A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 19

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

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Born in Caroline County, Virginia, in 1814, John A. Vaughters was about seventeen years old when he came with his widowed mother and family to Jackson County. An industrious youth, he had no trouble in finding work, and for three years assisted in the digging of the Ohio Canal. Subsequently forming the acquaintance of George Wood, of Chillicothe, he was employed by him to begin the improvement of a large tract of Ohio River bottom lands that he owned, the lands being located in Nile Township, Scioto County, and being very fertile, but heavily timbered. At that time all of the river steamers used wood for fuel, and as he cleared off the timber he sold it for that purpose. For a few Vol. II-10

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years he rented the land he had cleared, but as his means increased he bought tracts from time to time, and ere his death, which occurred in 1891, he was the owner of 700 acres of well-improved lands, on which he had erected substantial buildings. He married first, Mary Dortch, a daughter of George Dortch, a farmer of Greenup County, Kentucky. She died in early life, in 1860, leaving two children, George A., the subject of this brief biographical sketch; and Mary, who became the wife of Harry Grimes, of Portsmouth, Ohio. His second wife, whose maiden name was Ada J. Brous, survived him two years, dying in 1893.

Completing the course of study at the National Normal School, in Lebanon, under the supervision of Professor Holbrook, George A. Vaugh- ters spent the following year in Chillicothe, as bookkeeper in the mercan- tile establishment of J. R. English. Going then to Columbus with Mr. English, he remained there in his employ another year. Familiar then with the details of the business, Mr. Vaughters returned to Chilli- cothe, and, forming a partnership with Michael Kramer, engaged in a small way in the wholesale grocery business, becoming head of the firm of Vaughters, Kramer and Company. Six years later Allan W. Hamill was admitted to the firm, and in 1901 the business was incorporated as the Vaughters, Kramer Company, of which Mr. Vaughters has since been president, with Mr. Hamill as general manager. Mr. Vaughters has also other interests of importance, having been the president, and a director, of the Citizens National Bank since its organization. In 1905, Messrs. Vaughters and Kramer secured a controlling interest in the Chillicothe Electric Railroad Light & Power Company, in the management of which both have since been officially associated, Mr. Vaughters as its president and general manager.

Mr. Vaughters married first Alice Cook, a native of Madison, Indiana. She died in 1886, leaving one son, Harry Vaughters, who married Zora Moore, a daughter of Emanuel Moore, and has three children, Farrell, Maurice, and Margaret. The maiden name of the present wife of Mr. Vaughters was Margaret Kemmerer.

Religiously Mr. Vaughters was reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but the family now attend the Presbyterian Church. In his political affiliations he supports the principles of the republican party.

ALBERT SCHOLL. Industrious, enterprising, and painstaking, Albert Scholl, leading job printer of Chillicothe, is ably doing his part in advanc- ing the industrial interests of this section of Ross County. He was born in this city, April 14, 1873, a son of Nickolas Scholl, who has acquired fame as an inventor.

His paternal grandfather, Adam Scholl, was born, reared, and mar- ried in Mannheim, Baden, Germany. Serving an apprenticeship at the weaver's trade, he followed it in the fatherland until 1846, when he came with his family to the United States, being but thirty days crossing the ocean. From New York, he went by railway to Buffalo, thence by way of the lake to Cleveland, and then by the canal to Columbus, where he spent a year. Locating in Chillicothe in 1847, he labored industriously, being

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variously employed, and was here a resident until his death, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Magdalina Pom- mert, lived to the venerable age of ninety-three years.

Born in Mannheim, Germany, in 1843, Nickolas Scholl was but three years old when brought to Ohio by his parents. He went to school in the Chillicothe schools only three years, and as a youth developed a decided talent for invention. Having taken out a patent on an ironing board of his own invention, he organized the Champion Bosom Board Company, and was engaged in the manufacture of ironing boards until he sold his patent. He subsequently invented an ironing stand, and as founder of the Eclipse Manufacturing Company engaged in the manu- facture of the stands, which for a time had a world-wide sale. Having accomplished a satisfactory work, he is now living retired from business cares. The maiden name of his wife was Frederika Gunther. She was born in Chillicothe, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Stroechecker) Gunther, both of whom were natives of Germany, Mr. Gunther having been born near Stuttgart, and his wife in Ludwigsburg, Wittenburg. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Scholl, as follows: George; William; Sarah Elizabeth; Albert; Lloyd R .; and Mary M. and Nellie, twins.

