History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 114

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

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In 1904 Peter C. Gaynard was married to Hannah Fitzgerald the daughter of David

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D. and Johanna (Daily) Fitzgerald, both of whom are deceased. Both were born in Ireland, she being fifteen and he eighteen at the time of their coming to America. After coming to Ohio, they were married at Plain City. Johanna (Daily) Fitzgerald's parents both died in Madison county. John Daily's brother, Patrick, was associated with him in farming, and at his death, Johanna inherited his estate since he had no children. David D. and Johanna Fitzgerald settled at Gillivan, in Jefferson township, where they engaged in farming. They were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity. Mrs. Gaynard's father died on the farm at the age of sixty-two and her mother at the age of fifty-two. Her father was a member of the school board for fifteen years. He was also a blacksmith and had a shop on his farm for many years. Of the children born to David D. and Johanna Fitzgerald, nine are still living. Three live in Columbus and six in Madison county. David A. lives in West Jefferson; Edward J. lives with his sister on the old farm; William E. is a farmer near the old home; Nora I. is unmarried and lives in West Jefferson; Ellen is the widow of Malachi Riley and together with Edward Fitzgerald owns the old homestead; Johanna is the wife of Mr. Gaynard; Mary is the wife of F. F. Ryan; Julia married Francis Graham; and Elizabeth is the wife of Arthur Murphy. The three latter daughters live in Columbus. John, Margaret, Daniel and an infant are deceased. John died at the age of sixteen, Margaret at the age of twenty and Daniel at the age of twenty-nine.

Mrs. Peter C. Gaynard was reared in West Jefferson and educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Gaynard have only one living daughter, Margaret, aged nine. Charlotte, another daughter, died at the age of nine. Mr. and Mrs. Gaynard are mem- bers of the St. Patrick's Catholic church, at London, and Mrs. Gaynard is active in the various societies of the church.

In his career as a teacher the success of Peter C. Gaynard may be attributed as much as anything to his broad and liberal sympathies, to his appreciation of the point of view of the children, who have sat at his feet as learners. Mr. Gaynard has always been interested in athletics and has been able to enlist the interest of many boys in school by appealing to their love for athletics. Peter C. Gaynard is a good man and a good citizen and has served in this community faithfully and well.

JOHN TINGLEY.

The late John Tingley, who until his death on January 22. 1915, was a resident of Summerford, was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1844. He was brought to Madison county, Ohio, when a child by his parents, William I. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Tingley, the latter of whom was a daughter of William Wilson. of Greene county. William Tingley located in Madison county, five miles west of London in Union township, where he and his wife lived until their death. He died at the age of fifty and his wife at the age of seventy. They reared a family of many children, most of whom married and set- tled in this county. William died in Champaign county. Simon is living in London at the age of seventy-six. Dan died in Champaign county. George died in Clark county. John is the subject of this sketch. Simon still lives. Pearl lives in London. Bessie is the wife of Ross Barnes of London. Minerva married Dow Couples, and died in Logan county. Susan died unmarried at an advanced age. Sarah married James Bell and died in London. Elizabeth, the wife of Stewart Ritter, lives at Summerford. Missouri is the widow of James Lammon, of London. Catherine married Stephen Sweet and died in Clark county. Gertrude is the wife of Jesse Peppers, of Clark county.

John Tingley was married on November 10, 1868, to Serepta Ann Ritter. the daughter of William and Lucy (Barr) Ritter. of Clark county. Mrs. Tingley was born near Harper's Ferry, and was brought to Ohio when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley settled

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near Brighton, in Clark county, about 1872, and later came to Madison county, settling on the David Gerard farm near Mr. Tingley's old home in Union township. He con- tinned farming until six years ago, when he retired and removed to Summerford. For thirteen years Mr. Tingley operated the Sam Prugh farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Tingley had nine children. One child died in infancy. Isabelle is the wife of Milton Cornwell, a farmer of Union township. Cora is the wife of Oscar Boisel of London. Alice married Scott Hull of Somerford township. Willie is a farmer in Union township. Minnie is the wife of Eret Hull of Somerford township. Laura is the wife of James Speakman, who died at the age of twenty-six. Delmar lives with his mother. Edna is the wife of Clyde Gist, a blacksmith of Summerford.

