USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 113
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Our subject was then a sturdy lad of twelve, and was the proud possessor of a yoke of calves which his father had given him. His father wished to sell the calves before setting out, but the boy would not have it. So he rode in his cart and drove his calves all the way to Piqua. His father having refused to feed the calves the following winter, he was compelled to seek work to get feed for them. He se- cured work in Piqua for himself and his calves, and thus at the age of thirteen, was begun a career which ended in a modest fortune.
His parents returned to Wheelersburg in 1834, and this year marks the close of his schooling. At the age of seventeen, he began work for himself at La Grange furnace. When he commenced work- ing, he vowed he would not touch strong drink, nor gamble, nor as-
875
PIONEER SKETCHES.
sociate with those who did and that he would save enough by the time he was twenty-one to keep him from working for a daily pittance. He quit La Grange furnace when he was twenty. He had saved $600 and had also gained a reputation for honesty and uprightnes of char- acter.
Buying some oxen, he commenced dragging rock for the locks which were being built at the falls of the Licking river. Here he labored until he was twenty-one. Faithful to his vow, he had saved $1,630, and had four valuable yoke of oxen. Turning his paper scrip into gold in Cincinnati, he walked and drove his oxen home.
He then began taking contracts for digging and delivering coal and ore at the furnaces in Scioto and Lawrence Counties. He was thus employed at Franklin Furnace for eleven years, at Jun- ior Furnace, one year, at Ohio Furnace one year, and at Union Fur- nace two years. He also worked at Harrison Furnace and was man- ager there for some time. From there he went to Boone Furnace in Greenup County, Kentucky, where he was manager for a time.
With this, he ended his furnace career, and was worth $20,000. He met with some severe losses during his time, by fire and water, but not by his own mismanagement. He then bought the farm at Haverhill where Samuel Krickenberger now lives and has farmned ever since. His success at farming has been no less phenomenal than his furnace career, having more than doubled the fortune he had at that time. He has made most of his money at farming, by taking advantage of a low price and selling at an advance, also in raising stock. Recently he has made a division of his property among his children, saving enough for his own comfort while he lives.
He was a Whig, until the breaking up of the party, and then he became a Republican, and is still with that party. He has been a mem- ber of the Methodist church at Haverhill for thirty-six years, a greater part of which time he has held office in the church. On March IO, 1842, he married Cynthia Chandler, whose grandfather was English and moved to Ohio in 1802. Their family consisted of five sons and six daughters, of whom three sons and four daughters are now liv- ing. They are as follows: Mary, the wife of Claudius Cadot, died July 12, 1901; Ruby, the wife of John Oakes; Emma, the wife of Samuel Krickenberger; Silenda, the wife of Frank Seamen; Ste- phen, residing near Hanging Rock, O .; John, and George are en- gaged in the lead business in Missouri.
Simeon Wood
was born September 7, 1804, in Cayuga County, New York. His Father was Abner Wood, and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Campbell. His father was born in 1766. His father and mother had sixteen children and reared twelve of them. Abner Wood emigrated o Ohio when our subject was four years of age. His father died in -
876
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
1882, and his mother died April 18, 1853. in the eightieth year of her age. Both are buried in the cemetery in the rear of the Scioto church, a mile below Harrisonville on the road to Seiotoville. Abner Wood when he first landed in Scioto County settled in Alexandria in the year 1808. He then settled in the Scioto valley on the east side; but the family suffered so with fever and ague that he moved to the Little Scioto in 1812.
He was reared a Presbyterian. His son Simeon, at the age of twenty-eight, connected himself with the United Brethren church on Little Scioto, because there was no Presbyterian church near. He married Emeline White, daughter of Daniel White. She was born Nov. 9, 1815, in Greenup County, Kentucky. They were married Oct. 31, 1852. They went to housekeeping on a farm at Little Scioto where they spent their lives. They had the following children; Mar- tha, born November 30, 1833, died January 1, 1834; Elizabeth, born July 31, 1835, married James Sampson, and died July 19, 1897. He resides in Harrisonville; Sarah, born December 14, 1837, married Milton W. Brown; Ruth, born March 17, 1841, died February 18, 1858. The mother died December 1, 1875.
