A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 13

Author: Lyle S. Evans
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 549

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One of McDonald's biographers said : "It was impossible for McDon- Vol. II-7

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ald to have been an educated man, and hence his writings have not the ease and grace of a cultured literary style; but he was a man of strong vigorous mind; he had much to say; it was a labor of love to relate the adventures of his old comrades in arms, the pioneers of Southern Ohio; and in his own way he told the story of their lives and left a lasting monu- ment to their memories. He was very modest as an author and was reticent in regard to himself in a degree that has been regretted by all his readers. His personal knowledge of all the scenes which he has depicted and his participation in the adventures he has described, is often only suggested by the author's graphic style and minute attention to detail. Considering the slow and painstaking labor of composition which his sketches published in book form and in newspaper press must have cost the writer, his task was an immense one. Contemplating of the difficulty of production, the reader's feeling of gratitude is increased and the admiration for the sturdy pioneer author intensified. It was not ambition that led to this frontiersman's employment of the pen in his old days, but the desire to save from oblivion the record of the hardships through which the early explorer passed, the sterling traits of character they possessed, and perhaps to revive in his memory the faces and the manners of those who had been the companions of his young manhood's days."

Colonel McDonald spent his declining years in his home on Poplar Ridge, Ross County. He devoted much time to reading the current news and writing for various newspapers. In his last years his eyes became inflamed by constant use and for many years before death he was entirely blind. On the 11th of September, 1853, he anchored his bark in that distant harbor where the blinded eye is restored to sight by the benign rays of the eternal sun.

JESSE B. MALLOW. Half a dozen generations of the Mallow family have been identified with Ross County. It is one of the oldest names in Concord Township, where it was established more than a century ago. Few families have contributed more to the substantial progress and betterment of Ross County than the Mallows.

Their record begins with Adam Mallow Sr., who was born in Pen- dleton County, Virginia, about 1750. His was a somewhat remarkable career. When he was about six years of age he and his mother were captured by Indians. They were taken as captives south to the vicinity of New Orleans. They endured all the horrors of Indian captivity for six years. Finally Adam was returned as an exchanged prisoner. He was a young man when the colonies began the struggle for independence. and in the ranks of the Virginia troops he played a valiant part in that war. For many years after the revolution he continued farming and planting in Pendleton County. In 1806 he came with his family. including his son Adam, to Ohio. At that time the barrier of the Allegheny Mountains was unbroken by any highway except the old National Road, and the family made the journey over the rough trails and traces with wagons and teams. After much difficulty they located

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Nallow and Family

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in Ross County, and since that year the name has been one of prominence in this section of Ohio. Adam Mallow, Sr., married Sarah Bush, who was also a native of Virginia. His death occurred in Ross County in 1840 and his widow survived him and passed away at the age of ninety- seven years.

Adam Mallow, Jr., was born in Pendleton County, Virginia, in 1778, while the Revolutionary war was still in progress. He was a young married man of twenty-eight years when he came to Ross County and located in Concord Township. There he bought land and was not only a sturdy farmer but a citizen of recognized prominence. When the War of 1812 broke out he joined the United States forces and rose to the rank of major. After that war Major Mallow continued farming until his death on August 11, 1834. Major Mallow married Phoebe Dice, who died three weeks after her husband. Their nine children were named John, Rebecca, Catherine, Simon, Jesse, Sarah, Delilah, and Gilead.

Simon Mallow, grandfather of Jesse B. Mallow, was born on the old homestead in Concord Township in 1810. He proved a man of great industry and made a conspicuous success as the manager of his farming interests. He acquired extensive tracts of land in Ross County, and spent all his life in Concord Township. His wife's name was Malinda.

Adam G. Mallow, who represented the next generation, was born in Concord Township April 6, 1837. He grew up on a farm and made farming and stock raising his regular vocation. He acquired more than local note as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and was one of the men who introduced some of the best of that stock in Ross County. His animals were awarded many first prizes in competition with the best herds in the country. He was also prominent in local affairs, and for twenty years served as a member of the township board of trustees. His death occurred August 12, 1892. Adam G. Mallow married Jennie Galbraith, a daughter of Dr. Robert and Margaret (Scofield) Galbraith. She died in 1890. Her children were two sons: Jesse B. and Edgar. Edgar is a physician in active practice at Dayton, Ohio.

