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 73
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We also find among the church records the following as an act of the church in September, 1856: " On motion, each member was appointed to visit one another and urge a more.punctual at- tendance at our conference meetings." No doubt it would be ad- visable to have such a committee ever at work in many of our churches.
This church has never been strong numerically, because of its be-
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
ing so often weakened by removals. It has had an existence for forty-one years, and has enjoyed the stated ministry of the Word from the following pastors in the order of their names :, Elders Bur- net, Fry, Freeman, Sutton, Wright, Woodruff, Bronson, Goodwin, Clark, Sargent, Brown, Hendrick, Emerson, Tussing, Buel, Briggs, Barber, Hamlin, and Tussing. Rev. Tussing is serving them in his second pastorate.
The statistics of this body since December, 1856, are as follows:
Baptized, 42; restored, 2; received by experience, 4; received by letter, 29 ; dismissed by letter, 65 ; excluded, 17; died, 10 ; pres- ent membership, 50.
The above extends to April, 1875, when Elder S. H. Smith took charge of the church and served one year.
In April, 1876, Elder H. H. Witter took charge of the church as pastor, and is still serving in that capacity.
In March the congregation began the erection of a new house of worship which will soon be completed. It will be a brick struct- ure, 36x48 feet, with a seating capacity of about two hundred and fifty, and its lofty tower, eighty-five feet high, and gothic windows, will lend it an elegant appearance when finished. The church at present has a membership of seventy-five.
ROCK MILLS.
This little settlement is beautifully situated on the bank of Paint Creek, in a portion of Richard Bibb's survey, No. 2925, and con- sists of a steam and water flouring and saw-mill, a blacksmith shop, general country store, and a number of dwelling houses, occupied by the various farmers of the neighborhood.
The land is very rolling, and abounds in limestone, which is be- ing quarried quite extensively on the opposite side of the creek, in Perry Township. The settlement is also known as Rockville, both names being derived from the rocky aspect of the locality.
In about the year 1815, Stephen Yeoman and his sons, natives of New York, purchased the fourteen hundred acre tract, now wholly included in the limits of Wayne, and known as the Bibb's Survey. One of the sons, named James, in the fall of the same year, re- moved with his family, consisting of six children, to the newly pur-
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chased land, arriving during the month of October, unloaded their goods, and effected a temporary settlement in the woods, about three-fourths of a mile above the present site of the mill.
The family was soon joined by Stephen Yeoman and three of his sons, who settled on the same tract.
In the following spring, Walter Yeoman immigrated to this state with his family, and located on Paint, just south of the mill.
To supply a want long felt, the Yeomans-Walter and James- concluded to construct a dam and build a mill. They began work in the fall of 1817, and soon had the gratification of seeing the waters held in check by a well built obstruction of logs and dirt. As the width of the channel at that time did not exceed twenty feet, the task was comparatively an easy one.
Work on the mill had been begun simultaneously with the dam, and the structure, a rude log affair, was completed satisfactorily. It was fitted up with machinery for sawing and grinding, and was a success from the first. Indeed, so great was the number of cus- tomers, that though the grinding capacity was one hundred bushels per day, many were obliged to wait a week, until their turn came. It was operated by James Yeoman, till his death, which occurred in 1825, since which time a number have had charge. The old log structure was torn down by William McConnell, who erected the present building, which is now owned by Lewis Mills. The patron- age given to the original owner has never been enjoyed by his suc- cessors, presumably because of the increasing competition in the various parts of the county.
The store room and building were erected by Ira, son of James Yeoman, in 1848, who stocked the same with goods, which he offered for sale during a period of four years, then disposed of the building and contents to Milton Yeoman; he sold the premises to S. N. Yeoman, who disposed of the goods at auction. The store is owned by T. H. Deweese, at this writing.
In about 1850, William F. Shed opened a blacksmith shop, which has been open to the public ever since.
On the southeastern division of the Toledo, Delphos and Burling- ton Railroad, on part of the farm of W. R. Hukill, Esq., is a sta- tion known as "Convenience." An office has been erected, where the 'Squire officiates as postmaster, agent, and justice of the peace. He has been importuned to lay out a village, for commercial pur- poses, but prefers to let it remain in its present condition.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Further south, on the same road, are Cisco Station, on the lands of J. A. McLean, and Fairview, on the farm of Milton Heagler. A large quantity of grain is shipped from these points each year.
