USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 45
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David Mock, the son of Daniel H. and Elizabeth ( Robinson) Mock, was born April 15, 1841, on the old Mock farm in Jefferson township. His father was born in North Carolina, and came to Greene county, this state. when a small boy with his parents. John Mock and wife. John Mock came to Ohio from North Carolina about 1801, settling in Greene county and later locating in Fayette county with his family. Daniel H. Mock and wife were the parents of five children : Mrs. Diana Bargdill, Eli, David, Mrs. Margaret Moon, and A. S., who married Ellen Harper.
David Mock received a very limited education in the old log school house of his home neighborhood and later attended school for a time at Bless- ing, Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he offered his services for the defense of his country. He enlisted in Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on August 19, 1862, and served in the Army of the Cumberland under Colonel Ross and Colonel Yeoman until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Nashville, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia, as well as a large number of minor engagements. Mr. Mock served throughout the three years with- out being wounded, ill or being compelled to miss a roll call, and returned home with his health unimpaired. He remained at home for two years after the close of the war and then married and began farming on eighty acres of land in Jefferson township. He has added to this farm from year to year
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and now owns one hundred and sixty-eight acres of fine farming land about three miles from Jeffersonville, his farm being known as the Oak Grove farm. He has substantial and attractive buildings and has always taken pride in keeping his farm in an attractive manner.
Mr. Mock was married September 10, 1867, to Aseneath McKillip, the daughter of Tally and Nancy ( Walthall) McKillip.
Mr. Mock is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of E. L. Jones Post. Grand Army of the Republic, at Jeffersonville.
THOMAS II. CLOVER.
A retired grain merchant of Jeffersonville. Ohio, is Thomas H. Clover, who has long been past the allotted three score and ten years of age. As a young man he began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and later engaged in the grain business, which occupation he followed the remainder of his active life. He is a man of high character and during a long career in the business world, extending over a period of half a cen- tury, he managed his affairs in such a way as to win and keep the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Thomas H. Clover was born April 11, 1835, in Franklin county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Sarah (Graham) Clover. His father was a native of Pickaway county, this state, and after his marriage moved to Franklin county, where he resided during the remainder of his life. William Clover and wife reared a family of five children. Elizabeth, Jere- miah, Rose, Charles and Thomas H.
The education of Thomas H. Clover was received in the schools of Franklin county. Ohio, and after his marriage he began to work for himself as an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He remained with this company for several years and then started in as grain merchant. buying and selling grain in various towns around Columbus, Ohio. He was strictly honest in all of his financial dealings, and earned the high regard of all who had any transactions with him or the company with which he was connected. Several years ago he retired from active life and built a fine modern home in Jeffersonville, this county, where he is now living.
Mr. Clover has been twice married, his first marriage being to Lona Ogilvie, the daughter of Johnson and Margaret (Norman) Ogilvie. She died and left no children. Her father was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and
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late in life moved to Tennessee, where he died at the advanced age of nine- ty-five years. Johnson Ogilvie and wife reared a family of seven children, Mrs. Clover being the second child born to them. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Clover married Martha Brown.
Politically, Mr. Clover is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has been prominent in all the affairs of his town and has given his unreserved support to all public-spirited meas- ures. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HARLAN T. THOMPSON.
Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who believe in following twentieth-century methods in agriculture is Harlan T. Thompson, of Paint township. He comes from a splendid family, one that has always stood for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Born in this county, he has spent his whole career of nearly a half century within its limits, and has always so conducted himself as to win the high esteem of his fellow citizens. He has never been seized with the roaming desire, which has led other Fayette county men to distant fields of endeavor, but has devoted his life to agriculture in his native county and has succeeded to a marked degree.
