Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 75

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 75

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

and in 1868 Mr. Bird moved to Scioto Town- ship. Delaware County. For a number of years he was a deacon in the old stone Pres- byterian Church of South Radnor.

Oliver Perry Bird was educated in the schools of Scioto Township and the Delaware Business College. Ile then spent a year in Texas, after which he was employed for three years with the Northern Pacific Railroad at Jamestown. North Dakota. In 1892, he re- turned to Delaware County and was engaged in farming in Concord Township until 1902, when he came into possession of the old home- stead, a well-improved farm of sixty-three acres. where he carries on general farming and stock raising. In 1904, Mr. Bird formed a partnership with James Richey, under the firm name of Bird & Richey, for the business of operating two stone quarries in Concord Township, and in 1906, with the admission of Mr. Christian. the firm acquired eighty acres of quarry land where a large business is done in crushed stone. The firm gives employment to twenty-five men and has the contract for filling twenty miles of county turnpikes.

September 23. 1886, Mr. Bird married Harriet J. Hughs, who is a daughter of Jo- seph E. Hughs. a resident of Concord Town- ship, and they have four children, namely : Catherine, who married John Richey, of War- rensburg, and has two children-Naomi and Jo K .: and Marie, Mary Marsena and Lucy Trove. The family belong to the old stone Presbyterian Church of South Radnor.

Up to 1896 Mr. Bird was identified with the Republican party, but has since been an in- dependent voter. He has been frequently elec- ted to office by his fellow-citizens. For four years he served as township clerk, in Concord Township, for three years has been clerk of the School Board of Scioto Township, has been a delegate to many conventions, and has always taken an active part and done useful work in public emergencies. In 1900 he com- piled a very complete map of Delaware County, Formerly a member of Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M., at Delaware he was demitted to Ostrander, and has never lost his interest in Free Masonry. Hle belongs to Bellpoint

500

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

Lodge, Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and he is a member of the Encampment at Jamestown, North Dakota.

PERRY WINTERMUTE, who, for a quarter of a century was a success- ful business man and valued citizen of Delaware, was born near Zanes- ville. Ohio, December 15, 1832, and died at Delaware, January 31, 1908. Mr. Wintermute came to Delaware in 1882 and embarked in a hardware business and from that date until within a few years of his death was an active business man of this city. He was a loyal and patriotic citizen and during the Civil war he served in the Federal army as a member of the One Hundred and Forty- fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. For fourteen years he was adjutant of the George B. Torrence Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Delaware.

In 1858, Mr. Wintermute was married at Zanesville, Ohio, to Ettie A. Buckmaster, who survives him. They had four children, namely: Nina W., now Mrs. J. T. Skidmore, residing at Chillicothe, Missouri; Pearl W .. now Mrs. Rae D. Henkle, residing at Cleve- land: Dr. R. C., and Willie E., both of whom are now deceased.

From boyhood, Mr. Wintermute had been a member of the Baptist Communion, and for a space of twenty years he was a deacon in the First Baptist Church at Delaware. He was ever liberal with his means in behalf of charit- able and benevolent purposes, both in and out- side the church, and the poor and needy al- ways found in him a friend. Mr. Wintermute was one of the oldest Free Masons in Ohio. the date of his admission to the fraternity be- ing 1857. Ile loyally kept his pledges and was widely known in the organization and when he died he was laid to rest with Masonic honors. Ile was a man of strong convictions and never feared to follow a path he deemed right. sometimes in the face of opposition. This was particularly so when he assisted in the organization of the strong anti-saloon so- ciety known as The Sons of Temperance.

EORGE P. MILLS, who makes a speciality of stock-raising on his farm of 280 acres, which is situated in Scioto Township, was born in Genoa Township, Delaware County. Ohio. April 15. 1838, that being Easter Sunday. His parents, Pierson and Elizabeth ( Cramp- ton ) Mills, came to Ohio in 1836, from the vicinity of Patterson, Putnam County, New York, bringing with them their older children. The father was a blacksmith by trade and also engaged in farming. In 1838 he settled on a farm in Radnor Township. Delaware County. . on which he lived until 1846, when he moved to Thompson Township, where he engaged in work at his trade until 1853. He then re- tired to Radnor Village, where he died in Au- gust. 1874. He married Elizabeth Crampton, and they were the parents of thirteen children. the survivors of the family being as follows: Esther, who resides at Delaware: George P. : Nancy, who married Levi Bechtel, resides at Bellefontaine, Ohio: Rosanna, who is the widow of Hugh Stevens, and lives at Troy. Ohio. Of those now deceased : Hannah was the wife of John J. Flemming, of Prospect. Ohio; William lived at Glenwood, Iowa: Sa- rah was the wife of Edward Covill; and Ma- ria Theresa was the wife of Alfred Rodman. Both parents were exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a local preacher during his residence in Rad- nor Township, and he was accustomed to cover the Delphi Circuit on horseback.

