USA > Ohio > Ross County > A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
W. W. DAVIS, M. D. Not only a large circle of private patients but the entire community of Bainbridge have profited by the capable services and influence of Dr. W. W. Davis, who has practiced in that community for the past fifteen years. Doctor Davis is a splendidly Vol. 11-4
Digitized by Google
.
534
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
equipped and widely experienced physician and surgeon, and represents a family that has been identified with the same profession through three generations.
Doctor Davis was born in Bowling Green, Clay County, Indiana, September 11, 1878. His grandfather, Dr. H. T. Davis, was a graduate in medicine in 1827 at Columbia, South Carolina, and eventually became a pioneer physician in Southern Indiana, locating at Columbus. Dr. Ben Davis, father of W. W. Davis, was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, studied medicine in the Indiana Medical College, practiced for some years in Bartholomew County and now lives near New Carlisle, Ohio. He is also one of the capable physicians.
The early education of Dr. W. W. Davis was acquired in the high school at New Carlisle, from which he graduated in 1896. He then entered the Ohio Medical College of Columbus, where he took the full four-year course and graduated M. D. in 1900. He secured his first practice in connection with his father, but in 1901 removed to Bain- bridge, and there has built up a large clientage and field of usefulness. He is local surgeon for the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad, is health officer, and has proved a vigorous influence in the public health move- ment in his section of Ross County. He is also interested in farming and has a farm in Clark County, Ohio.
Doctor Davis married Elizabeth Spargur, a daughter of A. N. Spar- gur, who now lives in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Davis is a graduate of the high school of Hillsboro, Ohio. She is a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomination the doctor also worships. There are two children: Clara O., now eleven years of age, and Leona, aged seven. Doctor Davis is a member of the local school board and at one time was its president. Politically he is a republican.
FRANK M. BORST has a special genius as a farmer and stockman. For twenty-one years he has been identified with the Reeves Crossing Farm, a place of 400 splendid acres situated two miles east of Bain- bridge on the Chillicothe Pike. Mr. Borst is the capable tenant and manager of this fine farm, and has combined practice and scientific theory so well that his work is not only a matter of revenue to himself but also is an encouraging example in farming and stock raising to this section of Ohio.
Mr. Borst was born near Roxabell in Concord Township, Ross County, January 3, 1880. His parents were Samuel and Martha (Mow- bray) Borst. His father was born in Chillicothe July 5, 1848, and his mother in Concord Township of Ross County in 1847. She died May 14, 1915. The father, who spent his active life as a farmer is now living retired. Each parent was married previously and had children, but Frank M. Borst is the only son and child of the union of his parents.
His early life was spent on a farm in Concord Township, but when about ten years of age his parents removed to Highland County, where he remained four years. During those years he received most of his
Digitized by Google
535
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
education, and in 1895 he came to the farm where he now holds the responsibilities of tenant farmer. He is a successful breeder of red- polled cattle, his herd being headed by Northside Lad, one of the finest specimens of that breed in Ohio. He also is a breeder of Percheron horses, and his entire farm is stocked with only the best grades of domestic animals.
In 1898 Mr. Borst married Rose Campbell, a daughter of Hez Camp- bell. Mrs. Borst is a graduate of the Bainbridge High School and for three years was a teacher prior to her marriage. They are the parents of three children : Farry, a student in the Bainbridge High School; Samuel, aged eleven; and Joseph, aged nine, both also in school. Mr. Borst is an active member of Paint Valley Lodge, No. 497, of the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor, and also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he is a democrat and is now one of the township trustees of Paxton Township.
WILLIAM S. PRICER. For fully thirty-five years farming and its attendant activities have engaged the energies and abilities of William S. Pricer, who belongs to one of the old and honored Ross County fam- ilies, and has made his own career productive and in the highest degree honorable.