Jesse B. Mallow, who represents the fifth successive generation of the family in Ross County, was born on his father's farm in Concord Town- ship August 12, 1870. After graduating from the Frankfort High School he spent two years in the agricultural department of the Ohio State University at Columbus. His father then gave him two hundred acres of land and he immediately applied his theoretical knowledge in a practical way as a farmer and stock raiser. He has also done a great deal of feeding and buying and selling of livestock, and has conducted his enterprises on a very large scale, thus contributing to Ross County's enviable position among the agricultural centers of Ohio. Mr. Mallow now owns 1,200 acres of choice farm land in Concord Township. His home is one of the finest residences in Frankfort.

He is also a well known financier, and for several years was vice president of the Merchants and Farmers Bank at Frankfort. After

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becoming one of the organizers of the Commercial Bank of that town in 1912, he took the post of vice president and still fills that position. Mr. Mallow served as senator of the fifth and sixth districts, consisting of Ross, Fayette, Green, Clinton and Highland Counties. He affiliates with the republican party. Fraternally Mr. Mallow is affiliated with Frankfort Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Chillicothe Chapter No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, Chillicothe Council Royal and Select Masons, and Chillicothe Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar, and is a Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree, and also a Shriner at Dayton.

In 1890 Mr. Mallow married Nannie James, a daughter of Strawder and Rebecca (Bush) James. Her grandfathers were Reuben James and Jacob Bush. Mr. and Mrs. Mallow have reared two children, Eula and Adam G. Eula is the wife of Doctor Smith of Frankfort and they have a daughter named Lillian. Doctor Smith's Grandfather Byron Lutz served in the Senate two terms. Adam G. Mallow married Lizzie Peterson, and their son is named Jesse B., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mallow are active members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS. Especially worthy of mention in a work of this character is Joseph Williams, a veteran of the Civil war, and a highly respected resident of Chillicothe, who, having accomplished a satisfactory work as a farmer, is now living retired from active business. A son of Robert Lee Carter Williams, he was born April 23, 1842, in Springfield Township, Ross County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, John Williams, was of English ancestry, and a life-long resident of Virginia, where he followed the trade of a carpenter. One of his sons, James, settled perma- nently in Gainesboro, Tennessee; another son served for a long period in the United States navy ; and another son was a sailor, engaged in the merchant marine service.

Born and reared in Orange County, Virginia, Robert Lee Carter Williams learned the shoemaker's trade at a time when all footwear was made to order, by hand, before the establishment of shoe factories. Leaving his native state in 1830, he and his two brothers-in-law, Wash- ington Peecher and Samuel Partlow, came with their families to Ohio, making the entire journey overland, with teams, and bringing all of their worldly goods with them. The party forded the river at Galliopolis, and for a time after coming to Ohio Robert L. C. Williams lived near Schooley's Station. Removing to Springfield Township, Ross County, he located on land belonging to his father-in-law, and there in addition to farming he worked at his trade to some extent, making shoes to order, living there until 1857. Going in that year to Pickaway County, he resided in the vicinity of Kinderhook for a time, and on his return to Ross County settled in Union Township, where his death occurred in the seventy-third year of his age. The maiden name of his wife was Nancy Partlow. She was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, a daughter of John Partlow, a native of Virginia, born of English ancestry. The owner of a large plantation, which he operated many years with slave labor, John Partlow sold his landed estate in 1834, and, coming to Ohio,

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freed his slaves. Purchasing several tracts of land in Ross County, he subsequently resided here until his death, making his home with his children. Mr. Partlow married Mildred Ballinger, who spent her entire life in Virginia, dying in 1833. She reared two sons, Daniel and Samuel, and three daughters.

