USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 80
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George Runkle, named for his father, at- tended the district schools in boyhood. He afterward assisted his father on the farm and on the death of the latter came into possession. The property is a valuable one and the resi- dence, which was built in 1846, is still comfort- able. Mr. Runkle has made improvements, as he has considered it advisable, and his farm yield and annual output of stock are above the average.
Mr. Runkle was married to Miss Catherine Mason, who was reared on the farm of her
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father, R. H. Mason, in Fairfield County, and they have four children : A. H., Henry Austin, Samuel V. and Lavancha Alma. The eldest son operates a farm near the homestead. He was born in 1875, was educated in the common and progressive farmers of this township. He was married first to Miss Anna Storts and sec- ondly to Miss Carrie Cormany. Mr. Runkle and sons are Democrats in politics. He be- longs to the Grange, with other wide awake farmers of this neighborhood, and his methods of agricultural work are along modern lines. With his family, Mr. Runkle belongs to the Reformed church.
L. ALONZO MILLER, a representative citizen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., where he was born, Janaury I, 1869, belongs to an old family of this county, both of his parents having been born here, his father, Emanuel Miller being a native of Pleas- ant Township, and his mother, Maria (Shaf- fer) Miller, of Greenfield Township.
John Miller, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and when he came to Ohio in early manhood, established himself in Pleas- ant Township and spent the remaining years of his life there. Emanuel Miller followed an agricultural life, spending the larger part of it in Greenfield Township where he was a man greatly esteemed. He served as a trustee of his township and was a liberal supporter of schools and church and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal body. His death occurred March 12, 1907. Of his children there are seven survivors, namely: Jefferson, residing at Lancaster; Ambrose, living in Greenfield Township; L. Alonzo, who lives in Greenfield Township; Mrs. Lady J. Hone, of Fairmount, Ind .; Clara, wife of Reuben Wagner, of Mercer County, O .; Ida, wife of
Daniel Goss, and Susan, wife of Adam Wag- ner, both residing at Lancaster.
L. Alonzo Miller attended the public schools of Greenfield Township and his business has always been along agricultural lines. He owns schools and is numbered with the enterprising · an excellent farm of 112 acres in Greenfield Township, which he devotes to general farm- ing and stockraising.
Mr. Miller was married March 12, 1890, to Miss Clara A. Reef, who was born in Green- field Township, a daughter of John Reef, a former well known citizen and farmer of this section, and they have four children-Viola F., Calvin R., Florence and Wayne. Mr. Miller and family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Dumontville, O., of which he is a trustee and liberal supporter.
A. M. SMITH, who owns a fine farm of 124 acres, which is situated four miles southeast of Lithopolis, O., was born in October, 1854, in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of John H. and Margaret ( Barringer ) Smithı.
John H. Smith was a native of Fairfield County but died in Perry County, O., when aged seventy-one years. For some years he conducted a shoe store at Lithopolis, but after moving to Perry County, was a farmer. He was twice married, first to Margaret Barringer and secondly to a Miss Sayers. Six children were born to the first union, namely: A. M., Mary, Emma A., Mrs. Sarahı Lane, George, and W. H., the last named being a resident of Columbus.
A. M. Smith attended school at Lithopolis in his boyhood and afterward became inter- ested in farm pursuits and has followed farm- ing and stock raising with success, for many years. Prior to settling on his present valuable farm in Bloom Township, he resided in Pick- away County. Here he has made all the im-
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provements, erecting new buildings and adding to his general farm equipments. Mr. Smith was married first to Miss Melvina Hickle and they had one daughter, Gertrude, who is the wife of David Swisher and they have two chil- dren, Percy and Dustin. Mr. Smith was again married, Miss Mattie E. Bixler, of Ross County, becoming his wife, and they have one son, William H., who married Edith Hancock, and has two children, Alfred and Robert.
Mr. Smith has never taken any great interest in political campaigns but has never failed to perform all the duties of citizenship. He is a Republican in his political views. For a num- ber of years he has been a member of the fra- ternal order of Knights of Pythias.
WALTER B. TAYLOR, M. D., who has been engaged in medical practice at Pickering- ton, O., since 1902, and is identified with the financial interests of the village as secretary of the Pickerington Banking Company, is a na- tive of this place, born January 1, 1877, and is a son of Dr. Frank G. and Mary E. (Tussing) Taylor.
