History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 132

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio > Part 132

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BENJ. F. DAVIDS, farmer ; P. O. Radnor ; is the son of Sylvanus and Margaret (Evans) Davis, natives of South Wales, and was born in the year 1846. His father's family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are yet living; the father came to this country in 1797, and first set- tled in Westmoreland Co., Penn., but afterward, in 1810, removed to Radnor, Ohio. He was united in marriage, in the year 1826, to our sub- ject's mother, who had come to Ohio in 1817. Our subject passed his youth on his father's farm, and when he became 20 years of age, commenced doing for himself, although still living with his parents. He was united in marriage to Lucy E. Humphreys Oct. 22, 1875; one child was born them-Mary, born Jan. 1, 1878 ; she died Oct. 22, 1879. Our subject's father died Feb. 23, 1872; the mother followed him Sept. 19, 1878. Mr. Davids is a Republican. He enlisted in the 100-day service, but afterward for three years; being but 15 years old, his father recalled him. He has imported some fine Clydesdale horses, and at present has some of the finest ones in the county, and takes great pride in improvements of this kind. He owns 178 acres of well-improved land, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Sci- oto River, and within easy reach of railroad and post office. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are universally respected. . BOWEN EVANS, grain-dealer, Radnor. Our subject was born in North Wales Aug. 28, 1845; is the son of William B. and Mary (Will- iams) Evans, both natives of Wales, and the par- ents of ten children, five of whom are now living. The parents emigrated from Wales to this country in 1848, and located in Northumberland Co., Penn. After living 'there a period of five years, they removed to Radnor Township. Here the father departed this life in 1863; the mother is yet living in the township. The father's business

was that of farming, and here our subject passed his youth and early manhood. He received as good an education as the common schools afforded. Began business for himself when 27 years of age. Was united in marriage to Minerva Wise Dec. 25, 1871 ; she was born in Troy Township Feb. 13, 1845. This marriage resulted in the birth of four children-Arthur, Jessie, Hosea W. and Adda. Mr. Evans enlisted in the 100-day service, Co. A., 145th (). N. G. Is a Republican in politics, and among the main business men of Radnor.

DR. H. EDWARDS, physician and surgeon, Radnor. Among the enterprising men and successful physicians of Radnor is Dr. Edwards ; he was born Jan. 1, 1847, and is the youngest of a family of twelve children, of which our subject and a brother, David M., are the only surviving children. The parents, William and Dorothy (Thomas) Edwards, were natives of Montgomery- shire, Wales ; in 1832, they emigrated to Amer- ica, coming direct to Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio; the father's occupation was wagon- making, a business he engaged in on coming to this country ; he also. purchased a farm of sixty acres, on which his family resided ; when 19 years of age, our subject selected medicine as his voca- tion in life ; after reading for a time under the in- struction of Dr. Glidden, of Radnor, now of Prospect, he commenced attending medical lect- ures in Columbus, Ohio, in 1867 ; after attending three consecutive terms at Columbus, he gradu- ated with honors, and then, locating in his native village, he has remained practicing his profession ever since. He was united in marriage to Hannah M. Evans, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Griffiths) Evans, Dec. 11, 1874; from this union there were two children born, one of whom is yet living-Maggie Orie, born April 22, 1876. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Edwards is a Presbyterian, and Independent in politics, and is a man of con- siderable skill and ability in his profession, being spoken of quite highly by the faculty of the medical college of Columbus as a student of more than ordinary ability in surgery.

MATTHEW C. FLEMING, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Radnor: Among the leading and prominent men of Radnor Township, is Mr. M. C. Fleming ; he was born on the farm be now owns and occupies. Mathew's father, H. C. Fleming, was a native of Pennsylvania. while his mother was of Welsh descent; when but a lad, the father emigrated to Delaware County and

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engaged in the lucrative business of farming ; here it was that Mr. Fleming met her who afterward became Mrs. Fleming. He was united in mar- riage April 24, 1823, to Susanna Jones ; from this union there were four sons and two daughters, four of whom are yet living; the mother departed this life Dec. 28, 1849 ; the father was again married; Catharine Evans was the second wife to whom he was married, February, 1851; she was a widow lady with a family of five chil- dren, four of whom are yet living; this last union resulted in the birth of one child, a girl, yet living; the father died March 7, 1873, fol- lowed by his wife June 3, 1873. The marriage ceremony of Matthew and Miss Melvina C. Fin- ley was celebrated the 2d of December, 1861. The wife was a daughter of our subject's father's second wife ; from this union there were three sons and two daughters-Hattie V., Lola and Alonzo (twins), John F. and Charles L. Mr. Fleming enlisted in Co. A, 145th O. V. I .; after serving out his time-100 days-he returned home and again commenced the duties devolving on a successful farmer. He has ninety-one acres of excellent land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He is a Democrat, and liberal in religious views ; is nicely settled near the Scioto River, where he enjoys the many comforts of a successful farmer.

