History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 121

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

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On Memorial Day, when our heads are uncovered in silent respect for those brave men who bled and died for their country's freedom from slavery; when the solemn requiem is sounded for those whose bravery rings loud in our hearts, and in the annals of America's history; when their deeds of daring and heroism are recounted for che benefit of their descendants-another note, as sweet, and loud and clear as a clarion call, should be sounded, and a song sweeter than any yet written should be sung above the graves of those pioneers who carved, from the cruelest savagery, "the land of the free and the homes of the brave." Another memorial day might well be set apart for the strewing of beautiful, sweet-scented flowers, upon the graves of those who unflinch- ingly met a savagery, greater than any encountered in so-called "civilized warfare." And on that day the silent palaces of our pioneer dead should be draped with blankets of trailing arbutus, a flower typical of their lives.

Burton B. Crawford was reared in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, and attended the district schools of that section. When twenty-three years of age, he removed to Range township, where be was employed as a farm hand at a monthly wage, covering a period of three years. He then rented eighty acres of the Blizzard land and married the same year, 1879, Frances Gillespie, who was born on February 15. 1851, in Range township. In 1886 he purchased the present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which had been sadly neglected, and at once set out an orchard and made other necessary improvements. The house and barn were built, almost entirely, from. timber on the farm and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle became one of the principal industries. The farm has been increased, until at the present time it con- sists of two hundred and twenty-five acres of some of the best land to be found in Madison county.

To the union of Burton B. Crawford and Frances Gillespie, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Shepherd) Gillespie, have been born ten children: Mrs. Nettie Barrett, living in Paulding county, Ohio; Joseph, a farmer of Pleasant township, Ohio; Sarah, wife of William Bogard, who resides in Springfield, Ohio; Benjamin, a minister living in Pataskala, Ohio; Mrs. Louisa Johnson, at home; Frank, now in British Columbia; Bert, deceased ;. Mrs. Ollie Dacle, now of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Millie Keifer, in Lon- don, Ohio; and Marion, deceased.

Burton B. Crawford, politically is an independent voter. He has been township trustee for two years and a school director for four years. The life of Burton B. Crawford has been one worthy of true regard and loyal friendship.

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JAMES WITHROW.

Among the representative citizens of Madison county, Ohio, there is no one who occupies a more highly-respected position than does James Withrow. As a self-made man he stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished by hard, conscientious work and strict attention to business. He is a most enterprising and successful farmer of Paint township, where he owns two hundred and four acres, comprising what is known as "Five Oaks Farm." Mr. Withrow is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted early in the war and served three years as a soldier in the Union army.

James Withrow was born on January 18, 1842, in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, the son of George Washington and Catherine (Truman) Withrow, the former of whom was born in Madison county, Ohio, February 27, 1813, and the latter was born in New York state, January 29, 1815. Catherine Truman came with her parents to Ohio when six years of age. She was married to George Washington Withrow on January 27, 1833, and to them were born fourteen children, seven of whom died in infancy. The seven children who grew to maturity were as follows: Margaret, born on May 7, 1834, married Albert Rankin, married, secondly, Isaac Kemp, who died in 1913, and she now lives in Union township; William, August 3, 1837, died on August 5, 1904; James, who is the subject of this sketch; John, July 12, 1844, is a resident of California; Lucy, July 6, 1846, is the wife of James McDonald and lives at Crescent, Iowa; David, July 26, 1850, lives in Paint township; Fannie, May 6, 1855, is the widow of Richard Armstrong and lives in Indiana.

George Washington Withrow was the son of James and Mary (Stockton) Withrow. the latter of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of Robert Stockton. James and Mary (Stockton) Withrow were the parents of eight children. James With- row died in August, 1823, and his wife, who was born in 1778, died in April, 1841. Both were buried on the home farm, now a portion of the Paint township cemetery. William Withrow, from whom the family is descended in this country, was a native of England, who, upon coming to the United States, located in Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death. James Withrow, who married Mary Stockton, was a son of William With- row and came from Pennsylvania to Ross county, Ohio, in 1801. Five years later, in 1806, he immigrated to Madison county.

