USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 90
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FLEETWOOD COURTWRIGHT
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pared for active service at Camp Bushnell ; but on account of the rank he held he was not allowed to muster into the United States service, but was appointed provost-marshal of Camp Bushnell, in which position he served until the camp was broken up.
lle was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Delaware City Library by Mayor H. H. Beecher, and is secretary of the Commercial Club of this city.
Captain Wiles married Anna, daughter of Joseph Bates, of Cortland, New York, Febru- ary 17. 1869, and he and his wife are the parents of two children-Nellie, who is re- siding at home, and Arthur, a mechanical and electrical engineer, who graduated in the class of '05 at the Case School of Applied Science. Cleveland, Ohio.
Colonel Wiles is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., having been de- mitted to this lodge from Marathon Lodge, No. 438. of Cortland County, New York, where he was made a Mason in 1866. He also belonged to the Chapter and Commandery at Cortland, New York, and to Cortland Com- mandery No. 50, joining the chapter here about the same time that he was transferred by demit. His Masonic affiliations further include membership in Alladin Temple, Mys- tic Shrine, at Columbus. He is a member of George B. Torrence Post. G. A. R., and is past commander of Grover Post of Cortland. New York, and past commander of the post in Delaware. He has also been colonel of the Union Veteran Legion in Delaware for five or six years. Colonel Wiles is a Republican in his political views. He takes a good citizen's interest in he progress of the community, and is este med and respected wherever known.
LEETWOOD COURTWRIGHT. a prominent resident of Columbus, where he has large and valuable real estate interests, was born on a farm that he still owns, in Concord Town- ship. Delaware County, Ohio. August 12. 1838. His parents were John and Martha ( Mitchell ) Courtwright.
The earliest Courtwright to establish him- self in the United States was Jesse Court- wright, the grandfather, who, it appears, made the grave mistake of leaving Canada, his na- tive land, when war was in progress, and on that account was not permitted to return, even after peace was declared, although, by that time, he had made a home for himself and family in the alien country. He settled on land in Union County, Ohio, and lived in this part of the State during the remainder of his life. His remains lie buried in Franklin County, Ohio.
John Courtwright, father of Fleetwood, was eight years of age when the family settled in Ohio. He acquired a large amount of land and lived an agricultural life. He married Martha Mitchell and they resided many years in Delaware County and then moved to Co- lumbus, where they subsequently passed away and their burial was in Green Lawn cemetery, Columbus. The only survivor of their eight children is the subject of this sketch.
Fleetwood Courtwright attended school in the neighborhood of his home, all through his boyhood, but he acquired further knowledge than that found in his school books. When only twelve years of age his father encouraged him in exercising his pronounced business tal- ents, and since that age Mr. Courtwright has been more or less of a trader. When his par- ents subsequently decided to move to Colum- bus, he made up his mind to buy 225 acres of his father's farm, which was exceedingly val- uable property. To the elder Courtwright's surprise, his son was able to make a cash pay- ment of $4,000, and readily gave his notes, agreeing to pay $1,000, annually, until the whole sum of $12.500 should be paid. In less than six months, Mr. Courtwright had pur- chased 150 acres more, giving notes for the same. His growing indebtedness greatly wor- ried his father. but it in no way frightened the son, who never failed to pay his notes when they came due. This has always been Mr. Courtwright's policy in handling business dleals of great magnitude and he has been ex- ceedingly successful. His remarkable fore- sight and business acumen have enabled him to find fortunes where less favored men would
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have only met with failure. He has prospered in various speculative lines, including real es- tate, wool and stock. His present property in- terests are large. He owns 600 acres of valu- able farming land in Delaware, Union and Franklin Counties, together with property in the city of Columbus to the value of several hundred thousand dollars. He built the large structure that stands on the corner of Long and Randolph Streets, Columbus, and the fine brick residence which is on the home farm, where he passes a great deal of his time .
Mr. Courtwright was married, first, to Mary Jones, a daughter of Thomas Jones, who was engaged in the milling business in Frank- lin County. They had two daughters and two sons. The latter were twins and both are now deceased. Of the daughters, Olive and Mary, the former married a Mr. Price, and the latter became the wife of John Freshwater, a resi- dent of Concord Township. At her death Mary left one daughter-Annie-and two sons-Elmer and Stanley Freshwater. After the death of her mother. Annie Freshwater took charge of her father's house and looked after the comfort of the family. Later she be- came a successful teacher in the public schools of Concord Township.
