USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 8
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cob; and Henry, a resident of Dallas, Texas.
The childhood and youth of our subject were passed in a manner not unlike that of most boys of the period. He enjoyed the pleasures of the playground and performed the duties of the schoolroom, and after ac- quiring his elementary education in the pub- lic schools he attended a private school. He prepared for his business career as a sales- man in the drug store of Slocum & White, with whom he remained for three years, during which time he thoroughly mastered the business. Subsequently he was em- ployed in different drug stores until 1883, when, with the capital which he had ac- quired through his own well directed efforts and economy, he began business on his own account, his store being located on the Hill- side, where he is now well established, carrying a large and well selected stock of drugs and medicines obtained from the best known and most reliable manufacturers. He makes a specialty of carefully compounding physician's prescriptions and does the lead- ing business in this line in the city. He has- been actively connected with the drug trade from 1867 until the present time, covering a period of over thirty-five years.
In June, 1876, Mr. Wetzel was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Bope. of Fair- field county, a daughter of Colonel Jacob Bope, who was one of the pioneers of this county. Her father was twice married and prior to the time he married Miss Essex he wedded Miss Bury. Mrs. Wetzel was a na- tive of this county and by her marriage be- came the mother of two children. but
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Charles E. died on the 3d of July. 1899. aged twenty-one years. Lena Leota is at home.
In his political views Mr. Wetzel is a stalwart Republican and for two years he served as a member of the city council. rep- resenting the third ward, one of the strong- est Democratic wards in the city of Lan- caster, being the second Republican elected therein during the past forty years. His election certainly was an indication of his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow towns-
men. Mr. Wetzel belongs to Lancaster Lodge, No. 57. F. & A. M., the Chapter, No. II. R. A. M., and the Royal Arcanum. He is living on East Main street at Hillside, one of the best residence districts in the city. In business he has achieved success through honorable effort. untiring industry and capable management, and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character, defer- ence for the opinions of others, kindliness and geniality and a strict adherence to the principles of right and justice.
JAMES M. STEWARD.
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James M. Steward was for a number of years engaged in promoting educational in- terests in this part of the state but at the present time is devoting his attention to farming and is one of the practical and pro- gressive agriculturists of Bloom township. A son of Charles and Sarah ( Kuntz) Stew- ard, he was born on the 15th of March, 1841. in this county. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio from Lehigh. Bucks county. The fa- ther took up his abode in Pickaway county. Ohio, in 1837, and there engaged in farm- ing. but after one year he removed to Fair- field county, settling in Amanda township. where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1884. when he was eighty-five years of age, for he was born in 1799. His wife died in 1876, at the age of seventy-two years. Unto them were born fifteen chil-
dren, ten of whom are now living, namely : Lucy Ann, the widow of Jeremiah Zhuring and a resident of Delaware, Ohio; Thomas, a farmer living in Van Wert county, Ohio; Hannah, the wife of Joseph Christian : Will- iam 11 .. a resident of Clear Creek township. Fairfield county : Mary Ann, the wife of Nathaniel Donor, also of Clear Creek town- ship: Lewis Wilson, who is living on the old homestead in Amanda township: Susana, deceased: James M., of this re- view: Sarah, at home: Charles, a physician of AAshville, Ohio: and Samuel, a resident of Stoutsville, this state.
James M. Steward pursued his educa- tion in the public schools near his home and at the age of twenty-one years went to Illi- nois, where he remained for two years He then returned and entered the Fairfield Union Academy in 1860, completing a
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course there. He also matriculated in the Wesleyan University, where he completed a course in 1872. For a number of years he was a promoter of educational interests in this state. He began teaching in the dis- trict schools while still pursuing his own education and has been in charge of the schools of Adelphi, Ross county, where he remained for five years or until 1878. The following year he accepted a position in Lancaster and for seven years was super- intendent of the North school, while in 1885 he became principal of the schools of Basil, Ohio, and in 1886-7 continued at that place. In 1887 he took up his abode upon his pres- ent farm in Bloom township and it has been the family home continuously since. Mr. Steward was widely recognized as a most efficient promotor of educational work, his instructions being given clearly and force- ably and never failing to leave its impress upon the minds of the children. He was also a good disciplinarian and his efforts were efficient in promoting the intellectual welfare of the community with which he was associated.
On the 29th of December, 1872. Mr. Steward was united in marriage to .Unelia Dunmuck, a daughter of Benjamin and Minerva (Ashbrook) Dunmuck, of Picka- way county, Ohio. Their marriage has been blessed with the following named : Charles B., of Bloom township, who is a graduate of the Ohio State University; Sarah Minerva, deceased ; James C., who is now pursuing a course in the State Univer- sity; Effie E., who is a student in the same institution: Lewis M., Grace and Florence 31., who are yet under the parental roof. The family have a pleasant home upon Mr. Steward's farm. He is engaged in the rais- ing of full blooded stock, making a specialty of short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and has had some very fine cattle on his farm. He takes a deep and active interest in matters of public welfare and has served as local school director. He has read ex- tensively and thought deeply concerning the financial questions of the day and gives his political support to the Democracy, while in religious faith both he and his wife are Lutherans.
