A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 43

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

USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 43

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In September, 1867, Mr. Metzger married Lydia Epenour. She was born in Ross County of German ancestry. Six children have been born to their union: Barbara, Annie, Edward, William, Lizzie and Ira. Barbara by her marriage to Cary Short has five children, named Otis, Forrest, Harry, Rufus and Mary. The daughter, Annie, died when eighteen years of age. Edward married Lovina Dearduff and has . a daughter named Gladys. William married Grace Campbell, who died leaving him two children, Earl and Howard. Lizzie is the wife of Edward Reiter and has four children, named Dwight, George, Gwen- Vol. 11-22

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dolyn and Robert. Ira married Emma Briggs and has two daughters, Catherine and Dona Virginia.

DAVID McCOY STITT represents one of the old and prominent families of Ross County.

His grandfather, John Stitt, was born in New York State in 1800. He was brought to Ohio when a boy, the family becoming pioneers in Fayette County. John Stitt learned the trade of shoemaker. In that day and generation all shoes and boots were made by hand and for the custom demand. He followed his trade in Bloomingburg for some years, and then went to Guernsey County, where he became interested in coal lands and was a mine operator there until his death. While in Fayette County, he served as a member of the board of county commissioners. The name of his first wife was Elizabeth McCoy. Her parents were Thomas and Nancy (Wilson) McCoy. Thomas McCoy came to the Northwest Territory in 1796, locating in what is now Ross County and being one of the first white settlers. He was accompanied by two broth- ers. Thomas McCoy bought a tract of timbered land in Union Town- ship, and in 1808 built what is said to have been the first brick house erected within the limits of Ross County. The nails for the construc- tion were packed all the way from Kentucky and cost 121/2 cents per pound. He hired a sawmill and used it during the night time to saw the lumber used for the dwelling. As an evidence that it was well built, the house is standing today in good condition and now shelters the sixth generation of his descendants. Thomas McCoy improved upwards of 300 acres, and was one of the great old-time pioneers of this county. Mrs. John Stitt died in early life, leaving only one son, who was born on the Thomas McCoy homestead, December 9, 1824.

This son, father of David McCoy Stitt, spent his early life with his maternal grandparents. He attended a school taught in a log house, and some years later succeeded to the ownership of the old Thomas McCoy homestead. He was successfully engaged in farming there until his death. On October 26, 1852, he married Margaret McCoy, who was born in Union Township, daughter of William and Margaret (Appleck) McCoy. She is still living and owns the old homestead but resides in Chillicothe. Her seven children were William A., Charles W., Carrie E., David McCoy, Bess M., John G. and Elsie P. The parents of these children were both active members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father served a number of years as an elder and for twelve years was a justice of the peace.

David McCoy Stitt was born on the old Thomas McCoy homestead, attended the rural schools and also the public schools of Chillicothe, and his entire career has been devoted to farming. At the time of his mar- riage he located on the farm where he now resides. The land then be- longed to Mrs. Stitt's father. It was a well improved farm with excellent buildings, and Mr. Stitt has always made a point of keeping the best implements and handling only the better grades of stock. His farm is located within five miles of his birthplace.

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On February 25, 1891, he married Elizabeth T. Dunlap. Mrs. Stitt was born in Union Township, a daughter of Major Dunlap, who was born in Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia, June 1, 1814. His father, John Dunlap, was born in Virginia in 1776, and moved from that state into Kentucky and in 1796 visited that portion of the Northwest Territory now included in Ross County. Together with Alexander Dunlap he bought a land warrant for the Fowler Survey. This warrant included a large tract of the Scioto River bottom land in what is now Union Township. After securing this land, John Dunlap returned to Virginia, where he married Dorcas Dowell. They lived in Virginia until 1825, and he then brought his family to Ross County, settling on a por- tion of his land near the mouth of Dry Run. There he improved a farm and lived there until his death in 1865. Major Dunlap was about eight years of age when he came to Union Township with his parents. His education was finished in the pioneer schools taught in a log house. After reaching his maturity he settled down to farming and also became an extensive dealer in cattle and hogs. Successful in both occupations, he acquired a large estate. His death occurred as a result of an injury when he was kicked by a horse in 1876. At that time he was in full health and strength with a promise of many years of usefulness before him. Major Stitt was married September 5, 1848, to Martha McCallister, who was born in Pike County, Ohio, daughter of Charles McCallister. She died March 6, 1850. For his second wife, Major Dunlap married Ellen Goodman. She was born in Green Township of Ross County, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Cullum) Goodman and a grand- daughter of John and Charlotte (Shuch) Goodman. Mrs. Stitt's mother died at the age of sixty-five, having reared children, named Blanche, Oliver Lorenzo, Elizabeth Tabitha, Margaret Ellen and David Major.