While the Whig party lasted, Simeon Wood was nominally a Whig; but in reality he was the strongest kind of abolitionist. He had learned the carpenter's trade. He worked for Dan Young, and help- ed build Franklin and Junior furnaces. He also helped build Scioto furnace. There was a life-long friendship between him and Dan Young. He was a great admirer of Dan Young's prominent traits.
Simeon Wood was a man of strong convictions on every subject. He made it a rule to always be in the creditor class. He abhorred debt and always liked to have a surplus on hands. He followed the carpenter's trade as it suited his convenience. He had advanced ideas on the subject of temperance. In the year 1843, he built a barn. At that time it was customary to furnish liquors to be drank at all rais- ings. He said he would break the custom; he would raise his barn and there should be no liquors used on the occasion. He kept his word and managed to have his barn raised, but his neighbors did not be- lieve he could do it. He died in December, 1896, at the advanced age of ninety-two, in the enjoyment of all his faculties, respected and honored by all who knew him.
John Yoakley, Sr.,
son of William and Letitia (Hammond) Yoakley, was born in Dub- lin. Ireland, in 1817. He emigrated to this country in 1838, first lo- cating at Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained but a short time. He then removed to Portsmouth, and accepted a position in a banking house of which Peter Kinney was President. After serving in this position for several years, he resigned, and embarked in the business
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PIONEER SKETCHES.
of wholesale and retail dealer in music and musical instruments, in which business he continued the remainder of his life.
Mr. Yoakley was a musician of fine attainments, both as a com- poser and teacher, and for thirty-three years was organist of All Saints church, of which he was a consistent member. He resigned as organist May 30, 1877. He came from a family of musicians, his father and two brothers being quite noted composers. -
Mr. Yoakley was married in 1847, to Susan St. John, daughter of Ralph and Lillian St. John, of Grayson, Kentucky. The children born of this union were: Lucy Howe, now Mrs. R. L. Cannon of Cincinnati, Ohio; Letitia Hammond, wife of Charles Kinney. of Columbus, Ohio; Lillian St. John, now Mrs. Lillian S. Gunn, and John Yoakley of Cincinnati, Ohio, the latter of whom inherits his father's great musical talent. Mrs. Yoakley died August 14, 1862, her husband surviving until 1877. He was a prominent Mason. Mr. Yoakley was a man of high character and gentle disposition, beloved by all who knew him. He was one of the few, of whom it may be truthfully said, that the world is better because of his having lived in it.
Aurora Lodge No. 48, Free and Accepted Masons.
This lodge was instituted September 21, 1818. The charter members were Ezra Osborn, Samuel Gunn, Nathan K. Clough, Wil- liam Dailey, George Clark. Robert Scott, Silas Cole and William Oldfield. Grand Master Henry Brush instituted the lodge. It met in the McDowell building on Front and Market streets. Ezra Os- porn was Worshipful Master: Nathan K. Clough, Senior Warden ; George Clark, Junior Warden: William Dailey. Treasurer: Jacob Evans, Secretary: Silas Cole, Senior Deacon; Floyd Talbot. Junior Deacon ; Robert Scott, Tyler. On September 24, 1818, these officers were publicly installed at the court house, then on Market street.
It worked under a dispensation till 1820, and was granted a char- er, December 26, of that year. The following officers were elected : S. S. Wilkinson, Worshipful Master: G. S. B. Hempstead, Senior Varden ; William Oldfield, Junior Warden: Jacob Offnere, Treasur- r: Marcus Bosworth, Secretary: James Abbott, Senior Deacon: Vilson Gates. Junior Deacon ; James Hummell, Tyler.
The lodge occupied the McDowell building till 1831. From 831 to 1843, it met in James Lodwick's house on Front street, be- ween Madison and Massie on the corner of Pine alley. In 1843, it emoved to the Whitney building where James A. Maxwell had a eed store. The Lodge then took quarters in the Cook building on he west side of Market street between Second and Third, in 1854.