His home during most of his life has been the Beach Grove Farm, containing 145 acres and located in Paxton Township on Rural Route No. 1 out of Bainbridge. Mr. Pricer was born in Paint Township of Ross County September 23, 1861, a son of William S. and Mary (Smith) Pricer. His father was born in Paint Township of Ross County Septem- ber 13, 1829, spent his active career as a farmer, and died August 19, 1908. His wife was born near Dumfries, Scotland, September 26, 1832, was brought by her parents to the United States in 1845, the family locating near Chillicothe, and she grew to womanhood there and was married in Ross County to Mr. Pricer. Her death occurred October 5, 1911. From Paint Township William S. Pricer, Sr., moved to Paxton Township in 1863 and in 1872 came to the farm where his son now lives. Of their seven children three are still living, including William S. David S. lives at Appleton City, Missouri, and Mary B. is the wife of William Wood of Sandusky, Ohio.
Ten years of age when his parents moved to the farm that he now owns, William S. Pricer attended the district schools in the winter terms and had an abundance of experience in all phases of farm work while growing up. After the death of his parents he became owner of the Beach Grove Farm, and by many years of hard labor there has won a substantial competence.
Both his parents were Presbyterians, his mother being of the strict Scotch Presbyterian stock and Mr. Pricer himself is also affiliated with that faith. The father was a Mason and master of his lodge thirteen years, and took a very active part in local republican politics. The son is inclined the same way politically, and is affiliated with Bainbridge Lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons, is past noble grand of Lodge
Digitized by Google
536
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
No. 497, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and past chancellor of Lodge No. 437, Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
FRED SCHMIDT. More than a century ago George Washington said that "agriculture is the most useful and honorable occupation of man," and the truth of this statement stands today as it did then. A promi- nent representative of this class in Ross County is Fred Schmidt, pro- prietor and manager of a splendid farm in Paxton Township, on Rural Route No. 1 out of Bainbridge.
Mr. Schmidt is a native of Columbus, Ohio, where he was born March 26, 1857, a son of John F. and Wilhelmina (Eyler) Schmidt. Both parents were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, came to the United States and located in Columbus, Ohio, in 1849, and not long afterward were married in that city, where they spent the rest of their days. The father was a carpenter and through that trade and by good business judgment provided well for his large family of children, which numbered fourteen in all. The seven now living are Fred, William, Michael, George, Rosa, Margaret and Catherine. All the children were born in Columbus and all are living in that city except Fred and William, both of whom are residents of Ross County.
Fred Schmidt grew up in a home of Christian parents, attended the parochial schools until he was confirmed, and for one year was in the public schools.
On March 29, 1883, Mr. Schmidt married Elizabeth Schmidt, of the same name but not related. Mrs. Schmidt was born in Germany May 5, 1860, and came alone to the United States, landing November 19th and two days later arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the following year she moved to Columbus. She was reared and educated in Germany and after coming to America made her own living until her marriage. She has proved a most capable and helpful wife and mother and has been an important factor in Mr. Schmidt's success.
Until 1895 they resided in Columbus, and then moved to the Wallace Farm in Paxton Township of Ross County. They have lived there ever since and Mr. Schmidt owns 565 acres in Ross and Pike counties. He keeps high grade livestock and does everything on his farm in a very progressive and efficient manner.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of eight children. Minnie is the wife of Thomas Williamson. Fred, Jr., is married. William is married and lives in Ross County. Louise is the wife of George Saenger of Springfield, Ohio. Alice is unmarried and at home. Jacob graduated from the Bainbridge High School and Ohio State University with the degree Bachelor of Science and is still unmarried. Bertha is unmarried. George is a senior in the local high school. One child is now deceased.
Mr. Schmidt is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees, and politically is a democrat. He is now serving as president of the local school board and is also one of the trustees of Paxton Township.
Digitized by Google
.
537
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
J. M. RITTENOUR is a prominent Ross County farmer. He looks after the cultivation and management of one of the largest estates in the county, a farm of 1,800 acres situated a mile and a quarter west of Rich- mond Dale in Jefferson Township.
The Rittenour family has been identified with Ross County since the closing years of the eighteenth century. It is one of the most honored as well as among the oldest names found in Ross County annals. Mr. J. M. Rittenour has proved himself a worthy descendant of this stock, and while easily one of the most extensive farmers of the county he has dis- tinguished himself by fidelity to the public welfare on many occasions, and is one of the most trusted and substantial men of the county.