JONAS CONRAD.
A fine farm comprising one hundred and sixty-four acres of land in the township of Clear Creek is the property of Jonas Con- rad, who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of this portion of the state.
He was born on the 14th of March, 1831. in the township which is still his home, and represents one of the old families of this county. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Conrad, married Esther Root. He was born
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in Maryland of German parentage and re- sided in that state until September. 1805. when he came with his family to Ohio and rented a tract of land in Clear Creek town- ship. Fairfield county. Throughout his re- maining days he carried on farming and stock-raising here, purchasing a farm which as the years passed returned to him a golden tribute for his care and labor bestowed upon the fields. He died when he was seventy- five years of age, respected and honored by all who knew him.
Henry Conrad, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Washington county, Mary- land, on the 18th of August, 1801, and in 1805 was brought by his parents to Ohio, settling in Clear Creek township. Fairfield county. He remained upon the home place for some years after his marriage and then removed to a farm which his father owned in the neighborhood. There Henry Conrad carried on agricultural pursuits, and the well tilled fields brought to him golden har- vests. He put all the improvements upon the place and under his supervision the work of the farm was carried on until his death, which occurred when he was almost ninety years of age. He was a Democrat in his political views in carly life, but afterward became identified with the Republican party. llis religious belief was in harmony with teachings of the English Lutheran church. A house of worship belonging to that de- nomination was built upon a part of his farm, he giving the land to the church as- sociation. In the years of his early man- hood he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Walters, who died April 18, two
years prior to the death of her husband. She was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Ohio when eleven years of age by her father, Frederick Walters, who for many years resided in this county and was one of its substantial and respected citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad became the parents of ten children, six of whom are yet living : Ezra, a resident of Clear Creek township ; Priscilla, the wife of Eli Conrad, whose home is in Stoutsville, Ohio: Jonas, of this review: Wesley, who is living in Kansas; Henry and Martin, who are residents of Clear Creek township. Those who have passed away are Caroline, Sarah and Cor- nelius.
Jonas Conrad remained upon the old home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. During that time he gained broad and practical experience concerning the best methods of cultivating the soil and caring for stock. When he had arrived at man's estate he started out on his own accoun, removing to another farm which his father owned and which he operated for about two years. He then took up his abode upon a farm owned by his uncle and made it his home for two years, after which he removed to the farm upon which he now resides. The most of the improvements upon this place are the work of Mr. Conrad and the buildings stand as an evidence of his life of industry, his progressive spirit and enter- prise. lle has placed all of his land under the highest state of cultivation and in addi- tion to the home farm he has a fifty-acre tract of timber land.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Con-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
rad joined the Union army for one hundred days service as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He was stationed in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and at the close of his term was discharged at Zanesville, Ohio. Ile belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic until the post was abandoned in AAmanda. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought or desired office, al- though in the character of a private citizen he withhokls his support from no movement or measure tending to contribute to the gen- eral good.
In 1852 Mr. Conrad was united in mar- riage to Miss Susana Campbell, who was born in Madison township. Fairfield county, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Def- enbaugh) Campbell. Her father was a shingle maker and died in Hocking town- ship, while her mother's death occurred in Madison township. Mr. Campbell was about sixty years of age at the time of his demise, while his wife reached the allotted span of three score years and ten. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been born twelve children, nine of whom are still living : Malinda Elizabeth is the wife of William H. Moore, of Clear Creek township. They had thirteen children-Frances, Laura E., Elmer, Lillie, now deceased, Sallie, Grace, Denver, Walter. Cora, also deceased. Chauncey, Orion, Carrie and Raymond. Louisa Jane. the wife of Daniel Spangler, a resident farmer of Amanda township, has four children-Harley, Leslie, Harry and Raymond. Martin Luther, who is a carpet weaver of Amanda, Ohio, married Laura
Clark, and unto them have been born five children-Russell. Rupert, Denver, who is deceased. Gladys, also deceased, and Marie. William Henry is a resident of Pickaway county and follows farming in Walnut township. He married Nancy Waites, and they had one child who died in infancy un- named. Sallie Ann is the wife of John Waites, of Madison county, Ohio, and their children are Bessie, Myrtie, Scott, Mona and Clarence : and Winfiel Scott, who died at the age of twenty years, eight months and ten days. Clara Belle died when about two years old. Perry Elsworth, a farmer, died about six years ago, at the age of thirty-two. Cornelia Ellen is the wife of William Eveland, of Amanda township. Charles U., who is now thirty-two years of age, resides at home and assists his father in the operation of the farm. Stella M. is the wife of Charles Spangler and they reside upon their father's farm. They have one child, Nellie Edith. Lillie May is the wife of Homer Eveland, a resident farmer of Madison county, Ohio, and their children are Harold and Verlo. All of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were born in Fair- field county. He has reached the age of seventy-one years but is still actively con- cerned in business affairs, and is a worthy and respected citizen who co-operates in all movements and measures calculated to ad- vance the general good. His life has been quietly passed upon the farm, but his record is well worthy of emulation, for he has been loyal in citizenship, honorable in business and faithful to the ties of friendship and home.