In their home, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Stitt have reared five children, named Ellen Dunlap, Leonard McCoy, Florence E., David Major and Margaret A. Another child, William Kerr, died when seven months old.

Mr. and Mrs. Stitt attend the Presbyterian Church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Scioto Lodge No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, and for several years has served on the local township board.

MAJ. JAMES C. ANDERSON. A prominent, popular and prosperous insurance man, Major James C. Anderson, of Chillicothe, represents the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati in Ross and Pick- away counties, and also has charge of special work for his company throughout Southern Ohio. A son of James W. Anderson, he was born, March 22, 1854, in Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio, of early pioneer stock.

His paternal grandfather, James Anderson, Jr., was born in Pennsyl- vania, where his father, James Anderson, Sr., settled on leaving Vir- . ginia, which, it is thought, was his native state. The grandfather came to Ohio in the very early part of the nineteenth century, and having taken up a tract of timber land in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, improved the homestead on which he spent the remainder of

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his long life of seventy-six years. All of his twelve children married and reared families.

Born in 1833, on the parental homestead in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, James W. Anderson attended the short terms of the district school during his youthful days, during seed time and harvest helping on the home farm. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in Circleville, but at the breaking out of the Mexican war enlisted in Company I, Third Ohio Regiment, and was with his command in many engagements of note, continuing in the ser- vice until the close of the conflict. Returning then to Ohio, he opened a smithy at Cambridge, Guernsey County, and there followed his trade until the tocsin of war was again heard throughout the land. At the first call by President Lincoln for ninety-days' men, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued with his command until honorably discharged, at the end of three months, when he re-enlisted in the same regiment for three years. Veteranizing in 1864, he remained in active service until after the close of the war, being honorably discharged, November 21, 1865, at San Antonio, Texas. After spending a year in New Concord, Ohio, and two years in Columbus, he located, in 1868, in Salt Creek Township, where for two years he operated a blacksmith's shop. Moving to Circleville in 1870, he resided there until his death, which was the result of a mistake he made in taking the wrong medicine while suffering from rheumatism, his death occurring in 1873. His wife, Mary Lucas, a member of the well-known Lucas family of Ohio, was born in Guernsey County, near Cambridge, and died in 1892, in Chillicothe, Ohio. She reared five children, as follows : Lee O .; James C .; Harvey T .; Harriet M .; and Charles, deceased.

Acquiring an excellent education in the schools of Concord and IIilliard, James C. Anderson, at the age of seventeen years, took an examination in Franklin County, and was granted a teacher's certificate. Instead of teaching, however, he took a business course in Circleville, where he was subsequently employed as a clerk and bookkeeper until 1880. Embarking then in the insurance business, he has since been agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, for awhile having been associated with Captain E. A. Ramsey, at Washington Court House. In 1892, Major Anderson located in Chillicothe, and now, as stated above, has control of the insurance business of his company in both Ross and Pickaway counties, and is doing special insurance work in all parts of Southern Ohio.

Major Anderson married, in 1880, Jennie E. Hosler, who was born in Salt Creek Township, a daughter of George and Catherine Hosler. She died in 1890, in early womanhood. Mr. Anderson subsequently mar- ried for his second wife Alice L. Henry. She was born in Ironton, Ohio, a daughter of James O. and Elizabeth (Sharp) Henry, and a descendant of the Lee and Henry families of Virginia. Her grandfather Sharp was . a native of England and came to Ohio in the early '50s. She comes of distinguished patriotic ancestry, and is eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Major and Mrs. Anderson

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have one daughter, Marie Elizabeth, a student in the Ohio State Univer- sity.

