A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth, Part 93

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers
Number of Pages: 1101

USA > Ohio > Adams County > A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth > Part 93

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Oui subject was married January 24, 1861, to Calista A. Wikoff, daughter of John Wikoff. Their children are John W., of McGaw, Ohio; Eldora, wife of Philip Moore, of Vanceburg, Ky .; William A., of Lang- don, Mo .; Charles N., of McGaw; Margaret, wife of Henry Conner, of Zarah, Kansas. She died May 24, 1899, leaving four children.

Charles N. Hall enlisted in Company I, gIst O. V. I., August 9, 1862, and was made Sargeant of the company. He was appointed First Sergeant, October 28, 1862; promoted to Second Lieutenant on the second of Feb- ruary, 1864, and to First Lieutenant on November 3, 1864, and was dis- charged March 21, 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Opequan, September 19. 1864. He was shot through the hip and reported mortally wounded.

He served as Clerk of the Courts of Adams County from 1866 to 1869, and was a Justice of the Peace for Greene Township, one term, 1880 to 1883.

Mr. Hall has been a Republican all his life. He is a man of gen- erous impulses and very much devoted to his friends, a jolly and com- panionable man. His army record is not given because it is a part of the history of the 91st O. V. I., but it is such that he is proud of it and that his posterity will be.

Paul Howard Harsha

was born August 19, 1859, in Harshaville, Adams County. His father was William Buchannan Harsha and his mother, Rachel McIntire, daughter of General William McIntire. He was the second son of his parents. He attended the District school in the vicinity of his home and at one time attended the Normal school at West Union, taught by Prof. W. A. Clarke. He learned the practical business of milling from his father. From the time he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, until 1884, he was employed in his father's mill at Harshaville, and had charge of the · entire milling operations. In 1884, he took an interest with his father, under the firm name of W. B. Harsha & Son, which has continued to the present time.

On January 1I, 1884, he was married to Miss Ada Barnard, of Cin- cinnati. He resided at Harshaville from 1884 until 1892, when he re- moved to the city of Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1889, he formed a partnership with John P. Caskey, under the firm name of Harsha & Caskey, and built a mill in the east end of the city of Portsmouth, and that business has con- tinued to the present time. He was in Portsmouth from August, 1889, but did not remove his family there until April, 1892. He is the father of four children : Edith Armstrong, aged fourteen years; Elizabeth Lucille, aged twelve years; William Howard, aged ten years, and Philip Barnard, aged eight years.

He and his wife are members of the Second Prebyterian Church in the city of Portsmouth. He has always been a Republican. He has never held any public office except that of member of the City Council of Ports- mouth, Ohio.

Daniel Huston Harsha

was born in Washington County, Pa., May 9, 1837. He came with his father to Adams County, in 1846. In 1853 and 1854, Rev. James Arbuthnot, James Wright and he conducted the North Liberty Academy.

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From 1854 to 1857, he attended Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, Pa., and graduated from that institution in the latter year. From 1859 to 1860, he again conducted the North Liberty Academy. Since the latter date he has carried on farming on the farm originally the property of his father. Mr. Harsha has shown himself a successful farmer and business man. He Is prudent, careful and conservative in all business transactions and his excellent judgment has enabled him at most times to be on the safe side of the market.

While a Republican in his political sentiments, he has never sought or held public office. His tastes are those of a diligent student of literature. While he has decided views on all the subjects he has studied, he has been content with the pleasures of rural life and has never sought to obtrude his views on others.

He has, perhaps, obtained as much enjoyment out of this life as those who have made it their mission to antagonize others. Had he lived in the days of the Greek Philosophers, he would undoubtedly have founded a school whose teachings would have been for each to do the best for him- self and leave others to their own enjoyment, but as he did not and does not live in the days in which every kind of philosophy was in fashion, he simply lives up to the principles without giving it a name or public notoriety. The principles he has lived by have made him a useful, honored and honorable citizen, a valuable unit of our great country and whose record, when sealed by death, will demonstrate that the world was better by his ministry in it and to it.

