USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 51
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After the close of the Civil War and he had settled down in active busi- ness life, he became affiliated with the local militia, and later was in com- mand of the company which became known as the Millikan Guards. Later he was elected lieutenant-colonel and from that time was generally known as Colonel Millikan.
Of the Grand Army of the Republic, Colonel Millikan was a most enthusiastic member from the close of the great civil struggle until his death, and for a generation he was one of the most influential factors in the R. B. Hayes Post, of Washington C. H. He served the post as commander for several years and it was largely through his efforts and influence that the state encampment of the Grand Army was brought to Washington C. H. in 1913. The Colonel was ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his old comrades and performed many acts of kindness in their behalf. In testi- mony of their love and esteem for him, the members of the post presented a beautiful silver loving cup to him but a short time before his death. One of his last services in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic was his untiring efforts in the securing of the Memorial hall for this city, and later the installation of the bronze tablets in commemoration of the Fayette heroes of the Rebellion.
Politically, Colonel Millikan was an earnest supporter of the Republican party, though he was in no sense a seeker after publicity and did not take a very active part in the campaigns of his party. Fraternally, he was an appreciative and appreciated member of the Free and Accepted Masons, being affiliated with Fayette Lodge No. 107; Fayette Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons, and Garfield Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and
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Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, Colonel Millikan was a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gave generous support.
On the 30th day of January, 1878, Col. B. H. Millikan was united in marriage with Lizzie B. Dahl, who was born in Washington C. H., the daughter of George and Ruth (Bereman) Dahl. She was one of four chil- dren, the others being Harris B., Anna Victoria and Ethel. On the paternal side, Mrs Millikan was descended from German ancestry, while her maternal grandparents were Joel S. and - (Thompson) Bereman. To Colonel and Mrs. Millikan were born the following children: Ruth M., who is the wife of William W. Westerfield, of New Orleans, and they have one daugh- ter. Elizabeth Millikan Westerfield. Jesse H. Millikan is identified with the interests formerly belonging to his father. The mother of these children died in December, 1899, at the age of forty-three years, secure in the love and affection of all who were so fortunate as to be numbered among her ac- quaintances.
Colonel B. H. Millikan died, very suddenly, at Columbus, Ohio, on March 20, 1914. He had left his home city in the morning of that day, apparently feeling well and exhibiting the same jovial, cheerful disposition which was one of his characteristics, but within a few hours after reaching Columbus he felt the touch of the Grim Reaper and Washington's first citizen had entered into his long rest.
The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Colonel Millikan, and in all the relations of life he displayed that consistent Christian spirit. that natural worth, that endeared him to all classes. His integrity and fidelity were manifested in every relation of life, for he early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others. He leaves to his family the rich memory of an unstained name, and to the city he loved so well the record and example of an honorable and well spent life.
TRAINE C. KIRK.
One of the oldest families in the county is the Kirk family, who came here nearly one hundred years ago. James Kirk, the first of the family to locate in Fayette county. married Nancy Smith in Rockingham county, Virginia, and located on Paint creek, in Paint township, about 1811, a year after this county was organized. Thomas Kirk and wife reared a family of twelve children, Madison, Mrs. Jane Stanley, Raburn. Mrs. Charity Sellers, Augustus P., James S., Addie, Ward B., Henry, Alice, William and Dora.
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Henry Kirk, the father of Traine C., of this record, was born in a log cabin on Paint creek June 23, 1821, and died in the same room in which he was born after a long and useful life in this county. He is now buried at Washington (. H. Henry Kirk was a man of strong convictions and a Democrat of the Southern school. He firmly resolved never to sit on a jury with a negro, and kept that resolution throughout his whole life. At one time he was chosen as a jurist, but when he saw that there were already two negroes accepted for jury service he refused to serve. . The judge told him that he could not excuse him on such grounds and that he must abide by the law or be imprisoned. One of the attorneys said the penalty might he made a fine and, upon the judge so deciding, Mr. Kirk paid his fine and left the court rather than sit in the jury with a negro. He also refused to accept a county or township office and upon being elected supervisor at one time paid a fine rather than serve. Henry Kirk and wife reared a family of six children, Mrs. Florence Marshall, Traine C .. James E., Georgiana, Willard H. and Lucy P. Georgiana is a teacher in the Jeffersonville schools; Wil- lard H. married Lillian Creamer and has one daughter, Adelaide: Lucy P. is the wife of A. C. Carr. Elmira Parrett, the wife of Henry Kirk, and the mother of these six children above mentioned, was the daughter of George Parrett.
