A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 29

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

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WERTER M. SEYMOUR. Among the representative men of Ross County, Ohio, is Werter M. Seymour, whose magnificent estate of 540 acres, known as Maple Lawn Farm, is situated in Paint Township, four miles west of Bainbridge. Sturdy ancestors are back of Mr. Seymour and he bears a family name well known and honored almost a century ago in old Virginia, now a part of West Virginia. There, in Hardy County, on February 4, 1821, his father, Aaron W. Seymour, was born, and twenty-seven years later came to Ross County, Ohio.

Werter M. Seymour was born in Paxton Township, Ross County, October 25, 1854. His parents were Aaron W. and Catherine E. (McNeill) Seymour, the father a native of Hardy County, Virginia, and the mother born in Ross County, Ohio. They were married at Frankfort, Ohio, June 30, 1847, and in the following year they came to Ross County and settled in Paxton Township, two miles east of Bain- bridge. They lived on that place for forty-eight years, it being the property now owned and occupied by L. C. Anderson. He accumulated 1,400 acres of land and resided on it until late in life, when he removed to the home of his son and there he died March 22, 1900. In every relation of life he was a man of worth, an elder in the Presbyterian Church, a leader in moral and benevolent movements, a good neighbor and a worthy example in kindness and generosity to everyone. He was a strong supporter of the principles of the democratic party and quite often was chosen by his neighbors to serve in responsible positions. Of his three children, Werter M. is the only survivor.

Werter M. Seymour was reared on a farm, mainly in Paxton Town- ship. He was given better educational opportunities than many country boys of that day enjoyed, for after attending the district schools he was sent to a higher grade school in Kentucky. To some extent this has had an effect in the management of his large estate, leading him intelli- gently to accept modern methods in agriculture and to stock his farm with approved live stock of every kind. The products of Maple Lawn Farm are known all over the county and command the highest prices.

On October 31, 1883, Mr. Seymour was united in marriage with Miss Agnes E. McMeachen, who was born in Ross County in September, 1856, and died November 7, 1909, a daughter of Seymour and Catherine (McAllister) MeMeachen. Mrs. Seymour was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of three children, two of Vol. II-15

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whom survive: Allen H., who was born July 1, 1888, is a graduate of the local high school and the Ohio State University at Columbus, and lives at home; and Catherine H., who was born September 3, 1891, who is a graduate of the Bainbridge High School as well as of the local body. Mr. Seymour stands high in the estimation of his community and is an elder in the Presbyterian Church. On numerous occasions he has been elected on the democratic ticket to township offices, in filling the duties of which he has been honest and faithful.

JOHN A. MOOMAW. That men of broad and general experience are particularly fitted for the vocation of farming is denied by no one familiar with the intellectual and general demands placed upon present day exponents of scientific agriculture. The knowledge gained by the educator, for instance, especially if he has been a worker in the country districts, is an important item in the equipment of those who conduct the basic industry of the world, and it is this advantage which has con- tributed largely to the success of John A. Moomaw, of Paint Township. Mr. Moomaw was formerly an educator, but since 1900 has been engaged in farming and is now the proprietor of Maple Lawn Farm, situated one mile north of Fruitdale, in the Buckskin Valley, a tract of 114 acres, and of a farm of seventy-three acres located on Price's Ridge.

Mr. Moomaw was born in Paint Township, Ross County, Ohio, May 21, 1854, and is a son of Jacob B. and Vashti Carolina (Morton) Moo- maw. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Anna (Gray) Moomaw, the former of near Roanoke, Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, of Pennsylvania parents. Vashti Carolina Morton was born in Ross County, Ohio, near South Salem, her father being a South Carolinian and her mother an Ohioan. The Morton family history extends back to Scotland, from whence, because of religious persecution, an early mem- ber of the family fled to Ireland. About 1768, because of continued religious trouble, several of the name crossed the ocean to refuge in America, and took up their residence in Pennsylvania, but in order to find a more desirable climate, went later to South Carolina. They were active during the Revolutionary war, and after the close of that struggle, because of the prevalence of slavery in the South, of which they did not approve, made their way overland by wagon, with oxen and cows. John and Margaret (Alexander) Morton, the grandparents of Mrs. Vashti C. Moomaw, made this journey in 1806, settling first in Highland County, and later removing to near South Salem, Ross County. in 1807. The father of Margaret ( Alexander) Morton was captured by the British while fighting as a soldier of the Continental line in the war of the Revolution. To Jacob B. and Vashti C. Moomaw there were born four children : John A., of this record; Anna, who is the wife of Albert C. Ellenberger and lives at South Salem; Frank Morton, a farmer in Paint Township; and William, who died at the age of fourteen years.