There are two flag stations on the Ohio Southern Railroad-Bo- gus Road and Ghormley's. Trains stop at these points to let off, and, on signal, to take on passengers. The former is located on the farm of Rev. John Boyd, and derives its name from the road which crosses the track at this point; the latter is on the farm of William Ghormley.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN Q. ADAMS.
John Q. Adams, farmer, was born in Perry Township, December 9, 1839, and is a son of Albert and Nancy (Coffey) Adams, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came with his parents in about 1810, and located in Perry Township. The mother, a daughter of John and Ruth Coffey, who came to this state in 1797, and lived near Chillicothe, then in 1800, removed to Greenfield, Highland County, and were among the first who settled in that village. Mr. Coffey was the first tavern keeper, and the first justice of the peace in Greenfield, and a little child of his was the first white person bur- ied in the place.
The family of Albert Adams consisted of ten children : Ruth, Robert, Isabella, John Q., Samuel, Albert, three infants, and Nancy V .; those deceased, are three infants, Albert, and Samuel.
The subject of this sketch spent his youth on the farm, received the rudiments of a common school education, and was married April 6, 1865, to Louisa J., daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Holli- day ) Anderson, who were the parents of three children : Louisa J., Sarah E., and Robert C. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were blessed with the following named children : Minnie R., Harley I., Albert E., Mary B. and Isaac M .; Minnie R., Harley I. and Mary B. have passed to the other shore.
Mr. Adams has about fifty-six acres of land, in a superior state of cultivation, situated on the Greenfield and Good Hope pike, four miles south of the latter place, and also a good farm in Mis-
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souri. He and his wife are exemplary Christians, and members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Greenfield ; Mrs. Adams having been a member sixteen years, and associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church prior to her marriage. He has never aspired to any office, and is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Adams participated in the " late unpleasantness," being a private in Company C, 81st O. V. I. He was enlisted for three years; his regiment did noble service at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta, and his time expired on the morning of the evac- uation of Atlanta. He entered as private and was promoted to color sergeant. The 81st was made up principally of Highland County men, and was known as one of the most gallant regiments in the field.
DR. ABRAHAM BAKER.
Dr. Abraham Baker, physician, is a son of Abraham and Mary (Bowan) Baker, both natives of Pennsylvania, but removed to Kentucky at an early day. By this marriage there were twelve children : Elizabeth, John, Joel, Abraham, Mary, Delia, Bowman C., Nancy, Hester, Aaron, Moses, Matilda; the deceased being Elizabeth, John, Joel, Delia, Aaron, Moses, and Matilda.
Our subject was born in Kentucky, where he spent his youth. He attended Augusta, Kentucky, College, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati; soon after he began practicing medicine at Dover, Kentucky ; he next practiced at Hillsborough, remaining nine years, then removed to Winchester, Indiana, where he spent ten years, thence removed to Frankfort, Ohio. He de- voted six years to the practice of medicine in that place, and, in 1868, removed to Good Hope, where he still resides.
Our subject was married to Marion, daughter of Judge Walker, of Athens County, this state ; one child being the fruit of this union : Joseph M. She dying, he subsequently married Jane A., oldest daughter of Judge Carrothers, of this county; there being four children by this marriage : James, Henry, Mary, Horatio Nel- son ; the first three are deceased. His second wife died, and he again married Lucy A., daughter of General Waddle, of Hillsbor- rough. There were two children, Hester Emma, and John, both living.
Our subject in his younger days was a traveling preacher in the
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife are members of the same church, he holds the position of elder.
JOSEPH M. BRIGGS.
Joseph M. Briggs, farmer, is a son of Charles Briggs, of Ross County, and was born December 29, 1842. He was reared in Ross County, and married December 30, 1869, to Sarah J., daughter of Abram McCoy, living near Washington. The union was blessed by three children : Luther, Lora May, and Maggie Catherine ; all living.
January 31, 1871, he removed to his present farm, located five miles from Washington, on the Chillicothe pike, and contains one hundred and fifty-seven acres, well improved and adorned by a handsome residence, which was principally erected by himself. He donated to the Camp Grove school district, one and one-fourth acres of land, on which has been erected one of the finest school houses in the county.
