A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 23

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

USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 23

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James Miller, the doctor's father, was sixteen years old when he sailed for America. During the voyage across the ocean, he was taken from the ship by the captain of an English vessel, and pressed into the British service. Making his escape at Havana, he secured passage on a vessel bound for Philadelphia, and after landing in that city came from there on foot to Chillicothe. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently, as a contractor, built the Paint Street bridge across the Scioto River. He was prominent in public affairs, filling various offices, and both he and his wife were charter members of the First Presbyterian Church. He died August 31, 1844, at the age of fifty-four years, six months and eleven days, his birth having occurred February 20, 1790, in County Londonderry, Ireland.

James Miller married, in Chillicothe, March 26, 1816, Rebecca Patton, Vol. II-12

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who was born February 26, 1794, in Pendleton, Virginia, and came from there to Ross County with her parents, who acquired large tracts of land just across the river from Chillicothe. She survived her husband, dying February 21, 1863. She reared five children, as follows: Catherine, Joseph, Samuel, William Patton and James D.

James D. Miller acquired his elementary education in Chillicothe, and after his graduation from the Ohio University, in Athens, began the study of medicine with Doctor Wells. He was subsequently graduated from the medical department of the Pennsylvania University at Lexington. Kentucky, and at the age of twenty-one years began the practice of his profession in Chillicothe, where he remained for upwards of half a cen- tury, an able and successful physician. In addition to faithfully attend- ing to his professional duties, Doctor Miller served as clerk of the courts of Ross County, and for a few years conducted a drug store on Paint Street. With the exception of the short time that he was located at Bainbridge, the doctor occupied the parental homestead, to the owner- ship of which he succeeded, it being the estate situated on the south side of Main Street, next to that of the Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and which had been purchased by his father in 1826, when the doctor was but five years old. Doctor Miller died October 16, 1893, in the seventy-second year of his age.

Dr. James D. Miller married Louisa Wilson, who was born in High- land County, Ohio, July 17, 1828, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wagner) Wilson, and the descendant of a pioneer family of prominence. She survived him many years, passing away December 3, 1914, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. The union of Doctor and Mrs. Miller was blessed by the birth of eleven children, including Elizabeth, Mary L., Edward, James, Rebecca P., Frank, and Louisa.

Elizabeth Miller, the second child of the parental household, attended first the Chillicothe schools, and later the Ohio Female College, at College Hill, Cincinnati. Then, after teaching in Chillicothe, in a grammar grade, for a while, entered the Oswego Normal School, at Oswego, New York, and having completed the course of the literary department of that institution continued her studies in its scientific department. Return- ing to Chillicothe, she taught natural science in the high school of that city until her marriage to Fred L. Todd, a druggist at Newark Valley, New York. After the death of her husband, fifteen months later, Mrs. Todd returned to Chillicothe, and was again engaged in teaching until 1884, when she became the wife of Henry H. Howland. Mr. How- land, a commission merchant at Newark Valley, New York, was a lineal descendant of John and Elizabeth (Tilly) Howland, Mayflower passen- gers. Mr. Howland died December 6, 1887.

After the death of her second husband, Mrs. Howland studied theol- ogy, first taking a correspondence course under Dean Wright, of Boston, and Doctor Harper, president of the University of Chicago, and later being a student in the theological department of Oberlin Seminary. In 1894 Mrs. Howland was ordained to the ministry in the Congregational Church at Napoli, New York, of which she was pastor the ensuing four

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years. The following one and one-half years she was at Chautauqua, New York, going from there to Nelson, Ohio, remaining until 1902, when she accepted a call from the Plymouth Congregational Church in Chillicothe. Seven years later, on account of ill health, she resigned that position, and for two years was pastor of the church at Oneida, Kansas. Returning to Ohio, Mrs. Howland held the pastorate of the Wayne Congregational Church at Williamsfield, until March, 1915, when she resigned, and came back to her native city to accept her former position as pastor of the Plymouth Church.

