USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 92
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well known there at this time. Robert Nelson's youngest daughter, Mary Ann, married James Armstrong, brother of W. W. Armstrong, of the Cleve- land Leader. David Nelson, Jr., married Mary Taylor, daughter of Isaac Taylor, a wealthy tanner of Columbus, who died at the age of seventy-eight in 1850. For his second wife he married Miss Maria Carleton, of Detroit, Michigan. By his first marriage he had twelve children and by his second he had seven. He was prominent as a citizen and active in religious work and was one of the founders and a member of the first board of trustees of the first Presbyterian church of Columbus.
Charles and Catharine Taylor ( Nelson ) Eldridge had three children, the eldest of whom is Frank Eldridge, a lieutenant commander in the United States navy, who was appointed to the United States Naval school at Annapolis, Maryland, from Columbus, in 1872, by Governor Denison, after having grad- uated in 1869 from the Columbus high school and devoted some time to prepar- atory study. Early in the Spanish war he started for Manila on the gunboat Helena, but was ordered back at Gibraltar and afterward saw service in Cuba. He has recently returned from China. His wife was Miss Lucy Ramsden, of Fulton, New York. John Eldridge was graduated from the high school at Columbus in 1869, and after having been for some years in the retail grocery business in 1882 founded the wholesale grocery house of Eldridge & Hig- gins, from which he retired in 1890. He is now a director of the board of trade of Columbus. He married Miss Estelle Day, of Columbus, daugh- ter of Gen. D. W. H. Day, from Bowling Green, Ohio, who was prominent in the Civil war. Wilbur Eldridge, a prominent real-estate man of Colum- bus, was graduated at the high school of the city in 1877, and was for some years in the grocery business. He engaged in his present enterprise in 1886 and has become prominent in connection with the building trade. He married Miss Eleanor Brown. of Jackson, Ohio, daughter of Isaac Brown. who is prominent in coal and iron circles by reason of his connection with the Star Furnace and Coal mines, and they have one child, Dorothy, now seven years old. Mrs. Catharine Taylor (Nelson) Eldridge, mother of these chil- dren, died in 1896, aged seventy years, and the father passed away in 1891.
GEORGE W. BROWNE.
In the service of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad Company is Mr. Browne, who is filling the position of a passenger conductor. He maintains his residence in Columbus, his present address being No. 975 High- land street. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Newville, Cumber- land county, on the 4th of July, 1856. and is descended from good old Revo- lutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather having been the famous John Browne of Revolutionary times. The grandfather of our subject also bore the name of John Browne and was born in Pennsylvania July 26, 1772, his death occurring on the 20th of May, 1844. His wife, Mrs. Susannah Browne, was born in Pennsylvania January 15, 1790, and died October 7, 1877: Her
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family name was Krischer and by her marriage she became the mother of the following named: John, born July 26, 1782; Susannah, born January. 15, 1790; David, born March 9, 1808; John, born January 9, 1810; Eliza- beth, born September 2, 1811; Jacob, born November 5, 1812; Hetty, born February 20, 1814; Jessie, born January 31, 1816; Ben, born April 2, 1818; Absalom, born November 1I, 1820; Susannah, born May 17, 1822; Rebecca, born March 22, 1826; Harriet, born April 24, 1827; and G. W., born May I, 1829. Of the foregoing, David B. died July 18, 1882; John died June 20, 1889; Elizabeth became Mrs. Ornsdorff and died January 24, 1868; and Jacob died July 10, 1886. John Browne, the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone state June 9, 1810. He married Miss Catherine Grimes January 30, 1835. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, and died at her home in Newville, that state, June 4, 1878, while her husband passed away on the 20th of June, 1887. Their children are all yet living, namely : Eliza, born August 21, 1836, was married, December 21, 1854, to William Varnard ; Hadassah, born November 9, 1837, was married, in December, 1860, to Zeb. B. Mull; Susannah, born December 9, 1839, was married to J. R. Deckard September 17, 1857; Sarah C., born November 13, 1841, is the wife of D. W. Spencer, their marriage being celebrated December 13, 1866; Benjamin F., born February 19, 1843, and was married, in September, 1866, to Miss Sadie Hurtsberger, with whom he is now living on a farm near Cripple Creek, Colorado; John P., born February 1, 1849, was married, September 4, 1893, to Miss Alice N. Elliott, and is working as a tinner in the Pennsylvania shops at Renovo, Pennsylvania; Rebecca, born December 31, 1845, was married, March 28, 1867, to J. B. Kendig; and Anna M., born May 21, 1852, is the wife of D. L. Sallenberger, their marriage having been consummated Novem- ber 29, 1876.
