A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 94

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 94

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).

Upon his father's farm M. V. B. Little remained until he attained his majority. In August, 1862, he joined the boys in blue as a private in Com- pany C, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and soon after his enlistment he went with his regiment to the front, joining the Army of the Cumberland in Kentucky. They went to Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, and from there to Chattanooga, where the regiment by its heroic efforts saved the army from defeat at that place on Sunday, this being their first engagement. Here Mr. Little was wounded by a buckshot in the left hand, and was confined in the Nashville hospital until the following Septem- ber, when he was able to rejoin his regiment at Missionary Ridge. Later he took part in the battles of Resaca. Dalton, Buzzard Roost and all of the engagements up to Kenesaw Mountain, where he was again wounded by a piece of a twelve-pound shell. From the field hospital he was first sent to Chattanooga, later to Nashville, and afterward transferred to the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Seminary Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Late in the year 1864 he had so far recovered as to be able to rejoin his regiment, and proceeded to Governor's Island January 1, 1865. From New York he took passage on the transport, Arrago, to Hilton Head. South Carolina, and from there went by boat to Savannah, Georgia, where his regi- ment was stationed. Having been promoted he assumed his duties as ser- geant. and went with Sherman's army on the march through the Carolinas, taking part in that last battle of the war, that of Bentonville, North Caro- lina, in which engagement he used three guns in fighting. While lying behind a log a splinter loosened by a rifle ball struck him in the face, but did no further damage than imparting a stinging pain. With his regiment he

773

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

marched to Washington and participated in the grand review held there. By way of Harper's Ferry he then went to Louisville, Kentucky, from there to Cincinnati, and later to Columbus, where he was mustered out July 25, 1865, being honorably discharged as commissary sergeant.

Upon his return to civil life Mr. Little accepted a position in Columbus, where he resided for nine years, being in the employ of George Bauer, a baker. He was then elected constable of Columbus, which office he held five successive years, and the following year was a member of the police force of that city. He was next appointed deputy sheriff of Franklin county, serving under Louis Heinmiller three years, and at the end of that period returned to the old homestead in Clinton township, where he has since lived. He served three terms as constable of Clinton township and later was elected and re-elected trustee. He has also filled the office of township assessor six consecutive years, and his official duties have always been most capably and satisfactorily performed.

On the 14th of October, 1868, Mr. Little married Miss Amanda Remmy, by whom he had three children : Charles, William and Harry, all deceased. The wife and mother died in 1878, and Mr. Little was again married, October 13, 1898, his second union being with Miss' Frances M. Whip, a daughter of George P. Whip, who is represented on another page of this volume.

In his political affiliations Mr. Little is a Democrat. Formerly he was' connected with McCoy Post, G. A. R., of Columbus, but is now an hon- ored member of Elias J. Beers Post, No. 575, of which he is past commander. He is also a member of the Union Veteran Loyal Legion of Columbus. Genial and pleasant in manner, he makes many friends, and is widely and favorably known throughout Franklin. county. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and she is also a prominent member of the Woman's' Relief Corps of Elias J. Beers Post, of which she is president. She is a lady of pleasing personality, and partakes of the geniality of her husband.

WILLIAM J. SHRIVER.

One of the practical, progressive and prominent farmers of Norwich township is William J. Shriver, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits there and is also a recognized leader in public thought and opinion, taking an active and commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was born on the old Shriver homestead in Wayne township, Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1844. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Germany to Wales, and thence to Mary- land, where Henry Shriver, the grandfather of our subject, was born. He had seven brothers. The great-grandfather emigrated to this country at an early date and located in Maryland. Two of his sons became residents of Pennsylvania, one of Virginia, two of Chillicothe, Ohio, and two remained in Maryland. Henry Shriver, the grandfather, located in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he married Rachel White. He was a farmer and drover,