Dr. Frank G. Taylor was born in Franklin County, O., and during two years of his early practice was located at Pickerington. Later he moved to Reynoldsburg, where he engaged in medical practice for over thirty years. He married Mary Tussing, who was born in Violet Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of Rev. George N. Tussing, who was at one time a much beloved and widely known preacher of the Primitive Baptist faith. He was one of the early ministers in Violet Township and later served a charge at Columbus, O.
Walter B. Taylor was an infant when his parents moved from Pickerington to Reynolds- burg and there he was reared and partly edu- cated. After graduating from the Reynolds- burg High School he attended the Ohio Nor-
mal University at Ada, taking his degree of B. S. He afterward taught the Reynoldsburg schools for four years, in the meanwhile doing his preliminary medical reading. In 1902 he was graduated from the Ohio Medical Uni- versity at Columbus, after which he was at- tached to the Protestant Hospital in that city for one year as an interne. With the excep- tion of a short period of practice near Find- lay, O., Dr. Taylor has been continuously en- gaged at Pickerington, where he has built up practice and reputation and has thoroughly identified himself with the interests and people of his native place.
Dr. Taylor married Miss N. Blanche Wolf, a daughter of J. S. Wolf, an influential citizen of Reynoldsburg, and they have two sons, Kenneth W. and N. Emerson. Nominally a Democrat, Dr. Taylor assumes the right to give political support as his own judgment dictates. He takes much interest in further- ing the development of Pickerington as a com- mercial center and was one of the original promoters of the Pickerington Bank and is a director, stockholder and its secretary. His in- terest is awake also to the progress of the town along the lines of culture and education and is serving as a member of the board of trustees of the Public Library. Professionally he is identified with the Columbus Academy of Med- icine, the Fairfield County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society, keeping well informed concerning all the progress made in the science of medicine. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the F & A. M. lodge at Reynoldsburg. He is also a mem- ber of the Primitive Baptist church at this place, being one of the board of deacons. Formerly he was a member of the village school board and largely through his work and interest the town secured its high school. At present he is serving as a member of the vil-
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lage council. It may easily be seen that Dr. Taylor is a well known and influential man in this part of Fairfield County.
DAVID SNIDER, who is one of the well known agriculturists of Liberty Township. Fairfield County, O., residing on his well im- proved farm of 205 acres, which is situated three and one-half miles north-west of Basil, O., was born here July 1, 1848, and is a son of John and Lydia (Dumy ) Snider.
John Snider was born in Pleasant Town- ship. Fairfield County and from there came to Liberty Township when a boy and spent the remainder of his life here. He was a well known man in his day and was an extensive farmer, owning 400 acres of land. He married Lydia Dumy, who was born in Walnut Town- ship. Fairfield County, and they had five chil- dred born to them, three of whom survive: Martin, who resides on his farm one mile west of the old homestead; David, who resides on old homestead; and John R., who lives at West Point, Miss. Benjamin and Mary are deceased.
David Snider attended the country schools until old enough to assume business responsi- bilities and since then has been engaged in farming and stock raising on the homestead. When this farm came into his possession he erected a more modern and convenient resi- dence and made numerous other desirable im- provements on the place. Mr. Snider married Miss Amanda Sutphen, who died in 1886, aged thirty-seven years, the mother of four children, namely : John Wesley, who died in infancy ; Bertha J., who died when aged 16 months ; Laura Elletta, who married Henry Detwiler ; and Orla Warren, who married Blanche Neff. Mr. Snider is a member of the United Evangel- ical church. He belongs to the Grange and has frequently taken part in its discussions and en-
joyed its social features. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party.
JACOB PICKERING, justice of the peace for Violet Township, and a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser, owns 128 acres of well developed land in this section, there being 103 acres in his home farm. He was born on this farm, February 25, 1845, and is a son of David H. and Mary ( Price) Pick- ering.
