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 74
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Mr. and Mrs. Ghormley are, and have been for some time, mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, and are es- teemed and honored as good neighbors and consistent Christians. Being very young, he did not participate in the late rebellion, but lost a brother in the glorious cause. He is a Republican in politics; has been a member of the board of education for three years, and according to the verdict of his neighbors, has given good satisfac- tion in that capacity.
HENTON HOPPES.
Henton Hoppes was born in this township, four miles from Wash- ington, April 22, 1819, and is the son of John Hoppes, a North Carolinian, who came to the state at an early day, and settled in Jackson County, then removed to the birth-place of our subject, where the remainder of his life was spent. Soon after his arrival in this township, he returned to North Carolina, where he took unto himself a wife, in the person of Nancy Brown. Together the young couple rode to Jackson County on pack horses, thence to this township, where they settled on fifty acres of land, purchased with money earned by the bride by weaving. The union resulted in twelve children, who all lived to maturity, save two: Polly, Jacob, Betsey, Jane, John, Nancy, Henton, Austin, Solomon, Mar- garet, Naney P., and Henry ; the deceased being: Austin, Solo- mon, Jacob, Polly, Nancy, and Sarah. Mrs. Hoppes was a mem-
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
ber of the Paint Baptist Church, was immersed in the winter, when the ice was frozen thick, and died in the faith ; her husband was not a member of any church, but was known as an exemplary Christian man.
Our subject was married, August 11, 1848, to Sarah, daughter of David and Serena (Yeoman) Garringer, who bore him eight chil- dren, those living being: Samuel B., John W., Henry D., Albert J., and Joseph H. He and family are members of the Paint Bap- tist Church; he holds the office of deacon and trustee. He as- sisted in the erection of Carr's Mills Baptist Church, in 1880, and has been greatly interested in the Lord's work. The Paint Bap- tist Church is located on land adjoining his farm, and, in 1880, the Scioto Predestinarian Baptist Association held their annual meet- ing in his beautiful grove.
He purchased the farm on which he now resides, and which is situated near the village of Rock Mills, of Jackson Yoeman, Janu- ary 23, 1865 ; it contained two hundred and eight acres, to which two have been added. He also owns a farm of eighty-six acres in Union Township, one of one hundred and thirty-four acres on Paint Creek, in the same township, and a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Jefferson Township; the total valuation of his real estate being estimated at from forty-five thousand to fifty-five thousand dollars, which has been accumulated by hard labor and close economy, and is now in charge of himself and sons.
He and family affiliate with the Democratic party ; are good cit- izens, and true Christians. His son John, is an ordained minister, a good speaker, and hard worker in the Master's cause.
ELIJAH HOPKINS.
Our subject was born, October 25, 1837, on the farm he now oc- cupies, in an humble log cabin, which was vacated when he was eighteen months old. He was reared and educated on the farm. In 1869 he went to Greenfield, Highland County, and ran a flouring mill; remained two years, then came back to the farm on which he has since resided. In March 1, 1850, he married Lucinda, daugh- ter of John Gibson, who bore him six children: James Herbert, Lillie Florence, Harry Vernon, Emma Ethel, Hannah Leah, and Louis Frank, the latter departed this life at the age of twelve years.
He and wife are members of the German Baptist Church, at Fairview, and are exemplary Christians.
853
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Politically, he is a Republican ; has held the office of township trustee, and is at present a member of the township board of edu- cation ; is Sabbath-school superintendent, and church deacon. He occupies a part of the Milton Heagler farm, and farms principally to grain.
ALMER HEAGLER.
Almer Heagler, son of Milton Heagler, who was born in Ross County, four or five miles southeast of his present residence, March 21, 1816, and was the son of Abram Heagler, a native of Virginia. He remained in Ross County until 1850, when he removed to this township, taking possession of the brick house, now occupied by William Wells, on the Chillicothe pike, and engaged in farming. He was married in about 1850, to Abigail, daughter of Henry De- witt, of this township, who bore him four children, two of which died in infancy ; those living are: Lawson, and Almer. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in that faith, February 14, 1856.
