USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 50
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WILLIAM GLENN LADD.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Fayette county, Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than William Glenn Ladd, the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven hundred and sixty acres in Paint township. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men. He has lived an honorable life and the worthy example he has set the younger generation is such as to merit his inclusion among the representative men of his county.
William G. Ladd, the son of George and Mary ( Gillispie ) Ladd, was born October 7. 1866, in Highland county, Ohio. His father was born and reared on the same farm and was a son of Jacob Ladd. The father of Jacob Ladd, whose name was also Jacob, was a Welshman and came to this country in the early part of 1800 and settled in Virginia. Of the twelve children born to George Ladd and wife, only three are living, Mrs. Cordelia Priest. Mrs. Elsie Newland and William Glenn.
The education of Mr. Ladd was received in the common schools of Highland county, this state, where he grew to maturity and lived until 1905. At the age of twenty-one he began renting the old home farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres in Highland county, and rented it for four years, then moved on to another farm and remained on it until he moved to Fayette county in 1905. Upon coming to this county he bought the Morton Judy farm of two hundred aeres in Union township and, in fact, he has bought and sold several farms, having spent most of his time buying and selling farms. He later sold his last place of two hundred acres near Good Hope. in Wayne township. He is the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven hundred and sixty acres in Paint township, one of the largest farms in the county. He is an extensive stock raiser, and sells several car loads of stock each year. The farm is well equipped with all the latest machinery for up-
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to-date farming and has several large and commodious barns scattered over it.
Mr. Ladd was married on Christmas day, 1902, to Minnie Todhunter, and to this union have been born two children, Ralph and Ludene. Mr. Ladd and his family are members of the Friends church. Fraternally, Mr. Ladd is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As a citizen Mr. Ladd stands high in the esteem of his fellow men, being public spirited and progressive, and, although a resi- dent of this county but a few years. yet he has thrown himself heartily into the support of all movements in behalf of the material advancement of his county, and the intellectual, moral and social good of the people. His life has been controlled by proper motives and in his relations with his fellow men he has been actuated by the highest ideals, so that among those who know him best he is numbered among the community's leading citizens.
FRANK C. VANNORSDALL.
The career of Frank C. Vannorsdall has been a strenuous and varied one, entitling him to honorable mention among the representative citizens of his day and generation. Born in this county, as was his father before him, he has been identified with its growth and development for more than half a century. As a business man, as a farmer and as a private citizen, he has met his every duty fairly and squarely and earned a reputation for hon- est dealing which commends him to his fellow citizens.
Frank C. Vannorsdall, the son of James and Susanna ( Horney) Van- norsdall, was born March 27. 1861, in Jefferson township, where he has always made his home. His father was born in this township September 10, 1831, and is still living, as is his mother. James R. Vannorsdall and Su- sanna Horney were married September 4, 1853, and were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. Clarelda J. Ritenour, Mrs. Lucy A. Fults. Garrett O., Frank C., Mary M., James H., Forrest A., Mrs. Lily Straley, Effie F., Ernest E., Herbert and Mrs. Flora Williams. Four of these children, Mary M., James H., Forrest A. and Effie E., are deceased. James R. Van- norsdall was one of the pioneer settlers of this county and was actively in- terested in the affairs of his township for many years. When a young man he taught four terms of school and later served for several consecutive terms as trustee of Jefferson township. As a farmer and as a business man
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he has been very successful and is now classed among the substantial farm- ers of his township.
Frank C. Vannorsdall was educated at Pleasant View, and remained at home until he reached his majority, when he married and began renting land from his father. He lived on a part of his father's farm for thirteen years, after which time he moved to Jeffersonville and engaged in the meat business for a time, after which he became interested in the livery business, now having the only livery stable in Jeffersonville. In connection with his livery stable he handles implements of all kinds, as well as vehicles. He is also the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in this township near Jeffersonville, which he rents to responsible tenants, although he maintains careful supervision over his farm. He is recognized as a man of good busi- ness ability and by his courteous treatment of his customers and his reputa- tion for square dealing has built up a large trade in Jeffersonville and this section of the county.
Mr. Vannorsdall was married October 31, 1883, to Cora Brewer, the daughter of David and Martha J. (Shelly) Brewer. He and his wife are both loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to the support of which they are liberal contributors. Fraternally, Mr. Vannorsdall belongs to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows.
THOMAS M. PALMER.
Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who have to their credit many long years spent in industriously and intelligently tilling the soil is Thomas M. Palmer. of Jefferson township. He comes of a good family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for morality and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. A native of Indiana and a resident of Fayette county since 1867, he has lived a clean and wholesome life and well merits the high esteem in which he is held by his friends and acquaintances. He has set an excellent example to the younger generation, since he has borne his share of the burdens of com- munity life and discharged them in a way worthy of the ideal American citizen.
