USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 52
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Mr. Shuman married Miss Julia Mack- lin, who was born in Pleasant Township, a daughter of the late venerable Benjamin S. Macklin, whose father settled on the present homestead in 1799, and it has never been out of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Shu- man were the parents of two daughters : Nellie, who lives at home; and Dellie, who is the wife of Ernest Rowles, of Lancaster, O. Mr. Shuman was identified with the Elks at Lancaster.
CHARLES C. BENIDUM, senior member of the general mercantile firm of Benidum & Peters, prosperous business men of Millers- port, Fairfield County, O., is also general man- ager of the Millersport Improvement Com- pany, and is actively interested in everything that adds to the importance of the town. Mr. Benidum was born at Baltimore, Fairfield County, O., May 23, 1863, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Sellers) Benidum.
Joseph Benidum was a lifelong resident of Baltimore, O., where, for a number of years, he carried on a saddlery business. His death occurred in 1864 and he was survived by a
widow and three children. He married Re- becca Sellers, who was born in Pennsylvania and died at Baltimore in 1907, aged seventy- one years. She contracted a second marriage, with Emanuel Ault, who survives. Her chil- dren were born to her first marriage. Ida, the eldest, is the wife of Henry Hansbarger and they are residents of Columbus, O. Fran- ces is the wife of James Bope and they live at Thurston, Fairfield County. Charles Chase was the youngest born and was only one year old when his father died, after which his mother moved to Etna, in Licking County, where, when he was seven years old, she mar- ried.
Charles C. Benidum accompanied his mother and step-father and remained on the Ault farm in Liberty Township until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Millersport. Here he became a clerk for his brother-in-law, Henry Hansbarger, who was conducting a general store where Mr. Beni- dum now does business. On September 25, 1901, Mr. Benidum and Arthur W. Peters bought the business, Mr. Peters having had previous mercantile experience at Thurston. They carry a large and well selected stock of general merchandise and have the bulk of the trade in town and outlying districts, keeping up with the times in their displays and treating their customers courteously and honestly. Both members of the firm have additional in- terests. Mr. Peters being vice president of the Millersport Bank, in which Mr. Benidum is a director, and both being financially interested in the Millersport Improvement Company. which was incorporated in 1908, with the fol- lowing leading men of the place as interested members: A. W. Peters, C. C. Benidum, Charles Decker, Thomas Smith, Clay Bright. Lena Trigg, T. W. Stiff and C. A. Bright. The company purchased a large body of de-
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sirable real estate including a number of lots on Buckeye Lake and the object of the com- pany is to improve and sell this property with advantage to both seller and purchaser and in- cidentally to further build up the town.
On February 7, 1887, Mr. Benidum was married to Miss Flora Eader, a daughter of John and Sarah Eader, and they have three children: Beulah, who is gifted with musical talent, and employs the same in teaching at Millersport; and Ethel and Frances. Mr. Benidum is identified with the Masonic bodies at Millersport and also with the Knights of Pythias.
JOSEPH P. HERSHBERGER, M. D., an eminently successful practicing physician of Lancaster, O., is a lifelong resident of Fair- field County and was born in Berne Town- ship, October 23, 1855. His parents were Louis and Catherine (Stuckey) Hershberger.
Louis Hershberger was born in Germany and came to America in company with his two brothers, Jacob and Godfried Hershberger. the former of whom started for Wheeling and was afterward lost to his family, and the latter of whom went in an opposite direction, finally settling at Fairfield, Ia., where he left a large family at death. Louis Hershberger was probably the youngest of the three brothers and was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States in 1827. In 1833 or 1834 he settled in Berne Township, Fairfield County, where he engaged in farming until 1857, when he moved to Lancaster, O., and continued to reside there until the time of his death, in 1887, he then being aged seventy- eight years. He was married first to Rachel Ream, probably in 1835. His second marriage was to Catherine Stuckey, who was born in 1819, and died in 1865, aged forty-six years. She was a daughter of Peter Stuckey, a pio-
neer of Muddy Prairie, Fairfield County. After the death of the mother of Dr. Hersh- berger, Louis Hershberger married Catherine Schaffer. His children were all born to his second marriage, four in number, the two sur- vivors being: Joseph P. and Angeline, who is the widow of a Mr. Christ, and lives in Perry County, O. Mary died in infancy and Elizabeth died when aged six years. Louis Hershberger was a member of the Lutheran church.
