USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 87
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ALONZO E. MILLER,* stock raiser and general farmer and one of the representative citizens of Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., was born near Pennsville, Morgan
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County, O., May 5, 1862, and is a son of Henry G. and Mary M. (Milton) Miller.
Henry G. Miller was born in Guernsey County. O., and was thirteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Morgan County, O., where he grew to man's estate and mar- ried. In 1865 he moved with his family to Fairfield County, locating near Colfax, in Pleasant Township, where he resided for sev- enteen years. He then moved to the northeast- ern part of Pleasant Township, in the early eighties, and there he died, September II, 1886. His widow, who is now in her seventy- third year, continues to live on the farm in Pleasant Township. Henry G. Miller was one of the sterling citizens of this township and for years enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He served in the offices of trustee and treasurer with honesty and effi- ciency, and was a member and liberal supporter of the Christian church. In politics he was a Democrat. Of his children the following are living : Alonzo E .; Lizzie L., wife of Lincoln Wilson, of Morgan County: George H., of Pleasant Township: Annie F., wife of B. F. Craner, of Pleasantville; and Mary A., wife of B. F. Wolf, of Richland Township. Henry G. Miller was interred with Masonic rites, hav- ing been a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the Commandery at Lancaster.
Alonzo E. Miller grew to man's estate in Pleasant Township and attended the local schools and the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, which was one of the leading educational institutions at that time in this part of the county. His business has always been along agricultural lines. Mr. Miller was mar- ried first to Miss Ella M. Rowles, a daughter of William and Rebecca Rowles, of Fairfield County, and they had five children born to them, namely : William H., Ola F., Lyda M., Fern F. and Iva Inez. For his second wife
Mr. Miller married Mrs. Mollie C. Sprague, widow of Charles Sprague and a daughter of James Stockdale, both being former residents of Walnut Township. Two sons have been born to the second marriage: Alonzo E. and Ralph S. Mr. Miller and family belong to the Disciples church. In politics he is nominally a Democrat but has independent tendencies. He belongs to Lodge No. 531. F. & A. M., at Pleasantville, O. and to White Shield Chapter, No. 57. Eastern Star. He has long taken much interest in the Patrons of Husbandry and is a member of Pomona Grange No. 1615, at Pleasantville, of which he is master.
HON. B. F. SNYDER, mayor of Sugar Grove. O., is a leading business man in this section as well as a representative citizen in public affairs. For the past four years he has been superintendent of wells for the Lagon Natural Gas and Fuel Company. He was born in Fairfield County, O., March 12, 1859, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Snoke) Snyder. The father of Mayor Snyder was born in Lick- ing County, O. For many years he has been a resident of Fairfield County, O., and now lives at Sugar Grove, being in his seventy- sixth year. The mother of Mayor Snyder died in May, 1908.
B. F. Snyder was mainly reared in Berne Township, where he attended school, later hav- ing additional advantages at Pleasant Hill and Sugar Grove. He then learned the carpenter's trade and some years afterward went into car- penter contracting. In 1907 he accepted his present position with the Logan Natural Gas and Fuel Company as superintendent of their wells, his territory of inspection being in dif- ferent townships in Fairfield County. He has been a very active citizen, always taking an interest in movements for the general welfare and making so excellent an impression as to
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efficiency and public spirit while serving on the village council of Sugar Grove, that he was elected mayor in December, 1909. For seven years he also served as a member of the Sugar Grove Special School District. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church at Su- gar Grove and is president of the board of trustees. He is identified with the Masonic lodge at Lancaster, O.
JAMES W. DUNCAN,* who is entering upon his second term as a county commissioner of Fairfield County, O., is a leading resident of Hocking Township. He was born in Fair- field County, O., January 22, 1853, and is one of a family of eleven children who were born to his parents who were Thomas and Mary (Iles) Duncan. They are deceased.
James W. Duncan was reared and educated in his native county and farming has been his main business and for a number of years he has lived in Hocking Township. He was elected a county commissioner from there in 1908 by a fair majority and in November, 1910, was reelected by a much larger one. He has been connected with all the wise measures approved by the board in the last few years and his advice is heeded and his judgment con- sulted by his co-workers.
Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Alice Ward, who is a daughter of Daniel Ward, of Fairfield County, and they have two cihldren : William and Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Presbyterian church. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias.
HON. JOHN G. REEVES, one of Fairfield County's distinguished and honored citizens, a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and an able and forceful member of the Lancaster bar, was born in Fairfield County, O., and is a
son of Josiah and Martha S. (Graybill) Reeves.
Left fatherless when quite young, John G. Reeves was reared in the home of his grand- father, Hon. John Graybill. Here he had many advantages, both social and educational, and from the country schools he became a stu- dent at Lancaster and still later in the Ohio University of Athens, where a pleasing per- sonality easily won him friends. Having de- cided upon the law as a profession, in 1860 he became a student in the law office of Martin & Schleich, at Lancaster, where he continued his studies until after the general arousing of pub- lic enthusiasm incident to the outbreak of the Civil War. With other young and ardent spir- its, he enlisted for three years in the 7th O. Vol. Cav., which, after several changes, in 1863 became the IIth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He served for eleven months as orderly sergeant and on September 21, 1862, was appointed sec- ond lieutenant of Co. C, of which he was com- missioned first lieutenant on June 9, 1863, and soon afterward was made adjutant of the 11th Ohio Cavalry. His advancement had been rapid but it was justified by his efficiency, and soon after the above promotion he was made adjutant of the post at Fort Laramie, and sub- sequently provost-marshal of the district. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Reeves was appointed assistant inspector of the Western Division of the District of Nebraska, as a member of the staff of Gen. Mitchell, and his jurisdiction ex- tended as far as South Pass, Wyo. Other of- ficial honors awaited him, one of these being the proffer of a captaincy of Co. L, 11th Cav- alry, which was not accepted on account of the immediate termination of the war. He was honorably discharged from the service in April, 1865. He had passed through many hazardous experiences, his regiment having been detailed
HON. JOHN G. REEVES
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to guard the overland mail and the emigrant route from Julesburg to South Pass and on the South Platte from Julesburg to Fort Hal- leck. The Indians at that time were trouble- some and hostile and danger lurked in every shadow. Viewing the calm poise and perfect self control of Judge Reeves on the bench, it is possible to believe that a measure of these qualities may have become a part of his nature during those months of bravely borne hardship in a position of grave responsibility in what was then an uncivilized part of the country.
After his return to Ohio, Mr. Reeves was admitted to the bar, in 1865, locating immedi- ately at Lancaster, which pleasant little city has been his chosen home ever since. He made rapid progress in his profession and in 1880 was admitted to practice in the U. S. Circuit and District Courts, and in March, 1885, in the U. S. Supreme Court. In 1867 he was elected city solicitor of Lancaster and served four years, and in 1871 was elected prosecuting at- torney of Fairfield County and served for six years. In November, 1900, he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to serve out an unexpired term, and in the following year was elected to the office for a term of five years. In 1906 he was again elected for a term of six years, ending February 9, 1913. which term he is now serving. He is identified with the Democratic party but his profession has been of much more interest to him than politics, and he has seldom consented to con- sider even tempting proposals of political sig- nificance outside of the law. For many years he has been prominently connected with several fraternal organizations and has frequently been an official in state military associations. He has served as grand commander of the Amer- ican Legion of Honor for Ohio, and as grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Ohio, in 1888, and also as supreme representative.
He is a charter member of Coeur de Lion Com- pany No. 9. Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, having served as its captain, and he served also as judge advocate general on the staff of J. W. Green, commander, in Ohio. In Odd Fellowship he is equally prominent, being past noble grand of Alpine Lodge, No. 566, and past patriarch of Hocking Encampment, No. 7; he took an active part in the formation of the Patriarch Militant branch; was twice elected brigadier-general of the First Brigade of Ohio, and twice major-general, commanding the Division of Ohio. He has reached to the highest honors of Masonry, being a Scottish Rite and 33rd degree Mason, and is affiliated with the Ohio Sovereign Consistory at Cincin- nati. Grand Army affairs have also claimed his loyal attention and he has not only been com- mander of the G. A. R. post at Lancaster but has filled other positions of authority. He is also a charter member and past commander of Encampment No. 12, U. V. L. In the benefi- ciary order of Royal Arcanum, he has filled the office of grand regent. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Boys' Indus- trial School of Ohio eight years. He has served also as a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the City Library of Lancaster for the past ten years and in January, 1912, was re- appointed for a term of three years.
