USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 98
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where his death occurred. In February preceding his marriage Mr. Collins pur- chased ninety-two acres of land where he now lives. He at once began the work of cultivation and improvement and his la- bors soon wrought a great change in its appearance. He now has a splendid home. heated with furnace and tastefully furnished and his farm is under a high state of culti- vation. He has placed six hundred rods of tiling upon it and the fields now return to him an excellent income. He has piped water a distance of forty rods for his cat- tle, and has secured ample barns for the shelter of grain and stock. He has a tel- ephone connection with the city and his place is modern and well equipped through- out.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Collins have been born three children. Pearl, who was grad- uated in Nenia College in 1886 and in West- minster College, at New Wilmington, Penn- sylvania. in 1887. is now the wife of T. Dales Kyle, of the Citizens National Bank, and has two children-Lois and Philip Col- lins. Mabel is at home, and the third child (lied in infancy. Mabel completed the high school course in Xenia with the class of 1893. and was graduated in the college at Tarkio, Missouri, with the class of 1895. The family are identified with First United Presbyterian church of Xenia, in which Mr. Collins has been a very active worker and liberal supporter. For ten years he has served as a teacher in the Sunday-school. In 1864 he proudly cast his first presidential ballot as a supporter of Lincoln. He has since voted the Republican ticket, and is deeply interested in the growth and suc- cess of the party, believing its principles most conducive to the national good. In his business affairs, his private life and in
all relations in which he has been placed he has shown himself to be an honorable and upright man, true to manly principles and a high standard of ethics.
ADAM R. BICKETT.
Adam Reynolds Bickett is one of the honored citizens of Greene county, who has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. His career has ever been such as to command the respect and confidence of men and he is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family. His home is located about three miles east of the city of Xenia and upon the farm adjoining this place he was born June 24, 1829. his par- ents being William R. and Isabella ( Alex- ander) Bickett. The ancestry can be traced back to Ireland, where Adam Bickett, the grandfather of our subject, was born. At length determining to try his fortunes in America he crossed the Atlantic and after a long voyage of thirteen weeks took up his abode in Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days. He married Elizabeth Reed and among their children was William R. Bickett, who was born in Coaquilla Val- ley. Pennsylvania, about 1796. In 1818 he started with his mother and the other mem- bers of the family-the father having pre- viously died-for Ohio. The journey was made with a six-horse team and during the first winter the family lived with Robert Hamell, a brother-in-law of William R. Bickett, who had located in Greene county the previous year. In the spring of 1819 the family purchased one hundred and fifty acres of wood land and William and his brother John built a log house. which re-
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mained the home of the family for many years. Pioneer conditions existed and they experienced all the hardships and difficult- ies incident to a settlement upon the front- ier. Venison was a common dish upon their table, as was wild turkey and other game. After arriving at years of maturity William R. Bickett was married in 1827 to Isabella Alexander, and they became the parents of six children : Adam R., of this review ; Mathew A., a well known farmer of the county; Mary Jane, who became the wife of Solomon Foust, who died a few months later, leaving a son. Edward; Elizabeth Isabella: Lydia Ann, who died when twenty years of age : and Harvey. The parents were devoted members of the United Presbyterian church. The father was a very active and influential man in his com- munity, and at his death many friends mourned their loss. He passed away in 1865 and his wife died April 4. 1883. at the advanced age of eighty-three years, and was laid by his side in the cemetery at Xenia.
In the subscription schools Adam Rey- nolds Bickett began his education and re- mained at home assisting in the develop- ment and cultivation of the farm until 1864. when he abandoned the plow and took up the rifle in defense of his country, becom- ing a member of Company D, One Hun- dred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry as a private. He was at the front for four months and was mustered in and out at Camp Dennison, returning from the front in August, 1864. He had previously be- longed to the national guards and had en- listed for five years.