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COLONEL JOHN C. HITE.
The history of a state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of. its representative citizens, and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the genius of learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the rec- ord of a state's prosperity and pride; and it is this record that offers for our consid- eration the history of men, who in their characters for probity and benevolence, and the kindly virtues, as well as for integrity in the affairs of life, are ever affording to the young worthy examples for their regard and emulation, Therefore it is proper that a just celebrity should be given to those men who are distinguished in their day and gen- eration, that the living may enjoy the ap- probation of their contemporaries, as well as that of a grateful posterity.
Colonel Hite is descended from a long- lived family, his father, Samuel Hite, hav- ing reached the advanced age of ninety- seven years, while his mind is still appar- ently as clear as that of the ordinary man at the age of fifty. He is mumered among the native sons of Fairfiekl county, his birth having occurred upon a farm near Pleasant- ville. No event of special importance oc- curred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. He mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools and at the age of nineteen began teaching in the village of Pleasantville, having charge
of the school there through four successive winter terms, and so remarkable was his success as an instructor, that the patrons of the school increased his monthly salary far above the amount paid to other teachers of the time in that county, in order to retain his services in the school. His work as an educator and in behalf of the young has been of the greatest im- portance and benefit. Man's worth in the world is determined, not by the wealth he acquires, but by what he has accom- plished for his fellow men, and in this re- gard Colonel Hite may well be accounted successful, for his labors have been far reaching and beneficial. He was largely in- strumental in building the Fairfield Union Academy and became the secretary and a member of the first board of directors of that institution. In 1865 he was elected colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Ohio Militia and was commissioned by Governor David Tod. He was quite successful in his farming operations, which he carried on for a number of years, but in the fall of 1868, on account of failing health he abandoned agricultural pursuits and re- moved to Lancaster, where he became an active factor in commercial circles, purchas- ing the book store of Tuthill & Rigby. Through the two succeeding years he en- joyed a large and profitable business in that undertaking, but on the expiration of that period he sold his store and became an equal partner of the Ohio Eagle printing office, of Lancaster, being associated in this enter-
COL. J. C. HITE
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prise with Thomas Wetzler. Through the succeeding five years he was identified with journalistic interests and then soll out to his partner.
Colonel Hite became an active repre- sentative of public business, in 1873. when he was elected auditor of Fairfield county. He filled that office through two success- ive terms, at the close of which the Hon. James Williams, auditor of state, presented him with an unusually flattering testimonial for the neat manner in which he made his reports to the state and for his accuracy in office. In April. 1878. he was elected su- perintendent of what was then known as the Ohio Reform Farm near Lancaster, un- der the administration of Governor Rich- ard M. Bishop. During the latter part of the administration of Governor Charles Foster in the fall of 1883. he was again elected. and once more, in April, 1884. at the beginning of Governor Hoadley's term of service. In 1800 he was once more chosen to the office under the administration of James E. Campbell, his incumbency in that institution covering a period of six and one- half years. No more capable official has ever occupied the position. Colonel Hite instituted many improvements and meas- ures for the benefit of the institution, where- by the condition of the inmates was much improved. Ile looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the fu- ture and labored to instill into the minds of the inmates principles that would help them to become active and useful citizens in life. It was through his instrumentality that the name of the institution was changed by legis- lative act from the Ohio Reform Farm to 5
the Boy's Industrial School. He introduced, in addition to the trades already taught there, brick making and masonry. cabinet making. telegraphy, stenography and print- ing. On the 15th of November, 1884, he issued the first edition of the Boy's Indus- trial School Journal, the present paper pub- lished at the institution and the first paper of its kind in the United States that is still in existence. It was through his recom- mendation that the telegraph and telephone lines were built from Lancaster to the school in 1878 and it was by his direction that the inmates were first taught regular military tactics. He was a favorite with the boys, not only on account of his progressive ideas, but his just dealing and interest which he took in them. He left the impress of his individuality upon many a life which has been benefited through his efforts.