Mr. Heagler was married again, December 24, 1862, to Sarah J., daughter of Thomas McCoy, who bore him four children : Dora, Orris, David S., and Ivy B., all living. She is a member of the Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject was born, November 17, 1854, on the farm now oc- cupied by Elijah Hopkins ; here he was reared and educated; also attended school at Washington, and has since been on the farm. Politically, he is a Republican. He has under his control, and management, the Milton Heagler land, which contains one thou- sand two hundred acres, on the Chillicothe pike, and is in a fine state of cultivation. The home residence is a handsome two-story brick, situated on a beautiful lawn, and making one of the most desirable dwellings in the neighborhood. The land is farmed by tenants, and used in grazing cattle for others. Messrs. Almer Heag- ler and Elijah Hopkins are the sole owners of the " Eclipse Hog Ring," and the "Eclipse Hog Holder," which they manufacture at Washington. This ring and holder is indorsed and used by the most substantial stock raisers in the country, and has proved a success.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
WILLIAM R. HUKILL.
William R. Hukill, farmer, postmaster, and station agent, is a son of Noah Hukill, who was born in Ohio County, West Virginia, November 24, 1805, and is a son of Rachel and Latitia (Parr) Hukill. Richard Hukill, was a native of Maryland, started for the west when a boy, and stopped on the Ohio River in West Vir- ginia. They came to this county in 1814, and settled in this town- ship on a farm, now owned by John Mallow, purchasing a tract containing six or seven hundred acres, of Peter Harper; but dis- covering afterwards that their title was not good, left the land and came to the farm, now owned by A. Ware, where they remained till 1831, then removed to the farm now in possession of our subject. He died August 3, 1834 ; his wife in the same year. Both were members of the German Baptist Church, and died in that faith. Noah Hukill was married March 17, 1831, to Susan, daughter of Edward Smith, formerly of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and who emi- grated from there in about the same year that witnessed the de- parture of the Hukills. The marriage was blessed by five children, those living being : Margaret, now Mrs. Dickson, living in Missouri, and our subject. She (Mrs. Noah H.,) was a member of the Ger- man Baptist Church, a good woman, and died March 28, 1877. He is still living, and is the oldest living male settler in the locality, being seventy-six years of age.
Our subject was born August 2, 1834, on his present farm where he has resided all his life, devoting himself to farming. In his youth, he attended a district school and obtained an ordinary edu- cation. He was married January 7, 1858, to Mary, daughter of Joseph Kelso, now living in Ross County. She bore him three children : Julia A., Elmer Buell, and Flora A., all living. Julia is the wife of N. J. Dahl, residing near Washington. He has been a cripple since childhood, hence could not participate actively dur- ing the late war, but assisted at home whenever he could. In the fall of 1860, he was elected justice of the peace, and has held that office ever since, holding commissions from the following gover- nors : William Dennison, David Tod, J. D. Cox, R. B. Hayes, Edward F. Noyes, William Allen, and Richard M. Bishop; has also been township treasurer. He is postmaster at Convenience, hav- ing received his commission in 1878; has also been station agent
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
at Convenience, for the D. & S. E. Railroad, since October 26, 1878. He and his wife are members of the Camp Grove Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is a strict temperance man, and a Democrat politically.
He owns two hundred and three acres of land, on the Chillicothe pike, four and one-half miles from Washington, on which Con- venience Station is located.
EVAN JAMES.
Evan James, farmer, is a native of Ross County, this state, born January 12, 1834, was reared, educated, and married to Miss Mag- gie, daughter of Washington Mains, May 28, 1858, in his native county He came to this county in 1860, located on the well im- proved farm, situated two and one-half miles north of Greenfield, on Good Hope pike, where he now lives and owns three hundred acres. He has a family of eight children : Mary, Frank, William, Edward, Eva, Altie, George and Charlie, all living save Altie, who died at the early age of five years.
Our subject's parents, Reuben and Mary (Schhoofstall) James, were married in Virginia. They had a family of thirteen children ; our subject being the sixth one; ten of them survive. The par- ents removed to Ross County, this state, in 1820, where they died -he, March, 1877, aged eighty years; she, March, 1861, aged fifty- five years. They were exemplary members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and died triumphantly.
Our subject engaged in subduing the notorious Morgan on his raid through this state. He kept a substitute in the field dur- ing the entire service. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity of Greenfield Lodge No. 385. Mrs. James is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
DAVID JONES
David Jones, quarryman, is a son of Aquilla Jones, born April 13, 1841, on the old homestead where he was reared. In 1865, he married Rosellie A., daughter of John Smith, who bore him six children : Nettie, Mattie, Fannie, Otis, Charley and Leo; Mattie is deceased. Mrs. Jones is a member af Good Hope Methodist Epis- copal Church, since April, 1861.
