A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 93

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The strong mentality which is a distinguishing characteristic of the Bohannan family was early manifest in the Professor, who in his youth dis- played special aptitude in his studies, which were pursued in a private school in his early boyhood days. When he had prepared for college he entered the University of Virginia and was graduated in that institution with the class of 1876. The following year he occupied the position of teacher of mathematics and Latin in the Suffolk Collegiate Institute, of Virginia, where he remained throughout the scholastic year. The following year found him installed as professor of mathematics and English in the New York Latin School in New York city, and from 1878 until 1880 he was professor of mathematics and natural science in Emory and Henry College. Desirous to further perfect himself in the line of his specialty, Professor Bohannan then went abroad and was a student in mathematics and physics in Cam- bridge. England, from 1880 until 1882. The following school year was spent in mastering the same scientific branches as taught in Gottingen, and after his return to his native land he became acting professor of mathematics in the University of Virginia through the year 1883-4. He next received the appointment of professor of mathematics and physics in the State Uni- versity, continuing to fill that chair until 1887, when he received the appoint- iment to the chair of mathematics and astronomy in the Ohio State Uni- versity. He had charge of the instruction in those two branches of science until 1895, since which time he has been professor of mathematics alone in the same institution, the growth of the classes in mathematics making it nec- essary that he give his entire time to instruction in that branch. His entire life has been devoted to educational work and in this he has gained a position of distinction that has made him widely known to the profession throughout the country.

Professor Bohannan has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Ellen Price, of Virginia, a daughter of James and Mary ( McDonald) Price, who died leaving two daughters, Mary S. and Ellen. His present wife was

765

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

formerly Miss Florence Short, of Colorado, a daughter of Professor John Short, of the Ohio State University, and unto them has been born one son, Robert Critchfield. Their home is an attractive and substantial brick resi- dence in Indianola Place. It stands in the midst of a fine lawn, adorned by beautiful forest trees and made pleasing through the arts of the landscape gardener. It is the center of a cultured society circle, intellect, courtesy and admirable entertainment being the predominant features of its' social functions.

FREDERICK FRANCIS.

Frederick Francis is a retired farmer of Pleasant township. It requires constant labor and attention to keep a farm in good condition and make it yield a profitable return for the labor bestowed upon it, but through years of activity and close application to his work Mr. Francis continually added to his capital until his competence was sufficient to enable him to put aside business cares and rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In his career he has manifested many of the most sterling characteristics of his English ancestry, for the Francis family is of English origin. The grand- father of our subject was born in Kent county, England, and followed gen- eral work there. George Francis, Jr., the father of our subject, was there also born, in the year 1806, and became a brickmaker. When a mere child he entered a brick-yard and was employed in connection with that industry while residing in England. He wedded Ann Walters, also a native of Kent county and a daughter of Samuel Walters, a brickmaker, for whom her hus- band worked. In 1836 George Francis, Jr., with his wife and son Frederick came to the United States, sailing from London on the vessel, Cordover. A voyage of nine weeks and three days was ended when the harbor of New York was reached, and from the eastern metropolis the Francis family proceeded to Buffalo, and thence by canal to Columbus. For a year and a half the father engaged in general work in the capital city and then removed to Pleas- ant township, Franklin county, where he purchased forty-two acres of land in the Pennsylvania settlement. Thereon he resided until 1849, his home being in the midst of the forest. He made a clearing and built a round-log house, eighteen by twenty-two feet, in one end of which was a huge fire- place, the smoke making its egress through a stick chimney. In the winter time the snow would fall between the logs, spreading a white cover over bed and floor. The father left his wife and son upon the farm while he went to Columbus, where he secured employment in order to obtain money nec- essary to make the payment upon his land. He would walk to the city on Monday morning and return in the same manner on Saturday night. A poor man, he had but five dollars when he landed in Columbus, but he possessed resolute will and determined purpose and year by year added to his posses- sions. In 1849 he removed to the farm now owned by Frederick Francis, becoming owner of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, which he purchased at eight dollars per acre. Only eighteen acres had been cleared, while the

766

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

improvements upon the place consisted of a double log cabin. Small game was obtained and the conditions of life were those usually found in a frontier settlement. After locating upon this farm the father engaged in burning brick to some extent and replaced his double log house by a small brick resi- dence, the first perhaps between Harrisburg and Columbus. He prospered in his business undertakings and subsequently purchased an additional sixty acres of land in Pleasant township. In the spring of 1865 he retired to Franklinton and purchased property, which he later traded to James Olen for property at the corner of Seventeenth and Broad streets in Columbus. This he subsequently traded to the Litchfield heirs for property at the corner of Third and Spring streets, and at the last named place he spent his remain- ing days, his death occurring in April, 1880. His wife died in December of the same year. They were both members of the Church of England, and in politics Mr. Francis was a stanch Democrat. He gave close attention to his own business and interfered not with his neighbors' affairs. He was a man of good judgment, quick to recognize and take advantage of a favor- able opportunity and his well directed labors in business and his honorable dealing brought to him a handsome competence. In the family were four children, namely : Frederick; Sarah Ann, who died at the age of twelve years; Jane, who died at the age of six; and Mary, who became the wife of William A. Poulson and died in Columbus.

