USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 116
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As soon as old enough Dr. Reason began his education in the district schools of his native township, where he pursued his studies until fifteen, and then attended the high school at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, one year, and the Ohio Normal at Ada the same length of time. After teaching school for five years in this county he entered the Starling Medical College, at Colum- bus, where he pursued a three years' course and was graduated in 1895. He immediately opened an office at Hilliard, and has since successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.
In Norwich township, this county, Dr. Reason married Miss Etta Van Schoyck, a daughter of Sylvester and Margaret ( Roberts) Van Schoyck. She was born in that township November 5, 1868, and after attending the township schools was a student at the Hilliard high school for four years. She taught for one year in Perry township, this county, prior to her marriage. She is a most estimable lady, who makes many friends.
Socially Dr. Reason is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and religiously is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Hilliard. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican. For the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, for he is strictly self-made, having earned the money to pay his way through college. He is now a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and the Amercian Medical Society, and he has that love for and devotion to his profession which has brought to him success and won him a place among the ablest representatives of the medical fraternity in his locality.
WILLIAM F. REED.
This well-known agriculturist of Perry township is a native of Franklin county, his birth occurring in Madison township on the 29th of July, 1825. His parents were Victor and Elizabeth (Fleming) Reed, both representatives of honored pioneer families of this county, who took up land in Madison township. The mother was born August 6, 1805, and died April 24, 1872. She was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (McDowell) Fleming, of Scotch- Irish descent, whose other children were Sallie, wife of Robert Kile, and Peggy, wife of Samuel Harmon. After the death of her father her mother
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married Benjamin Clevenger, by whom she had two children, James and Eli. The mother of our subject was twice married, her second husband being John Legg.
The first ten years of his life William F. Reed spent in his native town- ship, attending the common schools, and then came to Perry township with his mother and step-father. On attaining his majority he started out in life tor himself as a farmer, and purchased a tract of land in Perry township, which he subsequently sold, at that time buying the farm of seventy-two acres on which he has since made his home.
On the 26th of October, 1847, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Reed and Miss Mary E. Nets, a daughter of Jacob Nets, a pioneer of this county from Pennsylvania. By this union were born six children, but only one is now living, Franklin P., who resides near his father. Those deceased were Margaret E., Laura J., John M., Mary L. and Hannah A. The wife and mother passed away December 12, 1893, at the age of sixty-five years, ten months and four days. She was a member of the Reformed church and a most exemplary Christian.
Mr. Reed was again married, December 19, 1894, his second union leing with Miss Clara Blackburn, daughter of John Wesley and Sarah Ellen (Stansbury ) Blackburn, of Perry county, Ohio, and to them have been born two children, Mabel Elizabeth and William Fleming, Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are active members of the Reformed church, with which they have been connected for some time, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. He is a Democrat in politics and always supports that party's candidates at the polls.
SERENUS S. SOUDER.
Serenus S. Souder, one of the leading, enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Jefferson township, was born February 23, 1851, in this part of Franklin county, his parents being Solomon and Susanna (Clotts) Souder. The ancestral history of the family cannot better be given than the following record, which was prepared concerning Jonas Souder, the grand- father of our subject, and his family. This is the work of one of the Souders, and reads as follows :
"The family of Jonas Souder, the ancestor of the Soudertown branch of the Souder family, came to Ohio in the year 1825, twenty-two years after the state had been admitted into the Union, and thirty-seven years after the first settlement in Ohio had been made at Marietta. While they were not the earliest settlers, they had no advantage over the first settlers except that the Indians had been subdued; consequently, while we heard the older mem- bers of the family tell about going to Zanesville for a barrel of salt and of going forty and fifty miles to mill, we never heard them tell about any per- sonal encounters with the Indians. While the fact that the Indians had already been driven from this part of the state made it a much safer place of
SOLOMON SOUDER.
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abode than it had been in earlier times, it did not render the means of gain- ing a livelihood any easier. The country was still one dense wilderness, without churches, schools, bridges, foundries, mills, stores, or even dwelling houses.
"The Souder family is of German descent. It is said that the name of the ancestor who came from Germany to this country was Frederick Souder, that he left his native country and came to Virginia at the age of twenty-one. Like so many of the Germans, he left the fatherland in order to escape mili- tary service, it being the custom there then, as now, that all adult males are required to serve a certain time in the king's army. According to the rec- ords, Frederick Souder had seven children, five sons and two daughters. Two of his sons were Jonas and Martin Souder, who moved to Franklin county, Ohio. It is said that another son's name was John, and that he was accidentally killed in one of the northern counties of Ohio. One son is said to have emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, and the remaining one to Indiana. Even tradition is silent as to the daughters, except that one of them married a man by the name of Kline. The inscription on the tombstone of Jonas Souder says that he died May 19, 1858, aged seyenty-nine years, one month and ten days; according to that, he was born on the 9th day of April, 1779. His father died when he was but seven years old, and his mother two years later. The orphan children were bound out to different families, and in this way became separated, which accounts for the fact that so little is known of Jonas Souder's brothers and sisters. After his marriage he lived in Hardy county, Virginia. He married Barbara Baughman, and there were twelve children born of this marriage; first five sons: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John and Solomon; then seven daughters: Rebecca, Catherine, Sarah, Ruth, Mary Ann, Christina and Eliza. All except Eliza were born in Hardy county, Virginia, and they are all dead except Mrs. Sarah Car- penter.
