USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 100
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William Swonger, whose name introduces this record, acquired his early education in the district schools of Franklin county, whither he came when a little lad of seven summers. He remained on the home farm until the death of his father, which occurred when he was about seventeen years of age. He then worked for his brother-in-law, William Lyda, in whose employ he remained for five years, after which he began farming on his own account. He has made it his life work and his progressive methods and well directed efforts have secured to him creditable success.
Mr. Swonger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Medford, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, September 10, 1845, a daughter of Aaron and Matsy Ann ( Miller) Medford. Her father was a prominent farmer of Licking county and a son of Charles and Ruth (Kyle) Medford. The mother of Mrs. Swonger was also a native of Licking county, and by her mar- riage she had three children, namely: Mary Ann, now Mrs. Swonger ; Amos, who married Laura Wright, of Madison township, Franklin county, and is now deceased; and John, who wedded Sallie Shuman, of Franklin county, and is now living in Union county, Ohio. The father, Aaron Medford, was killed by the falling of a tree in northern Indiana while on his' way with his family to Minnesota. After his death, however, the family returned to Licking county, where the mother resided four or five years, when she moved to Madi- son township; later she moved to Truro township, where she died. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swonger has been blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters. John W. is still at home with his parents. Frank E. married Minnie Southard, a daughter of Converse Southard, and they reside on the homestead farm. He served as a soldier in the Spanish war, enlisting in Battery H of the First Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery, and when the war was ended he received an honorable discharge. Ida Ellen is the wife of H. G. Taylor, a teacher by occupation, living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have two children, Ruth and Harry Glenford. Alice M., the youngest of the family, is the wife of Frank M. McClure, of Brice, Ohio, and they have four children, Dorothy, Byron, Guy and a baby girl unnamed.
At the time of the Civil war William Swonger, of this review, manifested his loyalty to the government by enlisting in his country's service, although he was only sixteen years of age. His father, however, objected to his going to the front when so young and accordingly he was discharged. He has, however, throughout the succeeding years been faithful and true to every duty of citizenship. For two years, from 1888 until 1890, he was land appraiser and was chattel assessor for eight years. He votes with the Democracy on questions of national importance, believing firmly in the principles of the party,
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but at local elections he casts his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for office without regard to political affiliations. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with the lodge in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. His life has been quietly passed, but has been characterized by fidelity to duty in every relation, and wherever he is known he is held in high esteem for his sterling characteristics.
LEWIS SCHLEPPI.
Lewis Schleppi, who was connected with agricultural interests of Frank- lin county for many years, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 15, 1835, and died on the 13th of January, 1898. His father, Jacob Henry Schleppi, was also born in Germany and was a farmer by occupation. His wife, Eva Mary Schleppi, was a native of Germany, and they became the parents of eight chil- dren, six of whom are now deceased. They were named as follows: Andrew, Daniel, Jacob Henry, Charles, Christian, Lewis, Charlotte and Caroline. Of this number, Jacob Henry married Barbara Seibert, and they became the parents of ten children. Charlotte is the wife of Jacob Hussing and has three children, two sons and a daughter. Caroline married Daniel Ludwig, who was a farmer of Bavaria, Germany, where he died. His widow is still living in that country and has four children.
Lewis Schleppi spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his birth and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1854. He made his way direct to Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, and for a time was employed by the day at any occupation he could secure. Later he conducted, with his brother Jacob, a rented farm near Columbus, which they operated for a short time, after which our subject removed to Madison township, renting another farm. When his brother Jacob purchased a farm Mr. Schleppi, of this review, rented it and resided thereon for a year.