He was born on part of the farm where he now resides October 30, 1861. The Rittenour family was established in this section of Ohio by his great-grandfather Anthony Rittenour, a native of Virginia and of German stock. Anthony came to Ohio in 1799, when it was still a part of Northwest Territory. A man of considerable means and of even greater energy and enterprise Anthony Rittenour acquired some very large tracts of land from the Government. On coming to Ross County he brought with him some of his older children, including Jacob, and leaving them behind to begin the heavy task of improvement on the new land he went back to Virginia for the rest of his family. He spent his last years in Ross County.
Jacob Rittenour, grandfather of J. M. Rittenour, was a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was sixteen years of age when he accom- panied his father to Ross County. He took charge of some of the land entered by Anthony Rittenour, and after his marriage he lived in a little house until in 1852 he erected the substantial home which remained his residence until his death. He accumulated about 1,100 acres of land, and was one of the foremost men of his community in his time. He took much part in church affairs, and for fifty years was identified with the Methodist denomination. His death occurred October 16, 1882. Jacob Rittenour was married in 1811 to Anna Claypool, who died June 6, 1873. Jacob Rittenour was born in 1787. He and his wife were the parents of four children, named James, Margaret, Isaac and George C.
George Claypool Rittenour, father of J. M. Rittenour, was born March 11, 1825, on part of the old Rittenour homestead and his birth occurred in the stone portion of the residence now occupied by Jacob Caldwell. George C. Rittenour died December 30, 1915. The youngest of four children, he grew up on a farm and on September 1, 1857, married Elizabeth Sargent, who was born November 1, 1832, and died July 29, 1910. After their marriage George C. Rittenour and wife began housekeeping on the homestead, and their old residence is still standing there. In 1878 George bought the interests of the remaining heirs to the 1,100 acre estate, and moved to the old home of his father, where he lived until his death. Three children were born to George C. Rittenour and wife: T. S. Rittenour, now living at Piketon, Ohio; J. M. Rittenour ; and H. F. Rittenour of Chillicothe. The late George C. Rittenour was an official member of the Methodist Church and was affiliated with Garfield
Digitized by Google
538
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
Lodge, No. 710, at Richmond Dale, and took a very active interest in republican politics.
Mr. J. M. Rittenour grew up as the son of prosperous parents, learned the details of farming as a youth, and for many years has conducted his agricultural operations on a very large scale. He was liberally educated, in addition to the public schools spending two years in Xenia Academy and one year in the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware.
On October 20, 1898, he married Alberta Norton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Norton, a well known Ross County family elsewhere referred to. Mr. and Mrs. Rittenour have one son, George N., who was born June 15, 1900, and is now attending high school at Chillicothe. An interesting fact which should be noted is that Mr. and Mrs. Rittenour were married in Virginia and in the room of the building on James River where Thomas Jefferson at one time held a meeting of his cabinet when he was President of the United States. At the time of the marriage Mrs. Rit- tenour's father was living in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rittenour are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Richmond Dale, and he is one of the official board of that church. In politics he is a republican and is a man who is ever ready to render some service to his community. For three years he served as township trustee and for two years as supervisor.
DAVID H. SCOTT, M. D. For nearly fifty years engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Chillicothe, David H. Scott, M. D., was very suc- cessful in his chosen profession, his promptness in meeting and combating disease in its ever-varying phases, his untiring devotion to and sympathy with his many patients, and his bright and cheering presence in the sick-room, winning him a large and lucrative practice. A native of Ohio, he was born in 1829, in Ashland County, and there grew to manhood.
John Scott, the doctor's father, was born and reared in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Coming to Ohio in pioneer times, he bought land in Ashland County, and there spent the remainder of his days, being engaged, not only in agricultural pursuits, but in mercantile busi- ness. His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Weakly, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. She survived him a few years, and reared three sons and a daughter.
Having obtained the rudiments of his education in the public schools of his native county, David H. Scott continued his studies in the literary department of the Washington and Jefferson College, in Washington, : Pennsylvania. Going then to New York City, he attended lectures at the Bellevue Medical College, and after his graduation from that institu- tion was for several years an interne in a large Jewish hospital. Locating in Chillicothe in 1857, Doctor Scott built up an extensive patronage, his professional skill and ability becoming widely known and highly appre- ciated. Here he continued ir active practice until his death, February 24, 1905, at his attractive home on Fruit Hill, an estate which had come to his wife by inheritance.
