A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 20

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

USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 20

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

The Keepers family has been long established in Ross County, having been founded here at an early date by the paternal grandfather of J. G. Keepers, who migrated from Baltimore, Maryland, and settled on a new farm in Paxton Township. There he rounded out his career as a farmer and attained a ripe old age. Henry Keepers was born in Paxton Town- ship, not far from the birthplace of his son, and was there educated and reared as a farmer. After his marriage he located at Cold Springs, in Paxton Township, at a point known as Keepers Riffles, which community continued to be his home until his death, in 1880. Mrs. Keepers con- tinued to live there until 1886, when she went to Humboldt, and there

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her home has been located to the present time. She was born at Ben- ner's Forge, near Bainbridge, Ross County, and is the mother of six children : Ed, who lives at Thrifton, Ross County; Elizabeth, who is the wife of J. W. Sweeney, of Point Township; J. G .; Eva, who is the wife of Charles Keneval; IIenry, who resides in Point Township; and Mary, of Des Moines, Iowa.

J. G. Keepers received his education in the district school, and at the age of fourteen years, when his father died, began to contribute to the family income. His employment as a youth was on the home farm and among the agriculturists of the vicinity, but at the age of twenty-one years turned his attention to railroad affairs and secured employment as a section hand in the maintenance of way department of the D. T. & I. Railroad. After four years in this capacity he was advanced to section foreman, and filled that post for sixteen years, being later made roadmaster and division superintendent. Finally, in 1910, he came to Fruitdale, in the capacity of agent, and since that time has also dis- charged the duties of agent for the American Express Company. After coming to this place he entered mercantile affairs, and has built up an excellent patronage for his general store. Mr. Keepers is progressive in his methods and a shrewd, capable business man, who wastes no oppor- tunities and who watches closely the needs of his trade. He does not allow his business interests to interfere with the discharge of his duties as agent, however, and has made many friends by the courteous and obliging manner in which he handles the railroad and express matters at this point.

Mr. Keepers was married March 21, 1889, to Miss Ida Iseman, daughter of Mrs. Nancy Iseman, and they have four children : Florence and Zada, who reside at home; and Frank and James, deceased, the former of whom died when seven months old and the latter at the age of four years. Mr. Keepers is interested in fraternal matters, being a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America Camp at Green- field. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always taken an active part in its affairs, having been a member of the board of trustees and a steward for years, and for the past five years superintendent of the Sunday school. Like her husband, Mrs. Keepers is interested in religious work and assists in the various movements of the church. In political views Mr. Keepers is a republican and has always been an active worker in his party's ranks. He served as trustee of Point Township for one term and in 1915 was elected township clerk, a position which he now holds, his term expiring in 1917. He finds recreation from his business and his duties in gardening, and for the past six years has been engaged therein. As a citizen who is taking an active part in the life of the community, he holds a firmly established place, and in each field in which his activities are centered he has the respect and confidence of those with whom he has worked.

FRANK E. BAIRD. Belonging to the young and progressive farming element to which Ross County must look for its future agricultural

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development, Frank E. Baird has passed his entire life in the com- munity in which he now resides in Point Township. He belongs to a family well known in Ross County, whose members have always been engaged in farming, but who have also been prominent in educational, religious and political affairs, and the name is one that has always stood for progress and good citizenship. Frank E. Baird is showing himself worthy of bearing the name, and if his past accomplishments may be taken as a criterion for the future, should add luster to it.