On May 18, 1855, a move was made toward the erection of the resent Masonic building. Thomas G. Lloyd, George Stevenson, J. Appler and S. S. Fuller were appointed a committee to carry on
2
878
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
the work. James Lodwick subscribed $250 and Jacob Offnere, $300. $4,885 was raised for building purposes. On August 6, 1855, plans were ordered and on November 24, 1855, contracts were ordered. Appler and Varner did the brick work; Fuller and Carre, the wood- work, and James Grimes, the iron-work. The work was commenc- ed in May, 1856. June 18, 1856, the corner stone was laid. Grand Master, William B. Dodds, of Cincinnati officiated. Rev. Nicholls, Grand Orator, delivered the address. In 1857, work was suspended at the second story and in the summer of 1857, the building was clos- ed. In the fall of 1858, a five year lease was made of the second floor part to the Hebrew Congregation and it paid two years in ad- vance. In December, 1858, the Lodge took the south room on the second floor. In 1859, the Lodge borrowed $4,000 to complete the building and owed Thomas Dugan $2,700 besides. He sold the north half of the lot, first and second floor, to the Hebrew congrega- tion and satisfied his claim. The south one-half of lot and first floor he sold to a Building Association, but it was re-purchased by the Lodge in 1885. On November 19, 1866, a move was made to fin- ish the third floor and $3,438.37 was raised which finished it.
The principal early workers in the Lodge were: Samuel Gunn, William Dailey, Dr. Thomas Waller, Nathan K. Clough, Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead, Hiram Wilson, Silas Cole, Wilson Gates, Marcus Bosworth, Ezra Osborn, Robert Scott, Moses Gregory, Dr. Jacob Offnere, Rev. Stephen Lindsley, David K. Cady, James Lodwick, C. A. M. Damarin, Murtaugh Kehoe, William Hall, William Sal- ter, Jacob P. Noel, Robert Lucas, Arthur C. McArthur, Joseph Wad- dle, Jonathan Cutler, Josiah Shackford, Dr. Erastus Burr, William Oldfield and Washington Kinney. Jacob Offnere gave the Lodge $500 by will and William Salter gave it $1,000. The Past Mas- ters are as follows :
1820, Samuel Wilkinson; 1821 and 1855, William Oldfield; 1825-39, Ezra Osborne; 1822 and 1826-40, Dr. G. S. B. Hemp- stead ; 1840-1, 1843-4, 1848 and 1858-62, George Stevenson; 1842. 1847 and 1853-4, Arthur C. Davis; 1845-6, Moses Gregory ; 1849-50, R. C. Jordan; 1851-2, L. G. Terry; 1857, Rev. Jacob Nichols : 1863. T. J. Pursell; 1866, Elijah Nichols; 1867, B. F. Coates ; 1868-73, J. H. Johnson; 1874-6, R. W. Farden; 1877-9; W. A. Connolley; 1880-2, Thomas L. Jones; 1883-5, C. S Cadot; 1886, F. B. Kchoe; 1887-8, George Padan; 1889, D. B. Thurlow, 1890-I, A. J. Fuller ; 1892, E. F. Draper; 1893, J. A. Ives ; 1894-5, B. F. Vincent : 1896, J. S. Dodge; 1897, W. B. Altsman; 1898, Dr. J. S. Rardin; 1899, Robt. G. Bryan; 1900, J. C. Adams; 1901, C. F. Calvin.
James Lodwick was Treasurer from 1852 to 1879, twenty-seven years. Francis Cleveland was Secretary from 1852 to 1872, when he was paralyzed.
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PIONEER SKETCHES.
The present officers are: Geo. F. Roberts, W. M .; Dr. G. A. Sulzer, S. W .; L. W. Baker, J. W .; W. C. Silcox, Treasurer : Geo. Padan, Secretary; H. C. Mitchell, S. D .; S. P. Shaw, J. D .; A. J. Reinhard, Tyler.
THE REVEREND DOCTOR BURR.