856
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Mr. Jones joined Company F, 22d O. V. I., in the three months service ; at the expiration of which, he became a private in Com- pany C, 54th O. V. I., was promoted to 1st lieutenant, and com- manded Company I. He was wounded on the 22d of July, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta; serving faithfully during his term of service, (three years,) and re-enlisted, remaining till the close of the war, in all about four years of actual service. He was one of the storming party at Fort Pemberton, Vicksburg, having volun- teered with one hundred and fifty others. It will be remembered that Vicksburg was surrounded by Sherman's forces, and the vol- unteers were instructed to hold the fort, which they did from noon till night, when they were compelled to evacuate; seventy-five were killed and twenty-five wounded. The regiment took Fort Mc- Allister, and participated in some of the most dangerous affrays during the war.
Is a Republican, and held the office of constable in 1880; has been school director in his district for nine years, and runs a stone quarry, which is located on the Aquilla Jones farm; furnishes building, curb, and flag-stone of the white lime-stone quality.
JUDSON M'COY.
Judson McCoy, farmer, was born in this county, December 8, 1837, and is a son of Thomas B. and Margaret (Harper) McCoy; the father a native of Maryland. They were married in Ross County, Ohio, and came to this county about 1830, locating on the line, and owning land in both counties. There were twelve chil- dren of this family, eight sons and four daughters. Mr. McCoy, sen., died in Cincinnati, in 1872, while en route to Indiana, to visit a sick son, who died a few days later, and thus was the family doubly bereaved in the short space of one week. The mother is still living on the old homestead with her youngest son.
Our subject was married, December 29, 1864, to Almira, daugh- ter of Jackson Rodgers, one of the pioneers of this locality, three children being the result: Luella, Nannie, and Albert R., all living. Mrs. McCoy was called away from her loved ones, January 25, 1876, after a period of extreme suffering, caused by being accidentally burned.
Mr. McCoy has a farm of one hundred and thirty-three and one- third acres, situated one mile and a half south of Good Hope, on
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
the Greenfield and Good Hope pike, which is in an excellent state of cultivation, and beautified by a fine two-story residence. He en- listed in Company A, 54th O. V. I., September 5, 1861, and after the fall of Atlanta, was mustered out because of ill-health, Novem- ber 10, 1864, serving two months and five days longer than his term of enlistment. He went out as a private, and was promoted to first lieutenant. Is a Republican, politically, and has served two terms in the capacity of township trustee. He is a member of the Bap- tist Church, as was his wife. She died in the faith, and he contin- ues walking in her footsteps.
JAMES A. M'LEAN.
James A. McLean, farmer and surveyor, is a son of Samuel Mc- Lean, who was born near Salem, Ross County, and when a young man removed to Washington, in this county. He was married at Chillicothe, to Eliza, daughter of John Robinson, a Ross County pioneer, still living. She bore him seven children, three of whom died in infancy; the others being John, Cincinnatus, Ione, and James A.,-all living.
The subject of this sketch was born March 4, 1841, in Washing- ton, C. H., where he was reared, educated, and resided till the spring of 1881. He began his career by teaching school; then en- gaged in civil engineering. He was internal revenue collector and assessor eight years; also served as county surveyor four consecu- tive terms, his last term expiring January 1, 1881.
In 1862, he was the first to enlist in this county, under the five hundred thousand call, and became a member of Company C, 114th O. V. I. Was engaged with Sherman at Vicksburg, and at the capture of Arkansas Post, on White River, holding the position of orderly sergeant. At the expiration of one year he was honorably discharged, because of ill-health.
In October, 1867, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Charles Briggs. The union was blessed by five children, all living : Nettie, Charles, Lida, Fred, and Mary.
Mr. McLean is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, and Fayette Chapter, F. & A. M., and Ely Commandery, Knights Templar, of Washington. In the spring of 1881, he came to his present farm, on the Toledo, Delphos and Burlington Railroad, on which Cisco Station is located. The farm consists of four hundred and fifty-
58
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
three acres, which is being rapidly improved under his careful su- pervision. He also owns thirty-one acres on the Waterloo pike, three miles from Washington, a residence on Court Street, house and lot on North Street, and a vacant lot on Temple Street, in the city of Washington.