David H. Pickering was born in the village of Pickerington, O., and spent his entire life in Violet Township. He was a son of Jacob Pickering, who was a native of Rockingham County, Va., from which part of the country he came in the early days of the organization of Fairfield County. In what is now Violet Township he purchased land from the parties who had entered it from the Government, it being then covered with trees and shrubs. A part of the present prospering town of Picker- ington, was named for a member of this fam- ily, it standing on what was then the farm of Abraham Pickering. Jacob Pickering sur- vived until 1860, dying in honored old age. He was succeeded in the management of the homestead by his son, David H. Pickering, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. The latter married Mary Price, who was born in Maryland, and of their children the fol- lowing are living : Jacob, who bears his grand- father's name: Hannah C., who is the wife of George Stover, of Reynoldsburg; Jane, who is the wife of James Kinney, of Reynoldsburg; and Julia, who is the wife of Winfield S. Har- mon, of Violet Township.
Jacob Pickering grew up on the home farm and obtained his education in the local schools. He carries on the usual farm industries which he has found profitable in this section of Ohio, farming, stock raising, fruit growing and
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clairying to a certain extent, his finely culti- vated land being exceedingly productive. l'ol- itically he is a Democrat and has frequently been tendered public office by his fellow citi- zens, has served two terms as assessor of Violet Township and is serving in his eighth term as a justice of the peace.
Mr. Pickering married Miss Lovinna A. Al- len, a daughter of the late B. B. Allen, of Violet Township, and they had one son, Otha Allen. This son is now deceased and is sur- vived by his widow, Mrs. Mary (Maxwell) Pickering, and two children, Agnes and Jacob. Judge Pickering is identified with the Odd Fel- lows at Reynoldsburg and belongs to Ridgely Encampment, at Columbus.
JOHN L. ZOLLINGER, who, in partner- ship with his sons, owns 450 acres of some of the finest land in Walnut Township, is one of the representative citizens of this section and a man who stands very high in township and county in the general regard. He was born June 18, 1845, on his grandfather's farm in Perry County, O., but was brought to Fairfield County when three years old and has lived here ever since. He is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Linville ) Zollinger.
Jacob Zollinger was born near Somerset, Perry County, O., a son of Lewis Zollinger, who came to Ohio from Strasburg. Pa., and was of German parentage. He reached Perry County while Indians still made their home there. He was a man of peace and had no trouble with the savages but later found land that he liked better along Buckeye Lake in Fairfield County, and traded his Perry County land for this, moved on it and spent the rest of his life there, tenderly cared for by his son Jacob, who was the youngest of his children. The one daughter, Polly, was the wife of John Allen. John, the second born, is long since
deceased. Lewis Zollinger depended in his business affairs on the judgment of his young- est son, Jacob. The latter bought his brother's and sister's interest in the old farm before the death of the father, and acquired other land, at one time owning 2,000 acres in Ohio and 1500 acres in Iowa. Ile carried on extensive farming and raised cattle, sheep and hogs. He was a man of natural shrewdness and was con- sidered an unusually good business man. He died in 1884 at the age of sixty-six years. He married Margaret Linville, who was born in Perry County and died in 1904, aged eighty- five years. Her father, Joseph Linville, was a shipper of stock and contracted fever while at New Orleans disposing of the same and died at Cleveland, O., when she was a child. To Jacob Zollinger and wife eight children were born : Rachel, who is the wife of F. C. King, of Newark, O .; John Lewis; Henry H., who lives in Miami County. O .; Missouri, who is a resident of Fairfield County; Arminda, who is deceased, was the wife of Albert Kneel, also deceased; Louisiana, who was the wife of S. W. Kenney: Elvira, who is the wife of T. B. Lewis, of Columbus, O. ; and William E., who lives in Fairfield County.
John L. Zollinger was so young when the family came to Walnut Township that he does not recall the long wagon journey but he re- members the appearance of the country that surrounded his new home and the little log schoolhouse in which he learned his first book lessons. Later he attended the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville and still later the Ohio Wesleyan Northern University at Dela- ware. His father owned a farm of 320 acres in Miami County, and for two years he oper- ated it and was then called home to manage his father's affairs there. Later, after marriage, he settled on a farm he owned adjoining his present one and bought the latter and moved
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onto it in 1880. He still owns both farms- which are contiguous-in partnership with his three sons. The north end of the first men- tioned farm for 100 rods borders on the lake and this part is rented out as a summer resort. Mr. Zollinger has made all the fine improve- ments on the farm on which he lives, including the erection of his handsome 13-room brick residence, and substantial farm buildings. As above indicated, he has associated his sons with him in his enterprises and they all live near and have a community of interests. They deal in live stock and raise grain.