The late John Tingley was a member of the German Baptist church. He was inde- pendent in politics, but served in various township offices.

BENJAMIN F. LINSON.

It is doubtful if there is a couple living in all Madison county, who are more gen- erally loved than Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Linson, the superintendent and matron of the Madison County Children's Home. Until 1904 they were farmers of this county and in that year were appointed to take charge of this home. Both are natives of Madison county and have now been in charge of the home for eleven years. Mrs. Linson is noted for her kindness to the children and the extreme care she takes to provide for their comfort and well-being in life. Not only has she endeared herself to the children but she has won the admiration of the public. Mr. Linson is not only a careful and pains- taking business man, but he is likewise a man born with the natural sympathies for the great work in which he has been engaged for more than a decade. Mr. and Mrs. Linson enjoy the confidence of the trustees and the public alike.

Benjamin F. Linson was born in Paint township eleven miles south of London, November 18, 1861, and is the son of Benjamin and Maria (Anderson) Linson, the former of whom was also born in Madison county, the son of Judge George and Eliza- beth (Hutsenpiller) Linson. Benjamin Linson was born in Madison county, Ohio, on September 16, 1820. His father was born in the Old Dominion state on January 7, 1790, and his mother on December 24, 1792. They were married in Virginia, in 1815, and came to Madison county, where he died on April 14, 1855, and his wife died ten years previously on June 5, 1845. At the age of twenty-nine years, Benjamin Linson, the father of Benjamin F .. the subject of this sketch, began farming and stock raising on fifty acres of land and. at his death, owned five hundred and thirty-six acres. He was married to Marie Anderson on August 7, 1849, and to them were born nine children. Benjamin Linson died on October 5, 1876, and his wife on September 3, 1912. Margaret Shough, the last survivor of the family of Judge George Linson, lived at Sedalia, and died in August, 1914. at the age of eighty-three years, leaving two sons, Charles and Edward.

The late Benjamin Linson received a part of his father's old home place. By occu- pation. he was a teacher and farmer. He owned six hundred and fifty acres of land and was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of good horses and good sheep. He was active until his death in 1876, at which time he was fifty-six years old. Of their children. Benjamin F. is the subject of this sketch; William is a farmer near Springfield, Ohio: Amanda married A. B. Surbaugh and died in the state of Missouri: Elizabeth is the wife of Lee Foster, of Springfield, Ohio. The other five children died before reaching maturity. Some time ago the old home was sold.

Benjamin F. Linson, being but fourteen years old at the time of his father's death, helped his mother on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He

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remained at home until his marriage on December 2& 1881, to Belle Murray, of Sedalia, Madison county, Ohio, the daughter of Maxwell Murray, an old resident of this county, but who is now deceased. Mrs. Linson was born and reared at Sedalia. Her brother, Clark Murray, is manager of the big Gwynne estate in Madison county, and is a repre- sentative of the third generation of the Murray family to manage this great estate. In fact, the Gwynne estate has been managed by some member of the Murray family during the past sixty years.

During the three years preceding his marriage, Mr. Linson managed the home farm for his mother. In 1899 he came to London, and after four years moved to another farm in Madison county. He farmed until 1904 when he and Mrs. Linson were appointed superintendent and matron of the children's home, two miles north of London.

Since coming to the children's home, Mr. Linson has added several buildings to the children's home farm. At the time of his coming, there were twenty-eight inmates including eleven colored inmates, but there are now no colored. children there. The average number at the home is about thirty inmates. At the age of sixteen, each child is placed in a good home. Mr. and Mrs. Linson keep an eye on the children, the girls until they are eighteen and the boys until they are twenty-one years old. They have placed over sixty girls in private homes since 1903 and not a single one has gone astray. Perhaps no better evidence of the sympathy, judgment and ability of Mr. and Mrs. Lin- son could be cited than this very fact. At the home, girls are taught house work. including cooking, laundry work and sewing. The boys are taught farming. They are present in the home in about equal numbers and are directly presided over by governesses, the governess for the boys being Mrs. Clara Hall and for the girls Ella Warner. Each governess has her living room and bedroom near the children's sleeping dormitories, so that they may be in constant touch with the children. The school in the building is pre- sided over by Ruth Morse and all of the children are compelled to attend school while they are residents of the institution. The children's home farm consists of seventy-five acres and is devoted to raising products consumed at the institution. Everything at the children's home is made to seem as nearly as possible like a real home. The habits of the children are regulated, they have good meals consisting of splendid home cook- ing and appear very happy under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Linson.