Louis D. Holmes,

the eldest son of John and Elizabeth ('Traber) Holmes, was born July 24, 1847, one mile north of West Union, Adams County, Ohio. Until he reached his nineteenth year, he resided with his father, attending school and assisting the latter in farming and carrying on a saw mill. He attended school in the old stone schoolhouse in the lower district of West Union. He early displayed a taste for books and learning, and made rapid advances in every study he undertook. In 1866, he left the com- mon schools and entered the Sophomore class at Miami University, from which institution he graduated in 1868. While in the common schools, he commenced the study of engineering and surveying and assisted in laying about the first macadamized road in Adams County built by the county. At the age of sixteen years, he obtained a certificate of equal- ification as a teacher in the common schools and acted as a County School Examiner when only eighteen years of age.

After his graduation from Miami University, he taught two terms of school at Red Oak, Brown County, Ohio, where he met and became acquainted with Miss Callie Campbell, whom he afterwards married and who was the youngest daughter of the Hon. Alexander Campbell, one of the most prominent citizens of Brown County. Mr. Holmes had determined to study law before he entered Miami University, and con- ducted his reading with reference to that. In April, 1869, his father moved to Mercer County, Illinois, near Aledo. Here he completed his law studies with the Hon. I. N. Barrett, and was admitted to the bar of Illinois in August, 1871. He begun the practice of his profession

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at Aledo, and in May, 1872, was married to Miss Callie Campbell, before mentioned. They went to housekeeping in Aledo, and continued their residence there twelve years.

Mr. Holmes was appointed Master in Chancery in Mercer County and held the office three terms. He devoted his whole time, after that, to his profession, but he also found time to interest himself in public affairs. He was identified with the village government and a member of the School Board of Aledo. Under his advice, the whole plan of the management of the public schools was changed and the schools of Aledo were, under such plan, reputed to be the best in the State.

In May, 1884, Mr. Holmes located in Omaha, Nebraska, and en- gaged in his profession there. His specialties are equity and real estate law. He has published a series of articles on "lis pendens," and another upon "Nebraska Mortgages." He has also published a work on "Real Estate Mortgages and their Foreclosure." Mr. Holmes has four chil- dren. Mrs. Holmes possesses an artistic talent and has produced several drawings and paintings of merit. Mr. Holmes and his family are ardent Baptists and have always led in the activities of that church. For two years he was President of the Nebraska Baptist Convention, and also Pres- ident of the Educational Convention. He is now President of the Omaha Baptists Social Mission and of the Nebraska Children's Home Society, a large and prosperous organization. Mr. Holmes is now in the prime of life and enjoys the promises of many years of activity, which he hopes to spend for the betterment of his fellow men.

A gentleman of high standing, in Mercer County, says of him that he is held in high esteem by the people of Mercer County ; that he was a pillar in the Baptist Church and a leader of all church charitable enterprises. Mr. Holmes was always a student and up-to-date in his practice, zealous to his client and faithful in the discharge of all his duties, officially and otherwise. He held an excellent practice in Mer- cer County and especially in chancery cases. A friend of his in Omaha says that he is a lawyer of ability and has a reputation as an agreeable and painstaking member of his profession. That he has been engaged in a number of lawsuits of more than ordinary importance. He is a close student of the law and is very much devoted to his profession. Besides this, he has, for years, taken a great interest in philanthropic and humanitarian work, especially in regard to the Children' Home Society of Nebraska, of which he is president. His will. energy. disposi- tion and talents make his a leader in any community in which he makes his home.

Thomas Jefferson Holmes

was born in Adams County, Ohio. February 9, 1860, and resided there until his ninth year when his father removed to Aledo, Illinois. He acquired a thorough education in the common schools of Ohio and Illinois and in the University of Illinois. He began the study of law in 1883 and graduated from the Union Law College of Chicago, in 1885, with high honors. He began the practice of his profession at once in the city of Chicago, and by his thorough legal qualifications, honesty and integrity, he has acquired a lucrative practice and enjoys the respect and confidence of all those who know him. He was Assistant Corpora-

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ton Counsel of Chicago from May 1, 1895, to May 1, 1897, and was assigned to the duty of trying special assessment and condemnation cases, and while so engaged had many other important cases. He served on the Finance Committee of the Chicago Law Institute for several years, and, in 1899, was made its president. He was elected Treasurer of the Chicago Bar Association in 1896 and since then has been twice elected to the same office. During his incumbency of this office, the debt of the association has been largely reduced, and through his skill- ful financial management, the institution is in a prosperous condition.