In 1875, Mr. Anderson enlisted in the Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, as a private. He was later commissioned second lieutenant of his company, and having been promoted to the rank of major in 1877, served in that capacity until resigning from the company in 1886. Fraternally, Major Anderson is a member, and past exalted ruler, of Chillicothe Lodge No. 52, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has served as secretary and director of the Chillicothe Chamber of Com- merce for the past five years.

GEORGE KLINE. For a great many years the name Kline has been closely associated with local business at the Village of Yellowbud in Union Township. Mr. George Kline is the general merchant there, and succeeded his father in a business which has been continued as a service of the community for half a century or more.

He was born in the Village of Yellowbud, April 17, 1864. His father, George Kline, Sr., was born in the same township in 1837. The founder of the family in this county was grandfather Christopher Kline, a native of Pennsylvania and of early German ancestry. Coming to Ross County he located in Union Township, buying forty acres of land about a mile north of Andersonville. At that time Ross County had no convenient markets, since railroads had not yet been introduced. Corn raised on the farms could hardly be disposed of, and in view of these conditions, Christopher Kline established a distillery on his land, and operated it for a number of years, using his own corn and that of his neighbors. His place also gained local fame from his method of brewing beer from pawpaws, which grew in great abundance along the banks of Deer Creek. Christopher Kline lived in Union Township until his death. He reared five children, named Christopher, Hattie, Susan, George and Henry.

George Kline, Sr., grew up on a farm, and when a young man en- gaged in merchandising at Yellowbud. He opened a stock of general merchandise, and at the same time rented land and became a prosperous farmer. For a number of years he was postmaster of Yellowbud, and lived there until his death in 1906. The maiden name of his first wife was Sarah Fowler. Her father, Gabriel Fowler, spent all his life in Ross County. Mrs. Kline died in 1871 leaving four children, Charles, Christopher, George and Effie. By other marriages their father reared five other children.

Reared at Yellowbud, George Kline, Jr., attended the public schools and acquired a good business education. His early years were spent in assisting on the home farm and agriculture was his regular vocation until 1896, when he took charge of his father's store. On his father's death he succeeded to the business, and has made it a means of reliable service to that locality.

Mr. Kline is unmarried and makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Henry Watts. In politics he cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland and has always been a consistent supporter of the democratic

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party. For four years he was a member of the township board of trus- tees. Fraternally, he is affiliated with White Oak Camp No. 10323 of the Modern Woodmen of America.

JAMES MILTON EVANS, M. D. A life prolonged beyond ninety years is always an interesting spectacle. When with long years have been combined splendid service to humanity, a helpful and inspiring char- acter, then such a life commands admiration and respect.

Ross County has in the person of Dr. James Milton Evans of Clarks- burg one of its oldest citizens and most venerable men. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, February 26, 1824, and is still living in the enjoyment of good health and his mental faculties at the age of ninety- two. His father was Isaac Evans, and his grandfather was also a native of Ohio and settled in Highland County at a very early day. The grand- father improved a farm on Clear Creek, where he resided until his death. Isaac Evans subsequently removed from Highland County and settled in Buckskin Township of Ross County, where he was engaged in farming until death claimed him. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Norton, who was born in Buckskin Township. Her six children were Juliet, Cynthia, John B., Samuel R., William D., and James M. A remarkable part of the family record is that all of these sons except William became successful physicians.