Mr. and Mrs. Linson have been the parents of three daughters. Edna, who is the wife of Warren Snyder; Elizabeth who is at home with her parents; and Mary, who was born in the children's home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Linson are members of the Preshy- terian church. Mrs. Linson is active in church work and in clubs. She is especially active in the Farmers' Club. For several generations the Linsons have been Democrats and Benjamin F. Linson is no exception to the rule.

WILLIAM WARNER.

The late William Warner, who came to London, Madison county, Ohio, when a little boy with his parents. William and Susan Warner, was a prominent man in the history of Madison county during his day and generation, and for more than twenty ;years served as the sheriff of this county. He was engaged in the mercantile business and, aside from the office of sheriff, filled other important positions of trust and responsibility. His parents were farmers who lived in the suburbs of London, his father, William War- ner, Sr .. having been one of the old-fashioned shouting Methodists and a pillar in the church at London.

Mr. Warner's wife, before her marriage, was Sarah Kelley, who was born in Vir- ginia. She died in 1883 and Mr. Warner died in 1887 at the age of ninety-three. Of their children. Helen is the governess in the girls' department of the Madison County

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Children's Home and is the only surviving child of the family. The deceased children are, Mary, who was the mother of William Cowling; Ann, who married James Rankin, a stockman, and who left a daughter, Mrs. Lou Stone, of Columbus Ohio, who has two children, Elizabeth and Warner, the only grandchildren of William and Sarah Warner; Josephine married Nathan Marble.

Helen Warner has held her position as governess of the girls' department of the children's home for thirteen years. She was born at Lafayette, in Madison county, and at the age of sixteen years began to teach school, boarding around in the meantime. She taught both in Delaware and Madison counties. She was also for a long time cashier of the Cowling store at London. Her employer, William Cowling, was her nephew. In partnership with a Miss Dickey, Miss Warner conducted a millinery store in London until 1902, when she accepted her present position. Miss Warner has seven- teen girls in her charge. She is a splendid Christian woman and has a fine influence over the girls who are directly under her supervision.

MARTIN H. WATKINS.

Martin H. Watkins, the manager of the Ellsworth farm of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, has spent all his life on the farm, having been born in Stokes township, Madison county, December 8, 1877. He is the son of D. W. and Caroline (Griffith) Watkins, both of whom were reared in the Buckeye state and who spent their married lives in Madison county until fourteen years ago, when they removed to Indiana, They have four children still living in Madison county. Jesse is a retired farmer and stockman of London. Lizzie is the wife of Ray Moeland, of London. Anna is the widow of Will Schurr, of London, and Samuel is a farmer near Florence, Ala- bama. Martin H. Watkins worked out by the month for about a year when he was twenty-one years old. Since that time he has rented large farms in Range and Union townships. For twelve years he lived on the Minchell farm, in Range township. Pre- vions to removing to the Ellsworth farm he lived on the Garrard Brothers' farm of five hundred and sixty acres, located on the Springfield pike, four miles southwest of London.

The Ellsworth farm consists of two hundred and forty-five acres, and is located on . the National pike one mile west of Summerford. It is a fine body of land and well tiled. It has excellent barns and feeding pens. Water is supplied by one of the best springs in the county, which is forced to the tank by a hydraulic ram. A new house is to be erected shortly on a beautiful elevation, and when this is completed the Ells- worth farm will be one of the most desirable in Madison county.

Mr. Watkins and Mr. Ellsworth are in partnership in everything on the farm. They feed from one hundred to two hundred head of hogs every year. Having started in debt for all his stock and tools, Martin H. Watkins has been pre-eminently success- ful as a farmer. He keeps some of the finest draft horses to be found in Madison county and is well known, particularly in fraternal circles.