Mr. Holmes is active in a number of political, social and fraternal organizations of Chicago, notable among which are the Hamilton Club and the Midlothian County Club. He is a thirty-second degree Mason. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has always been an active worker and leader in his party.

In 1892, he was married to Miss Grace Blood, of Santa Cruz, Cali- fornia. They have one daughter, Devoe.

Mr. Holmes is a thorough business lawyer and has a large practice in real estate and chancery cases. His offices are at No. 512 Ashland Block, Chicago.

Oscar E. Hood.

Oscar Elmer Hood. son of John P. and Sarah J. Hood, was born September 14, 1861, at West Union, Adams County, Ohio. He re- ceived his education in the West Union Public schools and Normal schools. While in his teens he learned the printing trade with C. E. Irwin, editor of the Adams County New Era. After working at this trade for several years, he began teaching in the country schools of Adams County ; he afterwards taught for several years in the graded schools of West Union. He held a five years' teacher's certificate, the highest county certificate granted at that time. In the Fall of 1893, he retired from the teachers' profession to go into the business of pho- tography in West Union. He has reached the highest eminence in his chosen profession and is recognized as being among the best photog- raphers in the State. He was married at West Union, Adams County, Ohio, February 19, 1896, to Mrs. Sallie D. Woodworth, nee Hilebronner, whose father came to this country from Germany in 1835. One child, Hubert Harold, has been born to them. Mr. Hood started a milliner store in September, 1897, in West Union, and is now engaged in both photography and millinery.

He is quite an active worker in the lodges. He is a member of Dart Encampment, No. 219, at West Union, of which order he has passed through all the chairs. He has been a prominent member of West Union Lodge, I. O. O. F., for several years and has held all the offices of the order. He is also a member of Wamsutta Tribe, No. 162, I. O. R. M., at West Union, Ohio, in which he has held all the offices. He has been twice elected representative to the State Great Council of this order. He is a member of the Christian Union Church, and in this, as in everything else in which he has been engaged, he is an active worker.

As a citizen, Mr. Hood takes an active part in local affairs. He is a man of decided opinions, and having once made up his mind on any subject, does not change his opinions for frivolous reasons.

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James N. Hook

was born on a farm near the Ebenezer Church on the line between Adams and Brown Counties, November 22, 1882. His father's name was William, who. with his father, James, and two brothers of his father, John and Zaddock, their families and worldly belongings, left Snow Hill on the eastern shore of Maryland, in the Spring of 1809, and crossing the Chesapeake Bay and the Appalachian Mountains, came to Pittsburg. From that point, they passed down the OhioRiver and landed at Maysville, where they crossed over to the Ohio side and settled near the place above mentioned. Here they purchased land and began the building of houses and barns, and in time were able to surround themselves with the comforts and conveniences of the farmers of the country districts of Southern Ohio. These people could all read, write and cipher, but knew nothing of the nativity of their ancestors, and it is probable that they had lived for generations near the place from whence they emigrated. William Hook married Elizabeth Neal, and the subject of this sketch was the eldest of a number of children born to them. His education was obtained in the country school of the dis- trict where they lived, except for a term or two, when he was a pupil of William McCalla, who taught a select school at Manchester, and who, in his day, was one of the leading educators of this part of Ohio. From Mr. McCalla, he learned surveying, which he followed, more or less, all his life.

When quite young. he commenced teaching school which occupied a part of his time for a number of years until his marriage to Sarah J. Baird, a daughter of Joshua and Susan Baird, which occurred Novem- ber 5, 1846, near Bentonville, Ohio, the Rev. John P. Van Dyke per- forming the ceremony. Seven children were born of this marriage, Joshua B., who died in the service of his country, in the War of the Rebellion, December 25, 1864; Robert N., William H., Elizabeth Susan, John W., Benjamin F., and Sarah Jane. But two of these survive, Wil- liam H., and John W. Hook. After his marriage, he followed farming most of the remainder of his life.