August 15, 1863, he went out with the 4th Ohio (Independent) Cavalry ; was out nine months, doing active service. He was the fourth sergeant, and refused to be commissioned captain because of continued ill-health. The regiment received ammunition, etc., at Camp Dennison, then proceeded to East Tennessee, making their headquarters at Cumberland Gap, from whence they scouted in various places. At Jonesborough, they met the enemy in a bend, both galloping at full speed and neither aware that the other was approaching ; our forces were overwhelmingly victor- ious.
Mrs. Briggs is an exemplary member of the Camp Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, I. O. O. F., at Washington. He has been a Democrat since childhood, and been school director for six years, and has taken a deep interest in educational matters, employing good teachers at a liberal salary. He farms to grain and stock.
JOHN H. BRYANT.
John H. Bryant, farmer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, De- cember 24, 1824, and in the following year removed with his parents to this county. His father was Benjamin Bryant, who
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married Susanna Harper; by her he had eleven children, nine of whom are living. The family settled on Compton Creek, on the land now owned by Robert Gilmore. Being poor, the elder Bry- ant was unable to purchase but little land, to which he added, however, from time to time. Six years later they removed to the North Fork of Paint, on the present Speakman farm; then re- moved to Washington, where he (Benjamin) died. He was born in 1794, and died in 1869; his wife, born 1802, died in 1866.
Our subject was married in 1847, to Mary Carder, of Ross County, who bore him seven children : Susanna, Cornelius, Charles E., Anna, and George W. The deceased are Franklin Pierce, and Eliza Jane. Mrs. Bryant was a devout member of the Christian Church, and departed this life July 9, 1879. October 18, 1880, Mr. Bryant was married to Susan, daughter of Mathew Gilmore, of Ross County. Of his children, Charles married Emma Louder- man; Cornelius married Mary Mallow, of Ross County ; Susanna married Elwood Porter, of Pickaway County.
Mr. Bryant is a member of the Christian Church, at New Hol- land ; a Democrat politically ; contributed toward carrying on the late war; owns one hundred and five acres of land, on the New Holland road, which is nicely improved ; farms chiefly to grain, and raises hogs successfully.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DAVIS.
George Washington Davis, farmer, is a son of Daniel Davis, who was born and reared in Loudon, Virginia; and married Malinda Gee, of Maryland, which resulted in seven children : Thomas, David, George W., Mary, Robert, Joseph, and Stephen H. Our subject alone survives ; Robert died at Good Hope, April 2, 1881.
In the fall of 1818, he located on the farm now owned by Wil- liam Brannon, but one year later moved to the present farm of our subject. With the exception of a small clearing, all was woods ; the house they occupied being a rude cabin. The land, one hundred and thirty acres, was purchased by William Mc- Laughlin, a portion of the purchase money being paid to General Massie, who held a mortgage for the same, which was a part of the Baron Steuben survey. He was a shoe-maker and cooper, en- joying a large patronage. His usual charge for making a pair of shoes was twenty-five cents. Being lame, he did not participate
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
in the war of 1812, but had several brothers in the service. His wife was a member of the Catholic Church. He was no church member, but an honest and good citizen, and died May, 1840 ; she, September, 1864.
Our subject was born June 22, 1807, in Loudon County, Virginia, and came to this township with his parents. He has lived on this farm, save four years, from 1839 to 1845, when he lived on the Hillsborough road. Most of the clearing on his land was done by him.
He was married December 1, 1831, to Susan, daughter of Wil- liam Pace, of the same neighborhood. She bore him eight chil- dren : Infant Emily, Armanus, Ann J., James, Scott H., Henry Clay, Milton, Mildred; Infant and Mildred are deceased.
All of the sons were in the late war: Armanus and Scott in the one hundred days service, at Cynthiana; James in the 114th O. V. I., at Vicksburg, Black River Bridge, etc .; Scott volunteered again at the end of his one hundred days enlistment; Milton was in the 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery; Henry in the 74th O. V. I., one of the most gallant regiments in the service. Henry was slightly disabled, and James went through heavy trials, but came out un- harmed. All honor to this family, and their heroic devotion to the country.
Mr Davis is a Republican, having cast his first vote for John Q. Adams. He has been constable, and a member of the Township Board of Education for many years, assisting in erecting several of the present fine school houses.
Mr. Davis owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, on the Good Hope pike, well improved, which is farmed by his sons, Scott and Milton, to grain and stock.