DAVID R. GRIFFITH, stock-raiser and far- mer ; P.O. Radnor; was born in North Wales March 1, 1805 ; son of John G. and Margaret (Roberts) Griffith. There were six children in the family, four sons and two daughters, two of whom are yet living. The subject of this sketch, together with his parents, came to this country in 1833. Our subject was married in Wales, and on arriving in America, they came direct to. Radnor Township. After his marriage with Mary Peugh, daughter of Richard and Mary Pengh, which occurred in 1830, he made farming his chosen vocation ; he first secured 100 acres of land, in the north western part of the township, and afterward made an addi- tion of 100 acres more. In our subject's family, there were ten children, nine of whom are yet liv- ing-John R., Richard P., Mary A. (deceased), Margaret A., George M., Joel, Martha J., Wm. H., Elizabeth and Albert; six of these are married; one son, Richard, was in Co. G, 121st O. V. I .; was wounded at Perryville, by a gun-shot wound in the hip, after which he was discharged and came home. All of the children in the family are now living in Radnor Township. Is a Republican

in politics and a Congregationalist in religion, as are, also, his family. Mr. Griffith has been living in Radnor Township for 47 years. He started out in life a poor boy, but by enduring the hard- ships of a pioneer's life, he has accumulated as nice a property as there is in the township. His father died in 1838, and the mother in 1846.

T. R. GRIFFITH, carpenter, Prospect; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, June 26, 1838; is a son of John and Mary (Hughs) Griffith, natives of North Wales. In the year 1835, the father, then a young unmarried man, left Wales and came direct to the new Welsh settlement in Radnor Township, Ohio. Soon after his arrival in this country, he was united in marriage to the mother of our subject. By this marriage there were three children, one son and two daugh- ters; the mother's death occurred in 1850. About one year after the death of his wife, Mr. Griffith was again married ; his second wife was Ann M. Hord ; by this second marriage there were three children, two sons and one daughter ; the death of our subject's father occurred in 1860. When Mr. Griffith first came to Radnor Township, he was a poor boy, but by hard labor and close atten- tion to his business (farming), he obtained a com- petency. Our subject spent his youthful days on his father's farm, assisting him in his duties. He was united in marriage Jan. 5, 1864, to Elizabeth Kyle, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Boyd) Kyle. By this union there are two children- Senora B., born April 27, 1866, and William F., born July 27, 1867 ; the mother departed this life Sept. 17, 1870. Politically speaking, Mr. Griffith is a Republican ; religiously, a Baptist. He en- listed in Co. E, 66th O. V. I., Nov. 8, 1861 ; was in the battles of Port Republic, Antietam, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Sa- vannah, besides all the other battles the 66th took a part in ; he was discharged July 22, 1865, at New York City. Mr. Griffith is a regular or- dained minister of the Baptist Church ; is also among the best carpenters in the township, many of the best buildings in the township having been built by him.

MISS CATHARINE GRIFFITHS; P. O. Prospect; born in Radnor Township Feb. 2, 1857; is the daughter of David and Ann (Row- lands) Griffiths, both of whom are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Miss Griffiths is a pleas- ant young lady, and is highly respected in the neighborhood ; all her life she has lived with her father, taking a daughter's share of the burdens

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of the family ; she has an active mind, good taste, and excellent judgment ; she takes much pleasure in reading good books, and in all womanly duties is kind, patient and sympathetic. She has a large circle of friends, and is highly esteemed by all.

