Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 79

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 79

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).

Joseph H. Rittenhouse was reared in Dover Township, Union County, where he en- joyed excellent school advantages. He was but eighteen years of age when he became a soldier in defence of the Union, enlisting Au- gust 8, 1862, in Company F, Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was later transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, being one of nine extra men in the former regiment. He con- tinued with this regiment without losing a day, participating in all its dangers until June 27. 1864, when he was wounded in the hip at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, the injury being of so serious a nature that he was dis- abled for further service and he received his honorable discharge on May 30, 1865, the day preceding his twenty-first birthday.

Mr. Rittenhouse then returned to Union County, and when he had sufficiently recuper- ated, he engaged in farming which he followed there until 1872, when he came to Ostrander. Here lie has since resided, being closely identi- fied with some of the most important interests of the place. For many years after coming here he was engaged in shipping stock and he then became a member of the present firm. In 1892, poor health caused his temporary retire- ment from business, but in 1906, with return- ing health came renewed interests in business affairs and since then he has been very active.

Mr. Rittenhouse married Amanda Carr, who died December 6, 1906. at the age of fifty-nine years. She was a daughter of Evan and Phœbe Carr, residents of Scioto Town- ship. Seven children were born to Mr. Ritten- house and wife, five of whom reached ma- turity, namely: Hugh C., a resident of Co- lumbus; Ilenry E., who resides in Virginia ; Iva Lou, who married I. N. Gardner, residing at Columbus; Kerr, residing at New Streets- ville, Ohio; and Bertha, who is a resident of Crestline. In politics, Mr. Rittenhouse is a Republican. He is a member and past com- mander of Tanner Post, No. 531, Grand Army of the Republic.

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HOMAS F. DYE. the efficient super- intendent of the State Girls' Indus- trial Home, at Delaware, was born February 14, 1860, in Meigs County, Ohio, and is a son of Martin and Martha ( Berkely) Dye.

The parental grandfather. Martin Dve, was born in Pennsylvania and removed from that State to Meigs County, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers. His father. Thomas Dye, was probably born in England. The father of Thomas F. Dye followed agriculture in Meigs County all his life. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Thomas F. Dye was educated in the schools of Meigs County, and remained until he was seventeen years old on his father's farm, when he engaged in farming for himself. From early manhod he has been identified with poli- tics and almost from that time has held pub- lic and responsible offices. His first township election was to membership on the Board of Education, his second to membership on the Board of Trustees, and at the general elec- tion in 1893. he was made county commis- sioner and served seven years as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Meigs County. On April 27, 1901. he was appointed by Gov- ernor Nash a member of the Board of Man- agers of the Ohio State Reformatory for Boys at Mansfield, and served on that board for over three years. On April 1. 1904. he was elected superintendent of the Board of Trustees of the Girls' Industrial Home at Delaware.

Mr. Dye is a man of striking personality. Few men have a more accurate knowledge of the industrial institutions of Ohio than he- knowledge that has been gained from years of experience. He has been active in advocating and securing appropriations for a half dozen of the large buildings which have been added to the Girls' Home, in the past three years. Mainly through his efforts, what is known as the "cottage plan" has been adopted, and a building recommended and designed by him. for the accommodation of seventy members of the class designated Merit, has recently been completed. It is a fine building. equipped

with all modern conveniences, with spacious halls, reading and reception parlors, well fur- nished sleeping rooms, with the floors covered with attractive rugs. It is the idea to develop in the girls, by such attractive surroundings. a proper pride, that may act as a healthy stimu- lus to them after leaving the institution and inspire them to worthy and successful effort in the carrying out of their subsequent careers. While this building will accommodate no more than twenty per cent of the inmates, it stands as a reward for excellency in studies and meri- torions deportment. It cannot but have a healthy influence on the life of all those who become its inmates, and the bread thus scat- tered on the waters may come back to Superin- tendent Dye increased a thousand fold.

