USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 61
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Jesse B. Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline ( Holloway ) Lininger. was born in Ross county. this state, near Austin. October 6, 1874. Michael Lininger is the son of William and Catherine ( Hyer) Lininger, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio, where they located about 1812. Michael Lininger located in Fayette county several years ago, and is now living the retired life of a farmer in New Holland. Marion township, this county. Michael Lininger and wife were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living: John, Mrs. Mary Noble, Mrs. Lida Britton, Mrs. Jennie Chaffin, Jesse, Charles, Russell, Ernest. Mrs. Catherine Campbell and Mrs. Bertha Campbell. The two deceased children are William and Etta.
Jesse Lininger received part of his education in the schools of Ross county and completed his schooling in the Fayette county schools. He re- mained on the home farm until he was married at the age of twenty-six, and then bought his present farm of two hundred acres, on which he has since resided. His farm is well improved in every respect. and by close attention to his interests Mr. Lininger has brought it to a high state of productivity and has the satisfaction of seeing it yield satisfactory returns year by year.
Mr. Lininger was married January 4, 1900, to Bertha Ward, the daugh- ter of Willard and Anna (Myers) Ward. Mr. Ward came from Fairfield county, this state, and located in Fayette county several years ago. He and his wife reared a family of ten children, all of whom are still living. Mrs. Nellie Andrews, Mrs. Bessie Lininger, Mrs. Bertha Lininger, Henry, Mrs. Mary Hartley, Fred, Durbin, Robert, Charles and Sadie. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, Gladys and Forrest.
Politically, Mr. Lininger is affiliated with the Republican party and has always taken an abiding interest in political matters. particularly those con- cerning local affairs. His party nominated him for the position of trustee of Marion township, a fact which speaks well for his general standing as a citizen. He was subsequently elected to this official position and is now filling the office in a manner which indicates that he is a man of ability. Mr. Lininger is a man of strong character and always takes his stand on the right
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side of all questions concerning the welfare of his community. By so doing he has earned the esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree and merits inclusion among the representative men of his township and county.
JOHN E. DEWITT.
The life of the twentieth-century farmer has been freed from most of the hardships which faced the farmer of a half century ago. The introduction of labor-saving machinery has brought about a remarkable change in agri- cultural methods and the farmer is now enjoying a life of comparative ease when compared to what his forefathers had to contend with. Not only has the use of machinery revolutionized farming, but the telephone, rural mail service and automobile have put him in a position to participate in city life as never before. One of Fayette county's farmers who is thoroughly enjoying life is John E. Dewitt, of Union township, a man who has been identified with the history of this county for nearly sixty years.
John E. DeWitt, the son of Peter Grim Worthington and Margaret (Beard) DeWitt, was born April 27, 1857, in Wayne township, in this county. His father was born in the same township and lived there all of his days. Peter G. W. DeWitt and wife reared a family of four children, Flem. Erastus. Mrs. Mary Kaylor and John E.
The Wayne township district schools gave John E. DeWitt all of his education. As a boy he worked on his father's farm during his summer vacations and when he left school he remained on the home farm helping his father. At the age of thirty he commenced renting land and shortly after bought his first farm in Wayne township. Before acquiring his present farm in Union township he owned farms in Marion and Madison townships. His present farm of sixty acres is located about three miles from the county seat on the Columbus road and is in a high state of cultivation. He does intensive farming and raises excellent crops of everything usually grown in this section of the state.
Mr. De Witt was married December 23, 1890, to Sarah Stringfellow, the daughter of John and Jennie (Fannon) Stringfellow. His wife was a native of Ross county, Ohio. The Stringfellow family originally came from the state of Virginia. Mr. Stringfellow and wife were the parents of six chil- dren, John, Henry. Charles, Mary, Sarah, and Lulu B., deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have been born two children, Mabel and Dwight. Mabel
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received an excellent education and is now a public school teacher in this county. The son is now attending school in Washington C. H.
Politically, Mr. DeWitt is a Democrat, but has ever had any political ambitions. Ile has preferred to leave the cares of politics to others although he gives his unreserved support to all measures which promise to benefit his community in any way. He is a man of genial disposition and has a host of friends in the county where he has spent his whole career.
CLYDE COOK.
One of the younger agriculturists of Fayette county, Ohio, is Clyde Cook, who is the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres in Marion township and farms about three hundred acres of land altogether. He is a native of this county and has never been seized with the desire to forsake the county of his birth, believing that it presented as good opportunities for advancement as any other place he might find. The success which has followed his efforts indicates that he was not mistaken in resolving to remain in this county. Although still a young man, he has so impressed his individuality upon the citizens of his township that he has been elected trustee of Marion township, and is now filling that responsible position with honor to himself and credit to the citizens who elected him. The best citizens are those who take an active part in the civic life and for this reason Mr. Cook is eminently entitled to representation in this history of his county.
