USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 76
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
The third generation in the line to the sub- ject of this sketch, was represented by Joseph, who was born in East Hartford, Connecticut, in 1683, and who died at Farmington, Con- necticut. April 29. 1751. He married Abigail Noyes, who died September 23. 1751.
Joseph and Abigail were the parents of David (fourth generation), who was born in Farmington, September 15, 1716. He mar- ried a widow, Mrs. Anna Hart, who was a daughter of Zebulon Deming, the date of the marriage being August 28, 17 -. She died October 30, 1804. He died after June, 1790.
Amos, son of David and Anna Hills, is the fifth link in our genealogical chain. He was born in 1745, and died at Farmington, Con- necticut, April 9, 1813. He married, in 1773, Rachel Lewis of Middletown, who was born in August. 1750, and died October 4, 1818.
Descending another generation, we come to James Harvey ( son of Amos), and grand- father of Fred P. Hills, who was born ia Farmington, Connecticut, March 8, 1782. He was educated at Yale College, and was a graduate in medicine, which he made his pro- fession. He removed to Darby Plains, Ohio, and thence to Worthington, coming to Dela- ware in 1822. At one time he was part owner of what is now the Ohio State Journal. In 1812 he marched with General Harrison to
510
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Fort Defiance. Here he was taken sick, and his wife rode 100 miles through the trackless forests to care for him, an instance of courage and endurance by no means uncommon among the women of pioneer days. Dr. Hills resided in Delaware from 1822 until his death, which occurred from milk fever, November 30. 1830. An estimate of his ability as a medical prac- titioner may be found in the chapter on the "Medical Profession," in this volume. He was a member of Hiram Lodge. No. 18. F. & A. MI., of Delaware. He married, in Sep- tember. 1801. Beulah Andrews, who was born April 6. 1784, and died June 22. 1866. They were the parents of eleven children.
Chauncey Hills, eighth son and child of Dr. James HI. and Beulah Hills, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Worthington, Ohio, October 7, 1816. He was quite young when the family came to Delaware, and he was but fourteen when his father died. He began at once. not only to be self-supporting, but also to help his mother. in spite of his youth, finding employment in teaching school. At the close of the session he found work in a printing office in Marion. Afterwards he endeavored to apprentice him- self to a saddler in Delaware, but a conflict arose at to who was to select the suit of clothes to be included in the compensation. and the engagement was not made. Mr. Hills did not propose. boy though he was, that any- one but himself should select his clothes. The positive tastes and views of the boy were ap- parent in the man, and were a potent factor in his long and successful career. Hle was
modest. unassuming, and courteous, and Dela- ware never had a more highly esteemed citt- zen. A period of work in a store was fol- lowed by study for the bar, but being offered a position in the leading general store of Dela- ware, he accepted. and his share of profits for the first year was $3.000, the beginning of his business success, and for more than forty years his name was identified with the dry-goods trade of Delaware.
In 1864 he purchased a small farm, which he augmented to 400 acres, and called "Crystal Spring Farm." from the beautiful spring of
clear crystal water located upon it. An inci- dent published in the atlas of the county, in 1875. and which was given by Elam Vining, who lived to be upward of ninety, and who was told the story by one of the resening party, lends interest to this spot.
"The Delaware and other tribes sent war parties into Pennsylvania to depredate, destroy and to take prisoners. One party was fol- lowed by a band of rescuers. They separated, and the Delawares came to their river camps. This party had a young white girl in captivity, and was traced by the pursuing party, among whom were two brothers of the prisoner, through Bowtown, and through the villages, all of which were deserted. The light of a fire glimmering to the north, directed their steps to an assembly of the Indians engaged in a war-dance. The maiden was seen fastened to a stake near a fire. It was early evening. and instant assault was ordered. \ volley from the whites killed one savage. wounded others, and put the rest to instant flight. The girl was released and the party returned home in triumph. The spot which is of interest for this rescue, is known as the Crystal Spring Farm, on Clear Run, Troy Township." The exact spot was at the spring.
The diversion which the farm afforded un- doubtedly added health and strength and years to Mr. Hills' life. In 1862 he moved from the city to the farm, and remained there 12 years, one of the happiest periods of his life. The land is limestone, situated in a fine gentle. roll- ing country, with magnificent groves of oaks and maples and other native trees, and pastures of rich blue grass.
