A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 179

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 179

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Elizabeth Grey Smith,

daughter of Thomas and Mary Bonifield Grey, was born in Maryland, east of Washington, February 2, 1790, and was one of a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. During President Jefferson's administration, she and her brother Elias were accustomed to carry flowers and strawberries from their home to the Executive Mansion to Mrs. Jefferson. Some time after this, her parents moved to Pennsylvania, where she married Jacob Smith, and they, with their parents, moved to Kentucky, where the three families all lived near each other. Mr. and Mrs. Grey died in Greenup county, Kentucky, Mrs. Grey being one hundred and fourteen years of age at the time of her death, in No- vember, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Smith continued to live on Tygart creek, in the neighborhood where their parents had lived, until the death of Jacob Smith, August 24, 1835. Two sons and eight daughters were born to them, of whom Mrs. Cynthia Smith Littlejohn was born April 22, 1824 near Liberty, Greenup county. Mrs. Smith died in Jackson county, Ohio, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Serrot, in the year 1880, at the age of ninety years.

General Samuel Russell Thomas

was born at South Point, Lawrence county, Ohio, April 27, 1840. His father was James Thomas, born in Ireland, April 21, 1795. He married Nancy Callahan

GENERAL SAMUEL R. THOMAS.

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PIONEER SKETCHES.

December 25, 1838 and died February 21, 1843. Nancy Callahan was born near Romeney, Virginia, July 11, 1812 and died September, 1871. Our subject at- tended the schools in his vicinity and was educated at Marietta. At the age of seventeen, he went into the employment of the Keystone Iron Company as a junior clerk and was there until he was twenty-one.

He was made 1st Lieutenant of Company E, 27th O. V. I. August 6, 1861 and was promoted to Captain of Company H, of the same regiment, March 31, 1862 and was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 63d United States Colored troops, October.2, 1863. He was promoted to Colonel of the 64th regiment, U. S. C. In- fantry, November 21, 1863 and he was brevetted Brigadier General, to rank from March 13, 1865, "for faithful and meritorious services." His muster out as Colonel of the 64th U. S. C. Infantry, January 25, 1866 (when the regiment was mustered out) was suspended until January 8, 1867. He was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Bureau of Refugees Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands for the state of Mississippi, May 31, 1865 and relieved April 10, 1866. He was ap- pointed Chief Inspector and A. A. Adjutant-General on the staff of Major Gen- eral O. O. Howard, May 23, 1866, and remained in this position until mustered out of service January 8, 1867. He served five and a half years continuously and was always ready for duty.

After the war, he went into the employment of General Mendall Church- ill, Captain of his Company, in the 27th O. V. I., and who was afterwards made Colonel of the same regiment. In 1872, he removed to Columbus, and was con- nected with the rolling mills and blast furnaces there. As a resident of Colum- bus, he was a member of the City Council, and was a banker and manufacturer. He became the leading spirit in developing the coal and iron properties of the Hocking Valley. He was one of the originators and constructors of the Nickel Plate road He held the same relation to the Ohio Central Railroad from To- ledo to Charleston, West Virginia the roads from Columbus to Toledo and from Gallipolis, Springfield and Pomeroy, the Lake Erie & Western, and several other lines. At one time, he accepted the presidency of the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia, the Knoxville & Ohio and the Memphis & Charleston rail- roads. He afterwards became president of the Cincinnati Southern, and was elected a director in the Richmond & Danville, the Georgia Central and the Richmond & West Point terminal.

While connected with these, he became the leading contractor in building the Croton acqueduct for New York City. Later he was a director in the North- ern Pacific railway, and in connection with this company he built the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railway and became its president. He was also pres- ident of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railway, the American Straw Board Company, the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Company and the Columbus Gas. Light and Heating Company, and was a director in the fol- lowing: Texas Pacific railway, Knoxville & Ohio railway, New York & New England railway, Southern railway, Pacific Mail Steamship Company. National Linseed Oil Company, the Chase National Bank and in the Manhat- tan and Metropolitan Trust Company. He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange. He located in New York city in 1881, and engaged in banking there. He was a member of the Union League, Lotus, New York Yacht, New York Athletic, Riding, and the Adirondack League Clubs, the Southern Society, the Loyal Legion, the G. A. R., the Ohio Society and the Ardsley Casino. In May, 1901, his health, previously excellent, gave way and since then he has been confined to his residence at Ardsley-on-the-Hudson. He has traveled over all his own country and has been in Europe many times. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and formerly attended Dr. Hall's church on Fifth Avenue, New York city.