George Washington Withrow first purchased one hundred and seven acres of good land and added to it until, at one time, he owned twelve hundred. acres. He was a farmer and stock raiser, a Whig in politics, but subsequently a Republican. He could justly be termed a Prohibition Republican. George Washington Withrow served as county commissioner and as township trustee. In early life he was a member of the Washingtonians and Sons of Temperance. and when forty years of age became a convert of the Methodist church and served as a trustee, steward and class leader of the Newport church. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. No man was better known in Paint township than he and no family is more highly respected than that bearing the name of Withrow. George Washington Withrow died on June 3, 1890, and his wife on April 5, 1886.

James Withrow, the subject of this sketch, received a good common-school educa- tion. Until he reached maturity he lived at home on the farm, attending school in the winter. On July 22. 1861, he enlisted in Company K. Twenty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer on July 21, 1864, having served three years. He was severely wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge and has always suffered from the effects of that wound. After returning home from the war, Mr. Withrow engaged in farming with his father and remained with him for five years. Later he purchased land until he now owns as fine a farm as can be found in Madison county.

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MR. AND MRS. JAMES WITHROW

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James Withrow was married on October 2, 1865, to Clara V. Peck, the daughter of Gideon and Deborah (Kilgore) Peck, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 14, 1814, and the latter was born on January 3, 1815. Mrs. Withrow was the youngest child in her parents' family and was born on December 26, 1845. Mrs. Withrow's parents were married on April 17, 1834. They were the parents of five chil- dren, of whom three are living: James, born on March 30, 1835, died on September 28, 1898; Sarah, November 4, 1836, is the widow of Clinton Rayburn, of London; Emma A., January 26, 1839, married Uriah Hussey on June 25, 1861, and lives in Indiana; Hagar, November 14, 1841, died on November 9, 1854; and Clara, the wife of Mr. Withrow.

Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Peck came to Madison county, Ohio, and settled in Paint town- ship on a farm in 1837, having moved to this county from Ross county. They remained in Paint township the rest of their lives. Mrs. Withrow's father died in 1879 and her mother in 1903.

Mr. and Mrs. James Withrow have been the parents of three children, only one of whom is living, Jennie, Sarah and May. Jennie died in infancy. Sarah married Edward Blaugher and to them were born two children, Louise and Clara. The mother of these children has been dead many years. Louise married Paul Gillespie, of Range township. Clara married Claude Dorn and has one daughter, Jean Elizabeth. May Withrow is the wife of Owen Taylor and has three sons, Marvin, Wayne and James. They live in London, Ohio.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Withrow has served as township trustee for three years. He served as commissioner of Madison county for seven years and as school director for fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newport. Mr. Withrow served as superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-five years, and as trustee of the church for forty years, he has also served as steward. On October 2, 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Withrow celebrated their golden wedding.

ISAIAH GILLESPIE.

To successfully cultivate a tract of land, and at the same time rear, carefully and well, a family, is a difficult thing of accomplishment and the best index to a man's character. Isaiah Gillespie. of London, Range township, Madison county, Ohio, has done both, and by his well-directed efforts and virile nature has won a commendable success in life.

Isaiah Gillespie was born on February 11, 1843, in Range township. Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah H. (Shepherd) Gillespie. To Joseph and Sarah H. (Shepherd) Gillespie nine children were born : Eliza J., deceased; James S., of Washington C. H., Ohio, a retired farmer; Isaiah, a farmer of Range township; Margaret, deceased ; Samuel, living near St. Paris. Ohio; Mrs. Frances Crawford, living in Range township; Ruth, widow of R. B. Jones. living in Springfield. Ohio; Nathan, of Range township. this county ; and Joseph. who lives at Dayton, Ohio.