Joseph P. Hershberger was two years old when his father moved to Lancaster and thus he had excellent school advantages. With a local physician he did his preliminary medical reading and then entered Hahnemann Med- ical College, where he was graduated three years later, in 1881, immediately afterward entering upon the practice of his profession. He has served for over twelve years as health officer of this city and is among the foremost citizens in all matters of public importance, especially when the general welfare along medical lines is under consideration. He is identified with the leading medical organiza- tions of the country and is a Knight Templar Mason.
In January, 1883, Dr. Hershberger was married to Miss Mary Donaldson, who was born at Brownsville, now known as Gratiot, O., a daughter of Thomas and Adella ( Flow- ers ) Donaldson. They have had five children, two of whom died in infancy. Three survive, namely: William K., who is a machinist in the Pennsylvania Railroad shops; Joseph P., who is a student in the senior class of the ag- ricultural department of the Ohio State Uni- versity ; and Mary H., who is a student in the Domestic Science department of the State University. Dr. Hershberger and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a Democrat in his political attachment. Since
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE DARFUS
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1883 he has occupied his handsome residence at No. 351 East Main Street, Lancaster, and he still owns his father's old farm in Berne Township.
GEORGE DARFUS, formerly a director of the Fairfield County Infirmary, is a well known farmer, oil contractor and well dig- ger, and resides in Pleasant Township, where he owns 103 acres of well tilled land. He was born in this township, March I, 1862, and is a son of John and Anna (Zieg- ler) Darfus.
The parents of Mr. Darfus were born in Bavaria, Germany. John Darfus came to America when twenty years of age and after reaching Fairfield County, O., looked about for land that suited his requirements and found it in Pleasant Township, the place he settled on being ever since known as the Darfus homestead. He became a well known man and a useful one in his neighbor- hood and was serving in his second term as an infirmary director at the time of death, February 7, 1897. He married Anna Zieg- ler who survives and is now in her seventy- fourth year. Of their family of children there are five yet living: George; Lina wife of Levi Hite, of Walnut Township; Anna, wife of Dr. L. A. Parks, of Pleasant Township; John H., of Pleasant Township; and Henry P. A., also of Pleasant Town- ship.
George Darfus attended school in Pleas- ant Township in his boyhood but early be- gan to help his father and has always been more or less engaged in farm pursuits, but, as mentioned above, he has additional in- terests. He has been an active member of the Democratic party in his township and has served on the school board for six years. He also served two terms as a member of
the board of directors of the Fairfield County Infirmary, for four years being secretary of the board, and his books were always at the court house open for inspec- tion.
Mr Darfus was married to Miss Almeda Wolf, who was born in Perry County, O., a daughter of Frederick Wolf, who is a resi- dent of Lancaster, O. They have had six children, namely: Altie J., who is a stu- dent at the State University at Columbus ; Clara L., who is a student in the Pleasant- ville High School: George F., who is also attending the Pleasantville High School; Lewis A. and Walter A., residing at home ; and Anna E., who is deceased. The eldest son has decided to make a specialty of agri- cultural chemistry at the university and pro- poses to remain until he completes the course of four years. The training in mil- itary tactics, which is a part of the course, he also enjoys and is now first Lieutenant of his company of cadets, and a very pop- ular student. Mr. Darfus and wife are members of the German Lutheran church at Lancaster.
ALBERT MONDHANK, whose excellent farm of sixty-six acres lies near Lancaster, O., on the Millersport road, in Pleasant Town- ship, and who also has 100 acres more in Pleasant Township and 105 acres in Green- field Township, Fairfield County, was born April 27. 1864. in Hocking Township and is a son of William and Nettie ( Boeckel) Mond- hank.
William Mondhank was born in Germany and for many years was a respected resident of Fairfield County, where he died in 1907, his home being in Lancaster, to which place he had moved from Pleasant Township. He married Nettie Boeckel. who was also born
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in Germany and they had eleven children, eiglit daughters and three sons, all of whom survive, as does the aged mother now in her ninety-first year.