774

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and at one time was a very wealthy man. Public spirited and progressive, he did much to promote the welfare of the community in which he resided, and for fifty years served as justice of the peace, discharging his duties with the utmost fairness. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. Both he and his wife were Protestants in religious belief. He died on his farm in Greene county, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife died at the age of ninety-seven. They had sixteen children and all reached mature years, namely : John, who died in Greene county, Pennsylvania; Sally, who became the wife of Jeremiah Sprague, and died in Greene county; Tina, who married Henry Schultz, and died in Hancock county, Illinois; Rachel, who became the wife of Joseph Knisely, and died in Greene county, Pennsylvania; Mazy, who never married; Henry; David, twin brother of Henry, who died in Greene county, Pennsylvania ; Elsie, who became the wife of Jacob Shields, and died in West Virginia; Jennie, who became Mrs. Hoffman, and died in West Virginia; Lucy, wife of Elias Nichols, of West Virginia; Andrew Jackson, of Washington county, Pennsylvania; Slater, who died in Hancock county, Illinois; Presley and Frank, both of West Virginia; Mrs. Eleanor White, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania; and Mordecai, who died at the age of twenty-tliree.

Henry Shriver, the father of our subject, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and there was reared to manhood. He received but limited educational privileges, for the schools were poor at that time and his services were needed on the home farm. He married Elsie Cosgray, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and a daughter of James and Annie ( Bennington) Cosgray. Her mother was of English de -. scent. Her father was born on the ocean while his parents were emigrating from Ireland to the United States, the family locating in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

After his marriage Henry Shriver located on a farm on Hoover's Run, in Greene county, the place consisting of two hundred acres owned by his father, and which was to become his property when the grandfather's youngest child attained his majority, but the financial panic of 1847 caused the grand- father to lose much of his property, and the father of our subject then pur- chased sixty acres of timber land in his native county. He built a house, cleared his farm and there resided until 1865, when he sold his land to oil speculators. He then located on three hundred and sixty-seven acres owned by William and Ralph Graham, and of this he bought ninety-two and a half acres, making his home thereon until his death, in October, 1894. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Shriver is still living. They had seven children: William J .; Andrew Jackson, of Washington township; Sarah Ann, deceased; Mary Jane, wife of R. C. Armstrong, of Norwich township; Slater B., of Washington township; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Michael Hummel, and died in Madison county, Ohio; and Abraham; who is living on the old homestead.

775

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

William J. Shriver was reared on the home farm, and attended the public schools until eighteen years of age, after which he taught for a short time in Pennsylvania, and then came to Ohio with his cousin, Benjamin Cosgray. He had only two dollars in his pocket when he reached this state, and his first month's wages were stolen, so that he literally began life here empty- handed. In the winter of 1864-5 he taught school in Washington township, and for seventeen years followed that profession through the winter season. At the age of twenty-one he began working at the carpenter's trade with George Wollpert and James Gray, and after being thus employed for three years began contracting and building on his own account, following that pur- suit for thirteen years, during which time he erected or assisted in building most of the good structures in this locality. In the meantime he purchased fifty acres of land in Washington township and located thereon in 1885, since which time he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He follows very progressive methods in his farming, keeping his land productive by the rotation of crops. All modern improvements and accessories are found upon his place, and he has a valuable and desirable property.

On the IIth of October, 1869, Mr. Shriver married Kate Tagert, who was born in Mobile, Alabama, March 16, 1851, a daughter of Dr. Elijah C. Tagert, of Mobile. Her mother. bore the maiden name of Sarah Canna- vella, and was a native of New York city. Mr. and Mrs. Shriver now have three children : Nellie, wife of Earnest Tarbox, of Norwich township; Annie and Charles S.

