USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 63
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 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
· MILLS.
The first building in the village was the Milledgeville Mills,
722
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
erected in 1855, by Straley, Creamer & Co., who operated it until sometime in the year 1858, when they disposed of it to Dolerhide, Jackson & Co., who continued it only a short time, and sold out the property to Elias Straley. Straley remained in business little more than a year, when the mills came into the possession of Shafer & Allen, and was owned and operated by them till 1869. In this year Shafer died, but the property remained in the hands of Allen until 1870, when he sold to Jaral & Grove, the present owners.
STORES.
The first store-room was built by Jacob Creamer, in 1856, who continued in business only about two years. No more goods were sold at Milledgeville till 1878, when a building was erected by C. M. Bush, and a stock of goods brought on.
In 1879, G. L. McAllister built the first brick store-room in the place. It remained unoccupied for some time, and after being refitted was opened by a Mr. Culbertson.
The two story brick building occupied by the enterprising firm of Lamb & Murphy, mentioned above, was not built until 1880.
In 1878, J. T. Heiser started a grocery at the depot, where he still continues in business.
J. B. Magruder opened a grocery and restaurant in 1881, and is still in business.
HOTELS.
C. M. Bush, in 1879, opened a hotel at Milledgeville, and con- tinued until 1880, when he was succeeded by Joseph Rush, who re- mained in business till 1881. In the spring of this year Dr. Spangler purchased the property, which he has refitted, and now offers first-class entertainment to the traveling public.
BLACKSMITHS.
In 1869 W. E. King opened the first blacksmith shop, in a build- ing erected by himself for that purpose. He continued in business for three years, when he was succeeded by Ely McClery, who re- mained two years, being succeeded by Mr. Phillips, whose stay was brief, as was also that of North, his successor.
723
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
Another shop was opened by A. Dowden, in 1868, but was dis- continued in less than a year.
In 1878, A. G. Shaff started a shop, which he still continues.
James Lucas purchased a lot, on which he expected to erect a shop, in 1881.
DOCTORS.
Dr. Cully was the first physician in Milledgeville ; locating there in 1863, and remaining about three years, when he removed to Plymouth.
In 1865, Dr. A. J. Gaskin opened an office at Milledgeville, but subsequently removed to Plymouth, where he remained till 1868.
At present Milledgeville has two physicians, Drs. Spangler and Mason. The former located in 1870, remained a short time, then removed to Plymouth, where he practiced until 1881, when he re- moved to Milledgeville, where he is still practicing with marked success. Dr. Mason located in Milledgeville in 1878, and has an active, lucrative, and steadily increasing practice.
SHOE SHOPS.
In 1867 Frank Smith came from Virginia and located in Mil- ledgeville, buying a lot, on which he erected. a dwelling and shoe shop, where he is at present in business.
Henry Johnson opened a shop in 1879, but continued only one year in business.
WAGON SHOP.
Thomas Thacker started a wagon shop at Milledgeville, in 1870, but discontinued the business in 1872.
-
ALLENDALE.
Allendale, a station on the D. & S. E. R. R., at its junction with the C. W. & C. R. R., was laid out by Elijah Allen, after whom it took its name, in 1876; of whom Mr. William Allen purchased the first lot sold, on which he erected a frame dwelling.
724
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
STORES.
A grocery was opened by John Rankin in 1877, who continued till March, 1878, when he was succeeded by George Hinkle, who closed in 1879. It was not till the following year that another store was opened. In 1880 Alfred Matthews and Mr. Glass each brought on a stock of goods, and remain in business.
HOTELS.
Frank Stone opened a hotel in May, 1880, in rented property, but in the fall of the same year he built a house, which he now oc- cupies for hotel purposes.
MILLS AND ELEVATORS.
F. C. Trebein, of Xenia, in 1880, erected a large frame elevator, in which a set of burrs for grinding corn are operated. An ex- tensive grain shipping business is carried on at this point.
-
EDGEFIELD AND PEARSON'S.
These points are stations. The former one mile northwest of Al- lentown, on the D. & S. E. R. R., and the latter on the C. W. & C. R. R., at the extreme western limits of the township. A store is conducted at each of these places.
POST-OFFICES.
