Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 101

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 101

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owner of Greenwood Park, which he devel- oped and kept up for the city of Delaware, for a number of years, at last selling his interests when he could no longer devote his time to its care and further improvement. He retains fifty acres of land which he devotes mainly to growing choice winter apples. He has been a leading authority on horticulture, for many years, and has been called all over the State to give lectures on this subject, before horti- cultural organizations. He is a valued mem- ber of the William Street Methodist Epis- copal Church, at Delaware. He has resided in Delaware Township ever since 1836. His surviving children are the following: Fred- erick L., and Elizabeth, both residing in Dela- ware Township; Hattie, who married Edwin A. Smith, who is president of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio; John G .; James C., residing in Delaware Township; Annie, who married George Warner, residing at Warren, Ohio; and Mary M.

John G. Vergon has been identified with the interests of Delaware Township all his life. He obtained an excellent common school edu- cation and has taken part in the township's pleasant social life, been interested in its public affairs and has contributed his substantial in- fluence to further development and public in- provements. He served some five years dur- ing young manhood. as a member of Com- pany K, Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, at Delaware. Mr. Vergon is num- bered with the prosperous agriculturists of Troy Township, successfully raising the grains of this climate and growing many sheep.

Mr. Vergon married Emma E. Troutman. who is a daughter of Jonathan and Angeline Troutman, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Trontman resides with her daughter. The Troutmans were among the early settlers of Troy Township and Mrs. Troutman can re- call many interesting pioneer experiences. Mr. and Mrs. Vergon have two daughters, Marie and Catherine. Mrs. Vergon is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, at Delaware. while Mr. Vergon and his daughters belong to the William Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Like his father. Mr. Vergon is a Republi- can. He is serving his first term as a member of the Board of Education of Troy Township. and his advice and good judgment gives material assistance to his co-workers.

R EES W. JONES, a representative citizen of Radnor Township, where he has a farm of 175 acres under cul- tivation, was born at Llanafan Fawr. Breconshire, South Wales, Novem- ber 13. 1845, and is a son of Rees T. and Sa- rah ( Williams) Jones.

The father of Mr. Jones was born in the same section of South Wales as saw his own birth but in an adjoining parish, Llanafan Fechan, May 2, 1804, and died in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1891. He followed farm- ing in his native land until 1861, when he came to America and in the fall of that year. purchased a farm of 175 acres, in Radnor Township, on which he lived during the re- mainder of his life. Almost 80 acres of his farm was timbered and he sold 20 acres in wood. In early days he was a strong anti- slavery man and later became an ardent Re- publican. He married a daughter of David Williams, who was born in the same parish as himself, and of their six children, the follow- ing five reached maturity : Mary, deceased, married Evan F. Jones, residing in Norwich Township. Franklin County: Thomas Wil- liams, residing in Sugar Creek Township, Put- nam County: David, who died in 1891; Rees W .: and Elizabeth, who married John A. Price, residing in Radnor Township. Rees T. Jones and wife were worthy members of the Congregational Church. The mother of the above family died in her 75th year. February 20. 1884. The paternal grandfather. Thomas Jones, lived to the age of 90 years, but never left Wales.

Rees W. Jones commenced his education in Wales and completed it with two terms in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He taught school during nine winters in Rad- nor Township and has never lost his interest

in the educational advancement of the town- ship. He has never sought a position on the School Board, but his fellow-citizens have elected him a member for 14 years and he has been a valuable addition to a body of very earnest men. From boyhood he has continued on the home farm, where he raises corn, oats and hay for feeding purposes and wheat for sale. He devotes considerable attention to stock and his fields and pastures show many horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.

On September 20, 1876, Mr. Jones was married to Margaret Thomas, who is a daugh- ter of James Thomas of Radnor, and they have had seven children. namely : James R., residing at Roosevelt, Washington : David V., residing at Great Falls, Montana: T. Arthur. who is a member of the class of 1900 at the Ohio State University: Sarah E .: Margaret A .: John W. and R. Ellsworth. For many years Mr. Jones has been a deacon in the Con- gregational Church. The fine two-story brick structure in which Mr. Jones and family live, was built for a tavern about two years before the Big Four Railroad was put through this section, and it was one of the chief stopping points on the old turnpike from Sandusky and Columbus. In politics, Mr. Jones is a Repub- lican and on that ticket he was twice elected township trustee.