Dr. James M. Evans grew up on his father's farm. He attended the rural schools of Buckskin Township and was also a pupil at the noted South Salem Academy. In his twentieth year he taught a term of school in Highland County, also a term in Ross County and two winter terms in Boone County, Kentucky. While teaching he carried on his medical studies at Rising Sun, Indiana, under his uncle, Israel Evans. The winter of 1848-49 he spent in attending lectures in the Cleveland Medical College and the following winter at Starling Medical College in Colum- bus. Graduating from Starling in the spring of 1850, Doctor Evans is one of the few physicians of Ohio still living who took their first cases ten years before the war. He began practice about the time some of the most important aids to modern medicine were discovered. He began practice in the Clarksburg community, and continued actively for fully sixty-five years, and in that time his name was pronounced as a benedic- tion in hundreds of homes which he had served so well and faithfully. In 1885 he retired from active parctice, but in the past thirty years he has been frequently called upon in consultation and even now some old friend or neighbor asks his advice and services in a professional capacity.

During the high tide of his career Doctor Evans was especially suc- cessful in the treatment of pneumonia. It is said that he hardly ever lost a case when called at the beginning. He cured some when they were given up by other physicians. Many gave him the reputation of being especially skillful in the cure of cancer, though Doctor Evans states that his cures were usually not malignant cases of this dread disease.

Doctor Evans was three times married. In 1852 he married Emily

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Pryer Yates, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Blue) Yates. At her death in 1860 she left four children named Mary E., John T., Isaac C., and Milton. For his second wife Doctor Evans married Eliza Caldwell, a popular teacher in the public schools. At her death she was survived by three children named Eldora C., Edward and Orin C. For his third wife Doctor Evans mar- ried Mrs. Mary Brown, widow of Richard Brown. Doctor Evans joined the Presbyterian Church when a young man, but there being no church of that denomination in Clarksburg, he subsequently became an active member of the Methodist denomination.

The doctor's oldest daughter, Mary, married William J. Mossbarger, son of Samuel and Eleanor (Cherrington) Mossbarger. To Mr. and Mrs. Mossbarger were born seven children who grew up named Arthur T., Emily E., Milton C., Hugh S., Melva E., John S., and Willie L. Arthur Mossbarger, of these children, married Arlene E. Dawson and has a son named Owen W. Milton Mossbarger married Olive Betty and has a daughter named Betty Louise. Melva Mossbarger is the wife of John Dawson and their two children are Virginia M. and John Milton.

CHARLES B. GEARHART. For many years Charles B. Gearhart has played an important part in Union Township of Ross County, where he is widely known as a successful farmer and stock raiser. He has owned some of the best horses in Ross County, and has also found both pleasure and profit in the breeding of fine hogs. Mr. Gearhart is also known in Ross County for his official connection with local affairs.

He was born in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, June 25, 1858. His ancestry goes back to Germany, where his great-grandparents probably spent all their lives. His grandfather, John Gearhart, a native of Germany, had a brother named George, who also came to the United States and located in Circleville, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his days. Grandfather John Gearhart on coming to America first located in Pennsylvania, but when the last century was still young he came to Ohio and settled in Pickaway County. From there he removed to Dayton, and died a few years later. He married Mary Wilhelm, who survived him and with several of her children moved to Illinois, settling near Shelbyville, where she spent her last years. She reared nine sons and one daughter.

Henry Gearhart, father of Charles B., was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and was still young when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. At that time Ohio had no railroad, and all bulk pro- duce was shipped in boats over the canals and rivers, while cattle and hogs were driven overland over the mountains to eastern markets. It was in connection with the droving business that he interested himself in early years, and later became associated with Colonel Lutz as a live- 1 stock dealer. He finally bought a farm in Wayne Township of Pickaway County, Ohio, and was employed in general farming until his death in 1887. Henry Gearhart married Frances C. Briggs, who was born in Ross County, November 29, 1832, a daughter of Joseph Briggs. The

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Briggs family has been a very prominent one in Ross County. Mrs. Henry Gearhart is still living, occupying the old homestead, and though burdened with the weight of years still possesses all her mental faculties. Only in 1916 she had the cataracts removed from her eyes. The four children she reared were named Frank T., Charles B., Mary West and William S. Mary is the wife of Owen McDill.

Charles B. Gearhart grew up in Pickaway County, and received his education in the public schools. His early experience was in connection with farm work, and at the time of his marriage he rented a farm in Muehlenberg Township of Pickaway County. A year later he removed to the homestead, where his wife was born and reared, and in that section of Union Township has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Gearhart has made a success both in the raising of draft and road horses, and since 1905 has devoted his time particularly to the breeding of Poland China hogs.

