USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 58
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Mr. Wilson was married October 5, 1887, to Almedia Hidy, the daugh- ter of Simon and Mary F. (Adams) Hidy. Simon Hidy was the son of George Hidy, a native of Virginia and an early settler of Union township. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Grace, who married Alva McCoy, and has four children, Harry, Lillian, Willard and Marion.
The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. Wilson and he has been one of the leaders in his party for many years, always active and foremost in its councils. He served for several years on the school board of Union township and at the present time is filling the responsible position of road superintendent in his township. Mr. Wilson is a man of pleasing personality and is one of the best known and liked men in the county. While primarily devoted to his own interests, he has not neglected his duty as a member of society and gives his hearty support to all public-spirited enter- prises.
MARTIN L. McCOY.
A successful farmer and stock raiser and one of the representative citizens of the county is he whose name forms the caption of this article. Martin McCoy has attained his present comfortable station in life by close application to his affairs, being blessed with undaunted courage, energy and business ability above the ordinary. His course is especially commendable in that he has won his way from humble beginnings and while he has achieved success along financial lines, he has also so ordered his life as to win the confidence and trust of his fellow citizens in every respect.
Mr. McCoy was born in Union township. Fayette county, Ohio, on June 26, 1855, being the son of Abraham and Margaret ( Hoppes) McCoy. Abra- ham also was a native of this county, having been born in Union township and was the son of James. The father of James was one of the first settlers in the state, coming here in 1812 from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He
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lived to be one hundred and six years old. Abraham, father of the immediate subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of this county and was a large and prosperous farmer in his day. He was the father of a family of ten children, Elias, Sarah ( Mrs. Briggs). John, James, Nancy ( Mrs. Melvin), Martin ( the immediate subject ), Mary ( Mrs. Burnett ). Allie ( Mrs. James ) , F. M. and Mrs. Clara Cleveland ( deceased ).
When a boy the subject attended the district schools of his home locality and from early boyhood assisted the father in the work of the homestead. When quite a young man he started out in life for himself. finally renting and farming the tract of land which he later purchased and where he now makes his home. In this home farm he has one hundred and ten acres, all in an excellent state of cultivation. In addition to the general farming which he does he also is greatly interested in blooded stock. He has a fine herd of cattle of the Angus breed and had made more than a local reputation for himself in this line. He also gives considerable attention to swine, his hogs being the Spotted Poland-China breed. In addition to the home farm, he also owns another farm above Washington C. H., containing some three hundred and eighty-six acres. Mr. McCoy has labored hard for the success which he has won, same being commensurate with the amount of energy, brain and brawn which he put into his enterprise.
On November 28, 1883, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Anna M. Parrett, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Connor) Parrett, and to their union have been born four children. They had the misfortune to lose their second born, Florence. Walter, the son, is a graduate of Washington high school, taught school for a number of years and is now located in Greens- burg, Indiana. His wife was Ruth Allen. Ruth is a graduate of the high school, fitted herself for a teacher and is now employed in the schools of the township. Dorris, the youngest daughter, still remains at home, attending school. Mr. McCoy is a man of marked domestic tastes, finding his greatest enjoyment in his home and with his family. This family is considered one of the leading ones of the community, being broad-minded and interested in all that makes for the welfare of their home community.
Mr. McCoy's political affiliation is with the Democratic party, in the affairs of which he takes a commendable interest, and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church except Walter and wife, who are mem- bers of the Christian church. Mr. McCoy is one of the sterling men of strength of character so essential to the best growth and development of a community. gladly giving his influence to promote the social, moral, material
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or educational development of his home locality. During his long and indus- trious career, he has not only gained the confidence of his fellow men, but as a man of responsibility, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow men, he has gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
BRUCE PINE.