After his father's death Mr. Bickett as- sisted in the operation of the home farm until his marriage, which important event
in his life occurred on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Agnes Wright, who was born near Oldtown. Greene county, a daughter of John B. and Sidney ( Simpson ) Wright. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which is now the home of Mr. Bickett. He has made excellent im- provements here and now has a valuable and desirable property. He erected a good residence, large and substantial barns and commodious outbuildings, his place being now well equipped with all modern accesso- ries and conveniences. Within its borders are comprised one hundred and ninety-six acres and the land is highly cultivated. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bickett was blessed with three children: Clinton Wright, now deceased : Mary Belle, who is with her fa- ther ; and Lydia S., who died at the age of sixteen years. The mother passed away in 1879 at the age of forty-two years and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Xenia. She was a member of the United Presbyter- ian church and a most estimable lady.
On the 18th of January, 1882. Mr .. Bickett was again married, his second union being with Ruth Anna Kyle, a daughter of Joseph and Anna ( Cassill ) Kyle. Her fa- ther was a native of this county, born near Cedarville, and a son of Judge Samuel Kyle,. who was born in Kentucky but removed to. Greene county at a very early date and be- came one of the distinguished and influen- tial pioneer settlers here. Unto the parents of Mrs. Bickett were born five children : Mary, who died in childhood; Ruth Anna. the wife of our subject : Alexander C., who served in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and is now living in Cedarville: Jane Eliz-
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abeth, the wife of J. W. Hicks, of Kansas: WARREN HAMILTON GLOTFELTER and Samuel A., who was also a member of Company F. Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry. Warren Hamilton Glotfelter is a self- made man, who from an early age has de- pended upon his own efforts for a liveli- hood. His strong purpose and indefatiga- ble industry have brought to him the suc- cess which he is now enjoying. He is ac- counted one of the well-to-do farmers of Sugarcreek township, where he has a good tract of land. His birth occurred upon the farm where he now lives, his natal day be- ing August 1, 1855. His parents were Sol- omon and Lydia (Gerhard) Glotfelter. His father was born in Pennsylvania, August 24. 1804, and was a son of Adam and Eliz- abeth Glotfelter. About 1816 his grandpar- ents started westward with their family and cast in their lot with the early pioneer set- tlers of Greene county, Ohio, making their home in Beavercreek township. There the grandfather secured a tract of wild land which he transformed into a good farm. making his home thereon throughout his re- maining days. He was on picket duty with General Sher- idan in the Shenandoah Valley at the time that gallant officer made his famous ride. At Salisbury, South Carolina, he was tak- en prisoner and was the only one of the company captured at that time that returned alive. His death, however, occurred a very short time after he had reached home, as the result of starvation in the rebel prison. The mother of this family passed away September 30, 1845, at the age of forty years. The father afterward married Mrs. Haddassah Hunter and they had four chil- dren : Joseph, who is now a member of the faculty of the Theological Seminary, at Xenia, Ohio: John Kennedy and Leah M .. who are deceased ; and Rachael, the wife of Andrew Cresswell, who is living near Ce- darville. Mr. Kyle died August 28, 1881, at the age of seventy-two years and his sec- ond wife passed away June 14 1898, at the age of eighty-one.
Mr. Bickett and his present wife are leading and influential members of the Second United Presbyterian church of Xenia, of which he has been an elder for eighteen years, and are people of the high- est respectability and worth. Throughout the years of his manhood he has carried on agricultural pursuits and his enterprise and thrift have ever been manifest in the neat and attractive appearance of his place. His business methods, too, are above question, for he is ever honorable, straightforward and progressive. The many excellent qual- ities of heart and mind, which characterize our subject and his estimable wife have gained for them a circle of friends which is almost co-extensive with their circle of ac- quaintances.
