USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 43
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On returning to Fayette county Mr. Dixon decided to invest the most of his hard-earned wealth in good farming land and in so doing exhibited good foresight. The land, which was cheap at that time, is now worth several times what he paid for it in the fifties. He has long since retired from active farm life. although he still retains the general supervision of his large estate.
Mr. Dixon was married in 1855 to Armilda Brakefield, who died about six years ago. To this marriage were born four children, Sheridan, Jean- ette and two who died in infancy. Sheridan, who died in May, 1914, mar- ried Ethel Shobe and has one son, Kelley. Jeanette married first William H. Rodgers. His death occurred in 1901, and they had six children, Kelley, Robert, Ernest. Hamilton, Ola and Mary. Mrs. Rodgers married for her second husband H. D. Hoppes.
Politically, Mr. Dixon has been a Democrat for the past seventy years and has always been one of the advisers of his party in local affairs. He has never wished for office, but has frequently assisted his friends to political preferment. He has long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal
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church and is a consistent member, as was his wife during her life time. Mr. Dixon is one of the oldest pioneers of the county and links the past with the present. He is still hale and hearty and can recount many interesting stories of the old days. He is now facing the evening of life and can look back over a long life filled with good deeds and feel that he has not lived in vain, that he has made the community where he has spent so many years the better because of his presence.
EDWARD L. BUSH.
It is interesting to note in the personal histories of many of the repre- sentative citizens of Fayette county, Ohio, that a large number of their forefathers fought in the War of 1812. Ohio was a battle ground for many years between the whites and the Indians and from the organization of the Northwest Territory in 1787 to the final treaty of General Wayne in 1795, there was hardly a year passed by when there was not a pitched battle be- tween the two races. However, the Greenville treaty of 1795 did not put an end to Indian depredations, the British constantly inciting the Indians to murder the few pioneers scattered over the state of Ohio. During the War of 1812 practically every able bodied man in the state enlisted for service and the Ohio troops served with gallant distinction wherever they were placed. The first members of the Bush family settled within the present limits of Fayette county, Ohio, early in the nineteenth century, and this representative, Daniel Bush, the grandfather of the immediate sketch, was a soldier in the War of 1812. His widow was one of the very last pension- ers of that war in Fayette county, where she lived until over ninety-four years of age. Daniel Bush was born in Pendelton county, Virginia, and his wife, Susan Baughn, was a native of North Carolina. They both emigrated to this county with their parents and were married in Fayette county, and lived here until their death. They had a family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom lived to maturity, married and reared families of their own.
John S. Bush, the father of Edward L. Bush, and one of the fourteen children of Daniel Bush, was reared in Fayette county, where he was born. He was a mere youth at the opening of the Civil War, but this did not deter him from offering his services to his country. He enlisted twice and served with distinction until the close of the war. He died in 1893, while his wife died in 1877, being only about thirty years of age at the time of her death.
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They had a family of six children: Elmer E., deceased; Cena, the wife of D. F. Osburn, of Milledgeville, Ohio: Edward L., whose history is here re- corded: Corwin C., of Waubay, South Dakota: Almeda, unmarried, and Armetha, widow of Dr. J. O. Lieuellen. Almeda and Armetha were twins. The parents of Jane Creamer, the wife of John S. Bush, were Henry and Isabel ( Burnett ) Creamer, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Fayette county. Henry Creamer taught school in the early history of this county and in later life followed the occupation of a farmer. Henry Creamer and his wife were the parents of three children, Jane, Corwin and May.
Edward L. Bush, one of the six children born to John S. and Jane (Creamer ) Bush, was born in Union township, this county, September 19. 1869. He was reared on his father's farm in Union township, received the best education which the district schools afforded and then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. After leaving the university he taught school for five years in this county, and in the meantime reading law with the intention of entering the legal profession. He was admitted to the bar on October 24, 1894. being twenty-five years of age at the time, and im- mediately began the active practice of his profession, locating at Jefferson- ville, this county. He moved to Washington C. H., December 16, 1902, to take the office of prosecuting attorney, to which he had been elected. He served in this capacity for two terms of three years each, after which he opened a law office in the county seat, where he has since practiced. He does a general legal business and is recognized as one of the ablest members of the Fayette county bar.