A post-office was established at Plymouth in about 1850, E. L. Ford being appointed the first postmaster. He retained the posi- tion until 1870, when he was succeeded by J. T. Heiser, who held the office till it was removed to Milledgeville, (where it still re- mains) in 1878. Smith Rankin received the appointment at that time, and still holds the position.
A post-office was established at Jasper Mills, shortly after the completion of the C. & M. V. R. R., Samuel Bryan being appoint- ed postmaster. This office was removed, in 1875, into Concord Township, and the name changed from Jasper Mills to Seldon; but
725
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
was subsequently returned to Jasper Mills, where it still remains, though retaining the name of Seldon. Charles L. Bush is post- niaster.
ORGANIZATION OF JASPER.
It will be found, by reference to another portion of this work, that Jasper Township was organized, in 1845, from portions of Jef- ferson and Concord.
NAMES OF FIRST OFFICERS.
Clerk, John S. Burnett; trustee, Henry Burnett; justices, Jacob A. Rankin, William Rankin, Alexander and Roberts; constable, Levi Arnold.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN L. BARNES.
John L. Barnes, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Pickaway County, and a son of David and Margaret (Shannon) Barnes. He was born September 14, 1843, and was reared and educated in Pick- away County, and came to Fayette in September, 1857, where he married Miss Sarah L. Ford, daughter of E. L. Ford, whose biog- raphy appears in this work, May 7, 1867. Seven children are the result of this union: Estella, Roscoe, Clara, Pearl, John L. (de- ceased), Harry, and an infant yet unnamed.
Mr. Barnes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, sit- uated on the south of. Milledgeville, on which he lives, and farms to both grain and stock. He is a member of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M. He served in the one hundred days' service during the late war. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has served as trus- tee of this township since 1879. Some years since he was engaged in shipping live stock to New York and Philadelphia, but of late has done comparatively little shipping.
726
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
JAMES COIL.
James Coil, farmer, was born in Union Township, this county, December 1, 1840. When abont two years of age, his parents- Elias and Mahala Coil-came to this township, where the father died, in August, 1878, and the mother still lives. They had a fam- ily of ten children, three of whom are living.
James, the eldest, was married, May 31, 1866, to Miss Sallie M. Sanderson, who has borne him five children : Emily J., John, Elias, Sarah E., and Russie E .; all living save Elias, who died January 27, 1876.
Mr. Coil has a farm of two hundred and forty-nine acres, where he lives, and sixty and one-fourth acres four miles east. He has bought seventy-one acres of this by his own industry and economy. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. They are good neighbors and respected citizens.
ELIAS COIL.
Elias Coil, deceased, was born in 1814, on Sugar Creek, in Union Township, and was married, September 20, 1839, to Mahala Ran- kin, daughter of Thomas Rankin, who was born February 18, 1818, in Jasper Township. Her mother was Barbara Foltz; her hus- band's mother Mary House, born November 15, 1789, and died February 17, 1866. They were both natives of Virginia.
The union was blessed by ten children : James, Simon, Mary, Susan, Samuel, Amos, Emily, Elizabeth J., Sarah, and Christina. Elizabeth J., James, and Sarah, are living; the others have passed to the other shore.
The family is connected with the Protestant Methodist Church, and attend services at the Sugar Creek Chapel. He was an exem- plary Christian, and died in the faith very triumphantly, August 5, 1878. His wife and children follow in his footsteps.
His son Simon enlisted in Company A, 54th O. V. I., and was out nearly three years. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and upon recovering returned to the field, but lost his health, and departed this life three weeks after his return home. He was but nineteen years of age when he went out, but was brave and patri- otic, and deserves mention as being one of the many who gave up their lives that the country might live.
727
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
The heirs of our subject own one thousand acres of land, a por- tion of which is in Union Township. Mrs. Coil resides in a neat residence on the Palmer pike, four and a half miles from Wash- ington. Mr. Coil was a Republican, and the family still indorse his sentiments.
Of the children, Mary, wife of Jacob Warner, is now deceased; James is married to Sallie M. Sanderson; Emily, wife of Thomas Garlinger, is also deceased; Sarah is now Mrs. Martin A. Plymire.
JONES COONS.
Jones Coons, deceased, is a son of John Coons, who was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and whose ancestors were from Germany. Prior to his marriage he came to this county, selected a location, and lived there till his death.