The man who starts out when he is fourteen years of age to seek his fortune will find it if he has the necessary ambition and ability. Such a man is Bruce Pine. who started out for himself at a time when the boys of today are still in school. Beginning at the foot of the ladder, he has earned his way to independence solely through his own efforts and therefore is emi- nently entitled to recognition in this history of his county. Not only has he made a name for himself as an efficient farmer, but he has also taken an active part in the life of the community about him, thereby earning the approbation of his fellow citizens.
Bruce Pine, the son of George and Ellen ( Irion) Pine, was born Febru- ary 3, 1871, at Washington C. H. His father was a native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and located in Greenfield, Ohio, when he was a young man. After his marriage, George Pine moved to the county seat of Fayette county, where he followed his trade of bricklaying and contracting. In addition to his other interests in Washington C. H .. George Pine owned a farm in Union township, where he lived for a time. He and his wife reared a family of six children, Charles, Ward, Dudley, Bruce, Glenn and Frank. The father and mother are buried in the cemetery at Washington C. H.
The education of Bruce Pine was received in the schools of Washington C. H. and the district schools of Union township. At the early age of four- teen he began to work out by the month for Eli Post and, although his wages were very small, he saved enough within a few years to make a pay- ment on a forty-acre farm in Union township. He worked on this farm for several years and then sold it at a good profit and bought his present farm of one hundred and eighteen acres in the same township. He is a systematic and careful farmer and gets the maximum results for his labor and is rightly classed among the best farmers of the county.
Mr. Pine was married February 20, 1901, to Laura E. Clifton, the daughter of M. J. and Serilda (Mallow) Clifton. Her father was born and reared in Ross county, Ohio, and came to Fayette county about twenty years
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ago. M. J. Clifton is the son of Daniel and Eliza Ann ( Rogers) Clifton, his father being one of the very first white children born within the present state of Ohio. Eliza Ann Rogers was the daughter of John Rogers, who was the nephew of Benjamin Rogers, one of the first settlers in the state. John Rogers came to Ross county in 1796 from Loudoun county. Vir- ginia, by way of Kentucky, and he helped to build the first cabins in Chillicothe in 1796. Isabella Rogers, the mother of Benjamin, was the oldest woman in the state at the time of her death. Mrs. Pine is one of four chil- dren. the others being John M., Charles M. and AArthur B. John lives in Ross county and the other two brothers are residents of Fayette county, both being farmers in Wayne township.
Mr. Pine is a Democrat politically, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HOMER A. GARRETT.
The successful management of a large farm requires a man of good executive ability, wise discrimination and excellent judgment. It is the pos- session of these qualities which has made Homer A. Garrett a successful farmer and, as the manager of the Worthington estate of two hundred and fifty acres, he has demonstrated his right to be classed among the most suc- cessful farmers of Fayette county.
Homer A. Garrett, the son of Michael A, and Mary M. ( Haigh) Gar- rett. was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 18, 1883. His father was born in the same county and was the son of Dempsey Garrett. Seven chil- dren were born to M. A. Garrett and wife, Mrs. Lily Bean, John, Edward, Overton, Mrs. Cora Coffman, Homer A. and Burch W.
The elementary education of Homer A. Garrett was received in the district schools of Highland county. He then attended the Northern Ohio Normal at Ada and graduated from that institution. After leaving school he located in Pulaski county, Illinois, for a time, when he came to Fayette county and took charge of the Worthington estate of two hundred and fifty acres in Concord township. This is one of the most productive farms of the county and under the management of Mr. Garrett is yielding good returns each year.
Mr. Garrett was married January 10. 1900, to Florence Christine Ogle.
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the daughter of John and Gertrude ( Foraker ) Ogle: to this union have been born two children, Loren H. and Virginia.
Mr. Garrett is a Republican, but has never been active in political mat- ters. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in its various activities. Mr. Garrett is still a young man with a long career before him and the success which has attended his efforts thus far indicate that he will one day be classed among the substantial men of his county.
GLENN HIRE BROCK.