Thomas M. Palmer, the son of Thomas and Maria ( Ballard) Palmer. was born in Brown county, Indiana, May To, 1865. His parents were
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natives of Indiana and settled in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1867. where they reared their family of ten children, Arletta, Miranda, Josephine, Thomas M .. Mary, Hartley, Frank, George, William and Harvey.
Thomas M. Palmer was two years of age when his parents removed from Indiana to Ohio, and consequently received all of his education in Fayette county, where they settled. His boyhood days were spent in the school room during the winter seasons and on his father's farm during the summers. He lived at home until he was married and then began to live on a rented farm in Jefferson township. He is now renting a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres about three and one-half miles north of Jeffersonville, and as a farmer he thoroughly understands every phase of agriculture and is classed among the progressive farmers of his township. He raises such crops as are usually grown in this locality and gives due atten- tion to the raising of live stock.
Mr. Palmer was married to Mary Uhn, the adopted daughter of Edward Ulm, and to this union have been born six children, Harry, Wilbert, Maud, Mrs. Mabel Floyd Tracy, Shirley and Floyd. Harry and Wilbert are de- ceased. while the other four are still living.
The Republican party claims the support of Mr. Palmer and he always takes an intelligent interest in the political issues of the day. His only official position has been that of a member of the school board of his town- ship, in which capacity he is now serving. Fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.
MARTIN KNECHT.
Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the great number of people of Germanic nativity and descent now living in the United States. Unquestionably the greatest number of emi- grants coming to this country within the past century have come from that nation, and statistics will show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other with the exception of English. This being a fact it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of our country, as well as the love of learning shown by the people of this vast nation. Ger- many is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its edu- cated men, for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry. peace, in- telligence and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought
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to this country by the emigrants and are now part and parcel of our won- derful nation. While the 1910 census shows that there are only forty-eight people living in Fayette county, Ohio, who were born in Germany, yet the number of those who are descended from German parentage number hun- dreds. One of the prosperous farmers of Jefferson township, who is of German descent, is Martin Knecht, who is the proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in that township near the Fayette county line.
Martin Knecht, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Griesheimer ) Knecht, was born December 4, 1861. in Chillicothe, Ohio. His parents were natives of Germany and married in that country before locating in America. Upon coming to this country Jacob Knecht and his wife located in Chillicothe, where he engaged in agriculture and operated a brewery. Five children were born to Jacob Knecht and wife, Jacob, Christine, Catherine, John and Martin. Jacob and Christine were born in Germany and the others in Ross county, this state. All of these children are still living with the exception of Catherine and Jacob.
The education of Martin Knecht was received in the schools of Ross county, Ohio. As a young man he worked in his father's brewery and at the age of thirty began to farm in Ross county. He continued to reside there until 1910, when he sold his farm and purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres along the Fayette-Ross county line. He is classed among the progressive farmers of the township, and although he has been a resident of this county but a few years, yet he has already de- monstrated his ability along agricultural lines. Mr. Knecht built his present splendid residence, of cement blocks, which is conveniently arranged and considered one of the best homes in the township.
Mr. Knecht was married to Elizabeth Uhrig, and to this union have been born six children, Martin, Effie, Edna, Clarence, Ollie and Mary. Martin married Irene Milligan and has two children, George and Irene; Effie is the wife of Elmer C. Milligan, and has two children, Joseph and Mabel: Edna became the wife of Charles Hirsch, and is the mother of five children, Louisa, Catherine. Helen, George and Mary. The other three children are still unmarried and make their home with their parents.
Mr. Knecht has given his undivided support to the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive agricultural interests he has never been inclined to be active in political matters. Nevertheless, he stands for good govern- ment and throws his influence in favor of all measures for the public good.
(34)
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Socially, he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Knecht is a man of jovial and genial disposition and has made a host of friends since locating in this county.
Mrs. Knecht is a daughter of John and Mary ( Wilhelm) Uhrig, the former born in Germany in 1835 and the latter in Ross county. Ohio, in 1842. Mr. Uhrig farmed all his life in Ross county, where both lived, died and are buried. He was a Democrat in politics and they were Protestant in religion.
CLARENCE WISSLER.
An enterprising young farmer of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio. is Clarence Wissler. a native of this county and a descendant from one of the pioneer families of the county. He started out to work for him- self when he was only fourteen years of age and has made his own way unaided. He is a ceaseless worker and has applied himself with great energy to the operation of his farm of one hundred and five acres of land in Paint and Range townships, eighty-five acres being in Range township. Madison county.