George P. Mills went to school through boyhood in a log structure in the neighbor- hood of his home, and' afterward taught school for several winters, first in Marion County, Ohio, and later in Jones County. Iowa. He remained in Iowa from 1860 until 1863, when he went to Montana, where he worked in the gold mines more or less con- tinuously until 1866. when he returned to Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio. There he followed farming for ten years, after which he came to Scioto Township. In 1883, he bought the Freshwater farm which contains 280 acres, and on this large extent of land he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. His land is well adapted to growing corn, oats and

501

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

hay, and to stock-raising. At the present writing he has in his fields and pastures, thirty polled Durham cattle, 220 Delaine sheep, and many head of hogs.

On August 17. 1868, Mr. Mills was mar- ried to Isadore E. Hammond, who is a daugh- ter of Noah and Jane Hammond. Mrs. Mills was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 14, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have seven children, as follows: Mande, who is a teacher in the public schools of Ostrander: Mary, who resides at Delaware, engaged in the prac- tice of dentistry; Mark P .: George P., Jr., who resides in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio; Hattie, who' married Harlan Gordon, resides at Marion, Ohio; and Ed- ward, who lives at Lamoure, North Dakota.

Mr. Mills is not identified with either of the great political parties. His father was a Democrat. but for a number of years he has cast his vote for all candidates according as they appealed to his sense of fitness for office. He has frequently served his fellow-citizens in responsible township positions, having always taken an active interest in promoting the best interests of his community. For seven years he assume:1 the responsibilities and duties of township trustee and for some twenty years has served on the School Board. He is one of the township's substantial citizens and rep- resentative men. The family residence, which was erected in 1870, is constructed of bricks, and is finished in its interior entirely with black walnut, from trees grown on the place.

HERMAN REID, a prominent repre- sentative of the business interests of Delaware, until recently engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery line. on North Sandusky Street. was born in 1867. in Union County. Ohio, where he was reared, and educated, and first entered into business as a grocery clerk.

Mr. Reid came to Delaware when about twenty years of age, and for two years was a clerk in a grocery store. He then embarked in the same line, in partnership with ex-Post-

master L. Potter, the firm name being Potter & Reid, which continued for fourteen years. After Mr. Potter retired from business in or- der to enter the political field, Mr. Reid con- tinued the business alone, handling a large trade both retail and wholesale, and having traveling representatives. He has recently re- tired from the grocery business, having sold his interests to the Kirchner Brothers, and is about to engage in other business. He is in- terested also in real estate at Delaware, Co- lumbus, Marion, and other points, and in ad- dition to these interests, he is a director of the Standard Novelty Company. the Mahoning Oil Company, and other enterprises.

In 1888. Mr. Reid was married to Emma Burns, of Union County, and they have five children, namely : Lelia Pauline. George Clif- ford. Percival B., Frederick Sherman, and Richard Everett. Mr. Reid and family be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a member of its Board of Trustees. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans. Mr. Reid takes a good citizen's interest in civic matters and has served on the City Council.

CLASON REID, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on his valuable estate of fifty-two acres, in Troy Township, makes a specialty of the fancy poultry in- dustry. conducting, in partnership with his brother. Charles C. Reid, the Olentangy Poul- try Yards. He was born in Delaware, Ohio, October 13, 1869, and is a son of Hon. Wil- liam P. and Emmaletta ( Chamberlain ) Reid.

The late Hon. William P. Reid was a na- tive of Ashley, Ohio. For many years he was a prominent citizen of Delaware County, serv- ing in the State Legislature and gaining great reputation at home as a criminal lawyer. His death took place in 1879. The surviving mem- bers of his family are: M. Clason, whose name appears at the head of this article : Wil- liam P., residing at Toledo : Charles C., resid- ing at Delaware; and Isabel, who married Prof. Edwin C. Woolley. The latter fills the

502

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

chair of English Literature, in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison.