Frederick Francis, the only surviving member of the family and the subject of this review, was born in the town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent county, England, March 6, 1833, and was therefore three years old when brought by his parents to the new world. He was reared to manhood in Pleasant township and attended school for about three months' during the year. In those early days the teachers were not very proficient and methods of education were primitive, but later he pursued his studies under James Boucker and. Wesley M. White, who were capable instructors. Scarcely any of the scholars had two books and there was a great variety of text-books found in the little school, but when Mr. White took charge he introduced a new system, made improvements in the school-room, introduced new text- books at his own expense and largely promoted the cause of education. The school house at Pleasant Corners was built of round logs, sixteen by twenty feet, with a large fireplace at one end of the building. The children sat upon slab benches and along the wall was a slab board resting upon wooden pins. This served as a writing desk for the older scholars. Hamilton Will- iams was another teacher of ability and the first one under whom Mr. Francis continued his studies after removing to his present farm. At the age of nineteen he put aside his text-books to enter upon the lessons in the school of experience.

On the 8th of September, 1853, Mr. Francis was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ann Heath, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, Decem- ber 2, 1830, and there grew to womanhood, acquiring her education in sub- scription and common schools. She is a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth

767

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

(Berry) Heath, who came from Virginia to Ohio. Her father died about 1830, and her mother, who was a native of England, passed away in 1860. After his marriage Mr. Francis erected a log cabin on a part of his father's farm and made it his home for three years. He then moved to the sixty- acre tract of land owned by his father and continued its cultivation for eleven and a half years. During that time, on the 13th of February, 1865, he enlisted as a private at Columbus for one year's service or during the war. He became a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Widener and Colonel Cumminger. The regiment proceeded to Nashville, thence to Chattanooga and to Bridgeport, Alabama, and did duty in guarding the railroad between that point and Chattanooga, being there stationed until the close of hostilities. Mr. Francis received an honorable discharge at Nashville in December, 1865, and returned to his home in this county. In 1868 he removed to the old homestead, the father having taken up his abode in Columbus. There he carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising until he retired from active business life a few years ago. He is the oldest of four children who lived between Harrisburg and Columbus in 1849.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born ten children: George, who married Isa Walton and is living in Clinton township; Curtis, who married Emma More and carries on a stock farm; Jane, at home; Mary, wife of Ezra Rush, of Pickaway county; Charles, who wedded Ella Nichols and is living on the old homestead; John, who married Jennie Ross and resides in Columbus; Ida, wife of Seymour Gordon, of Jackson township; William, who married Elizabeth Dyer and is engaged in the practice of medicine in Madison county, Ohio; Joseph, who married Lottie Barns and resides on one of his father's farms; and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Francis was very successful in his agricultural pursuits. In addi- tion to the old family homestead he owns one farm of sixty acres and another of seventy acres. Throughout his life he has been very fond of hunting and has made many trips to Michigan in order to indulge his love of that pur- suit. He supports the Democratic party and for two terms filled the office of township trustee. He also belongs to Ed Crouse Post, G. A. R., of Harrisburg, and is a man of genuine worth, whose fidelity to the duties of citizenship has been manifest in many substantial ways. His life has been quietly passed, but his unflagging industry, perseverance and capable manage- ment in business have brought to him a very desirable financial return, mak- ing him one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county.

WILLIAM B. CHENOWETH.

William B. Chenoweth has a wide acquaintance in Franklin county. For nineteen years he was a prominent representative of the mercantile interests in Harrisburg. Previous to and during that time he was actively associated with agricultural pursuits and thus his life has been quietly passed and ever

768

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

characterized by fidelity and trustworthiness, and it is this, as well as his business interests, which have made Mr. Chenoweth one of the valued rep- resentative citizens of his native county. He was born on a farm in Pleasant township. April 2, 1831, a son of Joseph and Margaret ( Heath ) Chenoweth, and a grandson of Elijah and Rachel (Foster) Chenoweth. During the first six or seven years of his life he remained upon the home farm and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Harrisburg. He began his education in a subscription school and later attended the district schools, his first teacher being Miss Tipton. To the farm life he was reared. He aided in clearing the land and in developing and cultivating the fields. In Madison county, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Johnston, who was born in that county in 1833, a daughter of William and Falista ( Hall) Johnston.