Mr. Baird was born on the farm which he now occupies, in Paint Township, on the Greenfield and Bainbridge Pike, one-half mile from Fruitdale, April 29, 1888, his parents being W. A. and Alice R. (Ross) Baird. The founder of the family in Ross County was John W. Baird, the grandfather of Frank E., who came here at an early date from Zanesville, Ohio, and here passed the rest of his life as a farmer. His son, W. A. Baird, was born at Slate Mills, Ross County, May 8, 1853. He completed his education in the schools of South Salem. He was there married to Miss Alice R. Ross, who was born in Buckskin Town- ship, Ross County, July 2, 1853, and after their marriage they took up their residence on the farm now occupied by Frank E. Baird. Mr. Baird was a man of inherent ability and tireless industry. When he started his career he had only small means, but through hard work and perseverance he won success as an agriculturist, accumulated much land as the years passed, and at the time of his death, April 18, 1915, was accounted one of the well-to-do men of his community. He was much more than a mere seeker after material things, however, for he always found time to aid his community and to lend assistance to those who were worthy and needy. In his locality he was known as a man of strict integrity, and in business circles his word was sufficient to close a contract, without scratch of pen. Politically a republican, he took an active part in the affairs of his party, and for two consecutive terms, from 1890 to 1894, was county committeeman from his district. His religious belief was that of the Presbyterian Church and he lived his faith. For several years he served as deacon of the church, and just prior to his death had been re-elected for that position, but did not live to assume its duties. Mrs. Baird, who survives him, is a member of the same church and has taken an active part in its work. Mr. and Mrs. Baird were the parents of four children, namely: Mary V., who is the wife of H. S. Thomas, manager of the factory of the E. T. McLain Company, at Chatham, Ontario, Canada; Effie, who died in infancy; Ruth A., who is the wife of J. A. Brown, of South Salem, Ohio, con- nected with the United States service; and Frank E., of this review.

Frank E. Baird was granted good educational advantages, attending the district school and South Salem Academy. After his graduation from the latter he returned to the home farm, where he has always remained, and at the time of his father's demise, assumed its manage- ment. He now has control of 230 acres of valuable and fertile land, which produces good crops and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Baird has proved himself a practical farmer, with a

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profound respect for the established methods of the past, but who is not slow to realize the beneficial results to be attained by an intelligent use of modern machinery and methods. He is adding to the improve- ments on the homestead, and if his plans are carried out, this will be one of the finest farms in southwestern Ross County. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, in the work of which he takes an active part, and for the past two or three years has been a deacon. His political support is given to the republican party, but his political aspirations, if he has had any, have been put aside in favor of his farming interests.

Mr. Baird was married October 16, 1912, to Miss Lucy M. Parrett, daughter of George C. and Fannie (Pinkerton) Parrett. She was born at Bloomsburg, Fayette County, Ohio, came as a girl to Buckskin Town- ship, and is a graduate of the Greenfield High School, which she attended while living near South Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are the parents of two children : Helen Louise and Weldon Alexander.

BARZILLIA TAYLOR. One of the old an honored citizens of Paint Township, both in longevity and length of residence, and still one of that township's energetic and successful farmers, is Barzillia Taylor. Through a long life of useful endeavor and honest achievement he has been connected with the agricultural interests of his community, and at this time is the owner of 265 acres of fertile land, located on the Greenfield and Rapid Forge Pike, 51/2 miles south of Greenfield and seven miles from Bainbridge. ,

Mr. Taylor was born in Paint Township, Ross County, Ohio, on the old Taylor homestead farm, April 8, 1845, and is a son of Pierce and Rebecca (Warren) Taylor. His grandfather was John Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, who left the Keystone State in young manhood, settled in Paint Township, and there devoted himself to farming. From small beginnings he became one of the substantial men of his community, so that when his sons were ready to start out in the world on their own account he gave to each 100 acres of land, and still had a large amount of property left at the time of his death. Pierce Taylor was born on a part of his father's farm and received the education afforded by the district schools of his day and community. On reaching man's estate he was given his share of the property by his father, and continued to cultivate it until 1865, when he disposed of his interests therein and bought another property, which was located nearer to the schoolhouse. There he rounded out his career, and at the time of his death was one of his community's well-to-do men. He was a good citizen who had a part in movements for the betterment of his locality, and held the respect and esteem of those with whom he came into contact. Mr. Taylor mar- ried Rebecca Warren, who was born near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, where she was educated and grew to' womanhood. She was a gentle Christian woman who reared her children to lives of industry and hon- esty and who was her husband's faithful companion in all his fortunes. They were the parents of five children, namely: Amanda, who died as

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the wife of John A. Hewitt; Abraham W., who is also deceased; Bar- zillia, of this review; Sarah N., who is the wife of William Bennett, of Jeffersonville, Ohio; and Mary Angeline, who is the wife of John Milli- gan, an agriculturist of Buckskin Township, Ross County.

