USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 22
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After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jones settled on the farm which they now occupy, and which has been brought to a high state of cultiva- tion. Mr. Jones raises the standard crops and uses the latest methods in his work, and makes a constant study of conditions in the vocation in which his best energies are enlisted. In his political views he is a prohibitionist, and he has at all times been an indefatigable worker in behalf of temperance and a bettering of public morals. Mrs. Jones is a devout member of the Vigo Baptist Church, and takes an active interest in its work. They have one son, Truman Corwin, who was born October 17, 1910.
SAMUEL LOGAN WALLACE. For many years actively engaged in the practice of law in Chillicothe, the late Samuel Logan Wallace, had a great natural aptitude for the work of his profession, having been indus-
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trious, conscientious, and earnest in the advocacy of his client's cause, while his record gives evidence of his wide research and learning, and of his familiarity with legal lore. A native of Ross County, he was born on a farm in Greene Township, in 1824, and was there reared.
His father, Samuel Wallace, Esq., was born and bred in Pennsylvania. Coming to Ross County in pioneer days, he bought a tract of wild land in Green Township, and on the farm which he reclaimed from the wilderness spent his remaining days, dying while yet in manhood's prime. He married Sally Ostrander, whose parents were among the early settlers of Pickaway County, Ohio.
Samuel Logan Wallace had very limited opportunities as a boy for obtaining an education; but he was reared to habits of industry and economy, and being endowed by nature with a keen, practical business ability, he readily overcame all obstacles in his way, by diligent applica- tion achieving success in his chosen field of endeavor. Before he had acquired sufficient knowledge of books to teach others, he found employ- ment on a farm at 50 cents a day. On one occasion, when returning home from his day's work, he had the misfortune to lose the half dollar he had labored so faithfully to earn, and he spent a whole half day looking for it. Commencing his professional career as a teacher in the rural schools, he earned money enough to pay his way through college. Going, there- fore, to Delaware, Ohio, he entered the law department of the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1851. Being then admitted to the bar, Mr. Wallace at once located in Chillicothe, where he soon gained a position of importance among the leading attor- neys of this part of the county. Subsequently compelled by illness to give up his professional practice, he lived retired in Chillicothe until his death, in 1876. He was a man of fine physique, tall and well propor- tioned, having a strong face, and a commanding presence. An untiring worker, he was very successful in his profession, and eminently popular as a citizen.
Mr. Wallace married, January 17, 1861, Mary Ann Moore, who was born and bred in Chillicothe, a daughter of Dr. John James Moore. Her Grandfather Moore, a life-long resident of Virginia, was an extensive planter, managing his plantation with slave labor. He married a Miss James, who came from one of the old and honored families of Virginia. Born in Virginia, near Luray, John James Moore was fitted for college when young, and after his graduation from a medical college located in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was prosperously engaged in the practice of medicine until his death, in 1871. Doctor Moore married Harriet Ryan, who was born, July 21, 1816, in Chillicothe, a daughter of Gen. James and Mary (Moore) Ryan, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, while the latter was a native of Virginia. General Ryan settled in Chilli- cothe as a young man, and here spent the remainder of his long life of seventy-five years. Energetic and intelligent, possessing marked ability, he became prominent and influential in public affairs, rendering efficient service as a member of the city council, and filling the responsible posi- tion of mayor of the city most faithfully and satisfactorily. The wife of
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Doctor Moore, mother of Mrs. Wallace, died at the age of seventy-four years. She was the mother of six children, namely : Oscar; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Wallace; John; William; Alma; and Edgar, who died at an early age.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace was blessed by the birth of two children, namely : Samuel; and Harriet Story, who lived but eighteen years. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Wallace returned to her father's home, on North Mulberry Street, to care for her invalid mother. Succeeding to the ownership of the home, she has since occupied it. Mrs. Wallace also came into possession, by purchase, of the Boggs estate, in Pickaway County, an estate on which the famous Logan elm, under which Chief Logan made his speech to the whites, was situated. She has since transferred 4 6/10 acres of that estate, including the spot on which the elm stands, to the Ohio State Historical Society, a gift highly appreciated by the organization. Mrs. Wallace is a member of the Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wallace was a member of the Sons of Malta, that having been the only fraternal society he ever joined.