After his marriage Mr. Chenoweth located on the old homestead farm which he yet owns, and which his father vacated at the time of the marriage of William Chenoweth. He has since conducted the place and is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres in this tract. He also owns another farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and a third farm of one hundred and fifty- three acres in Pickaway county, and a fourth farm of one hundred and fifty acres situated partly in Pickaway and partly in Franklin counties. It is largely due to his excellent business methods and his unfaltering determina- tion that he has gained the splendid success which has crowned his business efforts. In 1881 he and his son formed a partnership for the conduct of a general merchandise store in Harrisburg, and continued in that line of business until 1900, when they sold out.

In 1867 Mr. Chenoweth was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. He afterward married Miss Jennie Helmick, of Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of William Helmick, and a sister of Dr. Samuel Helmick, of Commercial Point, Ohio. The children of his first marriage were as follows: Mary, now the wife of Dr. George W. Gardner, of Plain City, Ohio; Frank, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Lena, now Mrs. L. Douglas, of Harrisburg; Ella, the wife of David Davis, deceased: Edward, deceased ; Laura, the wife of Page Cherry, of Chicago; and William, deceased. By the second marriage have been born four children: Harry, who wedded Callie Guy, and now follows farming: Rose, the wife of Dr. William McKin- ley, of Harrisburg; Jessie, wife of Dr. Charles Smith, of Pickaway county; and Joseph, who died in infancy. Mrs. Chenoweth died April 7, 1901.

Mr. Chenoweth is an active member of and a faithful worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now serving as one of its trustees. In politics he has long been a stalwart Republican. He cast his first presi- dential vote for the Whig candidate in 1852, and has distinct recollections of the Harrison campaign in 1840. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has been unswerving in the support of its men and its measures. Having lived throughout his entire life in Franklin county, he is well known to many of its settlers, and the fact that many of his warm-

769

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

est friends are numbered among those who have been acquainted with him through long years is an indication that his record has ever been an upright and honorable one.

BENJAMIN F. LANE.

Benjamin F. Lane, deceased, was for some years identified with the agricultural interests of Franklin county. He was born in Perry township, this county, on the Ist of May, 1836, and spent the years of his youth upon the old home farm. His father died when Benjamin was a young man and the homestead was then sold. In the meantime the subject of this review had pursued his education in the district schools and in the University, which stood on the site of the present Park Hotel, at Columbus. After his father's death Mr. Lane came to the capital city, and in connection with Reuben James, his brother-in-law, he bought a grocery store, which they conducted for a few years with good success.

On the 14th of October, 1858, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, who was born in Plain township, Franklin county, on the 2Ist of March, 1838, a daughter of James Smith, a farmer of that locality, who died when the daughter was quite small. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Goodrich. She was born in Connecticut March 27, 1806, and was a daughter of Ezekiel Goodrich, who removed to Ohio from the Charter Oak state in company with his family and settled in Plain township, Franklin county, when it was an unbroken wilderness. Many Indians still lived within the borders of Ohio, wild beasts roamed through the forests and wild game was abundant. The conditions were those of frontier life and Mr. Goodrich bore his part in the work of progress' and development. He died in Plain township, and thus passed away one of the honored pio- neers of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Smith were born five children : Fanny, who became the wife of A. H. Bancroft, died in Columbus December 13, 1865; Martha, who became the wife of Robert Hemphill, died in Peoria, Illinois, in 1881; Mrs. Lane was the next of the family; Samuel married Hannah Findlay and is living in Peoria; Cicero Clark married Melissa Robinson and also makes his home in Peoria.

After his marriage Mr. Lane removed to the northern part of Putnam county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for six years and then came to Franklin county, spending two years upon a farm near Alton. For a quarter of a century he resided upon what was known as the Anderson farm, on the Scioto river, making it his place of abode until his death. He placed his land under a high state of cultivation and the improved fields brought to him a good financial return. He was a man of domestic tastes, fond of home and family. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lane was blessed with six chil- dren : Flora L., now the wife of Joseph Briggs, of Columbus; Newton, who died in 1880; Emma, who became the wife of William Saltzgaber and died in 1892; Charles, who wedded Ethel Sceurman and is living in Colum-

770

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

bus; Clara, wife of Alvah Sceurman, also of the capital city; and Jessie, at home.

The father of this family died upon the Anderson farm in 1888. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a devout Christian gentleman, whose belief permeated his entire life. In his political views he was a stanch Republican, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He found his greatest happiness at his own fireside and was very devoted to his wife and children. After her husband's death Mrs. Lane removed to her present farm, purchasing sixty acres of land in Norwich township. She has long resided in the county and has a wide acquaintance among its best people.

GEORGE P. WHIP.

