History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 109

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions > Part 109

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).

Mrs. Kilbury lives on a farm four miles south of Plain City, Ohio. She is a woman who is well-known in Canaan township. Her husband, who was a Republican in politics, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Since his death, his widow has

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CORRIE E. KILBURY

ROSANNA KILBURY

THOMAS KILBURY

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received from the government a pension of twelve dollars a month. She owns twenty- two and one-half acres of land. Mrs. Kilbury has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City, Ohio, for many years and is active in church work.

BENJAMIN F. ERWIN. -

Mr. Benjamin F. Erwin has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits practically his entire life, and has made his work a matter of scientific study in order that he might receive the greatest possible returns for his investment.

Benjamin F. Erwin, farmer, Irwin, Pike township, Madison county, was born on April 11, 1855, in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Amzi and Cath- erine (Chess) Erwin. He was reared on the home farm, and at the proper age entered the public school, attending only during the winter months, and assisting his father with the farm work during the summer seasons, remaining under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Erwin moved to his present farm, consisting of forty-seven acres. The house is located some distance from the public highway and to reach it one must pass through a shaded grove, which gives a very fine appearance to their home. Mr. and Mrs Erwin are members, of the Erwin Grange No. 1880, of which they are both active members, Mr. Erwin officiating as one of the trustees. His farm contains some of the best land in Pike township, and as a general farmer and stock raiser he is looked upon as being an excellent manager.

Amzi and Catharine (Chess) Erwin, parents of Benjamin Erwin, were early settlers in Madison county, where they always bore the reputation of being honest, upright citizens. Mr. Erwin followed farming until his death, which occurred on May 20, 1879. His wife died on June 20, of the same year. They were the parents of several children.

Benjamin F. Erwin was united in marriage, October 16, 1879, with Olive E. West, daughter of Edward and Martha (Applegate) West. She was born in Clark county, and was educated in the district schools of Clark county. To Mr. and Mrs. Erwin were born two children, Grace, who died at the age of eighteen months, and Lewis B., born on April 29, 1889. Lewis B. Erwin was educated in the public schools, from which he was graduated, and afterward attended the schools at Mechanicsburg and Ada, Ohio, respectively, where he received a good education. He is single, and lives at home with his parents. He is well liked in the community, where he takes an active part in local politics, occupying at present the office of clerk of Pike township.

Mr. and Mrs. Erwin number among their sincere friends many of the representative citizens of Pike township, where they are well and favorably known.

HAROLD WEAVER.

Harold Weaver, farmer, Irwin, Pike township, Madison county, was born on July 30, 1863, in the same township where he now resides. His parents were Lewis and Celia L. (Morse) Weaver. He was reared on the home farm in Pike township and obtained his education in the district schools, attending regularly, and in the summer assisting his father with his farming interests. When he grew to young manhood he began farming for himself on a small scale, having but little money to begin with, and now owns ninety acres of good farm land, all under cultivation. Mr. Weaver has given his lifelong support to the Republican party, taking an active interest in local politics, and serving as clerk of Pike township for twenty-two years successively, and was elected treasurer in 1914, which office he now holds. He is a member of the Union church at Rosedale, Ohio, and is secretary of the Home Telephone Company, which office he has occupied for several years.

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Harold Weaver was united in marriage, December 24, 1906, with Myrtle M. Figley, daughter of Calvin M .. and Angeline B. (Southard) Figley. She was born on December 27, 1874, in Knox county, Indiana, and was educated in the public schools of Marysville, graduating from the high school in 1804, after which she became a teacher in the public schools, which vocation she followed for four years. After finishing her high school course, she attended the State University at Columbus, Ohio, and also took a course in music at Marysville. Mrs. Weaver is an attentive member of the Union church at Rosedale. Ohio, and belongs to the Harmony Club of that city, in which she has filled all the offices. Before her marriage, she was a very efficient stenographer, occupy- ing a splendid position at Marysville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have one daughter, Celie, who was born on September 30, 1907.

Mr. Weaver is a gentleman who thoroughly enjoys the quiet life of the farm and loves the freedom that accompanies such an existence, and with his unpretending bear- ing and strict integrity has helped to build up a spirit of loyal citizenship in the com- munity in which he resides, and where both he and his wife have gained many friends.

