USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 97
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Captain Pinney is a son of Abner and a grandson of Putnam Pinney, who was the founder of the family in Franklin county and one of its honored pioneers at a time when this section of the country was being evolved from the wilderness of frontier life to a district where all of the improvements and accessories of civilization are found. The grandfather was one of the Ohio company which came to the Buckeye state from Kentucky, the journey being made in 1802. He was accompanied by his family, who settled in Worthing-
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ton. Two of his brothers, Levi and Chester, made the journey at the same time. From that early day until his death Putnam Pinney resided in or near the town. He and his brother Levi were soldiers in the war of 1812 and he was recognized as one of the leading and influential men of the community, taking an active part in promoting all movements and measures calculated to prove of benefit. For a number of years he filled the office of justice of the peace, and his official career was extremely commendable. He carried on farm- ing, and his energy and diligence enabled him to win success, so that he was numbered among the well-to-do citizens of his adopted county. . He married Miss Polly Morrison, and unto them were born the following children : Henry Chester, Thompson, Lyman, Betsey and Louisa, all now deceased. The grandparents were both members of the St. John's Episcopal church of Worth- ington, which they assisted in organizing and to the support of which they always contributed liberally, aiding in its work in every way as far as lay in their power. Mr. Pinney was also a member of New England Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M. This worthy couple have long since been called to the home beyond, but the influence of the work which they performed along lines of development, progress, education and morality is felt.
Abner H. Pinney, the father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, December 6, 1805, and was here reared when this district was a section of cabin homes and unimproved farms. He was married in Delaware county, October 13, 1825, to Ann Cynthia Strong, and took up his abode in Worth- ington, later removing to Columbus, where he engaged in manufacturing and merchandising, continuing business there until 1852, when he established a manufacturing business in Jackson, Michigan, but continued his residence in Columbus up to the time of his death. He was a representative citizen, pos- sessed of the enterprising spirit which has led to the rapid and substantial de- velopment of the west. His business interests were carefully prosecuted and he was a pioneer in the manufactory of farm implements. It is said of him by Columbus bankers that he was one of the best financiers in the state, and in all trade transactions his word was as good as his bond. Intricate business problems he rapidly comprehended, and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, brooking no obstacles that could be over- come by determined and honorable effort. He was generous to a fault and was of a kindly nature, considerate to the poor and withholding not the hand of assistance from any one really in need of aid. A man of strong convictions, he never faltered in support of what he believed to be right, yet was not bitterly aggressive, according to all the right which he reserved for himself of forming an unbiased opinion. He took a very deep and ardent interest in religious work, and for many years was senior warden of St. John's Episcopal church, of Worthington. In politics he was a Whig, stanchly advocating the prin- ciples' of the party. In his church work he was ably assisted and seconded by the efforts of his wife, a lady whose many excellent qualities of heart and mind won her the love and friendship of all. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, namely : Julia L., Henry C., Elizabeth P., Ann C., Mary E., Henrietta,
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Justin, William and Nathan. The father died October 21, 1857, and Mrs. Pinney passed away June 25, 1884. at the age of eighty-four years, her birth having occurred in Delaware county, Ohio, May 21, 1803.