George W. Browne, whose name introduces this record, acquired his early education in the public schools of his native town, and after arriving at years of maturity he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Maggie Raleigh, their wedding occurring in Hudson, Ohio, January I, 1885. Her father, John Raleigh, was born in Ireland in 1815, and in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 27th of January, 1858, he wedded Miss Mary McDer- mott, also a native of the Emerald Isle. Their children were James, born November 25, 1858; Ed, born March 8, 1860; Mary Ann, born March 27, 1861 ; John, born May 10, 1862; Margaret T., born October 3, 1863; Will- iam R., born March 17, 1865; Timothy, born June 28, 1867; Michael, born June 21, 1869; Catherine R., born June 27, 1871; Robert R., born Septem- ber 4, 1872; and Patrick, born June 30, 1875.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Browne resided in Hudson, Ohio, until 1898, when they removed to Columbus. Their children are Louis M., born October 3, 1885; Isabella G., born November 2, 1886; John C., born June 29, 1888; George D., born September 27, 1889; Anna M., born Novem- ber 3, 1891; and Mary Octavia, born April 11, 1893. The only death in the family occurred April 26, 1890, when they lost their son John C.
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In September, 1875. Mr. Browne became connected with the railway service as a brakeman on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, continuing there until January 1. 1877, when he went to Kansas, remaining until December of the same year. He then returned to Pennsylvania and resumed his old position on the road. In 1881 he went south and was in the employ of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company until January, 1882. On the 11th of July of that year he began his work on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad as a brakeman, and has since been in the service of the company. In September of the same year he was made a freight conductor, and on the 25th of May, 1885, was promoted to the position of passenger conductor, since which time he has been in charge of a passenger train. He belongs to the Masonic order. holding membership in the blue lodge of Orrville, Ohio, and in Clinton Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M. The family are members of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Browne has always been a stanch Republican.
JOHN BOUCHER.
The life work of John Boucher is ended, but its influence is still felt, his efforts having not been unavailing. For some time he was numbered among the enterprising farmers of Pleasant township, and there are many who remember him and will gladly receive this record of his career. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1835, his parents being Timothy and Mary (Barrows) Boucher, also natives of the Keystone state. At the age of six years he accompanied his father and mother to the Buckeye state, the family taking up their abode in Pleasant township. He pursued his educa- tion in a log school house such as' was common at that day and assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing wild land, for this sec- tion of the country was covered with a dense growth of native forest trees, which had to be cut and disposed of ere a furrow could be turned.
In 1858 Mr. Boucher was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Duff, who was born in Jackson township, Franklin county, May 20, 1832. Her father, William Duff, was also a native of this county and wedded Nancy Orders, whose birth occurred here and who was a daughter of Jonas Orders. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Duff located in Jackson township, where he owned three hundred acres of land. He was also the owner of a tract of one hundred and fifty acres in Georgesville. Both he and his wife spent their last days on the old homestead, where they had so long resided and where they had reared their family of twelve children. The family record for patriotism and loyalty is almost unsurpassed and is one of which the repre- sentatives of the name have every reason to be proud, for John, Adam, George, William, David. Allen and Jonas-seven brothers-were all soldiers in the Union army, wearing the blue as defenders of the stars and stripes. The last named died while at the front. Mrs. Boucher was reared to womanhood on the pioneer farm which her father owned and often assisted in the work
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of the fields or performed her share of labor in the woods. She pursued her education in a log school house which was a half-mile from her home, the path winding through a dense forest. Her studies were continued at intervals until eighteen years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, namely : Amos, who is now living in Kansas; Roxie, wife of Frank Cummins; William, deceased; George and Charles, who are living in Pleasant township; and Wesley, at home.