Solomon Glotfelter spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Ohio. Here he assisted in the arduous task of de- veloping a new farm and experienced all the hardships and trials which come to those who establish a home upon the frontier far from the comforts which are had in an older civilized district. When only eighteen years of age he was first married, his wedding be- ing celebrated on the 8th of AApril, 1824, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah John. Unto them were born six children, but Will- iam is the only one now living. When last heard from his residence was in Menier, Tazewell county. Illinois. After the death of his first wife Mr. Glotfelter was again married, his second union being with Lydia
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Gerhard, who was born in Liberty town- ship. Frederick county, Maryland, July 9). 1815. Mr. Glatfelter tok up his alsde upon the farm on which our subject now re- sides. It was a tract of forty acres of land and upon it was a log house and log barn. The original cabin now forms a part of the residence, but additions have been made to it and it has been modernized, transforming it into a good comfortable residence. Mr. Glotfelter also erected a good barn and made many other improvements. He devoted his attention to the cultivation of the fields and the years brought to him good harvests. By his second marriage there were three chul- dren. Henry Clay, the eldest, born August 22. 1844. married Catherine Benham and resides in Dayton. He enlisted for one hundred days' service in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Regiment during the Civil war and was corporal. Rufina is the wife of Samuel Benham of Goshen, Indiana, and has two living children, while one son. Jesse A., died December 21, 1901. Solo- mon Glotfelter, the father of our subject. was called to his final rest August 7. 1880. As the years passed he had prospered in his undertakings and be extended the boundary of his forty-acre farm until it comprised about two hundred acres, a fact which indi- cates that his life was one of industry. His political support was first given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He and his wife were consistent members of the German Reformed church. Mrs. Glotfelter survives her husband in a ripe old age and makes her home with her son, Warren H .. on the old homestead.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm work for War- ren II. Glotfelter in his youth. He enjoyed
the pleasure of the play ground, performed the duties of the schoolroom and assisted in the labors of field and meadow. When about nineteen years of age he took charge of the home farm and cared for his father and mother. His previous training well fit- ted him for this experience and he is known as an enterprising agriculturist.
On the 3rd of October, 1882. in Alpha, Ohio, he was married to Miss Anna S. Volk- anand, by the Rev. David Winter. D. D. The lady was born in Alpha, February 20. 1856, and is a daughter of Herman and Elizabeth ( Broat) Volkanand, both of whom were natives of Germany, and there reached years of maturity. The father came to America when about twenty three years of age and located near Nenia, being em- ployed for some time at different places. The mother afterward crossed the Atlantic and they were married in Greene county, Mr. Volkanand continuing to work as a day laborer for some years until he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a small tract of land on the Miami river in Beavercreek township. He has added to this tract and is now the possessor of two farms. His life has been one of toil and perseverance and now he can enjoy the fruits of his former labor. In his family were seven children, of whom six are yet living. and Mrs. Glatfelter is the second in order of birth. By her marriage she has be- come the mother of four children : Herman Ray, who was born in Sugarcreek township, July 16, 1883: Clay Roy, born in the same township. July 26, 1885: Katie May, born August 10, 1887: and Frank Mckinley, born on the 20th of April, 1893.
When age gave to Mr. Glatfelter the right of franchise he indicated his political preference by casting his first presidential
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vote in 1876 and since that time he has never farming his life work and through the till- wavered in his allegiance to the Republican ing of the soil he was enabled to provide his family with a good home. He died in the year 1894. His wife was a daughter of Samuel Mclaughlin, who also followed farming for a livelihood. She still survives. her husband and is now living in Waverly, Ohio. party. His wife is a member of the German Reformed church and he formerly belonged to Tabor Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Xenia, and he now holds membership relations with Magnetic Council, No. 231, J. O. U. A. M .. at Bellbrook. It has often been said that the greater majority of failures are caused by a lack of persistence of purpose, by the turning aside from a given course into other fields of activity and that if more men would persevere in carrying out the work which they first undertook they would be more prosperous. Mr. Glotfelter has always fol- lowed farming, having never sought a vari- ation of labor, and he has found that in the cultivation of the field he can gain not only a living but can secure each year some sur- plus which in the aggregate has made him the possessor of a comfortable competence.