The district schools of Paint Township furnished Barzillia Taylor with his educational training, and he grew up on the home farm, where he was given the benefit of his father's knowledge as to matters agricul- tural. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, January 12, 1864, when he settled in a small house on the farm on which he now resides. Later he built a more commodious residence, on the road, and this has continued to be his home to the present time. From the outset of his career Mr. Taylor was an energetic and painstaking man, fulfilling his obligations with conscientious exactness, and in his work exemplify- ing the belief that what was worth 'doing at all was worth doing well. These things have been characteristic of him throughout his life and have played a large share in the winning of his success. His farm of 265 acres is attractively and conveniently situated on the Greenfield and Rapid Forge Pike, almost midway between the large commercial centers of Bainbridge and Greenfield, and presents a handsome appear- ance, with modern buildings and other improvements, well-tilled and well-fenced fields and a general air of prosperity. In former years Mr. Taylor raised a good grade of livestock, but recently, owing to advancing age, Mr. Taylor disposed of his cattle, hogs and sheep, and now devotes himself entirely to general farming.

On January 12, 1864, Mr. Taylor was married to Mary Francis Harris, who was born and reared in Buckskin Township, Ross County, daughter of Ignatius and Elizabeth Harris. To this union there have been born three children: Alvada, who is the widow of Myley Boyles and lives in Ross County; Harley N., residing on the old homestead in Paint Township; and Stewart, of Highland County. Mr. Taylor is an out and out democrat, but has never mixed in political affairs. He has served as township trustee for one term and as school director, and has always been generous in his support of measures making for better morals, better education and more advanced citizenship.

CHARLES O. FREE. Many years of connection with the agricultural interests of Ross County has established for Charles O. Free a reputation for ability, resource and unflagging energy. He is one of the captains of industry who have piloted their own craft to harbor, and at the present time is the owner of a magnificent property consisting of 910 acres, located on the Rapid Forge and Greenfield Road, in Paint Township.

Charles O. Free was born on a farm in Paxton Township, Ross County, Ohio, November 1, 1859, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Ogle) Free. His paternal grandfather was George Free, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who as a young man, shortly after 1800, came to Ross County and settled close to old Rapid Forge, where he was man- ager of the outside part of the Forge farm. Later he bought a property

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of his own, and the closing years of his life were passed in farming in Paint Township. He was one of the substantial pioneers of Ross County and established a reputation for integrity and fair dealing which those who have followed him have substantiated. Isaac Free was born at Rapid Forge, Paint Township, where he was educated in the public schools, and when still a young man began agricultural operations on his own account. He commenced his career as a renter, but through industry and perseverance became a farm owner, and his good management and business ability enabled him to accumulate 280 acres of land, which he owned at the time of his death. He and his wife were the parents of the following children, all of whom grew to maturity: Charles O., of this review; Julia, who is the wife of Warren Ogle; Joseph, who is deceased; Lena, who is the wife of Robert Dill, of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Lizzie, a resident of Carmel, Ohio; Ella, who is deceased; John, of Carmel, Ohio; Alfred, whose home is at Bainbridge; and Mattie, the wife of David Jones, of Bourneville, Ohio.

Charles O. Free received his education in the district schools of Pax- ton Township and passed his boyhood, youth and young manhood on the homestead. At the age of twenty-eight years he left the parental roof and entered upon a career of his own as a renter of a part of the Austin Pepple farm in Paxton Township. He was a renter for four years, but at the end of the third season formed a partnership with his brother, Joseph Free, and A. Clark West, the three buying 261 acres of land in Paint Township, adjoining the Pepple place. Later the Free brothers bought Mr. West's interests, and continued to farm together until the death of Joseph Free, in March, 1915. They had started with but small means and poor equipment, but so successful were their opera- tions that at one time they owned 1,400 acres of highly cultivated land, with the best of machinery and buildings, and when death dissolved the partnership they had in their possession more than 1,000 acres. Since the death of his brother, Charles O. Free has continued alone, and still is meeting with excellent and deserved success. His 910-acre prop- erty is devoted to the raising of all the standard products of this locality, and he also gives some attention to the growing of a good grade of livestock. Mr. Free has inherited the industry, tenacity of purpose and acuteness of his worthy progenitors, which are apparent in the success of his operations, while the spirit of modern progress is evidenced in his up-to-date buildings and highly improved machinery.