Judge Reeves was married in 1866, to Miss Rachel Elizabeth Hooker. They had one son born to them, John Harold. Mrs. Reeves died December 14. 1896.
IRVIN E. ALSPAUGHI,* who owns one of the best farms in Clear Creek Township, Fair- field County, O., consisting of 167 acres of well cultivated land, was born in Bloom Town- ship, Fairfield County, January 1, 1872, and is a son of Paul and Lavina (Weiser) Als- paugh.
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The above families were established in Fair- field County by Jacob Alspaugh and Jacob Weiser, both being of German ancestry. They have had many descendants, all of them sturdy, thrifty and law-abiding. Paul Alspaugh and wife were both born in Bloom Township and died there, their burial being in the old town- ship graveyard. They were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had the following children born to them: Edward H .; Margaret, wife of S. S. Mathias; Levi; Alice, wife of Jonathan Glick; Samuel; Cora Ann, wife of Frank Bell; Irvin E .; and Emma, wife of George O. Keiger.
Irvin E. Alspaugh spent boyhood and early youth on the farm and attended the local schools but he was ambitious for more extended educational training and for four years de- voted the winter months to his books, becom- ing a student for two years at Crawfis Insti- tute, one winter at the Pleasantville Academy and one winter at the university at Ada, O. He returned home and took over the operation of the home farm of 224 acres, which he con- tinued for four years. His father died in 1896 and he was appointed one of the admin- istrators and performed all his duties satisfac- torily. He has resided on his present farm for twelve years and conducts his agricultural op- erations along the best approved lines, raising crops according to modern methods and pro- ducing stock which equals any in the township. He has proved that a college education is very helpful to a man in every line of business.
On November 29, 1899, Mr. Alspaugh was married to Miss Etta Haas, a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Bright) Haas, the for- mer of whom was born in Pickaway and the latter in Fairfield County. Mrs. Alspaugh has one older sister, Leoda, who is the wife of J. B. Meisse; a younger sister, Alice, who is the wife of William E. Sitterly; and one brother,
Charles Haas. Mr. and Mrs. Alspaugh have three sons: Ralph B., Harold P. and Donald J. Politically he is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Amanda. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Amanda.
JAMES HAMPSON, one of the reliable and prominent citizens of Pleasant Township, who has served as township treasurer since April, 1903, was born on the farm on which he lives, June 29, 1865, and is a son of James and Mary (Hite) Hampson.
James Hampson, the elder, was born in Pleasant Township February 12, 1813, a son of John Hampson, who was one of the early settlers of Pleasant Township, entering land from the Government as early as 1806 and be- coming a man of affairs in this section. He was one of the pioneer justices of the peace in North Pleasant Township, holding his court in his log cabin. James Hampson was also a man of prominence in Fairfield County and was township trustee during the Civil War, when unusual conditions confronted all local officials as well as those higher in authority. He was one of the founders of the Fairfield Union Academy, and 'from its organization in 1860 until his death, in 1889, he was a member of its board of trustees. In his political senti- ments he was a Democrat. He married Mary Hite, who was also born in Pleasant Township, and of their children the following are living : Henry J., residing in Walnut Township; Levi H., in Pleasant Township; Lillie, wife of M. F. Mauger, a well known contractor and builder of Lancaster, Ohio; and James, resid- ing in Pleasant Township. The father was a man of such sterling character that he was fre- quently entrusted with the settlement of es- tates, without any bond. He was one of the
MRS. CARRIE F. HAMPSON
JAMES HAMPSON
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directors of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society.