Our subject was born October 5, 1824, on Indian Creek, Fayette County, and was principally reared on the place, in this township, now owned by his heirs, and was a farmer by occupation. He was married, May 3, 1871, to Rosa Gannan, daughter of John and Anna Gannan, who were born and married in Ireland. Mrs. Coons was born on the "briny deep," September 26, 1842. Her mother died about two years after her birth. Her father lived in New York, where he died in 1862, or 1863.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Coons was blessed by two children : Jacob and Mary M. He went out. during the late war, being a member of the Home Guard, and assisted in driving the rebel forces from our borders. He was a Republican, but did not seek office. He was an honest and upright citizen, and departed this life May 12, 1874. His wife and children occupy the old home- stead, located near Milledgeville, on the Washington and James- town pike, the total number of acres owned by the heirs being four hundred and sixteen. He farmed to grain and stock with good success. The father of our subject died June 6, 1881, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years. The heirs of father and son en- deavor to perpetuate the good name.
JAMES W. FICHTHORN.
James W. Fichthorn, farmer, is a son of Samuel, who was a son of Philip Fichthorn, whose ancestry came from Germany, and who
728
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
was born in 1763, and married Magdalene Harpole, who bore him five children, of whom Samuel, the third, was born in 1808, Decem- ber 29th, in Pendleton County, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1813, settled in Ross County, and came to the farm he now occupies in 1833. In 1836 he married Anna Maria Hogue, who bore him six children : John P., James, Robert, Samuel, Eliza, and Melinda. Both parents are living.
The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm, May 30, 1842, where he was reared, educated, and married, December 13, 1866, to Sarah Shafer, daughter of John Shafer. She was born in Clifton, Greene County, Ohio. The union was blessed by four chil- dren : Clara, Elsie, and twins, who died in infancy. In 1862 he en- listed in Company K, 90th O. V. I., and remained in the service till the regiment was mustered out, participating in all the battles. He received a slight wound at Chickamauga, but continued in the serv- ice. IIe was a brave and gallant soldier, and contracted poor health, from which he still suffers. He cleared seventy-three acres on his father's farm, near Milledgeville, and improved and ditched the same, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and farms to grain and stock.
SAMUEL W. FICHTHORN.
Samuel W. Fichthorn, is a son of Samuel and Ann Fichthorn, and was born in this county, March 31, 1850, where he was rear- ed, educated, and married Miss Mary A. Ford, daughter of E. L. Ford, whose biography appears in this work. They have two sur- viving children : Charles R. and Zella M., and one Clide M. who died, November 21, 1880, aged thirteen months.
Mr. Fichthorn has a farm of thirty-one acres, also has control of one hundred acres of his father-in-law's farm. He farms to both grain and stock. He is not an aspirant to office, consequently has held none of the county offices. He is a Republican, and a highly respected citizen who has many friends.
E. L. FORD.
E. L. Ford, merchant, farmer and stock dealer, Milledgeville, was born in Cumberland County, Maine, September 20, 1819, where he was educated in the common schools and neighboring seminaries
Daniel Mec Lean.
729
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
till fourteen years of age, when he began teaching, and continued until 1841, and then came to Hamilton County, this state, and taught till 1843. He married Miss Martha M. Snider, daughter of General John Snider, of Hamilton County, June 4, 1843. Mrs. Ford was born September 16, 1825. Seven children are the result of this marriage; four sons and three daughters. Soon after marriage, Mr. Ford engaged in the mercantile business for two years, and shortly after followed stock trading. He took two droves of horses to Boston, Massachusetts, riding the whole distance on horseback.
In 1846, he came to South Plymouth, where he now lives, and drove team for a time, buying country produce, hauling it to Cin- cinnati, seventy miles, and purchasing a load of staple goods for a back load.
The first land he bought was one hundred acres, at $18.00 per acre. He has since bought at prices ranging from $18.00 to $70.00 per acre. He now has a farm of more than fourteen hundred acres, . all in a good state of cultivation, well fenced, well watered and well stocked. He deals largely in sheep, cattle and hogs, and has held the office of township trustee for years.
In 1872, he was elected commissioner of this county and served . one term. He served several years as director of the Merchants and Farmers Bank of Washington, and is liberal to the support of churches, schools and other public improvements. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church.