ROBERT W. DOUGLAS.
Robert W. Douglas is engaged in the practice of law in Xenia and is meeting with success as a representative of the pro- fession, owing to his thorough preparation, close application and marked devotion to his client's interests. He is one of a family of eight children who were born unto John P. and Adeline ( McLaughlin) Douglas. The father was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and there acquired his ed- ucation. He was a valued and trustworthy citizen and for nine years filled the posi- tion of county clerk to the satisfaction of all the residents of Pike county. In the meantime he taught school during the win- ter and during vacations, though he made
The subject of this review was born in Scioto county, Ohio. December 18. 1858, and when five years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Pike county, this state, where he acquired his education in the common schools and made his home until coming to Xenia, in 1886. When quite a young man he received the appoint- ment of government ganger. continuing to serve in that capacity until 1889. While a resident of Waverly he also served as both village and county school examiner. He had devoted considerable of his leisure time to the study of law and after removing to Xenia he gave his entire time to mastering the principles of jurisprudence under the di- rection of Judge Scroggy, being admitted to the bar in 1891. In 1899 he was licensed to practice before the supreme court. Through the past eleven years he has prac- ticed in the county seat and has been con- nected with much important litigation. He has won a number of cases, exciting wide- spread interest, and has gained a liberal cli- entage. In 1896 he was elected justice of the peace in a Republican township and received a large majority, although he is a stanch Democrat. This fact certainly indi- cates his personal popularity and the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow towns- men. For three years he filled the office in a most creditable manner, but he has never sought political preferment to any extent. preferring to give his time and energies en-
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tirely to his practice. For pastime he has engaged in the breeding and raising of fine pacers and trotters. He is an excellent judge of horses and always owns a fine roadster, taking great delight in driving a fine horse.
Mr. Douglas was united in marriage to Miss Ella Oglesbee, the accomplished daughter of Reece Ogleshee, one of the most progressive and enterprising men of Clinton county in his time, but who died when Mrs. Douglas was a small child. The wedding ceremony was performed Decem- ber 10. 1887, and their union has been blessed with one child. Reece O. The fam- ily have a very attractive home on Mon- roe street, Orient Hill, and Mr. Douglas occupies double offices in the Allen block. where he attends to the legal interests en- trusted to his care.
JOHN M. TARBOX.
John M. Tarbox, one of the "captains of industry" in Cedarville, long connected with the milling interests here, was a native of York county, Maine, born December 3. 1829. his parents being John and Lucy (Merrill ) Tarbox. The father served his country as a loyal soldier in the war of 1812, and in his business career carried on general farming and stock-raising. He and his wife were also natives of York county, Maine, and there both spent their entire lives, the former passing away when about fifty-six years of age, our subject be- ing then a youth of ten, while Mrs. Tar- box had died two years before. Both were members of the Congregatoinal church and were widely and favorably known in
the community in which they made their home. In their family were seven children but John M. is the only one yet living.
In the public schools of his native county John M. Tarbox, the youngest of the fam- ily, pursued his education and there re- mained until 1849, when he determined to make his home in Ohio and came to Cedar- ville. He had previously learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for a short time after coming to Greene county. and then turned his attention to farming. cultivating a tract of land near Cedarville for four or five years. He then began the operation of a sawmill in Cedarville town- ship on the old Mcfarland place, there re- maining for fifteen years, when the water power became exhausted. He then built his present mill in Cedarville and has since con- tinted its operation. In the manufacture of lumber he has found a good business, and his industry, capable management and per- severance have resulted in bringing to him a comfortable competence.