Mrs. Howland has a stepson, Henry B. Howland, who was graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Troy, New York, and is now in the Government employ, at San Domingo.

Mary L. Miller, the third daughter of Doctor Miller, is a teacher in ,

the public schools of Kansas City, Missouri, and spends her summers in Chillicothe with her sisters. Edward Miller is a traveling salesman, with headquarters at Columbus. James, the second son, is not living. Rebecca P. Miller is a teacher in the Chillicothe schools. Frank Miller, a resident of Columbus, is interested in the shoe manufacturing industry. Louisa, who became the wife of Daniel Rugg, of Syracuse, New York, died July 29, 1888, aged twenty-five years.

HAMILTON D. HOUK has found in farming both a congenial and profitable occupation. He has spent nearly all his years in Ross County, and for fully thirty years has been engaged in the management of an extensive farm in Union Township.

His birth occurred on a farm near Waverly, in Pike County, May 1, 1853. His father, David Houk, was born in the same county in 1821. The grandfather, Phillip Houk, was a native of Germany, of early Ger- man ancestry. Becoming a pioneer in Pike County, he bought a traet of timbered land, and in the course of years had it cleared and developed as a fine farm. He then sold out and soon afterwards started west to Iowa to invest his money and to visit a daughter. He arrived safely in that state, had his money safely invested, and was known to have started back for Ohio. After that no trace of him was ever found.

On the farm in Pike County where he was born, David Houk lived until 1860, in which year he came to Ross County and for two years was located at High Banks. He began his career as a renter, and showed such judgment in handling farming that he was entrusted with larger and larger responsibilities every year. He finally rented a tract of 1,200 acres for a couple of years. He held his first crop from this large acreage, and after harvesting the second crop, sold 75,000 bushels of corn at 75 cents per bushel. He then bought 450 acres in the Paint Creek Valley, and continued farming there until 1864. Then, at the solicitation of the Federal Government, he went to Pulaski County, Tennessee, and rented an extensive tract of land which he devoted to cotton growing. During that year he raised 500 bales of cotton, cotton being worth at the time $1.72 per pound. Before this could be marketed, the Confederate army under General Hood raided the section, and all

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but eighteen bales of the cotton was destroyed, while the raiders took twenty-four mules and all the wagons and other equipment from his plantation. After this disaster he returned to Ross County and bought 800 acres of the rich Scioto bottom lands. He lived there until late in life, when he removed to Chillicothe, where his death occurred a few months later, at the age of eighty-five. He and his wife reared four children : Emma, Jacob, Hamilton and Matilda.

Hamilton D. Houk grew up in Ross County, attended the schools of the country and also of Chillicothe, and completed his education in Wittenberg College at Springfield. His career has been a very active one, and after completing his college education he spent three years in business in the City of Chicago. Returning to Ross County, he took up farming in Union Township, and eventually succeeded to the owner- ship of 300 acres which had been part of his father's homestead. This land he has improved and has gathered rich yields of staple crops from it every successive year. A number of years ago Mr. Houk erected a handsome brick residence, which now serves the purpose of a home for himself and family.

At the age of twenty-four he married Louise Studer, who was born in Chillicothe, daughter of Conrad and Margaret (Miller) Studer. Mr. and Mrs. Houk have three children. Their son Charles is married and has a son named Charles. Nettie is the wife of Jack Reed and has one daughter, named Dorothy. Mrs. Houk is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a republican.

JOHN E. PLEASANT. A progressive representative of the business interests of Vigo is found in the person of John E. Pleasant, who deals in crossties and fence posts, and whose enterprise and industry have combined to develop a prosperous and well-regulated business venture. He is also accounted one of the useful citizens of Vigo in the line of advancing its institutions, and at the present time is serving as vice president of the school board.