ILLIAM 11. MARRIOTT, a re- tired farmer and stock raiser of Delaware Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and an honored veteran of the great Civil War, in which he took an active part, was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 23. 1842, and is a son of Henry T. and Rebecca ( Penn) Mar- riott.

William Marriott, the grandfather of Wil- liam H., was a native of Maryland. and a captain during the War of 1812, in which he was wounded. He came to Ohio at an early clay and settled near Utica, Licking County. Mr. Marriott married Edith Waters, also a native of Maryland, and of their children

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Henry T. was the eldest. Henry T. Mar- riott came to Utica, Ohio, as young man, and spent all of his life as a farmer and stock raiser, dying in 1875. aged sixty-nine years. He was a leading member of the Meth- odist Church, and was a man well known for his many sterling qualities. He married Re- becca Penn, who was the daughter of Joseph Penn of Maryland, and she died in 1881. aged 75 years. AAfter the death of Joseph Penn Marriott at the siege of Vicksburg. there was not a death in the family for 42 years. Mr. and Mrs. Marriott were the par- ents of 12 children, ten of whom grew to ma- turity : Thomas, who is deceased; Ann, de- ceased, who married Isaac Yeomans; Joshua. who resides at Richwood: Albert, who is de- ceased : Caroline, who is the wife of Joel Gra- ham of Richwood; Joseph B., who was a member of Company B. Thirty-second Regi- ment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War: William H .; Henry W., who is de- ceased ; Franklin W., who lives at Columbus ; and Orville, who is a resident of Richwood.

William H. Marriott was taken to Rich- wood by his parents when he was three years old. and there he grew to manhood on the home farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B. Thirty-second Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to Beverly. West Vir- ginia, where he fought in the mountains until the surrender of Harper's Ferry, when the en- tire army at that point was captured. After being exchanged he was sent with his regi- ment to Memphis, and assigned to John A. Logan's Division, and thereafter saw very active service, participating in the battles of Green Bar. October 3. 1861; Camp Alle- gheny, West Virginia. December 13. 1861: MeDowell, Virginia, May 8, 1862: Cross Keys, Virginia, June 6, 1862: Port Repub- lic. June 9. 1862; Harper's Ferry, September 12-15. 1862: Raymond, Mississippi, May 12. 1863: Port Gibson, Mississippi, May 1. 1863: Jackson. Mississippi, May 14, 1863; Cham- pion Hills, May 16, 1863 : Siege of Vicksburg. May 18 to July 4. 1863: Baker's Creek, Mis- sissippi. February 4. 1864: Clinton, Missis- sippi. February 5. 1864: Kenesaw Mountain.

June 9-30, 1864: Nickajack Creek, Georgia. July 6-10, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, July 20. 1864: Atlanta, July 21-22, 1864; and Siege of Atlanta, July 28 to September 4. 1864. Mr. Marriott was continually with his regiment, engaging in every battle, skirmish and march in which it took part, and he was never in need of hospital service. Always a brave and cheer- ful, faithful and hard-fighting soldier. he earned the respect of officers and comrades alike and made for himself a war record second to none, in being present in every engage- ment. He was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky, in September. 1864.

After the war Mr. Marriott went to Cham- paign, Illinois, arriving there a day or two after President Lincoln's death, and remained there for 20 months, engaging in farming. In 1867 he returned to Utica. Licking County, Ohio, and for five years was a clerk in a store. after which he went to Richwood, and there engaged in business with L. H. Hastings, un- dler the firm name of Hastings & Marriott. In 1873 Mr. Hastings retired, and Mr. Marriott continued the business with his brothers, un- der the firm name of Marriott Brothers, until 1886, at which time he removed to a farm three and one-half miles north of Richwood. and engaged in general farming and, stock raising. In 1893 he moved to Delaware in or- der to give his sons better educational advan- tages.

Mr. Marriott was married January 1. 1873. to Melissa Farrington, who is the daughter of Peter H. Farrington, of Tomkins County. New York. Five children were born to this union, of whom two grew to maturity : Fran- cis Irvin, chief draftsman of the Mexican Central Railway at Aguas Calientes, Mexico. who was born November 18, 1877; and Car- roll P., of Tryon, North Carolina, who was born April 13. 1882.

In politics Mr. Marriott is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and he has always taken a great in- terest in political principles, but not in being a candidate for office. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion of Delaware, and with his wife attends the Williams Street Metho- dist Episcopal Church.

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M. SYCKS, who in point of service is the oldest insurance man at Dela- ware, has made this city his place of residence for the past 33 years and is thoroughly identified with its various interests. He was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania. April 9. 1846.