In the year 1852. in Cedarville, Mr. Tarbox led to the marriage altar Miss Ra- chel Nichol, a daughter of John Nichol. of this place. Her father came to Cedarville about 1840 and was long a worthy and val- ved citizen but is now deceased. Mrs. Tar- box died in February, 1901. and thus the couple, who had traveled life's journey hap- pily together for almost a half-century. were separated. She was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, four of whom are yet living. Lucy J. is the wife of William H. Barber, a far- mer of Cedarville township. Maria is the second of the family. Merrill died at the age of a year and a half. Elizabeth died at the age of ten months. William J. is en-
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gaged in the sawmill business with his fa- ther. He wedded Mary Harbison, and they have three children living,-Janet. Rachel and Ellen. Thomas N., who is the post- master at Cedarville, married Miss Maggie McMillan, a daughter of Harvey McMillan, deccased, of Cedarville township, and their children are May, Eula and Eva.
Mr. Tarbox exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has served for two terms as a member of the village coun- cil. He is a member of the United Pres- byterian church and resides in a pleasant cottage in Cedarville, having many friends in the town and throughout the surrounding district.
W. HUNTER BULL.
W. Hunter Bull, who is serving as su- perintendent of the Woodland cemetery of Xenia, is one of the native sons of Greene county, his birth having occurred in East Point district, Xenia township, on the 29th of June. 1846. His father, William Bull, was born in this county, November 5. 1805. his birthplace being near Wilberforce. He represented one of the old pioneer families of this portion of the state. His parents were James and Ann ( Gowdy ) Bull, whose marriage was the first celebrated in Greene county, and it is said that at least one hun- dred guests were present. The children born of this union were William. the father of our subject : John, who died in 1834: Su- sanna, the wife of James Turnbull ; Marga- ret, the wife of James Hopping : James Law : Robert Scott: Amos ; and Rankin. William Bull, the father of Hunter Bull, was educat- ed in the primitive schools of the times and
throughout his entire life followed farming. He married Abigail Kyle, a daughter of Jo- seph Kyle, who was also an agriculturist and engaged in the tilling of the soil until called to the home beyond. Mr. Bull died in Feb- ruary, 1886, while his wife passed away in April. 1888.
At the usual age W. Hunter Bull began his education in the common schools near his home and later continued his studies in the Cedarville high school. Under the par- ental roof he spent the days of his boyhood and youth and, when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom and after complet- ing his education, he gave his attention to- farming. He thus engaged in the work of cultivating the crop best adapted to this cli- mate until 1888, when he took up his abode. in Xenia, where he established a grocery store. successfully carrying on business that line until 1892, when he sold out and accepted the position of superintendent of the Woodland cemetery, in which he now served most acceptably for ten years. Neat and orderly is everything within the grounds and the silent city is made a beautiful one under his care.
On the 12th of February, 1873, Mr. Bull was married to Miss Anna A. Corry, a daughter of William R. Corry, who was. born in Pennsylvania, but when four years of age was brought to this coun- ty, where he resided until his death, which occurred in October, 1887. His widow still survives him. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Bull has been blessed with four children: Charles L .. Kitty E .. Carrie M. and William C.
Mr. Bull has ever been a progressive and public-spirited citizen and at the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union by enlisting as a member of Com-
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pany AA, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, joining the army in February, 1865, when only eighteen years of age. He then served with the Army of the Potomac until the close of hostilities, when he was honorably discharged. The family to which he belongs has been remark- able for its patriotism for generations, his paternal great-grandfather, Richard Bull, being a soldier of the Revolution, and the grandfather, James Bull. having served in the war of 1812. William Bull, the father, while not in the war himself, sent four sons. On the maternal side, Joseph Kyle was a soldier of the war of 1812, and is buried in Woodland, while his father, who was buried at Massies Creek cemetery, where both Richard and James Bull were buried, was also a soldier of the Revolutionary war. It is also worthy of notice that the son of our subject, Charles L. Bull, is captain of the Nenia company. Ohio National Guard, which he was instrumental in raising and organizing. Mr. Bull has always been a strong Republican and has twice been the candidate of his party for county sheriff. He and his family are members of the Pres- byterian church. He is straightforward in all his dealings, reliable in all life's relations and has many friends beyond Greene county as well as within its borders.
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