He is at present holding the office of city engineer, and his serv- ices are frequently called into requisition by his numerous friends. While turnpikes were being constructed in this county, he, as coun- ty surveyor, had general supervision of the work. His present farm is being well drained, and will be farmed to grain and stock. His father died at Washington, in 1852; his mother is still living.
JAMES R. KUHL.
James R. Kuhl was born in Ross County, about two and one-half miles east of Good Hope, this county, November 30, 1832, where he was reared and educated. In his youth, he taught school eight winters, having obtained his education in South Salem, and Chilli- cothe college. He was married to Mercy E., daughter of William S. Rogers, September 6, 1870, one child, Gertie, being the result of the union, which is still living.
Our subject has a farm of ninety-five acres, on which he resides, well improved, and situated about three and one-half miles south of Good Hope. He is a member of the F. and A. M. lodge, 3850, of Greenfield; he and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. His father, was a native of Rockingham County, Vir- ginia, and came to Ross County, in this state, in 1816, where he married Ann Harper, in about 1827. They had ten children; our subject was the fourth; one died in infancy, and the others grew to man and womanhood. The father died in Ross County, April 1, 1879, aged eighty-two years. The mother, who was born in 1803, ยท is still living.
Mr. Kuhl is a Democrat, politically, and is a member of a repu- table pioneer family, of Ross County, a good neighbor, and highly respected citizen. When a young man he drove stock over the mountains, to Baltimore and other eastern markets. In the ab- sence of railroads, he walked, or rode in boats and stages. Since his marriage he has devoted himself to farming.
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS N. M'ELWAIN.
The McElwain ancestors came from Ireland, and, presumably, Robert, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in this country. The date is, June 18, 1779. He married Jane Taylor, who was born at Redstone, Old Fort, Washington County, Penn- sylvania, May 22, 1783. Her father removed to Kentucky, when she was eight years of age. They came down the Ohio on a flat boat, and landed at Marysville, settling in Mason County, when the country was thickly inhabited by Indians. The marriage occurred, May 22, 1804, and resulted in eleven children : Jane, born March 16, 1805; John T., February 2, 1807; William, June 1, 1809; Osee, August 3, 1811 ; Robert, November 24, 1813 ; Nancy, June 2, 1815; Samuel, October 7, 1817; Thomas N., December 20, 1819; Eliza, December 3, 1821 ; Minerva, April 12, 1825 ; Jane married one Hen- dricks, in Kentucky, where she died, August 27, 1826; Minerva died September 1, 1827 ; Robert departed this life September 17, 1848. He, wife and three children, removed to this county in 1810; they came to this township and built a little cabin, on the place now owned by Jesse Eyeman, where they leased ground one year, then bought the farm now owned by our subject.
He served as captain during the war of 1812, contracting a dis- ease from which he never recovered. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and was visited by pioneers far and near, who wished to get married, or had differences to settle. He also served as county commissioner. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church, and died October 7, 1824. His wife departed this life December 22, 1876, aged ninety-one years and seven months. She was intelligent, possessed an excellent memory, always enjoyed good health, and was beloved by all who knew her.
Our subject was born on the old homestead, where he has lived most of his life. He formerly traded in cattle; never crossed the mountains but once. He usually purchased his cattle in the south- ern part of the state, fattened them on his farm, then sold them in the east. At present he devotes himself solely to tilling the soil. He was married in 1843, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John H. Mouser, of Ross county, who bore him six children : John H., Osee Jane, Ann Eliza, Samuel, Robert, and Lewis ; Osee J. and Samuel are deceased. John married Martha J. Hendrickson, and after her
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
death, Miss Hughes. Ann Eliza married John M. Kuhl, and re- sides in Illinois. He and brothers were out during the Morgan raid, and stationed below Marietta. He is a Democrat, but not an aspirant to office.
Mr. McElwain and his son John own three hundred and fifty acres of land, well improved, situated near Good Hope on the Washington pike, and Ohio Southern Railroad, and farm to grain and stock. He has bred some very fine horses, a few of which have been sold for fifteen thousand dollars. One of his horses was used in the ring by Barnum.
PHILLIP M'WILLIAMS.