The parents began their domestic life upon the farm of four hundred acres owned by Mr. Boucher, their home being a little log cabin of one story. Prior to his death Mr. Boucher cleared the entire farm and became one of the most substantial and prominent agriculturists in his township. The task of cutting away the trees, preparing the land for the plow and placing the fields under cultivation was a very difficult one, but with resolute spirit he carried it forward and in course of time bounteous harvests rewarded his. toil. In politics he was independent, supporting the men and measures in which he believed, regardless of party affiliations. In early life he joined the Methodist Episcopal church and was very true to its teachings. A man of domestic tastes, he found his greatest happiness in his home amidst his family, and it seemed that he could not do too much to enhance the welfare of his wife and children. He was fond of reading and always kept well versed on the questions of the day. With him friendship was inviolable, and he was ever a good neighbor, a devoted husband and father, a loyal citizen and an earnest Christian gentleman. He passed away March 4, 1892, mourned by many friends. Mrs. Boucher still resides upon the old home- stead in Pleasant township and is an estimable lady whose worth is widely acknowledged.
ADAM BOYER.
The name of this gentleman has for many years been inseparably inter- woven with the building interests of Columbus, for as a contractor he has erected many of the finest structures of the city and is a prominent factor in business circles', where he is well known for his reliability. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of February, 1834, and is' a son of George and Rebecca (Rieser) Boyer, also natives of that county. They continued their residence in that locality until 1885, when they removed to Dauphin county, Pennsylvania.
Adam Boyer spent his early boyhood days in Berks county, there remain- ing until his seventeenth year, and during that period he received a limited common-school education. In 1858 he came to Ohio, first locating in Dela- ware. He had previously worked at the carpenter's trade to some extent before leaving Pennsylvania and afterward resumed his' labors along that line, eventually becoming a contractor and builder. His expert workmanship connected him prominently with the building interests of the city and many residences, business houses and churches still stand as monuments' to his
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skill and enterprise there. For many years has he now been a resident of Colum- bus and is regarded as one of the leading contractors and builders of the capital city. He has taken contracts for the erection of many houses of worship and dwellings in South Columbus. He is a skilled mechanic and is therefore capable of directing the labors of the men who are employed under him. He lives faithfully up to the terms of his contracts and has the unqual- ified confidence of those whom he serves.
In 1860 Mr. Boyer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Troutman, of Delaware, a daughter of William Troutman, one of the pioneer residents of that place. Three children have been born of their union, a son and two daughters : Alonzo, now a carpenter and builder; Esther, wife of O. Lewis; and Cora Martha, at home. Mr. Boyer maintains his residence in Clinton- ville, Ohio. He is an upright, moral Christian gentleman, integrity being synonymous with his name, and wherever he has lived he has enjoyed the unqualified confidence of his fellow men.
SAMUEL W. LAKIN.
This honored veteran of the Civil war and a prominent farmer of Perry. township, is a worthy representative of an old distinguished family of Mary- land that was founded in that state by Abraham Lakin. He was born in England in 1713 and his people were prominent in that country. They held patents from the crown of England to a large estate in Frederick county, Maryland, and there Abraham Lakin located in 1743. Through Lord Bacon's agent he purchased land in Middletown valley from the British government, and this property is still in possession of the family, being owned by Henry D. Lakin. Upon the place is the old family cemetery, where lie buried master and slaves which have crossed the dark river of death. For the most part they have been adherents of the Protestant Episcopal church. Abraham Lakin died in 1796, in his eighty-third year, and his wife died in her eighty- second year, leaving two sons, Abraham, Jr., and Daniel, the grandfather of our subject and a native of Frederick county, Maryland. The former's son, William Lakin, was a member of the Seventh Maryland Regiment during the Revolutionary war, and by act of the state legislature was given fifty acres of land in Maryland for his services. There was also one member of the family in the war of 1812.