"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright."-Ps. 37, 37.
Geological Section of Scroto County Ohio. ILB
Lower Coal Measure
Coal Sandstone Limestone Shale and Sandstone
Coal Sandstone Block Ore Shale and Sandstone
Lime
Shale
Coal Sandstone Ote Sandstone Shale and Sandstone oal clau (fire)
2
40
15
3
75
1
40
ยท
40
3
75
2
20
1
40
20
1 3
Conglomerate
10
Lower Carboniferous Limestone
5
Shale
Sandstone
Shale" Sandstone Buena Vista Freestone Berea Shale Berea Grit Bedford Shale
220
200
25 30 50 50
Devo- wenn
Ohio Shale
Cleveland Shale Erie Shale Huron Shale
1560
Silurian 23days
Lower Helderburg Limestone Niagara Clinton Medina Shale
675
50
Hudson River Shale " Limestone
460
Lower
Silurian
Utica Shale
-
Trenton Limestone -
Carboniferous
Waverly
-
-
PART IV. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
TOWNSHIP NO. 3. RANGE 21
G
5
4
3
2
1
8
9
10
11
12.
2
18
17
16
15
14
13
19
20
TOWNSHIP 21
No. 2. 22
23
24
29
2.8
27
26
25
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
FRACTIONAL
TOWNSHIP NO 1 3
2
1
ARMON KINNEY 8
12
9
10
JACOS
13
OFFNERE
17
16
14
2
OHIO
SCHLE 150 CHAINS TO AN INGA!
SKETCH OF TOWNSHIP NO 2 AND FRACTIONAL TOWNSHIP NO. 1 IN RANGE NO. 21 ENLARGED FROM A PLAT PREPARED BY HENRY MASSIE. NOW IN POSSESSION OF MISS GLANA WALLER, PORTSMOUTH.
COMO MUNDR. IN THE SHADED PORTION MARKS THE PRESENT LIMITS OF THE CITY.
TOWNSHIP NO. 3. RANGE 20.
5
PORTSMOUTH
RIVER
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
George Follansbee Abbott
was born January 6, 1875, at Utica, New York. His father was John T. Ab- bott, a traveling salesman, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Johnson. He was the eldest of four children, two sons and two daughters. He at- tended school at Utica, New York, until he was ten years of ago, when his father moved to Columbus, O., and he attended school there until he was nineteen years of age. He then engaged in the paint business with his fath- er, in Columbus until 1898 when he came to Portsmouth, and engaged in the same business at 208 Chillicothe street, with the chief office at 34 east Town street, Columbus, O. Mr. Abott is politically a republican. He is a mem- ber of Massie Lodge Knights of Pythias and of Scioto Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is a young man who believes in conserving all his forces and making the best use of his time and natural abilities. His course merits success and he will achieve it.
James Crichton Adair
was born at Buckhorn Furnace, Lawrence county, O, April 30, 1856. His father was Smiley Robert Adair, and his mother's maiden name was Lucy C. Whitcomb. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the Wheelersburg schools. He was married to Mary A. Shaw, daughter of Joseph Shaw, of Ironton, Ohio, June 11, 1881, and became a farmer on "Dog- wood Ridge." In 1891 he left the farm and engaged in merchandising in
Wheelersburg. He removed his business to Lynchburg, Highland county, Ohio, in 1894 and in 1898 removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he is now engaged in the wholesale notion business at the corner of Third & Spring streets. In politics Mr. Adair is a democrat. In 1893, he was a candidate of that party for Probate Judge of Scioto county and received 2,994 votes to 4,488 for his opponent, George M. Osborn. This was his first and only venture in the political field. Mr. Adair's maternal grandmother was Susan Vincent, a daughter of Antoine Vincent, one of the French settlers. His grandfather was Daniel Young Whitcomb, whose mother was a sister of Dan Young. Susan Vincent married Dan Young Whitcomb August 28, 1825. J. C. Adair's chil- dren are Earl W., Frank H., Chester S., Alice L., Donald C. and Dortha.