In 1846, he was elected Surveyor of Adams County, which office he held for three years. In 1851, he was elected Clerk of the Courts, holding that office for one term. During this time he was admitted to the bar but was never an active practitioner. He was a candidate for re-election on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, this being the Know-nothing year of 1854, when that party swept everything before it.

While living on his farm, one mile west of West Union, on January 19, 1860, his wife died, and on September 3, 1860, he married Martha Jane Brawner, of West Union. Eight children were born of the mar- riage, five of whom are now living, James N., Joseph, May, Sara and Anna Lou.

In 1864, he was elected County Auditor on the Republican ticket and re-elected in 1866, after which he again resumed the business of farming, having purchased the James Anderson farm, one mile east of West Union. He died on his farm in Franklin Township, September 15, 1885, and at that time was a Justice of the Peace of the Township. His wife survived him three years, having died September 6, 1888.

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JOHN HOLMES

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James N. Hook was a shrewd politician. He could anticipate what would please the public better than any man of his time. Had his ambi- tion been equal to his sagacity and foresight, he might have held some of the best offices in the land. There was no better judge of human nature than he, but while he could tell all his friends what was best to do, he was unwilling to avail himself of his own knowledge. He was one of the most sociable and companionable of men, and was universally liked by his neighbors.

John Holmes

was born in Adams County, November 30, 1820, the son of Thomas Holmes and Margaret McClannahan, his wife, and was one of a large family of sons and daughters. His father was a stern man with much of the iron bound New England Puritan in his make up, and hence the son John was indoctrinated in that school. He was taught economy and was born with a wonderful energy inherited from a long line of ances- tors and the same trait was also cultivated in him by his father. He was taught the dignity and importance of labor, and no man ever lived in Adams County who worked harder, more hours in the twenty-four, or with more energy than John Holmes. He believed for himself and those who worked for him in securing more results in the same time than any of his neighbors. He was born with a thirst for knowledge, which was never quenched in his long life. Whatever about him, which could be learned, whether from books or from men, he learned it. In boy- hood, he travelled six miles to a school, morning and evening and thought nothing of it. He soon qualified himself as a teacher and taught Winter terms after becoming of age. His salary was sixteen dollars per month and board. July 22, 1846, he was married to Elizabeth Treber, daughter of Jacob Treber, one of the pioneers of the county. She brought into the life partnership the same sterling qualities he possessed, energy, economy, and a determination to succeed. They located on a farm on Lick Fork, known as the "Hilling Place," which he had bought for $1.60 per acre. Here their two eldest children were born. In 1851, they moved two miles east of West Union on the Peebles road, and here Mr. Holmes carried on a saw mill and a farm. They resided in this home eighteen years, and here eight more children were born to them. Mr. Holmes was an ambitious man, not only for himself but for his children, and he felt there were greater rewards for him and them in the fertile prairies of Illinois, and in the Spring of 1869, he removed with his family to a farm in Mercer County, Illinois. Mr. Holmes and his wife, while residing in Adams County, were faithful members of the regular Baptist Church and trained their children in the same. Mr. Holmes was a citizen respected by all who knew him and performed every duty he owed society, or any part of it. He was very fond of argument and discussion, for the reason that in that way he learned to look at all sides of a question. If he could add anything to his store of knowledge, it pleased him just as much as though he had secured a sum of money.

He was a good conversationalist, and all who spent any time in his companionship were benefited. He was a close student of politics and of business and desired to be completely informed about them. From

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his majority in 1841 until 1856, he was a Whig and became a Repub- lican when that party was formed and adhered to it the remainder of his life. He was anti-slavery from the time he was of age. He helped fugitives on their way from their bonds in obedience to the "higher law," and in defiance of human law. In Illinois, he was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser and lived the same useful life he had lived in Adams County.

John Holmes was a successful man, made money and accumulated property. Living according to the principles he did, it could not have been otherwise. He never forgot his old friends in Adams County and was always delighted to visit the home of his childhood, youth and man- hood. He died on the sixth day of January, 1896, beloved and respected by all who knew him. His wife, born March 12, 1824, died March 24, 1897. The best commentary on the life of John Holmes and that of his wife is in their children, eight, of whom five sons and three daughters survive them. The eldest son, Louis D., is a distinguished lawyer in Omaha, Neb .; Thomas J., is an active and prominent lawyer in Chicago, Ill .; John F., Charles E .. and William H., are prosperous farmers in Mercer County, Ill. The three daughters are married to excellent hus- bands and are women of great force of character.