LEE HORN.

As surely as water finds its level the man who really means business is bound to find his proper place in the world of commerce, and it takes more than one stumbling block to put him "down and out." He expects difficulties and obstacles of various ratures and prepares himself and his business conditions, as far as possible, to meet them, fortifying himself with patience and endurance, and is not discouraged with petty workings against the ultimate outcome.

Lee Horn, dry goods merchant, of Plain City, Ohio, was born in that village, April 11, 1873, and is the son of C. A. and Annette (Burham) Horn. During his boyhood days Mr. Horn attended the public schools of Plain City, and later entered the high school there, after which he became a clerk in a grocery store and was later a clerk in the dry-goods store of C. F. Dutton, where his services became so valuable, and the confidence of his employer in his ability and honesty so well established, that he became the business manager during the last two years spent in Mr. Dutton's employ.

In February, 1910, Mr. Horn and Mr. Milliken purchased the store, and it is now operated under the firm name of Horn & Milliken. Mr. Horn's first salary, as grocery clerk, was about one dollar and fifty cents a week, but was later increased as he became more experienced. All that he now has is the result of his own efforts, and his unlimited store of hope, ambition and determination. Mr. Horn is a Republican, to which party he has always given his vote. His religious membership is with the Presbyterian church.

C. A. Horn, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, and his wife, Annette (Burnham) Horn, was a native of Woodstock, Ohio, and is now dead. Mr. Horn was reared in Ohio and obtained his education at the public schools. After arriving at manhood he became engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, in which business he has been eminently successful, and is now retired from business, spending his summers in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and his winters at Miami, Florida. To this union were born two children, A. V. Horn, who serves as a rural mail carrier at I'lain City, and Lee Horn.

Lee Horn was united in marriage on July 9, 1892, with Alta Worthington, who was born in Canaan township, where she received her early education, attending later at Buchtel College at Akron. Ohio. This union has been blest with one child, Margaret, born on July 1, 1899. She is a student of the Plain City high school.

Mr. Horn is quiet and unpretentious in manner, but very forceful in character, and he and Mrs. Horn enjoy the friendship of the entire community in which they reside.

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SWAINE KENNEDY.

Swaine Kennedy, farmer, Irwin, Pike township, Madison county, was born on March 25, 1859, in Union township, Union county Ohio, and is a son of Oramel and Areal (Lyons) Kennedy. He was reared on a farm in Union county and received his education at the public schools of Madison county, after which he attended the Bliss Business College at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Kennedy has always voted for the principles of the Republican party, and demonstrated his interest in local politics by serving as trustee of Pike township for a number of years. He is one of the directors of the Madison County Agricultural Society.

Oramel and Areal (Lyons) Kennedy, the parents of the subject of this sketch, are both dead. They were the parents of six children: Alfred, Rebecca, Swaine, Nancy, John and William.

Swaine Kennedy was united in marriage, December 27, 1894, with Emma King, daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Tarpenning) King. She was born on January 10, 1864, in Pike township, Madison county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were the parents of one child, who died when five years of age.

Joseph and Amanda King, the parents of Mrs. Swaine Kennedy, are both dead. They lived in this county for many years They had four children: Ellen, Emma, Abbie and Benjamin.

Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are both descendants of old pioneer families. Their kind- ness to humanity in general has given them a warm place in the hearts of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

MARTIN RAUSCH.

The lives of those who unshrinkingly shoulder responsibilities necessary for the accomplishment of anything worth while, are inspirations to others less courageous and lacking in those qualities that go hand in hand with a successful career in the business world. Martin Rausch is a man who has never hesitated when emergencies called for strong resolutions and decided action.

Martin Rausch, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on November 21, 1865, in Darby township, Union county, Ohio, and is a son of John A. and Anna B. (Gase) Rausch. He was reared and educated in the district schools of Darby township, and the paro- chial school of St. John's Lutheran church. He remained on his father's farm until he arrived at young manhood and was married, at which time he had but little as a working foundation fund, but he possessed those qualities which have perhaps served him better than a start equipped with riches, and his name is prominently known as belonging to one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of his community. He gives his support to the Democratic party, and has been actively interested in local politics, having served as one of the trustees of Darby township, Madison county, for seven years. Mr. Rausch belongs to St. Paul's Lutheran church. In connection with his political interests he was nominated by his party, in 1914, for the office of county commissioner, but was defeated by the opposing element. He is a stockholder and director of the Home Telephone Company of Plain City, of which he was one of the organizers.