"Jonas Souder owned some property in Virginia, but was not a slave- holder. At that time all the work on the farmns and large plantations was done by slaves, making it difficult for white men to obtain work. There is no doubt that he experienced, to a certain extent, at least, the condition of that class of people which the historians of our country have described as 'poor whites.' On account of the limited opportunities offered to himself and his family in Virginia, he decided to sell his place and try his fortune west of the mountains. In company with his brother Martin, he took a pros- pecting trip into Ohio in the spring of 1825. After spending some time looking at various places, he selected a tract of one hundred acres in Jeffer- son township, Franklin county, Ohio. He then returned to Virginia to bring his family to the new home. The method of moving was the usual one of that date, which consisted in loading the few essential household articles in a wagon, the older members of the family all walking the entire distance. The wagon in which they moved their goods had a canvas cover, and was all the protection the family had until they had time to build a house. They
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arrived at their new home in the month of October, 1825. The house which they built immediately upon their arrival here served as a shelter for a number of years, when a new house was built. The latter was repaired and remodeled a number of years ago, and is still occupied. Jonas Souder had learned the art of distilling in Virginia, and brought a still with him when he came to this state. He followed the distilling business for a long time in this county. In those days people took apples and peaches to the distillers and had them inade into brandy, the distiller retaining half of the product as pay for his trouble. Of the sons, Abraham was a blacksmith by trade, Isaac was a car- penter and Jacob was a shoemaker, but all five of the sons of Jonas Souder owned farms and made tilling of the soil their principal occupation.
"Jonas Souder had made preparations to go to the war of 1812, but before reaching the seat of operations the war ended or the emergency which had demanded his services was bridged over. His five sons had almost a simi- lar experience at the time of the Mexican war. They had all five enlisted in one company and had secured their uniforms. Solomon Souder was the standard-bearer of the company. The call came that they were needed and they donned their uniforms and went to Columbus, when word was received that the war was ended, and they went home again without seeing any service. Several members of the Souder family, if not all of them, sympathized with the south during the war of the Rebellion. There is no evidence that any of them ever belonged to the disreputable secret organization to which so much odium was attached, as the Knights of the Golden Circle. I do not think that they favored a continuance of slavery, but they did not fully ap- prove of the method which the government had taken to free the slaves. They deplored the great expense, the loss of property to the southern people, and especially the great bloodshed which the war necessitated. As far as I can remember of hearing them express themselves, they favored the idea of the government buying the slaves and setting them free. That they sympa- thized with the south more or less is but natural when it is remembered that their native state of Virginia took such an active part in the rebellion. Another explanation of their position during the Civil war is found in the fact that they were all stanch Democrats, and they were in the same attitude toward the government as the political party to which they belonged. The Souders have believed in the brand of Democracy taught by Thomas Jeffer- son and Andrew Jackson, and the younger generation now believes in that advocated by William J. Bryan. I am not aware that Jonas Souder or any of his five sons ever held any office other than school director or supervisor. None of them ever sought any county or even township office.
"As a general rule, the Souders and their descendants have been strict adherents of the Lutheran faith. Jonas Souder and his wife were both members of the Lutheran church, and their children were all brought up in that faith, every one of the eleven that grew to manhood or womanhood having been confirmed. It can truthfully be said that the Souder people have never been church members out of ostentation or display, but because
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they have sincerely believed in the doctrine of Christianity. With them the Bible has not been a book with which to ornament the center-table, but they have read the scriptures to the best of their ability and earnestly tried to practice the teachings of the sacred work. Some of the Souders have been quite proficient in the knowledge of the Bible. It may be remarked in passing that no doubt some of the younger members of the various families have thought that their parents were too familiar with the contents of the Bible, especially that part which says 'spare the rod and spoil the child.' It is needless to remind a great many of those present that the Souders were ardent believers in the effciency of the rod, and the belief was not permitted to become weak from lack of practice. If there was any question about its use, King Solomon's saying was given the benefit of the doubt and the rod was used. It is not intended to convey the idea that they were more severe than a great many others of their time. They simply followed the teachings of the age in which they lived, and according to which corporal punishment was more frequently resorted to than it is at the present time. It has since been heard that there are efficient and pleasant ways of training children in which the use of the rod plays a very insignificent part."