Harlan T. Thompson, proprietor of Maplehurst farm in Paint town- ship, was born in this county May 14, 1864. His parents. John and Presocie ( Sheley) Thompson, were natives of this county also. John Thompson. the son of James and Rhoda ( Boyd) Thompson, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and came to Fayette county about 1815. Consequently the family has been identified with the history of this county for nearly a century. John Thompson and wife reared a family of nine children, Mrs. Esther Harper, Harlan T., Clayton, Mrs. Addie Healy, Charles, Frank, James, Daniel and Lovie. Of these children the following are deceased: Esther, Addie, Daniel and Lovie.
Harlan T. Thompson was educated in the schools of Jasper town- ship in the rude log school house built in the woods. All of his life has been spent on the farm, and since reaching the age of twenty-one years he has been working for himself. At the age of thirty-five he bought his first farm in Logan county, this state, but later he disposed of this farm and bought
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his present farm of one hundred acres, two miles west of Bloomingburg on the Lewis pike, and he has a well improved and highly productive farm and keeps well abreast of the latest advances in agriculture.
Mr. Thompson was married February 24, 1892. to Etta Hidy, the daughter of William and Lucinda ( West) Hidy. Mrs. Thompson's father was a native of this county, being the son of George and Barbara (Sander- son) Hidy. Eleven children were born to William Hidy and wife: Etta. Albert, Arthur, Carey, Frank, Hayes, Charles, Harley, Mrs. Gertrude Flax, Mrs. Ethel Allen, and Mrs. Elba Smith. All of these children are still living except Hayes.
Mr. Thompson and wife are the parents of three children, Nona, Carrie, and Edith, deceased. Fraternally, Mr. Thompson is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiously, he and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES PERRILL.
One of the men of Fayette county of a past generation who has long since gone to his reward is James Perrill, who lived the life of a farmer for many years in Jasper township. He was a man of kindly impulses and gentleness of heart and so lived as to endear himself to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was serupulously honest in all of his deal- ings and a man who was sincerely mourned by everyone who knew him. He performed many acts of charity, about which the public knew nothing. as he never let his many acts of kindness become known. He was always glad to succor those less fortunate than himself, yet in this, as in every- thing else, he was unostentatious. Such a man is a blessing to the com- munity in which he lives, and thus did Mr. Perrill live and die.
James Perrill. the son of Hugh and Margaret ( Caldwell) Perrill, was born in Virginia in 1821, and died in Fayette county on the 22d day of November, 1898. He was only a small boy when his father, who was a millwright in old Virginia, was drowned. Hugh Perrill and wife reared a family of five children, Margaret, Mrs. Mary Brown, John, Nathan and James.
James Perrill was a very small child when his mother moved from Vir- ginia to Ohio and located in Highland county. Here he received his educa- tion, which was very meager, owing to the limited educational advantages
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to be found in his county, and when a very young lad began to work for him- self. Several years before his marriage he bought his first piece of land in Jasper township, starting in as land owner in 1850. He gradually added to his land holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner of fourteen hundred acres of fine land in the county and was one of its largest land owners.
James Perrill was married in September, 1862, to Rebecca Cheneworth, the daughter of Abraham and Jemina ( Blackstone ) Cheneworth. Mrs. Perrill's family came from England and settled in Berkeley county, Vir- ginia, Abraham Cheneworth being the son of Thomas and Mary Chene- worth. To Thomas and Mary Cheneworth were born twelve children, Martha, Sarah, Mary, John, Thomas, Arthur, Richard, William, Elijah, Ann, Hannah and Abraham. AAbraham and Rebecca ( Kerr) Cheneworth were the parents of fourteen children, Mrs. Martha Hackney, William, Jacob, Mrs. Anna Moore. John, Mrs. Susannah Turner, Mrs. Mary Hib- bins, Noah, Mrs. Sarah Moore, Mrs. Hannah Blackstone, Abraham, Mrs. Rebecca Talbert. Joel and Gideon. Abraham and Jemina ( Blackstone) Cheneworth were married in 1835, at the foot of Cooper's Mountain, in Ross county, Ohio, and reared a family of thirteen children: John, born in 1836; William, born in 1837; Anna, born in 1838; Rebecca, who is Mr. Perrill's wife, born in 18440; Elizabeth, deceased: Thomas B., born March 28, 1844: Mary, born in 1846; James; Sarah, born in 1851; Margaret; Gideon, born in 1853: Mrs. Susan Armsey, born in 1855, and Addie M .. born in 1857.