Mr. Pleasant was born at Hamden, Vinton County, Ohio, March 3, 1876, a son of W. T. and Mary (Henderson) Pleasant. His father was born at Summerset, Kentucky, and was a young man when he came to Ohio, locating first at Hamden, where he met and married Miss Hen- derson. Several years thereafter they moved to Chillicothe, where Mr. Pleasant followed his trade of shoemaker, but after his wife's death, in 1879, removed to Richmond Dale, where he now makes his home. Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant were the parents of two children: W. P., who is engaged in merchandising at Vigo; and John E.

John E. Pleasant was only three years old at the time of his mother's death, and he was reared in the home of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Henderson, at Chillicothe, where he attended the parochial school. When he was confirmed he entered the Eastern College, where he attended classes for three years, and, with this preparation, began his career. His first employment was as a farm hand, but agricultural work did not appeal to him, and when the opportunity presented itself

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he accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Richmond Dale, there assimilating business methods and customs and accumulating a small capital. It was his ambition to become the head of a business of his own, and June 10, 1901, he invested his small means in his present business. His start was necessarily modest, but he was possessed of initiative, enterprise and good judgment, made the most of his oppor- tunities, and gradually found himself the proprietor of a good and promising business. He now has an excellent trade in crossties and fence posts, his customers being found all over this section of the county. All that Mr. Pleasant has he has earned for himself, and he is justly entitled to be known as a strictly self-made man. Throughout his career he has been straightforward and honorable in his dealings with his fellow-men and his reputation for integrity is too well established to need further comment.

In October, 1897, Mr. Pleasant was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Sigler, who was born and reared on a farm in Ross County, and is a graduate of Richmond Dale High School. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Mary B., a graduate of Richmond Dale High School, class of 1916; John G., born in 1909; and Geraldine S., born in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Richmond Dale. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Royal Order of Lions. His vote is given to the candidates of the republican party. As a friend of education, he has been a member for some time and is now vice president of the school board. Mr. Pleasant belongs to the energetic and progressive class which Ross County must look to for its continued advancement in business affairs.

EDWIN P. CLIMER. Prominent among the old and honored members of the agricultural element in Ross County, is Edwin P. Climer, who for many years carried on agricultural operations in Liberty Township, but who is now living a somewhat retired life at Gillespieville. Mr. Climer has passed his entire life within the limits of Ross County and has watched the great development and advancement that the years have brought about with interest, as he has borne his full share in the making of one of Ohio's most prosperous and fertile farming counties.

Mr. Climer was born February 2, 1848, in Ross County, Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Martha (Riley) Climer, early settlers of this county, both families having come from Virginia at a pioneer period. Edwin P. Climer was given his education in the public schools of his locality, and his boyhood and youth were divided between attending to his studies and helping his father in the work of the home farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he left the parental roof and started out to make a name and posi- tion for himself in the field of farming and the mercantile business. For several years he was in the mercantile business at Vigo; was also railroad agent and postmaster, and then returned to farming at his

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present location. How well he succeeded in his ambition is shown by the exalted place he holds in the respect and confidence of his fellow- men and the material things that have rewarded his efforts.

Mr. Climer was married June 9, 1880, to Miss Emmeline Jones, who was born in Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio, January 26, 1851, a daughter of Henry and Mary Jones, the former of English and the latter of Holland descent. Mr. Jones was a lifelong farmer by vocation, was a good and public-spirited citizen and an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which he died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was the father of seven daughters and one son, and four children are living at this writing (1916). Mrs. Climer enjoyed excellent educational advantages, following full public school course and then attending college, after which she attended a finishing school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Climer have been the parents of four children, as follows: Jessie F., a graduate of the public schools and now the wife of Prof. G. L. Ely, of Harrisburg, Ohio; Alice, a graduate of the high school and now the wife of A. H. Free, of Bainbridge, Ohio; Gertrude E., a graduate of the high school and now the wife of James L. Heath; and Edwin P., Jr., who lives on the home farm and looks after his father's large agricultural interests.