Daniel Lakin, Jr., the father of our subject, was born and reared in Frederick county, Maryland, and when a young man came to Franklin county, Ohio, in 1830, bringing with him sufficient money to purchase one hundred acres of land in Clinton township and one hundred and forty acres in Perry township. Upon the former place he made his home, and meeting with suc- cess in his farming operations he became one of the prosperous citizens of that locality, as well as one of its representative men, holding the office of township trustee for many years. He was a prominent member of the Episcopal church and took quite an active part in religious work. On the 27th of June, 1833,
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SAMUEL W. LAKIN.
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· he was united in marriage to Miss Dorcas J. Flenniken, of this county, and to them were born five children, four of whom reached manhood, namely : Samuel W., of this review; George W., of Perry township; Daniel C., deceased; and Milton D., of Toledo, Ohio. The father, who was born in 1804, died in 1874, while the mother, who was born in 1805, died in 1880. She, too, was a member of the Episcopal church and an exemplary Christian. Our subject's maternal grandparents were Samuel G. and Elizabeth (Morehead) Flenniken, who were born in Kentucky of Irish ancestry, and were married in 1798. At an early day in its history they came to this county, and the grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation; became one of the prominent men of this section, serving as one of the associate judges of Franklin county for some years. He was born April 28, 1774, and died December 25, 1846, while his wife was born in 1777 and died September 5, 1852. In religious belief they were Presbyterians and he served as an elder in Dr. Hogue's church, in Columbus. They had the following named chil- dren : Jane, John, Cynthia, Thirza, Dorcas and Eliza (twins), Sarah, Mar- garet and Samuel W. The last named was the first male student at the Ohio State Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and his picture now adorns the walls of the reception room of that institution.
Mr. Lakin, of this review, was born in Clinton township May 22, 1834, and his preliminary education, received in the common schools, was supple- mented by several terms' attendance at the Capital University. He suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in the district schools for a number of terms, and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age. Before his marriage he bought one hundred and fifty-four acres of land in Perry town- ship, in partnership with his father, and upon that place he has since made his home, his time and energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Lakin was married, October 20, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie J. Clagett. a daughter of Samuel G. and Elizabeth (Drill) Clagett, of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, and to them were born eight children, all now of age, namely : Milton C., infirmary director of Franklin county ; Caroline, the wife of C. H. Slyh; John F .; Charles G .; Kate U., wife of Wilbur McCoy; Harry W .; Arthur S. ; and Edith J., the wife of William Powell, of Columbus.
In 1864, during the Civil war, Mr. Lakin entered the one-hundred-day service, becoming a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to which his brothers, Daniel and George W., also belonged. His term was for the most part spent at Bermuda Hundred, do- ing garrison duty at Fort Powhattan. He participated in the battle of Ber- muda Hundred and was mustered out with the rank of sergeant. On receiv- ing his discharge he returned home and resumed farming. His place is known as the Fairview Farm, and for about fifteen years he has conducted the Fair- view Dairy in connection with his agricultural pursuits.
Religiously Mr. Lakin is a Methodist, his membership being with the church of that denomination at Marble Cliff, his wife also belonging there. He is connected with Excelsior Lodge, No. 145. I. O. O. F. Politically he
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affiliates with the Republican party, and as one of the leading and popular citizens of his community he has been honored with several offices, having served as a member of the township board of education for about twenty-five years, as township trustee for eight years and justice of the peace for two terms of three years each.
WILLIAM THARP.
The forceful individuality of William Tharp has left its impress upon the substantial development and improvement of Franklin county for many years. He is now an active farmer of Pleasant township and is one of its most respected citizens. His ancestors came originally to America from the British isles and the name was formerly spelled Oglethorp, but with the passing years changes have been made in the orthography until the name has assumed its present form. William Tharp, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a cooper by trade and resided in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Ephraim Tharp, the father, was born in that county and learned the cooper's trade, but did not follow it after his marriage. He married Miss Susan Garard, who was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and was a relative of Stephen Girard, the well known millwright, of Philadelphia. Her par- ents were Joseph and Mary Garard. After his marriage Mr. Tharp devoted his time and energies to farming, carrying on that business as a means of supplying himself and family with the comforts of life. He died in his native county in New Jersey, and his wife also departed this life there. They were the parents of seven children: Joseph, who resides' near Pittstown, · Hunterdon county, New Jersey ; Mary, who was married and lived in Indiana, where her death occurred; William, of this review; Elizabeth, who married and lives in New Jersey; Isaac, deceased; Katura, who is living in New Jersey; and Jonas, also of that state.