Solomon Souder, the father of Serenus S. Souder, was born in what was then Hardin county, Virginia, but is now West Virginia, on the 12th of April, 1814, his parents being Jonas and Barbara ( Baughman) Souder. He was reared in his parents' home and acquired a common-school education. In early manhood he married Miss Susanna Clotts, and then turned his atten- tion to farming on his own account. He operated the old homestead for a short time, and then purchased seven and a half acres of land where the old homestead residence now stands. Not long afterward he became the owner by purchase of ninety acres opposite his home on the south side of the road. That tract he obtained from the Carroll heirs, and later he bought forty-seven acres of land from Dr. Kimball adjoining his home place on the east. Another purchase of twenty-four and a half acres, obtained from the Kittsmiller estate, increased his farm to an acreage of more than a quarter of a section. He died in 1887, and was at that time in very comfortable financial circumstances. He was a loyal and consistent member of the Lu- theran church, and always had his children attend its regular services. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, but never sought or desired office, and among the highly esteemed citizens of the county he was numbered. Unto Solomon and Susanna (Clotts) Souder have been born five children, but two of the number have now passed away. Those still living are: Lewis, a resident of Columbus; Amanda, the wife of Thomas Beem, of Summit Sta- tion, Licking county, Ohio; and Serenus S.
In taking up the personal history of our subject we present to our read- ers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Franklin county, where he has long resided. He spent his youth upon his father's farm, and was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty there. He received a limited education in the common schools, but being the eldest
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son, the burden of farm work devolved upon him, and as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields. The father suffered much from rheumatism, and our subject was given permission to manage the farm in the way he pleased. He showed himself well qualified for the responsi- bilities that devolved upon him, successfully managing the property, and after his father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead. He is a member of the Lutheran church and a man of genuine worth, who throughout his active business career has ever deserved and received the confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact.
CHARLES H. MILLER.
Mr. Miller, a prominent business man of Columbus, is a native of Eng- land, and was born in 1833, a son of William and Jane ( Boys) Miller, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of England. A tanner by trade, William Miller easily obtained remunerative employment after emigrating to the United States, following his chosen vocation in Geauga county, Ohio, and later at Paynesville, where both parents died. Our subject became a student at the Painesville Academy, later attending Burton Academy, at Burton Center, Ohio. After leaving school he engaged in teaching in Madison county for four years, and subsequently to his marriage he removed to Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois, where he continued to teach.
In 1861 Mr. Miller testified to his love for his country by enlisting in the army, joining Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volun-, teers, under the command of Colonel Robert D. Latham, and faithfully served until 1864. Upon the organization of the regiment he was commissioned adjutant by Governor Yates. His fortune led him through a. great part of the fighting district of the war, he being present at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, at the siege and fall of Vicksburg, at the capture of Little Rock and the battle of Pine Bluffs, when he was promoted to the command of the regiment as lieutenant-colonel. There the regiment was mustered out of service in August, 1865, when he was brevetted colonel.
Returning home to take up again the pursuits of peace, Mr. Miller settled in Lincoln, Illinois, where he entered upon the reading of law, and was admit- ted to the bar in 1867, beginning his practice in Lincoln and remaining there until 1870. Removing then to Tiffin, Ohio, he established in that city an agency for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, but in 1880 he came to Columbus, where he engaged in manufacturing for five years, and on the accession of Governor Foraker his ability received instant recognition, he being immediately appointed by the chief executive superintendent of the Institution for the Blind in this city. In this difficult and important position he continued for four years, but upon a change taking place in the adminis- tration Mr. Miller quietly retired, having ably and honorably performed the onerous duties.
In 1890 Mr. Miller established the Columbian Building, Loan and Invest-
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ment Company, with its vast authorized capital, and upon its organization lie was made secretary and general manager, but has since withdrawn. He is now interested in the real-estate and loan business as a member of the firm of E. B. Roberts & Company.
The marriage of Mr. Miller took place in Madison county, Ohio, to Miss Isabel Gullett, a daughter of William and Eliza (Goslee) Gullett, and two children were born of this union,-Eugene, living in Delaware county, on a farm; and Charles William, a graduate of Ohio State University and of Starling Medical College, at Columbus. Mr. Miller is a member of McCoy Post, G. A. R., and is honored by his comrades as one whose war record is a matter worthy of pride. He is a progressive and intelligent citizen, and is deeply interested in the advancement of his city.
WILLIAM Y. POSTLE.