Mr. and Mrs. Perrill reared a family of seven children: Jesse (died in infancy), Jennie, James, John, Mary M., Carrie and Gilbert. Jesse is the only one of the family who is deceased; Jennie married John B. Shoop, the assistant superintendent of the Chicago schools, and they have two sons, Arnold and Edwin: James married Naomi Henkle; John married Grace Burnett and has two children, Helen and Eugene: Carrie is the wife of C. W. Beard and has three sons, John P., Boyd and Charles N .; Gilbert mar- ried Anna Slagle and has two sons, James H. and Charles H.
Mr. Perrill was a strong Republican and always took an active in- terest in political matters. For years he was a school director in Jasper town- ship and still later served as trustee of the township. In whatever official capacity he was found he always did his work faithfully and well, and no more conscientious public servant ever served the people of his township than did Mr. Perrill. He was a man who was always busy, yet in the
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midst of his labors he was never too busy to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. He was a man whom everyone trusted, and because of his high character and clean and wholesome life he left a name which will long be, remembered by his friends and acquaintances and always cherished by his family.
JACOB A. WISSLER.
One of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Fayette county is Jacob .\. Wissler, of Paint township. His whole life has been spent on the farm where he is now living and, consequently, he is well known in the community. That he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is due to the clean and wholesome life he has lived and the interest he has always manifested in the general welfare of the locality where he has lived so many years. By good management and well-laid plans he has attained a success commensurate with his efforts and has earned the right to be classed with the progressive farmers of his township.
Jacob A. Wissler, the son of Simon and Anna (Seychrist) Wissler, was born January 2, 1876, on his present farm of fifty acres, which lies six miles north of Bloomingburg. Simon Wissler, the son of Henry Wissler. was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Fayette county with his parents in 1856. Eight children were born to Simon Wissler and wife: Mrs. Susan Yates, Mrs. Alice Dixon, Mrs. Elmira Watts, Ulysess G., Jesse, Jacob A .. John, and Clarence.
Mr. Wissler was educated in the schools of his home neighborhood and remained at home until he was married at the age of twenty. He then rented a farm from his father-in-law. Luther Irwin, and, with commendable zeal, he and his wife started in to save so that they might have a home of their own. Mr. Wissler made all the improvements on part of the old home place where he lives, it being a bare field when he took possession of it. This farm is known as Maple Lodge farm. Mr. Wissler has placed some exten- sive improvements on the farm since acquiring it and always keeps the farm in such a condition as to get the best results from his efforts. He has made a specialty of the raising of Duroc hogs and has been very suc- cessful in this feature of his farming.
Mr. Wissler was married on the first day of January, 1896, to Lelia Irwin, the daughter of Luther and Mary Jane (Jones ) Irwin. Mr. Irwin is a native of Paint township and is one of the most successful farmers of
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the township. He and his wife have reared a family of five children : Lelia, the wife of Mr. Wissler; one who died in infancy; William H., deceased: Ethel, the wife of Carl Culbertson: Mary J., the wife of J. A. Hill, of Jeffersonville, Ohio. The one son born to Mr. and Mrs. Wissler is deceased.
Fraternally, Mr. Wissler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are both members of the Daughters of Re- bekah. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare they have always been greatly interested.
WILLIAM JOHNSON SELSOR.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- spected, even from childhood, deserves special commendation. The late Will- iam Johnson Selsor was such a man and was honored and well known throughout this county as a highly respected and esteemed citizen, not be- cause of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life. each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public. He re- tained his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent and he will long be missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like a beneficent ray of sunshine.
The late William Johnson Selsor was born in Madison county, Ohio, August 20. 1834, and died in Fayette county, May 6, 1908. He was one of six children born to Frederick and Mary ( Rankin) Selsor who grew to maturity, the other children being Elizabeth, Margaret, Susanna. John and Mary.