During the active years of his life, Mr. Climer did much in the way of building and improving, and thus contributed to the progress and upbuilding of his community. Also he supported such beneficial com- munity movements as good schools and good roads. He and Mrs. Climer are active in the work of the Methodist Church. They now reside in the old homestead of Dr. Nelson Jones, at Gillespieville, which was built by the doctor in 1850. Mr. Climer is a republican in politics.

HIRAM DIXON. Now a member of the retired colony of Vigo, at which place he has resided since November, 1911, Hiram Dixon has led a long and useful life, and while the greater part of his career has been spent in the neighboring County of Vinton, he is a native son of Ross County. A veteran of the Civil war, during his active years he was engaged both in farming and merchandising, and also has rendered his fellow-citizens efficient public service, having formerly been for fourteen years postmaster at Eagle Mills.

Mr. Dixon was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 14, 1841, and is a son of Daniel and Christina (Wolfe) Dixon, the former a native of Ross County and the latter of North Carolina. The mother was a lass of twelve years when brought by her parents to Ohio, where, in Ross County, she met and married the young farmer, Daniel Dixon. They passed the remainder of their lives in the country districts of this county, and were widely known and highly respected as industrious and God-fearing people, kind neighbors, and devout members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Dixon was a republican in his political views. There were four children in the family, namely: John, who served his country as a soldier of the Union and met a hero's death

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while in service; George W., who died when small; Angeline, who is also deceased; and Hiram, the only survivor.

Hiram Dixon was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools of Ross County, and when his education was completed assisted his father and brother in cultivating the home acres. When the Civil war came on, both he and his brother evinced their patriotism by enter- ing the Union army, the latter, as before stated, losing his life in defense of his country's flag, while Hiram came through safely, although having a number of narrow escapes. He enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, in 1861, and was with his command until the expiration of his term of service in 1864, always proving a courageous and devoted soldier, and taking part in a number of important engagements. When he received his honorable discharge, the young soldier returned to his Ohio home, but soon went to Vinton County, where he engaged in farming on a property of his own. Mr. Dixon continued as an agriculturist until 1895, when he began merchandising at Eagle Mills, and for sixteen years was the proprietor of a successful general store, and during fourteen years of this period acted in the capacity of postmaster at Eagle Mills. In March, 1911, he made removal to Chillicothe, but in November of the same year transferred his residence to Vigo, where he still lives in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of his many years of industrious and prosperous toil. For about 21/2 years he was interested in the railroad tie business, but of late years has disposed of his holdings therein.

Mr. Dixon was married in 1876 to Miss Susanna Walker, who became the mother of five children, of whom four are living at this time: Wil- liam E .; Fred L., a member of the police force of Columbus, Ohio; Christina, a graduate nurse and now in the United States Government service at Panama; and Hiram W., a member of the City Fire Depart- ment at Chillicothe. Mr. Dixon was married a second time, being united with Mary E. Forest, and they have had three children, of whom two are now living : Forest C. and L. M., both residents of Kansas. Mrs. Dixon, who has many friends at Vigo and elsewhere, is a lady of many attain- ments, and is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she has been a member for a long period of years. Mr. Dixon is a republican. In his career he has interested himself in various lines of busi- ness, including trading in different fields, and sawmilling, and in each of his ventures he has met with success. Probably this has been so because whatever he has had to do he has done it to the full measure of his ability, and in a manner that has left no doubt in the minds of his asso- ciates as to his absolute honesty and integrity.

GEORGE F. HAUBEIL. Among the substantial farmers of Ross County who have made an especially creditable record in husbandry and in citizenship is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this record and whose attractive home and well-cultivated farm are located on Chillicothe Rural Route No. 2, in Liberty Township. Like a number of his fellow agriculturists in this county, Mr. Haubeil started his career

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with but modest means, and the prosperity that has rewarded his efforts has been brought about solely through his own abilities, unassisted by outside help or influence. He has merely made the most of his oppor- tunities and has conducted his affairs in an orderly and well-managed manner.