John A. Moomaw was reared on the home farm and received his education in the public school and South Salem (Ohio) Academy, from which he was duly graduated in 1875. At that time he began teaching

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and continued as an educator until the year 1900, when he turned his attention to farming, as already noted. In addition to being a practical and successful farmer, Mr. Moomaw is a broad-minded and progressive man, well posted on current events and entertaining sensible opinions on questions of public interest. He is president of the Buckskin Valley Farmers Institute, and a member of the executive committee of the Buckskin-Lyndon Picnic Association, and in other ways has shown him- self alert and alive in affairs of his community. He is a republican in his political views and in the primary of August 8, 1916, was a candidate for the nomination to the office of county commissioner of Ross County on the republican ticket, believing that Paint Township should have a candidate on that ticket, something it has not had in twenty years. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum, in both of which he has numerous friends. He has likewise been active in religious work, being a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church and a commissioner to represent the Chilli- cothe Presbytery at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1912.

On November 23, 1881, Mr. Moomaw was married to Miss Sarah Reihle, who was born in Pike County, Ohio, November 28, 1851, and they have had six children : F. Ray, a graduate of South Salem Acad- emy, who spent two years at Miami University, Oxford, was a teacher in the schools of Porto Rico for six years, and present county surveyor of Carroll County, Tennessee, married Anna Hamm, of Chillicothe, Ohio; Forest E., a graduate of Salem Academy, teacher in the high school at Bainbridge, and a farmer in Paint Township, married Mary Grove, and they have two daughters, Eleanor Elizabeth and Margaret Victoria; Willis R., a graduate of the same institution and a teacher in this and other counties, married Mildred Hoffman, and they reside in Paint Township and have one son, John Hoffman; Lina, born April 12, 1889, who died July 23, 1903, when fourteen years of age ; Mary E., a graduate of Greenfield High School and now the wife of Seigel Mossburger, of Buckskin Township; and Venna R., a graduate of Buckskin High School, now residing with her parents.

WESLEY VINCENT. One of the solid and substantial old families of Ross County is represented by Wesley Vincent, who at one time was a merchant in Chillicothe, but has for many years been a practical farmer, conducting the old Vincent homestead near Chillicothe, and has also made a success of the business of buying and selling livestock.

He was born March 17, 1855, in Ross County, a son of William and Mary Vincent. William Vincent was also a native of Ross County, was a substantial farmer for many years, and established his home 21% miles from Chillicothe, where he lived and reared his seven children, three of whom are still living. Later he moved to Chillicothe and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until his death.

Next to the youngest in the family, Wesley Vincent grew up partly on the farm and partly in Chillicothe, gained a fair education in the local schools and early became associated with his father in conducting

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the grocery business. After his father's death he remained in trade only a short time and then sold out in order to give his entire energies to the management of the old farm. He has made a model place of the old homestead near Chillicothe, but has been most successful in a busi- ness way through his extensive interests as a buyer of horses and cattle. He now has capable assistants in this business in the persons of his two sons.

In Ross County on April 29, 1884, he married Miss Anna Weigher. To their marriage have been born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, namely : William, George, Earl, Geraldine, Joseph, Marshall, Conrad and Chester.

CHARLES W. KNOLES. Engaged in the prosecution of a calling upon which the wealth and support of the nation so largely depends, Charles W. Knoles, of Chillicothe, holds a position of note among the successful agriculturists of Ross County. He was born December 11, 1870, in the southeastern part of the City of Chillocothe, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, having inherited it from his father, the late Daniel Knoles.