One of the younger farmers of Fayette county in Glenn Hire Brock, who has always lived in the county where he was born, except ten years spent in Madison county, Ohio. Having received an excellent education, he is thoroughly in touch with all of the latest methods of agriculture and is re- garded as one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He takes an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the farmers' interests and is active in all movements which have for their object the effective organization of rural interests. More attention is being paid to the farmer by the United States government at the present time than ever before and millions of dollars are being spent every year by the department of agriculture for the benefit of the farmers of the country. Experts are hired to collect all data con- cerning farming, and the results of their investigations are published and dis- tributed to the farmers free of charge. so that the farmers are thus enabled to have scientific information regarding all phases of their work.
Glenn Hire Brock, the manager of the H. L. Hire estate, was born in this county on July 31, 1886. He is the son of A. J. and Laura (Thomas) Brock, natives of Madison county, Ohio. A. J. Brock is the son of Jackson and Sarah ( Little) Brock. natives of Virginia and early settlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they located about 1850. A. J. Brock is a prosperous farmer of that county, although he owns land in Fayette county as well. He and his wife have reared a family of three children to maturity, one son, Lowell, being deceased. The three living children are Floyd, Glenn H. and Eva. Floyd married Merta Mowery and has two children.
Glenn H. Brock received his education in Madison county, and also in Fayette county, finishing the high school course at Jeffersonville, this county. He then entered Ohio State University, where he was in attendance two years, after which he married and took charge of his uncle's large farm in
GLENN H. BROCK
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Jefferson township. While attending schools during the winter seasons, he worked on his father's farm during the summer vacations and thus obtained an intimate knowledge of all phases of agriculture, so that when he took charge of his uncle's farm, in 1909, he was thoroughly conversant with all the best methods of farming.
Mr. Brock was married February 25, 1909, to Myrtle Watkins, the daughter of James A. and Lauretta (Mock) Watkins. Mr. Watkins and his wife were early pioneers of Greene county, this state, and have a family of two children, Myrtle and Frances.
Politically, Mr. Brock is a Democrat, but as yet has never been active in political matters, the management of his uncle's large farm demanding all of his time and attention. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grange, while he and his wife are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters.
ALVIN N. PETERS.
The occupation of farming offers better opportunities today than ever before for bright young men. Since the advent of modern labor-saving ma- chinery and the attention which is given to scientific farming by the depart- ment of agriculture and our colleges throughout the country it is becoming easier for the farmer to make a successful career. Seventy-five years ago there was not a farmi journal or paper devoted to the interests of farmers in the country, while today there are hundreds of farm papers in which every phase of farming is treated. Volumes have been written on the themes of horses, cattle and all kinds of live stock; an agricultural encyclopedia has been compiled, while the United States government has issued through its department of agriculture a series of several hundred bulletins which treat in detail everything which could possibly interest the farmer. With all of these helps it is small wonder that there is an increasing number of our young men devoting themselves to agriculture. One of the scientific farmers of Fayette county is Alvin N. Peters, of Wayne township. who, although not a native of this county, has spent the past fifteen years within its limits.
Alvin N. Peters, the son of Robert W. and Martha C. (Glasscock) Peters, was born October 15. 1875. about five miles north of Circleville,
(39)
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Ohio, in Pickaway county. His father was born near Columbus, Ohio, and later settled in Pickaway county, where he and his wife reared a family of eight children, John, Mary, Mrs. Anna Waddell, Mrs. Alice Barr, Alvin N., Robert G., Lula and Myrtle. All of these children are still living except John and Mary. Robert W. Peters served two years during the Civil War as a member of the First Regiment Ohio Cavalry.
Alvin N. Peters was educated in Pickaway county, attending school during the winter seasons and assisting his father on the farm during the summers. He remained at home until he was married, in February, 1899, and then moved to Fayette county, where he and his young wife went to housekeeping in Wayne township. They purchased a fine farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres, on which they have made many improvements. In ad- dition to his farm of one hundred and fifty acres, Mr. Peters operates an additional three hundred and fifty acres, and with this large acreage he raises a large amount of grain each year and handles several car loads of live stock for the market. Being a man of progressive tendencies, he- thor- oughly understands every phase of farming and justly merits the name of progressive farmer.