He was married September 18, 1872, to Miss Ann Augusta Porter. She was born May 2, 1847, at Zanesville, Ohio. His children are: Edward R., a res- ident of New York and president of the Seventh National Bank; Harold E., of Chicago, and Eleanor N., at home with her parents. He was a gentleman ot wonderful ability in organizing and carrying on business and of limitless en- ergy. He overtaxed his strength and had to quit. In Southern Ohio, no citi- zen was more highly esteemed and particularly among the former comrades of the Civil War. Since the above was written, General Thomas died at his home near New York, January 11, 1903.

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Christian Yingling

was born in West Pennsylvania, April 24, 1788, and came to Ohio with his father and settled below Hanging Rock, in 1798 on what is known as the Ying- ling homestead. He was the son of Andrew Yingling, a Revolutionary soldier, whose record will be found under that head. He was married October 18. 1804, to Martha Lee, born in Patrick county, Virginia, August 2, 1795. She was the daughter of Rev. John Lee, the first pastor of Storm's Creek Baptist church, the first Baptist church in that vicinity. Rev. Lee belonged to the famiy of which General Robert E Lee was a member. She died May 8, 1877. By this marriage twelve children were born: Levina, Peninah, John L., Lucinda, Wil- liam L., Harriet, Andrew, Daniel, James H., ( a sketch of whom is found here- in) Martha A., Christian and Robert H. One of these children has been dead over ninety-six years.

Mr. Yingling was a Sergeant in the War of 1812, in Captain John Kelley's Company, 1st Regiment Ohio Militia and served from July 28, to August 11, 1813. His brother John was a Sergeant in John Russell's Company, Independ- ent Regiment, Ohio Militia, War of 1812, from July 28th, to September 19, 1813. Our subject was a farmer all his life and lived and died on the farm originally owned by himn. He died September 12, 1856. Mr. Yingling was industrious, frugal and economical and managed to pay for a quarter section of land which he had located by raising stock and with other products of the farm. He made a few trips to Fredericksburg, Virginia, with droves of hogs. He never had a desire for public office, but preferred the privacy of home to public hon- ors. He was one of the foremost men in establishing schools, good roads and church edifices and was always ready to help in any commendable enterprise that would be for the benefit of the community. He was honest, upright and respected. He was a special friend to boys and old men and had many alter- cations in his defense of them.

THE GOV. LUCAS MANSION .- FRONT OR SOUTH VIEW,

(See Page 1216.)

CHAPTER IV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Colonel John William Barger

was born October 9 1851, near Piketon, Ohio. He comes of a long line of hon- orable German ancestry. His father was Franklin Barger. his grandfather, Jacob Barger, his great-grandfather, Jacob Barger, and his great-great-grandfa- ther, Philip Barger, who was killed by the Indians in Virginia, in 1700. His great-grandfather, Jacob Barger, was a Revolutionary soldier from Augusta county, Virginia. His mother was Mary Lawrence, daughter of Gabriel Law- rence. John attended the common schools in Pike county and the Ohio Wes- leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from 1868 until 1870. He then went to Bloomingdale, Illinois, and engaged in the mercantile business. He was there from 1871 to 1872. He came to Portsmouth on September 30, 1872. and entered the employ of J. M. Rumsey & Company, and remained with them until 1875. In 1876, he took up the mercantile business in Piketon with S. C. Sargent, under the firm name of Sargent & Barger and remained there until 1884. In 1875, he was married to Miss Kesiah Corwin, daughter of John Corwin, one of the popular farmers of Pike county. He has always been a republican and was a member of the legislature from Pike county from 1888 to 1890. He was a can- didate the second time for the legislature but was defeated. He was a can- didate for Governor at the same time Governor Bushnell was nominated. He was known as the "corn-stalk" candidate but did not reach the nomination. Governor Bushnell appointed him aid-de-camp with title of Colonel and he served during both of Bushnell's terms.

Colonel Barger is a man of the most agreeable address, kind and courte- ous to all and easy of approach. His personal magnetism and pleasant social qualities have made him one of the most popular men in this section of the state. His most striking characteristic is his fidelity to those who have his friendship and faithfulness in their cause. While a man of large business in- terests, he keeps in touch with local affairs and cordially supports all that goes to conserve the welfare of the people of his county and home.