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CHARLES E. BOWDLE. For considerably more than a century the Bowdle family has been identified with Ross County. Charles E. Bowdle and his father and grandfather before him were all born in Union Township, where he now resides, one of the honored and useful citizens.
An old historical publication states that Thomas and Henry Bowdle and Thomas Withgow came to the Northwest Territory in 1800, and while located temporarily in Chillicothe built homes in what is now Union Township. Henry Bowdle's cabin had a row of portholes in the wall, and he and his sons were well equipped with guns and ammu- nition to use in case of attack by Indians.
Edward Bowdle, grandfather of Charles E., was born in Union Town- ship and spent his life as a farmer there. His son, William Fletcher Bowdle, a native of the same township, learned the trade of carpenter, but after his marriage bought land and combined the occupations of farming and carpentry for a number of years. He died at his home in Union Township at the age of sixty-eight. His wife, Jane Elliott, was born in Washington County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Nancy (Ekey) Elliott, both of whom were natives of Jefferson County, Ohio. From Jefferson County the Elliott family moved to Washington County, and from there came to Ross County, locating in Union Township. William Elliott bought a farm on Egypt Pike, and both he and his wife died there, his wife at the age of ninety-one. Mrs. William F. Bowdle, who died at the age of seventy-eight, reared six children, named Charles E., Ida, Effie, Nannie, Flora and Grace.
The only son of this family, Charles E. Bowdle, was born in Union Township October 31, 1859. His education was supplied by the rural schools, and under his father he learned not only farming but also the carpenter's trade. Mr. Bowdle has always been a carpenter, and at
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the same time he owns and occupies a pleasant home on the Sulphur Springs Road in Union Township.
In 1891 he married Clara Beard. Mrs. Bowdle is a native of Union Township and descended from pioneer families on both sides. Her parents were Daniel M. and Arvilla (Augustus) Beard. David Augus- tus, the founder of the family in Ross County, was a native of Delaware, and settled in this county about 1800. William Beard, who founded that name in Ross County, was a native of Frederick County, Maryland, and was a Revolutionary soldier, having participated in the battle of Kings Mountain and also in the battle where Gates' army was defeated. From Maryland he moved to Greenbrier County, Virginia, and in 1809 came to Ross County.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowdle have four children: Forrest, Orrin, Bernice E. and Arvilla. The family are active members of the Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday school.
FREDERICK B. BOWERS. There are may sections of the country that depend, in large measure, on the products of Ohio farms, and especially is there a demand for the fruit that seemingly gains a better flavor from the soil and air there than in less favored regions. The Pride Fruit Farm, which is owned by Frederick B. Bowers, a representative citizen of Ross County, is situated in Franklin Township, on the Scioto River, eight miles south of Chillicothe, and its products are shipped to many ports.
Frederick B. Bowers was born on the farm on which he lives, con- sisting of 175 acres of exceedingly valuable land, February 17, 1852. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Pray) Bowers, and his grand- father was Adam Bowers.
Adam Bowers was the founder of the family in Ross County. He was born in Pennsylvania and there had educational advantages before learning to be carpenter and millwright. He entered 460 acres of land in Ross County and showed energy and enterprise in other directions erecting mills at Chillicothe and in other places, and was the first man who inaugurated a freight line between Chillicothe and the Scioto bot- toms, transporting by means of six and four-horse teams. He was one of the best-known pioneers of the county and one of the most practical and useful.
James Bowers, son of Adam and father of Frederick B. Bowers, was born, reared and spent his life in Franklin Township, in his later years being a farmer. Ile was the father of five children, the only survivor being Frederick B., the first born.