James Hampson spent his early life in Pleas- ant Township and had excellent educational training in the Fairfield Union Academy and in the cultivation of his farm has demonstrated that an educated man may make a very suc- cessful agriculturist. He owns ninety-one acres of land adjoining Pleasantville on the south and his handsome residence presents an attractive appearance amidst the surroundings, all of which indicate thrift and comfort.
Mr. Hampson was married May 28, 1890, to Miss Carrie A. Fisher, a daughter of the late Adam Fisher, of Walnut Township, and they have had three children: Esther M., James V., and one deceased. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Hampson succeeded as a trustee of Fairfield, Union Academy and served for twenty years, when the property was turned into a public school for Pleasant- ville and vicinity and is now known as Pleas- antville special school district and since the fall of 1909 Mr. Hampson has been a member of the board of this special district. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at Pleasantville and a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Pleasantville and to Royal Arch Chapter, No. II, at Lancaster, and has just been advanced to the rank of Knight Templar.
G. BIGERTON, one of the well known citi- zens of Bloom township, Fairfield County, O .. resides on his valuable farm of 118 acres, which is situated half way between Lithopolis and Canal Winchester. He was born in 1873. in Greenfield township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Jacob and Almeda ( Markle) Bigerton.
Jacob Bigerton has spent almost his entire life of eighty-three years in Fairfield County, and still resides on his farm in Greenfield
township. He married Alneda Markle and their family of seven children all survive: Sarah Jane, Newton, Charles, William, Alva, G. and Orpha.
G. Bigerton attended the public schools of Greenfield township and then assisted on the home farm until he came to his present place, about 1899. He made many improvements in- cluding the erection of a modern, comfortable residence. He carries on general farming and devotes some attention to the raising of good stock.
Mr. Bigerton married Miss Martha Bert- chin, a daughter of the late John Bertchin, of Fairfield County, and they have had two chil- dren : Marie and Archer, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. Bigerton is a Democrat in his political views, and in all that relates to good citizenship, is one of the township's de- pendable and reliable men.
FRANK M. ACTON,* who is recognized as one of the leading members of the Lancaster bar, at Lancaster, O., and formerly prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County, is somewhat prominent politically although his main atten- tion has been given to his professional duties. He was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O., April 8, 1872, and is a son of Wil- liam H. and Sarah F. (Pollard) Acton.
Both parents of Mr. Acton were born in England. The father, William H. Acton, was born in England, October 8, 1832, and re- mained in his native land until he was twenty- five years of age. He then embarked on a sail- ing vessel bound for New York, but landed in New Orleans, where he remained for six months. He was already equipped with the excellent trade of machinist and later became a railroad engineer. After coming to Lancas- ter, O .. he ran a stationary engine at the old starch factory for a time, afterward was an
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engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and then gave his entire attention until he retired, in 1904, to work as a machinist. He resides at Lancaster.
William H. Acton married Sarah F. Pollard after coming to Lancaster, where her father, John Pollard, had settled with his family after coming from England. He was in the artifi- cial gas business and continued in the same at Lancaster until he retired, when he removed to Chicago, Ill., where his death occurred at the age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Acton was twenty years old when she came to America.
Frank M. Acton was educated at Lancaster, graduating from the High School in 1890. He then engaged in the study of law in the office of C. W. McCleary at Lancaster and was ad- mitted to the bar when but twenty-one years old. Circumstances of the most favorable promise have never led Mr. Acton to change his place of residence and he has been an active and useful citizen, at all times working for the general welfare while engaged in advancing his own fortunes. In politics a Democrat, on the Democratic ticket he was elected city solic- itor in 1894 and served until 1900, and in 1903 he was elected prosecuting attorney and served effectively in that difficult position until 1909. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Elks.
Mr. Acton married Miss Maude C. Wiley, who was born at Carroll, O., a daughter of Robert M. and Phebe M. (Church) Wiley. They have four children: Margaret Lucille, Francis Marion, Robert M. and Laura Maria. Mr. Acton and family are members of the Eng- lish Lutheran church.
SAMUEL F. SNIDER, whose productive farm of 318 acres lies five miles northwest of Basil, O., in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, was born on this place in 1875, and
is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Feeman) Snider.
