A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 25

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

USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 25

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The first of the name to come to Ross County was Joseph Harness, a pioneer of 1798, who located on the farm in Liberty Township which is now owned by J. I. Vause. A close relative of Joseph Harness was George Harness, the great-grandfather of James V. Harness. George Harness' son was John Harness, and the latter's son was Charles E. Harness, the father of James V. Charles E. Harness was born in Hardy County, Virginia, October 8, 1814, and received his education in the public schools of his native place. Not satisfied with his prospects in the Old Dominion, at the age of twenty-six years he mounted his horse, practically his sole earthly possession, and started on his way overland to the fertile fields of Ohio, where his relatives, who had gone before him, were making a success of their ventures. Mr. Harness had some difficulty in getting a start, but finally leased a large tract and in the years that followed gradually worked his way to the ownership Vol. II-18

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of 1,250 acres of land. Mr. Harness was one of the most industrious men of his day and locality and won to success through good manage- ment and untiring energy. Probably the reason that he had no capital when he came to the new country was because of his generosity in help- ing others in Virginia, and in Ohio he never turned a deaf ear to the needy, for, having succeeded himself, he desired to see others win suc- cess. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, he gave liberally to its various movements and did much for the cause of religion in his neighborhood. In politics, Mr. Harness was a democrat, but never desired public office. He married Miss Mary Vause, and of their chil- dren the following are living at this writing: Lillie V., the wife of J. M. Penisten; Ella V., the wife of Edward Van Meter; Misses Mary and Kate; Charles E., who is engaged in farming in Liberty Township; and James V. One son, John M., who was engaged in farming, is now deceased.

James V. Harkness was reared on the home farm in Liberty Township, and attended the district school of his neighborhood. He was about twenty years of age when he began agricultural operations on his own account, and farming and stock raising have been his vocations through- out life. He has succeeded because of his industry, his practicality and his good judgment, and at the same time has maintained a high reputa- tion for honesty and integrity and fair dealing among his associates.

Mr. Harness is unmarried. He is fraternally affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a democrat. Aside from showing an interest in and supporting movements for the benefit of his community, he has taken little part in public affairs. He is a stockholder in the Valley Savings Bank and Trust Company. Some years ago, on the Harness farm, there were found a number of rich copper relics, left here by the Mound Builders. This valuable and inter- esting collection was presented to the State Archaeological Society, of which Mr. Harness is a life member.

CASPER D. GUNLOCK. Good roads make travel easy through Ross County, Ohio, and those who stop for any purpose in Liberty Township are very apt to take notice of the 300-acre farm that is operated by Casper D. Gunlock. Its well-cultivated fields and its great show of healthy stock all proclaim that a careful, competent farmer is in charge. Mr. Gunlock came on this place, known as the Lee farm, after many years of agricultural experience on a farm of his own in another county.

Casper D. Gunlock was born July 25, 1871, in Liberty Township, Jackson County, Ohio. His parents were Fred and Lena (Miller) Gun- lock. The father was born in Germany, January 28, 1836, and was brought to the United States by his parents when nine years old. They settled in Jackson County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, following farming as an occupation, together with operating a threshing machine, being the first man to invest in a threshing outfit in Jackson County. He was an honest, upright man and was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. In 1863 he was married to Lena

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Miller, who was born in Jackson County, January 20, 1843, of German parents, and seven children were born to them, three of whom survive: Casper D .; Mollie, who was born December 22, 1868, is the wife of Charles Davis; and Lillie, who was born July 19, 1882, is the wife of E. D. Heibel. Lena, Jane, Mazie and Randolph are deceased. The father of the above family died November 10, 1894, and the mother on April 21, 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Casper D. Gunlock was reared on the home farm and until sixteen years of age attended the country schools. He remained with his father until the latter's death and then managed the farm for the family until after his own marriage, when he bought it and continued on the place as a general farmer until he sold it in 1910. He then came to Ross County, and for the past three years has been operating the Lee farm. Mr. Gun- lock is a well-informed, intelligent and practical man and his methods of handling his land and also his wisdom in raising fine grade stock prove that Ross County in him has a sensible, wide-awake agriculturist.