George F. Haubeil was born in Pike County, Ohio, October 21, 1862, and is a son of Christian and Sophia (Schauseil) Haubeil, natives of Germany. Each of Mr. Haubeil's parents was brought to the United States when small, their respective parents settling in Pike County, where they were reared and educated. They were married in 1858, at Waverly, Ohio, where Mr. Haubeil was street commissioner for some years and later a contractor, and where both passed the remaining years of their lives. Mr. Haubeil was a man of some importance and influence in his community, and served Pike County as coroner for several terms. He was a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and supported the democratic party in its campaigns, both local and national. There were seven children in the family, six of whom are living at this writing, namely: Tina, who is the wife of Ed J. Wilde; George F., of this notice; Anna, who is the wife of Fred Greenbaum; Maggie, who is the wife of Alonzo Rowe; Christian, who is engaged in farming near Lincoln, Illinois, and Lizzie, who is the wife of Leonard Lantz. August, the fourth child in order of birth, is deceased.

George F. Haubeil was reared at Waverly, where he received his education in the public schools. When he was but thirteen years of age he showed his ambition and initiative by securing a position as clerk in a general store, and for five years continued in this capacity, thus gain- ing business experience and a knowledge of human nature that have since been of inestimable value to him in his work. When he was eighteen years of age he turned his attention to the soil and entered farming operations, although it was not until some time later that he secured a foothold on the ladder of success. In 1891 he was married to Miss Kate Farney, who was born October 13, 1860, near Beaver, Pike County, Ohio, and there reared and educated, a daughter of Christian and Mary (Pabst) Farney, natives of Germany. At the time of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Haubeil had, together, about $500, and with this as their starting capital rented a farm in Pike County. Four years later they moved to Fayette County, where they spent two years, and in 1897 came to Ross County, where they have since made their home. In the Liberty Township farm, on which the residence is located, Mr. Haubeil has 250 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. In addition to general farming, he is breeding a high grade of live stock, and in both departments is meeting with the success which his industry and honorable dealing merit. Mr. Haubeil also was the owner of 141 acres of good land in Springfield Township, but in 1915 sold a half interest to his son.

Mr. and Mrs. Haubeil are the parents of five children, as follows : Otto, a graduate of the common schools, born November 28, 1892, mar-

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ried Carrie Chiner, and is now engaged in farming in Springfield Town- ship; Marie, born August 20, 1894, a graduate of the graded schools, and now living with her parents; Louis, born September 25, 1896, a graduate of the graded schools and of Chillicothe High School, class of 1915; Christina, born April 17, 1898, a graduate of the common schools and now in the sophomore class of Chillicothe High School; and Clarence, born March 25, 1901, also a graduate of the public graded school and in his second year at the high school at Chillicothe. The members of the Haubeil family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending with the Concord congregation. Mr. Haubeil is a democrat. He is a friend of education, and in addition to giving his own children a good training, has served the community in the office of member of the local school board.

GEORGE B. SMITH. To be a good farmer requires a clear head as well as practiced hand. In modern days there are found among those who profit in the business, men whose book learning along many lines fully equals that of others who follow professional careers far from field and farm. One of these well-informed agriculturists is George B. Smith, proprietor of Happy Thought Farm, which lies in Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio.

George B. Smith was born in Liberty Township, on section 4, where he lives, May 27, 1861. His parents were Michael and Mary (Beale) Smith. The father was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 1, 1808. He was without capital when he started out in life, but through industry and thrift accumulated and at one time owned 250 acres of land. He spent a large portion of his life on the farm his son George B. owns. He was a very well-informed man, was fond of reading and had an understanding mind. For many years he was a leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a liberal giver to help carry on its work. In politics he was republican, and during the Civil war he saw four of his sons march away to fight for the preservation of the Union.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 23

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

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