USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Mr. Steers is a Democrat in politics, but owing to the fact that he has been here but a short time and is so immersed in business, has not taken an active part in political matters. However, he takes an intelligent interest in all the political issues of the day, and being a man of wide reading and broad culture, he is thoroughly in sympathy with good government and gives his hearty support to all measures which have for their end the betterment and the welfare of the community in which he has chosen to reside. He and his wife take a prominent part in the life of the community and, because of their whole-souled hospitality and their geniality of manner, have built up a large circle of friends and acquaintances since becoming residents of this county.
694
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
THOMAS R. McCOY.
A life of seventy-two years in this county gives Thomas McCoy the right to be classed among the pioneers of Fayette county. There is such a marked change in the life of the early settlers as compared with the life of the people of the county today that the pioneer of one hundred years ago would not recognize his own farm were it possible for him to see it today. The life of the farmer is now surrounded with more comforts and con- veniences than the city dweller enjoyed a few years ago. The mail is left on his door step each day, the interurban car whirls past his door each hour, the telephone puts him into instant communication with his neighbors and the city and he can even buy a machine which will milk his cows. One of the best evidences of the prosperity of the present farmers of Fayette county is to be seen in their bank accounts, which total more than those of all others in the county.
Thomas R. McCoy, one of the largest farmers in Wayne township, was born December 10, 1841, on the farm where he is now living. He is the son of Thomas B. and Margaret (Murray) McCoy, natives of Fredricksburg. Maryland, and Virginia, respectively. Thomas B. McCoy was the son of James and Sarah (Brown) McCoy and came to Ross county, Ohio, from Maryland when he was eighteen years of age, locating near Chillicothe on a farm. Shortly afterward he moved into Ross and Fayette counties and bought a farm of one hundred acres in Wayne township, where he and his wife reared a family of twelve children, James, Joseph, Mrs. Elizabeth Fernow, William, Allen, Mrs. Sarah Hegler, Judson, Hugh, Thomas R .. Mrs. Mariah Stookey, Mrs. Anna Robinson and John. All of these children are now deceased with the exception of Elizabeth, Mariah, Thomas R., and Anna. Judson was a member of the Fifty-fourth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas R. McCoy attended the schools of Ross and Fayette counties, completing his education in the schools of the latter county. He has always been on the home farm and began farming for himself when twenty-five years of age. He first rented a part of the paternal estate and later bought out the other heirs. He has placed extensive improvements on the farm and by close economy and good management has made his farm one of the best in the county. He gives particular attention to the breeding of horses and has been successful along this line.
Mr. McCoy was married in 1874 to Sarah Hackney. the daughter of
695
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
Edward and Mary E. (Mckay) Hackney, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Clinton county, Ohio. To this union there have been born four children, Edward (deceased), Mary D .. Russell D., T. Glenn and Oscar E., who is running the home farm.
Politically, Mr. McCoy is a stanch Republican and has always been deeply interested in local politics. He has served as township assessor with satisfaction to the citizens of Wayne township. He has also been on the school board of his township. All the family are attendants of the Baptist church and contribute liberally of their means to its support.
HUGH E. ELLIOTT.
The life of the farmer today is the most independent existence which a inan can lead. The farmer is getting better prices for everything than he ever did before and the chances are that the market price of all grains and live stock will never be any lower than they are today. The man with a farm of at least fifty acres can make a very comfortable living and many are doing it on a less acreage. One of the successful farmers of Fayette county is Hugh E. Elliott, of Wayne township, who rents his father's farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres on the Rock Mill road, one mile from Good Hope.
Hugh E. Elliott, the son of Milton S. and Ursula (Grubbs) Elliott, was born March 12, 1874, in Jackson county, Missouri, near Warrensburg. Hugh E. Elliott came with his parents to Fayette county when he was three years of age. He first attended the Rogers school in Paint township and later the Jefferson and Shady Side schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one when he began farming for himself and is still renting land in Wayne township. As a farmer he keeps fully abreast of the times and is classed among the progressive farmers of his township. He divides his attention between the raising of grains and live stock and has met with suc- cess commensurate with his efforts.