Mr. Peters was married in 1899 to Anna Hoppes. the daughter of John and Rebecca Hoppes, and to this union have been born two children, who are now in school, John R. and Martha L.
Politically, Mr. Peters is a Republican, but has never been active in political matters since coming to this county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, belonging to the lodge at Greenfield, Ohio. The well regulated life he has led has gained him the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens and justly entitles him to representation in the history of his county.
CHARLES R. McLEAN.
One of the extensive land owners of Fayette county, Ohio, is Charles R. McLean, who owns two hundred and fifty acres in Fayette county and operates two hundred and fifty acres more, making a total of five hundred acres in this county. The McLean family have been prominent in their county history for more than a century and its various members have been active in every phase of the county's growth and development. The McLeans are of Welsh descent and located in this county in 1810. Mr. McLean is a
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man of wide education and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive farmers and ablest business men of the county.
Charles R. McLean, the son of James A. and Catherine (Briggs) Mc- Lean, was born in Washington C. H. on July 31, 1870. His father was born in the same city in 1841, and served with distinction in the Civil War as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a sergeant in this company on August 9, 1862, and was discharged on account of disability arising from sickness after serving a year at the front. He was a civil engineer and helped to plan and lay out the breast works surrounding Vicksburg, and was present at the capture on July 4, 1863. As a civil engineer James A. McLean laid out most of the roads in Fayette county and surveyed a large number of the farms in this county at different times. James A. McLean and wife were the parents of five children, Nettie, Charles R., Lida, Fred and Mary. Nettie is the wife of Dr. Charles James, of Denver, Colorado, and has three children, Wathan, Charline and Marvin: Lida is the wife of George Fabb, and has one son, Charles ; Fred married Louise McMullen : Mary is the wife of W. H. Riddel and has three children, Hildreth and twins, Williams and James. James A. McLean and wife were both loyal and consistent members of the Presbyter- ian church and are now buried in the cemetery at Washington C. H.
Charles R. McLean finished the common school course at Washington C. H. and then entered the University of Kentucky at Danville, where he graduated in the classical course. At the age of twenty-one he began farm- ing and has since devoted all of his time to agricultural pursuits. That he has been remarkably successful is shown by his land holdings. He lives on his fine farm in Wayne township. He is one of the most extensive stock breeders in the county and markets several car loads of live stock annually.
Mr. McLean was married in December, 1904, to Leota Brown, the daugh- ter of Jesse Brown and wife, of Clinton county, this state, and to this union has been born one daughter, Catherine L.
Politically, Mr. McLean gives his allegiance to the Republican party, but his heavy agricultural interests so occupy his time and attention that he has not had the time to mingle in political affairs. However, he takes an in- telligent interest in the issues of the day, and is able to discuss them in a manner which shows that he is thoroughly conversant with the problems now confronting the American people. He is a man of genial disposition, kindly impulses and gives his unreserved support to all measures which have for their end the educational, moral or material advancement of his county.
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WASHINGTON LOUGH.
No profession has made greater advancement during the last century than the agricultural profession, and practically all of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmer have disappeared with the introduction of labor-saving machinery. It now takes less labor to operate a farm of fifty acres than it did to operate a farm of ten acres fifty years ago, and in- ventions are coming into use every year which are helping the farmer to in- crease his efficiency. Ohio is recognized as one of the best farming states in the Union and no county in this state has better or more progressive farmers than has Fayette county. Among the hundreds of farmers who have made this county famous as an agricultural section there is no one more worthy of a place in this volume than Washington Lough, the proprietor of two hundred and twenty-two acres of fine land in Wayne township.