In the Odd Fellows fraternity he is both a past grand and past district grand master. He is also past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is nominally connected with the Democratic party, but he is very independent in voting. In minor politics he has been more or less prominent, having filled several offices, including that of township assessor.

Mr. Watkins enjoys hunting and shooting, and is one of the most deserving citizens to be found in this county. He has a host of friends and not very many people have been known to speak an unkind or unfavorable word of him. As a matter of fact, he well deserves the confidence and high regard which he enjoys.

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JONATHAN E. BUFFINGTON.

The proprietor of the Summerford hotel, at Summerford, Madison county, Ohio, is Jonathan E. Buffington, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1859, and who was brought to Ohio in 1861, and lived at Mechanicsburg. About 1880 he came to Madison county. Mr. Buffington has been engaged in farming, in paper-hanging, in painting and in the mercantile business, and followed these various lines until ten years ago, when he engaged at Summerford in the hotel business.

In 1880 Jonathan E. Buffington was married to Emma Alice Comfort, the daughter of Henry M. and Catharine (Heffley) Comfort and the grandniece of Valentine Wil- son, a pioneer settler of Madison county. Mrs. Buffington is a native of Somerford township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Buffington there have been born five children, three sons and two daughters: Henry Floyd is a painter at Summerford; John Fremont is engaged in the general mercantile business at Big Plains, Madison county; Raymond Forest died at the age of eighteen; Catherine Ruth and Chella May both live at home and assist their parents in operating the hotel. Mr. Buffington has dealt considerably in cattle and hogs. He is a man who was reared under Whig and Republican influences and is an ardent Republican worker. He is also a man of very strong temperance inclinations.

Mrs. Buffington's father was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and died on December 5, 1895, at the age of seventy-one. Her mother died on November 22, 1895, at the age of sixty-one.

Henry Miller and Catharine (Heffley) Comfort were married in Madison county. Catharine Heffley was the daughter of Charles Mathias and Elizabeth (Wilson) Heffley and was one of nine children born to her parents. Charles Heffley settled on the north bank of Deer creek, one mile north of Summerford village, about 1820. His wife was the sister of the original Valentine Wilson. He passed his entire life on the farm and died at an advanced age.

Henry and Catharine Comfort began housekeeping at Summerford. He was a car- penter by trade and did his first work on the Christian church. When he came to this community he was unable to speak English, being German by birth. In later years he often said that he did not know whether a man was called "he" or "she." Eventually. he took up contract building and among the many structures he erected in this com- munity is the Sawyer house, now the residence on "Housatonia Farm." Later he removed to Columbus and became assistant master car builder in the Pan Handle car shops, at Columbus. He was one of the finest mechanics that Madison county has ever produced. After six or eight years he was made foreman and remained so until his death. He had between fifteen and twenty men working under him. No car was sent out from the shop which had not passed his inspection. .

While Mr. Comfort worked at Columbus his residence remained at Summerford. except a few years when he operated the old Wilson farm. Mrs. Elizabeth Comfort preferred to live at Summerford, and the old place is still owned by members of the family, being the property of a daughter. Mrs. Cartzdafner. Mrs. Comfort's death, coming suddenly, as the result of a stroke of apoplexy, was such a severe shock to her husband that he died within two weeks. Their remains are buried in the Summerford cemetery. Both were members of the Christian church and active throughout life. They had five children. of whom three grew to maturity : Leah, Mary Ellen and Emma Alice. Leah married W. J. Baird, of Springfield, who was an oil operator. now retired. They have two children, Ella, who married Henry Sholtz, of Springfield, Ohio, and Ernest Comfort. of Lima, Ohio. Mary married George Cartzdafner, a merchant at

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Summerford, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Belva E., who married Henry McSav- eney, of Springfield, Ohio. Emma Alice is the wife of Jonathan E. Buffington. Mrs. Buffington and daughters are active in the work of the Christian church.