Phillip Mc Williams is a native of Ross county, and a son of Samuel Mc Williams, whose ancestors came from Ireland, when our country was yet in its infancy. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1787 ; came to Ross County, Ohio, in 1817, with his parents, by a two-horse wagon, and settled within one and one-half miles of Greenfield. He was married to Margaret Pol- lock, who bore him twelve children: William, Robert, Phillip, Joseph, Sarah, David, Mary Ann, Samuel, James, Mitchell, Thomas, and John. William, John, David, and Mary Ann, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Williams, sr., were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died of cancer, at the advanced age of eighty-two. She passed away in 1872.
Our subject was born, January 22, 1820, and when but an infant, his parents removed to Highland County, settling three and one- half miles south of Greenfield, on a tract of land which was then in a wild state. Our subject remained here until thirty-eight years of age, and assisted in improving the farm, thus bringing it to a high state of cultivation.
He was married, April 4, 1851, to Mary E., daughter of Jesse K. Bennett, of Highland County. Their union was blessed with six children; Margaret J., William R., Charlie O., Elizabeth, Hattie, and Russie C .; William R. has passed to the other shore.
Mrs. Mc Williams is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and known as a good and consistent Christian. Of the children, Mar- garet J. is married to Hugh Ghormley, and the others are still at home.
He is a Republican, and for many years held the office of town-
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
ship trustee. During the late war, he assisted in driving the noto- rious Morgan raiders from our borders. His brothers, Mitchell and David, were in the 27th O. V. I. The former enlisted for three years, and when within three weeks of his time of being mustered out, was shot in the head, but subsequently recovered. David was killed at the battle of Atlanta, where so many of the brave soldiers from Fayette, Ross, and Highland counties laid down their lives. Their cold and lifeless bodies have slumbered sweetly for these many years, but their heroic deeds, and thre patriotic spirit which prompted them to perish in the defense of the union, cannot be erased from the annals of time.
Our subject purchased his farm in 1855. It contains one hun- dred and one acres, nicely improved, and located on the Good Hope and Greenfield pike, three miles from the latter place.
ADAM NEBBERGALL.
Adam Nebbergall, is a son of Henry Nebbergall, and was born in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio, on the 20th of Sep- tember, 1819. Here he was raised, and married to Miss Eliza Par- rott, April 8, 1844. Immediately after the marriage, the young couple removed to this county, locating near his present farm. His worldly possessions were few; by industry and good manage- ment, however, he has accumulated a farm containing three hun- dred and twenty-five acres, well improved, and situated on the Good Hope and Lyndon pike, one mile east of Good Hope. He and wife have been blessed by the birth of three children : Joseph, Sarah Ann, and Mary Emily ; the former two deceased, and the latter married to Emmet D. King.
Our subject, and his estimable family, are members of the Pres- byterian Church; he united with the church in 1843, his wife in about 1836. Some twenty years ago, he was appointed to the office of elder, and still holds the position. He never aspired to any public office, believing that the farmer should devote his time to the cultivation of his lands. He assisted in repelling Morgan's forces, and compelling them to leave the state. He was a Whig until the birth of the Republican party, when he affiliated with it, and is still an active member of the party. His mother died at his birth, and his father soon followed her to the grave; hence he knew but little of them, except that they were natives of Virginia.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
JOHN H. PARRETT.
See page 619.
JACOB POST.
Jacob Post was born on the farm he now occupies, December 24, 1823, and is a son of Valentine and Margaret (Rowe) Post. The former was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in about 1790; the latter a native of Kentucky, and married Mr. Post at the age of sixteen. They settled in the woods, on the place now owned by our subject, in or prior to 1815. His father gave to himself and another brother, fifty acres of land each, and he afterwards bought his brother's portion. There were eight children in this family; Jacob being the third. He can well remember when this was one vast wilderness, except a small clearing around the humble cabin. He was reared on the home farm, attended subscription, and sev- eral terms of free school, when able, which was not very often, as his work required most of his time. March 21, 1850, he was married to Drusilla, daughter of Thomas Burnett. The latter was a native of Pendleton County, Virginia, and settled in Union Town- ship, on Sugar Creek, at an early day. He married Rachel, daugh- ter of Leonard Bush. Our subject's wife bore him ten children : Zina, Margery, Clark, Hulda, William, Oliver, Laura, Ray, Vertie, and Elma, all living except one not mentioned, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Post was out fifteen days during the Morgan raid, and assisted in his capture, leaving his crops to the mercy of the ele- ments, that his state might be saved from the destruction threat- ened by the daring rebel. He owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, well improved, and located on the so-called Wil- mington road. He served faithfully as township trustee, and is a Republican in politics.
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