Mr. Courtwright was married, secondly. to Jennie E. Hill, who is a daughter of Rob- ert llill, of Union County, Ohio, and of this union there are three children-Nellie, Clydie and Fleetwood. Nellie married J. P. Stoltz and they reside in New York city, where Mr. Stoltz owns much valuable property. They have one son, Fleetwood Stoltz. Clydie mar- ried a Mr. Goff and they reside at Pueblo. Colorado, where the latter is engaged in large business enterprises. Fleetwood Courtwright. the only son, has already demonstrated much business ability, displayed in the management of more than one hundred thousand dollars' worth of property with which his father has endowed him. Mr. Courtwright has taken pleasure in providing for different members of his family during his life time and he has not forgotten the claims of charity and benevo- lence.
OBERT WALLACE, a prominent R C citizen and trustee of Marlborough Township, whose farm of 12372 acres is credited with being one of the finest in this section, was born February 2. 1847, in Troy Township. Dela- ware County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Giffin ) Wallace.
The parents of Mr. Wallace were born in Scotland and the father came to America when nineteen years of age, and the mother was brought across the Atlantic when she was a child of four years. For a number of years. John Wallace resided in Belmont County. Ohio, coming from there to Troy Township. Delaware County, where he lived until his (leath, when aged seventy-four years. He was a very successful farmer and was a highly respected man in every relation of life. For a long period he was one of the pillars, so to speak, of the Presbyterian Church at Radner. He gave his political support to the Republi- can party. His death removed one of Dela- ware County's valued citizens.
Robert Wallace was reared in Troy Town- ship, and he obtained his education in the dis- trict schools, and remained in that section un- til 1878, when he settled on his present farm in Marlborough Township. His interests here have been largely of an agricultural nature. but during seventeen years, in addition to car- rying on his farm, he maintained also a ware- house at Ashley, Ohio, where he engaged in buying grain, hay, seeds and other farm pro- (luce. He has also been a very successful stock raiser. While closely attending to his own affairs, Mr. Wallace has always found time, however, to give a good citizen's atten- tion to public matters in his community, and has served both on the School Board and as township trustee.
Mr. Wallace was married (first) to Mar- garet Klee, who was a native of Marlborough Township. She had two children, namely : Maud F., who married Harry Blair, residing at Ashley, Ohio: and Benjamin F., residing in Brown Township. Delaware County. Mr. Wallace was married (second) to Nettie Lewis, who was born in Oxford Township.
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Delaware County, and is a daughter of Jerome Lewis. Mrs. Wallace accompanied her par- ents when they removed from Oxford to Marl- borough Township, she at that time being four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have a beautiful home, the residence being of brick construction and its surroundings exceedingly attractive. Mr. Wallace is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at West Oxford, Oxford Township, and has been a church official for a considerable period.
A LEXANDER N. DECKER. con- tractor and builder, residing at War- rensburg, was born at Fairview. Dela- ware County, Ohio, June 24. 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Eliza G. ( Reynolds) ( Nash) Decker.
Frederick Decker was born in Hoboken. New Jersey, and came from there to Crawford County, Ohio, building a grist mill near Bucyrus. Afterward he came to Delaware County and built a stone mill north of Dela- ware, which he sold some years later. He then bought the Snyder mill, which he rebuilt, but in a few years sold that property also. He was a man of excellent business qualifications and his financial operations were successfully con- ducted. Later he erected a mill at Mill Creek. where he was engaged in milling for several years. He then moved to Fairview, where he bought a mill on the present site of Warrens- burg. and also purchased farming land. This mill he operated for almost thirty years. con- tinuing thus occupied until his death. From 1858 he also engaged in farming and was an extensive agriculturist, owning from 500 to 600 acres of land. He was a successful grower of sheep, keeping 1,200 to 1.400 head, and he raised enough grain to feed all his stock. Until 1872 he was identified with the Republican party, after which he cast his influence in favor of the Prohibition party.