Since leaving the Boys' Industrial School, Colonel Hite has devoted much of his time to journalism, for which he has a strong preference. His labors have also re- sulted in the perfecting of a system of his own, known as the Equitable System for conducting building and loan companies .. and for his plan he holds a copyright from the United States government, taken out in the year 1899. He is the present secretary and a director of the Equitable Savings. Loan & Building Company of Lancaster. Ohio, which is founded on this system and is now doing a remarkably large and suc- cessful business.
On the 23d of September. 1852. Mr. Hite was united in marriage to Miss Mary Miller, a well educated and highly cultured young lady, and this union has been blessed
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by one son, who graduated with high hon- ors at Yale College in June, 1878, and who for the past seven years has held and is still holding the important position of chief of the drafting department in the United States patent office at Washington. Dis- trict of Columbia.
Colonel Hite is a zealous Odd Fellow, having been identified with the order since 1851. He has passed the chairs in the subordinate and encampment lodges, has taken the past grand degree of the former and the degree of past patriarch in the lat- iums.
ter. In September, 1874, he became a char- ter member of Columbia Lodge, No. 27. Knights of Honor, was its first representa- tive to the grand lodge of Ohio, and twice since then has been elected its representa- tive and is the present incumbent of that office. Colonel Hite stands among those to whom the world is indebted for an uplift- ing influence. He is a man of strong pur- pose, of sterling worth and broad humani- tarian principles, and the work that he has' accomplished has won him high encom-
WILLIAM BARR.
For almost one-third of a century Will- development and greatness. Throughout iam Barr has resided upon his present farm the years of his active life Thomas Barr carried on agricultural pursuits. The land which came into his possession was wikl and unimproved, but his unremitting dili- gence was the means of transforming it into an excellent property. He reached the extreme old age of ninety-seven years and left to his family not only a handsome com- petence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. and is a representative of one of the hon- ored pioncer families of the county, his grandfather having come to this portion of the state when Lancaster contained but two houses. Through all the intervening years the Barr family have been well known fac- tors in the work of public progress and im- provement. and their labors have resulted largely to the benefit of the community. Thomas Barr. the paternal grandfather. Thomas Barr, the father of our subject, was reared amid the will scenes of frontier hfc. sharing with the family of all hard- ships and toils as well as many trials inci- dent to the settlement of a new district which is cut off from the comforts of civil- ization by long stretches of forest or of was a native of Ireland, and after leaving that country for the United States he took up his abode in Ohio, making his home on the present site of Lancaster, which at that time was a mere hamlet, containing two houses and giving little promise of future
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
plain. He was born in Fairfield county on the old homestead in Amanda township. and with the exception of one year spent upon a farm in Clear Creek township, he never left the township in which he was born. He was a cooper by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit for eight years. After his marriage and during the greater part of his life his undivided attention was given to agricultural pursuits and to the raising of stock. He became the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land, part of which was in Pickaway county. His in- dustry was manifest by his unremitting at- tention to his fields and as the years pased his land became very rich, attractive and valuable. For twelve years he filled the of- fice of township treasurer and was county commissioners for six years, discharging his duties with marked promptness, ability and honor. He voted with the Democratic party and it was upon that ticket that he was chosen to positions of political prefer- ment. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. He (lied at the age of eighty-four years in the village of Amanda, where for a number of years he had lived retired. In early life he had wedded Hannah Myers, and her death occurred when she was seventy-eight years of age. She was a native of Pennsyl- vania and when about ten years of age was brought by her parents to Ohio, the family making a settlement above Cedar Hill, in Amanda township. Mrs. Barr became the mother of thirteen children, of whom the subject of this review was the third in the order of birth. Seven of that number are
still living. The father was one of the greatest marksmen ever in this country. His record is seven centers, in succession, which record was never broken by an cffhand, open-sight shooter at forty yards.
William Barr, whose name introduces this record, was born on the 5th of March, 1838, on the old farm homestead in Amanda township. In retrospect one can see him as a little farmer boy making his way to the (listrict school of the neighborhood or as- sisting in the work of the field and meadow as his strength permitted. He continued upon the old homestead until after his mar- riage, when he started out in life independ- ently, renting a farm in Amanda township. There he remained for five years, on the ex- piration of which time he purchased his present property in Amanda township and for thirty-two years has made his home thereon. Within the boundaries of his home are comprised one hundred and fifty-two and one-half acres of rich land. In addi- tion to the cultivation of thie crops best adapted to this climate he is engaged in' raising stock. He has made all the improve- ments upon the place, including the erec- tion of a substantial farm house and other building's.
It was in the year 1862 that Mr. Barr led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Greiner, the wedding being celebrated near Lancaster. The lady was a daughter of Henry F. and Mary Ann (Gorman) Gireiner. Her father was a native of Ger- many and when only three years of age was brought to the new world by his parents, who first located in Pennsylvania, but after-
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