In 1883 he married Miss Ella Zurmehly. She is the daughter of Robert and Harriet (Lutz) Zurmehly. Her father was a son of Casper Zurmehly, who was born in Switzerland, and her mother a daughter of Samuel Lutz, a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent.

Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart are the parents of three sons, Shirley Z., Carl B., and Paul Henry. The son, Shirley, married Grace Extine and they have one daughter, Dorothy E. Carl married Christian Hamman and they have a son, George Hamman.

Mr. Gearhart cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield and since then has been a consistent supporter of the principles of the republican party. For nine years he administered the office of justice of the peace and for a term of three years (1901-02-03), served as county commissioner. Mrs. Gearhart is an active member of Springbank Methodist Episcopal Church.

VERNER TRENARY SCOTT, M. D. One of the progressive and talented young physicians of Ross County, Doctor Scott since graduating from the university and having his preliminary experience in hospital work, has been in active practice at Clarksburg.

He was born at Manchester in Adams County, Ohio. His grand- father, Robert Scott, was a native of Pennsylvania, and on coming west first settled in Maysville, Kentucky, and then removed to Manchester, where he died when still a young man. His widow afterwards married Captain Lafayette Trenary, who was an early settler of Manchester, Ohio, and a man of wealth and influence, being a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber and owning and operating several passenger and freight steamers on the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. Captain Trenary died in Manchester. Doctor Scott's grandmother then married for her third husband a Mr. Bender, who was a veteran of the Civil war and for some years until his death served as postmaster of the Soldiers Home near Dayton.

Andrew Scott, father of Doctor Scott, was born at Manchester, Ohio, and was only one year of age when his father died. He received a good

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education in the schools of Manchester, and as a young boy began a prac- tical business experience on his step-father's river boats. Eventually he rose to the responsibilities of commanding a river steamer. During the Spanish-American war he served as a member of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is now living retired at Dayton. Andrew Scott married Tilly Lady, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of William Lady, a native of Virginia and an early settler of Indiana. Andrew Scott and wife reared three children: Verner Trenary, Wilkins Robert, now a machinist at Dayton, and Elizabeth Lady.

Doctor Scott grew up in his native Town of Manchester, graduated from the high school there and afterwards became a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After his literary course he entered the medical university at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated M. D. in 1913. Following his graduation he spent a year as house physician at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. He then located in Clarksburg and has since given all his time and attention to his rapidly increasing general practice.

In 1914, Doctor Scott married Gertrude Harriet Perry. She is a daughter of Jesse A. and Elizabeth (Smith) Perry. Her maternal grandparents were Abraham and Elizabeth (Ellis) Smith. For a num- ber of years her father was editor and publisher of the Manchester Signal, but he now lives retired in Cincinnati. Doctor and Mrs. Scott are the parents of one daughter, Wilma La Verne.

In the line of his profession Doctor Scott is an active member of the Ross County and Ohio State Medical societies. He also belongs to the Nu Sigma Nu College Fraternity and to the Clarksburg Lodge No. 721 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife worship in the Methodist Protestant Church.

JOHN W. REMLEY. Through three generations members of the Rem- ley family have contributed their lives and energies to the improvement of the fine farming district of Springfield Township. John W. Remley represents the third generation and has spent practically all his career on the old homestead in that township. His has been a life of industry, and by upright living he has won the respect and confidence of a large community.

He was born in Springfield Township, June 22, 1863. His grand- father, Conrad Remley, was one of the early settlers of that township, coming in the early years of the last century. Acquiring a tract of timbered land in the Dry Run district, he hewed a farm from the wil- derness, and he also established an institution which was an important factor in the early life of that township. On one of the running streams he improved a water power, and made it turn the wheels of a grist mill. He operated that mill for a number of years, and it was a splendid local convenience for the community. He and his good wife, Delilah, who was a native of Scotland, continued to live on the old home farm until their death at a good old age.

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A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Part 43

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

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