Clyde Cook, the son of Jacob and Letitia (Britton) Cook, was born in Union township, this county, on the old Clifton farm, July 23, 1882. He has one sister living, who married Roy Garrison and has three children, Louise, Ruth and Ralph. The other three children born were Clarence and Charley, both deceased, and one who died in infancy.
The education of Mr. Cook was received in the Durham and North Star schools in this county, finishing his educational training at the latter place. He remained at home until he was nearly twenty-two years of age, and then began farming for himself. After his marriage he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixteen acres, on which he has since been living. As a farmer he ranks among the best of his county and township and keeps fully abreast of the latest advances made in agricultural lines, thereby securing the maximum results from his efforts.
Mr. Cook was married December 13. 1906, to Margaret Scheonholtz, the
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daughter of Henry and Jennie (Alexander ) Scheonholtz. Mr. Schoenholtz was born in Ross county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Sarah ( Wasson) Schoenholtz, natives of Germany. Mrs. Cook has two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Dawson, Marie, at home, and one brother, Teemon. Mr. Cook and his wife have two children, Hazel and Frank.
Politically, Mr. Cook is a Democrat, but has always been interested in local politics, and at the present time is serving as trustee of Marion town- ship, giving his fellow citizens careful and conscientious service. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Cook is essentially a self-made man and has attained his success solely through his own efforts. His life strikingly exemplifies what can be accomplished by a man of energy when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles. Successful in everything which he has undertaken, respected in social life, he has always discharged his duties in a manner becoming an intelligent, liberal- minded citizen of the community, and has therefore earned the good will and regard of all who know him.
JOHN LININGER.
A self-made farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Fayette county. Ohio, is John Lininger, who, by his own efforts, has accumulated a farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres. Although not a native of this county, yet practically all of his life has been spent within its limits. By the exercise of those qualities of perseverance, economy and business integrity, he has achieved a success which stamps him as a man of more than ordinary ability. His entire life has been spent in agricultural pursuits and his success is the result of consecutive effort, well planned and thoroughly worked out.
John Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline ( Holloway) Lininger, was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 25, 1862. His father was a native of Ross county, this state, and is a son of William and Catherine (Hyre) Lininger, William Lininger being a native of Virginia. William Lininger was the son of Fred and Eva Lininger, also natives of Virginia. Twelve chil- dren were born to Michael Lininger and wife: John, Mary, Etta, Lida, Will- iam, Jennie, Jesse, Charles, Russell, Ernest, Kate and Bertha. Of these chil- dren two, Etta and William, are deceased, and two others. Jesse and Charles, are represented by biographies in this volume.
John Lininger was educated in the district schools of Ross county, and
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remained at home until his marriage, and then began life for himself by rent- ing land in Fayette county, where he had come with his parents when a boy. and later he bought a farm and has since added to it until now he has three hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Marion township, where he now re- sides. Most of his attention is given to the raising of a high grade of live stock, in which line of activity he has been very successful. He is a reader of the best agricultural literature, and in this way keeps in close touch with the latest advances in agricultural science, putting to practical use whatever will result to his advantage.
Mr. Lininger was married January 23, 1890, to Ida Rowe, the daughter of Abraham and Emma ( Johnson ) Rowe, and to this union has been born one son. Charles, who is now attending school in his home neighborhood. Mrs. Lininger died January 1, 1898, and Mr. Lininger married, April 18, 1900, Flora Posey, the daughter of P. C. and Ella F. Posey, of Williamsport, Ohio. Mrs. Lininger was a graduate of the Williamsport high school and taught in Pickaway county school two years before her marriage.
The Republican party has received the undivided support of Mr. Lininger and in its councils he has always taken a prominent part. Although he has always been busy with his agricultural interests, yet he has found time to devote to the civic life of his community and at the present time is serving as a school director. He is a man with whom everyone likes to associate. due to his kindly manner and genial disposition.
LUTHER G. COCKERILL.
Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers of Union township, Fayette county, Ohio. is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. This family name is one which is associated with the earliest history of this county and the bearers of this name have ever been among the leading citizens of this locality. Mr. Cockerill resides on his farm of two hundred and ten acres of land, splendidly located on the Greenfield pike about three miles from Washington C. H. He also owns one hundred and sixty-one acres located just south of his home place and his entire pos- sessions bear ready witness to his progressive agricultural method and his business ability.