Frederick B. Bowers was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. He devotes his large tract of land to general farming and fruit growing. Mr. Bowers is one of the leading democrats in this section of Ross County. As a man of sound judgment and unimpeach- able integrity he has been chosen many times by his fellow citizens to fill responsible township offices. For fifteen years he has been township clerk, and during this time has adjusted many difficulties that have come
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to him officially. He brought the first test case of substitute school teacher before the county board and won the suit. For six years he served as a trustee of Franklin Township, and during that time much improvement was brought about in road building. Mr. Bowers was appointed land appraiser some years ago, and so careful was he in his estimates and so accurate that he was the only appraiser in the county who did not have to revise his books. There are few citizens in the township so well posted on local conditions and history.
In January, 1896, Mr. Bowers was married to Miss Julia Sheets, and they have one daughter, Ruth E., who was born May 18, 1897, and resides at home. Mr. Bowers and family are members of the Christian Church.
LAWRENCE M. BUTLER is one of the younger and more progressive farmers of Union Township. He has succeeded well in the task of making a home and creating a profitable industry and already has much to show for the active years of his career.
He was born on a farm in the south precinct of Union Township, November 22, 1887. He is of old New England stock, his great-grand- father having been so far as known a lifelong resident of Vermont. His grandfather Ormond Butler was a native of Vermont, and after reaching manhood set out with his two brothers John and George for Ohio. Ohio was still the Far West, and they rode horseback as far as Pittsburgh and thence came by boat down the Ohio to Portsmouth and from there on to Ross County. Ross County was still undeveloped in most of its townships; there were no railroads, and Ormond Butler found for a number of years a very profitable occupation in teaming and freighting. His home was in Union Township, where he spent his last days and where he and his wife lived to a good old age.
Phillip Butler, father of Lawrence M., was born in Union Township, and spent his life as a farmer. He lived in the township until his death in 1910. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Lawrence, who was born near New Holland in Pickaway County.
The only child of his parents, Lawrence M. Butler as a boy attended the public schools and secured a thorough training by practical expe- rience on the home farm. He lived with his parents a number of years, and in 1907 located on the farm on which he now resides. Besides the raising of the staple crops Mr. Butler is one of the most proficient in a growing Ross County industry, bee culture. He has made a thorough study in bees, is an expert in handling them, and has found both a congenial and profitable occupation in looking after his colony of honey- makers. His apiary now consists of over seventy hives. His bees are a cross between the Italian and the common black bee.
In September, 1915, he married Edna Donahue, who was born in Union Township, where she was reared and educated, the daughter of Harvey and Ida Donahue.
LAWRENCE GRANT PINTO bears one of the old and honored names of Ross County. The Pinto family was established here more than a
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century ago. They have been chiefly known as farmers, and in that vocation their success has been measured not only by steady returns from their fields, but also by a constantly increasing ownership of fertile lands and a position of leadership in their respective communities.
The farm which he now owns and occupies in Union Township was the birthplace of Lawrence Grant Pinto on May 25, 1865. The family was established in Ohio by his grandfather, Capt. Isaac Pinto. Captain Pinto was born on one of the island possessions of Portugal, and as a youth went to sea, working his way from deck hand to captain of a sailing vessel. He was in the merchant marine service, and for a number of years commanded ocean going vessels. In 1812 he landed in the United States, and coming west to Ross County bought 116 acres in Union Township. There in 1813 he erected a substantial hewed log house. That house is still in fair condition and is still occupied and is one of the oldest houses north of the Ohio River. Even after locating his family in Ross County Captain Pinto continued to follow the sea for several seasons. He married Margaret Marshall, who was born in the United States of English ancestry. She spent her last days on the old farm and reared four sons-Henry, Jacob, Samuel, Miles Augustus- and one daughter. The son Henry was for a number of years in the boot and shoe business at Chillicothe and afterwards an insurance man. Jacob followed merchandising in Philadelphia. Samuel was a farmer and was also a merchant and grain dealer at Yellowbud.