Mr. Bush was married June 5, 1895, to Edith O. Carman, a daughter of Isaac H. and Rhoda (Hyer) Carman, and to this union has been born one daughter, Mabel Dorothy. Mrs. Bush, as well as her mother, was born in Fayette county. while her father was a native of New Jersey. Her par- ents are now living in Union township, where they have reared a family of eleven children : Mrs. Myrtle Harrop, Etta Hyer ( deceased ), Edith O., Alden G .. William L., Mrs. Eva Braden, Earl, Fred D., Mrs. Charlotte Eichel- berger. Madge ( deceased ) and Paul R.
Politically. Mr. Bush is a Republican, and has always been active in the affairs of his party in this county, which honored him with two nominations for county prosecutor, and his subsequent election following each nomination bears ample testimony of his popularity as a citizen and his standing as a lawyer in the county.
Mr. Bush is connected with many of the business interests of the county,
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and is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank of Jefferson- ville, the Fayette County Creamery and the Masonic Temple Company. Fraternally, Mr. Bush is an active Mason and a member of Jeffersonville Lodge. Fayette Chapter, Fayette Council, Garfield Commandery, Knights Templar, and Royal Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
THOMAS J. ENGLAND.
The life of Thomas J. England has been filled with some very interest- ing experiences. Lle has traveled extensively throughout the United States and has seen much of the world. For many years he has been engaged in farming in Madison township. Fayette county, Ohio, owning a fine farm of two hundred acres on the White Oak road near Cook Station. He is a man of great energy and ability and has been very successful as a tiller of the soil, ranking with the most progressive farmers of his township.
Thomas J. England. the son of Lorenzo and Sarah ( Darby ) England. was born May 24, 1851, in Ross county, Ohio, near Chillicothe. His father was born and reared in the same county and had a family of ten children, 1. W., Alice, Demetrius, John, Thomas J., James, Scioto, Effie, Emma and Ella. The last four children are deceased. Lorenzo was the son of John England, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a blacksmith by trade.
The education of Thomas J. England was received in the schools of Ross county and when he completed his education he was seized with a desire to see the world. The subject's son, Orie, then enlisted in the United States navy and first spent five months on the "Nevada." a training ship in Norfolk harbor. After completing his training he was assigned to the battle- ship "North Carolina" and served for three years on this ship, during which time he saw considerable of the world.
Mr. England was married in 1881 to Elizabeth Roer, the daughter of Thomas R. and Francis ( MacLean) Roer. To this union there have been born six children: Charles, John M., Ore T. and three who died in early childhood. Charles married Inez Parrett and has three children, Elloise, Thomas E. and Glenn. John M. is manager of the Standard Electric Com- pany of Wilmington, Ohio. Ore T., the youngest son, is at home and is now managing the home farm.
Fraternally, Mr. England is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while his son, John M., is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to whose support they are liberal contributors.
JOSHUA MAHAN.
The parents of Joshua Mahan, with whom this narrative deals, came to Ross county, Ohio, from Virginia in 1813, bringing with them a family of three children, one son and two daughters. Although he is now seventy- eight years of age, Mr. Mahan is hale and hearty and can recall many interest- ing incidents surrounding his boyhood days. Since locating in Fayette county, Mr. Mahan has been very successful and now has a fine estate of three hundred acres in Madison township, where he has lived many years.
Joshua Mahan, the son of Joshua and Sophia ( Beck) Mahan, was born December 18, 1836, in Ross county, Ohio, east of Chillicothe. llis father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Maryland and they came to this state and located in Ross county several years after their marriage. They reared a family of three children: Martha. deceased; Harriett, deceased. and Joshua. Joshua Mahan, Sr., died and his widow later married James B. McCoy, and to her second marriage was born one daughter, Mary, who is now deceased.