Jonathan E. Buffington is the last surviving son of Jonathan H. and Marian E. (Hunt) Buffington, who were the parents of the following children: George R. deceased, lived at Springfield, Ohio; Laura widow of Charles Smith, lives at Dayton, Ohio; Thomas W., deceased, lived nt Milford Center, Ohio; Lizzie married Pearl Gray, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio: Celia married Samuel Leggue, of Mechanicsburg; Rose mar- ried James Dickman, of Danville, Illinois and they have two daughters, Bessie and Grace; Vergie C. married Dr. Edward Dill, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they have two children, Raymond and Lillie, who married a Mr. Broadrick, son of Judge Broadrick; Jonathan E., the subject of this sketch; Carrie died young; Jonathan H. and three others died in infancy.

JOHN A. GOSSARD.

Not only are the various members of the Gossard family well known in Madison county, but they have always been successful farmers. John A. Gossard, a prominent farmer and citizen of Stokes township, formerly was engaged in educational work in Madison county. In 1913 his three children won the contest in Madison county for the most corn raised on an acre of land. One of Mr. Gossard's children, Jay, won another contest by raising one hundred and two bushels of shelled corn. The three averaged ninety-nine bushels to the acre and won the trip to New York, Washington, Mt. Vernon and other eastern cities. Mr. Gossard has always given his children proper encourage- ment, suggestion and counsel.

John A. Gossard was born on October 11, 1867, in Stokes township, Madison county, Ohio. He is the son of Robert and Barbara C. (Huffman) Gossard, the former of whom was born on September 9, 1833, in Ross county, Ohio, and the latter was a daughter of Amos and Nancy Huffman. Robert Gossard was the son of John V. and Hannah (Brown) Gossard, the former of whom was born in Ross county, the son of Philip Gossard, who was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The family came west in pioneer times and settled in Ross county. Both Philip Gossard and his father died in Ross county. and are buried at the Laterville Cemetery. Philip Gossard was a member of the Presbyterian church. John V. and Hannah (Brown) Gossard had only one child, Robert. Mrs. John V. Gossard died in 1833, nine days after Robert was. born. After five years, his father married, secondly, Nancy Ritenhour, who died eleven months after their marriage. His father was then married to Phoebe Cox, who bore hin five children, three of whom are living. The five children were Joseph C., Artie, Marcellus, John A., and David. Joseph C., who was born in Madison county. died about 1809. Artie married Samuel Thomas, who is now deceased. and whose widow lives in Stokes township. Marcellus is a resident of London. John M. was the fourth born. David died in 1913. John V. Gossard settled in Madison county some time in the forties, leasing a large tract of land in Stokes township. At the expiration of the lease he bought the land and owned at one time about two hundred and thirty acres. He died in Stokes township in 1883, and his wife died in 1905.

Robert Gossard received a common-school education. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, November 23, 1861, and served three years or until his discharge at the expiration of his term of service. After the war he returned home, and on December 1, 1866, was married to Barbara C. Huffman, who bore him nine children, all of whom are living. John A., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. The others were as follow : Elva lives at home; Laura is the wife of O. E. Duff of London; Gertrude is

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the wife of William J. Nevills, of, Springfield, Ohio; Amy is the wife of A. C. Dun, of South Solon; Osa is the wife of Scott Rowe, the principal of the Midway high school ; Grace is the wife of Leo Hartman, of Toledo; Blanche is the wife of Harry Vent, of Washington, D. C .; Ida is the widow of Ernest Klever, deceased.

Robert Gossard owns one hundred and thirty acres of land in Stokes township. He is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to office. In 1911 he retired from active life. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and have been members for the past thirty-five years.

Born and reared on the farm, John A. Gossard received his education in the public schools, in the high school at South Solon and London, and in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Gossard taught school for eleven years in Madison and Fayette counties.

On March 24, 1894, John A. Gossard was married to Sarah Brock. a daughter of L. C. and Amanda (Gordon) Brock. They have had four children, all of whom are living. Marguerite, the wife of Roy Shough, of South Charleston; Robert L. is a student in the South Solon high school ; John J. and Tressie are in school.

Mr. Gossard has farmed while engaged in educational work, and now handles two hundred and forty acres of land. He raises a high grade of horses, and also a high grade of cattle. In every respect he is a first-class farmer.

John A. Gossard is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at South Solon. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gossard are members of the Grange lodge, at South Solon, and both are mem- . bers of the Grassy Point Christian church. Mr. Gossard is a Republican in politics and has served as a member of the school board.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 114

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

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