Washington Lough, the son of John W. and Mary E. (Mains) Lough, was born February 16, 1879, in Buckskin township, Ross county, this state. His father was a native of Franklin county. Virginia, and after serving throughout the Civil War in the Confederate army under Gen. Robert E. Lee, came to Ohio and located in Ross county. John W. Lough and wife reared a family of six children to maturity, Bert, George, Ada, Washington, Charles and Margaret. Bert, who is deceased, married Medora Rogers, and left his widow with one daughter, Dorothy B .; Ada, deceased, was the wife of Arthur Parrett: George married Elizabeth Lavery, and has two sons, Richard and Weldon, and a daughter, Mildred E .; Charles married Mary Beatty ; Margaret is the wife of Arthur Kline and has two children. Louise and Harold.
Washington Lough received part of his education in the district schools of Ross county and completed it in the Salem school in the same county. He spent the summer seasons of his boyhood days working for his fa- ther on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until he was married, at the age of twenty-nine. He came to Fayette county in 1894 and located on his present farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres in Wayne township, where he has since resided. He is a progressive farmer, believes in introducing modern methods of tilling the soil and has met with marked success in his efforts. He handles a large amount of live stock each year and has been very successful as a stock raiser.
Mr. Lough was married September 2, 1898, to Mary C. Douglas, the daughter of James M. and Rose ( Porter) Douglas. Mr. Douglas was born
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in Highland county, Ohio, where he is now living the retired life of the farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were the parents of two children. Laura L., and Mary C., the wife of Mr. Lough. The one child of Mr. and Mrs. Lough, James Norman, is deceased and is buried at Greenfield. Ohio.
Politically, Mr. Lough is an independent and has never taken an active part in political matters. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, in whose welfare they take a deep and abiding interest and to whose support they are liberal contributors. Fraternally, he is a member of the Greenfield lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elķs.
RUSSELL B. McCOY.
One of the younger farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who is making an enviable record as a progressive farmer is Russell McCoy, the proprietor of one hundred acres of fine land in Wayne township. He started in life with nothing but the ambition to succeed and by good management and close economy has attained to a definite degree of success. His family have been residents of this county for nearly a century and have always been prominently identified with the material, educational, social and religious welfare of the county. With such a heritage it is but natural that Mr. McCoy should be a man of influence in his community, and that he is influential is shown by the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
Russell B. McCoy, the son of Thomas and Sarah ( Hackney ) McCoy. was born in the township where he is now living on December 10, 1879. His father is the son of Thomas and Margaret McCoy and was born in Wayne township, his father coming to this county early in its history from the state of Virginia. Thomas McCoy, Jr., and wife were the parents of five children, Mary, Russell B., Glenn T. and Oscar E .: the twin of Glenn died in infancy and the other four are still living.
Russell B. McCoy first attended the Forest Dale school in his home neighborhood and finished his education in the schools of Good Hope in his township. Like all sons of farmers, he worked on the home farm during the summers while he was attending school in the winter time. In this way he was well grounded in all of the many details which go to make the suc- cessful farmer. Ile was married at the age of twenty-two and rented a farmi for nine years ; then he bought his present fine farm of one hundred acres in Wayne township. He has placed many improvements on the farm since ac-
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quiring it and now owns one of the most attractive and well-kept farms in the township. He raises all of the crops which are usually grown in this locality and gives due attention to the raising of live stock as well. He is a good manager and has met with a success commensurate with his efforts.
Mr. McCoy was married December 24, 1901, to Bertha Walker, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Walker. To this union there have been born three children, Melba, Geraldine and Thomas.
Politically, Mr. McCoy is a member of the Republican party and has always taken an active part in local political matters. At the present time he is serving on the school board of his township and favoring every measure which will help the schools. Mr. McCoy is still a young man and has a long and prosperous future before him. The success which has attended his efforts thus far indicates that he will eventually become one of the most substantial men of his county. He is a man of pleasing personality and has a host of friends who admire him for his many excellent qualities.
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