Their son, Captain William Pinney, whose name forms the caption of this review, was born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, on Christmas day of 1840. His childhood days were passed in his parents' home amid its refining in- fluences, and in the public schools he mastered the branches of English learning which prepare the young for the practical duties of business and social life. Before attaining his majority the country had become engaged in Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, and his loyal spirit was aroused by the rebellion which threatened the Union. He therefore enlisted as a member of Company E, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service as second lieutenant September 27, 1862. Soon afterward the regiment was transferred to the seat of war in Kentucky and he was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps, which formed a part of the Army of the Tennessee. In November, following, Captain Pin- ney was promoted, winning the title by which he is now known. He first became familiar with the hardships of war in the hotly contested battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, but not so seriously as to necessitate his departure from the field. He was the first man in his regiment hit by Rebel lead. Among the other important engagements in which he participated and bore an honorable part were the battles of Corinth, the long siege of Vicks- burg, in which fighting was almost a daily occurrence for many months, Black River and Jackson, which ended the fighting for his command in that section, for after the engagement at that place the regiment proceeded by way of Memphis to Chattanooga, joining the Army of the Cumberland, then con- fronted by the Rebel hosts in the mountains of Tennessee. Captain Pinney participated in the battle of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, after which the corps marched to the relief of Knoxville, where Burnside's army lay "bottled up," as expressed by General Grant. That was one of the hardest campaigns of the war, involving hard fighting. exposure and long and arduous marches. His command subsequently joined the Army of the Tennessee while it was fighting its way from Chattanooga to Atlanta. The exposure and rigor of war during the Knoxville campaign so wrought upon Captain Pin- ney's health that he contracted rheumatism in a serious form, which incapac- itated him for further service. It was with deep regret that he was forced to retire from the army before the Union troops had accomplished their mission of crushing out the rebellion in the South. However, fate was inexorable and he was honorably discharged by order of the department October 19, 1864.
The Captain then returned to his home, and after recuperating his health he located in Worthington, where he engaged in the grocery and grain trade and at the same time continued the operation of his farm. He continued his mercantile operations for seven or eight years and then disposed of those interests in order to give his entire attention to his agricultural pursuits. His
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well ordered and highly improved farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres adjoins the village of Worthington. It is a model of neatness and indi- cates the taste and progressive spirit of the owner, who has bestowed upon it much care and labor. The Captain has been twice married, his first union be- ing with Miss Jennie Beers, by whom he had eight children, namely: Ida, Hattie, Henry, Justin, James, Wesley, Wolcott and Olive; but the last named is now deceased. For his second wife he chose Miss S. E. Wilcox. He is well known and prominent in benevolent and fraternal organizations. He be- longs to Worthington Lodge, No. 270, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the encampment. His name is on the membership rolls of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Loyal Legion. He now belongs to H. C. Burr Post, which was named in honor of H. C. Burr, who was Captain Pinney's orderly sergeant and was killed at Shiloh. Of this post the Captain was the first com- mander and he has ever taken a deep interest in promoting its welfare. In politics he is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party which upheld the Union and which has ever been on the side of reform and progress. He cast his first vote while in the service, supporting Governor Brough, of Ohio. He has since been for many years a participant in the councils of the party, attending many of its conventions as a delegate, and in 1896 he was elected county commissioner, discharging the duties of the position so ac- ceptably that he was re-elected two years later and has alternated with the other commissioners as chairman of the board. While in this responsible po- sition he has by the exercise of sound judgment won the confidence and approval of the people of Franklin county, for he has labored untiringly for its interests. He has also held a number of township offices, having creditably served as trustee, clerk and assessor. In all matters pertaining to the general welfare he is deeply interested and contributes in a large measure to the pro- motion of those movements which he believes will advance public progress. He is always loyal to the cause which he espouses, faithful to the principles in which he believes and true to the obligations of public and private life in every particular. These qualities have won him warm regard wherever he is known, and in his native county he has indeed a host of true friends.
DAVID DEEMS SMILEY.
The value of the Scotch-Irish character has been many times demon- strated in all parts of America. Among the Scotch-Irish families who set- tled early in the northern part of Pennsylvania was that of Smiley and there was born Thomas Smiley, who became a Baptist minister and passed his entire active life and died in Bradford county. Rev. Thomas Smiley was the great- grandfather of David Deems Smiley, of Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio. His son, David was born in Bradford county. Pennsylvania, and his son, David, Jr., married Sarah Deems and they were the parents of David Deems Smiley.