William Y. Postle, who owns and operates a farm of eighty acres in Prairie township, Franklin county, was born on the old family homestead in this township December 3, 1843, his parents being Lewis and Caroline Postle, both of whom are now deceased. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and began his education in the district school near his home, his first teacher being Ruth Ann Hamilton. Later he enjoyed educational privileges in Central College, but it was not until after his return from the war that he pursued his collegiate course. At the age of nineteen years he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting on the 12th of August, 1862, in Prairie township, as a private in Company C, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Allis and Colonel McMillan. He was at the front for four months when he was wounded above the right knee at the battle of Richmond. He was taken to the hospital and there remained for seven weeks, and was then sent home, being honorably discharged on the 6th of September, 1863. A year passed before he was able to walk without the aid of crutches.
Mr. Postle remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated m 1875, Miss Catherine Sheehan becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Patrick Sheehan, and by her marriage has become the mother of four chil- dren : Welcome C., now in St. Louis, Missouri; Ethel, the wife of Fred Miers, of Franklin township; Beatrice, at home; and Lewis K., who is still under the parental roof.
After his marriage Mr. Postle located on his present farm of eighty acres. and has since devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of his land. His fields give evidence of the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and in return yield to him a golden tribute. He is a man of diligence and unfaltering purpose, and his indefatigable efforts have brought to him a desirable competence. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Galloway, in which he is serving as trustee. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican, but has never sought or desired the emoluments of public office.
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He is a member of the W. H. Elliott Post, G. A. R., at Alton, and has served as its quartermaster for sixteen years. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and filled every chair in Prairie Lodge at Rome.
FREDERICK STOMBAUGH.
Frederick Stombaugh, now deceased, was a most worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Franklin county and a valued citizen, enterpris- ing and public spirited. He was born in this county, in what is now Marion township, but was then a part of Hamilton township, June II, ISII. His father, John Stombaugh, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man left the Keystone state for Ohio, settling in Franklin county. Here he married Catherine Baker, and upon a farm in the midst of the green forest they began their domestic life. Their home was a little log cabin which Mr. Stombaugh built. Subsequently it was destroyed by fire, and he then erected a brick residence, but his death occurred before its completion, so that he was never able to enjoy his new home.
Frederick Stombaugh, of this review, was born, reared and married on the old family homestead, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. He experienced all the hardships and trials of life on the frontier, and assisted in the arduous task of developing the new farm. He was an industrious and energetic farmer, and his labor resulted in making his property a highly improved place, although he met with some financial difficulties in his latter life.
Mr. Stombaugh married Miss Elizabeth Baylor, who was born in Penn- sylvania and came to Franklin county when eight years of age. They be- came the parents of six daughters and one son. Eveline, the eldest child, was born on the farm which is now her home December 29, 1839. Mary C. became the wife of Jacob Wright, by whom she had two children, and by. her second husband. John S. Borror, of Madison county, Ohio, where they are now living, she had two children, of whom one survives, William Wright. Elizabeth, the third of the Stombaugh family, is deceased. Sallie is the wife of Dr. Orloff Schueller, of Marion township. John married Eliza Jane Clickenger and lives in Marion township. Mattie, the youngest of the family, is the wife of T. J. Moore. also a resident of Marion township.
At the death of Mr. Stombaugh his eldest child was about twenty years of age and the youngest four years old. He had involved himself to some extent by going security for another, and the burden of this obligation fell upon Mrs. Stombaugh, who with the help of her older children saved the property and placed the family on an independent footing. This able and worthy woman died February 13, 1898. in her eighty-first year, and is sin- cerely mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Stombaugh lived to the age of fifty years. In his political views he was formerly a Whig ,and on the dis- solution of the party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. Both
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our subject and his wife enjoyed the high regard of many friends, and to their children they left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Under the able managment of Miss Eveline Stombaugh the homestead is one of the agricultural successes of Marion township. The place consists of about forty-eight acres of rich and well-cultivated land adjoining the corporation line of the city of Columbus, and is a very desirable property.
WILL STARR WHITE.
The subject of this biographical sketch is the son of a soldier, has him- self risked life in defense of the flag, and is a nephew of two soldiers and a grand nephew of a colonel who fought gallantly for the preservation of the Union during the Civil war. Major White was born at Decatur, Illinois, October 8, 1869, a son of Henry A. and Caroline Camden (McFarland) White, and came to Columbus, Ohio, which city has since been his home, :vith his father's family in 1874, when about five years old, and was educated in the Columbus high school. Henry White, who died in 1885, was a native of New York city. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery and served one hundred days, and by re-enlistment three years longer in the Army of the Potomac, participating in all the great battles which it fought and acquitting himself in all ways as a brave and patriotic soldier. After he took up his residence at Columbus he was until his death in the saddlery business on the site of the present court house.
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