On the 15th of November, 1860. he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Elizabeth Boeshausz, a native of Columbus, Ohio, born September 13, 1844, a daughter of William Boeshausz, a native of Germany, born July 20, 1809, and his death occurred July 15, 1883. His wife, Magda- lene Ell, was born in Germany November 29, 1819, and by her marriage she became the mother of ten children, namely: Margaret ; Elizabeth; William. deceased ; Jacob; Peter ; Louise; Mary ; Louis, deceased; Phillipina; and John. The eldest is the wife of John Neiberlein, a resident of Columbus, and they were the parents of eleven children: William wedded Barbara Eich, who was born in Germany, and they have three children. Jacob married Sarah Harris, by whom he has six children, four of whom are living. and the home of the family is now Columbus. Peter married Barbara Ruffing, who was born in Columbus, and they have three children. Louise is the wife of Peter Zimmer, a farmer of Madison township, and they have three daughters and one son. Mary is the wife of John Neverlein, an agriculturist of Madison township, by whom she has three sons and two daughters. Phillipina wedded
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Milton Hepner, a school teacher living near Columbus, Ohio, and they are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. John married Nettie Woods, of Columbus, Ohio, and two sons and two daughters con- stitute their family.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schleppi were born eight children, of whom four are now living, namely: Magdalene, Daniel, Christian and Caroline. Of those who passed away, William, Clara and Amanda died in infancy, and Edward departed this life at the age of twenty years. The eldest child, Magdalene, is the wife of Fred Karch, a farmer of Marion township, and they became the parents of five daughters and two sons, namely: Alma, Ella, Leroy, Effie, Raymond, Bertha and Hilda Elizabeth. Daniel, the second living member of the family, married Dora Runk, and lives in Madison township with his wife and children, two sons and two daughters: Earl, Edith, Celestia and Carl. Christian, who is living on the homestead farm, married Rose Wag- ner, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and they have one child, Edward Floyd. Caroline, the youngest of the family, is living with her mother.
Mr. Schleppi, whose name introduces this review, served for three years' as school director. He was a member of the German Lutheran church of Columbus, took an active part in its work, contributed liberally to its sup- port and lived an earnest Christian life. The farm which he owned he cleared from the timber, erected thereon the buildings and made all of the improve- ments, so that the place is a monument to his enterprise, capable management and labor. He died very suddenly of heart disease January 13, 1898, but he left his family not only a comfortable competence but also that untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He had the warm regard of many friends and was recognized as one of the valued citizens of the community. His widow still lives on the home farm. She has three times visited Germany, having crossed the Atlantic in 1889, 1895 and 1898 to visit her own and her husband's relatives. She is an estimable woman, possessing many excellencies of character, and her worth is widely recognized by those with whom she has been brought in contact.
ORA L. LAMP.
Ora L. Lamp, who follows farming in Truro township, was born in Truro township, Franklin county, on the 28th of May, 1879. His father, Nimrod Lamp, was a native of Licking county, Ohio, and about 1863 removed to Truro township. His first purchase of land comprised a tract of one hun- dred acres, to which he afterward added sixty acres. His early education was somewhat limited and he started in life without capital, but his energy and determination enabled him to become the possessor of an excellent farm. At the time he purchased his land it was all covered with forest trees, but soon they fell before the sturdy strokes of the woodman's ax, and as he cleared and improved his farm the well tilled fields yielded to him a good return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. He wedded Mary Jane Dust-
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heimer, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and unto them were born five chil- dren : James A .; William S .; Mary and Alice, who died in infancy ; and Ora L. The eldest son wedded Mary A. Enlow, of Truro township, and William S. married Minnie K. Roberts, of Mifflin township.
Mr. Lamp, whose name introduces this record, is indebted to the district schools of Truro township for the educational privileges which he enjoyed, his attendance at school being alternated with labor upon the home farm dur- ing the summer months. He also continued his education in the Reynolds- burg high school, where he was a student for six years. After putting aside his text books he began farming on his own account at the place where he now resides. He is one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community, and, though a young man, holds an enviable position among the substantial farmers. He has a valuable tract of land of one hundred and twelve acres, all of which is under cultivation.