Captain James Q. Barnes

was born at Waverly, Ohio, January 29, 1836, the son of Major General William Barnes, who was the son of Captain John Barnes, a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject's mother was Nancy Ann Talbot. His father served as an Adjutant in the War of 1812. His boyhood days were spent in Waverly and on a farm now owned by Samuel Hibbens. His mother died January 5, 1846, and his father the following day. His brothers, William T. and John R. T., were of sufficient age to take care of themselves, the others were reared by relatives. Our subject lived with his brother William and attended school. He also assisted in his brother's store from time to time. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University in the fall of 1857, and took a scientific course. He attended school until the war broke out in the spring of 1861.

When his brother. John R. T. Barnes was killed at the battle of Vienna, Virginia, June 17, 1861, he left the University for Washington D. C., and entered the camp of the 1st O. V. I., June 22, 1861, five days after the battle. The faculty sent him a diploma as a scientific graduate. He went to the company with the view of taking his brother's body home, but gave that up and took his part as a member of the company, though he was never mustered as such. He was in the battle of Bull Run without being a regularly enlisted soldier. being simply a volunteer citizen. On October, 15, 1861, at the age of twenty-

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PIONEER RECORD OF SOUTHERN OHIO.

five years, he entered Company D, of the 73d O. V. I., as First Lieutenant. He was promoted Captain of Company I, September 22, 1862. He was wounded Sep- tember 29, 1863, at the battle of Lookout Valley, Tennessee, through the right arm with a minie ball. He was mustered out December 30, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.

In reality he served until the 5th day of January, 1865, though his muster- ing out related to December 30, 1864. He was in the following battles: Mc- Dowell, Va., Cross Keys, Va., Freeman's Ford, Va., Second battle of Bull Run, Va., Chancellorsville, Va., Gettysburg, Pa., Lookout Valley, Tenn., Resaca, Ga., Cassville, Ga., New Hope Church, Ga., Lost Mountain, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., Peach Tree Creek, Ga., Atlanta, Ga., and Savannah, Ga. In addition to this he was in a number of small engagements.

He was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue in Pike county, Ohio, by Gen. S. H. Hurst, in the fall of 1869, and served until the spring of 1871, when the office was discontinued. He has always been a republican. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married October 25, 1865, to Mary Rachel Emmitt, daughter of David and Rebecca Em- mitt, of Waverly, Ohio. They had three children: Annie Emmitt. May Eliza- beth and Edward Talbott Barnes, all of whom are married. He has four grand-children.

Thomas Ellison Bradbury

was born March 21, 1874, at Kyger, Ohio. His father was Horace Reed Brad- bury and his mother's maiden name was Anna Ellison. She was the daughter of James Ellison. Her father and mother were married March 20, 1873. They had two sons: Thomas E. and George Earl, age fifteen. Our subject was edu- cated in the Gallipolis schools and graduated in 1891. He attended the Cincin- nati Law School and graduated in 1893. and was admited to the bar on his birth- day, March 21, 1891. He has practiced law in Gallipolis ever since. He was elected City Clerk of Gallipolis in 1895; and held that office until April 10. 1901, when he was elected mayor of Gallipolis. He was appointed Referee in Bank- ruptcy in 1898, and has held the office since. He was Major of the 17th O. V. I. in the Spanish American War. He was made Major and Ordinance officer in the Ohio Militia June 24, 1900, and still holds that position. On November 25, 1896, he was married to Alice Lupton, daughter of John Lupton. They have one daughter, Alice.

James Buckingham

was born October 22, 1831, at Zanesville, Ohio. His parents were Alvah and Anna (Hale) Buckingham. He was educated at Marietta, Ohio, and Brown Uni- versity, Rhode Island, leaving the latter place in February, 1852, on account of ill health. A part of the winter of 1852 and 1853 he was in his father's ele- vator in Chicago. In June, 1854, he invented the cogs placed on the outside of the driving wheels used in all mowing and reaping machines,-but did not pa- tent it. In September, 1863, he removed from his farm at Duncan's Falls, Ohio, where he had lived since April, 1853, to the house in Zanesville, where he was born and here he still resides. He enlisted May 2, 1864 in Company A, 159th O. V. I. and was mustered out with the Company, August 22, 1864.