M. Clason Reid was educated in the com- mon and high schools at Delaware, where he continued to live until the fall of 1906, when he came to his present farm in Troy Town- ship. He made a scientific study of the busi- ness in which he is engaged and has proved the practical value of the modern methods he employs. His farm has been stocked with only registered cattle, hogs and poultry, the value of which could be expressed only in large figures. The Reid Brothers are raising Red Polled cattle, Duroc Red hogs, Bourbon Red turkeys and Rhode Island Red chickens, finding a good and ready market for all they can produce. The industry is a growing one and the prospects of the firm are very bright.

On October 29, 1903, Mr. Reid was mar- ried to Mary Kraus, who was born in Dela- ware, and who is a daughter of George and Helena Kraus. Mr. Reid is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church at Delaware, while his wife belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Following in the footsteps of his late father, Alr. Reid is a stanch Democrat, and like him, he is also a man of public spirit. He belongs to the order of Eagles, at Dela- ware, and to the Olentangy Lodge, of Odd Fellows, No. 53, in which he has passed all the chairs. Ile is one of Troy Township's most enterprising and progressive citizens.

R OBERT J. COX, formerly post- master for five years at Delaware, where he has lived somewhat retired for a number of years, was born in 1837, in a house on the city lot that is now the site of his present dwelling, it then being a part of his father's farm. He is the only child born to his parents, Thomas W. and Ann P. (Jones) Cox, the latter of whom was a sister of Judge Jones. The father of Mr. Cox was born in Warwickshire, England, and came to Delaware County, Ohio, and engaged in farming. Both he and wife died at Dela- ware, where he had followed his trade of house painting, for some years.

Robert J. Cox was reared in Delaware County, and assisted in the management of the home farm, also learning the painter's trade. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty- sixth Regiment O. V. I. He was mustered into the service at Columbus, served eighteen monts in Virginia, and in 1864 was mustered ont, returning to Delaware and resuming work as a painter. For five years, during the administration of President MeKinley, he served as postmaster of this city and has held other public offices. He has been a very ac- tive member of the Republican party, and for ten years was chairman of the Republican County committee, of which he was a member for eighteen years. He is a director in the Fidelity Building and Loan Association and has other business interests. As commander of George B. Torrence Post, No. 60, Grand Army of the Republic, at Delaware, Mr. Cox is widely known in Grand Army circles through the State. He is also prominent in Masonry, being a member of the Blue Lodge. Chapter and Council at Delaware, of the Com- mandery at Marion, and of Aladdin Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Columbus.

MIOMAS S. JONES, general farmer. of Scioto Township, owns a highly cultivated farm of fifty acres and is one of the representative citizens of this section. He was born in Con- cord Township. Delaware County, Ohio, Oc- tober 30. 1875, and is a son of Perry J. and Ellen Jane ( Murfield ) Jones.

Perry J. Jones, father of Thomas S., was also a native of Scioto Township, where he died September 13, 1900, aged fifty-one years. He continued to farm the old home- stead until 1886, when he moved to the farm now owned by his son, Thomas S. He was a Democrat, but took no very active part in politics. He married a daughter of George Murfield, who was a substantial farmer of Concord Township. Of their eight children. seven reached maturity, namely: Thomas S. ; Harrison W., residing at Ostrander; Susan. who married William Holly, of Liberty

503

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Township: William, residing in Scioto Town- ship: Ernest, residing at Ostrander; Lena. who married Eram Hall, of Liberty Town- ship: and Myrtle M., who married Henry Stawser, of Concord Township. Some years after the death of her first husband. Mrs. Jones married Thomas Harris and they re- side in Paulding County, Ohio. £ She is a member of the United Brethren Church. The Jones family is of Welsh extraction and the grandfather of Thomas S. Jones came to Del- aware County from Pennsylvania. In his early years he followed shoemaking, but he was a man of such excellent business qualifi- cations that he soon enlarged his interests and in the course of time became one of the most extensive buyers of stock in this section. Ile married Laand Stottlemyer, and he died at Bellpoint about 1884.