John Holmes impressed the ideals of his own life on those of his sons and daughters, and in that way has conferred great blessings on posterity. At the time of his death, he had twenty-two grandchildren, all of whom are being taught the same high principles which actuated and governed his life and made him a useful and model citizen.

Paul Harsha

was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1800. He was the second of a family of nine children of James Harsha and Jane White, his wife. James Harsha was a farmer and resided two miles west of Cannonsburg, from the time of his marriage. When his family became large, he removed to Westmoreland County, where he resided until his father's old homestead came to be divided among his heirs, when he purchased it and occupied it until his death. He was out in the War of 1812. Paul, his son, learned the trade of briklaying, followed it some time, and while so doing built eighteen houses in Allegheny City for one person, Squire' Wright.

On May 22, 1831, he was married to Martha, a daughter of William Buchanan and his wife. Hannah Houston. Her father William and his brother John were the only children of a ship owner and Captain, whose wife was a Lady Campbell, of Glasgow, Scotland. These two boys were sent to school in Philadelphia, while their fathers, with a ship, carried on merchandising between that city and points in the Mediterra- nean. He sailed on one voyage to the Mediterranean from which he never returned. It is believed his vessel and crew were captured by Algerian pirates. William Buchanan carried on paper making and book binding, in or near Philadelphia, and manufactured paper on which was printed the currency used by the United States, which was made from bolts of silk bandanna handkerchiefs.

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He removed to Chambersburg, Pa., where his daughter, Martha, was born, March 22, 1810. In 1812, he moved to Washington County, Pa., and engaged in farming, wool and silk raising. It is related that his daughter, Martha, at one time, chiefly tended the flock of three hundred sheep. Paul Harsha, soon after his marriage, settled on a part of the Harsha homestead, and gave his whole attention to farming.

In 1846, he came to Adams County, and purchased lands at Harsha- ville of Gen. Samuel Wright and son-in-law, John McCullough. There was a water grist-mill on the land and Paul Harsha added a saw-mill, both of which were kept busy while the water supply lasted. A few years after steam power was placed in the mill. In 1860, the mill was torn down and rebuilt with the best machinery obtainable at the time. Paul Harsha carried on farming, milling, and stock raising successfully up to his death. April 1, 1876.

His wife died March 22. 1884. Paul Harsha had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. They were William Buchanna, Jane, Daniel Houston, James White, Nathan Patterson and Lizzie H. James W. died at the age of seventeen. Nathan Patterson enlisted at the age of eighteen. September 15, 1862, in Capt. John T. Wilson's Com- pany E of the 70th Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died Octo- ber 9, 1863. at Memphis, Tenn. Lizzie H. is the wife of Carey Patton, of Denver, Colorado and has a son Paul and two daughters, Mabel and Myrtle. Paul Harsha was noted for his honesty and plain dealing. He aimed to keep and control his business entirely, and in this way was very successful.

He was possessed of a practical mind and had a wonderful sagacity to predetermine the results from any business venture. He was not a member of any church, but was a Presbyterian in his views.

William Holmes.

William Holmes was born in Liberty Township, in Adams County, on April 29, 1802, andi resided there all his life. When he was a boy and a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it in the vicinity of West Union up till 1870. He built many of the residences of West Union. He was married at the age of twenty, to Nancy N. Chaney, of Highland County. They located west of West Union on the hill overlooking the Eagle Creek valley, where they resided during their joint lives. Their children were James, Mary J .. John, Cyrena, William, George, Margaret and Nathan. Three died in infancy. There are two sons. William and Nathan, three daughters, Mary J., Cyrena and Margaret, still surviving. all of whom reside in Adams County except Cyrena, who resides in Highland County. William Holmes was a man of powerful physique and nerve. The following instance is related of him :

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A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth, Part 93

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan Publication date: 1900 Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers Number of Pages: 1101

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers
Number of Pages: 1101