Mr. Elliott was married February 24, 1898. to Mary Moore, the daugh- ter of George T. and Lydia (Bradshaw) Moore. George T. Moore was born in Pike county, Ohio, the son of James and Christina ( Penisten) Moore and has reared a family of four children : Curtis (deceased), Mary, Clarence (of Boston), and Orville (of Cleveland). Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have two children, Laverne and Ursula Anne.
696
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
In politics, Mr. Elliott is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. The family are loyal mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, Mr. Elliott is a man of pleasing address and has a host of friends throughout the county where he has lived so many years.
ELIAS PRIDDY.
The Bible says that the allotted age of man is three score and ten years, and yet there are many who live beyond this age. Fayette county, Ohio, has many old citizens, among the best known of whom is Elias Priddy, of Concord township, who was born in that township ninety-one years ago. He has lived under every President from James Monroe down to the present time, and has seen more changes in civilization than have taken place during all the preceding ages of history. Although he was not married until he was nearly thirty years of age, yet he and his wife have been married more than sixty-two years, being one of the oldest married couples in this county today. During his long life Mr. Priddy has always been interested in everything which pertained to the development of his county, and the clean and whole- some life he has lived and the kindly disposition which he has always main- tained toward his neighbors have endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquantances throughout the county.
Elias Priddy. the son of George and Jane (McDonald) Priddy, was born in Concord township, in 1823. His parents were natives of Virginia and settled in Ross county, Ohio, in the early twenties, shortly afterward locating in Fayette county. Three children were born to George Priddy and wife, Mrs. Matilda Flannigan, Mrs. Maria Mark and Elias.
The boyhood days of Elias Priddy were filled with hard work and yet he had pleasures which the boys of today will never know. He recalls many interesting incidents surrounding his boyhood days-the days of the corn- husking bees, the country dances, the log rollings and the house raisings. His education was confined to the rudiments of reading, writing and arith- metic, since the schools of the twenties and thirties were very limited in their instruction. His entire life has been spent on the farm in this township, and he now owns a neat and attractive little farm of thirty acres near the vil- lage of Staunton in Concord township. Although he was more than forty years of age when the Civil War broke out, yet he enlisted in the One Hun-
A
MR. AND MRS. ELIAS PRIDDY
697
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
dred and Sixty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for more than a year with distinction. He was then drafted on his return home and paid nine hundred dollars for a substitute to take his place. Immediately after the close of the war he returned to his farm and has since followed agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Priddy was married January II, 1852, to Rachel Williams, and to this union has been born one son, George. Politically, Mr. Priddy has long been identified with the Republican party and before its organization voted the Whig ticket, casting his first vote in the fall of 1844. He is a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the old soldiers. He and his wife have been life- long members of the Methodist Episcopal church and interested in all the good work of that denomination. This grand old couple are greatly beloved in the township where they live and the people delight to honor them in every way. They are people of kindly disposition, genial impulses and always ready to assist anyone in times of trouble or distress. It is not often given to people to live more than ninety years, and for this reason Fayette county takes particular pleasure in honoring this venerable couple.
CHARLES LININGER.
The Lininger family has been identified with the history of Fayette county, Ohio, for many years, and its members have always taken a prom- inent part in the life of the communities in which they lived. They are all successful farmers and are men who give stability to their respective localities. One of the three brothers of this family whose careers are presented in this volume is Charles Lininger, whose life has been such as to accord him a place among the representative citizens of his township. His whole life has been devoted to agriculture, with the result that he has attained a pecuniary independence commensurate with his efforts.