Mr. Sycks was about 12 years of age when his parents removed from Pennsylvania to Perry County, Ohio, where his boyhood was spent. His early education was secured in the local schools and he subsequently became a student in the National Normal University at Lebanon, where he was graduated in 1873. The following year was passed at Ansonia, Darke County, where he served as principal of the schools, and in the next year he came to Delaware. He continued teaching in Dela- ware County, until 1879, acting also for sev- eral years as outside passenger agent for the Lake Erie and Western Railroad. In 1880 he went into general insurance, opening up an office at Delaware, writing his first risk on July 15th following, in the Connecticut Fire, of Hartford. He still carries the same parties on his books. Later, Mr. Sycks added deal- ing in real estate and handling loans and in- vestments, to his insurance business, and he has very convenient quarters at No. 22 North Sandusky Street. He represents all the lead- ing local mutual companies, together with the most important organizations outside, and is also agent for the Anchor and the North Ger- man Lloyd steamship lines, and the Allen State line of steamers. Hle is one of the city's progressive, busy men.

On Christmas eve. 1873. Mr. Sycks was married to Miss Martha Cary, who is one of the John Cary descendants-the family being one of the oldest in England. The Rev. Seth Cary of Boston and General Samuel Cary are her kinsmen. A long line of her ancestors may be found in the following books: "The Cary Family in England" and "The Cary Family in America." She has proven herself to be a faithful helpmate to her husband and a wise and good mother to her children. The latter are four in number, namely: Anna.

who married Prof. T. Howard Winters, of Ironton, Ohio; Dana Cary, who is engaged in an insurance business at St. Louis, Missouri : and Grace C. and Mary, both of whom are residing at home. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Sycks has been a steward for many years. Politically, Mr. Sycks is affiliated with the Democratic party. While taking an active in- terest in public affairs and willing to work for his friends, he has consistently refused all political favors for himself.

J ACOB G. ROSENTHAL, secretary of The Delaware Light, Heat & Power Company, secretary of The Elec- tric Roller Milling Company, and secretary of The Delaware Water Power & Realty Company, has been identified with the business interests of Delaware for many years. He was born at Dayton, Ohio. September 29, 1851, and is a son of Simon and Theresa ( Ullman) Rosenthal.

The grandfather of Mr. Rosenthal was Rabbi Bernhard Rosenthal, a Hebrew teacher and German scholar, who was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. Simon Rosenthal was born also at Wurtemberg, where he grew to manhood, receiving a technical education. He was employed by the German Government as a bridge architect. Wishing to escape mili- tary service, for which he had no taste, he left his native land and came to America, throwing his fortunes in with others of 1848, who formed the revolutionary colony which in- cluded the late distinguished Gen. Carl Schurz. Mr. Rosenthal settled first at Cincinnati, went from there to Dayton and in 1851 to Car- dington, Ohio, where he established himself in a hardware business. In 1859 he returned to Cincinnati and went into the wholesale fish business with a partner, under the firm name of Rosenthal & Kauffman. During the Civil War. Mr. Rosenthal returned to Cardington and embarked in a dry goods and grain bus- iness. Ile was elected county auditor and

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moved to MIt. Gilead, where he died soon after his term of public service closed. He was a member of the Odd Fellows at Cardington and of the Be Nai Beretta, at Cincinnati. He married in Germany, but all his seven children were born in America, namely: Mier, resid- ing at Delaware; Jacob G .; Hattie, deceased, was the wife of David Mezger; Charles, re- siding at Cleveland; Hannah, wite of Lee Goldsmith, residing at Cleveland; and Emma, wife of William Simms, residing at Mt. Gil- ead. The mother of the above family died in 1905. aged 83 years. The father died in De- cember, 1884. aged 59 years.

Jacob G. Rosenthal was educated in the publie schools of Cardington and Cincinnati and remained in the latter city until 1872, employed by his father in the hardware bus- iness. He then came to Cardington and be- came his father's partner in the dry goods line, under the firm name of S. Rosenthal & Son, which continued until 1879, when the partner- ship was dissolved and Jacob G. Rosenthal came to Delaware, where he carried on a gro- cery business for 20 years. In 1898 he sold his grocery interests and has given practically all his time ever since to the promotion of the enterprises with which he is at present con- neeted. He was one of the organizers of The Delaware Light, lleat & Power Company and has had charge of its business ever since. Mr. Rosenthal possesses the business acumen and the foresight and judgment which enable him to handle large affairs with ease, and his standing in the commercial life of Delaware is one of prominence.