Traine C. Kirk was born November 24, 1862, on the old Kirk farm. two and one-half miles south of Jeffersonville. He was born in the same honse where his father was born in 1821. He attended the Smith school in his home neighborhood and later the Roebuck and Walnut Ridge schools. He then attended the high school at Jeffersonville, after which he spent one year in Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He began farming for himself at the age of thirty on rented land and a few years later bought his present farm of one hundred and three acres on the Welt road near Jeffersonville. The farm is highly improved and he has always kept it in a high state of productivity by scientific crop rotation and commercial ferti- lizers. The farm is known throughout the county as the Poplar Grove farm. the name being chosen by his two sons.
Mr. Kirk was married May 26, 1896, to Nora P. Eichelberger, the daughter of G. M. and Hannah (Coyner) Eichelberger, and to this union have been born two sons, Willard C. and Grayson L.
The Republican party claims the support of Mr. Kirk, but he has never been active in political matters. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Jeffersonville and a trustee of that denomination. He
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and his family have been prominent in all church and Sunday school work for several years. In fact, they actively identify themselves with all worthy movements which have for their end the betterment of the community in any way.
WILLIAM S. DRAPER.
Descended from one of the earliest pioneer families of Fayette county, Ohio, William S. Draper has inherited all of those sterling characteristics which marked his forefathers. The name Draper has long been connected with the development and progress of this county, and for a hundred years it has been borne by men who have reflected credit upon their county and upon their state. The family has filled a large place in the history of this county and has been an important factor in the growth and development of its various industries and interests. In the course of a long and honorable career Mr. Draper has been successful in the manifold lines to which his efforts have been directed and, possessing in a marked degree those traits which command confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who know him and numbered among the representative men of his county.
William S. Draper, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Paint town- ship, was born September 30, 1868, in Union township, about twelve miles from Washington C. H. He is the son of John and Mary ( Baughn) Draper, natives of this county. John Draper was born in Washington C. H. and was a son of Micajah Draper, one of the first commissioners of Fayette county. Micajah Draper was a native of Virginia and located in Fayette county in 1810, the same year in which the county was organized. John Draper and wife were the parents of six children, Mrs. Lucy Umpleby. Mrs. Margaret Hays, John M., Mrs. Ida Wade, Charles and William S. All of these children except Ida are still living. William S. Draper attended the schools of Union township for a time and then finished his education at the Hidy school in Paint township. His father died before he was grown and he then assisted his stepfather on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. Upon reaching his majority he hired out to his stepfather. receiving fourteen dollars a month for his services. He married at the age of twenty-three and at once bought a farm of sixty acres, where he and his young bride began their married life. They worked side by side and much of the success which Mr. Draper has attained he attributes to his good wife. He has added to his land holdings from time to time and is now the owner
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of one hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land in this township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Draper was married in 1891 to Anna Carper, the daughter of L. S. and Louisa ( Brock) Carper, of Greene county, this state, and to this union have been born two children, an infant, deceased, and Elza, who married Deane Kelly, who manages the home farm for Mr. Draper.
Politically, Mr. Draper is a Democrat and, as a public-spirited citizen, has always taken a deep interest in the various political issues which confront the American people today. He has never been an aspirant for any public office, although he is at present filling the position of school director in his township. He has preferred rather to devote his time and energies to his farming interests. Mr. Draper is a genial and whole-souled citizen and has a host of friends and acquaintances throughout his home township and county.
LAFAYETTE EGGLESTON.
The Eggleston family, of which Lafayette Eggleston. a prominent farmer of Paint township, is a representative, dates their ancestry back to colonial times. Bigod Eggleston came over with the Pilgrims in 1630 from England and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and later when Wareham led a number of emigrants to Connecticut he took his family and located at Windsor, in that state. He located at Windsor in 1635, and died there September 1, 1674, being more than one hundred years of age at the time of his death. He came to this country on the English brig, "Mary and John." He was twice married. By his first marriage he had two sons, James and Samuel, the latter becoming the progenitor of the Egglestons represented in Fayette county. Ohio, today. His second wife was Mary Talcott, and to his second marriage were born seven children, Thomas, Mary, Sarah, Abigail, Rebecca, Joseph and Benjamin.
No less than seven generations intervened between the first members. Bigod Eggleston and Lafayette Eggleston, with whom this narrative deals. The heads of the families in order are as follows: Samuel, the son of Bigod, who married Sarah Disbrough; Samuel, second, who married: Samuel. third, who married Patience Paine. July 5. 1703: Samuel, fourth, who mar- ried Abigail Berens: Joseph, who married a Miss Proffer : Arthur, who mar- ried a Miss Smiley : Joseph, who married Mary A. Waters, and Lafayette, the son of Joseph and Mary Eggleston.