Mr. Gunlock was married January 22, 1896, to Miss Armeda Dyke, who was born in Jackson Township, Pike County, Ohio, September 18, 1876. Her father, William Dyke, was a native of Meigs County, Ohio. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunlock, as follows: Ernest G., Harrison T., Walter R., Arthur E., Minnie L., Clarence T., Clara M., George T., Edna L., and one deceased. These children have been given public school advantages and fine home training. Mrs. Gun- lock is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In politics Mr. Gunlock is a republican. For a number of years he has been an Odd Fellow, belonging to Garfield Lodge, No. 710, of which he is past noble grand. He belongs also to Leota Tribe, No. 116, Red Men, of which he is past sachem.

J. E. COUNTS. It is interesting to note that there are people in many sections of the United States, notably in Ross County, Ohio, who personally own more land than some of the princes in foreign countries govern and call their rights sovereign. Prior to the great war that involved Europe in 1914, there were principalities innumerable that by no means aggregated as many acres as are owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Counts, prominent residents of Jefferson Township, Ross County, who are representatives of old pioneer families of this section of Ohio.

J. E. Counts, who resides on and personally operates 450 acres of some of the best land in Ross County, was born May 3, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio, near Palestine, and is a son of L. F. and Lucretia Counts. His father was born in Virginia and at the age of four years was brought to Ross County, Ohio. IIe was reared at Richmond Dale, attended the early schools of the village and then learned the blacksmith trade. For sixty-four continuous years he operated a blacksmith shop at that point. He was well and widely known, was identified with the growth of the place and was one of the charter members, without doubt, of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, in which he continued his interest. He survived into vigorous old age and it is recorded that he deftly shod a horse on

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the day following his eightieth birthday. He was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

To L. F. Counts and his wife, Lucretia, four children were born, namely : J. Edward; Charles L., who is a miller at Richmond Dale; Jennie L., who is the wife of Thomas M. Heath; and Daisy, who is the wife of T. G. Hedges.

J. E. Counts was reared at Richmond Dale and attended school there and learned the blacksmith trade in his father's shop, afterward working at the same, at intervals, until he was twenty-three years old. For eight years he was in the educational field, being a successful teacher for that period. Since then he has given his attention largely to looking after his large property, on which he carries on farming along modern lines and has met with success in this undertaking.

On October 17, 1888, Mr. Counts was united in marriage with Miss Lillie E. Peppers, who is a daughter of H. W. and Eliza (Kelley) Pep- pers. The father of Mrs. Counts was born in 1826 in Jefferson Town- ship, Ross County, Ohio, and on May 6, 1860, was married to Eliza Kelley, who was born in Liberty Township, Ross County, December 6, 1838. Mrs. Counts was one of three children born to her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Counts have five children: J. W. and K. G., twins, the former of whom is a graduate of the Chillicothe High School and a Detroit institution and is now in the employ of the United States Gov- ernment, and the latter assists his father; Rondeau L., who is a graduate of the high school; Rebecca B., who is a graduate also of the high school; and Henry L., who is yet a student.

Mrs. Counts was born. and reared on the farm of 600 acres which she now owns. This was the old Kelley farm and belonged to her maternal grandfather. The Kelley family came to Ross County, Ohio, in 1811 and entered their first land in 1815 and later added more land to their original entry. The entry papers are now in the possession of Mrs. Counts, bearing the signature of James Madison, President of the United States, and since they were issued this land continued in the Kelley name until it became the inheritance of Mrs. Counts. Thus Mr. and Mrs. Counts are among the heavy taxpayers of Ross County.

In politics Mr. Counts has always been a democrat, but with the exception of serving as assessor of Jefferson Township, he has never accepted any public office. He belongs to Garfield Lodge, No. 710, Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand.