John A. Rausch, father of Martin Rausch, was born on March 8. 1834, in Darby township, Union county, Ohio, and was a son of George and Catherine (Bloomenshine) Rausch. He was reared in Darby township, and was there united in marriage with Anna B. Gase, living there until he died. He was prosperous in his agricultural pur- suits, owning at the time of his death, six hundred acres of land. Mr. Rausch began by working by the day, and his wealth was acquired entirely through his own efforts

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and industry. Mr. and Mrs. Rausch were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living in 1915: Barbara, May, Peter, Martin, George, Katie, C. J., Henry, Anna and Emma. Barbara became the wife of Adam Veollrath; May was married to Christ Mayer; Peter is a retired farmer at 'Marysville, Ohio; George is an agriculturist, living in Mill Creek township, Union county, Ohio; Katie was married to William Barger, of Darby township; C. J. is a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he is estab- lished in business; Henry Rausch follows farming in Darby township, Union county, Anna is the wife of William Ell, of Mill Creek township, Union county; Emma was mar- ried to George Scherderer, of Darby township, Union county.

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George and Catharine (Bloomenshine) Rausch, the paternal grandparents, came to the United States in 1832, settling at Baltimore, Maryland, after which he removed to Columbus, Ohio, walking the entire distance, his wife and family coming in a little wagon. They later settled in Darby township, Union county, where they lived until Mr. Rausch died, never leaving their original farm. Mr. Rausch was a native German, and became very prosperous after coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Rausch were the parents of nine children, only one of whom is living in 1915: Casper Rausch. George Rausch was the founder of St. John's Lutheran church at Marysville.

Martin Rausch was united in marriage, February 28, 1889, with Lydia Blumen- shine, daughter of Philip and Lena Blumenshine. She was born in Darby township, Union county, Ohio, and is of German lineage. On March' 5, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Rausch moved to their present home place, consisting of one hundred' and twelve acres. This union has been blest with eight children, four of whom are living in 1915: Augusta, the wife of William Bivins, a farmer of Darby township, Union county ; Alfred, who is single and lives at home; Oscar, who is attending school; and Clara, born on June 27, 1903.

Mr. Rausch is a man who enjoys his home and the society of his family, and is well thought of in the community in which he lives.

VERNE H. PHELLIS.

The credit of a community is reflected in its citizenship, whose influence radiates in every direction. Occupying a position of prominence as one of the foremost agricul- turists of Madison county is Verne H. Phellis who owns a fine stock farm in this county.

Verne H. Phellis, stock-farmer, Irwin, Pike township, Madison county, was born on June 10, 1881, in Pike township, and is a son of Charles and Clara (Guy) Phellis. He was reared on a farm until twelve years of age, when he moved with his parents to. Mechanicsburg, where he attended the high school. Mr. Phellis has always been an admirer of fine stock, and his specialty is the breeding of registered Dorset sheep, sired by a "Tranquility" ram. He also feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs, which he annually ships by the carload. Mr. Phellis is a Republican, but has never taken much interest in local politics. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Mechanics- burg, Ohio.

Charles Phellis, father of Verne H., was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and his wife, Clara (Guy) Phellis, was born in Pike township, and they are now living as retired farmers at Mechanicsburg. To this union were born five children : Nellie A., deceased, a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, Ohio; Charles W., who obtained his education at various institutions, and is now occupying the position of general manager for the Dupont Powder Company, at Huntington, West Virginia, his terri- tory covering West Virginia, the eastern half of Ohio and the eastern half of Ken- tucky; Guy follows farming in Pike township, and is married; Ethel was graduated

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from the high school, and is now the wife of Charles Keller, of Pike township; and Verne H.