DAVID GRIFFITHS, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Radnor ; was born in South Wales Feb. 13, 1816. His father, David Griffiths, and mother, Mary (Griffiths) Griffiths, came directly from Wales to Radnor Township, Ohio, in 1819, bringing their family of four sons and three daugh- ters; they stopped for a few years in Radnor (then Delhi), but afterward purchased a farm adjoining the town, upon which they lived nine- teen years, and where the subject of this sketch passed his youth ; the father then gave up farm- ing and moved into Radnor, where he remained until his death, aged 76 years ; the mother fol- lowed him Jan. 19, 1875, aged 84 years. Mr. Griffiths was united in marriage, Aug. 26, 1844, to Ann, daughter of Abraham Rowland, and a family of nine children resulted from this union, three of whom are yet living-Sarah J., born Sept. 25, 1847 ; John J., born Jan. 9, 1850, and Catharine, born Feb. 2, 1857. Sarah and John are married, the former to Henry Ashbrook, and the latter to Elizabeth Curren, and both are living near their parents. Mr. Griffiths, though but a boy when his father first came to Radnor, recalls vividly the hardships and dangers through which they passed in their new home; he owns 67} acres of well-improved land ; is a Republican and a Congregationalist; has had three wives, marry- ing the second in 1862, and his present wife, Lo- antha (Rowley) Griffiths, who was the widow of Thos. Rowley, her maiden name being Stockwell, June 26, 1879. No children resulted from the second marriage. Mr. Griffiths enjoys an enviable reputation for industry and honesty throughout the neighborhood.

JAMES B. HODGES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Delaware ; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1844 ; is son of Nathaniel W. and Sally A. (Underhill) Hodges, whose sketch appears in this work. Our subject received a common-school education ; in the late war, he well and faithfully served his country, in Co. E, 66th O. V. I .; at Port Republic he received two severe gun-shot wounds in the left arm ; he served three years and two months in the " gallant old 66th," and was a brave and gallant soldier; he was married to Mary G. Howison Feb. 9, 1869 ; she was born in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1849; they have one

child, Clarence O. Mr. Hodges has devoted nearly all his life to agricultural pursuits, and is to-day one of the most successful and prominent farmers in the township. He is a stanch Repub- lican.

WILLIAM HERBERT, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Radnor. Our subject came from Breconshire, South Wales, with his parents, Ben- jamin and Margaret (Morgans) Herbert, in 1818; he was but a child 5 years of age at that time ; he was born May 19, 1813, and was one of a family of eight children, six of whom are living at the present time. The father was a sober, indus- trious man, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and held in an early day many positions of honor and trust in church and township ; he de- parted this life June 13, 1858, followed by his wife Feb. 11, 1868. The long and eventful life of our subject has been passed upon a farm and working at carpentering ; in early life, he received such education as the common schools of that early day afforded ; he served an apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade with his brother Lemuel, after which he worked with him some years; he has in connection with farming followed his trade since he began doing business for himself. His mar- riage with Elizabeth Jones was celebrated Nov. 2, 1846; she was born in Breconshire, Wales, July 22, 1822, and is a daughter of Rees and Rachel (Evans) Jones, who came from Wales to the United States in 1842; from our subject's mar- riage there were five children, three of whom are now living-Benjamin L., William, and Mollie E .; the deceased-Elizabeth A. and Margaret R. Mr. Herbert and wife are among the well-informed people of the county. Mr. Herbert is a Repub- lican. He owns 100 acres of nicely improved land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.

NATHANAEL W. HODGES, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Delaware. Joseph Hodges, a soldier of the war of 1812, and the father of Nathanael W., was a native of Massachusetts ; there he was married to Clarissa Perkins, also a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of thir- teen children by him ; in 1832, they moved with their family to Erie Co., N. Y., where they remained some three years, and then came to Geauga Co., Ohio; three years after their coming to Ohio (1838), the mother departed this life ; in 1853, the father returned to the home of his childhood, soon after to be called to his reward. Nathanael W. had but few advantages for obtain- ing an education ; at the early age of 12 years, he

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was placed in a large cotton factory, where he remained until his parents removed to Western New York ; when the parents came to Ohio, he came with them, but after remaining in the State some three years he returned to New York, stop- ping in Chautauqua Co .; here he met Miss Sally A. Underhill, to whom he was married Sept, 9, 1838; she was born in Fairfield Co., Conn., April 20, 1815. Mr. Hodges remained in Chau- tauqua Co. one year after his marriage, and then removed to Ohio and settled in Franklin Co., where they remained until 1843, when they moved to this county, which they have since made their home. In 1850 Mr. Hodges crossed the Plains to California, where he remained nearly two years, and then returned to his home in Ohio. He owns 183 acres of land, nicely situated on the right bank of the Scioto River, in Radnor Town- ship; he commenced as a poor boy, and is most emphatically a self-made man. Politically, he has been identified with the Whig and Republican parties ; of late years, however, he has voted with the Prohibition party. He has been a temperate, industrious man during his long and eventful life- time, and is an earnest worker in the temperance cause; he is one of the most successful breeders of short-horn cattle in the county. Mr. Hodges and wife take a deep interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the M. E. Church. They are the parents of six chil- dren-Julia M., Ellen F., James B., Harriet L., and George H., living-Helen, deceased.

