USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 49
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The father of Craton Ervin died when he was a mere lad of six years, consequently he lost that fatherly guidance which every boy has the right to expect. He was reared among strangers and for some years lived with a man in Fayette county by the name of John Bloomer. The fact that he was brought up among strangers may account for the fact that when the Civil War opened he at once volunteered his services for the defense of his country.
Mr. Ervin enlisted on December 12, 1861, in Company C, Seventy- fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment, under the com- mand of Colonel Moody, was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He fought in many of the bloodiest engagements of that memorable struggle. At or near Kingston, Georgia, while driving a commissary wagon, he was run over and had his thigh broken. He was kept in hospitals in different places until he was finally discharged at Chicago, December 15, 1864. He arrived home on Christmas day of that year, after spending three years at the front and nearly sacrificing his life in defense of his nation's honor. He is a loyal member of Janes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Jefferson- ville, and is always deeply interested in everything which pertains to the welfare of the old veterans.
After the war Mr. Ervin began to rent land and farmed in this way for several years. In 1889 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township and has since added eighty acres more, giving him a fine farm of two hundred acres, three miles from Jeffersonville.
Mr. Ervin was married in 1873 to Nancy Hutchinson, the daughter of Isaac and Jane (Engle) Hutchinson, who were both born and reared in Virginia and were early settlers in Logan county, this state, later locating in Fayette county, where they reared a family of five children, Phoebe, Jane, James P., Isaac, and Nancy, the wife of Mr. Ervin. Phoebe. the oldest child of the family, is deceased, as is Mrs. Ervin.
Mr. Ervin and wife reared a family of six children: Nettie, who is married and has one daughter. Morna: Otis, who married Ida Gray and
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has two children, Forrest and Eunice ; Edith, single; Clarence, married and lives at St. Joe. Missouri; Ralph, who married Bessie Fultz; Addie. who is married and has one son, C. E.
Politically, Mr. Ervin has long been affiliated with the Republican party, but has never had any aspirations along official lines. He has devoted his whole career to his agricultural pursuits and with a success which classes him among the best farmers of his county. Religiously, he is a faithful and consistent member of the Christian church, in whose welfare he is inter- ested and to whose support he is a generous contributor. Mr. Ervin is highly respected. and his long career in this county has been markedly free from all blame or censure.
JOHN A. PARRETT.
The Parrett family has been identified with the history of Fayette county for more than a century, John Parrett, the grandfather of John .1. Parrett, having come to this county in 1812. Frederick and Barbara ( Ed- wards) Parrett, the great-grandparents, came to Ross county in 1814, when they were well along in years. One of their children was John Parrett, who is the grandfather of John A., whose history is here recorded. John Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, as was his wife. Catherine Windle, and they were married before coming to Ohio. They first settled in Fayette county, this state, in 1812, with their two children, Mrs. Sarah Griffith, and Eli, the father of the immediate subject of this review. John Parrett saw service in the War of 1812 and then, upon returning to peaceful pursuits at the close of that struggle, located in Jefferson township, on Paint creek, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was familiarly known to the people of his township as "Paint John," while his cousin, Joseph, went by the pseudonym "Paint Joe." "Paint Joe's" father was wounded at the battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War.
Eli Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, February 4, 18t1, and was less than a year old when his parents settled in Fayette county. Here he grew to manhood and married twice. His first marriage was to Lydia Robinson, and to this union three children were born: Mrs. Lucinda Bailey: Mary, deceased, and Catherine, deceased. Mrs. Bailey has three children who are living in the state of Oregon. Lawrence, Katie and Harry. After the death of his first wife, Eli Parrett married Sarah Con- nor, and to his second union were born five children: John A .; E. E. S., a
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4
farmer of this county; Mrs. Melda L. Johnson; Clayton C., a farmer of Jefferson township, this county, and Anna M., the wife of Mart L. McCoy. Eli Parrett was a successful farmer and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land in the county.
John \. Parrett, the oldest son of Eli Parrett and wife, was born December 19, 1846, in Jefferson township. He was given the limited educa- tion to be obtained during his childhood days and early in life began to work upon the farm. He was not old enough to enlist in the army at the opening of the Civil War, and as soon as he was old enough he enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service on May 2, 1864. He served until the close of the war and then returned to this county and resumed farming. That he was a successful farmer is shown by the fact that he is the owner of three hun- dred acres of fine land in Jefferson township.
Mr. Parrett was married October 1, 1876, to Emma Mercer, the daugh- ter of John D. and Mary ( Moon) Mercer, natives of Greene county, Ohio. and to this union has been born one daughter, Mary, the wife of Auburn Duff.
Mr. Parrett is a member of the D. H. Millikan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and interested in its welfare. Religiously, he and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church.