Mrs. Nancy (Partlow) Williams died November 19, 1879, aged seventy-six years. To her and her husband, seyen children were born,. as follows: John M .; Sarah; Ursula; Joseph, the subject of this brief personal narrative; Orland; David M .; and Jeremiah. John M. enlisted twice for service in the Civil war; he first joined the Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and while scouting in Virginia was severely wounded, and honorably discharged from the service. Recovering his strength, he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and continued with his company until the close of the war. Orland enlisted for a period of three months in an independent company.

As a boy and youth Joseph Williams attended the rural schools when opportunity offered, between sessions assisting in the care of the farm, being thus engaged when the tocsin of war rang throughout the land. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued with his regiment in all of its engagements until hon- orably discharged from the service, March 10, 1864. Mr. Williams again enlisted, in June, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with his command went first to Kentucky, and thence to Knoxville, Tennessee. In the fall of 1864, he was sent out with a foraging party into the Powell Valley, in Southwest Virginia, and there being captured by the enemy was held a prisoner-of-war for three days and nights. Mr. Williams and two of his companions dug under the cabin walls, and made their escape. They separated immediately after getting out of their prison, and Mr. Williams never again heard from the others. He, however, made his way through the darkness to a small cabin occupied by a negro, who gave him some corn bread, the first morsel of food which he had tasted since his capture. The negro then piloted him across the mountains, and at daybreak Mr. Williams hid in the top of a tree, where the negro left him, promising to send him another guide. About nine o'clock he heard firing, which he felt sure was from his own side of the army, and starting in the direction from which the sound came he reached a Union camp in about two hours. Mr. Williams was then sent to Knoxville by train, and subsequently remained with his command, which he there rejoined, until after the close of the war, receiv- ing his honorable discharge in June, 1865.

Returning home, Mr. Williams worked as a farm hand for two years. In 1867, desirous of establishing himself as an independent farmer, he bought a team and some agricultural implements, rented a tract of land, and began work on his own account. Very successful in his undertak- ings, he bought, in 1875, a farm lying near Andersonville, and for more than thirty-five years managed it with the same systematic skill and enterprise that he had previously shown in his work, making many and valuable improvements on the place. This farm, which he still owns, he

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occupied until 1911, when he removed to Chillicothe, where he is now living, retired from active labor.

Mr. Williams married first, in 1872, Mary E. Thompson, who was born in Ross County, a daughter of John and Maria ( Anderson) Thomp- son. She died in 1879, leaving one daughter, Viola, wife of Jacob Pabst. In 1886 Mr. Williams married for his second wife Nora C. Michael, who was born in Union Township, Ross County, a daughter of John and Catherine (Hauser) Michael. Of this union two children have been born,. namely : Selora and Joseph C. Selora married Grover C. Stout, and they have two children, George Williams and Bernice Catherine. Completing the course of study in the district schools of Union Township, and in the public schools of Chillicothe, Joseph was graduated from the Chillicothe Business College, and has now a position as bookkeeper.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are both members of the Union Chapel Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Andersonville. Mr. Williams was a charter member of the W. H. Lutz Post, No. 338, Grand Army of the Republic, of which there are now but four surviving members, and served as chap- lain during the existence of the organization. Although not a politician in the accepted sense of the term, he has filled various offices of trust and responsibility in the township, having been supervisor of roads, a member of the school board, and for a number of years was justice of the peace.

GEORGE BORST, JR. A well-known and prosperous business man of Chillicothe, George Borst, Jr., holds high rank among the self-made men of our times, his success in life being entirely due to his patient industry, forethought, and wisdom in taking advantage of every offered oppor- tunity for advancing his material interests. A son of George Borst, Sr., he was born December 16, 1858, in Chillicothe, of German ancestry, his paternal grandparents having been life-long residents of the fatherland, although two of their sons, John and George, emigrated to America.

John Borst located in Ross County, Ohio, soon after his arrival in this country, and for a number of years thereafter was in business as a farmer and livestock dealer. He subsequently removed to Kansas, and there spent the closing years of his life.