Thomas S. Jones was educated in the schools at Bellpoint and White Sulphur, and remained on the home farm until his mar- riage. He then engaged in farming in Craw- ford County, and so continued until 1905, when he purchased the home farm and has continued its cultivation ever since. He raises all the leading cereals but makes corn his main crop, and he keeps about forty head of hogs. twenty of sheep and five of cattle, doing a safe and satisfactory business. On October 4. 1900, Mr. Jones was married to Lottie Haz- lett, who was reared in Crawford County, and who is a daughter of Mason Hazlett, of Sci- oto Township. They have had four children. the survivors bearing the names respectively of Ardice Marie, and Mary Florence. The two deceased were Bertha Elizabeth and Ruth Arline. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the United Brethren Church at Ostrander, and the former is a stanch Republican in politics.

HARLES M. ULREY, proprietor of the only cigar-box manufactory in Delaware County, located at No. 17 W. William Street, is a native of Bethel, Clermont County, Ohio, and son of William W. and Martha ( Harris) Ul- rey. On the paternal side he is of German an-

cestry. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade under his father. and worked at it with him for several years. In 1882 he came to Delaware, where his brother William was established in business as a photographer. This business he learned under his brother's direction and remained with his brother until 1885. at which time he gave up photography on account of his health.

He then went to work in a box factory. and in 1895 purchased his present business. which had been established in the early 80's by John Bradbeer. His factory turns out about 500 boxes per day, and he supplies nearly all the cigar factories in Delaware, his trade also extending to other parts of the State. He keeps from six to seven hands con- stantly employed.

Mr. Ulrey has attained his present posi- tion as a prosperous manufacturer by his own energy and thrift and by an intelligent grasp of his opportunities. The elements of success or of failure are inherent in every man's char- acter. and Mr. Ulrey has shown unmistake- ably that he is not to be counted among the failures. Ile is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, serving three years as captain of the Uniformed Rank, and has been recently elected for another year. He also be- longs to the Independent Order of Foresters, of the local lodge of which he is a charter member.

Mr. Ulrey married Josephine, daughter of Jacob Koch, of Adelphi, Ohio, and has one son-Howard Stanley. The family are prom- inent members of St. Paul's Methodist Epis- copal Church, Mr. Clrey being librarian of the Sunday school and leader of the orchestra. He possesses considerable musical ability. es- pecially as an executant upon various brass instruments. He served nine months as cor- net player in the Seventh United States Cav- alry, enlisting in the spring of 1882. and be- ing discharged at the end of the time men- tioned on account of ill health. Mr. Ulrey's industrial achievements are an integral factor in the business life of Delaware, and as such are worthy of prominent mention by the local historian.

504

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

ILLIAM C. BOVEY, notary pub- lie at Ostrander and a leading citi- zen, engaged in the carriage and wagon manufacturing industry. was born at Plain City, Ohio, May 2. 1859, and is a son of Emanual and Annie ( Winget ) Bovey.

The father of Mr. Bovey was born in Maryland and died in Alabama in 1899. He learned the trade of carriage-maker in his own State and followed it there and for a short time at Newark, Ohio, to which city he came prior to his marriage, which later took place at Ostrander. He then moved to Delaware and a few years later to Plain City, and in 1889 to Athens, Alabama. He owned 160 acres of land in that vicinity and followed farming together with work at his trade un- til his death. He was a Democrat in his po- litical views. He married Annie, a daughter of Ezra Winget, of Ostrander, Ohio, and five of their children reached mature age, namely : Mary, now deceased, who married Walter Morrison, also now deceased; William C., whose name appears at the head of this article ; C. L. V. Bovey, who resides at Warrensburg. Ohio: Emma, who married James W. McKit- trick. of Ostrander: and Martin, who is de- ceased. The parents of the above mentioned family were worthy Christian people, the father being a member of the German Baptist Church and the mother the Presbyterian Church.

William C. Bovey was educated in the public schools of Ostrander. He learned the trade of carriage and wagon-making with his father, and also learned blacksmithing. later acquiring a practical knowledge of carriage painting. Thus he is competent to do any kind of work required in his manufactory, be- ing able to construct, himself, every part of a vehicle and turn out a finished product. He probably has no equal in the county in this re- spect. When his father left Ostrander in 1880, he embarked in a general store business. which he continued for two years and then opened his present establishment. a commodi- ous. well-arranged business house, which Mr. Bovey has occupied ever since. llis ground

floor is mainly taken up with stock and his paint shop is on the second floor. He builds wagons and carriages to order and does repair work, having the larger part of the custom from the surrounding territory.