WILLIAM B. DILL.
It is interesting to note in the series of personal biographies appearing in this volume the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the purpose of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those repre- sented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumu- lative for all time to come. According to the 1910 census there were five thousand, four hundred and sixty-six families living within the precincts of Fayette county, Ohio, and it is to be regretted that this volume cannot cover the lives of more families than it does.
William B. Dill, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township, was born September 15, 1860, in Ross county, Ohio, near Bain-
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bridge. His parents, William and Mary ( Kelly) Dill, were natives of the same county and lived there all of their lives. They reared a family of eight children, Elijah, Margaret, Mrs. Ella Poston, Frank, William B., Lewis G., Robert and Edward. All of these children are living except Frank. William Dill was a son of Robert and Margaret Dill, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Ross county, this state, where they reared a large family of children, Robert, Richard, Walter, John, William, Arm, James and Margaret.
William B. Dill attended the common schools of Ross county and finished his education in the Bainbridge high school. He worked on his father's farm during the summer season and remained at home until his marriage in 1892. In that year he came to Fayette county and bought two hundred acres of fine land two miles from Jeffersonville. Since acquiring this farm he has placed extensive improvements upon it and, being a man of taste, he has made his farm one of the most attractive of the county. He raises all of the crops common to this section of the state and keeps a high grade of live stock on the farm.
Mr. Dill was married in 1892 to Alice Bell, the daughter of William and Catherine Bell, of Champaign, Illinois, and to this union have been born two children, Earl B., born August 25, 1893, and Helen, born February 16, 1896.
Politically, Mr. Dill has long been identified with the Republican party. but has never been an aspirant for public office or taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, an organiza- tion which includes many of the farmers of this county. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Jeffersonville.
ABEL H. JANES.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal army during the great war between the states in the sixties. An old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. It is an inspiring sight to see the old soldiers in their sacred uni- form march with faltering steps on Memorial day to decorate the graves of their departed comrades. As they march to that silent city of the dead they are well aware that the time will soon come when some one will decorate their graves and when the last of the boys in blue will have passed away, as they must within the next few years, friends will pay them suitable eulogy
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for the sacrifices they made during that long and terrible struggle. Ever afterwards will their descendants revere their memory and take pride in recounting their services for their country in its hour of peril. One of the gallant old veterans of Fayette county, Ohio, who has answered the last roll call is Abel H. janes, whose name is now enrolled in the Army Triumphant in that better land.
The late Abel H. Janes was born February 11, 1839. in Jefferson town- ship, Fayette county, Ohio, and died in Jasper township on August 17, 1910. He was the son of William P. and Mary ( Mock ) Janes, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio. Eleven children were born to William P. Janes and wife: Oliver, Clarissa, Johanna, Marjorie, Abel, Levi, Catherine, Ellen, John, Rosetta, Oliva and Douglas. All of these children, except Rosetta and Mary Catherine, have passed to their reward, after living lives of usefulness and honor.
Abel H. Janes was educated in the schools of Jefferson township and was working on his father's farm when the Civil War broke out. He first enlisted in 1862 in the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a member of Company C. He served two years as a member of this regiment and was then taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and cast into a Southern prison, but was eventually exchanged and honorably mustered out of the service. However, he wished to serve his country, and accordingly re-en- listed in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and was the second time captured by the Confederates at Cynthiana and was then paroled and came home, being for the second time mustered out of the service. Immediately after the close of the war, he returned to this county and worked out by the month for a time. He was married in 1867 and he and his wife worked hard in order to save money to pay for the farm which they bought, but their efforts were rewarded very substantially and they gradually added to their land holdings until they owned a fine farm of two hundred and eight acres in Jefferson and Jasper townships.
Mr. Janes was married February 7, 1867. to Almeda Hays, the daugh- ter of Morgan Hays, of Paint township, and to this union five children were born : William M., Cass G .. Jennie P., Chester H., and Scott P. William M. married Margaret McMonagil and has three children, Carmel, Clarence and Luther; Cass G. married Alice White and has three children, Florence. John L. and Leonard C .: Jennie P. is the wife of Clyde Allen: Chester H. married Mary Allen and has four children, Lucile, Carl, Helen and Janice ; Scott P. is deceased and is buried in the Fairview cemetery.
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Mr. Janes was a stalwart Republican all his life and was always deeply interested in the success of his party, although never a candidate for public office. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife were both members of the Daughters of Re- bekah. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, belonging to the lodge at Milledgeville, this county. Mr. Janes was a man of force of character and enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the commun- ity where he spent his whole life. He was essentially a self-made man, knew no such thing as idleness, and was ever ready to assist his friends and neigh- bors who were not so fortunate as himself.