David Deems Smiley was born on the farm in Norwich township,
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Franklin county, Ohio, on which he now lives, August 17, 1864, and was educated in the district school and at Hilliard high school and early initiated into everything pertaining to practical farming. After the death of his father, in the winter of 1893-94. David Deems and Charley Smiley took charge of the homestead farm and have man- aged it successfully, to the present time. June 24. 1891, Mr. Smiley married Miss Lily A. Binns, of Franklin township, who died No- vember 21. 1894, leaving a son, David Binns Smiley, who is now eight years old. Charles Smiley was married to Laura Binns, of Topeka, Kansas, who died in November, 1897, leaving two children,-Ruth and Ray.
Thomas Deems, the grandfather of David Deems Smiley in the maternal line, was a son of John Deems, a native of Pennsylvania, who married Sarah Roland and had children as follows: John, who settled in Illinois; Elizabeth, who married David Landers, and located in Indiana, where her husband died and she married again, dying young near Zanesville, Ohio, Jeaving three small children; Thomas, grandfather of David Deems Smiley. Thomas Deems was born in Pennsylvania and when he was twelve years old he was taken by his parents to Gratiot, Licking county, Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. He married Mary Sims, a native of Licking county and daughter of Simeon Sims, and about 1840 removed with his wife and family to Franklin county, Ohio, and bought a farm in Franklin, which was his home until his death, which occurred January 4, 1880. His wife died November 10, 1869. The following items of interest concerning their children have been taken from family records: Melissa, born June 26, 1829, married James Kennard and died in Franklin county, Ohio; Gilbert C., born December 1, 1830, married Ann Segraves and died in Franklin county. Jerusha, born October 10, 1832, married C. W. Wagner and died at Colum- bus. Ohio. Stephen F., born March 23, 1834, married Eliza Payten. Sarah, who was born June 30, 1836, married David Smiley, father of David Deems Smiley. Lavinia, born June 13, 1838, died in infancy.
HENRY RICHTER.
Henry Richter, who is identified with the building interests of Colum- bus and is well known as a reliable and trustworthy business man, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, March 6. 1853, his parents being Charles and Dorothy (Geissler) Richter, both of whom are natives of Germany, born in the same locality. In 1854 they came with their children to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained for seven years. Then, in 1860, they came to Ohio, settling at Grove City, Franklin county, which was their place of abode until 1868. In that year Mr. Richter moved to a farm five miles east of Columbus and devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until October 17, 1900, when he retired from active labor. but still resides on the farm. During his active business career he became a prosperous farmer, acquiring a comfortable competence as the result of his
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HENRY RICHTER.
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well directed efforts. His political support is given the Republican party, but he never held office. His wife died September 17, 1875. They had eight sons and four daughters, ten of whom reached years of maturity, while six of the sons are still living. Their father was a member of Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served a year,-until the close of the great rebellion.
Henry Richter, who is the subject proper of this sketch, attended the common schools of Grove City, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen put aside his text-books to learn the more difficult lessons of life's experience. He was apprenticed to Mr. Keck, a carpenter, with whom he continued to work at his trade until 1874, when he began taking contracts and building. He has made and executed many important contracts, and many of the fine struc- tures of the city are an indication of his' skill and handiwork. He erected a greater part of the M. C. Lilly Regalia Works, the residences of John Siebert and William Bobb, and many other fine structures in Columbus. He was the superintendent of construction on the Great Southern Hotel, and has done good work of a similar nature in many other sections of the city. He employs a large force of workmen, faithfully executes all the terms of his contracts and is enjoying a very liberal patronage.
He is a director of the Columbus Savings & Trust Company, also a director of, and stockholder in, the Ohio National Bank. He has been a moving spirit in the successful conduct of many enterprises which have been of material benefit to the city, while contributing to his own prosperity. He is a member of the 1890 Decennial Board of Equalization for the city of Columbus.
In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Trapp, a daughter of Reinhard and Catherine (Burgraff) Trapp. They now have two chil- dren,-Walter and Harry.
Mr. Richter is a very prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also a valued rep- resentative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been the treasurer of the board of trustees of their temple for the past four years. He is a past grand of Harmonia Lodge, No. 358, of this order, also a past patriarch of Encampment No. 96, and a past chancellor of Germania Lodge, No. 4, K. of P.