When sixteen years of age Mr. Shriver became a member of the Dis- ciple church, and after removing to Ohio joined the Christian Union church, but since 1869 has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hilliard. In politics he has been a stalwart Democrat since casting his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour, of New York, in 1868. He has continuously served on the board of education for fifteen years; was long township trustee ; for nine years was justice of the peace; and was a member of the first village council of Hilliard. In 1899 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the legislature, and ran six hundred ahead of his ticket, receiving twenty-two hundred majority outside of Columbus. He has always retired from office as he entered it, with the confidence and good will of the public. He resided in Washington township until 1890, when he removed to that portion of his farm lying in Norwich township. He is a valued mem- ber of Norwich Lodge, No. 385, I. O. O. F., of which he has served as treas- urer for twenty-three years. He has also been a member of organizations calculated to advance agricultural interests, having belonged to the Farmers' Alliance and the Farmers' Union. In connection with James Wilcox and WV. A. Dobyns, he built the first free turnpike in the county, and has ever been the advocate of good roads, doing all in his power to promote every interest calculated to benefit the community. He keeps well informed on all the issues of the day, both political and otherwise, and is thoroughly con- versant with the needs and wishes of his locality, so that he is well calculated

776

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

to take the lead in matters tending toward the public good. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, and that he is numbered among the substantial farmers of the county is due to his untiring efforts.

GEORGE D. FREEMAN. 1

One of the citizens of Columbus, Ohio, who has taken active part in many of the improvements which have made it one of the most beautiful cities in the state is George D. Freeman. He was born at Ovid, Franklin county, Ohio, August 11, 1842. His father, Usual W. Freeman, together with his mother, Margaret (Christy) Freeman, came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1833. Usual Freeman served with distinction in the New York militia dur- ing the war of 1812 and was also an assistant engineer for the city of New York during the platting of the part of the city north of Canal street; his father, William Freeman, was a soldier of the Revolution.

George D. Freeman took advantage of the limited educational oppor- tunities afforded by the common schools of his early days, at a later period supplementing the instruction thus obtained by attendance upon night schools. When but six years of age he lost his father, and at the age of eleven years he became the only support of his mother, and bravely did he assume the responsibility.

When still a lad he entered the studio of D. D. Winchester, then the leading artist of Columbus, but left the employ of this gentleman to become a page in the Ohio house of representatives, at the last session held at Odeon hall and the first held in the present capitol building. He received his appoint- ment from Nelson H. Van Vorhees, the speaker of the first Republican legis- lature of Ohio. From here he entered the dry-goods house of Headly & Elerly, with whom he remained until 1866, when he was admitted as a junior partner in this firm. Later years found him the senior partner of Freeman, Stanley & Norton, who were the successors of Headly & Elerly.

In 1880 Mr. Freeman withdrew from the dry-goods trade and entered the furniture business as a member of the firm of Halm, Bellows & Butler, who were succeeded by Freeman, Halm & McAllister. Later Mr. Freeman withdrew from this business to establish the George D. Freeman Mantel Company, engaged in the manufacture of mantels and interior furnishings.

In 1878. on the organization of the state militia into the Ohio National Guard, Mr. Freeman, at the urgent request of the regiment, assumed command and became the colonel of the famous Fourteenth Ohio National Guards, in which capacity he served the state for thirteen years. The period of his com- mand was marked with many trying ordeals, where bravery, good judgment and a cool head were very necessary attributes in a commanding officer. The well remembered Cincinnati riots were among these occasions, and it was at this time that Colonel Freeman's abilities as a commander were shown. He brought peace and order out of the turbulent mob that surged through the streets of the city, endangering life and property. In 1890, through press of

777

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

business, Colonel Freeman was obliged to resign his post. At the breaking out of the Spanish war Colonel Freeman was called to the position of acting assistant quartermaster general and was active at Camp Bushnell in equipping the troops for the front, in fact put up the camp. From there he was ordered to the duty of superintendent of the state arsenal, where he is still on duty. He had two sons in the late Spanish war, one son now in the Philippines, a. lieutenant in the Nineteenth Infantry.