Mr. Adair is a prosperous and successful merchant. He is a man of high character and excellent business ability, and is respected by all who know him.
Hiram Butcher Adams
was born November 9, 1867, in Madison township, Scioto county, Ohio, one mile from the Pike county line near California, on the farm and in the house in which his father was born and reared, and on the farm in which his grand- parents first settled when they came to this county. His father was Hiram Adams, and his mother's maiden name was Diana Butcher. The Adamses were New Yorkers. Two brothers came to this county, one settled on the Little Scioto, and one, George Adams, the grandfather of our subject, settled in Madison township.
Our subject worked on the farm until eighteen years of age and at- tended the district school in winter. When eighteen years of age, he began teaching and taught in the immediate district for twelve successive years. He was very successful as a teacher. He graduated from the Commercial Col- lege of the University of Kentucky in 1889. He never held or asked for any offices. He was appointed Census Enumerator of Madison township in 1890. -
-
(883)
-
884
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
He is a republican, true blue, and always works for what he thinks for the best interests of the republican party. He is now Deputy Clerk of the Courts under Andrew J. Finney. He was born and raised a Baptist, married a Meth- odist and afterwards united with Manley M. E. church. On August 1, 1890, he was married to Anna E. Jones, daughter of George O. and Marjorie (Crull) Jones of Lucasville. They have two children: Gladys, age eleven, and Grace age six. Mr Adams located in Portsmouth in 1892 where he now resides. Mr. Adams is the most obliging, accommodating official who ever held a pub- lic office in Scioto county. His good temper is inexhaustible.
Amos Barrett Alger,
son of Sylvester and Harriett P. (Monroe) Alger, was born at Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, June 11, 1838. He attended the common schools and received only such education as they afforded. He enlisted in the 11th Independent Battery Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery September 17, 1861, promoted to 2nd Lieutenant May 4, 1862, participated in all the battles the battery was engaged in, up to and including the battle of Iuka September 19, 1863, where he was captured with his battery. He was taken to Vicksburg, Miss., and paroled one week later. The 11th Independent Battery lost more men in killed and wounded-eighteen killed and twenty-eight wounded out of fifty-four cannon- eers-in this one battle than any other battery did in any one battle during the entire war.
On February 9, 1863, he resigned his commission, and with H. M. Nei!, of Columbus, Ohio, raised a new Battery-the 22nd Ohio, afterwards known as Alger's Battery. With this Battery he served until the end of the war. At the battle of Jonesville, Va., on the 3rd day of January, 1864, he was again captured and held as prisoner of war at various rebel prisons-Libby, Macon Charleston, Columbia and Charlotte. From the latter place he was paroled March 1, 1865, having been confined fourteen months. Returning to his Bat- tery at Knoxville, Tennessee, he assumed command as Captain to which of- fice he had been promoted a month after his capture. He was mustered out of service with his Battery July 13, 1865, and returned to his home at Mans- field, Ohio, where he remained until December 8, 1875, when he came to Ports- mouth and has been engaged as an architect ever since.
He was appointed trustee of the Portsmouth public library in 1882, and has served continuously as trustee and secretary up to the present time.
When he entered the United States service at the beginning of the war, he was a democrat but immediately changed his politics to correspond with his views and became a republican, with which party he has since affiliated. He was married May 22, 1867, to Julia M. Wharton, daughter of the late Col. James E. Wharton, the founder of the Portsmouth Public Library. He has four children: Edwin Neal, an architect located in Huntington, W. Va .. Barry, an architect in his father's office in Portsmouth, Ohio. married; Fran- cis Harter, superintendent of the Mingo Coal mines at Hatfield, W. Va., Richard W., a student of civil engineering. His wife died July 15, 1897. His sons Francis and Barry were members of Company H, 4th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, during the Spanish American war.
