lexington with the firm of Ferguson & Jackson. When sixteen years of age he began teaching school and followed that profession for eight years, thus providing for his expenses while pursuing his law course. On the 16th of August, 1876, he was admitted to the bar. He at once opened an office in New Lexington, where he has given his attention in an undivided manner to the practice of his profession, his clientage continually growing in volume and im- been a Republican, but has never sought 24
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or desired the honors and emoluments of In manner he is genial and courteous and public office, desiring rather to give his un- divided attention to his professional duties.
these qualities have rendered him a social favorite in New Lexington.
RANDOLPH M. FOUNTAIN.
Randolph M1. Fountain, who is engaged in the hardware, implement and general in- surance business in Somerset, was born in Redington, then New Reading, Perry coun- ty. on the 29th of September, 1866, and is a son of James Carson and Jane (Mitchell) Fountain. His grandfather, Curtis Foun- tain. came to this county from Pennsyl- vania about 1825. His wife was also a na- tive of the Keystone state. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Randolph Mitchell, who became an early settler of Reading township, and his wife was Lydia Mitchell. James Carson Fountain, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Clayton township. Perry county, in 1836 and died in 1896, at the age of sixty years. He filled the position of justice of the peace for fourteen years and was known as a citizen of genuine worth, devoted to the best in- terests of the community. For eighteen years he was connected with the Ohio Farm- ers' Insurance Company and was a very act- ive and public-spirited man. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, never wavering in his allegiance to its prin- ciples. In the family of James C. and Jane Fountain were three sons and three dangh-
ters: Mary .A., a resident of Redington ; Lydia C., the wife of Clinton E. Love, who is in partnership with our subject: Ran- dolph M., of this review; Maggie B., the wife of P. M. Bowman, one of the owners of the mill at Somerset: Frank M., who is acting as clerk for his brother : and Carson, who is engaged in teaching in Redington.
Randolph Mitchell Fountain, the sub- ject of this review, was reared upon the old homestead in Redington and attended the schools there. He was afterward grad- uated in the Capital City Commercial Col- lege, of Columbus, in 1888, and then went into the hardware business, becoming a clerk at Junction City, Perry county. Subse- quently he went to Bremen, Fairfield coun- ty, in 1892, to become manager of the hard- ware store there. In 1893 he located in Somerset and accepted the position of book- keeper and cashier for the firm of O. B. Ream & Company, druggists, but after a year he accepted a clerkship in the store of Fisher Brothers, hardware dealers of Som- erset. In 1895 he bought out his employers and entered into business under the name of R. M. Fountain. In 1896, however, he sold this business to the Yarnell Tin
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& Hardware Company and in that year ter of James T. Baird. They now have bought a farm in the edge of Somerset. Mr. Fountain then carried on agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he sold his farm and established a hardware and implement business as a member of the firm of Foun- tain & Love, his partner being Clinton E. Love. The new enterprise is being success- fully conducted and their patronage has al- ready assumed good proportions. . Mr. Fountain has the general agency of the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, which position he has held for seven years. As his father held the same position for eight- een years, the company has been represent- ed by the Fountain family for twenty-five years.
Mr. Fountain was married in Junction City to Miss Mary Florence Baird, a daugh-
two children, Nellie Lucille and Frances Adelle. In his political views Mr. Fountain is an active Democrat, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and in- sure the success of his party. He is also. a prominent member of the Odd Fellows society, has served as noble grand in his lodge and in his life exemplifies the benefi- cent spirit of the fraternity. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Red- ington and has served as chairman of its board of trustees. He takes a very deep in- terest in everything pertaining to the gen- eral good along material, social and intel- lectual as well as moral lines, and through- out Perry county, where he has spent his entire life, he is widely and favorably known.
H. M. BUGHMAN.
H. M. Bughman, who is filling the posi- tion of engineer in the New Lexington Electric Light plant, has served in this ca- pacity almost continuously since 1895. He was born in Reading township, Perry coun- ty, and is a son of Jacob Bughman, who located here at an early day, coming to America with his mother. They emigrated to this country from Germany, settling at Baltimore, Maryland, and thence made their way across the country to Ohio. Here the father of our subject continued to reside
until he was called to his final rest and de- voted his attention to farming pursuits, thereby providing for his family. He mar- ried Elizabeth Zimmer, who was also a na- tive of Germany, and his death occurred in 1891, when he was seventy-eight years of age.