Joshua Mahan was educated in the schools of Ross county, receiving his meager education in a rude log school house. At the age of twenty he began renting land and shortly after his marriage bought his first land in this county, and to this he added from time to time until he is now the owner of about three hundred acres of fine farming land in the county.
Mr. Mahan was married in September, 1858, to Margaret Plyley, the daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Baldwin) Plyley, of Ross county, and to this union have been born seven children: One who died in infancy; John, de- ceased : Spencer, who married Lo Davis; Roscoe; Della May: Mary Belle. deceased, and Hattie Jane, deceased.
Mr. Mahan has long been identified with the Democratic party and was elected as county commissioner in 1889. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Patrons of Husbandry, belong- ing to both lodges at Bloomingburg. He is a man of social qualities, pleas- ing disposition and easily makes friends wherever he goes. He is one of the oldest men of his township, and at the same time one of the most active in furthering everything which he feels will benefit the community in any way
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ROBERT G. ANDREWS.
The life history of Robert G. Andrews, one of the well known and highly esteemed older residents of Fayette county, now living in honorable retirement after a strenuous life given to agricultural work, shows what good habits, industry and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle for success in life. His record shows duty well and conscientiously performed in every relation of life and as a natural result he holds an enviable place in the regard of a vast number of friends and acquaintances. Over the span of his years he has come down to the present time from conditions that seem to us very remote, and he has noted the wondrous transformation from that time to this, playing his part in the drama of civilization. Throughout his life he has been an advocate of wholesome living and cleanness in all things and has always stood for the highest and best in any community where his interests were.
Robert G. Andrews, a retired farmer living quietly at his home in Bloomingburg, Fayette county, was born on July 29, 1836, in Ross county, this state, near the town of Bournville. He is a son of William G. and Rebecca (Townsend) Andrews, the former of whom was born in Queen Anne county, Maryland, coming to this state as early as 1810, where he settled near Frankfort on a farm. He was married before he came to this state and had his oldest child, Thomas. He had in all a family of twelve children, several of whom have passed into the great beyond. Among these are Thomas, the first-born, who is buried near Lafayette Indiana: John, who died in Kansas; George, who is buried in Ross county, and Phoebe and two infants buried at Frankfort. Nancy, Mary P. and Elizabeth reside at Mount Pleasant in Pike county, this state, in the cemetery at which place both William and his wife lie buried. William and George are buried at Bournville in Ross county.
Robert, the immediate subject, in his early youth attended the schools of Ross county, industriously acquiring such information as the schools of that time and location afforded. When he was twelve years of age the family removed to Pike county, where he finished his school days. In his early manhood he returned to Ross county, where he remained for eight years and then came into Fayette county, where he has since made his home. Mr. Andrews was twice married, his first wife being Nancy Zickefoose, with whom he united in marriage on April 14, 1857. She bore him eleven chil- dren, five of whom were born before the outbreak of the Civil War. So
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filled with patriotism was he, however, that at the beginning of hostilities he went to Pike county and volunteered in a company which was being made up there. However, too many men were enlisted and four of them, all heads of families and among them the subject, were returned to their homes. This was in 1861 and he remained home until 1864, but on July 30th of that year he became a private in Company K, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Edward C. Mason, and served until the close of the war. His regiment was assigned to the Eastern Army of the Cumberland and saw some active service, among the engagements being the battle of Nashville ( Tennessee) and other minor skirmishes. After the close of the war, he returned to his home in Pike county and his wife and five children, taking up his work as a farmer. He was also a cooper by trade, working at this vocation at odd times.