Frederick Selsor and his wife were natives of Virginia and early set- tlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they lived until the death of Mrs. Selsor, when Frederick Selsor came to Fayette county, and bought a farm in Paint township, where he lived until his death at the age of eighty-six, in 1886. his birth having occurred on the Ist day of January, 1800. At the
WILLIAM J. SELSOR
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time of his death he was the owner of one thousand acres of land in Fay- ette county and nine hundred acres in Madison county, this state, and was probably the wealthiest farmer of the county. Before his death he divided his large estate among his children.
William J. Selsor was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, and came with his parents to Fayette county in 1862, where he lived until his death. Upon reaching his majority he began farming for himself and became recognized as one of the most extensive cattle breeders of the coun- ty, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. He exhibited his stock frequently at the fairs and was a winner of numerous prizes. From time to time lic added to the farm which was given him by his father until at one time he owned about one thousand acres of land in this country. The farm on which he lived was located on the Danville pike, and here he erected a fine country home and other buildings to correspond, making the farm one of the most attractive in this section of the state.
Mr. Selsor was married April 21, 1870, to Electa J. Morris, the daugh- ter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union four daugh- ters were born, Idella, Edna Dean, Florence Ethel and Ercell Morris. Idella married W. W. Fenner and lives in Washington C. H. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner have four children. Edna Lucile, Gladys Dean, William Selsor and Jane Louise. Edna Dean died at the age of eighteen, Florence Ethel married Har- rison F. Brown and has two children, Mary Elizabeth and William Selsor ; Ercell Morris, deceased, was the wife of Forrest W. Cline and the mother of two children, Helen Lucile and Ercell Marie. The mother died at the birth of the last daughter.
Mrs. Selsor was born in Paint township, near the Madison county line, March 13, 18;1. She lived in that neighborhood for sixty-seven years and for the past six years has lived in Washington C. H. on East Court street. Mrs. Selsor's father, Samuel Morris, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and her mother in Jackson county, this state. Samuel Morris and wife were early settlers of Fayette county, where they lived all their lives, his death occurring in 1868 at the age of sixty-three, and she in 1890, at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of eight children, Daniel G., Samuel R., John E., Electa J., William W., Martin W., Amanda E. and Elma E. Samuel Morris was an extensive farmer and sheep grower, and during one year of the Civil War he sheared two thousand sheep and sold the wool for a dollar a pound. Samuel Morris was the son of John and Elizabeth (Tway) Morris, natives of New Jersey and early pioneers of Madison and later
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Fayette counties. Ohio, both dying in the latter county. John Morris and wife reared a large family of children, William, Cynthia. Calvin. Jane. Eliza- beth. Samuel, Letha, Caroline and Sarah. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Selsor were William and Elizabeth (Stinson ) Groves, natives of Pennsyl- vania and early settlers in Jackson county, where they lived for some years. Later they removed to Indiana and located near Warsaw, where they died. William Groves and wife were the parents of eight children. Daniel, Me- linda, Mary, Lydia, Dorcas, Phoebe. Elizabeth and Eliza.
Mr. Selsor was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and in the welfare of their favorite church they were al- ways deeply interested. Mr. Selsor filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsid- erable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. That he did his part nobly and well cannot be gain- said and though he has passed away he yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, will always prize as a grateful heritage.
JARED W. HOWARD.
The whole career of Jared W. Howard has been spent in Jeffersonville, Fayette county, Ohio, where he was born nearly sixty years ago. He has been engaged in business in the town of his birth most of this time, although he has a fine farm of one hundred acres near Jeffersonville to which he has always given careful attention. As a public spirited citizen he has always been deeply interested in everything which pertains to the welfare of his community and has given his unreserved support to all enterprises which he felt would benefit the locality where he has spent so many years.