Receiving a brief training in the public schools, Albert Scholl began to learn the printer's trade when but twelve years old, for two years being employed in George B. Moore's printing establishment. He was afterwards connected with the old Chillicothe Gazette, and with the Daily News, as foreman for nine years, later conducting a dairy farm for a while. In 1894 Mr. Scholl was appointed truant officer and assistant librarian, and served for two years in those positions. In August, 1898, he established the job printing business with which he has since been actively and successfully identified, his management of mechanical details, and his artistic taste in matters of typography, rendering his work popular and attractive.

Mr. Scholl married, November 15, 1894, Rosa Myrtle Burgoon, who was born in Chillicothe, May 8, 1873, a daughter of William and Ellen (Thatcher) Burgoon. Their only child, Diathea Centura, born in the "wee, sma' hours" of January 1, 1901, was the first person born in Ohio in the twentieth century. Mr. and Mrs. Scholl are valued members of the Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, he being a member of the official board. Fraternally Mr. Scholl is a member of Scioto Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons; a member, and past high priest, of Chillicothe Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; a member of Chillicothe Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is past thrice illus- trious master; a member of Chillicothe Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; and a member of and clerk of Chillicothe Camp, No. 4111, Modern Woodmen of America. He is a trustee of Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce, a member of the executive committee of the Farmers' Fall Festival Committee, and vice president of the Ohio Printers' Federation.

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ELIJAH CUTRIGHT, JR. A man of scholarly attainments, possessing a wide knowledge of law, Elijah Cutright, Jr., has gained a position of note among the active and successful attorneys of Chillicothe, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession for upwards of a score of years. A native of Ross County, he was born September 12, 1865, in Springfield Township, where the birth of his father, Elijah Cutright, Sr., occurred on July 25, 1823. His grandfather, James Cutright, whose birth occurred February 26, 1798, in Scioto Township, at Station Prairie, was said to have been the first white male child born in Ross County.

John Cutright, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, and, according to tradition, was a descendant of one of two brothers who emigrated from Scotland to America in early colonial days, one settling in Pennsylvania, and the other in Virginia. Joining a colony of brave adventurers in 1797, he came with his family to the Northwest Territory, making an overland journey with teams. After living for a time in Scioto Township, Ross County, Ohio, he moved to Springfield Township, where he bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and at once began the arduous task of improving a homestead, in the meantime renting from General Massie several acres of improved land. On the farm which he cleared, he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1830, as did his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Subre.

In the boyhood days of James Cutright, who was reared in true pio- neer times, the wild beasts of the forest had not fled before the advancing steps of civilization, but, with the dusky savage, habited the vast wilder- ness. There were neither railways nor canals, and no convenient markets, livestock being driven over the mountains to Baltimore or Philadelphia. As a young man he made two or more trips down the Mississippi to New Orleans on flatboats loaded with produce, flour and meat. The farmers raised sheep and flax, and the industrious wives and mothers used to spin and weave the homespun material in which they clothed their families.

After his marriage, James Cutright lived on a farm on the Massie and McDougal land until 1838 when he located on a part of his father-in- law's estate. Successful in his undertakings, he wisely invested his sur- plus money in land, at the time of his death, when seventy-two years of age, having title to 800 acres of valuable real estate. He was active in public affairs, serving acceptably as county commissioner. He married Sabra Neff, who was born in Virginia, July 5, 1800, and died in Spring- field Township, Ross County. Her father, Leonard Neff, with his wife, Lydia, and their family, came from Virginia to Ohio in 1809, and imme- diately entered the southwest quarter of section 24, Springfield Town- ship, Ross County, where he cleared. and improved a farm, on which he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1833.