Verne H. Phellis was united in marriage, July 19, 1900, with Helen Shaul, daugh- ter of Jasper and Mira (Joyner) Shaul. She was born in Goshen township, Champaign county. Her parents died when she was eighteen months old, and she. was reared by her aunt, Samantha Joyner, receiving her education in the public schools of Mechan- icsburg and Oxford, Ohio. This marriage has been blest with three children: Mar- jorie, born on April 21, 1904; Esther V., July 8, 1906; and Juliet, February 19, 1914.

Mr Phellis is full of progressive and ambitious energy and Mrs. Phellis is equally as ambitious for the success of her husband as he is for himself and family. The only public office to which he has given any attention is that of township trustee, in which capacity he served for six years. The prosperous and well-cared-for farm on which Mr. Phellis resides and owns, is located about one-half mile from Rosedale, and is known as "Rosedale Steck Farm," consisting of four hundred and twelve acres.

SAMUEL M. MITCHELL.

Samuel M. Mitchell, farmer, Pike township, was born on July 25, 1863, in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of J. C. and Nancy J. (Mccullough) Mitchell. He grew up umid farm scenes, attending the schools of the district, and at the age of twenty-five years began to farm for himself, and now successfully conducts a large stock farm, consisting of four hundred and sixty-five acres of land. Mr. Mitchell has always voted the Republican ticket, and has taken an active interest in local polities, serving for six years on the board of education in Pike township.

J. C. Mitchell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born . in Darby township, and was a son of Judge David Mitchell. He was a very religious man and was a highly-honored citizen of Madison county. In 1876 Mr. Mitchell met with the mis- fortune of losing his eyesight and was blind the remainder of his life. His wife was Nancy J. Mccullough, to whom he was united in marriage on August 26, 1851. She was a daughter of Samuel Mccullough. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were the parents of aix children, two of whom are dead. Those living in 1915 are: Emma J., who became the wife of J. B. Galloway, of Marysville, Ohio; Madison; D. A. and Samuel M.

Judge David Mitchell, the paternal grandfather, emigrated from York county, Penn- sylvania, in 1799, settling on Darby creek before Ohio was a state. It was at that time a part of the Northwest territory. Judge Mitchell was a prominent citizen of Union county, Ohio, where he served as justice of the peace for many years. At the organisation of Union county he was made associate judge, which office he held up to the time of his death. He was a son of Jesse Mitchell, who was the first white child born in Union county, Ohio. Mr. Mitchell was a stanch member of the United Presby- terian church, of which he was an elder. His wife was Hannah (Caldwell) Mitchell, daughter of John Caldwell of York county, Pennsylvania. She was his third wife.

Samuel M. Mitchell was united in marriage, October 14, 1884, with Eva A. Paris. She was born in Union county, Ohio, and was the mother of two children: Etta M., who became the wife of J. C. Wilson, of Pike township; and Homer H. Mitchell, who was graduated from the Bliss Business College of Columbus, Ohio, and is living at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Mitchell died on January 25, 1889, and Mr. Mitchell was mar- ried to Alfretta Segnar, daughter of Isaac Segnar, this marriage taking place on March 27, 1895. Mrs. Mitchell was born on September 19, 1873, and received her education in the public schools of the district. This second union has been blest with one child, Jesse O., who was born on April 9, 1897, was graduated from the Rosedale high school in the class of 1915, and is now attending Bliss Business College, Columbus, Ohio.

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Isaac and Lavina (Parker) Segnar, the parents of Mrs. Alfretta (Segnar) Mitchell, came to Union county, Ohio, when Mrs. Mitchell was a child of eleven years.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell find great enjoyment in the society of many warm and sincere friends in the community in which they reside, to whom they are always ready to extend a welcome hand.

CHARLES D. CONVERSE.

Charles D. Converse, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on September 20, 1866, in Darby township, Madison county, and is a son of Russel B. and Anna (Lumbard) Con- verse. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and was educated in the district schools of Darby township, and later attended business college at Columbus, Ohio, where he learned bookkeeping, but decided upon the vocation of a farmer, which he has since followed. Mr. Converse has always given his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Universalist church of Plain City, a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Plain City, and both Mr. Converse and his wife are members of the Grange in their home town.