Joseph Gillespie, the father of this family, was born on July 8. 1807, in the state of New York, and in early childhood moved to Fayette county, Ohio. with his parents. Fayette county was the scene of his boyhod, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. at which vocation he worked for four years, in Bloomingburg, Ohio, from from the age of seventeen until twenty-one, inclusive. Continuing at this trade of the anvil, he also engaged in farming. combining the two, and in Madison county found it wise to follow both occupations until his death, which occurred on December 5, 1890. Sarah H. (Shepherd) Gillespie, the wife of Joseph Gillespie, was born on May 29, 1819, in Ross county, Ohio, and died at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. her

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death occurring on February 17, 1897. Her parents were natives of Virginia but of English extraction.

Reared within one-half mile of where he now resides, Isaiah Gillespie has been a dominant factor in the growth and expansion of his community. He received his education in the Concord district school, located in Range township. He remained on the farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he began work with his brother-in-law, continuing for two years.

On November 4, 1877, Isaiah Gillespie was united in marriage to Mary A. Mulford, born on September 20, 1855, in London, Ohio, and shortly afterward rented land from his father, which he cultivated until 1886. About this time he fell heir to seventy-five acres, upon which he made improvements and additions, until at the present time he is the owner of one hundred and twenty-seven acres of well-improved land. Mary A. Mulford, his first wife, was a graduate of the Union schools and taught for three terms in the district schools, after her graduation. To their union were born three children, Edward, Carl and Harris. Edward farms the home place, and is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and a fancier of full-blood stock. Carl is a natural artist and has made a specialty of doing landscapes and cattle in oil. One of his paintings was exhibited at the London fair and was awarded a prize. The picture was a June land- scape, showing a few dend trees in the foreground. Harris is a graduate of the Ohio State University and the Drew Theological Seminary, of Madison, New Jersey. He began his ministry in 1910, and now has a pastorate at Hannibal, Ohio. He married Sadie Lou Smith, of Atlanta, Georgia, and has two children, Isaiah Harris and Mar- garet Irene.

The mother of these children died on October 13, 1883. On November 17, 1887, Isaiah Gillespie was united in marriage to Rachel M. Fox, who was born on January 15, 1850, in Clinton county, Ohio, and died on Novmeber 29, 1903.

Isaiah Gillespie is a Democrat, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. This short and simple review is wholly inadequate to depict the virtues, or the sterling worth of this highly-respected citizen, who holds the sincere regard of all who know bim.

ISAIAH SHEPHERD.

A remarkable instance of progressive husbandry over old methods is shown on the modern farin of Isaiah Shepherd, of London, Range township, Madison county, Ohio. and the increase in land values has been so great as to elicit surprise. The parents were pioneers in Ohio, the father having been born in this state more than one hundred years ago, in 1802, and the mother in 1818, in Ross county, Ohio. Andrew and Nancy (Price) Shepherd came to Range township in 1835 and bought the present farm of six hundred and forty acres for six dollars an acre. This place Mr. Shepherd cultivated for thirty-nine years, until his death, which occurred in 1874. In those days only the crude methods were used in the building of homes and the cultivation of the crops, but those very methods, inefficient as they were, became the groundwork of present- day success. Without the inspiration and example of those old pioneers, the civilization of today would be of a much lower order than it now is.

Both Andrew and Nancy (Price) Shepherd were members of the Methodist church, ' and, they carefully reared their children in that belief. The mother passed away in 1906, at the age of eighty-eight years. Isaiah Shepherd is one of seven children born to Andrew and Nancy (Price) Shepherd, four of whom are living at the present time, and was born on March 12, 1849, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio. His edu- cation was very limited, and was received in the district schools of Range township.

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He remained on the home place until twenty-four years of age, at which time his father gave him one hundred acres of land nad he at once proceeded to begin agricultural operations for himself.

On February 11, 1872, the marriage of Isaiah Shepherd and Susan Newman, daughter of William and Adeline (Belle) Newman, natives of Ohio, was solemnized. Her parents were formerly of Morgan county, Ohio, in which place she was born, on January 15, 1852, but removed to Madison county in 1880, and settled in Range town- ship, where they farmed until their death. Isaiah and Susan (Newman) Shepherd are the parents of eight children. Milton, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; an infant, and Addie J., deceased; Francis M., who lives in Range township; Edward, a graduate of Lebanon College, and now going to college at Athens, Ohio; Mrs. Myrtle Call, a resident in Range township; Russell, deceased; and Horace, who lives in Range township.