On September 29, 1879, Mr. Dye was mar- ried to Addie C. Douglas, who is a daughter of John and Emeline Douglas, of Downing- ton, Ohio. They have had four children. one daughter and three sons, namely: Mattie Blanche, John Martin, Douglas Franklin and Charles Herman. In political sentiment, Mr. Dye is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Harrisonville Lodge, No. 411, F. & .A. M., of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of the World. Since he was six- teen years of age he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HOMAS J. GRIFFIN, who is engaged in a grocery business in Delaware. with commodious quarters at No. 177 East Central Avenue, is interested in a number of the other successful busi- ness enterprises of this city. He was born in 1857. in Delaware, in the same city ward in which he still resides, and is a son of James Griffin, who was born in Ireland and who came to Delaware in 1835.

Thomas J. Griffin spent his early life as a school-boy and as an employe of several of the city's industrial plants. He then took up railroading, working for four years as a fire- man and nine years as a freight engineer, and subsequently spending four years in the pas-

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

senger service. For six years he served in the office of chairman of the Locomotive En- gineers' organization and for two years was chairman of the Adjustment Board of that body. Since leaving the railroad, in 1895. Mr. Griffin has been engaged in a grocery business and in looking atter his investments in other concerns. He owns a one-fourth in- terest in the Electric Rolling Mill Company. and is a director in the Delaware National Bank. in the People's Building and Loan Com- pany, and in the Electric Light. Heat and Power Company. For six years he served in the City Council.

In 1902, Mr. Griffin was married to Bessie Agnes Quilter, who is a daughter of Daniel Quilter of Fremont, Ohio. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. His fraternal connections are with the Knights of Colum- bus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Elks and the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers. As a thoughtful citizen he has ever taken more or less interest in politics, but is in no sense a politician. His business inter- ests are comprehensive and he possesses the capacity to look carefully after them.

HOMAS B. NEWHOUSE, a leading citizen and prominent agriculturist of Scioto Township, residing on his finely-improved farm of 180 acres. was born in this township, on the farm of his grandfather, Samuel Newhouse. January 30. 1866. His parents were Alexan- der and Hannah ( Bryson) Newhouse.

The Newhouse family originated in Eng- land and the first of the name known in Amer- ica settled in Loudon County. Virginia, in 1740. Anthony Newhouse, the great-grandfa- ther of Thomas B. Newhouse, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, February 10, 1772. When he was about four years of age his fa- ther left home to serve in the Patriot army in the Revolutionary War, and he was eight years old when his father died in the service. Anthony assisted his widowed mother to rear the younger children. He was connected with

several military movements, first in 1794. when he enlisted to assist in supressing what was known as the Whiskey Rebellion, and again, in 1812, when he was a member of John Boggs' Company that went as far as Fort Defiance, in the Indian troubles on the border. In 1798 he spent six months at Wheeling and from there went to Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania, where he was married March 28, 1799, to Nancy Coons.

In the early part of 1800, with his father- in-law. John Coons, and Henry Moore, he moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, the women of the part going down the Ohio River on an old-fashioned keel boat. the only one running at that period, while the men took what was called the Zanes trail. The pioneers settled on a partly cleared tract of Government land. where the Indians had made some attempts at cultivation, on Scipio Creek, in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County. At that time the nearest settlements were Chillicothe and Lancaster, the former thirteen and the latter eighteen miles distant. They subsisted on corn which was brought on horseback from Marietta and was reduced to meal by home- made utensils, and on game which was abund- ant all through the forests. For many years their life was primitive, and while they had no luxuries and few of the comforts of life. they probably had as much contentment as many of the present generation who are able to make lavish expenditures. In January. 1814. Anthony Newhouse sold his farm of 160 acres in Pickaway County and bought 200 acres in Scioto Township, Delaware County, bringing his family, his household be- longings and some of his stock to the new home in May of that year.

Samuel Newhouse, the grandfather of Thomas B., was born in Scioto Township. August 29. 1817. In 1838, he married Saralı McGee, who was born in 1816. Of their eight children, five survived infancy, namely : Nancy, Alexander, William, Nathan and Mar- tha. Samuel Newhouse followed agricultural pursuits all his life and when he could not work his land he made barrels, having learned the cooper's trade. He was one of the foun-

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ders of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this section, and he was one of the promoters of the organization known as the Sons of Temperance.