Here. in 1854. was laid the foundation of his shorthorn herd, when the fine young bull, Master Miller 693. and the beautiful young Rose of Sharon heifer, Fanny Fern, by Prince Charles the Second 32113, were purchased of the Messrs. Renick. At this time and for six years thereafter. the late T. C. Jones, his brother-in-law, was associated with Mr. Hills, the firm being Hills & Jones. In 1862 the herd was divided. Mr. Hills also experi- mented with various breeds of sheep. but the Shropshires, of which he made many importa-
511
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
tions, were his favorites. His success as a breeder of shorthorns was well attested many years ago by the choice of numbers of his herd for export to Great Britain, where they graced the pastures of Lord Dunmore, at Stirling, and produced descendants that were most success- ful in the show-ring. Two animals which Mr. Hills bred. were shipped to England and sold for 1,500 guineas, about $7.500. He also bred thoroughbred Yorkshire hogs. In 1872. with his wife, and his son. Fred Palmer, he traveled extensively through Europe, and visited many of the leading flocks and herds of England.
In 1847 Mr. Ilills married Margaret Copp Williams, a niece of E. D. Morgan, who was at one time Governor of New York. They had a family of five sons and one daughter, namely : Frank A., born August 21. 1849; Fred Pal- mer, born October 4. 1851; Hosea W .. born July 30. 1853: Harry N., born March 20. 1855: John W., born November 24. 1856: James M., born December 10. 1858; and Katherine M .. born June 22, 1861, who mar- ried Dr. Ferris, of Brooklyn, New York, and died May 5. 1907. John W. Hills is one of the best known live-stock artists in the coun- try.
Chatney Hills, in addition to his farming and live-stock interests. was a director in sev- eral Delaware banks, and president of the Gas Company. All his business dealings were characterized by probity and honor, and he was personally a generous and helpful man. He was a fine horseman, and excelled in whatever he undertook, being always alert to take advantage of opportunities, and keeping ever before him the highest possible standard as a goal. He selected always the best things whenever he had a choice to make. He wrote numerous articles on the breeding of cattle and sheep for the Country Gentleman and other stock and agricultural papers. Mr. Hills died February 9. 1901, when past his eighty-fourth year, having accomplished much work of per- manent value to the community in which he had spent the greater part of his life.
Fred Palmer llills, the direct subject of this sketch, in his early youth attended the
school of Mrs. Murray, a well known educator of that day, and so continued his studies un- til his parents removed to their farm in Troy Township. He then passed under the care of a private tutor, Miss Elizabeth Williams, com- ing later under the tuition of Rev. James S. Campbell, who was at that time and for many years afterwards. superintendent of schools in Delaware. In 1870, in company with J. D. Wolfley, he went to Europe to master German and French, and to secure the culture that comes only from a residence abroad. They spent a year in Hanover, Germany, and an- other in Geneva. Switzerland, after which Mr. Hills devoted six months more to travel. The Franco-Prussian war broke out the first week after they landed in Germany, and they had an opportunity to witness a review of the Ger- man troops, as they marched up "Unter den Linden." by the statute of Frederick the Great, in Berlin. This was a rare opportunity, as the soldiers of all the various German states were clad in the uniforms of their respective states, or principalities, and presented a sight such as will probably never be seen again.
Upon his return to Delaware Mr. Hills engaged in the dry-goods business with his father, under the name of C. Hills & Company. He was already familiar with the business, as he had had experience in the store before going abroad, during his spare time. Later, with his brothers, John and Harry N., under the firm name of Hills Bros., he bought the business and continued it until 1882, when the three brothers sold out to John W. Hills and George Thirkield, the style of the firm be- coming Hills & Thirkield. In 1877 Chauney Hills. V. T. Hills, Frank A., and the subject of this sketch. formed the Hills Paper Com- pany, and bought the mill at Stratford from the estate of Mr. Hills' grandfather. Judge Hosea Williams. In 1882 they sold out to Edsall. Mills & Randall. Mr. Fred P. Hills then went to Europe and visited about twenty- five of the finest stock farms in Great Britain and on the continent. He purchased $6,000 worth of thoroughbred shorthorns, registered in the English herd books, among them being Wild Eyes Lassie. Windemere 3d. Countess of
512
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Oxford, Grand Duke Barrington 2d, and 100 Shropshire sheep. The Shropshire flock. which was started at Crystal Spring Farm, in 1876, and is now kept at Oakland Farm, is the oldest one in Ohio. The foundation stock was imported from several of the most dis- tinguished breeders in Great Britain. The sheep from this flock have had a strong influ- ence in improving the grade of sheep kept by the farmers throughout this section of the State.