This old and honored resident of Clinton township, was in early life prominently identified with the building interests of Franklin county, and later gave his attention to farming, but is now practically living a retired life, free from the cares and responsibilities of business affairs. He was born in Frederick, Maryland, April 6, 1817, a son of George and Mary (Lashorn) Whip. The father was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. In 1833, in company with his wife and two children, George P. and Henry W., he came to this county, having previously made his home in Frederick, Mary- land, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He bought mill property on the Olentangy river, which was at first operated by hired help, but after residing in Columbus for two years he located near the mill, where he made his home throughout the remainder of his life. The property is now known as the Weisheimer Mill. For a short time Mr. Whip served in a Maryland regiment during the war of 1812, and for his services received a patent for one hundred and sixty acres of land. He held the offices of township trustee and treasurer for several terms each, and was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his community. During his later years he was a member of the German Reformed church, with which his wife had long been connected, and both possessed strong religious convictions.

The subject of this sketch was sixteen years of age when he came with the family to this county, at which time the city of Columbus contained between three and four thousand inhabitants. He received his preliminary education in his native state, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade with his father, completing his apprenticeship in Columbus. For a number of years he followed that occupation, erecting many of the residences which now adorn the farms of Clinton township. He bought the land on which he now resides in the early '40s, and has since made it his home.

On the 15th of September, 1838. Mr. Whip was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda, daughter of Colonel Smiley, and to them were born ten chil- dren, namely: William H. H., a resident of Franklin county; Mary, now Mrs. Strohm, of Delaware county, Ohio; Charles, who lives near Eaton

771

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Rapids, Michigan; Martha J., wife of G. E. Starrett, of Columbus; George, a resident of Clinton township, this county; Nancy, who died at the age of four years; Virginia, deceased wife of Joseph Lydick; Frances L., wife of M. V. B. Little, of Clinton township, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Henry, of North Columbus; and Barnabas, deceased. Four of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war: William, Charles E., David and George, all members of Ohio regiments. The mother of these children was called to her final rest October 29, 1896, when nearly seventy-five years of age.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Whip held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and have led exemplary Christian lives. Politically Mr. Whip was originally a Whig, and now affiliates with the Republican party, and he has filled minor township offices, including that of clerk. He has passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, and his career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life.

M. V. B. LITTLE.

Among Clinton township's most honored citizens must be numbered the subject of this review, who was born there June 26, 1837, and is the third child in order of birth in the family of John P. and Anna M. ( Beck) Little. The father was born in Pennsylvania on the 15th of February, 1800, a son of Parkinson Little, who was of Scotch and- English descent. The mother was born in Washington county, the same state, in 1812, and was a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Beck, of German extraction. In 1836 the parents of our subject, accompanied by their two children, Clarinda M. and Andrew J., came to Franklin county, Ohio. During his boyhood he had learned the blacksmith's trade, but did not engage in that occupation after coming to this county, his time being entirely devoted to farming. He pur- chased twenty-nine acres of partially improved land, on which a log cabin had been erected, and as he prospered in his farming operations he added to his prop- erty until he had one hundred acres of valuable land in the eastern part of Clinton township. He was a self-made man, having begun life with no capital, but he became one of the best and most successful farmers' of his community, being industrious, enterprising and progressive. He served as township trustee about nine years, and ever took an active interest in political affairs, being in early life an old-line Whig. Upon the dissolution of that party he allied himself with the Democracy, with which he affiliated during the remainder of his life. He died on the homestead in 1892, and his wife passed away in 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. After coming to this county five children were born to them: M. V. B., our subject; Catherine, now Mrs. Nathan Marble, of Sunbury; Anna Watson; and John P., who died unmar- ried August 5, 1900.

Andrew J. Little, the eldest son of John P., was born in Pennsylvania,

772

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

but was quite young when brought by his parents to this county, being reared on his father's farm in Clinton township. He was educated in the district schools and at Otterbein University, after which he taught school for sev- eral terms. In 1861 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he was first inter- ested in a publishing company and later in the real-estate business. For a time he conducted a grocery store at Indianola, Iowa, in partnership with A. Swan, and was subsequently engaged in the drug business in partnership with Dr. Davis, with whom he read medicine. The latter connection was dissolved after two years, and as a wholesale and retail dealer in drugs Mr. Little was alone in business for fifteen years. He then became field manager for the publishing house of Mills & Company, and since then he has traveled exten- sively in the interests of several well known historical companies, in which line of work he has established a very creditable reputation. He enlisted in 1863 in Company A, Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and did gar- rison duty most of the time while serving as acting captain of his company. On the 18th of December, 1870, he married Miss Margaret Conklin, a grad- uate of Asbury, now DePauw University, and a distant relative of Roscoe Conkling, of New York. She died in March, 1894, leaving five children, namely: Charles B., a manufacturer of Chicago, Illinois; Mabel C .; Daniel C .; Nina and Katherine M.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 93

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1156