Under the parental Mr. Bughman of this review spent his childhood days and after completing his literary education in the public schools he became a mechanical and electrical engineer, thoroughly master-
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ing the business in all its branches and de- partments. His studies were pursued in Otterbein and then he commenced learning his trade. For a time he was employed as an engineer in Kentucky and in 1895 he became engineer in the New Lexington Electric Light plant, which was built in that year and of which he had charge for one year. After an interval of two years he again accepted the position and has served co. tinuously since 1898. The engine is a three-hundred-horse-power one and the plant is equipped with the latest improved machinery, which furnishes power for from twelve to fifteen hundred incandescent lights and fifty arc lights. Under the cap- able management of Mr. Bughman the plant is carefully run and the works are giv- ing excellent satisfaction to the patrons. For twenty-three years Mr. Bughman has been an engineer and for six years served
in that capacity in Junction City. Perry county. He has taken the state examina- tion and proved himself so well quali- fied that he was awarded two first-class li- censes.
Mr. Bughman was united in marriage to Miss Belle Steen, a native of Reading township, Perry county, and a daughter of Jacob Steen, who was a valiant soldier in the Union army, serving through the en- tire Civil war. His son, John Steen, is now a soldier in the Philippines and has been twice wounded. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bugh- man have been born the following children : Viva, Lizzie, Guy, Elsie, Vera, Milo and Goldia. Mr. Bughman is widely known throughent the county and is recognized as a reliable and faithful business man who, in social circles as well as in his business career, has gained the esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
DUDLEY H. FOSTER.
During the pioneer epoch in the history of Ohio the Foster family of which our subject is a member was founded in this state by his great-great-grandfather, who came from Maryland and took up his abode in Ross county. There the great-grandfa- ther was born and Colonel John Foster, the grandfather, was also a native of that coun- ty. He became a very prominent and influ- ential citizen and left the impress of his
individuality upon public life. He served as colonel in the state militia and was also a leader in civil life, being a member of the state legislature. His business affairs pros- pered and he became a wealthy man and leading citizen.
Joseph Foster, the father of our sub- ject, was a resident of Pike county and pos- sessed considerable influence as a leader of the Republican party. He was a man of
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strong mentality and sterling worth, well fitted to become a leader in public thought and action. His opinions carried weight in the councils of his party and he labored in- defatigably for the adoption of the princi- ples of government in which he so firmly believed. He married Amanda McMillen, a daughter of Alexander McMillen, of Pike county, a prominent business man of his day. The McMillen family was also from Maryland, although the great-great-grand- father of our subject was a native of Scot- land, whence he emigrated to the new world, establishing his home in Maryland.
Dudley Hampton Foster, the subject of this review, is a native of Pike county, Ohio, his birth having occurred on his father's farm there. Under the parental roof he was reared and in the schools of the neigh-
borhood he acquired his preliminary edu- cation, after which he entered the Ohio State University, at Columbus, where he was graduated in law and arts, completing his course in June. 1895. Well prepared for his chosen profession by thorough and comprehensive study Mr. Foster came to Corning in September following his gradu- ation and has since been engaged in prac- tice here.
Mr. Foster is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in the Masonic order he has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, of Columbus, and holds member- ship relations with the Benevolent Protect- ive Order of Elks. A pleasant, genial man- ner and social disposition have made Mr. Foster popular with a large circle of friends.
JAMES F. PURVIS.
James F. Purvis is a well known repre- sentative of the industrial interests of New Lexington. It is no longer wars but busi- ness development that makes history. The progress of the country is not dependent upon the conquest of one nation over an- other, but is the direct result of industrial and commercial activity. The trade rela- tions lead to the improvement of a section and they who are active in business affairs are the real promoters of a country's pros- perity.