His paternal grandfather, William Knoles, was born in the State of Delaware, in 1795, and came from there with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eleazer Knoles, to Chillicothe in pioneer days. One of the earlier merchants of Chillicothe, William Knoles, purchased a tract of land on Paint Street, opposite the courthouse, where he built up a profitable trade as a grocer, and in addition to his mercantile interests invested largely in farm lands. His home for a number of years was on Paint Street, across from the city buildings. He was quite prominent in busi- ness affairs, and lived to a good old age, passing away in 1877. The site of the grocery store that he operated has been in the possession of the Knoles family for nearly a century, and is now owned by his grandson, Charles W. Knoles, of whom we write. The maiden name of the wife of William Knoles was Margaret Ott. She was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio with her parents, who were pioneer settlers of Ross County. But two children were born of their union, John, who died unmarried. and Daniel.

Daniel Knoles was born, June 25, 1833, in Chillicothe, and acquired his education in the public schools. When ready to begin life on his own account, he settled in the southeastern part of the city, on land that his father had previously purchased, and on the farm which he improved spent his remaining days, dying January 14, 1892. He married Sophia Shoeffe, who was born in Germany, February 4, 1845, a daughter of Jacob and Louisa, and died on the home farm, October 5, 1910.

The only child of his parents, Charles W. Knoles received an excel- lent education in the Chillicothe schools, in the meantime assisting in the various labors of the home farm, which he now owns and occupies. When the farm came into the possession of his grandfather it was partly improved, and on it was a substantial hewed log house, which has been weather-boarded on the outside, and ceiled on the inside, and now forms

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a part of the house occupied by Mr. Knoles and his family. A man of sound judgment and good business ability, Mr. Knoles is devoting his time to the attention of his private affairs, and the care of his estate, which, with its excellent improvements, constitutes one of the most desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood.

Mr. Knoles married, March 18, 1896, Frederica Mauger, who was born in Huntington Township, Ross County, a daughter of William Mauger. Her paternal grandfather, Matthew Mauger, came from Ger- many, his native land, to America as a young man, and was a pioneer settler of Pike County, Ohio. At that early day all of this section of the country was a vast wilderness, and deer, turkey, and other kinds of wild game were plentiful, while the forests were habited by Indians, who were friendly, and with whom he became well acquainted. He bought a tract of timbered land near Waverly, and had many improvements well established when he was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree during a heavy storm, leaving his wife, whose maiden name was Agatha Gang, with ten children to care for. William Mauger, father of Mrs. Knoles, was but twelve years old when his father was killed, and he did his full share in helping to support the family, laboring early and late. He has always followed farming, and now lives about a mile west of Waverly, not far from his birthplace. He married Augusta Wagner, who was born in Germany, and came to America in a sailing vessel with her parents, Godfrey and Caroline Wagner, who located in the southern part of Ross County, where both spent their remaining years. William Mauger and his wife reared seven children, as follows: Frederica, now Mrs. Knoles; Lena; William; Anna; John; and Minnie.

Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Knoles, namely : Charles Edgar; William Daniel; and a daughter, Faith Augusta, who died in infancy. Mrs. Knoles was reared in the Lutheran Church, and has always been true to that faith.

T. E. BANKS. Chillicothe is the home of a number of railway men who, in addition to their connection with the organizations of their pro- fession, also belong to the order of merit, in that they have risen by personal efficiency and loyalty to many of the larger responsibilities in the service. Among them is T. E. Banks, who is now trainmaster of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, Southwestern Division.

A native of Claremont County, Ohio, he was born September 27, 1872, the youngest of six children, of whom only two are now sur- viving, born to Robert and Hannah (Berrill) Banks. His father was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and died in 1910, while the mother passed away in 1915. Robert Banks was also a railway man, and continued active in the service until his death. IIe lived in Chillicothe from 1889.

T. E. Banks had only a common school education. At the age of thirteen he was paying his own way as messenger boy. Afterwards he worked in a planing mill, and for one year was in the local office of the Adams Express Company. For four years he was connected

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with the Arbanz Furniture Company as foreman of their mechanical room.