JAMES L. MILLER.
A representative citizen of Fayette county, Ohio, is James L. Miller, who is distinguished for his splendid ability in carrying to completion what- ever he undertakes. He enjoys marked prestige as a man who accom- plishes definite ends and stands out as a clear and conspicuous figure among the successful men of his county. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, his achievements represent his innate talents in directing efforts along lines which mature judgment and a resourcefulness that hesitates at no opposing circumstances pave the way and ultimately lead to success. It is not possible in this connection to give a detailed history of his busy life, but only to note his connection incidentally with the develop- ment of Fayette county and to show the influence he has wielded in advanc- ing the material interests of this section of the state.
James L. Miller, the manager of the Gray estate of three hundred acres of land in Jefferson township, was born February 27, 1866. in the township where he has always lived. His parents, Jacob and Hannah ( Jacobs ) Miller, were natives of this county and reared a family of nine children, Samson. Susan, Mary, W. C., Ada. John S., James L., Edward and Nancy. All of these children except Edward are still living.
James L. Miller attended the schools at Millersville, Ohio, and also was a student of the Buck and Callon schools in this county. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm during the summer seasons in his boyhood days, and at the age of twenty he married and began farming for himself. He has met with success commensurate with his efforts and is recognized as one of the most progressive and up-to-date farmers of the
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county. Frugal in his manner of living and well equipped with energy and determination, he has succeeded where others have failed. He is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land in Pickaway county, this state, five hundred acres in Texas, and is now the manager of the Gray estate of three hundred acres in Jefferson township. He is one of the largest stock raisers of the county and has met with remarkable success in his particular line of farming. He feeds most of his crops to his stock, having found that this is the most profitable way of turning his farm produce into money.
Mr. Miller was married March 1, 1894, to Emma Gregg, the daughter of Andrew Gregg, and to this union have been born five children, Audrey, Carl. Mina. Leonard and Alta.
Politically, Mr. Miller is identified with the Republican party, but so extensive have been his agricultural interests that he has never felt that he had the time to engage in political affairs. Nevertheless. his influence has always been felt at local elections and he is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with every movement looking to the betterment or advance- ment in any way of his community. He has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worth and well meriting the utmost confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He and his family move in the best social circles of this community and, being a genial and unassuming man, he has won a large and loyal personal following of friends and acquaintances.
JESSE B. DAVIS.
In placing the name of Jesse B. Davis, a successful druggist of Jeffer- sonville, Ohio, in the front rank of Fayette county's business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact universally recognized throughout the county. .\ man of sound judgment, rare discretion, thorough technical knowledge and business ability of a high order, he has managed his affairs with splendid success and has so impressed his individuality upon the com- munity as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and public-spirited inen of affairs.
Jesse B. Davis, the son of Nelson and Eliza ( Anderson) Davis, was born in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, in 1858. His father, who was born in the same township, was the son of Benjamin R. Davis, a native of Kentucky and an early settler of Fayette county, Ohio. Nelson Davis and wife were the parents of six children, Charles W., Jesse B., Eva, Jennie, Mrs. Martha Johnson and Mrs. Della Hutchinson.
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After completing the common schools of his home township, Mr. Davis attended the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and later attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. While attending college he worked on the farm during the summer seasons, and upon the completion of his college course he commenced the drug business in Jeffersonville, where he has since resided. He carries a large and carefully selected line of drugs and drug- gists' sundries, which are attractively displayed. As a result of his sound business judgment and his earnest efforts to please all who enter his store, he has met with well deserved success in this enterprise, being classed among the best druggists of his county.
Mr. Davis was married in 1885 to Lola Culy, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Culy, and to this union have been born three children, Arthur R., Dean and Charles W. Arthur, who is a student at Ohio State Univer- sity, is married and has one son, Roy: Dean is living in Fort Wayne, In- diana. and Charles W. is a student at Jeffersonville.
The Democratic party has always claimed the loyal support of Mr. Davis and he has been very active in local politics. He has served on the school board of his home town. In the administration of his official busi- ness he gives the citizens careful and conscientious service and well merits the high commendations they accord him. His long life in this county has endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who have been attracted to him by the straightforward, upright course of his life and his high reputation for integrity and correct conduct.
CAPT. JOHN C. HAYS.