With such may be classed James F. Purvis, who is associated with his father, A. C. Purvis, in New Lexington, in con- ducting the Lone Star mill, under the name of the Purvis Milling Company, engaged in the manufacture of flour. He was born in Rush Creek township. Fairfield county, one mile from the Perry county line and is a son of A. C. and Margaret A. (House- holder) Purvis. The latter was born in Reading township, Perry county, and is a daughter of Adam Householder, now de-
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ceased. He came from Pennsylvania to the Buckeye state in 1824. taking up his abode in Perry county. He became a very pros- perous farmer and a leading and influential citizen of his community, and at his death left eight children. The paternal ancestry of our subject can be traced back through several generations to George Purvis, the great-grandfather, who came from England in 1793. His son, James Purvis, the grand- father of our subject. was born in Seneca county, New York, and when five years of age was brought to Ohio by his parents. He became well known in this portion of the state and public positions of trust were given into his keeping. He served as deputy sher- iff of Delaware and Morrow counties prior to the Civil war and as trustee of Rush Creck township, Fairfield county, for thir- teen years, filling that position continuous- ly from 1860 until 1873. He married Eliza- beth (Ross) Clemens, a native of Mary- land, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Her father. Abram Clemens, came to Ohio in pioneer times. arriving in 1821, at which time he entered six hundred forty acres of land in Rush Creek township, which is still owned by the family. llis brother. Ephraim Clemens, laid out the town of Mount Clemens, Mich- igan. in 1808. 1le was a territorial judge of Michigan and was a very prominent and influential man there. Unto James and Elizabeth ( Clemens ) Purvis were born two sons, the elder being the father of our sub- ject, while the second was James E. Purvis, now living in Bremen, Fairfield county, Ohio. Their father died January 5. 1900,
at the age of eighty-two years, but as above stated, his widow is still living.
A. C. Purvis, the father of our subject, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1850, and in 1852 was taken by his parents to Fairfield county, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was actively associated with farming interests and is now connected with his son. James F., in the milling business. He has ever been a practical and progressive man, deeply in- terested in the general welfare and doing everything in his power to promote public progress, while at the same time advancing his individual success. After arriving at years of maturity he married Margaret .A. Householder. and they became the parents of three sons and four daughters, the brothers of our subject being Ed. T., who is now living in Bremen, Ohio, and A. E .. who is connected with the Ohio Transfer Company, of Columbus. The sisters of the family are Mrs. John J. MeCandish: Mrs. William D. Ruff, who, like her other sis- ters, is living in Rush Creek township; and Kate and Emma Purvis, who are yet with their parents.
Born on the old family homestead and reared under the parental roof. James F. Purvis pursued his education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood and in the Fairfield Union AAcademy. He also received ample training at farm work and the les- sons of industry and perseverance were in- stilled into his mind. In the year 1900 he came with his father to the city of New Lexington and joined him in the organiza- tion of the Purvis Milling Company. They
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began this business in February, purchasing the old Mcclellan & Nixon mill on Water street, having a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. They manufacture flour of different grades, but make a specialty of the brand called "Our Pride," which has a very good sale, the enterprise meeting with creditable success.
James F. Purvis was united in marriage to Miss Dosie Deane, of Port Angeles, Washington, and they have one son, Thad-
eus Clemens, and one daughter, Margaret Deane. Mrs. Purvis is a great-great-grand- daughter of Silas Deane, who was minister to France during the American Revolution. Both our subject and his wife have a wide acquaintance in New Lexington, although' they have resided here for but a brief period, and the circle of their friends is constantly increasing. Mr. Purvis is known as a re- liable and progressive business man and is a valued addition to the city.
J. I. DAVIS, M. D.
Among the medical practitioners of Per- ry county is numbered Dr. J. I. Davis, of Shawnee, whose practice here is quite ex- tensive for one whose connection with the profession covers but seven years. He was born in Brookfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1874, and came to Perry county with his parents, William E. and Elizabeth ( Morris) Davis. His father was a native of South Wales and became identified with indus- trial interests in Perry county, Ohio. Here he became engaged in contracting and op- erating in iron ore, coal and clay. carrying on business on a very extensive scale. He died in June, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1898 at the age of sixty-three years. She was a native of Wales and both were of the Dr. Davis, of this review, pursued his preliminary education in the public schools highest respectability. They became the parents of twenty-one children, eleven of of Ohio and afterward continued his studies
whom are yet living and are residents of Shawnee. In the family were Edward, who is engaged in contracting in Shawnee: William W., a coal operator: Philip, who died at the age of twenty-four years; the Doctor; Gomer and Morgan, who are en- gaged 'in the clay and brick business ; Ebenezer, who died at the age of twenty- one years : George A., who is superintendent of the store of the Congo Coal Company. at Modoc, Ohio: Thomas, who is in the clay and brick business; Margaret, the wife of Herbert Davis; Elizabeth, the wife of .Alex- ander Humphrey ; Abigail, the wife of Hays Parker: Ellen, the deceased wife of Frank Clark ; and Ruth, the deceased wife of Jacob Scheuster.