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Joseph Eggleston, the father of Lafayette, was born near Saratoga Springs, in Saratoga county, New York, and was one of the early settlers in New Plymouth, Vinton county, Ohio. Lafayette Eggleston, the second child of Joseph and Mary A. ( Waters) Eggleston, was born in New Plymouth, Ohio, on Christmas day, 1854. His older brother was Mathew J. and the younger was James A. He received his early education in Pickaway county, and finished his educational training in the Bloomingburg school in this county. After leaving school he secured a position as clerk in a general store at Yellemburg, remaining here but a year, when he began teaching school in Ross county, this state, near Andersonville, and continued in this line of endeavor until 1875, when he came to Bloomingburg, where he has since resided. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres near Bloomingburg, which is largely devoted to stock raising.
Mr. Eggleston was married April 6, 1876, to Mary C. Boies, the daugli- ter of David and Esther R. (Gillespie) Boies. David Boies was the son of William and Caroline (Coggesville) Boies, and reared a family of six chil- dren, Eli. William, Erskine, Caroline, Dorothy and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston are the parents of four children, Dora, Amy B., Esther and Joseph.
The Republican party has always claimed the loyal support of Mr. Eggleston, although he has never been an aspirant for political office or in- clined to take an active part in political affairs. He and his family are faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Eggleston is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, a man who has always sustained an enviable reputation in the community where he lives.
WILLIAM WESLEY WILSON.
There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the sticcess ful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are much the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably, in the main, encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens, prosperous farmers and successful business men of Fayette county stands the gentleman whose name forms the caption to these paragraphs. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound
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judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.
William W. Wilson, who owns and operates a splendid and well im- proved farm in Union township and who is also interested in a prosperous fencing and implement business in Washington C. H., comes of good old Virginia stock in both the paternal and maternal lines, and exemplifies in himself those splendid qualities which have ever characterized the people of the Old Dominion state. He is himself a native of Fayette county, having been born in Perry township on August 16, 1857. His parents, James and Martha (Simmons) Wilson, were born in Highland county, Ohio, but be- came early settlers in Fayette county, in the pioneer life of which they became active factors. For a number of years after coming to this county their home was in Perry township, but in April, 1877. they moved to Union township. where the father bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself. Subsequently he located on another farm near Washington C. 11., where his death occurred in 1901, when past sixty-seven years of age. He was a man of splendid qualities of character and was an affiliated member of the Baptist church. His widow, who still survives him, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. James Wilson was a man of sound business judgment and rendered efficient service as real estate appraiser in 18go and I900.
The subject's paternal grandparents, William Wesley and Elizabeth ( Fishback) Wilson, were born and reared in Staunton, Virginia. Having determined to seek a home in the New West, they started on the overland journey to the Indian Reserve in Indiana, but when they reached Fast Mon- roe, Highland county, Ohio, one of their horses sickened and died, prevent- ing their continuing their journey further. They were the parents of five children, William, James, Henry, Alfred and Joseph.
The maternal grandparents of Mr. Wilson were William and Sarah ( Harber ) Simmons, also natives of the state of Virginia, who settled in Highland county, this state, in an early day and there spent the remainder of their lives, dying there when about ninety years of age. Their children were Elijah, Oliver, Trusten, Edmund, Sarah, Mary, Martha and Louisa.
He to whom the following lines are devoted has spent practically his entire life in the county of his nativity, never having been induced by the wanderlust spirit to seek richer fields elsewhere, and in this he has shown a commendable judgment, for he has, by perseverance, good judgment and
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indefatigable energy, succeeded in his material affairs, until today he is one of the leading men of his community. He is indebted to the district and graded township schools for his educational training, which he has liberally supplemented through the years by habits of close observation and by ex- tensive reading. He was about nineteen years of age when the family moved from Perry to Union township, and he was reared to manhood on a farm. At the time of his marriage. Mr. Wilson rented land, and was so successful in his vocation that a few years later he was able to purchase thirty-five acres in Union township. In the management of this tract he was also successful and has added to his original holdings until today he owns one hundred and seventy acres of as good land as can be found in his section of the county, the farm being located about one mile south of Washington C. H. In addi- tion to his farming operations, Mr. Wilson is, as stated earlier in this sketch. interested in the fence and implement business at Washington C. H., in which he has met with well deserved success. He is also a stockholder in the Fayette County Bank, one of the strong and popular banks of this county.
Politically, Mr. Wilson has been a life-long supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and for the long period of twenty-eight years he has rendered faithful and appreciated service as a member of the school board. Reli- giously, he is, with his wife, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they give of their time and means.