After his return from Europe Mr. Hills gave his entire time to stock breeding on the home farm-Crystal Spring Farm, in Troy Township. In 1888 he became president of the First National Bank of Cardington, and since that time has spent one or two days there every week. He also has charge of Oakland Farm, in Peru Township, Morrow County, which is the property of his wife- her old home. Here they have about 60 head of thoroughbred shorthorn and polled Durham cattle. They have also about 20 horses, sev- eral of them thoroughbred Percherons. For 10 years Mr. Hills also bred thoroughbred Welsh ponies, and for a time, Angora goats.
In 1891 he helped to organize the Dela- ware Savings Bank Company, of Delaware, of which he has been cashier since 1892. He is also a director of the Delaware Gas Com- pany, and of the Delaware Ice and Coal Com- pany, and is treasurer of the Citizens' Tele- phone Company. He is interested in the Mineral Springs and Sanitarium Company, which is likely to be developed before long into a splendid property, and also in the Ode- vene Company, which controls a water equal to the springs at West Baden, Indiana. He also owns Greenwood Lake, which is a beauti- ful spot and a favorite resort for picnics.
Mr. Hills was married, October 16, 1884, to Mary, daughter of Isaac H. and Caroline (Clark) Pennock. Of this union there have been four children. of whom Beatrice, the first-born, died in infancy. The survivors are : Dorothy, Robert Pennock, and Mary Caroline. Dorothy, a bright and scholarly young lady, is attending private school in New York State. She is an accomplished musician, being an
able executant upon the violin, piano, mando- lin, and guitar. Robert also possesses musical ability, being a good ameteur performer on the flute. A taste for music is a family char- acteristic, as Mrs. Hills is an accomplished pianist, and Mr. Hills sang in the choir of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, of which all the family are members, from 1869 to 1907. He has also been treasurer of the church for five or six years. Personally Mr. Hills in- herits all of his father's best characteristics. Thorough in his business methods of unim- peached honor and probity, he is also in his manners all that is implied by the word gen- tleman, when used in its best and most com- prehensive sense. He and his family are among the most respected residents of Dela- ware County.
RIFFITH C. OWEN, general farmer and representative citizen, residing on his valuable property in Scioto Township, which comprises 193 acres of well-cultivated land, was born on this farm, October 11, 1847. His parents were John P. and Sarah ( Warren ) Owen.
John P. Owen was born in Wales. İn
1826 he came to America and resided in Oneida County, New York, until about 1834, when he came to Delaware County, Ohio. He was a carpenter and worked at his trade in different sections of the country, passing ten years in Louisiana. After he returned to Ohio he married and then settled on the farm which is now the property of his son, Griffith C. Only three acres had been cleared, and his first home was in a little log cabin which had been left by the former owner. This was re- placed in 1870, by the handsome brick resi- dence now standing. On this place, John P. Owen and wife spent the remainder of their . lives, which were years of industry, peace and good will toward all who came to their hos- pitable hearth. Mrs. Owen, whose maiden name was Sarah Warren, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and died May 8, 1877. She had survived her husband . some years, his
513
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
death having taken place December 1, 1874. Griffith C. Owen was reared on the home- stead farm, which he assisted his father in clearing and developing, and he has followed agriculture as an occupation from his youth up. The cultivating of his broad fields, and adding to his flocks and herds, have engaged his chief attention, but he lias also given some time to public business. Politically a Demo- crat, he was elected on that ticket trustee of Scioto Township and also justice of the peace, serving in the latter capacity for two years.
Mr. Owen was married first, January 27. 1870, to Melissa McFarlin, who was born March 4, 1847. in Delaware County, Ohio. and died November 10, 1899. leaving nine children-John W., Charles L., Frank R .. James W., Arnold G., George S .. Roy A .. Gertrude E., and Ollie M. Mr. Owen was married secondly to Clara Giller, who is a daughter of Augustus Giller, of Lima, Ohio. Mr. Owen has been identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. He belongs to the Encampment and is past grand of Olentangy Lodge, at Dela- ware.
J OHN FRANCIS GAYNOR, a lead- ing citizen of Delaware, a member of the City Council representing the Fourth Ward, was born at Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Anna ( Ferris) Gaynor.