Mr. Andrews has a most interesting family, for besides his eleven chil- dren, he has had fifty-four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. His children are as follows: James, his first-born, who first married Susan Shoemaker, who bore him five children, Robert, George, Earl and two who died in earliest infancy. James married for his second wife Mellie Smith, who has borne him five children, Ray, Roscoe, Owen, Mary and May. Joseph married Ella Stephenson and is the father of five children, Earnest, Cora, Grace. Carl and Clarke. There are four grandchildren in that family. Josephine, the subject's oldest daughter, is the wife of E. H. Shumate and the mother of five children, Guy, Fairy and Fannie (twins), Lulu and Ed- ward. Josephine is also grandmother to six children. Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Owens, is the mother of six children. George, Glenn, Nancy, five children, Harvey, Abraham, Vine, Eva and Ruby. There is one grand- Pearl, Mand and Paul. George, who married Laura Rowe, is the father of five children, Harvey. Abraham, Vine. Eva and Ruby. There is one grand- child in this family. Lovisa was first married to John Bryan, by whom she had two children, Mande and John. Her second husband is William Clarke and by him she is the mother of four children, Mabel, Vera, Catherine (de- ceased ) and Georgia. John's first wife was Minnie Sorrell, who bore him three children, Bessie, Robert and Hazel. His second wife was Eva Fisher, who is the mother of three children, Frank, Charlotte and Eloise. Claude married Cora Casey, who bore him two children, Dorris and Dwight. Will- iam chose Nellie Ward as his wife and they have two children. Leo and Russell. Francis married Iva Irvin and is the mother of three children, Donald, Leland and Edgar, deceased. Pearl is the wife of Paul Johnson and the mother of six children, Robert, Edith, Hallie, Armilda Ruth, Eliza-
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beth and Nancy Jane. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Andrews mar- ried Sarah J. ( Taylor) Bloomer, widow of Jefferson Bloomer, and together they are passing the later years of life.
Mr. Andrews is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1867, and much of the well-being of the local society is due to his tireless efforts to promote its welfare. He has for many years served both as trustee and steward and gladly gives of both time and means to further the means of grace. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party, although he has never devoted much time in this manner. His fra- ternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons and lie is also a member of Myron Judy Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bloomingburg. Mr. Andrews had the management of the county in- firmary on his hands for five years up to 1911, and he most efficiently performed the duties thus devolving upon him to the satisfaction of all. Mr. Andrews' home farm of four hundred acres is devoted to general farming and stock raising, the management of which, however, he has largely given into other hands. He is known as one of the most successful raisers of live stock in this section, having given to this line the most painstaking care and careful study and well deserves the reputation which is his. Mr. An- drews has always led a quiet, well-regulated and honest life, which has gained for him the respect of a host of admiring friends. To the rearing of his fine family he gave the best efforts of his life and is well repaid in knowing that each in his place is regarded as a most excellent citizen. Because of his genuine worth and the success which has crowned his life's efforts, Mr. Andrews is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
FRANK MCCOY.
Bloomingburg and the surrounding portion of Fayette county are in- debted to the McCoy family in a peculiar way, in that that family has for three generations furnished the local blacksmith and wagon-maker. Frank McCoy, the immediate subject and the present family representative in the business, is carrying on the business originated many years ago by his grand- father, his present location being what was once the most prominent church building in Bloomingburg and which is among the oldest buildings of the county. While the blacksmith and wagon-maker of today does a thriving business and fills a much-needed place in community life, he is not, perhaps,
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in a way so important as in earlier days when there were no ready-made wagons, farmi implements or vehicles of any kind. The McCoy family has, therefore, contributed its share to the general advancement of this locality and each representative in the business named with fidelity and persistency of purpose has performed well his duty in all the relations of life and while advancing his own interests, has not been unmindful of the general welfare of his fellow-men. Thus they rightfully deserve an honored place in the history of this locality.