On the 27th day of October, 1878, William W. Wilson married Martha Swift, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, the daughter of William and Nancy ( Amos) Swift, the former a native of Ireland, born in Kirkele, county Down, Ireland, in 1810. and died in 1902. In 1818 he voyaged to America by sailing vessel. Nancy AAmos was born in Highland county. Ohio. Both are now deceased. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swift, five are now living, namely : John Wesley, Elijah William, Harrison, Elizabeth and Martha. Mrs. Wilson's paternal grandfather preceded his family to this country, and was supposed to have been killed by the Indians. His widow and children came later, but found no trace of him and they set- tled in Pennsylvania, later coming to Highland county. Ohio, where their deaths occurred.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born the following children: Eva became the wife of E. C. McCoy, of Union township, and they have three children. Wilby, Dorothy and Helen : Marion, who operates a farm adjoin- ing that of his father, married Mary Cavinee. and they have five children, Marjorie. Elmo. Elizabeth. Woodrow and Rosaline: Willard, who is in the employ of his father in the fence and implement business, married Blanche
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Michael : Everett and Horatio are also in the employ of their father. Everett was married October 29, 1914, to Wynema Wilson, no relation.
Thus briefly have been recorded the salient features in the life history of one who has, by proper motives and a lofty example, honestly won a place in the front ranks of Fayette county's citizens, and because of his sterling in- tegrity and his efforts for the advancement of the puublic welfare, has won the approval of all who know him.
GEORGE W. McCOY.
The McCoy family has been identified with the history of Fayette county. Ohio, for nearly a century, and during all of these years they have performed their share in the development of this favored spot of Ohio. George W. McCoy, whose history is here presented, has spent his entire life of more than sixty years within the limits of this county, consequently he is well known among the citizens with whom he has lived. A life of such duration spent in one commuinty enables a man's character to be familiar to everyone with whom he has been associated, and the high esteem in which Mr. McCoy is held by his fellow citizens is indicative of the clean and whole- some life which he has lived.
George W. McCoy, the son of Patterson and Eliza ( Bryant ) McCoy. was born February 28, 1851. in Wayne township, this county. His father was a son of Patterson McCoy, and was born in Union township. this county, where his father settled when he came from Virginia in the early history of the county. Patterson McCoy was reared, married and spent all of his days in this county, and he and his wife reared a family of nine children. Nathan. Mrs. Clara B. Kearney, Jackson, George, Jannette, Mrs. Nettie Cline, Mrs. Eliza Smith, Edward and Mrs. Armata Smith. All of these children except Jackson and Edward are still living.
George E. McCoy attended the district school known as the Shady Grove school during his boyhood days and helped his father with the work on the farm during the summer vacations. At the age of twenty-one he commenced renting land from his father and lived on a rented farm until 1896, when he felt able to purchase his present farm of fifty acres, on which he has since resided. He has engaged in intensive farming with the result that he has realized as much each year from his farm as many farmers do from a much larger acreage. He is progressive in his methods and, being a man of good
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management, has had the satisfaction of seeing his farm yield more satis- factory returns year by year.
Mr. McCoy was married March 21, 1884, to Lida Cline, the daughter of John and Sarah Cline, of Ross county, Ohio, and to this union has been born one daughter, Mrs. Blanche Pleyley.
The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. McCoy and its candidates have always received his vote. He has always been interested in educational affairs and at present is a member of the school board of his township. Mr. McCoy has always maintained an intelligent interest in the welfare of his community and unreservedly given his support to every move- ment for the educational, moral or material advancement of his fellow citizens.
ELI MOCK.
One of the pioneer farmers of Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Eli Mock, who is now living in honorable retirement after a strenu- ous life of activity in connection with his agricultural pursuits. His fidelity to duty has won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been thrown in contact, and by patient continuance in well doing he has gradually risen from an humble station to his present standing as one of the largest and most substantial farmers of the county. He is one of the thirty- nine farmers listed by the 1910 census in Fayette county as having from five hundred to one thousand acres of land, and the possession of such ex- tensive land holdings indicate that he has been a man of great energy and excellent business qualities.
Eli Mock, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Robbins) Mock, was born April 30, 1838, in Jefferson township, this county. His father was born in Greene county, Ohio, near Nenia, and was a life-long farmer. Daniel Mock and wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Diana Bargdill, Eli. David, Mrs. Margaret Asbery Moon and A. S.
Eli Mock received the limited education which was afforded by the country schools of his boyhood days, and has supplemented this with wide reading and close observation during all of his active life. He married at the age of twenty-six and began farming in Jefferson township on a small tract of land and has continued in agricultural pursuits for more than half a century. As he prospered from year to year he added to his and his wife's land holdings until at the present time he is the owner of six hundred and
MR. AND MRS. ELI MOCK
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forty acres of fine land in Jefferson township, all of which is kept in a highly improved manner. He has fine buildings, excellent orchards and every con- venience which is demanded by the modern farmer. He is one of the largest raisers of grain and live stock in the county, and, although he retired from active work several years ago, he still maintains close supervision over his large estate.
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