In 1876, Mr. Rosenthal was married to Rebecca Mayer, who is a daughter of Alex- ander Mayer, of Cardington, and they have one daughter, Blanche. They are members of Scoville Avenue Jewish Temple, at Cleveland. and are interested in its various benevolent agencies.

In politics, Mr. Rosenthal is a Democrat and he has served as treasurer of Delaware Township. He is a member of Olentangy Lodge. Odd Fellows; of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M .; Lodge of Perfection at Co- lumbus and the Consistory at Cincinnati.

IEUTENANT-COLONEL BENSON WALKER HOUGH, a prominent citizen of Delaware, and a member of the law firm of Overturf & Ilough, leading attorneys, was born March 3, 1875, in Berkshire Township, Del- aware County, Ohio. He is a son of Leonard Samuel and Mary ( Linn ) Hough.

The Hough family was prominent in New England before becoming established in Ohio. In 1812, one of its members, Dr. Sylvester Ilough. the great-grandfather of Colonel Hough, left Connecticut and came to Dela- ware County, settling in Genoa Township, where he engaged in a mill business in addi- tion to his professional work. He married Sarah Williams and one of their sons they named Orsamus Daniel. He was born in Bur- lington, Vermont, and was brought to Genoa Township when three years old and lived a long, active and useful life which elosed Oc- tober 10, 1891. After his marriage at the age of 24 years, he conducted his father's farm for a year and then moved to Brown Town- ship and there operated a grist mill for 15 years, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Kilbourne Thrall. This was an old water- power mill and during about six months of the year lack of water kept it idle, and during these periods he cleared up a farm of 114 aeres. After the death of his father, in 1847, he bought the old homestead and lived on it for several years and then sold and bought 342 acres of Peter Van Sickle and 117 acres from another party, later purchased what was called the Prince farm and kept on acquiring land until at the time of his death he owned 1,000 acres. The only financial assistance he had ever had was the sum of $192, received from his father's estate, securing all the large fortune which he left to his descendants through his own sagacity and industry.

Upon the organization of the Sunbury Bank, Mr. Hough became a director and held this office for many years. Ile was active in all publie-spirited movements and was one of the stockholders and organizers of that large enterprise, the Delaware, Berkshire & Sun- bury turnpike road. For six years he was

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county commissioner of Delaware County, served as many years as township treasurer and as a justice of the peace. Upon the res- ignation of Hon. J. R. Hubbell, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the Legislature, and in 1866 he was elected to succeed himself. lle was twice married, his first wife being Corin- thia Charlotte Thrall, a member of one of the earliest families in Brown Township. She was born at Granville, Ohio, July 3, 1812, and lied April 1, 1878, the mother of four chil- dren. Clarissa Almira married Otho H. Wil- liams. a farmer and merchant. Leonard Sam- tel. father of Colonel Hough, was the only son. Charlotte A .. residing at Delaware, is One the widow of Benjamin B. Walker. child died in infancy. Mr. Ilough married for his second wife the widow of Dr. McMillan.

Leonard Samuel Hough was born Angust

3. 1835. and died April 8, 1879. He was reared and attended school at Kilbourne. He possessed much of his father's excellent busi- ness sense and at one time. in partnership with the latter, owned 1.000 acres of land in Berkshire Township. He was an extensive farmer and stockman. On October 19, 1870. he married Mary Linn. a relative. Iler mother was a daughter of Dr. Daniel Hough. who was a physician of Seneca County, Ohio, and a brother of Dr. Sylvester Hough. the paternal great-grandfather of Colonel Hough. There were three children born to the above mar- riage, namely: Clara, born in 1874, who died in infancy ; Benson W .; and Leonard T., who was born July 31, 1879. The mother survived until September 1. 1900.

Colonel Hough attended the district schools until he was nine years old and then accompanied his mother to Delaware, where he completed the High School course, then spent three years in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity and in 1899 graduated from the Ohio State University with the degree of B. L. About 1897 he first began to read law. with the firm of Overturf & Covner, and he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1899 and for three years practiced alone. In 1902 he entered into part- nership with Hon. N. F. Overturf, and the present strong law firm then formed has con- tinued to the present.