MORRIS HUMPHREYS, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Radnor. Among the prominent and influential men of Radnor Township, is the subject of this sketch ; he was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, June 26, 1829 ; his parents, John and Elizabeth (Chidlaw) Humphreys, were natives of North Wales. In 1818, John Humphreys, then 20 years of age, came to the United States and settled in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio. His marriage with Miss Chidlaw did not occur until some years later ; her father, Benjamin C. Chidlaw, came from Wales to Ohio with his wife Mary, and two children, in 1821, and settled in Radnor Township. Our subject's father was an intelligent and energetic man, and a consistent Christian ; he was one of the first township officers, and during his lifetime held many positions of honor and trust; he departed this life Dec. 9, 1873, and his wife in 1830. Our subject was reared upon a farm, receiving a good common- school education. He was united in marriage with

Margaret E. Wasson April 3, 1851; she was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, June 29, 1829 ; she is the daughter of William M. and Lucy ( Minter) Wasson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky; the Minters came to Del- aware Co. in 1804; the Wassons did not come until some years later; both families, however, were among the earliest settlers, and their descend. ants are to-day among the most prominent and respected citizens of the county. From our sub- ject's union with Miss Wasson, there were eight children, seven of whom are living-Lucy E., John W., Margaret A., William McV., Mary A., Har- riet and Benjamin C .; the deccased was named Morris J. Mr. Humphreys owns 332 acres of nicely improved land in Radnor Township, and 120 acres near Emporia, Kan. He is a stanch Republican. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

ISRAEL HEDGES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Prospect ; son of Caleb and Mary (Clellel . Hedges; was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 27, 1821 ; there were ten children in this family, six sons and four' daughters ; the father was a cooper by trade, but followed farming as a busi- ness ; he died in Fairfield Co. Nov. 17, 1874, the mother died in 1856. The subject commenced business for himself in 1841. Was united in mar- riage the 7th of September, 1848, to Mary Bar- net, daughter of Robert L. Barnet, a native of Maryland, and the mother a daughter of Judge Augustus, of Fairfield Co. In Israel's family there are eleven children, six sons and five daughters- Benj. T., Otis J., Mary J., Elenora (deceased), Elizabeth and Hannah (twins), George. E. and John A. (John A. was drowned in the Scioto River, 28th of June, 1878), Ida V., Charles W. and Robert L. In politics, Mr. Hedges is a Re- publican ; has held various township offices. This family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hedges is a man who has had little or no chance, we might say, to get an education, but at the same time is a man of considerable ability and talent ; he has sought for and obtained a patent on a reaping machine, which will eventually prove of great benefit ; has 100 acres of well-improved land, which he bought at $14.50 per acre in 1851, it then being almost entirely woodland. Mr. Hedges is a man who has, to considerable extent, followed the trade of blacksmithing, a trade of which he is the master; he owns one of the finest stock-farms in the township, having some of the best blooded horses, cattle, sheep and hogs now in

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the county ; the greater part of his farm is under- laid with a stratum of the best sulphate of lime, making the land very productive ; he is respected and esteemed by his friends and neighbors.

W. W. JONES, farmer; P. O. Radnor; the subject of this sketch was born in Radnor Town- ship, Ohio, in the year 1825 ; his father, John P. Jones, was a native of South Wales; his mother, Mary (Penry) Jones ; there were six children in the family, four of whom are yet living. The marriage ceremony of Wm. W. Jones and Eleanor Evans was celebrated in 1852. The wife's father's name was John Evans, and his wife's name Margaret (Jones) Evans; there were five children in this family ; the number of children in the subject's family is seven-Margaret A., John P., Francis C., Harvey, Elizabeth, Charles and Eleanor. Mr. - Jones has two sisters and one brother living in Radnor Township. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jones is a Republican. He owns 197 acres of nicely improved land ; has held the offices of Township Trustee, School Director, Road Supervisor, etc .; is a man of good, steady habits and unpretentious manners ; has the esteem and good, will of his fellow-men and neigh- bors.