Frank McCoy has been a life-long resident of Bloomingburg, born in that thriving city on October 26, 1863, the son of James M. and Eleanor (Morrison) McCoy. James also was a native son of Bloomingburg and car- ried on the blacksmith business in the same location as that now occupied by the immediate subject. James was the son of Alexander and Maria (Stitt) McCoy, the Stitt family being among the earliest pioneers of Fayette county. Alexander McCoy was a native of Virginia who came to this section many years ago and opened up the blacksmith and wagon-making business which the family has since carried on in the original location. The subject's father, James McCoy, deserves special mention in that he was one of the nation's faithful citizens who went to the front during the dark days of the Civil War. At his enlistment he was made captain of Company C, Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the unpleasant- ness. Directly after receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to this section and took up his affairs where he had dropped them at the nation's call. He was the father of three children, the subject being the youngest of the family. Anna, the eldest of the family, is deceased. She was Mrs. Blackmore and the mother of five children. Guy, Roy, Howard, Bess and Neal. Jennie L. resides in Washington, D. C.
The subject's entire life has been passed in this section and it was in the Bloomingburg schools that he received his education. Early in life he was filled with ambition to follow his father and grandfather in the family busi- ness and when quite young took naturally to the work, receiving from his father, however, such special training as he needed. Mr. McCoy has been twice married. His first wife was Jennie Wylie, to whom he was married in August, 1885, and whose death occurred in April, 1898. Their union was blessed with four children, Roy, Wayne, Dorothy and Donald. Mr. McCoy was married for the second time in June, 1900, when he led Carrie Casey to the hymeneal altar. By this union he has become the father of four chil- dren, but three of whom are living. These are Geneva, Howard, Charles and one who died young.
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Mr. McCoy's political affiliation is with the Republican party. While always taking a keen interest in politics, he has never felt inclined to take an active part in such matters, nor has he any desire for public office. His fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry and he takes much pleasure in the work of the local organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McCoy's relations with his fellow men have ever been pleasant, for, of kindly disposition, he is easily approached and is obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.
ALBERT HAINS.
The ownership of one hundred and seventy-eight acres in Fayette county insures the owner a very comfortable living. Such a farm is the property of Albert Hains, of Madison township, and is his by virtue of his own efforts. He started in at the foot of the ladder and has attained his present degree of prosperity solely through his own unaided efforts, thereby being entitled to additional honor. He has planned his labors in such a way as to bring about the best results with the minimum amount of work and has kept his farm in a high state of productivity by the scientific crop rotation which he has always practiced. The successful farmer of today must understand some- thing of the nature of the soil and Mr. Hains keeps well posted on the latest literature bearing on all phases of the farmer's work.
Albert Hains, the son of William F. and Mary J. (Peterson) Hains, was born February 8, 1853. in Greene county, Ohio, near Xenia. His father was born in Virginia and came with his parents to Ohio when he was a lad of seven. The family located in Greene county in 1817 and there William F. Hains was reared, and he came to this county in 1854. spending his re- maining days here. Ten children were born to William F. Hains and wife: Mrs. Serepta Short, Alpheus H., Albert, Austin, Frank, Mrs. Martha B. Jefferson, William W., Mary E., Martin and Mrs. Hattie Carpenter.
The education of Albert Hains was received in the schools of Madison and Fayette counties, it being completed at Bloomingburg. At the age of twenty-one he began renting land and continued to rent for several years. In 1904 he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres in Madison township on the White Oak pike, about two miles from Bloomingburg. Since acquiring this farm he has placed extensive improve-
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ments upon it and has the satisfaction of having one of the most attractive farms in the county.
Mr. Hains was married in 1883 to Ella Morris. the daughter of Samuel and Phoebe ( Grove) Morris. To this union has been born one son, Forrest Morris, who is still living with his parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Hains is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Patrons of Husbandry. He and his wife are loyal mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, Mr. Hains has always been an ardent Republican and, while interested in good government, has never been a candidate for any public office. He is essentially a self-made man and deserves a high place among the representative men of his town- ship and county.
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