Miles Augustus Pinto, father of Lawrence G., was born March 6, 1832, on the farm that his father established and which his son Lawrence now owns. He was reared in Ross County, and after leaving school spent eight years as a clerk in his brother Henry's store. In the mean- time the old Pinto homestead had been bought by his maternal uncle. On leaving the store of his brother at the conclusion of his eight years' service, Miles A. bought the homestead from his uncle, and spent the rest of his days as a general farmer, stock raiser and fruit grower. He was one of the pioneers in fruit growing, had a large orchard carefully tended, and one of the chief revenues on the place under his manage- ment was from vinegar which he manufactured and sold. He lived there until his death in 1905. Miles A. Pinto married Margaret Read, who was born in Ross County, a daughter of John Read, one of the early settlers. Mrs. Pinto was well educated and at the age of sixteen began teaching, an occupation which she followed until her marriage. She died at the age of thirty-eight when in the prime of life. Her seven children were Ernest M., Horace H., Lawrence G., Elsie M., Minnie E., Alvah Sherman and Rowland D.
Lawrence Grant Pinto's early and later associations all center around the old Pinto homestead. He gained his education in the rural schools and trained himself as a farmer by practical experience on the old place. When ready to start out on his own account he rented for two years a 285-acre farm. He then bought the old Pinto homestead of 116 acres, and since then has bought the adjoining farm of 128 acres. He now occupies the latter place, and enjoys the comforts of a substan-
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tial two-story brick residence. This house is located on high table land and commands an attractive view of all the countryside.
In 1902 Mr. Pinto married Irene I. Morreis, who was born in Vinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Lewis Morreis, a native of the same county, and a granddaughter of William Morreis, who was born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler in Vinton County. Mrs. Pinto's father died at the age of seventy-eight. Her mother, who passed away at the age of forty-five, was Mary Jane Allen. Mrs. Pinto was one of nine children named Louisa Ellen, Melissa Jane, John William, Andrew J., Mary Alice, Rufis T., Phebe Dora, Irene Isabel and Alma Mary.
Mr. and Mrs. Pinto are members of the Dry Run Church. Their family of four children are Luna E., Dollie M., Warren L. and James Theodore.
WILSON A. TOOTLE. Any list of pioneer names in Ross County would include that of Tootle. The Tootles as a family have been identified with this section of Ohio for considerably more than a century. In the early days they helped to lay the foundation solid and secure upon which subsequent civilization has arisen. They have been worthy people in every sense of the term, have been industrious and capable farmers, and have fulfilled all the many obligations of citizenship and neighborliness.
One of this family, Wilson A. Tootle, was born in Union Township August 10, 1846. His father, John Tootle, was born in the same town- ship in 1813, while the War of 1812 was still in progress. The founder of the family in Ohio was Grandfather Thomas D. Tootle, a native of Virginia, and of early colonial ancestry. From Virginia he came west to Ohio when it was still a part of the Northwest Territory, and found a home within the limits of Ross County. He and his family endured all the vicissitudes of existence at a time when there were no railroads or canals, when the cost of transporting goods was greater than the value of the produce, and when life was on a very simple and practical basis. Securing a tract of timbered land in the western part of Union Town- ship, Thomas D. Tootle erected a log cabin as his first home. There he and his good wife spent their last years, he employed in the heavy task of clearing up the land, while she proved herself a real mistress of the home and of all the old-fashioned housewifely arts, cooking the meals by the open fire and spinning and weaving and dressing the family in homespun. They had four sons, John, James, Isaac and Amos.
John Tootle grew up on a farm, succeeded to the ownership of part of his father's estate and remained a resident of Union Township all his career. He died at the age of eighty. John Tootle married Rebecca Brown, daughter of Clement Brown, who was one of the early settlers of Deerfield Township. She died in 1849, leaving five children, Stewart, Rachel, Eleanor, Wilson A. and Ruth A.
Only three years of age when his mother died, Wilson A. Tootle received such training as the average Ohio farm boy of fifty or sixty years ago. He attended the public schools, and developed his strength by such duties as were to be found in abundance on the home place. In
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1876 Mr. Tootle bought and occupied the place which he now owns. He has been very successful as a farmer, and his possessions now include nearly 500 acres of land, the greater part of it subject to cultivation. On his home farm he has erected a fine set of frame buildings, and farming has been a business that has afforded him a profitable occupation and a means of providing well for his family.