Luther G. Cockerill first saw the light of day on November 20, 1873, in Perry township, this county, being the son of Jacob S. and Hannah ( Lines)
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Cockerill. Jacob Cockerill was also a native of Perry township, born in 1839, the son of Thomas and Sylvitha (Cochran) Cockerill. Thomas was born in 1812 or 1813 and was one of the first white children born in the state of Ohio. Luther, the immediate subject of this sketch, was one of a family of ten children, being the fifth in the order of birth. The others are: Oney, who became the wife of John King: Settie, Mrs. Patton; Augusta, Mrs. Haines: Elmer, who resides on the family home place in Perry township; Walter ; Fletcher, deceased : Laura, Mrs. Rodgers; Daisy, and Ernest, also a resident of Perry township.
Mr. Cockerill received his elementary education in the district schools near the home in Perry township, later taking a more advanced couse in the university at Ada, Ohio. From the time he was a small boy, and later on during vacation periods, he assisted the father in the work about the honie farm and in this way early acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture. After finishing his schooling and desiring to start out in life for himself, he rented a tract of land from his father, which he tilled for two years. About that time he was married and for nine years after marriage he rented land from his father-in-law. Marion Parrott. His first purchase consisted of one hundred and forty-eight acres, which he so managed as to make it pay for itself in a remarkably short time. Mr. Cockerill has the reputation of being one of the best farmers of the community and in the conduct of his business he employs only such methods as have been approved by long usage or by ex- periments along scientific lines. He has attained a most gratifying degree of success, quite commensurate with the thought and energy he has brought to bear in his undertaking.
On November 12, 1899, Mr. Cockerill was united in marriage with Maud McVey-Parrott, daughter of Irvin and Alsina (Zimmerman ) McVey and legally adopted daughter of Marion and Hulda ( Wright) Parrott. Her own parents were farmers of this county and the father saw active service during the Civil War, being a member of the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. They were the parents of ten children. Mrs. Cockerill being the youngest of the family. Ida, the eldest, is dead ; Ina is Mrs. Hyman DeBruin ; Turner resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Minnie is Mrs. Charles Shaw ; May is deceased ; William resides in St. Joseph, Missouri, as does also Grant : Frank has long been a resident of lowa and Charles is located at Dallas, Texas. When Mrs. Cockerill was only one year old the mother of this large and growing family died and one year later the father passed into the great bevond. This left their large family entirely on their own resources, most
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of them being of a helpless age, and in this way the children became scattered practically all over the country. Mrs. Cockerill, the baby of the family, found a place in the hearts and home of Marion Parrott and was reared as their own child.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill have been born six children, Anna G., Ruth Irene, Jacob Marion, Irvin Perry, Charles Luther and Walter Herman, the oldest of whom and a little son, Irvin Perry, have been removed from the home by death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill are members of the Metho -. dist Episcopal church and are among those most actively interested in for- warding the work of that organization. Politically, Mr. Cockerill gives stanch support to the Republican party and he takes a deep and intelligent interest in all public questions, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Mr. Cockerill can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what he has accomplished, for he has won his own way and is now one of the substantial men of the community as a result of his close application to busi- ness and his persistency. He is well known throughout the county and has a host of warm friends, for his life has been honorable in every respect
MARTIN LUTHER DICKEY.
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to com- mand the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such, in brief, is the record of the well-known agriculturist and stock raiser whose name heads this brief sketch, than whom a more popular or whole-souled man it would be difficult to find within the limits of Fayette county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has labored not only for his own individual ad- vancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of the entire community, whose interests he has ever at heart.
Luther Dickey, owner of eighty-five acres of excellent land and now living in practical retirement after a busy life, was born on October 31, 1855, in this county, on the old Peterson farm in Madison township. He is a son of the Rev. John Parson Alexander Dickey and Hannah Caroline ( Peterson) Dickey, the latter of whom was born on June 4, 1828. The Rev. John Dickey was a native of this state, born near South Salem, in Ross county, on May 4, 1828, the son of Alexander and Jane ( Henry) Dickey. When a youth he attended the schools of Ross county, such as they were in that
MARTIN L. DICKEY
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day, later receiving a higher education at the old academy in South Salem. He was a minister of the Presbyterian church and was accounted a well edu- cated man, having been an earnest student throughout his life. He was a man of broad sympathies and kindly heart whose influence for the better things of life was far-reaching. To him and his good wife was born a family of six children, the subject being the second of the family, and he and his brother John are the sole surviving members thereof. Those who have passed from this life are Jennie, Hattie, Nellie and Edith. Hattie died in Delaware while attending college and is buried in Bloomingburg. Nellie's first husband was Charles Sturgeon, by whom she became the mother of four children, Marie, Edith, Ephraim and Josephine. Her second hus- band was Charles McQuay and by him she had one son, Forrest. This family of children were young at the beginning of the Civil War, but in spite of that fact the Rev. John Dickey felt constrained to join the forces fighting for the preservation of the Union and, with that thought in mind, marched to the front as a private in Company D, One Hundred and Four- teenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Previous to going to the front, the family had moved to this county, but during the absence of the husband and father they returned to their former home in Ross county. After the close of the war and the return of the Reverend Dickey, the family again came to this county, where they continued to make their home.