Charles Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline ( Holloway) Lininger, was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 15. 1876. His father, who was the son of William and Catherine ( Hyer) Lininger, was a native of Ross county, this state. Fred and Eva Lininger, the parents of William, came from Vir- ginia and settled in Ross county, Ohio, early in its history. Charles Lininger is one of twelve children born to his parents, the others being John, Mary, Etta, Lida, William, Jennie, Jesse, Russell, Ernest, Kate and Bertha. Etta
698
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
and William are deceased, while of the other children, John and Jesse are represented by personal biographies elsewhere in this volume.
The education of Charles Lininger was received in Fayette county, and he remained with his parents on the farm until he reached his majority. He came to Fayette county when a child with his parents and at the age of twenty-one began farming in Marion township, where he is now residing. He divides his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding and raising of high grade live stock in such a way as to yield him a comfortable livelihood.
Mr. Lininger was married January 10, 1906, to Bessie Ward, the daugh- ter of William and Anna (Myers) Ward, and to this union have been born five sons, Willard, Walter, Alfred, Martin and Paul.
Mr. Lininger is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, but has never felt that he had the time to devote to political matters.
HARRIS B. DAHL.
One of the largest business firms of Washington C. H., Ohio, is the Midland Grocery Company, a wholesale company which does a large busi- ness throughout the state of Ohio, employing a large force of salesmen on the road all the time. Harris B. Dahl is the treasurer of the company and has been connected with the firm since 1882. His father before him was a merchant in Washington C. H., and consequently his early training was directed along mercantile lines. He has made an unusual success in business and ranks as one of the most substantial and prosperous business men of Washington C. H.
Harris B. Dahl, the son of George and Ruth ( Bereman) Dahl, was born in Washington C. H. May 30, 1859. His parents, who were natives of Brown county, Ohio, and Washington C. H., respectively, reared a family of four children: Lizzie, the widow of Col. B. H. Millikan; Harris B .. of Washington C. H .; Victoria, the wife of T. W. Marchant, of Washington C. H., and Ethel, deceased, who was the wife of William Campbell.
George Dahl came to Fayette county and located in Washington C. H. when he was a small lad, coming to this county with his mother. As a young man he manufactured candies and delivered them by wagon, later engaging in the retail grocery business in Washington C. H. He gradually branched out into the wholesale grocery business and continued in this line until his
699
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
death. in 1898, at the age of sixty-four. His wife still survives him at the age of seventy-eight. George Dahl and his wife were both members of the Methodist church.
The paternal grandparents of Harris B. Dahl were natives of Germany and came to America in an early day, locating in Brown county, Ohio, and were pioneer settlers of that county. Grandfather Dahl died in middle age and his widow came to Fayette county, where her death occurred in Wash- ington C. H. at an advanced age. The grandfather of H. B. Dahl had a large family of children : Henry, Jacob, George, Mrs. Catherine Rapp, Mrs. Ann Siehl, Mrs. Mary Hirt and Mrs. Ziegler.
The maternal grandparents of Harris B. Dahl were Joel S. and Sina (Thompson) Bereman, of Scotch-English descent, and pioneer settlers in Fayette county. Mr. Bereman was in the hardware business and was famil- iarly known as "Judge Bereman." He was twice married, and by his first marriage had one son and four daughters: Clayton, Elizabeth. Jennie, Ruth and Victoria. His second wife was a Miss Porter, and to this union were born three children: Eli, Porter and Catherine.
Harris B. Dahl was reared in Washington C. H. and attended the local high school until the age of seventeen, when he entered the State University at Columbus, where he remained three years. He then spent one year in the medical department of the University of Michigan at .Ann Arbor and a year in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, after which he took a course in the laboratory of the State University of Ohio with the intention of becoming a physician.