At the age of twenty-five he married Mary Hoddy, daughter of Joseph and Mary Hoddy. To this union have been born a son and daughter, Earl and Gay. Earl has been twice married. First to Florence Huff- man, who left one daughter, Helen, and second to Helen Skinner. Gay is the wife of Clarence Trego. She is the mother of three children, Cecil, Lillian and Irma, the latter being twins.
MRS. RACHEL DAVIDSON CRISPIN, whose life has been largely spent in Union Township of Ross County, where she still resides, is the widow of the late Benjamin Franklin Crispin, one of the most successful farmers and honored citizens of Ross County.
Mrs. Crispin was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1849. Her father, William Davidson, was a native of old Virginia, but when three years of age was brought to Ohio by his parents, who were pioneer settlers in Pickaway County. He grew up in Pickaway County when it was comparatively new and undeveloped, later bought land there, and was a substantial farmer of that county until his death at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Crispin's mother was Rachel Ater. She was also a native of Virginia. Her father, Isaac Ater, born in Virginia, came to Ohio accompanied by his wife and three sons and one daughter. The Ater family passed through Chillicothe when it was only a hamlet and pushed on to what is now Deerfield Township, where Isaac Ater bought a tract of timbered land. Ohio was then an isolated district, without railroads, and all kinds of game could be found in the forest. Improving a farm in Deerfield Township, Isaac Ater lived there until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Virginia and who died on the old Ater homestead, 21/2 miles from Clarksburg. Mrs. Crispin's mother was quite young when brought to Ross County, and as a young girl she acquired all the housewifely accomplishments of that time. Among other things, she learned to spin and weave, and was also adept in cooking by the open fireplace. She survived her hus- band and died in her ninety-sixth year, having reared nine children, whose names were Elizabeth, Pensy. Nancy, Edward, Mary, Isaac, Anna, Samuel and Rachel. Of these, the three now living are Pensy, Edward and Rachel.
Mrs. Crispin grew up on her father's home in Pickaway County. She attended the district schools, and grew up to a cultured and noble womanhood. At the age of twenty-two she married Benjamin Franklin Crispin.
Benjamin Franklin Crispin was born on the farm in Union Town- ship where Mrs. Crispin now lives. His birth occurred December 18, 1848. and at the time of his death, on March 28, 1913, was in his sixty-
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fifth year. His father, Benjamin Crispin, improved the old homestead where Mrs. Crispin now resides and occupied it until his death. Ben- jamin Franklin Crispin had one sister, Emma, who married Simon Noble. The late Mr. Crispin grew up on a farm and was trained to habits of industry in early life. After his marriage he began farming, and at the death of his father succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead. He was widely known as a progressive and energetic business man, and the fine condition of the home farm, with its substantial buildings and other improvements, attest his life of faithful toil.
Mr. and Mrs. Crispin reared two children: William Benjamin and Ethel. William B. married Mary Leffingwell, and their three sons are Major, Maderia and Neal. The daughter Ethel married Clarence Jar- rett, and her two children are Harold and Dorothy.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Crispin has continued to occupy the old homestead, and has shown herself possessed of much capacity for managing business affairs. She is an active member of the Dry Run Methodist Episcopal Church.
DR. JAMES D. MILLER. One of the leading physicians of the middle and later years of the last century, Dr. James D. Miller was for full fifty years engaged in the practice of his profession at Bainbridge and Chillicothe, during his earlier years of practice having traveled every- where throughout the country on horseback, doubtless with saddle-bags well filled, as then there were no drug stores to which a prescription could be sent. He was born December 28, 1821, in Chillicothe, where his father, James Miller, settled about 1806.
His paternal grandfather, a life-long resident of the British Isles, rebelled against the English Government, and his property was confis- cated, and he was condemned to die. His friend, Lord Castlereagh, how- ever, interceded, and he was pardoned. He continued a resident of his native land until his death. Several of his sons came to America, among them having been his son Joseph, who settled in Alabama, and William and James who located in Chillicothe, Ohio. William was thereafter for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits at the corner of Paint and Second streets.
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