Isaiah Shepherd has added to the original farm of one hundred acres given him by his father, until at the present time it consists of one hundred and sixty-two acres, well improved, with proper buildings and all necessary equipment for modern farming. Upon this place there still remains eighteen acres of timber. Several prizes have been won by the sons of Isaiah Shepherd on the products of this farm at the London, Ohio, fairs. The old homestead was a log cabin and very different from the present home. Oxen were used for the cultivation of the crops, one team having weighed two thousand pounds each.

The politics of Isaiah Shepherd are Democratic, and he has always been a strong advocate of all party policies. His religious. principles are based upon the creeds of the Methodist church, of which he is a member.

HARRY HEATH.

A farm of two hundred acres, located in Madison county, Ohio, reveals to the view of observing persons the thrift which has been the dominant factor in the life of Harry Heath, a resident of Sedalia. Madison county, Ohio. Formerly a renter on this land, he is now the owner, beside which he owns a modern home in the town of Sedalia.

Harry Heath, born on March 24, 1968, in Pickaway county, Ohio, is the son of Andrew and Emma (Lambert) Heath, to whom nine children were born, seven of whom are living to cheer the "Indian summer" of their lives. The town of Derby now hides from view the old landmarks of his boyhood bome, and the former fields of grain are now obliterated by the commercial scenes which have taken their place. Andrew Heath was born ou September 12, 1831, in Pickaway county, Ohio. He came to Madison county, Ohio, in 1887. and settid in Sedalia, where he owns property. Emma (Lambert) Heath was born on March 20, 1841, in Maryland, and came with her parents to Franklin county, Ohio, when only four years of age. Both Andrew and Emma (Lam- bert) Heath are living, and are members of the Sedalia, Ohio, Presbyterian church.

Harry Heath was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of Pickaway county. Of the many men in Range township who follow agricultural interests. none are more industrious or worthy of respect than this energetic citizen, who, in addition to his other interests, is manager of the Riddle farm. He keeps a very high grade of stock, which he has been busy selling for four years.

In 1889 Harry Heath was united in marriage to Louie Bethards, who was born in 1809, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio. They are the parents of the follow- ing children : Edward C., who is farming on the Riddle land, and Emma and Guy, who are at home.

Harry Heath is a stanch Republican and lends his enthusiastic support to that party in all its elections, considering the good of the people in connection with the

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various candidates for office. That he takes an active interest in all questions pertain- ing to the public welfare is evidenced in the fact that he is a member of three of the most prominent orders in the world, the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. With all of his business, fraternal and family interests, Harry Heath finds time to attend the house of worship and to assist, in every way possible, the upbuilding of the community.

JOHN R. WINGFIELD.

Very many counties in the United States have the serious problem of caring for thousands of orphan children, homeless little waifs who long for the love and affection they have lost and who would respond to such care, by developing into noble charac- ters, if only given the chance. There are thousands of homes where the sound of a child's voice is sorely needed to complete the home atmosphere, and this question would be so easily solved if these empty hearts would only respond to the hungry call of these lonely children-unfortunately left to work out their own destinies, unaided by home environment or loving advise-thereby making complete the homes and hearts of those to whom nature has denied this supreme pleasure. John R. Wingfield, Sedalia, Madi- son county, Ohio, is one that responded to this call and who firmly believes the Mas- ter's words, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."

John R. Wingfield, born on February 9, 1834, in Albermarle county, Virginia, was one of twelve children born to Robert C. and Eliza (Elson) Wingfield, both natives of Albermarle county, Virginia. Only six of these children are now living. Robert C. Wingfield was born in 1802, remaining in Albemarle county until thirty-eight years of age, when he emigrated to the state of Missouri, traveling in a covered wagon. Sixty miles west of St. Louis he purchased a farm and remained there for some time. While living on this place, in Lincoln county, he was thrown from a horse and injured for life. Returning to his old home in Virginia, in 1849, he bought four hundred acres of land; later he sold this and purchased five hundred and eighteen acres of land in Upshure county, Virginia, in 1854, and resumed his agricultural pursuits. Born in 1802, he passed away in the month of February, in the year 1867, at the age of sixty- five years. Robert C. Wingfield was the son of John and Anna (Buster) Wingfield. both natives of Virginia. Eliza (Elson) Wingfield was born in 1811 and died in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years.