However, Mr. Dahl finally decided to engage in the business which had made his father so successful, and in 1882 he embarked in the retail grocery business in Washington C. H., and two years later he started the wholesale business. This has grown into a business of large proportions and goods from Washington C. H. are shipped all over the state of Ohio, as well as other states. The company now has four large buildings. The original building burned December 30, 19IT. The firm was incorporated under the name of The Midland Grocery Company, with a capital stock of five hundred and eight thousand dollars common stock and six hundred and thirty-six thousand dol- lars preferred stock. The company also has a large store in Columbus, Ohio, which is the headquarters of the firm. The Washington C. H. store is called the Dahl-Millikan Branch.
The officers of the Midland Grocery Company are as follows A. S. Hammond, of Columbus, president ; Col. B. H. Millikan, vice-president ; C. C. Benbow. secretary: H. B. Dahl, treasurer, and William M. Campbell.
700
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
manager of the Dahl-Millikan branch at Washington C. H. The company employs about sixty people in the branch store at Washington C. H. and a similar number in the Columbus store. Mr. Dahl is a director in the Com- mercial Bank of Washington C. H. and president of the Washington C. H. Gas and Electric Company, and has money invested in various other business enterprises in the county seat.
Mr. Dahl was married September 18. 1890, to Mary Maynard, the daughter of Col. Horatio and Clara (Blakemore) Maynard, and to this union four daughters have been born: Fanny, Charlotte, Nina and Mary. Fanny is the wife of Conrad Schweitzer, of Los Angeles, California.
Mrs. Dahl was born in Washington C. H., and her mother was a native of Virginia and her father of Holden, Massachusetts. Her father came from Drewsville, New Hampshire, to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was a young man. He was a school teacher in early life and later practiced law, and was a partner of Judge Briggs and H. L. Hadley, of Washington C. H., and H. M. Daugherty, of Columbus, for many years. Colonel Maynard was a soldier in the Civil War and was the colonel of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years at the front. He died in 1907, aged over eighty years, while his wife still survives him at the age of seventy-eight. Eight children were born to Colonel May- nard and wife: Herbert P., John P., Walter E., Mary, Nina, Augustus F., Horatio and one who died in infancy.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Dahl were John Phillips and Roxey ( Davis) Maynard. of English descent. They died in Drewsville, New Hampshire, after rearing a family of five children : Caroline, Cleora, Horatio B., Mary and Augustus. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Dahl were Ilarvey and Ann (Millikan) Blakemore, his wife being born in Washington C. H., and here they both died at the ages of sixty-one and sixty-four, re- spectively. Mr. Blakemore was a merchant and a sheriff in the early history of Fayette county. Seven children were born to Harvey Blakemore and wife: Clara, Josephine. Emma, Charles, Lee, Wyatt and Anna.
Politically, Mr. Dahl is identified with the Republican party, but his extensive business interests have been such that he has never taken an active part in political matters. Mr. Dahl is a man of sterling character, quiet and unassuming in his manner, with a kindly word for his neighbors, and a man whose veracity has never been questioned. It is needless to say that such a broad-minded man stands high in public estimation and is today one of the representative business men of Fayette county.
70I
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
JEROME TAYLOR.
One of the most enterprising citizens of Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Jerome Taylor, farmer and dairyman. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy. unflagging determination and perseverance in a course when once decided upon. He who succeeds financially has the ability to see opportunities where one less gifted does not, and by taking advantage of same he turns the tide to his own account. While winning his way along financial lines, Mr. Taylor possesses those principles and attributes which not only win the confidence and respect of his fellow men, but which also bring him the admiration and sincere liking of those who know him.
Jerome Taylor was born on January 27, 1874, on the farm where he now makes his home, being the son of William E. and Nancy A. (Drais) Taylor, both of whom were born in this same township and are at present liv- ing in comfortable retirement in Washington C. H. The subject's farm con- tains three hundred and four acres of excellent farming lands, much of which is devoted to pasture to accommodate his one hundred and five milch cows. This farm, known among the older residents as the old Taylor farm, is located just at the edge of the city and is more widely known as the Washington Avenue Dairy Farm. In this enterprise Mr. Taylor is highly successful, operating his business along most modern and approved lines. In addition to the dairy business, he is also owner of two moving picture shows in the city of Washington C. H., one being known as the "Air Dome" and the other as the "Palace."