In October, 1897, Mr. Free was married to Miss Ida Swindell, who was born in Madison County, Indiana, a daughter of Ashley Swindell. Mr. and Mrs. Free have four bright and interesting children : Arthur, Herman, Helm and John, all of whom are attending school. Fraternally, Mr. Free is affiliated with Bainbridge Lodge, No. 4, Knights of Pythias. With the members of his family, he belongs to Bainbridge Methodist Episcopal Church. A democrat in political matters, he has been active in the ranks of his party. Mr. Free has been one of the prime factors in the advancement of the cause of education in his community, having been a member of the township school board for the past twenty years,

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Valentine Rice

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and at the present time is a member of the county school board, with three more years to serve to complete his present term.

JOHN W. POOL. One of the old families of Paint Township, Ross County, Ohio, bears the name of Pool. It was founded here generations ago and its members have always been numbered with the industrious, intelligent, useful and law-abiding class. Through their energy they have done much in advancing the best interests of their communities, and through personal integrity they have preserved the honor of a name not unknown in the history of many states of the Union. A prominent member of this family in Ross County is John W. Pool, whose valuable farm of 160 acres lies along the Upper Twin Road in Paint Township.

John W. Pool was born October 21, 1874, on the Lower Twin Road, Twin Township, Ross County. His parents are Peter and Hannah (Palmer) Pool, both of whom were born in 1840 on the Lower Twin Road. They are among the most highly respected residents of the town- ship. They became the parents of nine children: Frank, who is a farmer in Twin Township; Alice, who is the widow of Thomas Miller; Joseph, who is a carpenter and contractor at Chillicothe; Ada, who is the wife of W. T. Long; John W .; Ona, who is the wife of William Free, of Paint Township; Altha, who is the wife of Edward Hostetter, of Iron- ton, Ohio; and Rosa and an infant, both deceased.

John W. Pool was reared on the home farm and remained assisting his father until he was twenty-one years of age, in the meanwhile attend- ing the district schools, in which he has always taken much interest, and in later years has served on the township school board. Mr. Pool has always been a farmer and stock raiser and in his neighborhood is con- sidered a very judicious one. He raises a fine grade of cattle and hogs and finds a ready market for all his products.

Mr. Pool was married August 17, 1898, to Miss Ida Sheely, who was born on the old Sheely homestead and in the very house in which she has always lived. Mr. and Mrs. Pool have five children, namely : Ruth, who was born in 1899; Harold, born in 1902; Raymond, born in 1908; Joseph, born in 1910; and Dwight, born in 1914. Mr. Pool is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has a comfortable insurance in that order. Politically he is a democrat and has served with satisfac- tion to all concerned in township offices, and during his term as road supervisor brought about much improvement.

VALENTINE RICE. A man of unquestioned business ability and inde- fatigable enterprise, Valentine Rice, whose death occurred on the 1st of October, 1915, was one of the foremost citizens of Chillicothe, conspicu- ously identified in an official capacity with many of the leading indus- tries of Southern Ohio. A native of Germany, he was born, January 17, 1846, in the Village of Alvesheim, Bavaria, which was the birthplace of his father, Henry Reis, and where his paternal grandparents spent their entire lives.

Born October 8, 1818, Henry Reis grew to manhood in his native

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village, and as a young man served in the German army. He followed his trade of ladies' tailor several years, but during the troublous times of 1846-47 his sympathies were so clearly with the Revolutionists that he found it to his advantage to leave the fatherland. Coming, therefore, to America in 1848, he located in New York, where his family joined him a few months later, and was there a resident for six years. In 1854 he removed with his family to Ohio, settling in Chillicothe, where he was engaged in business as a merchant tailor until his death, September 21, 1895.