ASBURY SCOFIELD.
Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, numbers in its population sev- eral old and well esteemed citizens, but there is not one of them who stands higher in public opinion than the man whose name forms the title of this sketch.
Elijah Scofield, grandfather of Asbury Scofield, was a native of Marv- land. He married Miss Rosa Kuntz, of German extraction, early in the nineteenth century, and some years afterward came with his wife and family
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of three girls and seven boys, to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he engaged i:1 farming, was well known as a Dunkard preacher and died about 1834. His wife died about three or four years later. They had children as follows: Benjamin, who died in Franklin county, Ohio; Amos, who died in Ross county, Ohio; Elijah, who also died in Ross county; Jesse, who died in Franklin county, Ohio; Daniel, who died in Fairfield county, Ohio; Henry, who went to the far west; Dorcas, who married and went west; Rhoda, who became Mrs. Ingersoll; and Polly, who married a brother of Rhoda's husband, both sisters dying in the west; and Elias, the first born, who was the father of Asbury Scofield. These brothers and sisters were all born in Maryland, and Elias was a mere boy when his parents moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and learned the wagon-maker's trade. He mar- lied Rebecca Kauffman, daughter of William Kauffman, ofMuskingum,county. and for some years lived on a farm there and worked at his trade. He came to Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, about 1836, and bought four hundred acres of land, a mile south of Hilliard, which was in the midst of a wilderness, infested by wild animals and abounding in wild game. Elias Scofield entered vigorously upon the work of clearing land and developing a farm and gave his attention to the physical ailments of the settlers round about, for he became a physician of the Thompsonian school and rode many miles in all directions ministering to suffering humanity. He was brought up in the Dunkard faith and eventually became a member of the Christian church. In politics he was a Whig. Late in life he retired to Columbus, where he died about 1862. His wife died about five years later. Their oldest child was Milton, who served through the entire period of the Civil war in the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died at Columbus. As- bury Scofield was the next in order of birth. John died in Franklin county. William, who died in Franklin Co., also, was the father of Nathan A. Scofield, a biographical sketch of whom appears in this work. Keziah married Orne Edwin Warren and lives at Memphis, Missouri. Martha died in Franklin county, unmarried. Elias is a successful lawyer at Memphis, Missouri. David served in the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in Missouri. Ada I. died at the age of sixteen.
Asbury Scofield was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 12, 1827, and was about ten years old when his parents removed to Franklin county, Ohio. He was brought up as a farmer's boy of all work and went to school when he was not needed at home. Schoolhouses were not plentiful in Ohio in those days and such as there were were log structures of the most primitive kind, with stick chimneys, slab benches and paper windows and the schools were not much better than the houses in which they were kept, but they served their purpose in their time after a fashion and opened a way to better things educa- tionally. While Mr. Scofield's youth was not an unhappy one, it was far from being an idle one. He early became a good chopper and was an enthu- siastic hunter. He worked early and late on the farm and, at times, almost literally day and night in his father's sawmill. After his marriage he located
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on the old home farm and worked twelve acres of land which his father gave him and rented and operated the sawmill. Later he bought sixty-two acres more and continued the work of improvement until he went to Hardin county, Ohio, and there bought fifty acres of land on which he lived nearly two years and which he sold in order to return to Norwich township, where he soon after bought another fifty acres. Subsequently he bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres. His last experience as a lumberman was in Hardin county where he ran a sawmill in connection with his farming opera- tions. After his return to Franklin county, he gave his attention exclusively to farming in which he has met with flattering success. He married Lucy Jane Scrimger, of Norwich township, a daughter of William and Mary Scrim- ger, who died in 1886, having borne him children as follows: Lorenzo F. is' a successful physician at West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio. John F. and Chauncey A. are satisfactorily established in life at Columbus, Ohio. Laura became the wife of James Merriman, and died in Norwich township. Lydia died at the age of five years.