The subject is one of a family of five children, the others being Harry D., Roy C., Anna (Mrs. McFadden) and Edward, deceased. Mr. Taylor is the oldest of the family, and received his elementary education in the common schools of the home locality, finishing his education in later years at the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he took a classical course. When quite a young man he began assisting his father in the work of the home farm, and this he continued at all odd times throughout his years of schooling, all of which ably fitted him for his chosen vocation of farming.
On November 9, 1902, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Sallie Steele and to their union have been born four children, the second of whom. their son Charles, is deceased. The others are Pauline E., aged ten years ; Anna Lee, six years old, and Robert C., aged three years. Mr. and Mrs.
702
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
Taylor move in the best social circles and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
Politically, Mr. Taylor is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, taking an active interest in local politics. For six years he served as town- ship trustee and was township assessor for five years, acquitting himself to the satisfaction of all in the duties of these offices. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church and to the support of the local society he gives generously of his means. He is broad in his religious views and is also warmly interested in the welfare of other church organizations. Mr. Taylor is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served in the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted residence therein, and the subject of this sketch, who has spent his entire life in the one locality, has, because of his earnest and consistent life and his high attainments in his chosen line of endeavor, earned the sincere respect and good opinion of all who know him. Mr. Taylor has performed his full part in every walk of life and has ever given his unreserved support to every movement for the public welfare. He comes of a family which has always stood for the best things in the com- inunity and is counted among the progressive and enterprising families of the county. Personally, the subject is worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
LUTHER L. SHELLEY.
A review of the life of the honored and lamented Luther L. Shelley, whose earthly career was terminated a few years ago, must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this biography. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation, while the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of Jasper township, this county, where he spent so many years. His life was such as to entitle him to an honorable position in this biographical history of his county, and it is emi- nently fitting that he be included among the representative citizens. That he did his part nobly and well is universally admitted, and the name he earned
703
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
as an honest and upright citizen is the highest tribute which can be accorded him.
The late Luther L. Shelley was born in 1866, in Greene county, Ohio, near Jamestown, and died November 11, 1909, at his country home in Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio. He was the son of Mathias and Eliza (Sanders) Shelley, natives of Greene county, this state. Mathias Shelley and wife lived near Pleasant View, in that county, and reared a family of nine children. Marion, Morgan, Amanda, Flora, Eva, Jane, Anna, Luther L. and James.
The education of Luther L. Shelley was received in the schools of Pleas- ant View and, in accordance with the custom then prevailing, he spent all of his summer vacations at work on the home farm. After his marriage he located in Jasper township, where he lived until his death. He was a prosper- ous and substantial farmer and accumulated an estate of one hundred and nine acres of good land by the exercise of good management and close economy. His wife was a true helpmate and much of his success was due to her efforts, a fact which he was always ready to acknowledge.
Mr. Shelley was married in 1879, to Alice Gray, the daughter of Jeffer- son and Ellen (Creamer ) Gray. Jefferson Gray was a native of Virginia and was one of the early settlers in Fayette county. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Virginia Haines, Theodore, Oliver, Alice and Mrs. Elmeda Thornburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Shelley were born twelve chil- dren, Ora, Olive, John, Alva. Raymond, Percy, George, Hubert, Dorothy, Bertha, Phillip and Harry. Of these children, all are still living with the exception of Bertha. Three of the children are married, Ora. Olive and Alva. Ora married J. C. Whiteside and has one son, Franklin ; Olive became the wife of Frank Creamer and has five children, Marjorie, Roger, Grace. Hester and Richard: Alva married May Lucas, who is now deceased, as is their son, Donald.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.