Mr. Lamp was united in marriage to Miss Edna M. Powell, who was born in Mifflin township, the wedding being celebrated on the 5th of Septem- ber, 1900. Her father, Louis Powell, is a prominent farmer living in Mifflin township, where he was born on the 12th of January, 1852. He is a son of Samuel Powell, a native of Yorkshire, England, who came to Franklin county when about twenty years of age. He first located in Licking county, Ohio, and afterward removed to Mifflin township, where he lived until his death. His son, Louis Powell, after arriving at years of maturity wedded Clara Keim, who was born in Ohio, her parents having come from Pennsylvania to this state at an early day. She died in Indiana, leaving no children. For his second wife Mr. Powell married Emma Achey. They took up their abode in Mifflin township, where Mrs. Powell has spent her entire life. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Edna M., now the wife of Mr. Lamp; Louis C. and Gladys, who are with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamp have a pleasant home and their circle of friends is extensive in Franklin county, where they have spent their entire lives. Mr Lamp is a Democrat in his political affiliations in questions of state and national importance, but at local elections where no issue is involved he votes for the man, regardless of party affiliations. He contributes liberally to the sup- port of churches, and withholds his aid from no measure or movement cal- culated to prove of benefit to the community along substantial lines of progress.
ADAM G. GRANT.
It is the enterprise and character of the citizens that enrich and ennoble the commonwealth. From individual enterprise has sprung all the splendor and importance of this great west. The greatest merchants have developed from the humblest origins. From clerkships have emerged men who have built great busines's enterprises. America is a self-made country, and those who have created it are self-made men. No influence of birth or fortune has favored the architects of her glory. Among those who have achieved
A. G. GRANT.
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prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in Grove City the subject of this sketch, Adam G. Grant, occupies a prominent position. He is one of the most enterprising citizens of the county and the owner of the Grove City & Greenlawn Railroad, his home being in Grove City.
He was born in Jackson township, Franklin county, Ohio, February 25, 1840. He is a representative of one of the old and prominent New Eng- land families. His great-grandfather, Noah H. Grant, was born in Connecti- cut and was one of a family of nine children, to one of whom General Grant traced his ancestry. Noah Grant went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there spent one winter; but nothing else concerning his history is known by his descendants. The grandfather, Hugh Grant, was a native of Pittsburg, was reared in the Keystone state and became a miller by trade. He owned and operated a mill there and was also the owner of one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, which is now in the heart of Pittsburg. He exchanged that property for four hundred acres east of Grove City, Ohio, and in 1803 came to his new home,-the year in which the state was admitted to the Union. In the midst of the forest he took up his abode, being one of the first men to locate in the county. He was a great hunter, and after locating in Frank- lin county he in one day killed two panthers. The Indians were very numerous and one of their camps was located where Grove City now stands. The red men would come to the house of Mr. Grant and take what they wanted, when the grandfather of our subject was away; but they never carried anything off when he was near. In December, 1806, he was killed on what was known as the Samuel Landis farm. He had located a bee-tree and had climbed up to saw off the limb on which the bees had lighted, but the limb broke and he fell, the heavy limb striking his chest and killing him instantly. This was six months before the birth of his son Hugh, the father of our subject.
Hugh Grant, our subject's father, was a native of Jackson township, born June 30, 1807, and there throughout his life he resided upon the same farm, being well known as a leading and influential agriculturist of the com- munity. His methods of farming were progressive and practical, and his fields always indicated the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner. In politics he was a Democrat, and he held various offices in his township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in its work took an active part, doing all in his power to promote its growth and upbuilding. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, and in his death the community lost one of its most valued citizens, for he was widely known and highly esteemed for his sterling worth.