From February, 1865, to January, 1873, he was a director of the Ohio State Agricultural Society, four years of the time its Treasurer and one year (1872) its President. He was also one of the Trustees of the Central Lunatic Asylum, at Columbus, Ohio, to finish, furnish and open it. He was President of the Zanesville & Ohio River Railroad, from its beginning to completion. He has been interested in farms, ranches and wild lands in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. He was married November 5, 1856, at Chillicothe, Ohio, to Jane P. Wills, who was born October 8, 1832, in Chilli- cothe, Ohio, the third child of Doctor David and Eliza (Peebles) Wills. They have had five children: Elise Wills, the wife of F. G. Darlington of Zanesville, Ohio; Mary Humphreys, the wife of E. A. Greene of Zanesville, Ohio; Philo Hale, died August 19, 1869; Ellen Wood the wife of William Young, died No- vember 12, 1890; and Julia, the wife of S. M. Pinkerton of Zanesville, Ohio.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Colonel William Edgar Bundy

was born in Jackson county, Ohio, on the site now occupied by the city of Wellston, October 4. 1866. His father. William Sanford Bundy, was wounded while in the service of his country, near Bean Station, Tennessee, as a private soldier, and died from the effects of his wound, January 4, 1867. His mother, Kate Thompson Bundy, was killed in an accident two years later. and their young son was raised and educated by his grandfather, Hon. H. S. Bundy. He graduated from the Ohio University in 1890 as a Bachelor of Arts, and has since attained the degree of Master of Arts. For two years he was editor of the Wellston Argus, and then came to Cincinnati, attended the Law School, and was graduated therefrom in 1890.

During the years 1890 and 1891 he was Secretary of the Board of Elec- tions of Hamilton county. He has been four times elected Solicitor of Norwood, and has a beautiful home in that thriving suburb. Mr. Bundy was Commander of the Ohio Divisions, Sons of Veterans, in 1900. and was Commander-in-Chief of that order for the United States in 1894-5. He has always taken an active and practical interest in politics. In 1898, he was President of the Ohio Repub- lican League, and during that year was appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years. Through his own efforts and industry he has attained a leading position at the Hamilton County bar. He was married May 8, 1890 to Miss Eva E. Leedom, daughter of the late Ex- Congressman, John P. Leedom, of Adams county, and they have one son, Wil- liam Sanford Bundy, named after the child's martyred grandfather.

Major Jeremiah Davidson

was born January 24, 1834, at Burlington, Lawrence county, Ohio. His father was James Davidson, born at Brownsville, Pa., March 4, 1801, and died at Burlington. Ohio, December 27, 1894, aged ninety-three years. His mother's maiden name was Mary Frances Combs. married to his father in 1829. She died March 11, 1888. His parents had nine children of whom six lived to maturity, our subject being the eldest. James Davidson was a farmer and also carried on the wool carding business at Burlington. Jeremiah's grandfather, John David- son. came to the Northwest Territory in 1801 and settled where Burlington now. stands. William Davidson his great-grandfather, had already come to what is now South Point in 1799.

Jeremiah Davidson attended the public schools of his vicinity and from 1850 to 1853 was a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. From 1854 to 1856 he taught school, and from 1856 to 1867 he was en- gaged in the book and stationery business in Ironton almost continuously, it being carried on for him by others when he was in the military service. April 22. 1861, the enlistment rolls for volunteer service in the Civil War were opened in Jeremiah's bookstore in Ironton, Lawrence county, and he was the first man to volunteer. which he did in Company E. of the 18th Ohio Infantry. John P. Merrill was Captain, Seth Sutherland was First Sergeant, Richard P. Rifenberick was Second Sergeant and our subject was the Third Sergeant. Timothy R. Stanley was Colonel of the Regiment and William M. Bolles was Lieutenant Colonel.

The day Jeremiah's time expired. August 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company G .. Second Virginia Cavalry, of which he was elected Second Lieutenant and afterwards promoted to Captain. His first service was along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was in the Lynchburg raid, the two Wythville raids and Sinking Creek raid, where one hundred and fifty prisoners were taken. He helped to drive Jenkins out of Guyandotte and on July 24, 1864, he made a charge in the battle of Winchester which almost cost him his life. He was wounded in the chest, above the left lung, had two horses shot from under him, and while on foot, was shot in the thigh and left on the field for dead. For seven days he was a prisoner in a hut near by, then by the aid of an old negro man he escaped and crawled out to the pine forest the night before the wagons were to come along to take him to Andersonville. He lay in the pine forest for nine days, when he worked his way to the railroad and to his regiment. Col. Powell. of the Second Virginia Cavalry, detailed a sergeant to take him home and spoke of his bravery in the very highest terms, both in public and in

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private. By order of the War Department, at the request of Governor Denni- son of Ohio, he was discharged from the Second Virginia Cavalry, September 7. 1864, to receive a promotion in a new regiment.