Elijah Cutright, Sr., was born on the Massie farm and brought up on the home farm from the age of fifteen years, receiving his education in the district schools. After his marriage he lived on a part of his father's land until 1865, when he moved in the home with his father (his mother having died), and at the death of his father received the home farm.

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He continued his occupation as a tiller of the soil, living there until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. He married Elizabeth . Barclay, who was born in Harrison Township, Ross County, Ohio, November 14, 1838, and is now living in Springfield Township. Her father, James Barclay, was born in 1811, in Ireland, and as a young man emigrated to Ohio. Settling in Ross County, he turned his attention to farming, and soon after his marriage purchased land in Harrison Town- ship, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of three-score and ten years. The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Barclay was Mary Pontious. She was born, August 21, 1819, in Ross County, and there spent her entire life of seventy years. Her father, John Pontious, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ross County, Ohio, with three of his brothers in pioneer days, and settled perma- nently in Coleman Township. He was of Holland ancestry, and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Myers, was of German descent. Nine children were born of the union of Elijah and Elizabeth (Barclay) Cutright, as follows: John F .; Elijah, Jr .; Mary, wife of E. E. Hough; Albert; Sarah Florence, wife of John Zuber; Grant; James N .; Emma, who married Henry Rose; and Douglas.

Having acquired a good common school education, Elijah Cutright, Jr., began his professional career as a teacher, in that capacity earning enough money to pay his college expenses at the Lebanon University. After his graduation from that institution, Mr. Cutright resumed teach- ing, and while thus employed devoted all of his leisure time to the study of law. In March, 1893, he was admitted to the Ohio bar, and a month later opened a law office in the Ross County Bank Building at Chilli- cothe, where he has since been in active practice, his patronage being extensive and highly remunerative.

Mr. Cutright married, February 7, 1894, Miss Minnie, the adopted daughter of his uncle, Nelson Cutright, and into their pleasant house- hold three children have been born, namely : Howard Elijah; James F .; and Robert E. Mr. and Mrs. Cutright are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and for several years Mr. Cutright was one of the trustees of St. Andrew's Mission.

TOBIAS EDINGER. One of the pioneer butchers to locate in Ross County was Adam Edinger, who had learned his trade in the thorough manner of German custom and practice, and who emigrating to America in 1839 brought his little family to Ross County. It is an interesting fact that the trade of butcher has descended from father to son, and the name in Ross County has been most familiarly associated with the meat business, and there is now a large and flourishing wholesale and retail concern in Chillicothe conducted by grandsons of this pioneer settler.

One of these grandsons is Tobias Edinger, who was born in Ross County June 14, 1864, one of the six children of Tobias and Catherine (Griesheimer) Edinger. Tobias Edinger, Sr., was also a native of Ger- many and was quite young when he was brought to Ross County. He learned the occupation which his father had followed and for more than

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half a century has been occupied with the same line of business and is still active in its affairs, though at the age of seventy-six. The heavier responsibilities of the concern are now carried by his sons.

Tobias Edinger, the oldest of the sons, was educated in the public schools of Chillicothe, at an early age entered his father's business and became a practical man in the industry of handling meat, and has for a great many years been general manager of the large wholesale and retail firm which handles much of the meat consumed in this part of Ohio. Mr. Tobias Edinger is an active republican, is affiliated with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the German Lutheran Church. On June 26, 1892, in Ross County he married Miss Anna Winter, whose people came from Germany. They have one son, Arthur, born in May, 1910.

The brothers of Tobias Edinger who are also connected with the busi- ness are: Everett, the eldest, is married and has two sons, Frank and Tobias, and one daughter, Phylis Marie; George Edinger, who was born in January, 1866, and is the father of two children, Earl and Metta; William Edinger, born in 1869, has two daughters, Nora and Margaret ; Albert Edinger, born in 1873, married Elsie Dressbach; Edward was born in 1875, is married and has four children.

VICTOR H. VESTER has spent his years usefully and profitably as a farmer, and now owns one of the fine estates of Scioto Township in Ross County.