Mr. Zollinger was married on February 9. 1870, to Miss Rebecca H. Trovinger. She has practically spent her entire life in Walnut Township and is a daughter of Christopher Trovinger, who was a well known early set- tler in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Zoll- inger the following children have been born : Charles H., who was accidentally killed by a horse when aged eleven years; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Stephens, of Thorn- ville, O .; Mary J., who is the wife of George Shelley of Thornville; Eugene T., who died at the age of ten years; Jacob C., who married Grace Watson, and lives in Walnut Township; William Milton, who married Mira Zartman; Grace, who is the wife of Stanley Hartman, of Thurston, O .: Edith; Teny, who married Minnie Bope ; and Leslie E., who married Dora Miller. The entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. There are many grandchildren and all together the family is a large, happy and united one. Mr. Zollinger and sons are Republicans. He is identified with the Masonic lodge at Millersport. When the Millersport Bank was founded he was one of the organizers and continues to be a stock- holder.
HENRY KULL, who is a well known and highly respected citizen of Fairfield County,
O., has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising here for some years. He was born in Hocking County, O., and his parents were Godfrey and Caroline (Schweikert) Kull, who were of German ancestry. Henry Kull was the fourth child born in the family of six children, namely: Charles, William, George, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Frederick and Edward. William and Caroline are now deceased.
Henry Kull attended the district schools in his native county in boyhood and ever since has followed farming. The tract of ninety- nine acres on which he lives, belongs to Lucy A. Schillinger, from whom he rents, but all farm stock and implements and machinery on the place belong to Mr. Kull. He is a practical, honest, hard-working man and is prospering.
On November 25, 1886, Mr. Kull was mar- ried to Miss Katie Hanaway, the eldest child of W. P. and Ellen (Morris) Hanaway. Mrs. Kull has one brother, William, and three sis- ters-Hannah, Rosa and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Kull have four children, namely Rosa, Iver- ine, Frank and Mildred. The family attends the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat.
JOSEPH HENRY GOLDCAMP, hard- ware merchant at Lancaster, O., proprietor of the Jos. H. Goldcamp & Company, was born at Kelleys Mills, Lawrence County, O., Au- gust 12, 1870, and is a son of Ferdinand and Mary (Monnig) Goldcamp.
Ferdinand Goldcamp was born in Lawrence County in 1837, his people having located there after coming from Baden, Germany. He was engaged in farming in Elizabeth Township for a number of years and now lives retired at Ironton, where he owns property. He mar- ried Mary Monnig, who was born in Lawrence County, November 24, 1839, a daughter of Frederick Monnig, who came from Germany
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to the United States about 1835 and located at Hanging Rock, O. In politics Ferdinand Goldcamp is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. To them the following children were born: Frank F., who is a member of the firm of Jos. H. Goldcamp & Co., is a hardward merchant at Ironton, O .; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-three years, was the wife of Frank McCauley, of Ironton; Josephine, who is the wife of H. C. Rudmann, a manu- facturer at Ironton; John F., who is in the hardware business at Ironton: Albert, who died at the age of sixteen years; Joseph H .; Henry L., who owns and operates the old home farm; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Dr. Cor- nelius Gallagher, of Ironton; Frederick, who died at the age of four years; and Flora, who is the wife of Fred Derford, of Ironton.
Joseph H. Goldcamp attended both the pub- lic and parochial schools and later Lebanon College, after which he returned to the home farm and assisted his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He then was in the employ at Ironton for over five years of Gold- camp Bros. & Co., on January 24, 1901, com- ing to Lancaster, where he purchased the stock of W. E. Shell on West Main Street. He moved the stock to Nos. 107-109 North Co- lumbus Street, on April 1, 1903, securing his present quarters. Since 1904 the business has been conducted under the firm name of Jos. H. Goldcamp & Company, composed of J. H., and Frank F. Goldcamp, and James A. McCauley. The aim of this firm has been to establish con- ficence and thus only first class goods are han- dled, the stock being unusually complete, in- cluding edged tools, farm implements and all kinds of vehicles. The members of this firm are practical and experienced men in their line and personally are representative and reliable citizens.