J. R. MOTTER, M. D. The profession of medicine, in our wonder- fully developing twentieth century, is not only keeping step with the advance line in science, but under some circumstances is leading the way. Largely made up of men of learning, patience, foresight, scien- tific exactitude of thought and deduction, it offers healing to the afflicted at its doors but never ceases to seek for the causes yet hidden that cause untimely death to mankind. This attitude, almost general, is what gives the profession its dignity and what attracts to it so many men of the highest type of character. One of these two whom atten-

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tion may be respectfully called is Dr. J. R. Motter, physican and surgeon at Londonderry, Ohio, who for thirty-five years has devoted his time and talents to medical service.

J. R. Motter was born in the village which is now his place of resi- dence, March 18, 1853. His parents were Austin and Jane (William- son) Motter. The family is of French extraction and some of its members were among the early colonists in Virginia. The first of the name to come north of the Ohio River and settle in Ohio was George Motter, the grandfather of Doctor Motter. He brought his family with him, including his son Austin, then about eight years old, and took up his residence in Chillicothe, Ohio. There for many years afterward he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, including dealing in horses. At the time of his death he was considered a man of ample fortune. As the result of a life of probity, good citizenship and general usefulness, he enjoyed the esteem of his neighbors to such an extent that they more than once honored him with election to places of responsibility.

Austin Motter, father of Doctor Motter, was born at Richmond, Vir- ginia. After his school days were over he assisted his father in the business, to which he succeeded and continued to carry it on for some years at Chillicothe. After disposing of his interests there he came to Londonderry and again embarked in a mercantile business. · Subse- quently he entered the employ of the firm of Shaw, Barber & Company, of Cincinnati, with which house he remained connected during the clos- ing decade of his life. He was united in marriage with Jane Williamson and six children were born to them: George W., who died in 1912; J. R .; Ella S., deceased wife of J. W. Ratcliffe; Hattie M., the deceased wife of William Erskine; Mary, wife of James Walker; and Beatrice J., now deceased.

J. R. Motter attended school at Chillicothe, laying the foundation upon which later his professional education was built. His prepara- tory medical reading was done with Dr. Thomas Faraby, of London- derry, being a student there for three years, following which he entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, a hoary institution founded in 1819. In 1873 Doctor Motter was graduated from that college, being then but twenty years old. He entered into practice at Allenville, in Vinton County, Ohio, remaining in that field for three years, and return- ing then to Londonderry, his old home, opened an office that it may be said has never since been closed. Doctor Motter is widely known over the county and not only enjoys professional regard but personal esteem, winning the first through his skill and securing the latter through personal high character.

Doctor Motter was married on August 29, 1883, to Miss Ida M. Faust, who is a daughter of Joseph and Abigail Faust. The father of Mrs. Motter was born in Germany and was brought to the United States when six years old. He grew up at Lancaster, Fairfield County, and later came to Ross County. Doctor and Mrs. Motter have two children : Edwin Cameron and Jettie M. The latter resides with her parents.

Edwin Cameron Motter was born in Ohio in 1884. After his gradu-

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ation from the university at Athens in 1897, he immediately entered the Ohio University and was graduated from that institution in 1904 with his bachelor of arts degree, following which he read law with the firm of Minshall and Minshall and later with Wade Ellis, and was graduated from the law department of the Ohio State University in 1907. Mr. Motter looked westward for an attractive field for practice and located at Muskogee, Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, and he was appointed first assistant attorney in Dawes Commission. After serving in that office for eighteen months he resigned and later was appointed attorney-general and special attorney for the United States at Muskogee. After serving three years in a very difficult position he resigned and entered into an independent practice of law.

Doctor Motter has always taken an active part, as becomes an intel- ligent and public-spirited citizen, in public affairs, and on numerous occasions has been selected as a delegate to republican conventions, county, state and national. He served as sergeant-at-arms of the con- vention in 1896, when William McKinley, of beloved memory, was nomi- nated for the presidency. In local affairs he has always shown good judgment, public spirit and enlightened views, declining many offices but consenting to serve on the school board, of which he has been presi- dent for fifteen years.