Of substantial German ancestry, he was born at Omega, Pike County, Ohio, January 9, 1870. His father, Henry Alexander Vester, was born in Stholp, a town of West Prussia, on March 18, 1825. Mr. Vester's grandfather was a native of Prussia. During his early childhood some of those devastating wars which desolated that empire district of Europe occurred, and his parents and brothers and sisters all perished in the general massacre, he being the only member of the family to escape. While he was wandering from the scene a nobleman found him and took him to his home, rearing and training him and giving him a good educa- tion. When he reached military age he joined the army and served under Bluecher in the Battle of Waterloo. His splendid services as a soldier earned him the iron cross. After leaving the army he operated a flour mill at Stholp, in West Prussia, and served as burgomaster or mayor of the town until his death.

Henry A. Vester thus grew up in a home of substantial comforts. He served an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, and then traveled as a journeyman, working in different cities of Germany. In each place he received a certificate of good workmanship and character. While work- ing in the Village of Lauterecken, in Bavaria, he met the Bock family, and falling in love with one of the daughters came to America with the entire family. They made the voyage on a sailing vessel and spent seven weeks battling with the waves before landing in New York City. Three of Henry Vester's brothers also came to the United States, Edward, who settled at Waverly, Julius, who located in Chillicothe, and William, who

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went on a farm in Pike County. Henry A. Vester eventually moved to Pike County, Ohio, and was engaged in the tailor business at Omega, being employed by Mr. Vanachen. He remained there until 1880 and in the meantime bought a farm in Scioto Township of Ross County, 31/2 miles from the courthouse, and was engaged in its operation until his death in 1903. Henry A. Vester married Dorothea Bock. She was born in Lauterecken, a town in the Rhenish Province of Bavaria, July 28, 1835. Her father Abraham Bock, a native Bavarian, came to America accompanied by his family and settled in Pike County, where he bought a farm, lived there about ten years, and then moved to Logan County, Illinois, where his death occurred. Mrs. Henry A. Vester died November 19, 1913.

One of eleven children, Victor H. Vester, grew up on a farm, received his education in the rural schools of Pike and Ross counties, and lived with his parents until they died. After the death of his father he bought the interests of the other heirs, and has since bought other land until his possessions now aggregate 170 acres of the fertile soil of Ross County. Besides the improvements which were there he has erected a commodious frame barn and other buildings and his place now ranks in value and in improvements with the best in that section. His business has been that of general farmer and fruit and poultry grower.

Mr. Vester married Emma England, who was born in Scioto Town- ship, daughter of Warner and Nannie (Riley) England. They are the parents of four children, Adalina, Lyle, Vivian and Claude. Mrs. Vester is a member of the Walnut Street Methodist Church. Mr. Vester is an active member of the Grange, and of the board of education.

GOTTFRIED FRICK. To mention this name is to indicate one of the most successful agriculturists and landed proprietors of Ross County. Gottfried Frick is now living retired at his home at 207 Caldwell Street in Chillicothe, but for a long period of years he showed his enterprise with good results in different farming sections of Ross County, particu- larly in Scioto Township, and he has also rendered valuable service in behalf of community welfare.

His parents were Peter and Catherine Frick, both natives of Germany who emigrated to America with their family in 1838. It required nearly three months to cross the ocean, though the voyage can now be done in less than a week. The family first located in Pike County, Ohio, where Peter Frick followed farming until 1872. In that year he moved to Ross County and he and his wife spent the rest of their years with their son Gottfried. Peter died at the age of sixty-six and the mother in her seventy-second year.

Next to the oldest of the five children, Gottfried Frick was born at Rheinbern, Germany, August 28, 1837, and was just an infant brought to America. He grew up on a farm, attended public schools, and after reaching manhood his first venture was with a threshing outfit, and that business he followed during the season for several years. He then married Miss Mary Gahm of Jackson County, Ohio.

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After his marriage Mr. Frick continued to live in Pike County for several years, and after coming to Ross County spent one year in Twin Township, and from there moved to Scioto Township. There he was first known as a renter and cultivated rented land for about seven years. He then bought what was known as the Sunbeck farm, and that was the nucleus of his operations, and around it he has accumulated real estate until his farm in that locality comprises 280 acres. Besides the farm land he also had as an institution on the farm the old Paint Creek mill, an industry which he conducted for seventeen years. He also built a large mill at Portsmouth, but sold that to his son. Mr. Frick in many ways has been one of the most successful business men of Ross County, and at the present time besides his Ross County holdings he owns 647 acres of land on the Wabash River, and various properties in different localities.