The Snider family is an old and respected one in Fairfield County and has always been connected with agriculture. Emanuel Snider was born in this county and owned valuable farming land in Liberty Township which he improved during his lifetime and died here when aged sixty-four years. He was twice married, his second wife still surviving, the first wife dying when her son, Samuel F. was five years old. She was Elizabeth Feeman, a daughter of John Feeman formerly a substan- tial farmer of Pleasant Township. His second marriage was to Miss Leah Hensel, a daughter of Jacob Hensel, Sr., who came to Fairfield County at an early day from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Snider had no children of her own but proved a devoted mother to her step-children, four in number : Noah, who died young ; J. W., who died in Columbus, was an attorney ; Mrs. J. V. Goss, who is a resident of Basil; and Samuel F., with whom she makes her home.
Samuel F. Snider obtained his education in the schools of Liberty Township. He has al- ways lived on the homestead and as time has passed has kept up the improvements and con- tinually added to the value of the land. He raises the usual profitable crops and addition- ally gives attention to good stock and keeps the careful, overseeing. eye on every thing that proclaims the successful agriculturist. In pol- itics Mr. Snider is a Democrat and was elected township trustee in the fall of 1911 for a terni of two years. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Snider is unmarried.
H. A. HOUSE,* cashier of the Millersport Bank Company, at Millersport, O., of which he is one of the charter stockholders, has served in his present official capacity ever since the insti-
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tution opened for business. He was born on his father's farm in Licking County, O., Sep- tember 14, 1875, and is a son of Jefferson and Lavina (Young) House, both of whom are now deceased.
H. A. House enjoyed good educational ad- vantages. After graduating from the Hebron High School in 1895, he attended the Northern Ohio University at Ada, O., and in 1897 began to teach school. He taught what was known as the Sugar Loaf School for one year and then taught the Hebron schools for six years. He then entered the employ of the T. & O. C. Railroad as agent and telegraph operator and for some two years spent his summers in this connection, teaching school during his less busy months. On September 10, 1904, he was as- signed to Millersport as agent for the above- mentioned road and thus continued until Sep- tember 10, 1907, when he resigned in order to become cashier of the newly organized Millers- port Banking Company. This has grown to be one of the dependable and solid financial institutions of this section and has the support of the substantial men in both the town and country.
On April 16, 1908, Mr. House was married to Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of James H. Smith, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. House are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, both at Millersport.
RUFUS J. CONRAD, a leading citizen of Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., and a trustee of the township, owns a valuable prop- erty in this section, including a one-half inter- est in 1541/2 acres, and also a one-half interest in eighty-two and one-half acres situated two miles east of Sugar Grove, O. He was born in Berne Township, September 5, 1871, and
is a son of Noah and Elizabeth ( Pannabacker ) Conrad.
Noah Conrad was born in Hocking County, O., a son of Christopher Conrad, who was an early settler there, reputed to have come from Virginia. Noah Conrad was reared and at- tended school in Good Hope Township, Hock- ing County, and from there came to Fairfield County in early manhood. Subsequently he married and settled in Berne Township, where the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring October 16, 1908. His wife died October II, 1892. Of their children the fol- lowing survive: Jane M., who is the wife of Henry Ackers, of Berne Township; Emma, who is the wife of John Fossler, a resident of Webster County, Neb .; George W., who also lives in Nebraska; Clara A., who is the wife of Frank Ream, of Sugar Grove; and Rufas J. and Joseph N., both of Berne Township. In politics Noah Conrad was a stanch Democrat. He was a man of sterling integrity, a consis- tent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was known and respected all over the county.
Rufus J. Conrad was reared in Berne Town- ship, where he attended school and the well known Crawfis Institute. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and is num- bered with the prosperous farmers of Berne Township. Mr. Conrad has always been an active and interested citizen, one of the men of progressive ideas in his section and a lead- ing Democrat. He is a member of the Demo- cratic Central Committee of Fairfield County, served three years as a member of the school board under the old law, and is serving in his second term as a trustee of Berne Township.
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