Mr. Bovey was married first to Nellie Rowland, a daughter of John Rowland, of Radnor Township, and they had three chil- dren-Annie, who married Lewis Howison, of Bellpoint: Ernest, who resides at Plain City : and Ethel, who married Raleigh Willis, residing in Liberty Township. Mr. Bovey was married secondly to Clementine Carrier, a daughter of Joseph Carrier. of Ridgeville, In- cliana, and they have the following children : Chloie, Frances C., Hazel Eldora, Dale, Car- lyle, and Mary Ivadel. Mr. and Mrs. Bovey are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for nine years. He is very active in Sunday-school and philan- thropic work.

Mr. Bovey is a leading Democrat of Del- aware County, and a very influential factor in the public affairs of Scioto Township. He served as township clerk for eight years, for four years was clerk of the corporation of Os- trander, and for four years has been a notary public. Fraternally, he belongs to Ostrander Lodge, No. 348 Knights of Pythias, and both he and wife belong to the auxiliary order of Pythian Sisters, in which Mrs. Bovey has held the office of mistress of finance.

P ETER J. SCHAAF. proprietor of the Brookside Farm, a successful breeder of Percheron horses and a leading agriculturist of Troy Township, re- sides on his valuable farm of almost 100 acres, which was the scene of his birth. July 20, 1854.

His parents, Peter J. and Jacobina D. ( Wagner) Schaaf, were both born in Ger- many. The father was brought to America by his parents when he was seven years of age, and was reared in Marion County, Ohio. Following his marriage he came to Troy Township and settled on the farm which his

FRED PALMER HILLS

CHAUNCEY HILLS

509

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

son and namesake, Peter J., now owns, and here he died in December, 1880. His wife, Jacobina, was eleven years old when her par- ents came to America, they settling on the farm in Delaware County on which she and her husband resided after their marriage. Her father, John Wagner, was a well-known pioneer. The surviving children of Peter J. and Jacobina D. Schaaf are: Anna, who married Peter Weisman, residing in Paulding County; Peter J., subject of this sketch, residing in Troy Town- ship: Rev. John C., pastor of the Reformed Church at Canfield, Ohio; Flora E., who mar- ried C. N. Cole, residing at Providence, Rhode Island: Edward W., a resident of Denver, Colorado: Ella F., who married A. P. Rode- fer, residing in Troy Township; and Annetta L., who married George Romoser, and resides at Cardington, Ohio. The mother of the above mentioned family died in June, 1904. The father was a man of prominence in the Reformed Church and also in the public af- fairs of the township. Of him it could be truly said that his word was as good as his bond.

Peter J. Schaaf. Jr .. was reared in Troy Township, which has always been his home. Many members of the family have established themselves in far-away sections, but he has found sufficiently favorable opportunities in the section in which he was born. For a quar- ter of a century he has been engaged in breed- ing registered Percheron horses, and the ani- nals turned out from Brookside Farm, have been noted for their good form and fine points. according to established standards.

Mr. Schaaf was first married to Rosa Mar- tin, who was a daughter or Rev. Benjamin Martin, of Ashley, Ohio. She died leaving one daughter, Carrie R., who was educated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and is a popular and successful teacher in the public schools. Mr. Schaaf married secondly Mrs. Helen Strawhacker, who was the widow of George Strawhacker, formerly of Medina County, and a daughter of Michael Grunin- ger. Mr. Schaaf is a member of the Re- formed Church and a liberal contributor to its support, attending services at Waldo, Ohio. In politics he is a Democrat.

RED PALMER HILLS, cashier of the Delaware Savings Bank Company, and president of the First National Bank of Cardington, Ohio, was born October 4. 1851. He comes of old colonial stock, being a descendant in the eighth generation of William Hills, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on the ship "Lyon" from England, in September, 1632. He prob- ably died at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1683. He was married three times. His first wife. from whom the subject of this sketch is de- scended, was Phillis, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Osborne) Lyman, who emigrated from High Onger, Essex County, England, in 1631.

The next in the present line of descent was William, second, who was born in Hartford. Connecticut, about 1646, and who was buried at Hartford, August 15, 1693.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 75

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