He is now retired from the heavier responsibilities of his active career, but will always be kindly remembered in Scioto Township as well as in every other community where he has had his interests. In a public way his interest has been chiefly directed toward the development of educa- tional facilities. During his residence of more than thirty-one years in Scioto Township he was a member of the school board almost continu- ously and was once elected to the position of land appraiser, but resigned before taking office. He is affiliated with Chillicothe Lodge No. 84, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in politics is a democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Frick have six children: George, a resident of Knox County, Indiana; Adam of Portsmouth, Ohio; John, whose home is in Missouri; Lena, wife of Ellsworth Kidnocker of Scioto Township; Christina and Catherine, both at home. The family attend the Presby- terian Church, and Mr. Frick has been one of its active loyal members ever since 1863.

EDWARD MEGGENHOFEN, M. D. Prominent among the leading phy- sicians and surgeons of Ross County was the late Edward Meggenhofen, of Chillicothe, a man of scientific thought and pursuits, and of eminent ability, who devoted his time and energies to the investigation of the causes of disease, and the best methods of treating the various ills to which flesh is heir. A son of Louis Meggenhofen, he was born May 18, 1857, on a farm lying near Anderson Station, Ross County, of German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Carl Meggenhofen, a music teacher by profession, was a life-long resident of Frankfort on the Main, although four of his children, Minnie, Ferdinand, Louis, and Julia, emigrated to the United States.

Born in Germany, at Frankfort on the Main, Louis Meggenhofen was a man of culture, having while yet a youth received a liberal education. Coming to this country in early manhood, he was for several years a teacher in the public schools of Ross County. Locating in Chillicothe, he became active in public affairs, and as one of the first park commis- sioners took an intelligent interest in beautifying and improving the city, his superior knowledge of botany being of much help to him in the work

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involved. He died in 1885, when but sixty-two years of age. He married Katherine Paulus, who was born in Lorain, France, and was brought to Ohio by her parents, and educated in Chillicothe. She died in 1914, leaving two sons, Edward and Charles.

Completing his preliminary education in the public schools, Edward Meggenhofen was engaged in the drug business in Chillicothe from 1876 until 1891. Taking up then the study of medicine, for which he had a natural taste and aptitude, he was graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine with the class of 1893. Returning to his home city Doctor Meggenhofen formed a partnership with the widow of his former employer, and continued in the drug business under his name for three years. The doctor then disposed of his interest in the concern, and had afterward devoted himself entirely to the practice of his chosen profes- sion in Chillicothe, where he gained a position of note among the most successful and skilful physicians of Ross County. Being a registered pharmacist, he dispensed the medicines which he prescribed, keeping at all times an ample supply on hand.

On September 8, 1881, Doctor Meggenhofen married Louise Kirk- patrick, who was born in Chillicothe, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Ann (Getler) Kirkpatrick. Her father enlisted February 4, 1864, in Company A, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the Battle of Nashville, December 15, 1864, was mortally wounded, his death occurring two days later. Doctor and Mrs. Meggenhofen had three chil- dren, namely : Laura, wife of William Greenbaum; Anna, wife of Walter S. Barrett, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume; and Katherine, wife of Garrett S. Claypool.

On August 23, 1916, Doctor Meggenhofen died from injuries received in the accidental turning over of his automobile.

J. G. KEEPERS. A successful merchant of Fruitdale, Ross County, J. G. Keepers is also serving in the capacity of agent for the D. T. & I. Railroad at this point and for the American Express Company. From his youth he has been identified with railroad work, a field in which he worked his own way upward to a responsible position, while as a mer- chant he has won equal success, although his experience in this direction has been of much shorter duration. Mr. Keepers is a native son of Ross County, having been born on a farm in Paxton Township, May 9, 1865, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Swope) Keepers.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 19

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

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