William Royal Allard
was born on Brushy Fork in Madison township, June 23, 1853 He is the son of Thomas and Harriet (Brown) Allard. His father was born in Sheffield, York county, England, January 27, 1829. He enlisted in Company H, 176t.l O. V. I. September 2, 1864. and was mustered out with his company, June 14, 1865. His grandfather, Joseph Allard, came to America in 1834 and located in Madison township the next year. He was six weeks in crossing the At- lantic. When William was two years old, his parents removed with him to Pike county. His early life was passed in working on a farm and in attend- ing the village school. At the age of seventeen. he began teaching, which profession he followed continuously for twenty years. Fourteen years of this time he taught in Pike county and six in Scioto. He is a republican and voted for Hayes in 1876. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church at California. He married Louisa Isabel Dever. daughter of William Dever, Sep- tember, 1881. They have two children: William Thomas and Lorenzo Dow, Jr.
885
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Andrew David Allen
was born in Madison township, Scioto county, Ohio. His father was William H. Allen, and his mother's maiden name was Hannah J. Pinteer. His grand- father, Henry Allen, was a native of Greenbriar county, Virginia, and settled in Scioto county in 1848. His grandmother, Abigail Massie, was from Vir- ginia. She was said to have been a relative of Henry Massie, the founder of rortsmoutn. His grandfather, Henry Allen, was a shoemaker by trade, but in Scioto county followed farming. The father and mother of our subject are both living. His father was brought up to the carpenter trade. He entered Company "A" of the Thirty-ninth O. V. 1. August 25, 1862 for three years. He served until July 9, 1865, and was never wounded nor a prison- er. He died January 20, 1902. The father and mother of our subject had nine children, of whom he is the eldest. He has lived in Madison and Harrison townships all his life. He never had any thing but a common school education and has made the most of it. He has been a teacher of common schools by profession since 1879; and has taught in Madison, Harri- son and Bloom townships in Scioto county. In the summer he has a farm and does farming. In the year 1890, he kept a store at Lois, Ohio. He mar- ried September, 1883, Amanda C. Bonzo, daughter of Joseph Bonzo, of French descent. His wife's grandfather came from France. He is a republi- can, and is a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a Justice of the Peace from 1890 to 1893 of Madison township. He has seven children: Louis Alva, Mary Hannah, Charles William, Ora Ida, Augusta, Prasconia, Gertrude and Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Allen is a man of strong mental qualities and is known in his community as a well informed man. He has attained this measure of proficiency by constant application to his studies urged on by his strong will and desire to excel. His natural fitness for a teacher has won him success in that profession.
Alex Altsman
was born in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1844. His father was Abraham Altsman and his mother's maiden name was Nancy McFeely. His father was a native of Lancaster county, and his mother of Fayette coun- ty, Pennsylvania. His parents had fourteen children, five of whom are living, four sisters and himself. He attended school in the second ward of Alle- ghany City, but quit at the age of fourteen. He engaged first in a carriage factory, but not liking that followed various other employments until 1861, when he went into the shoe store of R. C. Loomis & Company in Pittsburg. He was there eight years. He enlisted in Company C, 123d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry July 26, 1862, as a private. He was wounded in the right hip at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, by a minie ball. This wound disabled him so that he was unfit thereafter for military service. The ball imbedded itself in his body and was not extracted until January 29. 1863. He was married August 2, 1866, to Victoria La Clair from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Her parents were natives of France. After his army service, Mr. Altsman was promoted to be salesman for his employer, traveled in Scioto county, Ohio, and became acquainted with the people of this county in that way. Mr. John G. Peebles was a friend of Mr. Loomis, visited his store in Pittsburg and became acquainted with Mr. Altsman and it was in this way our subject came to Portsmouth. R. C. Loomis discontinued business in 1869, and on the recommendation of Mr. Peebles, Mr. Altsman went with R. Bell & Company, the same year, and remained with them until 1875, when they closed out their business. In 1876, he became a salesman for C. P. Tracy & Company and has remained with them ever since. Mr. Altsman has had three children: Minnie L., the wife of Earl Clare; Alice D., and Will B., who married Miss Mattie Varner. Mr. Altsman is a member of Bigelow M. E. church. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of the G. A. R. and of the United Commercial Travelers. He has always been a republican.
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