George Borst, Sr., was born and educated in Bruchsal, Baden, Ger- many, where he spent his early life. In 1852, accompanied by his five children, he came in a sailing vessel to this country, being ninety days in crossing the broad Atlantic. From New York, where he landed, he pro- ceeded by rail to Cleveland, thence by canal to Chillicothe, and here he was variously employed until his death, in his eighty-fifth year. The five children that he brought with him were as follows: Jacob, John, Magdalena, Anna, and Kate, all of whom completed their education in this city. Although not of military age when the breaking out of the Civil war occurred, the two sons offered their services to their adopted country, Jacob enlisting in the Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and John, who lost his life in the Battle of Murfreesboro, becoming a member of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After coming to Chilli-

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cothe, George Borst, Sr., married for his second wife Catherine Schaeffer, a native of Germany. Her father, John Schaeffer, came from his native country to the United States with his family, and for many years was engaged in general farming in Huntington Township, Ross County, although his last days were spent in Chillicothe. By his second mar- riage, George Borst, Sr., became the father of five children, also, namely : George, Clara, Mary, Fred, and Caroline.

George Borst, Jr., first attended the parochial schools, later com- pleting his early studies in the public schools of Chillicothe. Beginning life as a wage-earner at the age of thirteen years, his first employment was in a truck garden. Giving up that work, he entered the employ of Henry Sulzbacher, a merchant tailor, and after serving as a general utility boy for a time entered the tailoring department, and there became proficient at the tailor's trade. Mr. Borst subsequently continued with Mr. Sulzbacher until 1898, when he resigned his position to embark in the coal business, with which he has since been actively and successfully identified, having built up a substantial and profitable trade in the city.

Mr. Borst married, in 1882, Anna J. Sommers, who was born in Chilli- cothe, a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Albright) Sommers, who came from Germany to Ohio, locating in Chillicothe. Louine, the only child born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Borst, died when but two years and six months old. Active in municipal affairs, Mr. Borst has rendered excellent service as a public official, having been a member of the board of equalization, and for three years was president of the city council. Fraternally he is a member of Logan Tribe No. 9, Improved Order of Red Men.

FREDERICK ENDERLE. A well-known resident of Chillicothe, Fred- erick A. Enderle is an industrious, wide-awake man, who, by means of thrift and wise investments of his money, has acquired considerable wealth. He now owns and occupies the old Cross Keys Tavern, one of the oldest houses in the State of Ohio, and a place of historical interest. A native of Ross County, he was born, November 23, 1866, in a log house, in Scioto Township, of German ancestry.

Alois Enderle, his father, was born May 22, 1825, in Baden, Germany, where his parents spent their entire lives. With two of his sisters, Barbara Ender and Katherine Hanks, he came to this country in 1864, and located in Scioto Township. After working for a while at various employments, he accepted a position as stationary engineer at Harmon's tannery, and retained it for twenty-six consecutive years, having been very faithful in the discharge of his duties. He died May 24, 1914. His wife, whose maiden name was Francisco Kohler, was born in Baden, Germany, and died in Ross County, in June, 1896, leaving five children, as follows: Frederick A., the special subject of this sketch; Peter; Elizabeth ; Joseph ; and Alois.

Acquiring his education in the parochial schools, Frederick Enderle learned the barber's trade when young, and followed it as a journeyman for thirty-nine years. In 1894 he established himself in business at

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Chillicothe, where he has continued until the present time, his success having been assured from the first. In 1898 Mr. Enderle purchased the Cross Keys Tavern property, situated on the northwest corner of High and Arch streets. The property at that time consisted of the old tavern, a house containing seven large rooms, and an old barn. The lot had a frontage of 66 feet on High Street, and of 198 feet on Arch Street. The house had become dilapidated from ill usage, and scarce fit for habitation.

Mr. Enderle has since placed it in thorough repair, and in addition to installing modern improvements and conveniences, has put on a spacious veranda, and added four rooms. He has also built an 8-room modern house on the rear of the lot, a 7-room house on High Street, and a double 16-room house on Arch Street.