John R. Wingfield came to Madison county, on March 19, 1865, at the age of thirty-one years and settled in Range township, where he rented a farm near Danville. The present farm, of one hundred and eighteen acres, was purchased in 1873, for the sum of fifty dollars and fifty cents per acre. After making the initial payment there still remained two thousand five hundred dollars to be paid, and having practically nothing left this seemed quite a problem, but undaunted he went to work. made imme- diate improvements, and by diligent effort succeeded in paying for the place which he now owns. The original home was a story and a half house, eighteen by thirty-eight feet, and the barn was a mere planked-up shed, large enough to care for four horses. John R. Wingfield received very little education in the subscription schools which he attended in Virginia, but he has steadily progressed, demonstrating that an education is not absolutely necessary in order to gain a competency nor yet to attain a place of respect among one's fellow men.

John R. Wingfield has assisted in the building of the pike roads of Range town- ship, having extended one mile through his own labors. In 1856 he was married to Sarah E. Walker, who was born on January 11, 1836, in Virginia. and as no children blessed their union, they adopted the daughter of Charles and Samantha J. (Gallagher) Rhodes, natives of Ohio. This daughter, Cora A. Rhodes, having lost her mother when

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only three years of age, was carefully reared and given an education by her foster parents, and is now married and with her husband is operating the home place for this man who has truly applied his religion in a practical way. Cora A. (Rhodes) Counts is the mother of two boys, Paul W. and Roger D.

That John R. Wingfield has the confidence of his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he was township trustee for eighteen years. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a Democrat, also a deacon in the church in which he is a member.

CHARLES S. BETHARDS.

Next in importance to the raising of food is its preparation for use and its dis- tribution. And here, as elsewhere, the honest man, be he producer or merchant, fills his place in a community life with as much importance as he whose name is writ large in history. When public health depends upon honest dealing, who shall say that one's work is valueless though it be only concerned with the marketing of the product? Both as teacher, and as manager of a large grain elevator, Charles S. Bethards is a man worthy of place among the leaders of local business enterprises. Mr. Bethards, mana- ger of the Vent & Riddle Company, was born on July 14, 1868, in Range township, this county, his parents being Thomas N. and Louise (Barker) Bethards.

Thomas N. Bethards was twice married, and to the first union were born two children, these being Charles S. and Mrs. Louie Heath, of Sedalia, Ohio. Thomas N. Bethards was a native of this township, being born in 1839, and always followed the occupation of farming in this immediate vicinity, owning at the time of his death, in 1891. twenty-five acres of land. Louise (Parker) Bethards was born in Sedalia, Ohio, in 1835, and died in 1870. She was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Parker, who were well-known farmers, coming from Maryland. Both parents of the subject of this sketch were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas N. Bethards was a man of patriotic principles and of courageous character. Not long after the Civil War was declared he enlisted at Xenia, Ohio, in a company that was formed at Sedalia, in the Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had the honor of serving under General Sherman, and remained in the war for three years and three months. His second wife was Eliza Edwards, and there were no children born of this marriage.

The early career of Charles S. Bethards was marked by no special favoritism of fortune; born and reared on a farm. his educational advantages were only such as were procurable in the rural schools of this township at that time. That he made the most of these advantages, however, is shown by the fact that as soon as his own early education was completed, he began teaching. That was in the year 1888, the place being in Stokes and Range townships. After being a teacher for fourteen years, during which time he served with distinction and devotion, he came to Sedalia, and entering upon a business career, immediately became manager of the Vent & Riddle Elevator Company. a position which he has held ever since. Mr. Bethards has been versatile enough to carry on more than one line of business, for when a branch of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railroad was built to Sedalia, he became their agent. Later he was employed also by the American Express Company.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 121

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

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