He was united in marriage to Miss Leah Diemer, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who was born in 1815. During her girlhood she came to Franklin county with her parents, Jacob and Eliza Diemer, who were of Pennsylvania German lineage. She was reared in Jackson township and died in the forty- fourth year of her age. By her marriage she became the mother of ten chil- dren : Eliza, who became the wife of Joseph Fagg and is now deceased ; Mary, the wife of the late William Sibray, of Grove City; Catherine, the wife of 52
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R. Higgy, of Grove City; Elizabeth, the widow of Rev. A. R. Miller, a resi- dent of Columbus, Ohio: A. G., of this review ; Sarah, the widow of Samuel L. Quinn, making her home in Columbus; Nancy Matilda, the deceased wife of C. L. Webster, of Worthington; Emma, the wife of Aaron Neiswender, of Grove City: Robert D., a merchant of Grove City; and George H., who is a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad, and for twenty years has made his home in Sacramento, California.
AAdam Grant, the fifth child and the eldest son of the first family above mentioned, was reared on the farm which his grandfather had purchased in 1803, and in his youth attended the district school, walking two miles to the little log school house wherein he conned the lessons which formed the rather limited curriculum of the time. The school-room was furnished with slab seats, and a single pane of glass formed the window. Later he enjoyed the privileges afforded by the Grove City schools, and for one term was a student at Delaware; but in 1861 the Civil war was inaugurated and the excitement of the times was such that he could not confine his attention to his books. He returned home and worked on the farm with his father, and in April, 1862, located in Sierra county, California, where he was a miner for two years. In 1864 he returned to Grove City, where he embarked in merchandising, which he carried on for about twenty-seven years, in connection with other business interests. He is now engaged in farming, and for twenty-eight years he was engaged in the manufacture of brick in Grove City. For the past eighteen years he has been a member of the firm of Cooke, Grant & Cooke, of Columbus, contractors, doing an extensive business, and for six- teen years he has been connected with the grain trade, owning an elevator at Grove City. Through two decades he was associated with ex-Sheriff Barbee in stock-dealing, handling the greater part of the stock shipped from this part of the country, their operations extending also into Pickaway and Madi- son counties. In 1889 he laid out into town lots eighty acres, known as Grant's Beulah addition to Grove City, constituting at least one-half of the town. This has become its most populous portion, the number of its inhabitants increasing from two hundred and seventy-two in 1890 to eight hundred in the present year. He has erected in the town altogether about fifty buildings.
On the Ist of May, 1898, he began the construction of the Grove City & Greenlawn Railroad, a line six miles in length, connecting this enterprising place with Ohio's capital. He is the sole owner of the road, which has proved a very great benefit to Grove City and the surrounding country, supplying shipping and transportation facilities. The road has been in operation for three years, and not an accident or injury has occurred in connection with it in that time.
Mr. Grant also owns real estate in Columbus, and his business interests' are very extensive and important. No man has contributed in a greater degree to the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of Jackson town- ship than Adam G. Grant; and no man stands higher in the estimation of his
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fellow citizens than he. The great secret of Mr. Grant's success is to be attributed not only to his tireless energy and labor, but also to his strictly honest and upright dealings. None of his large fortune has been accumulated at the expense of others, but, on the contrary, many are largely indebted to him for their present prosperity, while the city in which he has accumulated his wealth, as in the past, will in the future be benefited by his expenditures.
JOHN M. KARNS.
John M. Karns is a retired farmer living in Galloway. His has been a busy, active and useful career, and now in his later life he well deserves the rest which he is enjoying, it being a merited compensation for the toil of former years. He is of Holland lineage, the Karns family having been founded in America by Jacob Karns, the great-grandfather of our subject, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Berkeley county, Virginia, his home being near Martinsburg. There he owned and operated a large plantation and also engaged in loaning money. His entire life was there passed after his arrival in the new world. Adam Karns, the grandfather of our subject, was a boy when he accompanied his parents to the United States. He became a planter and spent the residue of his days in the Old Dominion, where he married Miss Margaret Peggy, a native of Ireland. She, too, died in Virginia. Their children were William, who became a minister of the gospel and died in Illinois ; Jacob: John; Benjamin ; David; George; and a daughter who died in Virginia. All have now passed away.