On April 26, 1897, Mr. Goldcamp was mar- ried to Miss Alice A. Kramer, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hudson) Kramer, of Hanging Rock, Lawrence County, O., and they have two sons: Lawrence, who was born July 15, 1899, and Cyril, who was born May 5, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Goldcamp are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. John and the Elks. The family resides at No. 235 South High Street, Lan- caster.
HON. HENRY CLAY DRINKLE, post- master at Lancaster, O., of which place he has long been a prominent citizen, was born at Lancaster, February 28, 1845, a son of Peter G. and Nancy (Miller) Drinkle and one of a family of three children born to his parents. His father, who was a merchant at Lancaster during his active years, died in 1851.
Henry Clay Drinkle was educated in the public schools of Lancaster, after which he learned the printer's trade, completing his ap- prenticeship in the office of the Lancaster Gasette, which was a paper established in 1826, and of which he was twice part owner. After being employed in this office for six years, he turned his attention to the study of law, his preceptor being the Hon. John S. Brasee, and he was admitted to the bar in September, 1869. He continued in practice until he was ap- pointed postmaster, in September, 1910, under the administration of President Taft, during this period serving eight consecutive years as city solicitor and filling out an unexpired term as judge of the Probate Court. On many oc- casions he has been the recipient of testimo- nials indicating the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and after serving as mayor for one term in 1883, was urged to accept an-
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other term, but declined the honor. From January, 1866, to December, 1867, he served as one of the sergeant-at-arms of the Ohio State Senate. He has long been a very impor- tant factor in Republican politics in this sec- tion of the state, distinctively as a Foraker fac- tional adherent.
Judge Drinkle was married to Miss Kate Vorys, a daughter of Isaiah Vorys, and they have three children-Charles H., Mary C. and Alice V. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their attractive residence is situated at No. 310 S. Broad Street, Lan- caster. Judge Drinkle is a member of the Ma- sonic Order; also an officer of the Supreme Ruling of the Fraternal Mystic Circle, an in- surance company under the assessment plan, of which he was a charter member in Decem- ber twenty-four years ago.
(Since the above was printed, Judge Drin- kle passed away while undergoing an opera- tion in Columbus Hospital. His burial took place at Lancaster, April 7, 1912).
MATHIAS J. DILGER, commander of Ben Butterfield Post, G. A. R., No. 77, at Lan- caster, O., is an honored veteran of the Civil WVar who has been a continuous resident of Pleasant Township, where he owns 30 acres, since 1865 and for years has been one of the representative citizens. He was born in Rich- land Township, Fairfield County, November 26, 1840, and is a son of John M. and Zillah ( Mills) Dilger.
John M. Dilger, born in Baden-Baden, Ger- many, came to America in 1817 and located in Lancaster County, Pa., where he was married to Zillah Mills and after the birth of one child they came to Fairfield County, O., making the long journey with a one-horse wagon, and ar- riving in Richland Township with his house- hold effects and ten cents in money. Pioneer experiences fell to the lot of this family as
to that of their neighbors and while each year showed improvement in their affairs, it was a long time before they felt justified in taking life easy . In 1848 John M. Dilger and family moved to Pleasant Township, locating near Colfax, where he and his wife survived into extreme old age, his death occurring after his ninetieth birthday and that of his wife when almost ninety-five. During his active years he worked at the shoemaking trade. His wife was a member of the Society of Friends.
Mathias J. Dilger was eight years old when the family moved into Pleasant Township and there he grew to manhood, attending school at Colfax and enjoying one term in the Rushville High School. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Dilger was one of the first patriots to respond to the call of the President of the United States for soldiers. He enlisted in April, 1861, in Co. A, Ist O. Vol. Inf., for three months and within this period took part in the battle of Bull Run. On August 15, 1861, Mr. Dilger reenlisted in the same regi- ment, which was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and later to the Army of the Cum- berland, and he participated in many of the most serious battles of the whole war, includ- ing Shiloh, Corinth, Murphysboro, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Siege of Atlanta, exclusive of innumer- able skirmishes. He was twice seriously wounded, once at Missionary Ridge and later at Atlanta; in the latter case a bullet pene- trated his lung. He was stationed not twenty feet at this time from the brave General Mc- Pherson, who there met his death. In Au- gust, 1864, he was a second time honorably discharged and in September following ap- plied for a third enlistment and was trans- ported to Nashville, Tenn, but was refused active service on account of previous injuries. He was given a position, however, in the quar- termaster's department and remained until the
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