The father of Mr. Gaynor was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1834, and came in 1756 to Delaware, where he died October 17, 1864. at the age of thirty years. He married Anna Ferris, also born in Ireland, who still survives, aged seventy-one years. They had two children-Elizabeth and John Francis.
John Francis Gaynor was a student in St. Mary's parochial school from early childhood until he was ten years old. The death of his father made it necessary that he should be- come self-supporting even at that tender age and he accordingly went to work in the chair
factory at Delaware, where he remained until 1894. He had started at the bottom of the ladder but through industry and capacity moved upward step by step until he became foreman of the large factory, which position he held for about fourteen years. He then went into the wholesale beer business with which he has been connected ever since, rep- resenting the Springfield Brewery, of Spring- field. For the past seven years he has also been engaged in a live stock business, mainly the buying and selling of horses. Mr. Gay- nor has accumulated considerable property. including a comfortable home in Delaware. He also owns stock in the Electric Rolling Milling Company of Delaware.
In 1893, Mr. Gaynor was married to Mar- tha A. Nelson, who is a daughter of Michael and Mary Nelson, residents of Delaware. They have one daughter, Anna Marie, who is a bright student in St. Mary's parochial school at Delaware. Mr. Gaynor is a member of Di- vision No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, at Delaware, of which he has been treasurer, and he has been county president for several years. He belongs also to the order of Eagles. Aerie No. 376, of Delaware, of which he has been both president and treasurer. Politically, Mr. Gaynor is identified with the Democratic party, and since early manhood he has taken an interest in public affairs. He wields a large amount of local influence and his election to the City Council in 1907, shows the estima- tion in which he is held by the people.
HARLES F. TURNER, superin- tendent of motive power for the Co- lumbus. Delaware and Marion Rail- way Company, with office and resi- dence at Stratford, Delaware Town- ship. was born in Van Wert. Van Wert County, Ohio, March 25. 1866. son of Ephraim and Frances V. (Sho- walter ) Turner. His paternal grandfather was a farmer who removed from Penn- sylvania to Licking County, Ohio. Ephraim Turner, who was a miller by trade, after his
31
514
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
marriage removed with his wife and eklest child-a daughter-to Van Wert, and subse- quently-about 1870-to Berrien County. Michigan. Here he died when the subject of this sketch was about five years old. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted, but was dis- charged from the service on account of ill health. Ilis wife Frances was a native of Fairfield, Ohio.
Charles F. Turner acquired his early ed- ucation in the schools of Berrien. County, Michigan. At quite an early age he became interested in the subject of electricity, which he first studied at home, after working hours. In order to obtain a sonnd theoretical knowl- edge of the science, he entered, in 1894, the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he took a special course in electrical engineering. lle then came into practical touch with the business, being employed successively by sev- eral large electric roads in different parts of Ohio and Michigan, and during the past eight or nine years he has been chief engineer for several such roads, having full charge of power and equipment. He entered upon the duties of his present position on January ist. 1908, but for five and a half years previously had been chief steam and electric engineer for the company.
The plant of which he has charge is one of the most modern and best equipped to be found anywhere, and gives employment to about fifty men, all of whom are under Mr. Turner's direction. The power plant contains one steam turbine of 2,000 kilowatt capacity, the latest type manufactured by the General Electric Company ; also an 800 kilowatt aux- iliary turbine of the same type. The plant runs twenty-four hours a day, and the latter engine is used for night work. Both are con- nected direct to the generators, which have a power of 2,300 volts. There is a steam-driven exciter of 25 K. W. and a motor-driven ex- citer of 75 K. W. There are fourteen pumps for various purposes: a battery of seven boil- ers of a total horsepower of 2,000, the fur- naces consuming forty-eight tons of coal per clay. In addition to the car barns and power plant, in the car-barn building is a fully
equipped machine shop, blacksmith shop, car- penter shop and paint shop.
Mr. Turner married Ella Ford, a daughter of Matthias Ford, of Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Stratford, and number many friends among the prominent residents of the township.
L LOYD K. WORNSTAFF, prominent among Ashley's younger generation of business men and citizens, is super- intendent of the village schools. He is a native of Oxford Township, hav- ing been born on the old home place Septem- ber 19, 1881, and is a son of Sperry and Mary E. ( Weiser ) Wornstaff.