Albert Mondhank obtained his education in the schools of Pleasant Township and has spent the larger part of his life here, his busi- ness being farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat in politics and served four years on the school board. He married Miss Mary Reef, a daughter of the late Jolin Reef, of Greenfield Township, and they have six chil- diren-Clarence, Vernon, John, Annabel. Mary and Paulinc. Mr. Mondhank has very pleasant surroundings, having improved his farm, and his commodious residence is a model of a rural home. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Dummontsville.
N. F. STOUT, owner and proprietor of a general store at Stoutsville, O., and one of the leading and substantial residents of the place, was born in this town, April 30, 1857, a son of Simon and Louisa (Neff) Stout.
Simon Stout, who was born in Ohio in 1830 and died at Stoutsville in 1907, was one of the earliest business men in this section and was the first merchant here. He married Louisa Neff, a member of an old settled family of Ohio and they had the following children: N. F .; Lucretia, wife of Amos Shupe; W. V .: Anna C., wife of F. W. Smith, a prominent business man of Stoutsville; Bertha M., widow of Edward Smith; Maggie, wife of Lee Leas; and Minnie Lee, wife of Mathew Miller.
N. F. Stout was educated in the district schools and at Stoutsville and shortly after- ward embarked in the mercantile line here, in which business he has been continuously en- gaged for the past twenty-two years. His
family has been prominent here for a very long period, his grandparents, Benjamin and Polly Stout coming in pioneer days and the town is named in honor of Benjamin Stout.
N. F. Stout was married in 1879 to Miss Rosetta Odaffer, a daughter of Henry and Martha Odaffer, old residents of Tarlton, O. Mrs. Stout has one brother, William, and two sisters, Isabel and Emma, the former of whom is the wife of Henry Mowery, and the latter the wife of Earl Thomas. To Mr. and Mrs. Stout two daughters were born-Bertha Blanche, who is the wife of F. L. Crites; and Mabel, who is a trained nurse, a graduate of the Protestant Hospital at Columbus. Mr. Stout and family belong to the Reformned church. He is a member of Scipio Lodge No. 255, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. WATSON, who has spent his long and industrious life in Fairfield County, O., and resides on his excellent farm of 160 acres which is situated in Walnut Township, is numbered with the highly re- spected citizens of this section and the success- ful farmers and stock raisers. He was born on this farm December 2, 1838, and is a son of James C. and Rebecca (Cunningham) Watson.
James C. Watson was born in Ireland and was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his father, Thomas Watson, to America. The family settled near New Salem, O., and there Thomas Watson died. James C. Watson be- came a farmer and raiser of stock and about the time of his marriage settled on the farm now owned by his son in Walnut Township where he spent the remainder of his life, dy- ing at the age of sixty-eight years. He mar- ried Rebecca Cunningham, who lived to the age of eighty-two years and is still remem-
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bered in this section. They had the following children: Deborah, Christianna, Elizabeth, Jane, Rebecca, Thomas, James, Jonathan, Jo- seph, William Hand, Ryan K., Emma, and one that died in infancy. Five members of this family still survive-Jonathan, Joseph, William H., Ryan K. and Emma.
Much more interesting than poring over old township annals is a conversation with an intelligent and well informed man like Wil- liam H. Watson, whose memory covers every important township occurrence for alnost sev- enty years, in many of which he bore his part. In his boyhood three winter months were all that could be used for school instruction and he easily recalls the merry troop that went from his own home to the little log school- house some distance away. He gave his father much needed help on the farm not only in cultivating but in clearing, which was a very laborious task, and took pride in the way he could excel. Many changes in the neighbor- hood have taken place, old families have died out and new ones come in. The greater part of the once wild land has been put under culti- vation, the township is proud of its good roads and since his boyhood a' more comfortable way of living has come about, and in all these things Mr. Watson has been more or less con- cerned. For many years he engaged in farm- ing and raised stock, turning out many fine horses on his place. He is no longer so active. his youngest son, Fred, now managing the farm for him.
Mr. Watson was married in 1865 to Miss Almeda Brandon, who was born on the farm of her father, John Brandon, four miles west of the present farm. Nine children have been born to them, namely: Mirtie, who is the wife of Elmer Cooper: James B .; Ella, who is the wife of Otto Grove: John F .: Euphemia, who is the wife of Darrell Christ ; Georgie, who is
the wife of Clyde Berry; Harry; Grace, who is the wife of J. C. Zollinger; and Fred. In addition to this creditable family, Mr. Watson has sixteen grandchildren. He is one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years has been an official. In poli- tics he is identified with the Republican party but has always refused political honors. In 1874 he erected the handsome brick residence that is the family home.