Alexander Newhouse, son of Samuel and father of Thomas B., was born September 27. 1840, in Scioto Township. Delaware County, Ohio. He attended the district schools of the township and grew to manhood on his father's farm. After his marriage he moved to Adams County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for nine years. He then returned to Scioto Township and settled on his present farm of 115 acres. For some twelve years he lived retired. but during his active period he raised a large amount of stock and also much grain and hay. In August, 1864. he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Com- pany C. One Hundred and Twenty-first Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was ordered to Kentucky and later to Tennessee, where Mr. Newhouse became so ill that he was returned to Camp Dennison. Later, when the call was made for 100-day men, he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed near Washington, D. C. During the term of his first enlistment he participated in the battle of Perryville.

Alexander Newhouse has three children by his first marriage, namely: Thomas B., Wil- liam, and Edgar. The mother of these chil- dren. Mrs. Hannah Bryson Newhouse, died while the family were residing in Illinois. Mr. Newhouse subsequently married Lydia Hill, of which union there is one child, Marie, who is now the wife of Earl Dunlap, of Scioto Township. Mr. Newhouse is a member of the old stone Presbyterian Church of South Radnor, in which he is an elder. He is a Dem- ocrat in his political views.

Thomas B. Newhouse was about one year old when his parents moved to Adams County, Illinois, and he was ten when the family re- turned to Scioto Township, where he com- pleted his education. He continued to live on the home farm until his marriage, and in 1806 he settled on his present place, thirty acres of which belonged to the farm which his great-

grandfather. Anthony Newhouse, secured for two dollars an acre almost 100 years ago. Mr. Newhouse cultivates about 120 acres of his land, devoting from forty to fifty to hay, forty to corn, and twenty to oats, and having a large amount of hay to sell. He keeps twenty-five head of cattle, thirty of hogs, forty of pigs. and twenty-five Delaine ewes, from which he breeds. Mr. Newhouse's surroundings are those of an enterprising and progressive far- mer : his land is so thoroughly tilled, his stock is in such excellent condition, and all of his buildings are substantial in character, and attractive to the eye. His fine two-story frame residence, of twelve rooms, stands on the State Road, and since he completed the improve- ments on it in 1906, it is probably as fine a home as can be found in this section.

On Thanksgiving eve. 1891, Mr. New- house was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Rittenhouse, who is a daughter of Hamilton W. Rittenhouse, of Scioto Township. His family now includes two children, Alexander Hamilton and Pauline Estella. All the mem- bers of the family belong to the Presbyterian Church at Ostrander, Mr. Newhouse being one of the elders.

ILLIAM BEVAN, a representative citizen of Delaware County, Ohio. and an honored survivor of the great Civil War, who is exten- sively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Scioto Township, was born June 26. 1835. in Breconshire, South Wales, and is a son of David and Margaret ( Lewis ) Bevan.

David Bevan, Sr., who was also a native of Breconshire, South Wales, came from that country to America in 1842 with his wife and six children, and located in Delaware Town- ship. Delaware County, Ohio, where his wife's sister and her four children lived. Mr. Bevan settled in a little log cabin on a fifty-acre tract on the Warrensburg pike, just north of where his son David now lives, and here com- menced clearing the heavily timbered land. In a few years the family had a well-improved

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farm, and Mr. Bevan prospered to such an ex- tent that at the time of his death, May 23. 1879. he was the owner of 400 acres of land. He was a man of great energy and ambition. was prudent and economical, and was esteemed by all with whom he had dealings. For many years he was engaged in dealing in and rais- ing cattle and sheep, and in this line was as successful as in his other operations. He was married to Margaret Lewis, who died in 1863. having been the mother of six children, name- ly: Margaret, who died single: David, who is one of the most prosperous farmers of Dela- ware Township, and who married Eliza Da- vis: William: James and Charles, who are now deceased: and Dinah, who keeps house for her brother William. The parents of these children were faithful members of the Congre- gational Church.