John Karns, the father of our subject, was born in Martinsburg, Vir- ginia, in 1816. He was only six years of age at the time of the war of 1812. His father started for the front and the little son followed him and vigorously protested against being sent back home. When about twenty years of age he came to Columbus, Ohio, and learned the shoemaker's trade with John Greenwood, following that pursuit in the capital city, in Springfield, Ohio, and in Fort Finley. He married, in Columbus, Miss Annie Fountain, who was born in Maryland in 1812, and was a daughter of William Fountain, whose wife died in Maryland. The mother of our subject was fourteen years of age when she came to Ohio. After leaving Findlay Mr. Karns located on a farm in Hancock county, Ohio, near what is now the town of Gilboy, and there he owned one hundred acres of land, giving in part payment for this his property in Findlay. His wife died on the farm in 1851, after which the family became scattered, the father going to Columbus, where he died in 1882. In his political views he was a Democrat, and in religious faith his wife was connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In their family were the following children: John M., of this review : George, who is living in Norwich township: William, who died in Madison county, Ohio ; Leonidas, of Rome, Ohio; Mary Ann; Sarah, wife of David Shoup, of Kansas; Mrs.
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Phœbe Leavick, deceased ; Jacob, of Belle Center, Ohio; and Smith, of Frank- lin county.
The subject of this review was born in Columbus October 16, 1831, and was only two years old when his father removed to Springfield, where he began his education at the usual age. He afterward accompanied his parents to Findlay, Ohio, where he completed his education at the age of nineteen. He then learned the carpenter's trade, but during the greater part of his life has followed farming. He worked for his father on the home farm in Han- cock county until after the death of his mother, when he went to Columbus and resumed work at the carpenter's trade. He was married in 1854 and then took up farming, renting a tract of land in Franklin county until 1861, when he purchased a farm of fifty-two acres, a mile and a half south of Alton. There he located and gave his attention to the improvement and cultivation of the place until 1896. In that year his home was destroyed by fire, and, being unable to actively engage in farming there, he next spent two years at Alton, and then purchased his present home in Gallaway, where he has since resided.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Karns manifested his loyalty by enlist- ing at Camp Chase in 1865 as a private of Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry, for one year or during the war. He served for seven months and then, hostilities having ended, he received an honorable dis- charge and returned to his home. At the time of his enlistment the regiment proceeded to Nashville, but on account of high water could proceed only to Louisville, where the troops were assigned to guard duty. When the war was over Mr. Karns gladly returned to his home and family. He had been married, on the 19th of December, 1854, to Miss Millie Jane Clover, who was born in Prairie township December 14, 1837, a daughter of Joshua and Rachel (Roten) Clover. She was reared to womanhood in Prairie town- ship and by her marriage she became the mother of seven children : Viola and Emma, who died in infancy; Ida Alice, wife of Gabriel Holsberry, of Alton; Irene, wife of Duke Story, of Pleasant township; John D., of Colum- bus, who married Louise Baum; Jennie, wife of William Reardon; and Emma May, at home.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan Mr. Karns has been a stanch advocate of Democratic principles, never swerving from his' allegiance to the party, yet never seeking office as a reward for his support. His life has been an active and useful one and through the legitimate channels of business he has won a handsome competence which now enables him to live retired. Thus in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest he is residing at, his pleasant home in Galloway.
EDWARD HOPPER.
Edward Hopper, who is engaged in farming in Prairie township, Frank- lin county, traces his ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. His grandfather, Alexander Hopper, was a farmer in that country, living in the vicinity of
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Cork. At an early day he brought his wife and children to the United States, landing in New York city, whence he made his way to Virginia, afterward coming to Ohio. Here he took up his abode at Franklinton and devoted his energies to the development and improvement of a tract of land. He was of medium build, but was very strong and was noted for his powers as a swim- mer, but eventually he was drowned in the Scioto river while ferrying across in a canoe above Franklinton, his boat being drawn over the falls. He was then quite well advanced in years.
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