The half century which has elapsed since the Civil War leaves com- paratively few of the old veterans to tell the story of that terrible conflict between the states. Through four years of suffering and wasting hardships the Union soldier laid the superstructure of the greatest nation on the face of the earth and dedicated it to the cause of human freedom. The world lias looked on and called those soldiers sublime, for it was theirs to reach out the mighty arm of power and strike the chains from off the slaves, pre- serve the country from dissolution and keep unfurled to the breeze the only flag that ever made tyrants tremble. Pension and political power may be thrown at the feet of these gallant sokliers ; art and sculpture may preserve upon canvas and in granite and bronze their unselfish acts; history may com-
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mit to books and cold type may give to the future the tale of their suffering and triumph, but to the children of generations yet unborn will it remain to accord the full measure of appreciation and undying remembrance of the immortal character carved out by the American soldier in the dark days of the sixties. One of Fayette county's gallant veterans who has responded to the last roll call is Capt. John C. Hays, than whom there was no braver soldier or truer friend.
The late Capt. John C. Hays was born in Union township, Fayette county. Ohio, on October 24, 1834, and died in the hospital at Springfield, where he had gone for treatment. October 6, 1907. He was the son of William and Hannah ( Brown) Hays, natives of the county and honored citizens. William Hays and wife reared a large family of children: Mrs. Mary Dawson, Charlotte, Anna, Malissa, Elijah, Harrison, Jaxon, John C. and several who died in early childhood.
Captain Hays received a good education in the common schools and colleges of his state. After completing the common schools of his home neighborhood he went to Antioch College, where he took the classical course. It was while attending college that he received his first military training, although he little realized at that time how soon he would be able to make use of it. After leaving college he taught school for one year, and then took up the study of law with one of the best lawyers in Washington C. H. In due course of time he was admitted to the bar and started to practice his profession. However, the Civil War came on and he laid aside his law books and offered his services to his country.
John C. Hays enlisted on August 9. 1862, in Company C. One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as first lieutenant. This regiment was recruited from the counties of Fay- ette. Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway. Hocking and Vinton, and was mustered into the service of the United States September 11, 1862. The regiment remained in Camp Circleville until September 19. 1862. when it was ordered to Marietta. Upon arriving at the latter place. September 2Ist, the regi- ment went into camp for six weeks, during which time it was drilled and equipped for active service in the field. It is not possible in this connection to follow the history of this regiment, but only to indicate very briefly such gallant record. In December, 1862, the regiment was placed on board a transport and taken down the Ohio and Mississippi to Vicksburg, and partic- ipated in the assault on the outer works of that city in the latter part of December. The regiment participated in all of the engagements fought
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around Vicksburg during the winter, spring and summer of 1862-3. After the surrender of Vicksburg he remained in that city until August 13, 1863, when the regiment was taken down the Mississippi to New Orleans and from thence carried to the coast of Texas, where they landed December 3. 1863. The regiment remained in Texas and Louisiana until January, 1865, when it was ordered to Florida, but in May was returned again to Texas, where it was stationed when the war closed. During its term of service the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment marched by land and sailed by water over ten thousand miles, performing duty in ten different states, engaging in eight hard-fought battles and numerous skirmishes. It lost in killed and wounded six officers and eighty men. The loss by disease was very great the first year, when two hundred men died and a large number were dis- charged for disability. A singular point in the history of this regiment is the fact that it was free from casualties during the latter part of its service. During the last nineteen months no regimental burying occurred and it is doubtful if another regiment in the whole army of the North holds such a record. Captain Hays, who was mustered in as first lieutenant, was mus- tered out as captain of his company.
Immediately after the close of the war Captain Hays returned to his home in Fayette county and. after marrying in 1867, turned his attention to farming, preferring the independent existence of the farmer to that of the more exacting life of the lawyer. He owned a very productive farm of two hundred acres in Jefferson township and on this he spent the remainder of his days. He was active in all good work in his community and was a great believer and Sunday school worker, being one of the best Biblical students in the county.
Captain Hays was married December 24, 1867, to Mary E. Brock. daughter of Evan and Susan (Griffith ) Brock, and to this union were born eight children: Mrs. Lenora Horney, who has three children, Thurman. Audrey and Horney: Lillian May, who is a trained nurse at Springfield. Ohio: Leoti, deceased: Anna Maud, the wife of Chester Irvin ; Daisy Fran- cis, deceased : Mrs. Blanche Ritenhour, who has three children, Carroll, John J. and Donald: Thurman B., who married Esther Gerard: John C., who is unmarried and now managing the home farm.
Captain Hays led a simple, unostentatious life, and in his home circle was known as a true and loving husband and father. He was a man of broad education, possessing a well stored mind and kept in close touch with the great issues before the American people. He was a strong advocate of
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temperance and rejoiced in the wave of reform that is sweeping over this land. He was a man of force of character and made himself felt on the right side of all questions of reform. Thus is briefly reviewed the life of a mán who was greatly beloved by everyone who knew him, a man who had the interests of his family at heart, a man who was true to himself, to his country and to his God.
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