J. G. BONE. Few men have lent more practical encouragement to the milling business in Ross County, Ohio, than has J. G. Bone, owner of the Londonderry Mill on Salt Creek and the Joe Dixon Mill. Mr. Bone was formerly a farmer, and still the owner of a good agricultural property, but since 1907 has devoted his interests uninterruptedly to the milling business. He is a native of Vinton County, Ohio, and was born on a farm, February 11, 1864, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Jordan) Bone.

The Bone family of Ross County, Ohio, originally came from that sturdy class known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, and from the Keystone State the first Ohioan of the name came to Jefferson County. There was born William Bone, the grandfather of J. G. Bone, who moved from that community at an early date to Vinton County and passed the rest of his life there as a farmer. Samuel Bone, father of J. G. Bone, was born in Vinton County, received an ordinary education in the public schools and was reared as a farmer, a vocation which he adopted when entering upon his independent career. For several years he operated the old homestead which his father had owned before him, but subse- quently moved to another farm, which he continued to develop and work during the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died in 1888, having been the parents of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity and are still living: J. G., of this notice; Mrs. Sarah Johnson, of St. Louis, Missouri; Nancy, a resident of Chillicothe, Ohio; Viola, who resides at Londonderry; James, of New London, Missouri; Pinkney, of Lancaster, Ohio; and A. S., of Londonderry. Samuel Bone was not politically active, being a quiet, rather unassuming man who was well

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satisfied with the activities he could secure from his vocation. However, he took a good citizen's part in the promotion of his home community's interests and was generous in his support of beneficial movements. He was a religious man, but was not connected with any particular church denomination.

The district schools of Vinton County furnished J. G. Bone with his early educational training, and after his own education was completed he was engaged for several terms in teaching school, making his home on the farm and working thereon during the summer months. Thus he remained, taking care of his parents and keeping the family together until his parents died. Mr. Bone continued his operations on the old place until 1907, and is still the owner of 120 acres in Jackson Town- ship, Vinton County, now occupied by a renter. In the year men- tioned Mr. Bone came to Londonderry and started in the milling busi- ness in partnership with Thomas Stevens, these gentlemen purchasing the Salt Creek Mill. It was in a run-down condition, and Messrs. Bone and Stevens built up the business and repaired the mill, but it con- tinued in existence only one year, when Mr. Bone exchanged his interests and assumed complete control of the Salt Creek Mill, which he has since conducted. He is now the owner of this property, as he is also of the Buck Dixon planing and grist mill at Londonderry, which is operated in conjunction. Mr. Bone has built up a substantial and profitable business which has its own established place in the commercial life of the community and which bears an excellent reputation in business circles. He has interest in the Chillicothe Milling Company, which is now building a large mill at that place. Mr. Bone's financial success is augmented by a recognized moral influence. He carries with him into business and social life a splendid ethical perspective, and a capacity for acknowledging the good and weeding out the undesirable in general existence. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Allansville Lodge, No. 855, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and South Bloomingville Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically, he affiliates with the demo- crats, and while living in Jackson Township was elected by that party as township clerk for five years and as justice of the peace for twelve years. Mr. Bone's present home is at Gillespieville, in Liberty Township, in the vicinity of which he has numerous warm and sincere friends.

CORNELIUS HOOK. The Town of Vigo in Ross County is perhaps as widely known among brick and tile manufacturers over the country as any community in Ohio. This is due to the fact that it is the home of the Ohio Kiln Company, manufacturers and designers of the famous kilns patented by Mr. Cornelius Hook.

Mr. Hook has spent most of his lifetime in the manufacturing of clay products and the operating of kilns, and out of the wealth of his expe- rience has invented what is known as the Improved Hook Patent Up and Down Draft Kiln. The claims made for this kiln have been amply substantiated by the experience of brick manufacturers all over the United States and Canada. It is said to be the only system whereby

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heat can be applied to bottom and top at the same time and by which the ware while being burned is subjected to an equal and constant heat in all parts of the kiln and thereby preventing the overburning of some portions and the underburning of others.