Clarence Wissler, the son of Simon and Anna ( Sechrist) Wissler, was born in this county October 7, 1883, and has spent his whole life within the limits of this county. Simon Wissler is the son of Henry and Susan ( Neff) Wissler and was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He came to Fay- ette county, Ohio, when he was twenty-one years of age, remained in this county one year and then returned to his native state and brought back his father and mother. Mr. Wissler was one of the largest landholders of Fay- ette county and was prominently connected with the history of this county from 1853 until his death. being the owner of one thousand acres of land. Henry Wissler and wife were the parents of seven children. Christian, Mrs. Mary Anderson, Henry. Simon, Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett. Elias and one who died in infancy. Simon Wissler and wife were the parents of eight children. Mrs. Susie Yates, Mrs. Alice Dixon, Mrs. Almira Watt, Ulysses Grant. Jesse. Albertus. John and Clarence.
Clarence Wissler attended the schools of Paint township and finished his education in the schools of his home district in Paint township. He left school when he was fourteen years of age to begin working for himself. and upon his marriage, in 1903. rented land of his mother. He inherited fifty-two and one-half acres and bought fifty-two and one half of excellent
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land in Paint and Range townships and has since been engaged in general farming, dividing his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding of live stock. In addition to his own farm he rents one hundred and fourteen acres adjoining, from his mother, so that he is now tilling two hundred and nineteen acres of land.
Mr. Wissler was married at the age of twenty to lda Stuthard, the daughter of Perry and Lavina ( Badger ) Stuthard. Her father was a native of Madison county, Ohio, and was an extensive land owner. Mr. Stuthard and wife reared a family of five children, Roy, Ida, Essie, Dove and Fay.
Politically, Mr. Wissler is identified with the Republican party, but has never been active in political matters, preferring to devote all of his atten- tion to his agricultural interests. He is still a young man and his success thus far indicates a prosperous future for him. He started out with nothing and has attained his present position solely through his own unaided ef- forts, and is therefore deserving of a great deal of credit.
HENRY WALKER DUFF.
The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Henry Walker Duff has resided in Fayette county, Ohio, sixty-five years and his career in every respect has been a commendable one and well deserving of being perpetuated in the history of his county. A self-made man and dependent upon his own resources from the time he was fourteen years old. he has arisen to his present prominence solely through his own industry, good judgment and wise management. His farm lands have always been well improved and highly productive, being numbered among the best farms of Jefferson township. He has always discharged his public and private duties honestly and fearlessly and in a spirit which brought him the com- niendation of his fellow citizens.
Henry W. Duff. a retired merchant and farmer of Jefferson township, was born December 26, 1847, in the township where he is now living. His parents, Peter and Sarah ( Tanquary ) Duff, were natives of Winchester, Virginia. and came to this county shortly after their marriage. The par- ents of Peter Duff never came to Ohio, spending all of their lives in Virginia, where they were born. To Peter Duff and wife were born ten children : Mrs. Rachel Corbitt, deceased ; Mrs. Hannah Price, deceased : Mrs. Rebecca
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Fossett, deceased; Mrs. Mary Counts, deceased: John J., of Jeffersonville. Ohio; Edward C .; William M., of South Solon; Harvey and Henry W.
Henry W. Duff attended the Herald and Creamer schools of this county until he was fourteen years of age and then began to work out by the month in Paint township. At the age of nineteen he began to learn the car- penter trade and followed that for a few years. Ile then engaged in farm- ing with his brother until 1889, when he engaged in the implement business in Jeffersonville. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this busi- ness and embarked in the grocery business, following this line of endeavor until 1905, when he retired from active work and is now living in the resi- dence which he built in 1884.
Mr. Duff was married August 31, 1870, to Mary Margaret Ann Hor- ney, a daughter of William and Adeline ( Fent) Horney. Mrs. Duff's par- ents were natives of this county and reared a family of eight children, Clara. Mary Margaret Ann, Ollie, Lucy. Lewis, Libbie, Ivy and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Duff have been born four children : three, Alba, Minnie and Audra. are deceased. and Auburn, who is deputy county treasurer and lives in Washington C. H., married Mary Parrett.
Mr. Duff is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. He and his family are all loyal and faithful members of the Methodist Protestant church, while, fraternally. Mr. Duff is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge.
COL. BALDWIN HARTZELL MILLIKAN.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Fayette county within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored community, and whose interests have been identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number was the late Col. B. H. Millikan,-distinguished sollier, successful business man and public benefactor,-whose name needs no introduction to the reader. Ilis death removed from Fayette county-and, indeed, from Ohio-one of her most substantial and highly esteemed citizens and the many beautiful tributes to his high standing in the world of affairs and as a man and citizen
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attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of those who knew him and of his work and accomplishments. His eminently honorable and successful career was not altogether a path of roses, for he fought against and conquered many adverse conditions, which would have discouraged one of less sterling mettle. His military record was marked by courage and ability of a high order, his business record showed that he possessed sagacity, energy and integrity to a pronounced degree, while his philanthropy was of that practical kind that is of real permanent value to the common weal. As a member of a great and prosperous commercial house he contributed in a very definite way to the business advancement of Washington C. H. and built for himself a monument that perpetuates his name among those who come after.