His career as a practical railway man began in 1894 when he found work in the same department of the Baltimore & Ohio as freight brake- man. He familiarized himself with all the duties of his position, and in 1903 was promoted to the next grade in the service, that of freight con- ductor. For ten years he was one of the trusted conductors of the road, and in 1913 was made assistant trainmaster and in 1914 was given the full duties of the position of trainmaster for the Southwestern Division of the Baltimore & Ohio.

Mr. Banks is a popular member of the Order of Railway Conductors and is also affiliated with Scioto Lodge No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a republican. November 5, 1890, at Chillicothe he mar- ried Miss Mary Reihart, daughter of Henry and Lena Reihart. The Rei- harts came from Germany and were early settlers in Jackson County, Ohio, but in 1888 moved to Ross County. Mr. and Mrs. Banks have one daughter, Mabel, born July 22, 1891.

GEORGE J. HERRNSTEIN. A man of rare business tact and ability, George Herrnstein, now living retired from active pursuits at his home in Chillicothe, was for nearly two score years prominently identified with one of the foremost industries of Ross County. A native of Chilli- cothe, he was born November 30, 1846, coming on both sides of the house of honored German ancestry.

George Herrnstein, his father, was born and educated in Germany, and there served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade. Immigrating to the United States in early manhood, he came to Ohio before the days of railroads, at a time when all transportation was by rail or stage coach, locating in Chillicothe. The principal hotel of the city was then situated at the corner of Mill and Hickory streets, in the very midst of the business center. He first worked as a jeweler, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed a few years. Later establishing a planing mill on Park Street, he managed it successfully until 1872. Going then to Lewis County, Kentucky, he purchased 1,000 acres of heavily timbered land, and having installed a portable sawmill engaged in the manufacture of lumber, the greater portion of his out- put being shipped by him to Chillicothe, and sold by his sons. He there continued in business until his death, January 16, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years. His body was then brought back to Chilli- cothe, and interred in Grand View Cemetery. He married Mary Kaiser, a native of Germany, and to them five children were born, as follows: Mary, George J., Jacob, Philip, and Henry. The mother died in 1897, aged seventy-six years.

Acquiring a practical education in the Chillicothe schools, George J. Herrnstein began when quite young to assist his father, and soon became familiar with the details of the business. In 1872, in partner- ship with his brothers, he acquired possession of the mill and lumber yard, and as senior member of the firm of George J. Herrnstein &

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Brothers established a substantial business. Enlarging his operations from time to time, Mr. Herrnstein became head of one of the most im- portant and extensive industries of the city. His plant, which occupied two squares, included a commodious two-story brick building, amply fitted with all the modern machinery and appliances used in the manu- facture of sash, doors and blinds, moldings, stairs, and verandas, and a finely equipped brick kiln. In addition to this plant, the enterprising firm operated a branch lumber yard on Bridge Street, and another at Circleville, building up a large and highly .remunerative business in the sale of undressed lumber. Having been actively and prosperously engaged in the lumber business for thirty-seven consecutive years, Mr. Herrnstein retired from active pursuits, and is now devoting his atten- tion to his private interests.

On September 26, 1872, Mr. Herrnstein was united in marriage with Catherine Brehm, who was born in Chillicothe, in 1853. Her father, Philip Peter Brehm, was born, in 1821, in Germany, where he learned the bricklayer's trade, and also served for three years in the German army. When a young man he came to America in a sailing vessel, landing in New York, from there going to Buffalo by river and canal, thence by way of Lake Erie to Cleveland, and from that city by way of the canal to Chillicothe, where he followed his trade during the remainder of his active life, dying in this city in 18 -. Mr. Brehm, who was a great lover of music, and a fine player on the bass horn and other wind instruments, was for many years a valued mem- her of the Chillicothe Band. Mr. Brehm married Margaret Petti- heimer, who was born in Germany, and died in Chillicothe, and they reared five children, as follows: Margaret, now Mrs. Herrnstein; Catherine; Charles; Adam; and Philip. Mr. and Mrs. Herrnstein have three daughters, namely : Margaret, wife of Chauncey A. Herrn- stein; Anna Marie, wife of Newton Adams; and Elizabeth. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Herrnstein are conscientious members of the First Evangelical Church of Chillicothe, and have brought up their family in the same faith.