Our subject has taken a prominent part in all public enterprises, serving for some years on the county board of agriculture, and took an active interest in securing to the city the beautiful spot known as Franklin park. This was not a political service nor has he held any political office, although frequently pressed to do so.

Colonel Freeman was united in marriage, October 31, 1865, to Miss Julia A. Diemer, whose parents were pioneers in the settlement of central Ohio. Four children have been born of this union: Harry D., Stanton S., George D. and Julia E.

Colonel Freeman lias been before the public, in his state, for many years and his reputation for integrity, energy and stability is unquestioned.

JASPER SMITH.

The specific history of the west was made by the pioneers; it was em- blazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth by the track of the primitive plow. Those were strong men and true that came to found the empire of the west -- those hardy settlers who, building their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and product- ive fields which have these many years been furrowed by the plowshares. The red man in his motly garb stalked through the dim, woody avenues, and the wild beasts disputed his domain. The trackless prairies were made to yield their tribute under the effective endeavors of the pioneer, and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surroundings and to cope with the many pri- vations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All these were characteristic of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil.

From the earliest period in the development of this portion of Ohio the . Smith family has been represented here. The founder of the family in Franklin county was David Smith, who was a native of Herkimer county, New York. His mother belonged to the Van Rensselaer family, one of the historic New York Knickerbocker families. In the Empire state David Smith was reared to manhood, and there married Miss Elizabeth Gooding. In 18II they started for Ohio, traveling by team and wagon across the coun- 49

778

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

try, and at length located in Perry township, Franklin county, on the Scioto river, near Dublin, where Mr. Smith purchased seven hundred acres of land in the midst of the dense forest. He bought a cabin from a squatter, and into this rude home he moved his family, there remaining until he could erect a hewed-log house. At that time there were but few settlers in the locality, and the Indians yet roamed through the green woods, while wild beasts and game were plentiful. Throughout his remaining days Mr. Smith resided upon the farm which he there cleared, developed and improved. He was a very industrious man, and accordingly won success, so that he was ena- bled to leave to his children good homes. A man of superior educational advantages, he exerted a strong influence in public affairs, and in an early day surveyed a large part of the land in his vicinity, being a very competent rep- resentative of the profession. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office, and he served in the capacity of justice of the peace in Perry township for a number of years, his decisions being always strictly fair and impartial, being based on the evidence in the case without regard to any personal feeling for the litigants. In his later years he became connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a supporter of the Whig party, and when the question of slavery be- came a dominant issue before the people he took a firm stand in opposition to its practice. A gentleman of sterling traits of character, he left his impress for good upon the community in which he lived. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smithi were born the following children: John, who remained in New York; Eliza- beth; Gilbert, Sarah, Nelson, William, Elijah and Delilah, all now deceased. Nelson Smith, who was a son of David Smith and the father of our sub- ject, was born in New York in 1799, and was twelve years of age when with the family he came to the wilds of Ohio. His educational privileges were such as could be secured in the schools of that day, yet he had rather better opportunities than most boys, owing to the fact that his father was a highly educated man and was one of the early teachers in the northern part of the county, even conducting a school in his own cabin at one time. Under his careful guidance, therefore, Nelson Smith pursued his education. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life in an almost unbroken wilder- ness, and experienced the hardships and trials which fell to the lot of the pioneers as well as the pleasures in which people of those days indulged. He was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Millington, a daughter of Peter and Mehitable Josephine Millington. Her father was of English descent, her mother of Holland Dutch lineage, and Mrs. Smith was also descended from an ancestor who was a passenger on the Mayflower on the first trip in 1620. Mr. Millington was a nephew of General Gates, of Revolutionary fame, his mother having been a sister of that noted military commander. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Millington was celebrated in Chautau- qua county, New York, and in 1804, with the children born to them in the Empire state, they came to Franklin county, making the journey through the wilderness with two wagons, each drawn by four horses. They were