William Tharp, whose name forms the caption of this article, was born in Pleasant township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, August 3, 1834, and until seventeen years of age remained upon the home farm, devoting a por- tion of that period to the mastery of the common English branches of learn- ing, as taught in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He then left home and learned the wagonmaker's trade, which he followed for twenty years after coming to Ohio. It was in 1857 that he left his native state, journeying westward to Columbus, where he arrived with only thirteen cents in his pocket. For two or three years thereafter he was employed in a grist- mill at Harrisburg, and then followed any occupation that would yield him an honest living. In 1858 he was married and for a year thereafter made his home near Pleasant Corners, where he was variously employed until the 2d of August, 1861, when he responded to the president's call for aid, enlist- ing for three years as a private in the Fifteenth United States Regular Army, which was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. With that command he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, in the skirmishes at Dog
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Walk, in the battle of Stone River and in several other skirmishes until dis- charged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1863, on account of disability.
Mr. Tharp then returned to his home, purchased ten acres of land. erected his present residence and shop and began wagon-making, which he followed through a period of twenty years. As his financial resources were increased he added to his farm until he now owns' seventy-three acres, his time at present being devoted exclusively to agricultural pursuits.
In Pleasant township, Franklin county, in the year 1858, Mr. Tharp was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Lomerson, who was born in Hunter- don county, New Jersey, in 1840, a daughter of Conrad and Ruth (Cramer) Lomerson. She was about eighteen years of age when her parents took up their abode in Pleasant township. Her death occurred January 4, 1898, and was deeply mourned, for she had many friends in the community. She was a consistent Christian woman, holding membership in the Green Hill Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was an active worker. Kind and charitable, she did much to promote the cause of the church and to aid those with whom she came in contact. She was the mother of ten children: Iva- nora, who died at the age of nine years'; Tecumseh Sherman, of Columbus, who married Sarah Timmins, who died leaving two children,-Philo and Geneva; Frank Elmer, of Columbus, who married Minnie Bradley, and after her death, married Alma Rector ; Irena and Melvina, twins; Oliver, of Colum- bus, who married Maggie Vance; George Harley, at home; Milton, of Colum- bus; Eva, who is still with her father; and Mary, who is living in Columbus.
Mr. Tharp, like his wife, is a consistent Christian, belonging to the Methodist church, in which he is now serving as trustee. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Reading makes him conversant with all topics of general moment and he is an intel- ligent gentleman and a pleasant and entertaining conversationalist. In spirit he is charitable and benevolent, in manner he is kindly and genial and all who known him hold him in high regard. His life is in many respects well worthy of emulation and his example should prove a source of inspiration and encour- agement to others.
ROSSER D. BO.HANNAN.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and recognition in the fields of mental activity and who have at the same time honored the professions and institutions with which they are con- nected would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to the one whose name initiates this paragraph. He holds a distinctive pre- cedence as an eminent educator, as a man of high scientific and literary attain- ments, and through fourteen years' connection with the Ohio State University his labors have been effective in promoting the standard of the school and making it an institution of first rank among the state universities of the land.
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Professor Rosser Daniel Bohannan is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Mathews county April 20, 1855, his parents being Dr. John G. and Laura (Daniels) Bohannan, who were also born in the Old Dominion. The paternal grandfather. Dr. John Bohannan, Sr., was a native of Scotland, and after his arrival in the United States engaged in the practice of medicine in Virginia for many years. His son, Dr. John G. Bohannan, followed in his professional footsteps and attained considerable prominence in the line of his chosen calling. He married Laura Daniels, a daughter of William Daniels, who represented a family of English lineage. With his wife and children Dr. Bohannan left the place of their nativity and took up his abode in South Norwalk, Ohio, where he and his wife spent their remain- ing days, the Doctor passing away in 1898. In their family were five sons, all of whom have entered professional life, Richard L., Charles G. and Ben- jamin W. being practicing physicians of Connecticut, while William J. H. is a prominent attorney of Stamford, that state.
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