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in the Ohio State University at Columbus. When he had acquired a good literary edu- cation to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge he began preparation for the practice of medicine and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and later was graduated at the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, in the class of 1894. He was in the Protestant Hospital
on the house staff for one year and since 1895 he has lived in Shawnee, where he has built up a good practice. He has pursued a post-graduate course in Chicago at the West Side Post-Graduate College and in the New York Polyclinic. He is continually reading and studying in order to advance in his chosen profession, and his proficiency is now widely acknowledged. as is indicated by the liberal patronage accorded him.
HENRY HUMBERGER.
Henry Humberger, who is carrying on man. The father was born on section 35, farming interests in Perry county, his home Thorn township, Perry county, February being in Thorn township, was born at the - 22, 1803, and on the 9th of October, 1828, place of his present residence on section 26, he led to the marriage altar Miss Basshore, his natal day being December 26. 1842. His whose birth occurred February 24. 1809. She was a daughter of Frederick Basshore, who settled near Rushville, Richland town- ship. Fairfield county, in 1803, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. He wedded Mary E. Keister. Both Mr. and Mrs. Basshore were members of the Reformed Presby- terian church and the former died at the age of sixty-five years, while the latter passed away in her eightieth year. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Peter Humberger, who came to Perry coun- ty in 1802, his brothers, John and Henry, also locating with him in this county on section 35. Thorn township. parents were John and Mary Ann ( Bas- shore) Humberger. The family is of Ger- man lineage and the first American ances- tors of our subject settled in Pennsylvania. Adam Humberger, an uncle of our subject, resided in Somerset and is said to have been the inventor of the revolving pistol, although he did not get the credit of his invention. He was also the first member of the Uni- versalist church who ever secured the prom- ise of a Methodist Episcopal minister to preach his funeral sermon and to tell the assembled congregation that he had died in the faith in which he had lived. He passed away in New Lexington and he was John Humberger, the father of our sub- ject. resided on section 26. Thorn town- widely known as a prominent and honored
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HENRY HUMBERGER
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ship, and engaged in general farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred when his son Henry was about three years of age. His widow long survived him and died about twenty years ago at the old home place, when seventy-four years of age. They, too, were consistent Christian people, belonging to the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Humberger served as a deacon. He voted with the Democracy, but never cared for office. In his family were ten children, six of whom are yet living: David, a resi- dent farmer of Whitley county, Indiana ; Frederick, who was a farmer of the same county and died there at the age of sixty- three; Mary Ann, the widow of Simon Long, and a resident of Tiffin, Ohio: Eliza- beth, who acts as her brother Henry's housekeeper and is the widow of Lewis Rankin, of Kentucky; Peter, who was a farmer and died in Illinois at the age of thirty-five years ; Margaret, who became the wife of Barnard Mechling, of Hopewell township, Perry county, and died in 1863: John, who is a minister of the Lutheran church in this state: Henry, the eighth in order of birth: George W., who died in Nebraska at about the age of fifty-six years ; and Benjamin, who is a farmer and cattle raiser of Colorado. All of these children were born on the old homestead in Perry county.
Our subject remained on his father's farm until the breaking out of the Civil war. when with patriotic spirit he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-second Infantry. He had gone to that state on a visit and enlisted while there, serving until
the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Charleston, West Virginia. He participated in may skirmishes and after receiving an honorable discharge returned to his home in this county. He then pur- chased the old farm. upon which he has since resided and here he has made many improvements. The farm comprises one hundred and eighteen acres, of which he has sold eighteen acres. The land which he still owns is under a very high state of cultivation. He has remodeled the house in which he was born, a two-story brick dwelling, and it is now a very comfortable and attractive residence. He also built a new barn and has placed his place in an excellent state of improvement, successfully carrying on general farming and being recognized as one of the leading and suc- cessful agriculturists of his community.
On the 14th of April, 1867, Mr. Hum- berger wedded Miss Eliza Snyder, a daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary (Greenawalt ) Sny- der, early settlers of Thorn township, her father being a prominent farmer there. He died in that township at a very advanced age. Mrs. Humberger was born, reared and educated in that township and was a conscientious member of the Lutheran church. She died at her husband's home March II. 1901, at the age of fifty-five years and the household thus mourned the loss of a devoted wife and a kind and lov- ing mother. She had three children, all of whom still survive her. Mary is the wife of Benjamin Franklin Lutz. of Somerset, where he is engaged in the grocery busi- ness. He is a native of Hopewell township.
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