779

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

sturdy, honorable, self-reliant people, and when they reached Franklin county they pushed by the settlement at Franklinton and made their way twelve miles up the river, locating a mile and a half south of Dublin, in what is now Perry township. For a time they lived in a tent until a cabin could be erected. Before his arrival here Mr. Millington had purchased one hundred and twenty- seven acres of land and had thus made a slight preparation for a home. At that time there was no mill nearer than Chillicothe, to which the frontiersmen went, carrying their grists to and fro on pack horses. There was no house between the Millington home and Franklinton. At the time of the second war with England the father offered his services and took part in the campaign on the frontier of Canada. He left his wife and children in their forest home, but the Indians were troublous on several occasions, and this caused Mrs. Millington to flee to Franklinton for protection. Mr. Millington was present at the execution of the Indian chieftain Leather Lips, in Perry township, in 1810. After his return from the war he again took up his abode upon the farm, where he resided for some years, and spent his last days on Big Walnut. He was a man of patriotic impulses and strong convictions, and there was no sacrifice that he would not make in order to protect and defend the honor of his country. He bore a strong likeness to his distinguished uncle, General Gates, as did other members of the family. A most industrious and hard- working man, he carried on the task of developing and improving his farm until the exposure incident to frontier life undermined his constitution. His wife was to him a true and faithful companion and a brave pioneer woman. She possessed a remarkably strong mentality, and was noted among the peo- ple of the community for her fine mental balance as well as many other com- mendable characteristics. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millington were born the fol- lowing children: Horatio Gates, Matilda, Henrietta, Minerva, Marcus, Lan- sing, Mary Ann and Otis, all now deceased.

After the marriage of Nelson Smith and Minerva Millington they located on the old Smith homestead, where they resided throughout the remainder of their days. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a good property. In politics he took a very active part, and was the first man in Perry township to vote the Abolition ticket. Being a strong anti-slavery man, he did all in his power to forward the movement, and at the organization of the Repub- lican party, which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks, supporting Fremont in 1856 and Lincoln in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal church, but in later life became believers in Spiritualism. They had six chil- dren, four of whom reached mature years, namely: Clinton, who became a physician and practiced in Bloomsburg, Ohio; Augustus, who resides on the old homestead; Lyman, who is living in Perry township; and Jasper. Leonida died in childhood, while one other passed away in infancy.

Jasper Smith, whose name forms the caption of this review, was born on the old family homestead January 31, 1837, and his life forms a connect- ing link between the primitive past and the progressive present, for he is famil-

780

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

iar with much of the history of this portion of the state through almost three- fourths of a century. He acquired his education in the public schools and remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority, assist- ing in the work of the farm from the time of early spring planting until crops were garnered in the autumn. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company G, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as a private. Soon afterward the regiment was transferred to Kentucky, and he received his first baptism of fire at Shiloh, and for gallantry on the field of battle was promoted from third duty sergeant to the rank of captain. Speaking of his conduct at that time his colonel, Thomas Worthington, and Major William Smith said of him that he was the Marshal Ney of his regi- ment. On this occasion he was the file closer, with orders to allow no man to retreat unless wounded. His captain, losing his nerve, turned to retreat,. when Mr. Smith halted him, covering him with his gun. All the while the captain called to his men to retreat, saying that Mr. Smith "had the drop on him." He then fell down, claiming that he was shot. Thinking he was wounded, Mr. Smith went to him and made an examination, and on finding. that he was not shot raised him to his feet and applied his boot to him a num- ber of times. In recognition of Mr. Smith's valor he was made captain. On account of failing health, caused from typhoid fever, he was discharged in July, 1862, and returned to his home, but in September, 1864, he re-en- listed as a member of Company E, of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in as a private. He participated in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and actively served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, in June, 1865. He was tendered the adjutancy of his regiment, but refused the honor. His loyalty and courage were manifest on many occasions, and his military record is a brilliant one, of which he has every reason to be proud.

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 94

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