Jared W. Howard, the son of William T. and Elton ( Sexton) Howard. was born in the town of Jeffersonville on July 22. 1855. His father was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 15. 1821. the son of George and - (Crone) Howard. His mother was born in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia. May 22, 1816. The marriage of William T. Howard and Elton Sex- ton occurred October 30. 1841, and to their union were born five children. Sexton, Sarepta, Jared W., and two who died in infancy. At the age of fourteen William T. Howard went to Vrginia, but returned a year later
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and in 1838 located in Washington C. H., where he learned the harness- maker's trade. In 1840 he permanently settled in Jeffersonville, where he lived until his death in 1899. In 1850 he went to California with the gold seekers, but returned two years later with nothing but his experiences.
Jared W. Howard is the only one of the five children born to his parents who is now living, the others having passed away more than thirty years ago. He received the best education which was afforded by the schools of Jeffersonville, and early in life started to learn the harness trade in his father's shop. He married at the age of nineteen and at once began to work in his father's shop and two years later his father turned the shop over to him and retired to his farm near the town. He has been in business in Jeffersonville since 1876 and at the same time had the manage- ment of his farm. He has been very successful and has laid aside a very comfortable sum for his declining years.
Mr. Howard has been twice married. He was married in August, 1874, to Mary Johnson and to this first union was born one child, Floy S. His second marriage was to Anna L. Johnson in October, 1892. She was the daughter of Simon B. and Catharine ( Maddux) Johnson, of Cincinnati. Ohio, where Mrs. Howard was reared and educated.
Politically, Mr. Howard has been a loyal supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party since reaching his majority. He has served as a member of the council of Jeffersonville and has always been interested in every measure which was promoted for the benefit of his home town. Fraternally. he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
ALBERT HAIGLER.
Nearly half a century ago there was born in a rude log cabin in Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, a lad who was christened by his parents as Albert Haigler. They were descended from sturdy pioneers of this country and the son has inherited those sterling characteristics which marked his worthy ancestors. The rude cabin of his boyhood days has given place to a fine home with all the modern conveniences and he is now enjoying life to its fullest extent.
Albert Haigler, the son of Elijah M. and Letitia (Hays) Haigler, was born December 23, 1867, on the farm where he is now living. His father
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was a native of West Virginia and came to this county when a young man. Ilis parents were John and Phoebe ( Skidmore) Haigler. Five children were born to Elijah Haigler and wife: John W., Mrs. Julia Kennedy, Albert. Charles E., and Jennie, the wife of Tod Hunter. The father and mother were both loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are buried in the cemetery at Bloomingburg.
The education of Mr. Haigler was received in the Robuck and Rogers schools in Paint township. He worked on the farm during the summers while in attendance at school during the winter seasons, and has never left the farm where he was born. He has never married and is now living with his tenant on his farm. Mr. Haigler gives his support to the Repub- lican party, but has never been active in political matters, preferring to give his time and attention to his agricultural interests. His farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres is five miles east of Jeffersonville on the old State road.
CLIMPSON L. LAFOLLETTE
The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of France. When a young man he came to America and settled in this state about the year 1800, about two years before this portion of the country was ad- mitted to the Union. At that time the state was practically a wilderness and the Indians were here in large numbers and were still fierce from their participation in the Revolution on the side of the British. Isaac LaFollette, the French emigrant in question, secured a tract of government land in what is now Perry county and began to clear off the timber. More than once he and his good wife. Libby Secrist, were in imminent peril from the savages and for many years after taking up their abode here they endured the hardships and privations of the early pioneers. Wild animals were frequently met with and no little danger was encountered from some of them, particularly in the night time, but rapidly advancing civilization in time disposed of such annoyances and Isaac lived to see a better day dawn for his children. He was the father of John LaFollette, who was born on the homestead in Perry county, and John was the father of the immediate subject, who was born on July 26, 1865. in Brown township, Vinton county. The subject's mother was Martha Craig, a native of that vicinity. C. L. LaFollette, who resides on his farm of thirty acres on the Danville pike,
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