JAMES M. DAVIS.
James M. Davis, son of G. W. Davis, born March 11, 1840, in Union Township, reared in this, and married February 3, 1866, to Margaret E., daughter of David and Dicy Dowell, of Highland County, who bore him six children : Lincoln, Grant, George, Jane, Nellie Bly, and Alice May; the latter deceased. He and family are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the war he started as a private in Company "C," 114th O. V.I., and was promoted to lieutenant; was out two years and four months;
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
engaged in all the battles around Vicksburg, and many of the heaviest actions during the war. In the spring of 1864, his regi- ment participated in the " Red River Campaign." He was honor- ably discharged, December 27, 1864. He has always been a staunch Republican. He came to his present location in 1870; owns eleven and a half acres of land, on which he has been making tile ever since its purchase. He runs his factory by steam, and has intro- duced all the late improvements for the manufacture of this indis- pensible article. He makes about seven thousand rods a year, and never has any quantity on hand, a sufficient guarantee of good workmanship.
JESSE M. DEWITT.
Jesse M. Dewitt, son of John Dewitt, sr., the pioneer of this township, whose sketch will be found elsewhere, was born March 4, 1826, on the farm he now occupies, which is the homestead, where he was reared, and obtained the rudiments of a common school education, attending an old antiquated log school house three months during the winter season of each year. He lived on the farm all his life, and was never away from home more than forty days at one time. He was married, February, 1862, to Mary J., daughter of Elisha and Rebecca Taylor, at that time residents of this county ; the father was a native of Fairfield County, near Lancaster. This union resulted in eight children : Charlie, Minnie, Carrie, Harry, Birdie, Dailie, Lottie, and Clay, all living. Mr. De- witt spent about one thousand seven hundred dollars to help pros- ecute the late war, though not an active participant. He owns part of the old homestead, which contains one hundred and forty-four and three-quarter acres of land, and is well improved. He still oc- cupies the old brick, erected by his father in 1822; his land is lo- lated on the Chillicothe pike. He is a respected citizen, and good neighbor; votes the Democratic ticket, but is no politician.
JACOB L. DIVENS.
Jacob L. Divens was born in this township, August 16, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Depoy) Divens; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia; they were married in this state, and removed to this county. They had ten children, of which our
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
subject is the seventh. He obtained an ordinary education, then went to farming, his present business. He was married, September 21, 1867, to Olive Ann, daughter of Dr. Culy, of Good Hope, who bore him four children: Orie A., Josephine M., and two who died in infancy. He assisted in driving back the famous Morgan, who came so near spreading desolation and woe in this state.
In 1870, he purchased eighty-one acres of land on the Holland road, two and one-half miles from Good Hope, and has since added twenty-six acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation. He also has in operation an extensive tile factory, and turns out about fifteen miles of drainage tile in a year ; is a Republican in politics.
MRS. JACOB EYMAN.
The family of Peter Eyman came to this state in 1810, and he followed one year later. They were natives of Hardee County, Virginia. The family consisted of five boys and seven girls. They . came West by wagons and pack horses. One of the sons, Abram, brought with him sprouts, with which was planted the first orchard in this locality, and some of the trees still bear fruit. They settled on Whetstone Run, where they remained one year, then purchased the Erskine survey, No. 12037, of the notorious Harper, and in the absence of a clear title, had to purchase the land a second time.
Peter Eyman married Hannah Whetstone, of Virginia. Both were members of the German Baptist denomination. She died in 1842; he in 1844.
Jacob Eyman was born in Hardee County, Virginia, in 1798, and came to this township with the family, where he resided till his death. During his lifetime he increased the land to seven hundred and forty acres, and owned two additional farms, whose combined acreage was six hundred and two acres.
In 1833, he married Phœbe, daughter of Moses Hopkins, of Ross County. She bore him four children : Melinda, Jesse, Peter, and Allen. Peter died in infancy ; Melinda is the wife of Ananias Ware; Jesse and Allen live on the home farm.
Mr. Eyman was a member of the German Baptist Church, to which his relict still belongs. His father, Peter, was a minister in this church. He never aspired to political offices, but devoted him- self to farming. He departed this life August 30, 1879, aged eighty- one years, after a life of usefulness, leaving an interesting family to mourn their loss.