He was appointed Major of the 173rd Ohio Infantry, September 21, 1864 and was in the Nashville fight, under Thomas, and in other engagements against Hood. He served until June 28, 1865, thus covering the entire War as follows: In the 18th Ohio Infantry, four months and six days; in the Second Virginia Cavalry, three years and nine days; in the 173rd Ohio, nine months and fourteen days, making a total of four years, one month and twenty-nine days. On retiring from the Army, he engaged in the book and stationery busi- less until 1866, when he was Treasurer of Lawrence county, one year. He retired from that office and continued in the Book and Stationery business from 1868 to 1877. From 1880 to 1883, he was Treasurer of Lawrence county again. At one time no candidate was nominated in opposition to him as County Treasurer. He was a dealer in real estate from 1884 to 1895, and since 1895 he has been secretary and treasurer of the Ironton Gas Company.

Major Davidson was married to Mrs. Clara C. Thomas, October 24, 1867, the widow of lieutenant E. A. Thomas. She had one son Edward A. Thomas, born October 24, 1864, now engaged in the Lee Hardware Company at Shreve- port, Louisiana. Major Davidson has three sons: Fred, born September 24, 1869, engaged in the Lee Hardware Company, at Shreveport, La .; Hugh C., born August 21, 1871, engaged in the Dental Laboratory at New Orleans, La .; James, born August 20, 1873, engaged in the First National Bank at Shreve- port, La. Major Davidson is a member of the Lawrence Lodge of Masons and has been for forty years, and a member of the Odd Fellows. He has been a member of the Dick Lambert Post, G. A. R. since the organization of the Grand Army. He is a modest gentleman respected by every one who knows him for his excellent qualities as a man and a citizen. He has been a life-long republi- can. His Scotch-Irish characteristics have carried him safely over many a hard place in life. People said when he was taken prisoner at Winchester. "If Major Davidson isn't killed, he'll outwit the Rebs and escape," and so he did.

General John Clay Entrekin

was born in Ross county, near Kingston, February 11, 1844. He attended the schools in the vicinity and the Ohio Weslyan University. On August 12, 1862, at the age of 18, he enlisted for three years in Co. A. of the 114 O. V. I. and was with his regiment the entire time. He was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Seige of Vicksburg, Graham's Plantation, Yellow Bayou and the seige of Fort Blakely, Alabama. He very near escaped honorable wounds, but on April 8, 1865, the very last day of the war, he was wounded twice at Fort Blakely, and was, in consequence, honorably discharged at New Orleans, Jan- mary, 1865.

After his return to his home, he entered the Ohio Weslyan University at Delaware and was graduated in the classical course in 1867. For two years he was engaged in teaching and from 1869 to 1870 he was Professor of Mathematics in the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton, Missouri. During that time he read law and was admitted to the bar in the Circuit Court of Warren County, Missouri in January, 1870. Directly after he returned to Chillicothe, and in September of that year, he was admitted to the bar of Ross county, Ohio. He began the practice of law in the office of Judge T. A. Minshall, afterwards of the Supreme Bench, and remained there three years, in which time he built up a good business. He has since practiced successfully and has been connected with much of the important litigation which has been conducted in the courts in his part of the state. He has a keen, analytical mind, a com- prehensive knowledge of the science of jurisprudence and never loses sight of any point of vantage ground which may advance the interests of his clients.

He has always taken a great interest in political affairs. Even as a boy he was active in the Fremont-Dayton Campaign, and when he attained his ma- jority, he allied himself with the Republican party and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while stationed at Morgan's Bend, Louisiana.

In January, 1872, he was appointed City Solicitor of Chillicothe to fill a vacancy and was elected to the same office in 1872 and re-elected in 1874 and

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1876. He was a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney of Ross county in 1872 be- fore the people, but was defeated by 60 votes, although he ran 200 ahead of his ticket.

In 1875, he was elected to represent Ross county in the House of Repre- sentatives to serve two years. He was a candidate for re-election in 1879 but was defeated by a small majority by the Hon. Wm. H. Reed, a very popular democrat. A month later, Senator Allison Brown died and Mr. Entrekin was nominated as his successor in the Sixth Senatorial District and was elected by 1,500 majority over Hon. Milton McCoy. He served two years. In 1885, he was again a candidate for the House of Representatives and was elected by 500 majority over Dr. Nathaniel Potter. During this term he was chosen Speaker of the House. While in the Legislature he voted twice for Hon. John Sherman for United States Senator and for James A. Garfield and Stanley Mathews for the same office. He was twice a candidate for nomination for Congressman in this District, but was defeated. His service in the various official positions to which he has been called has been marked by patriotic devotion to duty and fidelity to the best interests of the people whom he represented, and as one of the law makers of Ohio he has borne a conspicuous and honored part.

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 179

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612