Mr. Scofield is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hilliard, of which he has been a member since 1872. He is an unswerving Republican and wields and influence in his towship always beneficial to his party, but has always refused to accept any public office though many have been offered him. He is a good example of a self-made American, sturdy, independent and successful, the soul of honor, and safe in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE W. INGHAM.
The subject of this review, who was one of the most successful farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Clinton township for many years. was born there in 1816, a son of Abraham and Sarah Ingham, natives of New York state, who came to this county at a very early day in its development. On the old homestead our subject grew to manhood, and the education he acquired in the common schools of the neighborhood well fitted him for the responsible duties of life. Farming was his chosen occupation, though he also carried on contracting and building to quite an extent, and in his undertakings stead- ily prospered, accumulating a good property, though he started out in life for himself empty-handed. He was one of the leading and representative cit- izens of his community and was called upon to fill various local offices, the du- ties of which he most acceptably discharged. He was captain of a company in the old state militia, and during the Civil war raised a company which he drilled, but did not himself enter the service. From early life he was a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics was an uncompromising Republican who took an active and influential part in local affairs. He died May 8, 1894, honored and respected by all who knew him.
On the 7th of May, 1850, Mr. Ingham had married Miss Nancy D. Ingham, a most estimable lady, who still survives him, and to them were
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born four children, as follows: Thomas A., who married Mary F. Imley; Sarah A., the wife of John R. McDonald, of this county; Mary E., who died at the age of four years, nine months and nine days; and Ida R., the wife of William Hard, of this county.
Elijah Legg, the grandfather of Mrs. Ingham, was a native of Virginia, where he married Tabitha Holly, and where were born to them seven children, namely: Thomas; John; James; Elizabeth, wife of Levi Wiley; Lucy, wife of Thomas O'Hara ; Mary, wife of James Walcott; and Susan, wife of Robert Walcott. In 1816 Mr. Legg came to this county with his family, and for a time engaged in farming on rented land in Perry township, where he sub- sequently purchased a farm, making it his home throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife were among the pioneer members of the Baptist church in this locality, and as there was no house of worship belong- ing to that denomination in the county when he located here, services were held in school houses and private residences. Mr. Legg was a successful farmer and was highly respected for his many excellent qualities. He died in 1852, and his wife in 1845.
Thomas Legg, Mrs. Ingham's father, was twenty-one years of age on the removal of the family from the Old Dominion to this state in 1816. He first settled in Ross county, where he was married to Miss Amelia Lane, also a native of Virginia, who was nine years old when brought by her parents, John and Nancy (Defoe) Lane, to Ohio, their last days being passed in Ross county, where Mr. Lane purchased property. After his marriage, Mr. Legg continued his residence in that county until 1828, when with his wife and five children he removed to Franklin Co., and bought one hundred acres of heavily wooded land in Perry township, paying for the same four dollars per acre. Here he erected a log cabin, which contained the proverbial fire place with its stick chimney. Upon this land he made a permanent home, while he cleared away the forest, erected good and substantial buildings and otherwise im- proved the place, converting it into one of the best farms of the locality. In his labors he met with excellent success, and accumulated considerable prop- erty. His children born in Ross county were Nancy D., Elizabeth Holly, John F., Lucinda and Elias, and in this county the family circle was increased by the birth of six others, namely: Martha, Thomas, Susan, Lewis, Amelia and Minerva. Only four are now living: Nancy D., John F., Lewis and Amelia. The mother of these children died August 15, 1852, at the age of fifty-three years. From the age of thirteen years she was a devout and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, who seemed possessed of all the Christian virtues, and was greatly beloved for her excellent qualities of mind and heart. For his second wife Mr. Legg married Mrs. Hannah Weatherbee, who survives him. His death occurred September 28. 1887. Politically he was a Democrat, and in the war of 1812 he served in a Virginia troop, later receiving a pension in recognition of his services. He was a good citizen, friend and neighbor, and was held in high regard by all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life.
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