Russel B. Converse, father of Charles D., was born on January 15, 1828, in Darby township, Ohio, and died on August 2, 1889. His wife, Anna (Lumbard) Converse. was born near Covington, Kentucky, February 9, 1826, and came with her parents to Madison county in 1827, where she has since been a resident. To this union were born four sons: Kilborn, deceased; James, who was married to Florence Milburn, and is living in Franklin county, Ohio; Elmer was married to Ellen King, and is also a resi- dent of Madison county; and Charles D., of Darby township.

Charles D. Converse was united in marriage on October 25, 1897, with Clara Hortsel who was reared in Washington county, Ohio. She died on March 31, 1907. without issue. Mr. Converse was married, secondly, on April 12, 1911, to Eva Cutler.

Mr. Converse is one of the most prosperous and progressive farmers of Madison county, Ohio. His splendid farm of sixty-nine acres in Darby township, known as "Burr Oak Farm," includes the farm on which he was born, where he and his ancestors have long been honored and respected citizens.

NICHOLAS M. HUBER.

Among the farmers of Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, who have suc- ceeded in a large measure and who, at the same time, have won. and held the respect of their neighors and fellow citizens, is N. M. Huber, one of the larger landowners of Canaan township, who lives five miles southwest of Plain City, Ohio. He is a most successful stock dealer, and the proprietor of a farm of two hundred and sixty-eight acres. Mr. Huber, however, cultivates in all three hundred and twenty-eight acres.

N. M. Huber was born in Hocking county, Ohio, June 23, 1851, and is the son of Joseph and Maxie (Kost) Huber, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America on the same vessel, and after landing at Baltimore, Maryland, came on to Lancaster, Ohio, where they were married. Joseph Huber was a contracting mason, having learned his trade in Switzerland. As a matter of fact, he was more than a contractor, he was a man so skillful in his trade that he was known as an artist. He followed his trade until he was disabled and then bought a farm in Hocking county, Ohio, and lived on the farm until his death. Early in life he had been a member of the Catholic church, but later left the church. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Mary is the wife of Joseph Zimmerman, of Lancaster, Ohio; Joseph, Jr., married and is a carpenter at Circleville, Ohio; John is deceased; Mar- garet is the wife of Lawrence Stonebarger; Nicholas M. Is the subject of this sketch;

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Paul is a farmer of near Lancaster, Ohio; Rosa is unmarried and lives at Lancaster; Teressa is the wife of a Mr. Fox, of near Lancaster.

Nicholas M. Huber, who was reared on a farm near Lancaster, was educated in the common schools, attending school in the winter and working on the farm during the summer months. Subsequently, when he was old enough, he took up farming for himself.

Nicholas M. Huber was married to Mrs. Alice Gladden, who had been previously married to a Mr. Atkinson. She was born in Pennsylvania, and by her first marriage had one child, Nellie, who is a graduate of the common schools and of St. Mary's Academy at Columbus, Ohio, and is the wife of Clinton Norris. By the second mar- riage there has been one child, Lee G., who married Grace Pennington. They live with Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas M. Huber.

Mrs. Huber is a member of the Christian Science church. Mr. Huber votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the trustees of this township.

As a citizen, Nicholas M. Huber is of high rank in this township. As a farmer he has won considerable attention to his efforts as a breeder of Duroc-Jersey hoga. He also buys and ships large quantities of grain and live stock.

HERBERT E. REESE.

Herbert E. Reese, an industrious farmer of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, where he has charge of one hundred and ninety-one acres of land, and who lives on rural route No. 1, out of Plain City, Ohio, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, December 2, 1888. He is the son of Thomas L. and Sarah (Kincade) Reese, both of whom are also natives of Gallia county. Thomas L. Reese is the son of John and Harriet (Smith) Reese and is one of five children born to his parents. The others were William, Nathan, Ella and Sarah. Of these children, four are now living.

Thomas L. Reese grew up in Gallia county and was educated in the common schools. He was married in that county and has always lived there. He and his wife have been the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: Maggie, who is the wife of Harry Viars, of Gallia county; Millie, who is the wife of Morris Swisher, of Gallia county ; Elijah, who married a Mrs. Brown and lives in Union county ; Herbert E., the subject of this sketch; Emma, who married Earl Moore, of Gallia county; Willard, who is unmarried lives with his brother. Herbert E .; Garnet and Clyde are deceased.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 109

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207