In October, 1865, Doctor Scott married Effie E. Allen, who was born
Digitized by Google
-
Digitized by
Fase Faster
Digitized by Google
539
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
in Washington, District of Columbia, the only daughter of Hon. William and Effie (McArthur) Allen. Mrs. Scott occupied the home on Fruit Hill until her death on May 14, 1916. She had a fine family of seven children, namely: William Allen, Arthur Donald, Walter S., Effie Allen, Minnie McArthur, Helen Allen, and Duncan H. The family attends the Episcopal Church, and they are among its active workers.
HON. JAMES C. FOSTER. A gallant soldier, a judicious agriculturist and an honorable citizen are apt terms to use in mentioning one of Ross County's most distinguished men, Maj. James C. Foster. Major Foster was born in Franklin Township, Ross County, where he still lives, May 18, 1842. He comes of old pioneer stock and his parents were Thomas C. and Jane (Davis) Foster.
John Foster, the great-grandfather, came to Ohio with a large family of motherless children, from near Cumberland, Maryland, in 1796, and settled in Franklin Township, Ross County, where he died in 1800. His six sons survived : Lewis, Thomas, John, Richard, Joseph and Benjamin. Of these sons, the third in order of birth, John Foster, married Mary Prather and to one of their sons they gave the name of Thomas C. Thomas C. Foster married Jane E. Davis, a sister of the late John H. Davis, and they had the following children: Martha, who is the widow of James P. Foster; James C .; Hannah; John C., and William and George. Hannah, William and George are deceased. Thomas C. Foster was one of Franklin Township's worthy men, sturdy in his citizenship and honored and respected by all who knew him.
James C. Foster attended the district schools, in 1868 attended a commercial college at Cleveland and in 1859 attended a military school at Chillicothe. He remained on the home farm until the whole country was aroused by the breaking out of the Civil war, and it was on August 24, 1861, that he enlisted as a private in Company C, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the following September he was transferred to the Fifty-third regiment, and on January 1, 1862, he received his first promotion, being made orderly sergeant. On September 21, 1862, he was promoted to second lieutenant and on that day he was transferred with this rank to Company I, Fifty-third Infantry. He seemed to be particularly well fitted for military life and thus was entrusted with the duties of a recruiting officer and had the satisfaction of recruiting the first company of colored soldiers in West Tennessee. He was made captain of this company and served as such until June 18, 1864, when he was promoted to the rank of major and in that military office served until the close of the war. Thus the title by which he has ever since been known was fairly and honorably earned. He took part in many of the great battles of the four-year struggle, and patriotism, courage and efficiency marked his course.
Major Foster returned then to Ohio and resumed agricultural pur- suits, in which he has ever since been interested. He owns a magnificent farm of 497 acres and extensive farm and stock operations are here carried on.
Digitized by Google
.
540
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
In 1868 Major Foster was married to Miss Emma Davis, who was born in Franklin Township and died here in August, 1871. They had one daughter, Daisy, who was born June 2, 1870. She was married to H. J. DuBois on December 20, 1888, and they reside at Houston, Texas. In October, 1875, Major Foster was married to Mary D. Vause, who was born in Liberty Township, Ross County. They have the following children : Ada, born March 16, 1877; Vause, born April 29, 1879; Jean M., born July 16, 1881; Harry L., born March 18, 1884; James C., born November 25, 1887; Mary H., born December 19, 1889; and Sallie, born September 13, 1894. Educational and social advantages have been happy adjuncts in the lives of each. Vause is a graduate of the Ohio State University, and Jean M., Mary and Sallie are graduates of the Univer- sity at Oxford, Ohio.
Major Foster has always been sound in his republicanism and is a very influential member of his party in this part of the state. During 1902 and 1904 when serving as a member of the State Legislature, he had much to do with the formulating and passing of some of the wisest and most just laws ever put upon the statute book. His acquaintance with other prominent men is wide and his personal friendships are with those who, like himself, have high ideals of citizenship and live up to them. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and served as commander of Post No. 691, at Omega, Ohio, for seventeen years. He is also a member of Loyal Legion.