Frederick was twice married. The chil- (Iren of the first marriage were : Clark, now de- ceased, but formerly a resident of Kansas:
Greeley, residing at Franklin County, Kansas; Julia, deceased; AAlfretta, who married Dr. Willis, residing at Delaware: LeRoy. a resi- cent of Cleveland : Margery, who is deceased ; Samuel R., residing in Scioto Township: and Alvin O., who is deceased. Frederick Decker was married secondly to Mrs. Eliza G. ( Nash ) Reynolds, who was born in Vermont and who was the widow of Solis Reynolds. The chil- dren of her first marriage were: Albina. a resident of Nebraska : Richard C., residing at Wichita, Kansas: Marion, who resides in Os- trander ; and Solis, who is a physician residing at Indianapolis. Of Frederick Decker's sec- ond marriage the following children were born: Alexander N., whose name begins this article: D., residing at Warrensburg: and George W. and William Newton, both resid- ing in Columbus and F. E. Decker residing on the home farm. The family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.
Alexander N. Decker was four years old when his parents moved to Scioto Township. where he was reared and educated. When about sixteen years of age he started to learn the carpenter's trade, working for one year with Charles Robinson, from whom he learned the first principles. after which he put them into practice and taught himself. undoubtedly having a natural bent in this direction. For twenty years he operated a farm of eighty acres, which he sold in 1906. and since then he has devoted his entire attenton to building and contracting. He gives employment to several helpers, and his contracts take him all over Delaware and Union Counties. He is con- sidered a very expert workman and is one who is never obliged to fold his arms for lack of any- thing to do.
Mr. Decker married Rosa F. Mason, a daughter of James B. Mason, of Delaware Township, and they have three children, namely: Lorain; Grace, who married Leo Smith: and Eliza Caroline. Mr. Decker and family belong to the old stone Presbyterian Church at South Radnor. He is an Independ- ent in politics. For many years he has been a member of Ruffner Lodge of Odd Fellows.
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€ DWARD KENT, one of Concord Township's foremost citizens, who resides on his valuable farm of 1641/2 acres, where he carries on general farming was born in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, November 2, 1855. He is a son of Elijah and Charlotte ( Norris) Kent.
Elijah Kent was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1823, and settled in Union County in young manhood, and in Concord Township, Delaware County, about the close of the Civil War, purchasing the Carson farm of 250 acres. He died at the age of sixty-three years. He married Charlotte Norris, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and accompanied her parents, Edward and Susan Norris to Union County, where she was reared and mar- ried. Her parents died at Richwood, Ohio. She survived until February 14, 1907, dying at the age of seventy-three years. Elijah Kent and wife had eight children, namely : George, residing in Thompson Township. married Maggie Swartz: Edward; Dennis, re- siding in Concord Township, married Amelia Bass; John, residing in Scioto Township: Silas, residing at Urbana, Ohio, married Hat- tie Ellis: Benjamin, residing in Kansas, mar- ried Jane Martin; Jane, deceased, who mar- ried ( first ) Isaac Jones. and ( second ) Newton Howard; and Ellen, who died aged eight years.
After his school days were over, Mr. Kent settled down to farming and has devoted him- -elf to agricultural pursuits ever since. Through his industry and his practical methods he has reaped abundant success. He has a well cultivated farm, on which he has a valuable silo, and he also carries on dairying, keeping about twenty-five cows and selling forty gallons of milk per day at Columbus. He Jis continued to improve his property ever since it came into his possession and in 1905 completed the building of a very substantial barn.
Mr. Kent married Jennie Rutherford, who is a daughter of Archibald Rutherford, who is one of the prominent and substantial citi- ven- of Concord Township. They have two I
daughters, namely: Lurabella, who married William Blainey, a successful farmer of Con- cord Township; and Esther Irene, who is a school girl of twelve years.
In politics, Mr. Kent is a Republican, but he takes only a good citizen's interest in pub- lic affairs. The family is one that is well and favorably known all through this section.