CHARLES HOYT, M. D. Conspicuous on the long roll of eminent names that have gained recognition in the professional, business and social circles of Chillicothe is that of the late Charles Hoyt, M. D., who was not only an honored and successful physician, but was one of the most loyal, popular, and best beloved citizens of Ross County. A man of high intellectual attainments, kind-hearted, unselfish and sympa- thetic, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy and unfortunate, and was a liberal subscriber to every good and worthy cause. The descendant of a New England family of prominence, he was born, January 20, 1854, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Nason Hoyt, Jr.

His grandfather, Nason Hoyt, Sr., was born in New England, of English ancestry, and there spent his entire life, during his active career having been engaged in mercantile pursuits.

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Born and brought up in New Hampshire, Nason Hoyt, Jr., became a farmer from choice, for a time being engaged in tilling the rocky soil of his native state. After his marriage he lived first in Ontario, Canada, from there moving with his family to Chautauqua County, New York, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Susan Webster, who was born in New Hampshire, which was likewise the birthplace of that noted statesman, Daniel Webster, who belonged to the same branch of the Webster family that she did. She survived her husband, passing away at the age of seventy-three years. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The youngest member of the parental household, Charles Hoyt obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Chautau- qua County. Beginning the battle of life as a school teacher, he em- ployed all of his leisure time while thus employed in studying medicine, for which he had a natural aptitude, and a genuine liking. Having thus acquired his rudimentary knowledge of medical science, he entered the Pulte Medical College, in Cincinnati, and was there graduated in 1878. The doctor then formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. William Hoyt, a practicing physician in Hillsboro, Highland County, remaining there until the spring of 1880. Doctor Hoyt then located at Chillicothe, and having met with most favorable results in the exercise of his profession remained here in active practice until his death, June 20, 1913.

Public-spirited, progressive and enterprising, Doctor Hoyt was ever among the foremost in promoting the welfare of Chillicothe, and in the establishment of projects tending toward the upbuilding of the city. He served as president of the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce; was one of the originators of the Sunset Club; and one of the organizers of the Ross County Tuberculosis Society. Fraternally the doctor was a member, and past master, of Scioto Lodge No. 6, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; a member, and past high priest, of Chilli- cothe Chapter No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; a member, and past thrice illustrious master, of Chillicothe Council No. 4, Royal and Select Masters; a member, and past eminent commander, of Chillicothe Com- mandery No. 8, Knights Templar; a member of Columbus Consistory ; and of Aladdin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Doctor Hoyt was likewise a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy; of the International Hahnemannian Associa- tion; and of the Ohio State Medical Society.

Doctor Hoyt married, September 6, 1883, Helen E. Will, who was born at McArthur, Ohio, a daughter of George B. and Helen A. (French) Will. Two children blessed their union, namely: Loy E., of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume; and Donald C. Politically the doctor was a republican. Religiously he was a member, and one of the trustees, of the First Presbyterian Church.

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LOY E. HOYT, M. D. A prominent physician of Chillicothe, Loy E. Hoyt, M. D., has inherited to an eminent degree the talent and ability of his father, who was for many years a prominent member of the med- ical fraternity of Ross County, and is making rapid strides in his pro- fessional career. He was born, July 7, 1884, in Chillicothe, and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of this city, in 1903 completing the course of study in the high school.

Going then to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Loy E. Hoyt was graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan, with the degree of bachelor of arts, in 1907. Taking up the study of medicine, he was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1909, and the following year was an interne at the Hahnemann Hospital in that city. Returning to Chillicothe, Doctor Hoyt began the practice of his profession in this city, having succeeded to a con- siderable extent to the practice of his father, Charles Hoyt, M. D., of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this work.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 29

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

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