William Bevan received a limited educa- tion in the schools of Scioto Township, and in his youth learned the trade of carpenter in Delaware Township, an occupation which he followed until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted September 26, 1862, in Company C. One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in his country's service until April. 1865. when he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. He continued with his company during the first seven months of his enlistment, and dur- ing his first winter in the army suffered many privations, the coldl at one time being so in- tense that Mr. Bevan's cheek froze to the ground while he was sleeping. After leaving his regiment he served for ten or fifteen months with the Pioneer Corps, and the balance of his term of enlistment was spent in Company D. United States Engineer Corps. \ cour- ageous and ready soklier. Mr. Bevan gained the respect of comrades and officers, and his war record is one of which any man might well be proud.

For some years after his return from the service, Mr. Bevan was engaged in working at his trade, but in 1888 he located on the old home farm, which he has continued to operate with much success to the present time, raising large crops of grain and hay and giving much

attention to stock dealing. The fine old resi- dence on the property has been standing for many years, and Mr. Bevan well remembers helping the builder make the brick therefor when he was nine or ten years old. While Mr. Bevan did not have such educational advan- tages as are extended to the youth of the present day, he has been a great reader of good literature. converses equally well in both Eng- fish and Welsh, is familiar with the leading topics of the times, and is one of the best versed men in the Scriptures to be found in this section. He is a great Bible student. and is one of the leading members of the Welsh Congregational Church, located at Radnor. Formerly a Republican, Mr. Bevan has for several years been identified with the Prohi- bition party, but he has never aspired to pub- lic office. He is unmarried and his sister Dinah resides with him and manages the household.

5 ARRY LEONARD was born Decem- ber 17. 1865, in Brown Township. Delaware County, Ohio. being the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Leon- ard, who were among the early settlers of Delaware County. Jonathan Leon- ard was born February 5. 1820, and came to this county from Washington County, Penn- sylvania, in 1826. He was engaged in the oc- cupation of merchant tailoring for eighteen years. In 1855 he engaged in farming and for nearly one-half of a century lived on the well-known farm in Brown Township. Dela- ware County. Ohio. In 1890, on account of advanced age, he retired from the farm and has since lived in the city of Delaware, Ohio. retiring from active business.

Elizabeth Leonard is a daughter of one of the well known and pronounced advocates of the abolition of slavery, and the sister of three brothers who engaged in the war for the set- tlement of the difficulties between the north and the south. Both parents have been deeply interested in public affairs and the welfare of their children.

١٩٨٠م.

SILAS W. FOWLER. M. D.

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Thus the early years of Harry Leonard wer spent under the kind and parental care of his parents on the farm. His education be- gan in the district school of his neighborhood. subsequently he attended the Normal school at Ada. Ohio, and spent several terms at the Ohio Wesleyan University. He read law in the offices of Judge McElroy and F. A. Owen and was admitted to the bar in June, 1899. passing with a grade above the average, and after receiving his diploma at once engaged in the practice of law at his present location. No. 521/2 North Sandusky Street, Dela- ware, Ohio. In 1906 Mr. Leonard was ad- mitted on examination to practice law in the United States Courts as solicitor attorney and counselor-at-law and proctor and advocate in admiralty. Mr. Leonard is an ardent Republi- can in politics, having served six years as jus- tice of the peace in the City of Delaware, Ohio, is a careful and accurate thinker. a student of public and private affairs, a man of the strict- est integrity and one whose moral character is without reproach. Ever since Mr. Leonard was seventeen years of age he has been a mem- her of the Presbyterian Church, and has been actively engaged in Sabbath school work, act- ing as president of Brown Township Sabbath School Convention for several years and county secretary of Sabbath school work.

On June 15. 1905, Mr. Leonard was mar- ried to Ruth I. Baker, who for many years was a teacher in the public schools of Dela- ware. Ohio. They have a happy and beautiful home at 444 West William Street in the city of Delaware, Ohio, and are the parents of one child-Georgia E.

ILAS W. FOWLER. M. D .. of Dela- ware, was born in 1847. in Pratts- ville. Green County, New York, the fourth child of Charles M. and Cath- erine Ann Fowler. Itis father was also a native of Prattsville, while his mother was born in New Philadelphia. Tuscarawas County. Ohio. The parents settled on a 200- acre farm in Porter Township. Delaware

County, in 1847. when the subject of this sketch was in his infancy.