WILLIAMSON FURGISON.
Williamson Furgison, farmer, Milledgeville, is a native of Vir- ginia, born March 10, 1812, and came to this state, in 1832, located in Clinton County, where he was married, September 5, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Tharp, who bore him four sons and four daughters, all living except Joshua, who died in the service of the late war, 54th Regiment, under Captain Yeoman. He was wounded by a bursting shell, which resulted in his death. Calip, Joseph and Zacariah (younger sons), also served in the war. Joseph enlisted at the beginning of the war and served till its close. Mrs. Furgison died, October, 1849. He then married Jemimalı Rankin, Novem- ber, 1858, who has borne him three daughters and two sons, all
50
730
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
living; and all of the family of thirteen children are married ex- cept five.
Mr. Furgison has a farm of three hundred and seventy-two acres well improved; an account of which, with date of settlement, ap- pears in another part of the work. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith his first wife died. He is a highly respected citizen, and has a reputable family.
JOHN GROVE.
John Grove, miller, Milledgeville, is a son of John and Anna Grove, and was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 14, 1840, where he was reared. In 1862 he went to Clinton County, and remained until 1872, which time was spent in farming and milling. He was married, in December, 1862, to Miss Jennie Baschore, of Clinton County, who has borne him four children : Sarah E., Oliver, Henry, and Zella, all living.
On coming to this place, Mr. Grove engaged in milling, and con tinues in the business successfully. Mrs. Grove is a member of the Disciple Church. This is one of Jasper Township's most highly respected families, who have many warm friends.
ABEL H. JANES.
Abel H. Janes, farmer, is a son of William and Mary Janes, and was born February 11, 1839. He was married, February 7, 1867, to Miss Almeda Hays, daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint Town- ship, this county. Three children, William M., Cass G., and Jen- nie P., are the result of this union.
Mr. Janes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, one mile south of West Lancaster, on the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He enlisted in Company H, 60th O. V. I., August 9, 1862, and served until the entire company was captured at Harper's Ferry, from which place they went to Chicago, where they were mustered out. He was first sergeant of Company D, 168th O. N. G., from May, 1863, until September 10, 1864, when an honorable discharge was duly granted. He is a stalwart Republican, and a highly respected citizen.
731
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
JOHN MERCHANT.
John Merchant, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Fayette County. He was born July 18, 1827, and reared and educated in the same county. August 16, 1846, he was married to Miss Ellen Breakfield, and has lived here thus far through life. He and his wife were educated in the same school, and reared in the same neighborhood. They had a family of ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters survive.
Mr. Merchant has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, where he lives, situated south of Allentown. This fine farm, two hundred acres given to the children, and at least five thousand dollars' worth of stock and implements, are the result of his own industry and good management, except less than one thou- sand dollars, given him by his and his wife's father, three years after their marriage.
Mrs. Merchant and the two older daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Merchant is one of the corpora- tors of the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He is a public- spirited man, and contributes largely to churches, schools, etc. He has paid $5,600 for the pikes of this township. He is a highly re- spected citizen, a good business man, and a respected neighbor.
DAVID M. OSBORN.
David M. Osborn, farmer, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and a son of David and Prisocia (Gatch) Osborn. His father was born in Kentucky, about 1786, and his mother was born in 1779. They were married in Clermont County. Four sons and one daugh- ter were the result of this union. Our subject, the third, was born May 2, 1819, and came to Greene County, April 5, 1833, where he remained until January 2, 1862, when he came to Fayette County, and located where he now lives. He was married four times; first, to Miss Cynthia Jackson, February 22, 1838, who bore him three sons and three daughters, and died April 4, 1852, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then married Mrs. Narcissa (Steward) Carpenter, March 17, 1853. There was one child by this marriage. Mrs. Osborn died May 19, 1854, a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He was married to Miss Charlotte A. Furguson, October 4, 1855, who bore him two children, and died March 28, 1859; a member of the same church, He was married
732
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
to Susanna Christy June 18, 1861. They have one child. Mr. Os- born joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when eighteen years of age, and has held church offices since he was twenty-two, from steward to the ministry. He was licensed to preach in 1860, and has since preached and practiced the teachings of the Bible. He served as justice of the peace of this township, and was lieutenant of a militia company several years, ending about 1850. His son Elihu served as sergeant in Company I, 31st O. V. V. I., during the late war, and was killed by the Indians in Kansas, August 25, 1873. Nathaniel C. enlisted in the 25th O. V. V. I., which later formed the 12th Ohio Battery, and served till the close of the war. Our subject's grandfather (Gatch) was a member of the first Methodist Episcopal conference, held in Baltimore. The family is one of re- pute, which has been reared and educated in the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
MARK PEARSON.