Colonel Hough has been prominent in State military affairs for a number of years and has won his present high rank through faithful service. In 1892 he enlisted in Com- pany K. Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, serving five years. The pressure of other duties kept him out of the service for a time, but in January, 1902, he was elected first lieutenant, in June, 1902, captain, and in June. 1905, major of the Third Battalion, Fourth Regiment. and in July, 1906. he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Infantry. He was the seventh major this com- pany has turned out in the State, and the sec- ond lieutenant-colonel.

On June 25, 1902. Colonel Hough was married to Edith B. Markel, who is a daughter of Jeremiah Markel, of Delaware, and they have one son, Benson Markel, who was born December 24. 1905. Colonel and Mrs. Hough belong to the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A. and of the Com- mercial Club, is a charter member of the Del- aware Club and a member of the Elks. at Del- aware, and retains his connections with his college fraternities, the Phi Gamma Delta, the Theta Nu Epsilon and the Phi Delta Phi. In politics he is a Republican and from 1902 until 1906 he served as city solicitor of Delaware.

ILLIAM M. HUMPHREYS, gen- eral farmer and representative citizen of Radnor Township, Del- aware County. Ohio, was born on the homestead where he lives, July 14, 1859, and is a son of Morris and Margaret Elizabeth ( Wasson ) Humphreys.

The Humphreys family was established in Radnor Township as early as 1818, by John Humphreys, the grandfather, who was a pio- neer in this section. He was a native of Llangadran, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, from which country he came to America and settled in Delaware County. Ohio, where his descendants have since been representative cit- izens. In April, 1825. he married Elizabeth Chidlaw, who was a sister of Rev. Benjamin W. Chidlaw. She died October 27, 1830.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

John Humphreys died at Cincinnati, Decem- ber 9, 1873, and is buried in the Radnor cem- etery. He had three children: Ann. Benja- min Chidlaw and Morris. His farm of 160 acres was swamp and timber land and thus he had the double task of draining as well as clearing the property. He served as one of the first township trustees.

Morris Humphreys was born in Radnor Township and he spent his whole life on the farm on which his father had settled. He died August 23, 1899, having been born June 26, 1829. On April 3, 1851, he was married to Margaret E. Wasson, who died January 21. 1895. She was a daughter of William M. and Lucy ( Minter) Wasson. They had the fol- lowing children : Lucy Elizabeth, born Janu- ary 17, 1853, married Benjamin Davids, of Radnor Township; John Wasson, who was born December 29, 1854, resides at Prospect, Ohio; Margaret Ann, born December 29, 1856, married John L. Ransome, who resides two miles north of Prospect ; William McVey; Mary Arcena, born December 25, 1861, mar- ried John B. Davis; Ilarriet Louise, born July 29, 1864, married Eugene J. Young, and they reside in Pleasant Township, Marion County ; Benjamin Chidlaw, born December 9. 1866, resides at Richwood: and Morris James, who died in infancy. Morris Humphreys and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a trustee.

The maternal ancestors of William M. Humphreys, the Wassons, were of Scotch-Ir- ish extraction. Prior to the Revolutionary War three of the name, Thomas, James and Elizabeth. came to America, where they sub- sequently became separated, Elizabeth becom- ing the wife of an officer in the Patriot army. Her brothers never heard more concerning her. James went to Missouri and he also be- came lost to Thomas, who was the maternal grandfather of Mr. Humphreys. Thomas served through the entire period of the Rev- olutionary War and at its close he settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Margaret Mc- Cleland, who was also of Scotch-Irish ances- try. They lived in the Conococheague Valley. in Pennsylvania until the death of Thomas,

after which, when the youngest son became of age, the homestead was sold and a part of the family moved to Path Valley, Pennsylvania. They had children : John, James, William, Elizabeth, William McCleland, Robert Thomas and Mains.

William McCleland Wasson was a quar- termaster during the War of 1812 and after its close he settled at Dayton, Ohio, for a short time and then returned to Pennsylvania to search for his mother and brothers. He found that they also had gone to Ohio and became established in Radnor Township, Delaware County, and here he joined them. He was born April 28, 1790, and was married to Lucy Minter on April 3, 1828. She was born Sep- tember 3, 1799, and died August 30, 1864. They had seven children, the mother of Mr. Humphreys being the first born. William M. Wasson and wife lived on the farm now owned by Charles Gallant, in Radnor Town- ship, where Mr. Wasson died when his oldest child was 14 years of age. His widow was a very capable, energetic woman. She reared -her children carefully, gave them educational opportunities and four of them became teach- ers.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 101

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926