Silas W. Fowler received his primary edu- cation in the common schools of the township. In 1862-63 he was sent to Central College Academy. During the winters, at the age of 15 and 16, he taught school in the northern part of Franklin County. His ordinary occu- pations were interrupted by the Civil War, and in the spring of 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, O. V. I. After returning from the army, he entered Oberlin College. where he remained until the fall of 1868. He then began reading medicine under the celebrated Dr. J. W. Rus- sell. of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1869-70 he at- tended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and in 1871 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

His father, having rented the farm, moved to Delaware in 1869, and the son, in the year of his graduation, settled in Delaware, where he has been steadily engaged in the practice of his profession, having for 37 years occupied the same office.

Dr. Fowler has been engaged continu- ously, more or less, in literary work, besides establishing a large and lucrative practice. He has written articles for various medical jour- nals. In 1880 he was a member of the corps that wrote the Delaware County History. writing the history of several townships and of the medical profession: and he has con- tributed the history of the medical profession. and of various schools of medicine from 1808 to the present time, as well as the history of the secret orders of the county, for the present history.

Dr. Fowler has been a frequent delegate from the various medical societies to which he belongs to the State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and to the International Medical Congress. He has been an extensive traveler, and while traveling has been a close investigator of professional work and schools. While visiting on the Pacific slope one year, he had the good fortune to meet the celebrated Dr. Lorenz, and to study

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his methods on the bloodless reduction and treatment of the hip joint disease. While in California he investigated the history of the old Spanish missions, and wrote many letters concerning them which were published. He made an extensive trip to Mexico and Cuba. as well as through the southern and eastern States of this country. Two years ago he made a trip to the Orient, visiting the Azores, Spain, northern Africa, Egypt, Palestine. Asia Minor, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and other European countries. While in the Orient he made a special study of leprosy in its various farms, and saw hundreds suffering from this dread disease. He has prepared an article on this ancient disease for the medical fraternity.

Dr. Fowler is a Free Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Delaware Council, the Commandery of Knight Templars at Marion, Ohio, the Ancient and Accepted Scot- tish Rite at Columbus, Ohio, and the Scioto Consistory, being a Master and 32d degree Mason. He is a member of Asbury M. E. Church, having been thus connected with it since his early youth. His great-grandpar- ents, grandparents, and parents were strict Presbyterians.

The Doctor has always been interested in the welfare of the town, and has written and published several articles on the hygienic con- dition of the city and its water supply, and has also been interested in perfecting and ex- tending the use of the valuable mineral waters in and around the city.

Dr. Fowler married Miss Iza Vail, a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and only daughter of the late Judge Isaac C. and Clara B. Vail, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio.

ON. JOHN D. VAN DEMAN. In writing this history, it would be a serious omission if we failed to give due prominence and attention to the name of Van Deman. Since 1824. when the family first came to Delaware Coun- tl, this name has been mounting constantly

higher and higher in public esteem, through the conspicuous and honorable positions held by father and son in the professions of the ministry and the law, and by their right attitude toward all questions affecting the pub- lic weal, and their unselfish and untiring et- forts in forwarding every movement for the common good.

The family ancestry traces back to Rev. John Van Deman, the great-grandfather of the subject of this notice. He was a Presby- terian clergyman, who, with his family, emi- grated from Holland. and settled in Browns- ville, Pennsylvania, at an early day. His son John married a lady whose maiden name was Hester. In 1804 the family, including their son Henry, the father of Hon. John D. Van Deman, moved to Ross County, Ohio, and set- tled on a beautiful farm nine or ten miles from Chillicothe. John Van Deman was a very suc- cessful farmer, and a man of strong character. serving for years as an elder in the Presbyter- ian Church. After his ordination to the min- istry. Rev. Henry Van Deman, in 1824, came to Delaware County, and for nearly forty years before his death, which occurred in 1872. he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Delaware. His wife, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, died on January 26, 1888. aged eighty-six years. She was a native of Kentucky, and her maiden name was Sarah Darlinton. Her father. Gen. Joseph Darlin- ton, was a member of the territorial legislature of Ohio, and also a member of the convention held in 1801, to frame the first constitution of the State of Ohio. He was also a member of the first Senate of Ohio.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 79

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