Mark Pearson, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and was born Feb- ruary 24, 1807. His parents were on their way West, when they stopped temporarily on the Blue Ridge, where our subject was born. They arrived at Highland County, Ohio, in 1810; removed to Clin- ton County, then to Greene, where the parents died. Our subject came to Fayette County in 1836, and located on the farm where he now lives, and has well improved, then an unbroken forest, wet, heavily timbered, and in many respects uninviting. The woods were then filled with wild game-turkey, squirrels, etc., and some deer. The nearest church was about three miles, a log building, used for religious and school purposes. He now has a fine farm of two hundred acres, through which the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad passes, located on the west line of the county. He was married, September 7, 1828, to Miss Phœbe Chaney, of Greene County, who has borne him five children, two of whom survive. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. This is a Democratic family, of good repute, and are well and favorably known.
ELIAS H. PEELLE.
Elias H. Peelle, farmer, is a son of Reuben and Emily (Wilson)
733
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
Peelle. He was born in Clinton County, April 10, 1843, where he was reared and educated. He was married, May 10, 1867, to Miss Aramathea Creamer, daughter of Simeon Creamer, who has borne him five children : Frank A., Carrie (deceased), Dalton C., Adda M., and Florence. Mr. Peelle located in this county immediately after marriage, where he has since lived, and has a well-improved farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, situated on the west line of the county. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. He is a Republican, and a highly respected citizen.
JOHN L. PERSINGER.
John L. Persinger, farmer, Milledgeville, a son of David Per- singer, of this county, was born July 22, 1837. Was married, March 14, 1861, to Jane Peebles, daughter of Andrew and Helen Peebles. Ten children are the result of this union, five sons and five daughters. Two of the sons are deceased.
Mr. Persinger has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, situated one mile south of Milledgeville, where he lives, and seven hundred and ninety-five acres in the southwestern part of the township; also four hundred acres in Concord Township, formerly owned by Governor Trimble. He is one of the largest real estate owners in the county, a public spirited man, who contributes largely to the support of churches, schools, railroads, and general public improvements. Was a director of the Dayton & 'Southeastern Railroad four years, and contributed liberally to the building of it. He deals largely in cattle and hogs; also has some sheep. Has at present more than two hundred head of cattle. He is a highly respected citizen, and has many friends.
JOHN PERRILL.
John Perrill, farmer, Milledgeville, a son of Hugh Perrill, was born June 17, 1823, in Highland County, where he was reared till fourteen years of age, when he went with his grandparents to Pike County. Here he remained until he attained his majority.
He bought and drove stock from Ohio to Pennsylvania and New York markets, until twenty-nine years of age, when he came to Fayette County. Here, November 14, 1855, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Sparks, daughter of Elias M. Sparks. Eleven
734
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
children are the result of this union, six sons and five daughters. Two are deceased. Our subject's mother died in Highland County, in 1835; his father in Kentucky, about 1847.
Mr. Perrill has a farm of three hundred and forty acres, well improved, where he lives; and two hundred and fourteen acres one mile west. This property is the result of his industry and good management. He is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared, yet is not a member of any church. Is well and favorably known, and has a reputable family.
SMITH RANKIN.
Smith Rankin, retired farmer, Milledgeville, was born in this township, June 6, 1822, and was educated in the log school house.
February 13, 1844, he was married to Miss Parthenia Wood, and has since lived here, and reared a family of five children, who are, or have been school teachers. All are married except the young- est, who is at home with her parents.
Mr. Rankin has a farm of three hundred acres, situated at the west side of Milledgeville, which he leased when he came here, having no money to buy with. Now he has it well improved, and in good cultivation. Has been very liberal to public enterprises, and contributed largely to the churches. Mrs. Rankin is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church.
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.