ICTOR ARNOLD WILLIAMS, in former years well known throughout Genoa Township as a prosperous farmer and stockraiser, was born on the farm of which he was afterward the proprietor. in August, 1839. His parents, William and Lucinda ( Phelps ) Williams, were married in Blendon, Franklin County, Ohio. William Williams, who was a native of this State, in his youth accompanied his father to Delaware County, they being among the pioneers of Genoa Township. Here the elder Williams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, bought some hundreds of acres of land from the Government. a part of which he subsequently cleared. He spent the rest of his life on his property, engaged in agriculture. being known as a good reliable citizen.
William Williams also became a prosper- ous farmer and was a much respected citizen of this township. He and his wife Lucinda were the parents of a large family of fifteen children, all of whom were born on the present homestead, which was purchased by him. This originally consisted of 140 acres, most of which he cleared, besides making the present improvements. He owned in all several hundred acres in Genoa Township. In politics he was a Republican. He died on his farm here at a ripe age.
Victor Arnold Williams was educated in the district schools of Genoa Township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which, with stock-raising, he followed through life. lle was married September 12. 1865. to Priscilla Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Richard Martin, who was in his latter years a farmer of Genoa Township, but
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who is now deceased. Richard Martin was a native of Pennsylvania, in which State he married. His wife was in maidenhood Sarah Konkel, and was born, reared, and educated in Pennsylvania. They were of German and Welsh ancestry respectively. They were the parents of thirteen children-eight sons and five daughters-nine of whom were born in Genoa Township and four in Pennsylvania. The family came to Delaware County in 1852. Mr. Martin conducting a grocery store for a number of years in Genoa Township. In addi- tion to his mercantile business, he conducted a small farm. and resided on it until his death. which occurred when he was sixty-five years old. He was a life long Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams located on the present place at the time of their marriage. Though they never denied themselves any of the reasonable comforts of life, they were frugal and industrious, and attained a fair measure of prosperity. Mr. Williams died in 1903, at the age of sixty-four years. He was widely known and respected, and his death re- moved from the community one of its best citizens, and a worthy representative of its agricultural interests. Ile was a Republican politically. Mrs. Williams continues to reside on the homestead and enjoys the esteem of all who know her for her kind. neighborly charac- teristics. She has been the mother of five children-three sons and two daughters- namely: Lucinda. Clayton, Effic, Clifton, and Clarence, all of whom are worthy members of the community.
P EARL PARKER INGALLS, a lead- ing farmer and stock-raiser of Genoa Township, was born on his farm. September 14. 1848. Ilis parents were Joseph B. and Elizabeth Bishop ) Ingalls.
The late Joseph B. Ingalls, father of Pearl P. Ingalls, was born in Franklin County. Ohio, February 2, 1815. and was a son of Thomas Ingalls, and a grandson of Joseph Ingalls, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War. Thomas Ingalls was a native of Ver- mont and was a pioneer settler in Franklin County, Ohio. He married Sarah Bigelow, also of Vermont, and together they reached Franklin County in 1814 and established their pioneer home on land which is now the site of the town of Westerville. Subsequently he purchased land on the county line between Franklin and Delaware Counties. Ile lived to the age of seventy-seven years. but his wife died aged fifty-five.
Joseph B. Ingalls was the eldest born of his parents' family. lle was a wagonmaker by trade and did a large business in the days when the strongly built farm wagons was needed to transport commodities over the highways from the farms far distant from trade centers. Mr. Ingalls also manufactured furniture and was skilled in all kinds of me- chanical industries. In 1835 he came to Genoa Township and bought 80 acres of land on which he built a cabin, and continued to make improvements until he had developed a fine farm. For many years he served as a justice of the peace and his judgment and counsel were sought on all matters concerning the pub- lie welfare and in many cases of private trouble. He was a promoter of the schools and of religious movements and always a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joseph B. Ingalls was married ( first) to Anna Maria Westervelt, who was born in Dutchess County, New York, and they had two children, both daughters. The first wife died in 1845, and in 1847 Mr. Ingalls was married ( second ) to Elizabeth Bishop. She was born in Franklin County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Bishop, who came to Ohio from Dutchess County, New York. They' had two sons. Pearl P. and Pursus B.
Pearl P. Ingalls was reared on the home farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company .AA, Sixtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and he participated in ten of the leading battles of the period, including the battle of the Wilderness. His regiment was the second to enter Peters- burg during the engagement there. Viter the
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close of his military service he returned home and entered Otterbein University at Wester- ville, where he completed his interrupted edu- cation.