SIMON HOLDERMAN. From the time Ohio was admitted into the Union down to the present time Ross County has been continuously hon- ored and benefited by the presence within her borders of members of the Holderman family. In the character of its individual members and in their services as substantial citizens they have all bent their efforts toward building up the country in which they have made their home. It is impos- sible to estimate the strength and diversity of the influences which emanate from such a family and affect the social and business affairs of the county even to its most remote bounds.
The birth of Simon Holderman occurred on a farm in Salt Creek Township of Pickaway County, Ohio, February 4, 1842. It was his grand- father, Christopher Holderman, who established the family in Ohio in the earliest times. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and arrived in what was then the Northwest Territory in 1802, the same year that Ohio was carved from the eastern portion of that territory. The popula- tion of Ohio at that time was largely concentrated along the southern boundary and Ross and Pickaway counties were still on the extreme frontier. It was thirty years or more before canals were constructed, and many years later before the first railroad penetrated this section of the state. Settlers from the East came either with wagons, on foot or on horseback, following some of the trails blazed through trees or else the natural highways of the water courses. Christopher Holderman on arriv- ing in Ohio entered 160 acres of government land in what is now Salt Creek Township and added to that by the purchase of 80 acres more.
Digitized by Google
-
541
HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY
He had the persistent courage and industry of the typical pioneer, and spent the rest of his years in clearing up the land and cultivating it. He was a very successful man, and increased his holdings so that he was able to give each of his thirteen children a farm. His death came at the age of sixty-five years. After coming to Ohio Christopher Holderman was married in Pickaway County in 1804 to Eleanor Black. She sur- vived her husband and died at the age of seventy-eight. The fourteen children reared by this pioneer mother were: John, Christopher, Anna, Elizabeth, Eleanor, George, Guinn, Mary, David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ellen and Charlotte, the last named dying at the age of eighteen.
George Holderman, father of Simon, was born in Salt Creek Town- ship of Pickaway County December 20, 1812. His early life was envi- roned by pioneer circumstances and conditions, and after reaching his majority he settled on land given him by his father within a mile of his birthplace. Then followed many years of quiet industrious labor as a general farmer, and he died there at the age of sixty-seven. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Jones. She was born in Coleraine Township of Ross County in January, 1816. Her father Aaron Jones was born in Virginia and her grandfather was David Jones, also a native of the same state. David and his three brothers, Abraham, Peter, and Joshua, all came to Ohio and had a numerous progeny in that state, many of whom have since gone to other states in the Union. It was about 1806 that Aaron Jones located in Coleraine Township of Ross County, and he was one of the first to make a clearing in the woods and put up a civilized home in that section. Starting with government land, he cultivated a farm there until his death in 1856. Aaron Jones married Sarah Bunn, who was also a native of Virginia, and who died about 1870. Mrs. George Holderman lived to the age of sixty-seven years. Her six children were Lewis, Nelson, Simon, Wilson, Sarah, and Ida.
It was nearly three quarters of a century ago that Simon Holderman was born, and he has given an honorable accompaniment of honest toil and useful service to the passing milestones on his life's journey. Even when he was a boy educational facilities were of a limited character and he attended one of the old log schoolhouses. His early years were given to his father and after his marriage he farmed on his father's land for about five years and then came into possession of a farm of his own. He remained on it industriously cultivating its acres until 1874, when he removed to Kingston and was in the lumber business there from 1876 to 1886. For several years Mr. Holderman has lived retired from the active cares and responsibilities of a business career.
At the age of twenty-two he married Josephine Brundige, who also represents an early family in this section of Ohio. She was born at Williamsport in Pickaway County February 22, 1840, a daughter of William and Emily (Palmer) Brundige. The grandparents were Thomas and Nancy (Johnson) Brundige, the latter of Botetourt County, Vir- ginia. They arrived in Ohio in the year 1802, and were one of the first group of pioneers to establish homes in Salt Creek Township of Pick- away County, where they spent the rest of their days. William Brun-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.