The Cross Keys Tavern was built as early as 1800, and was owned and conducted by William Key, who placed in front of the building two large keys, crossed. During the War of 1812, 600 prisoners were con- fined at one time on the hotel property. Federal soldiers encamped on the banks of the Scioto, and it is related that a soldier lad, about nine- teen years old, came one day to the hotel, intending to return to the camp at night. But the proprietor, telling the boy he had business at the garrison the next day, prevailed upon him to remain over night and go back with him to the garrison the next morning. There was then a standing offer of $50 for deserters, and the tavern-keeper on reaching the camp turned over as a deserter the young soldier, who was later shot.

It has been authoritatively stated that the first Constitution in the State of Ohio was written by Mike Baldwin in the barroom of the Cross Keys Tavern, on the head of a whiskey barrel, the writer using a wine cask for a seat.

Mr. Enderle married, November 28, 1894, Julia Zander, a native of Scioto Township. Her father, Martin Zander, was born in 1824, in Bavaria, Germany, and was there reared and educated. Three of his sisters, Mrs. John Entrest, Mrs. Andrew Orth, and Mrs. Philip Bohm, came to America in early life, and he, too, came when young to this country. He lived first in Chillicothe, later entering the employ of Governor Worthington, at Adena, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1868. The maiden name of the wife of Martin Zander was Frances Merkle. She was born in Baden, Germany, the birthplace of her father, Michael Merkle, who emigrated with his family to Ohio, locating in Chillicothe, where he reared his five children, Frances, August, Michael, William, and Magdalena. Mrs. Zander died at the age of eighty-six years, leaving five children, as follows: Joseph; Josephine ; James; Martin ; and Julia, now Mrs. Enderle.

Mr. and Mrs. Enderle have two children, Edwin and Helen. He and his family are active and faithful members of St. Peter's Church. Mr. Enderle is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters; of the Knights of St. George; and of the Order of Eagles; and of St. Igna- tius Men's Society. Mrs. Enderle is a member of the Catholic Ladies of Columbus.

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LUTHER B. YAPLE. Worthy of special mention in this volume is Luther B. Yaple, of Chillicothe, who has gained distinction not only as a successful lawyer, but as a practical and progressive horticulturist, owning one of the largest orchards in Ross County. He was born Septem- ber 12, 1865, in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, on the same farm on which the birth of his father, Aaron D. Yaple, occurred, April 19, 1837. He is a descendant in the fifth generation of the immigrant ances- tor, Philip Yaple, a native of Germany, where the surname was spelled "Jebel," the line of descent being through John, Sr., John, Jr., Aaron D., and Luther B.

Emigrating to America in colonial days, Philip Yaple located in Pennsylvania, becoming an early settler of the Wyoming Valley. Enlist- ing in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, he was absent from his home at the time of the Wyoming massacre, in July, 1778. Subsequently removing to New York State, he settled on Lake Ithaca in pioneer days, and having purchased land was there a resident until his death.

John Yaple, Sr., was born in the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, in that part of Berks County that is now included in Lebanon County, in 1765. Accompanying the family to New York, he subsequently settled in Danby, not far from Ithaca, taking up land, and engaging in farming. About 1812, accompanied by his family, he came to Ohio, crossing the intervening country with teams, and bringing all of his worldly posses- sions with him. He first located in the Scioto Valley, near Circleville, where but little of the land had then been improved, and owing to the bad drainage malaria was very prevalent. Leaving the fertile lands of the valley on that account, he came to Ross County, and having purchased a tract of heavily timbered land in what is now Colerain Township built a log cabin in the wilderness, being particular to locate near a spring. There having been neither railroads, canals or convenient markets at that early day, he in common with his neighbors, which were few and far between, lived on the products of the land or the wild game found in the vicinity, all of the sugar used being made from the sap of the maple trees. The farmers raised sheep and flax, and the energetic women of the household were accustomed to card, spin and weave, and make all of the clothing worn by the family. Clearing quite a tract of his land, he lived there until his death, in November, 1846. He married Rachel Dupay, who was born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1770, and died March 18, 1842, on the home farm.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 13

Author: Lyle S. Evans Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 549

Author: Lyle S. Evans
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 549