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His widow still lives on the homestead, which contains, since the division, five hundred and twenty acres, well improved, and adorned by a beautiful dwelling, making it a desirable rural home. The children attend the Fairview German Baptist Church. One of the sons, Jesse, went out during the Morgan raid.
STEPHEN GARINGER.
Stephen Garinger, farmer, is the eighth of nine children, all of whom are living, married, and have families, always enjoyed good health, and were seldom, if ever, visited by physicians. He is the son of David Garinger, and was born April 17, 1844, on the home stead, where he was reared and educated. He farmed with his father till the spring of 1865, when he was married to Rebecca A. Borton, daughter of John Borton, a native of New Jersey, who re- moved to Clinton County, Ohio, and at present resides in Washing- ton C. H. The union resulted in six children: Lizzie J., Kittie, Frank E., Artrella, Cary W., and Harley Dean.
Mr. Garinger is a Democrat, politically. He began farming on the place he now occupies, in 1859, with his father. The farm on which he located in 1865, consists of two hundred and sixty-seven. acres, mostly improved. The buildings are located on a little knoll, making a beautiful country home. He raises about one hundred acres of wheat, and a like quantity of corn, which he ships to Balti- more, Waverly, and New York, per the Ohio Southern road. He has threshed wheat and clover by steam for twelve years, to the satisfaction of all who employ him. He purchased the first McCor- mick self-binder in the state, having seen it at the Chicago exposi- tion, in 1875. He also purchases young stock, and fattens the same for the trade.
IRA J. GARINGER.
Ira J. Garinger, farmer, is a son of David Garinger, who was born in this state, and whose parents were natives of Germany. He was married to Cyrene, daughter of James Yeoman, the result being nine children : Sarah, Angeline, Amanda, Albert, Samantha, Oce, Benton, Stephen, and our subject, who was born in this town- ship, January 1, 1848, was reared on the farm, and obtained a com- mon school education.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
He was married, December 18, 1863, to Lucy, daughter of John Smith, of Highland County, who bore him four children: Lutilla, Bertie, Ready Florence, and Levi-all living at home, and attend- ing school.
Mrs. Garinger is a member of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, and an exemplary Christian. Mr. Garinger was raised on the farm he now occupies, which is located on the old Indian trace road, two and one-half miles west of Good Hope. He at present owns four hundred and six acres, in an excellent state of cultivation, and farms to both grain and stock successfully.
WILLIAM L. GHORMLEY.
William L. Ghormley, farmer, is a son of Thomas and Judith (Bonner) Ghormley, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared, married, and had born to them ten children, five sons and five daughters, our subject being the youngest, and only surviving one.
William was born December 16, 1808, and came with his parents to this state in 1813, locating in Chillicothe, Ross County, with the father's brother, Hugh, the father of Hal Thomas Ghormley, of Chillicothe, and remained until the following fall, when the father came to Fayette, and located on the farm of five hundred acres, bought for two dollars and fifty cents per acre, of which our sub- ject owns one hundred and eleven acres, now nicely improved, situ- ated about three miles south of Good Hope, on which he lives. The parents died on this farm; the father, May 17, 1840, aged sev- enty-three years and five months, and the mother, June 3, 1839, aged sixty-eight years and seven months.
Our subject was married, February 9, 1837, to Miss Hannah Ba- tey, who bore him five children : Thomas N., John, Eliza, Hugh, and Mary J. Thomas died, November 9, 1864, of a disease con- tracted while in the war. He was a member of Company I, 81st O. V. I., and was a noble, worthy soldier, a dutiful son, and a good citizen. John and Eliza also are deceased. Hugh is married, and Mary J. is at home with her parents. This family, and our sub- ject's father's family, were exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church.
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
HUGH GHORMLEY.
Hugh Ghormley, farmer and stock dealer, is a son of William L. Ghormley, whose biography appears elsewhere, and was born at the old homestead, spending his youth on the farm, and obtain- ing a good education in the district school, and at Salem Academy, then engaged in farming, to which he has ever since been devoted, though he also deals in fine stock quite extensively.
In September, 1875, he was married to Maggie J., daughter of Philip and Mary (Bennett) MeWilliams, the union being blessed with one boy, George O. Mr. Ghormley lives on a farm contain- ing sixty-six acres, and owns another of forty-four and three-quar- ter acres, both of which are on the pike between Good Hope and Greenfield, and are well improved.
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