When he was 26 years of age, Mr. Ingalls married Emma Crayton, who is a daughter of of Rev. J. A. Crayton of the United Brethren Church. They have one daughter, Laura, who is the wife of Otis L. Bowers, who is an elec- trician of Columbus. They were both students and graduates of Otterbein University.
Mr. Ingalls is a stanch Republican and has been active in party affairs for many years. He has served as justice of the peace and as township treasurer for many years and almost any local office might be his for the asking. Grand Army matters are of great interest to him and he is past commander of James Price Post, No. 50. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias and first chancellor com- mander of the same; is past noble grand of Rainbow Lodge of Odd Fellows and is a council member of the Masons and past master of Blendon Lodge. Mrs. Ingalls has been an officer of Blendon Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry and both belong to the order of the Eastern Star. They maintain a pleasant, hos- pitable home and have a wide circle of friends. Mr. Ingalls carries on a general agricultural line. Ile has improved his farm and has stocked it with a fine grade of cattle, horses and other live stock. Mr. Ingalls is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mrs. Ingalls of the United Brethren.
EORGE W. JONES, formerly one of the leading citizens of Delaware County, Ohio, who was prominently identified with the agricultural and political interests of his township and county, died at his home in Radnor, No- vember 1, 1907. Mr. Jones was born August 24. 1839. in Licking County, Ohio, and was a son of David and Elizabeth ( Evans) Jones, natives of South Wales.
David Jones, father of George W., came from Wales to America with his family in 1834, and for a time resided at Albany, New York,
moving later to Licking County, Ohio. He erected a blacksmith shop near Newark, where he carried on his trade for a number of years, but in 1848 he removed with his family to Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, settling on 200 acres of land in the woods north of Radnor village. where he carried on agricultural pursuits and blacksmithing, his shop being situated in what is now Radnor. Some years prior to his death he returned to South Wales, where he died in 1885, his wife having passed away in Radnor Township in 1876. David Jones was a Democrat in poli- ties, and his religious connection was with the Congregational Church. Of the 'LI chil- dren born to him and his wife, all are gone. the last to depart this life being George W .. . and Ellen. She was the wife of Elias Kyle, of Richwood, Ohio, and died in December, 1907.
George W. Jones was reared to manhood in Radnor Township, whence he had come from Licking County when nine years old. He received his education in the public schools. On November 8, 1861. he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company E, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment became a part of the Army of the Potomac and was later transferred to General Sherman's command. Mr. Jones participated in numerous battles, among which may be mentioned Antietam, Gettysburg. Chancellors- ville, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Peach Tree Creek, and others of minor importance. At Chattanooga, Tennessee. his regiment was joined to General Sherman's force and Mr. Jones participated in the siege of Atlanta. He was honorably discharged March 14, 1865, having served four months more than his enlisted term of three years. He nobly performed a soldier's duties, and faced dangers and endured hardships with a courage and heroism that won him the esteem and confidence of his comrades and superiors. After the war Mr. Jones returned to Dela- ware, and there was engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a fine farm of fifty acres, but residing in Radnor village.
On February 25, 1869. Mr. Jones was married to Elizabeth Humphreys, who was born August 18. 1838, in Radnor Township.
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Delaware County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Humphrey and Margaret ( Griffiths) Humph- reys, who were natives of Wales and early set- tlers of Radnor township. Mrs. Jones has two surviving sisters, and one half-sister: Mary .1., who is the widow of Evan B. Jones, late of Radnor Township: Margaret A., who is the wife of George Perry, residing in Dela- ware ; and Josephine, who is the wife of Evan Jones, residing in Licking County.
Mr. Jones was a member of the Congre- gational Church at Radnor, in which he served as deacon and treasurer. In political matters he was a Democrat, and he has served as a trustee of Radnor Township, and for six years was a commissioner of Delaware County, dur- ing the last three of which time he was presi- (lent of the board. He always interested him- self in every movement which he believed woukl be of assistance in the development of his section, and he was one of the greatest friends of the cause of education in Radnor. He was known to be a man of strict integrity and reliability and no one in Radnor Town- ship stood higher in public esteem.
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