Col. B. H. Millikan was born in South Bend, Indiana, on the 12th day of July. 1842, and was the son of Jesse L. and Margaret ( Hartzell) Millikan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Jesse Millikan was reared in Wash- ington C. H. and there received his public school education, upon the com- pletion of which he took up the study of medicine, to the active practice of which he devoted himself until his death, which occurred in 1850. He and his wife were Methodists in their religious faith. He was the son of Will- iam and Ann Millikan, who also were natives of this state. William Millikan was a soldier in the War of 1812 and marched from Cleveland to Chilli- cothe, in charge of British prisoners captured with Perry's victory. His death occurred at Chillicothe, and his widow survived until well advanced in years. They were the parents of four children, William. Jesse, Nathaniel and Ann. Colonel Millikan's maternal grandparents, - and Margaret Hart- zell, were natives of Germany, who came to the United States and became early settlers in Greenville, Ohio. There he lived the remainder of his life and died. being survived by his widow, who died in Washington C. H., at an advanced age. Their children were Margaret (mother of the subject ) and Charles.
To Jesse L. and Margaret ( Hartzell) Millikan were born the following children: Francis M., of Penryn. California; Miranda, who died, unmar- ried; Jared L., deceased: Baldwin Hartzell, the immediate subject of this memoir ; Vasco, deceased, and Mrs. Margaret Ann Reed, of Florida.
Colonel Millikan, though a Hoosier by birth, was practically a life- long resident of Ohio, having been brought to Washington C. H. by his parents when but a child, and here he remained continuously, with the ex- ception of the period spent in the military service of his country, up to the
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time of his death. He received a good practical common school education and, while still a youth, began clerking in a store. Soon he was appointed deputy county clerk, which office he was filling when there came to him the realization that his country needed his services to assist in the suppression of the great Rebellion. On August 20, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany C. One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served faithfully for three years, or until the close of the war. He took part in some of the most hotly contested engagements of that great conflict, including the battles of Chickasaw Bayou. Arkansas Post. Thompson's Hill, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Gra- ham's Plantation. Avoyelle's Prairie, Bayou de Glaize, Mobile and Fort Blakely.
Upon his return from the army, Colonel Millikan became deputy col- lector of internal revenue, holding the position for eight or ten years, and then, in partnership with George Melvin, he engaged in the drygoods busi- ness in Washington C. H., which commanded his attention for several years, after which he was in the carpet business until 1885. In the year mentioned the Colonel became affiliated with the Dahl & Baer Grocery Company, later known as Dahl, Baer & Company, and then as the Dahl-Millikan Company. In 1906 the firm was consolidated with the Midland Grocery Company. Colonel Millikan becoming treasurer of the affiliated companies, and also serving as vice-president of the Dahl-Millikan branch.
The Dahl-Millikan Grocery Company is one of the best known whole- sale concerns in Ohio, fifty years of substantial growth and development having expanded its activities from a modest beginning to its present im- mense proportions, a success which has been due to the fact that it was founded on sound business principles and conducted according to methods which have ever been in the van of advanced ideas. The company's fifty salesmen now cover practically the entire state of Ohio, representing a busi- ness generally recognized as the leader in this territory. To a very large extent the splendid success which attended this great enterprise was due to the sound judgment and indefatigable efforts of Colonel Millikan, whose splendid abilities were freely conceded by all who had dealings with him or knowledge of his work.
Aside from the business interests referred to, Colonel Millikan was identified with business affairs of his home city, in the successful prosecuting of which he took a keen interest. Among these should be mentioned the Fayette County Bank, of which he was a director, and the Fayette County Canning Company, of which he was president. The Colonel was also a large
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land owner, possessing some of the most valuable and extensive farming properties in Fayette county, and these farms were to him a keen source of delight.
Broad gauged in his views of men and things, Colonel Millikan always stood ready to identify himself with his fellow citizens in any good work and extend a co-operative hand to advance any measure that was calculated to better the condition of things in his community, that would give better gov- erminent, elevate mankind, insure higher standards of morality and the high- est ideals of refined culture. A firm believer in practical education for the masses, he was always intensely interested in the schools of his city and for many years was a member of the school board. In 1909 he was president of the city council and at all times worked for the city's best welfare.
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