Mr. Hook is a native of Vinton County, Ohio, and was born near McArthur, August 4, 1867, a son of Abraham and Marie Hook. His parents were substantial farming people in Southern Ohio. His father died in 1915 and his mother in 1881. Of their children, six are now living : Robert; Calvin; Edwin, of Dayton, Ohio; Barney, of Trimble, Ohio; Stella, wife of Daniel Skivers, of Athens, Ohio; and Cornelius.

All of the education Cornelius Hook acquired was in the common district schools. When he was fourteen years of age his mother died, and after that he had to depend upon his own resources. He found employment in the brick and tile industry and has had nearly thirty years of practical experience in that line.

About 1894 Mr. Hook came to Vigo, and it was during his employ- ment in the Vigo Tile Mill that he worked out his first patent for the burning of brick. He invented a down draft system, which was a great improvement over the old-fashioned methods of operating kilns, such as had been in practice for generations. This offered a saving both in time and fuel, but it did not satisfy all the conditions of the case. The principal difficulty was that the contents of the kiln were not evenly burned. If the bottom tier was properly burned, very often the top layers were overburned.

It was to correct these difficulties that Mr. Hook set himself to the task of devising a system which would subject all the contents of a kiln to equal heat at the same time and would obviate the losses caused by overburning or underburning. The outcome of it all was his patent up and down draft kiln, on which he secured his first patent on Sep- tember 9, 1913. After securing this patent he sold his old patent on the down draft kiln, and the Ohio Kiln Company now gives its entire time to exploiting the advantages of his late patent. The company in the past three years has sold its plans or has built under personal supervision a great many kilns with up and down draft systems in all parts of the Middle West, in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and also in Canada, and a number of growing letters of testimonial to the effi- ciency of the new system have been received and are on file in the company's office at Vigo. Mr. Hook's patent insured perfect heat control in the operation of kilns, and not have the old troubles of overburning and underburning been overcome, but there is an additional saving due to the fact that the contents of kilns can by his device be cooled more quickly, and therefore a large plant can be operated with fewer kilns and at the same time without decreasing the output.

On December 25, 1875, Mr. Hook married Miss Effie Maxwell, daugh- ter of James and Esther Maxwell. They are the parents of seven chil- dren : Hazel E., Clifford E., Edith M., Howard J., Bessie M., Edwin C., and Louis E. All the children are still at home, and the oldest

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Freeph M. Hanley. C. D.

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daughter is a graduate of the Vigo public schools. The other children, with the exception of the two youngest, are still in school.

Politically, Mr. Hook is a democrat, but has taken no active interest in politics beyond casting his vote and doing what is required of every good citizen in his community. He carries insurance in the Illinois Com- mercial Men's Association.

JOSEPH M. HANLEY, M. D. Devoting his time and attention to the practice of his chosen profession, Joseph M. Hanley, M. D., of Chilli- cothe, has built up an extensive patronage in the city and suburbs, and by reason of his skill and ability has gained prominence in the medical circles of Ross County. He is a native born citizen, the date of his birth being September 24, 1855.

William B. Hanley, the doctor's father, was born at Shanagolden, County Limerick, Ireland, in 1818, and was there educated. On leaving school, he served an apprenticeship with a cloth merchant, from him learning the details of the trade. In 1836, a young and ambitious youth yet in his teens, he immigrated to America, and after spending a short time in Canada made his way to Detroit, where he soon found remunera- tive employment, first in the building of the Erie Canal, as bookkeeper, and later filling the same position with the contractors that were building toll pikes in that locality. Coming from that city to Chillicothe, Ohio, he was in business as a general merchant, on Paint Street, from 1840 until 1852, the year in which the larger portion of the business section of the city was destroyed by fire. He was not burned out, but he discon- tinued his general store, and soon after opened a merchant tailoring establishment on West Water Street. At that early day all clothing was made to order, and he conducted a prosperous business until his death, November 3, 1870, when but fifty-two years of age.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 25

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

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