The maiden name of the wife of Henry Reis was Phillipena Bolander. She was born in Bavaria, in Avelsheim, and died February 8, 1872, in Chillicothe. She reared four children, as follows: Valentine, the subject of this sketch, who now spells his name in the English style "Rice"; Margaret, deceased; Phillipena, who married Nicholas Pfallzgraff, and reared five sons, three of whom became ministers in the Methodist Epis- copal denomination ; and Otto, who died in early life, leaving one son.

Valentine Rice was but eighteen months old when brought to America, and eight years when he came to Chillicothe to live. He acquired his early education in the public schools, being a pupil when the scholars of the different rooms formed an organization for the purpose of giving entertainments to the children, charging at first as admission price two pins, but afterwards, probably owing to the great demand for tickets, raising the price to one penny. Valentine, though young, was one of the principal performers at the entertainments, and that having been at the time when Dan Rice was the most popular circus man in the country, he was called "Daniel Reis" for many years, and entered the army under that name.

Leaving school at the age of twelve years, Valentine Rice worked for a few months in the office of the Scioto Valley Gazette, after which he began to learn the tailor's trade, and while thus employed operated the first Singer sewing machine brought into Chillicothe. Mr. Rice followed his trade until 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Going with his command to the front, he reached Virginia in season to take part in one of its battles, and was subsequently with his regiment in all of its marches and engage- ments until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honor- ably discharged from the service. It was the brigade to which Mr. Rice's regiment was attached that stood guard at the stone bridge crossing a stream and gallantly held back the enemy until reenforcements came, thus opposing the entrance of the Southern army into Nashville. For that act, and other services, the brigade received the personal thanks of President Lincoln, and Mr. Rice had a copy with President Lincoln's signature attached.

After his return from the war, Mr. Rice learned the tanner's trade, and followed the business until it ceased to be profitable in this section of the country. He then entered the employ of the Marietta & Cincin- nati Railroad Company, later known as the C., W. B. Railway. Com- pany, and now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio System, at first being a

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sealer of cars, but later connected with the transportation department. On April 1, 1888, Mr. Rice resigned his position with the company, which presented him at that time the handsome gold watch he afterward carried as a testimonial of their appreciation of his services.

When the free delivery mail service was established in Chillicothe, Mr. Rice was appointed as a carrier, but resigned at the end of six weeks to accept a position as superintendent of the Chillicothe Coal Company. He remained in that capacity until natural gas was brought into the city, when he purchased the plant, which he managed ably and accepta- bly until his death. As a young man, Mr. Rice was chief engineer of the Chillicothe Relief Fire Company until the paid department was organ- ized. He was officially associated with various important organizations, being president of the Chillicothe Creamery Company; and of the Hocking Valley Fire Clay Company, which is located at Nelsonville, Ohio, and has a capacity of 44,000 bricks a day, employing in its work from 80 to 85 men. He was vice president of the Webster Brick Com- pany, at South Webster, Ohio, which employs 100 men, and has a capacity of 32,000 bricks a day. He was secretary and treasurer of the Mohawk Coal Company, at Jackson, Ohio, which employs 80 miners; and was financially interested in the Puritan Brick Company, at Hamden, Ohio, and also in the Casualty Insurance Company of Cincinnati.

Mr. Rice married, October 29, 1872, Mary Elizabeth Kesler, a native of Chillicothe. Her father, Adam Kesler, was born, reared and married in Bavaria. Immigrating to this country, he carried on general farming in Ross County, Ohio, for a number of years, and then located in Chilli- cothe, where he was engaged in teaming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have reared seven children, namely : Flora E., Jay V., Nolan H., Edgar D., Ross P., Pearl K., and Clark C. Flora is the wife of Charles Metzger. Jay has been twice married, his first wife, and the mother of his three children, Charlotte E., Russell Alger and Elizabeth A., having been before her marriage Ada Shears. Nolan married Rebecca Walters. Edgar married Maude Poland, and they have two children, Nile P. and Charles E. Ross P., who married Maude Uhrig, has three children, Howard E., Daniel O., and Paul R. Pearl married Nellie Goldsburg, and they have one daughter, Dorothy.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 20

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

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