ABRAHAM D. GOSS, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant Town- ship, Fairfield County, O., was born on his present farm, February 17, 1835, and is a son of John and Annie (Doomy) Goss, both na- tives of Switzerland. John Goss came to America in early manhood and settled in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, when the whole country in this section was covered with heavy timber, and lived here until his death. John Doomy, the maternal grand- father, brought his family with him from Switzerland and also settled early in Fairfield County.
Abraham D. Goss had but few educational advantages as we consider such at the present day, but he had much practical experience that supplied him with knowledge that he could never have secured from books. For many years he has carried on agricultural pursuits with much success and owns 221 acres of ex- cellent land. Mr. Goss was married first to Miss Mary A. Miller, a daughter of John Mil- ler, a former resident of Pleasant Township, and she became the mother of four children, as follows: Charles C .. who lives in Pleasant Township; Adelia C., who is the wife of Wil- liam T. Betz, of Franklin County, superin- tendent of the Hartmann stock farm near Co- lumbus, this being famous all over the United States : Effie P., who is deceased; and Minta,
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who is the wife of S. S. McDowell, of Co- lumbus. For his second wife Mr. Goss mar- ried Mrs. Tilla Miller, widow of the late Isaiah Miller of Licking County. Mr. Goss is a member of the Evangelical church, in which he has served as a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat but has never accepted any public office except that of school director of District No. 3, Pleasant Township.
HENSON M. HAZELTON, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon at Lancaster, O., where he has been professionally engaged since 1901, is a native of Perry County, O., born June 2, 1871, and is a son of Harrison and Lorena (Marlowe) Hazelton, and a grandson of Henry Hazelton.
Henry Hazelton was born in Pennsylvania and was a pioneer in Perry County, O., set- tling in the wilderness and literally hewing out a home from the forest. His father and six brothers accompanied him. He was captain of a regiment in the War of 1812. The fam- ily is of English extraction, two brothers, John and Robert Hazelton coming to America in 1637, they being among the first sixty set- tlers at Salem, Mass.
Harrison Hazelton, father of Dr. Hazelton, was born in Perry County, O., where he died in 1899, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a coal operator, a successful man in busi- ness and a much respected citizen. His widow still survies.
Henson M. Hazelton was liberally educated, attending first the local schools, then Hiram College, at Hiram, O., and later the Ohio State University. His medical training was secured at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, at Baltimore, Md., and was supple- mented by a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic. While a resident of Balti- more, he served as an interne in the City Hos-
pital and was also attached to the Bay View Almshouse. Dr. Hazelton began his practice at Uhrichsville, O., where he remained but a short time, in 1901 coming to Lancaster, where he now enjoys a large and remunerative general practice. He is a member of the Na- tional, State and county medical bodies and be- longs to the Medical Research Club at Lan- caster.
Dr. Hazelton married Miss Lillian Pearl Perrin, a native of Thornton, Ind., and they have one son, Henson Perrin, who was born at Lancaster. Dr. Hazelton and wife are mem- bers of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN KEISER, superintendent of the Fairfield County Infirmary, which is located in Pleasant Township, is one of the well nown, representative men of this section and a successful farmer in different places. He was born in Marion County, O., March 15, 1854, and is a son of Frederick and Hannah Keiser.