Upon the completion of his early educa- tional training in the public schools of Ash- ley. Mr. Wornstaff matriculated at Ohio Wes- leyan University at Delaware, and in 1905 re- ceived the degree of A. B. The following au- tumn his professional career as an instructor began with the position as superintendent of the schools at Shauck, Ohio, in which capacity he served two years. So successful was he in his work that in 1907 he was called to fill a similar position in the schools of his home town of which he is a graduate. He is as- sisted in his work by a corps of five teachers and it is a curious fact that every one of them is a resident of Ashley and a graduate of the school in which he now teaches.
June 12. 1907, Mr. Wornstaff was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wilt, who was born in Ashley and is a daughter of J. F. and Emma (Clifton ) Wilt. After completing the prescribed course in the public schools of her home town, she attended Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity and was graduated in 1903 in vocal and instrumental music. This was supple- mented by a course of study in the Chicago Conservatory of Music, after which she en- gaged in teaching and concert work in Chi- cago for two years. Endowed with a voice of quality and having received the most care- ful training her work met with flattering suc-
515
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
cess. Fraternally Mr. Wornstaff is a member of the college order Phi Delta Theta. He also belongs to the Ashley Lodge of Free Masons.
HOMAS J. WINSTON, junior men- ber of the firm of Manville & Winston, leading business men of Ostrander, and a grain and stock farmer of Scioto Township, was born in New- ark. Ohio, September 15, 1844, and is a son of Timothy and Elizabeth ( Jones) Winston, The parents of Mr. Winston were born in Wales.
Timothy Winston was a pattern-maker by trade but when he came first to America and settled near Newark, Ohio, he followed farm- ing. After his marriage he established hin- self in the furniture business at Covington, Kentucky, where he prospered for some five years, subsequently losing his stock through the explosion of a boiler and the fire which followed. He next engaged in the wash-board manufacture, at Cincinnati, but was again burned out. For a third time he lost all he had when his saw-mill burned. several years later, at Fulton, then a suburb of Cincinnati. These many disasters proved too much for even a man of his energy and courage and a mortal sickness came on him and he died in 1854. aged forty-three years. He died in the belief that his widow and children would not be left entirely unprovided for, in spite of his many losses, as he had a farm in Illinois on which coal had been found. Again misfor- tune visited the family, as the administrator of the estate only remained in charge long enough to realize on every asset and then left the country for Australia, having no concern about Mrs. Winston's almost penniless condi- tion. She remained at Cincinnati until 1858 and then took her two surviving children and went to Columbia County, Wisconsin, where she died in 1860, aged 39 years.
Timothy Winston was married twice, his second wife being the mother of Thomas J. Winston, of Scioto County. Of his family born to his first marriage, the following reached maturity : Samuel and Gwen, both
now deceased; Mary, who is the widow of James Hackett, of Cincinnati., and Sarah, now deceased, who married Joseph Mur- ray, of Cincinnati. There were four children born of the second marriage, two of whom reached maturity, Thomas J., and Ed- ward, the latter of whom is deceased. Tim- othy Winston was a man of more than usual parts. Combined with moral and physical courage, he was energetic and far-seeing, quick to grasp opportunities and able to mould them to his purpose. He was a member of the Town Council at Newark, Ohio, and took an active interest in public matters in every place in which he lived. For thirty years he was identified with the Odd Fellows.
Thomas J. Winston resided from 1858 until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in Columbia County, Wisconsin. He was a mere youth when he entered Company D, Six- teenth Regiment. Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and during this term of enlistment of three months duration, he was never called on to leave the State. When the call came for three-year men. he re-enlisted and the regi- ment was then accepted as a part of the Fed- eral Army. From the mustering camp at Madison, Mr. Winston, with his regiment. went to Cairo, Illinois, then down the river to Pittsburg Landing, then on to Corinth, par- ticipating in the siege and battles there. From Corinth the regiment was ordered to Holly Springs, thence to Louisville and on to Vicks- burg. The brigade to which Mr. Winston was connected was sent to Lake Providence, Louisiana, and engaged in opening the famous canal that was to connect the Mississippi river with Lake Providence. Mr. Winston relates that when the levee was tapped and the water was admitted. it spread so rapidly, on account of the high water in the lake at that time, that for a distance of fifty miles the entire low lands were submerged and the men of the reg- iment were obliged to climb trees in order to avoid being drowned. For some three weeks. only the upper stories of houses in this region could be used. Sickness, during this time, sadly decimated the ranks and at one time there were only six men in Company D. who
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.