Luther Dickey first attended the schools of this county and later those of Ross county while his father was in the army, finishing his studies at Bloom- ingburg. He was an ambitious young man and was most devoted to his books, his desire being to become a teacher. He succeeded so well that when but sixteen years of age he was placed in charge of one of the schools of this county. From his early boyhood he had been familiar with the work about a farm and by the time he was twenty-one years old he had decided that agriculture and not school teaching would be his life vocation. To that end he commenced renting land for farming purposes, his first venture being on the old Peterson farm, and in that line of work he has been ever since engaged. While he owns but eighty-five acres, he, in company with his son Ernest, manages about three hundred acres, a great deal of their effort being expended on the raising of live stock. As a producer of hogs, Mr. Dickey has an enviable reputation and has had for many years. While he has very largely given over the management of the business to his son and calls hin- self retired, he still is closely connected with every phase of his business
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In politics, Mr. Dickey is a Democrat, keenly interested in party affairs, although he has never aspired to public office for himself. However, for a time he was a school director, filling his chair with satisfaction to all con- cerned. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America and he is also one of the foremost Grangers of this section.
Mr. Dickey chose as his wife Eliza A. Larrimer, with whom he was united in matrimony on March 10, 1880. She is a daughter of John and Esther (Edward) Larrimer and was born in Paint township, Fayette county. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are considered amongst the foremost citizens of this district, both being anxious to advance in every way within their power the interests of their friends and neighbors. Into the home have come two children : Ernest, associated with the father and who lives in Bloomingburg. Ernest has one child, a son Max, his wife before her marriage being Bess Olinger. Albert William, the youngest son of the subject, is still attending school.
FRANK HUTSON.
A representative farmer and stock buyer of Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Frank Hutson, who is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of his county. His whole career has been de- voted to agricultural pursuits, and the years of his residence in the county where he was born have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow citizens, owing to the clean and wholesome life he has led and the worthy example he sets to the younger generation. He is descended from a pioneer family of the county, a family which has always stood for righteous living. Although still a young man in years, he has already demonstrated his right to be included among the best farmers of his township, and it is safe to predict a prosperous future for him.
Frank Hutson, the son of Rufus and Emma ( Vesey) Hutson, was born March 6, 1884, on the Nathan Vesey farm. His father was a native of Jeffersonville, Ohio, and was a lifelong farmer and prominent citizen of the community in which he lived. Rufus Hutson and wife were the parents of three children, Homer, Edward and Frank.
The district schools of the county were attended by Frank Hutson dur- ing his boyhood days, attending the Klever school and later the Fairview school in Wayne township. As a lad he assisted his father on the home farm during his minority and, marrying at the age of twenty-two years, at
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once began the management of his father's farm. This he has been suc- cessfully operating for the past eight years with a success that shows that he is a man of ability and wise discretion. In addition to his regular farm duties, he is largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock, a ven- ture whch has proven very profitable to him. His farm is well equipped with all of the latest machinery for scientific agriculture, and by keeping in close touch with the best agricultural literature of the day he secures the maximum results from his efforts.
Mr. Hutson was married October 10, 1906, to Jessie E. Thompson, the daughter of George and Ella Harley, and to this union has been born one daughter, Helen Elizabeth.
In the success of the Democratic party Mr. Hutson has always been much interested and, while favoring all measures tending towards good govern- ment, yet has never been active in political matters. He and his wife are faithful attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Hutson holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of essentially domestic tastes and is devoted to his home interests, taking an in- telligent and personal interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, and he is regarded as a man of high ideals and strength of char- acter. He is a genial man, easily approachable and gives stability to the locality where he has chosen to live.
MARTIN PLYMIRE.
In so brief a sketch as this must of necessity be, the biographer finds it difficult to do justice to the career of a man who has led an active and busy life, who has attained a gratifying degree of success in his chosen vocation and at the same time attained a position of relative distinction in the com- munity with which his interests are allied. Peculiar interest attaches to the subject of this sketch in that he can well claim to be a self-made man, one who by his own efforts has raised himself from an humble beginning to one of the most prominent citizens of Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio.
Martin Plymire, who owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres located on the Palmer road four miles from Washington, was born near Sabina, this state, on December 4, 1852, being a son of John and Margaret ( Wilson) Plymire. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and, when not more than a boy, came to this county in company with several of his
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