The parents of Mr. Keiser, who were born in Germany, emigrated to America early in the fifties, locating for a time at Delaware, O. Later they moved to Marion County but sub- sequently returned to Delaware and there the family lived umtil the death of his mother, when John was thirteen years of age. This is a calamity for any boy of that age. He soon left home and went to Columbus, O., where he found employment in a furniture factory for a short time and then went to the Columbus Buggy Company. From Columbus he went to Louisville, Ky., and there, in Au- gust, 1872, he enlisted in Co. F. Sth U. S. Cav., and served in the regular army for nearly five years, headquarters for three years being at Fort Union, New Mexico. and after- ward at Fort Clark, Texas. The main duty
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of this branch of the service was to patrol the Rio Grande River and this frequently included fighting with Indians on the border. The commander of the troops was Gen. Greggs. Our subject was on several expeditions under command of Colonel Shafter, who later be- came General Shafter, being in command at Fort Clark. Mr. Keiser enlisted as a private and before he was honorably discharged, in June, 1877. he had been twice promoted and was a sergeant for three years and during the last year was drill sergeant, promotion testifying to the excellent character he sus- tained. After his military service was over he returned for a short time to Delaware, O., and then to Columbus, where he was employed under Manager Thorn at the State Agricultural Experiment Station. For many years after coming to Fairfield County he was engaged in farming in Lib- erty and Walnut Townships and thus continued until he was appointed su- perintendent of the Infirmary, on April 1, 1903. Mr. Keiser is a Democrat in politics but has seldom accepted local offices, serving for a time, however, as constable, while a resident of Violet Township.
Mr. Keiser was married August 28, 1879, to Miss Caroline Raver, who was born in Fairfield County, a daughter of the late Sam- uel Raver, of Violet Township, and they have had ten children, as follows: Lewis A., who lives in Walnut Township: Ada G., who is the wife of T. H. Kumler, of Liberty Township: Franklin F., who is engineer of the Fairfield County Infirmary ; Samuel D., who is also connected with the Infirmary; and Grover J., Russell R. and Roy D., all of whom live in Pleasant Township; and three who are de- ceased. Mr. Keiser is an example of a self- made man and the success that has crowned his undertakings has come through his own
honest and persevering efforts. Mrs. Keiser has served as matron of the Infirmary for the same time that Mr. Keiser has been superin- tendent.
HON. CHARLES WILLIS PARIDO, justice of the peace at Lancaster, O., of which city he formerly was mayor, has served with the greatest efficiency in numer- ous public offices and is one of the best known citizens of Fairfield County. He was born in Clark County, Ky., September 22, 1845, and is a son of William and Mary (Hart) Parido.
The Parido family originated in France and the great-grandfather came to the American colonies prior to the Revolution- ary War and located in Essex County, Va., from which state Grandfather William Parido moved to Kentucky, in 1810. The latter died in 1851; he married Elizabeth Bullock.
William Parido, son of William and Elizabeth Parido, was born in Kentucky and lived there until 1854, when he brought his family to Fairfield County, settling on a farm in Walnut Township near Pleasant- ville. He became a soldier in Co. I, 126th O. Vol. Inf., and lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. He mar- ried Mary Hart, who was a cousin to Joel Hart, the celebrated sculptor. Four chil- dren were born to them, the two survivors being Charles Willis and Robert Taylor, the latter of whom has been engaged throughout his entire business life in the building contracting line.
Charles Willis Parido was mainly edu- cated at the Fairfield Union Academy, in Pleasantville. He started to teach school when eighteen years of age and continued for twelve years. His educational labors
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led to a wide acquaintance all over the county and to many pleasant and lasting friendships. During the winter of 1865-66, while teaching at Walnut Township, Fair- field County, he had as a pupil, Prof. C. C. Miller, who is now himself a well known educator. Mr. Parido was almost loath to retire from the schoolroom in 1881, when he was elected to the office of county re- corder, the duties of which he assumed on January 2, 1882, and continued in office un- til January 2, 1888, two full terms. In January, 1886, he was elected a justice of the peace, and from 1889 until 1890 he served as acting mayor of Lancaster, in the latter year being appointed mayor and serv- ing one year. He was elected in 1891 for two years, when he was appointed to the office and served from April, 1895, until April, 1896. In the following year he was again elected to the office of justice of the peace and has continued as such until the present. His public duties have all been performed with fidelity to the county and city and he is held in very high esteem by his fellow citizens.
On July 11, 1883, Judge Parido was mar- ried to Miss Nellie May Thompson, a daughter of James W. and Mary (Graham) Thompson. Mrs. Parido was reared in Harrison County, O. Three children have been born to them, namely : Harriet Florence, who is the wife of Harry F. Allen, of Clarksburg, W. Va., a glass worker by trade, and they have three chil- dren-Dorothy May, Richard Parido and Donald Allen; Mathilde Elizabeth, wife of William Boyd Carnes of Washington, D. C .; and Emily Eleanor, who is a talented music teacher. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Judge Parido is identified with the Democratic party.
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