PHILIP JONES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Radnor ; was born in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, July 25, 1820; is a son of John P. and Mary (Penry) Jones, both natives of Breconshire, South Wales; there they were married, and three daughters born to them; in 1818, they emigrated to the United States, arriv- ing in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 13 of the same year; two children were born to them after their arrival in this country; at the present time, four of the children are living. John P. Jones and wife were industrious, intelligent peo- ple, consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and universally respected by all their friends and neighbors. The father died in 1864,. and the mother in 1863. Our subject was raised upon a farm, receiving such education as the schools afforded ; he had the care of his parents during their old age. He was united in marriage with Jane E. Tomley June 14, 1853; she was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, June 28, 1822 ; from this marriage there are five children-Rich- ard E., Sue M., W. Guy, Jennie F. and Jessie B. Mr. Jones has held a great many positions of honor 'and trust, and is a man of more than ordinary ability, and liberally contributes to all en- terprises that tend to build up or benefit the com-

munity in which he lives; he owns 200 acres of nicely improved land. Mr. Jones is a Republican.

THOMAS T. JONES, farmer ; P. O. Radnor. Thomas T. Jones is a native of Radnor Township, being born Sept. 10, 1848; is the son of Evan T. and Ellen Jones, whose biography accompanies this work ; our subject passed his youthful days on his father's farm, assisting him in his farm duties ; his education was as good as the common schools could give. His marriage with Miss Della Finley was solemnized Dec. 25, 1870 ; she is the daughter of George W. and Angelina (Williams) Finley ; in her father's family there were five chil- dren, three of whom are yet living ; the result of the union of Mr. Jones and Miss Finley bore the fruit of one child, Wray Everette, born Nov. 16, 1878. Mr. Jones and wife are consistent and active members of the M. E. Church. Is a Democrat. Mr. Jones is a man that keeps thor- oughly posted on county and township enterprises and news, and takes an active part in laudable county enterprises.

DAVID W. JONES, farmer ; P. O. Radnor ; is son of Rees T. and Sarah (Williams) Jones ; was born in Breconshire, Wales, Sept. 15, 1840 ; he, with his parents and brothers and sisters, emi- grated from Wales to this country, coming direct to Radnor Township June 7, 1861 ; in his father's family there are five children-three sons and two daughters-all of whom are living in Ohio, and married. On arrival, our subject's father bought 200 acres of land near the village of Radnor, known as the " Old Warren Place ;" here David spent his youthful days going to school, and in later years assisting his father on his farm; in 1864, he commenced doing business for himself, although still making his home with his father. Oct. 31, 1867, he was united in marriage to Mary Thomas, eldest daughter of James Thomas, of Radnor Township. Mr. Jones, in connection with his brother Rces, owas 170 acres of nicely im- proved property; he is a stanch Republican ; both himself and wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church.

MRS. J. B. JONES, Radnor, wife of the late John B. Jones, and daughter of John and Ma- hala (Jones) Ellis, was born the 19th of March, 1828, in Belmont Co., Ohio. Was united in mar- riage to John Smails Nov. 16, 1844 ; two children were the result of this union-Thomas A. and John S .; Thomas is now living in Indiana. Mr. Smails departed this life in 1848. Mrs. Smails married again July 24, 1853, to Mr. Jones ; three

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children were the fruit of this union-Martha J. and Margaret E. (deceased) and James W. Mr. Jones died Dec. 5, 1864, in the hospital at Nash- ville, Tenn., from disease contracted while in his country's service. Dec. 30, 1869, Mrs. Jones and John B. Jones were married ; the father of this man was David Jones ; John B. was born in North Wales, and came to this country in 1832; he was a fuller by trade and a farmer by practice ; from his marriage with his first wife,, Gwen' Jones, in 1833, there were six children, three of whom are living and three are dead-David N., Edward M. and Cassie F., living ; those deceased were David, Festus and Dorothy A .; his wife died Sept. 23, 1866; Mr. Jones had no children by his second wife, the subject of this sketch ; he died Dec. 11, 1876. During his life, he held the responsible position of Infirmary Director for three years; besides this office, he has held almost all the township offices. Mr. Jones was a man of good, steady habits, moral character and of con- siderable ability. Mrs. Jones is a Christian lady of good education, and an active worker in the temperance cause, and a woman who reads upon the issues of the day.

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History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 132

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818