History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 122

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

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Never quite able to divorce his interests entirely from agricultural work, Mr. Bethards still operates his splendid farm, upon which he has placed many valuable improvements. He owns thirty-three acres of land in this township, and has nine lots in Sedalia.

In 1890 took place the ceremony which united Charles S. Bethards and Gertrude M. Ervin in matrimony. His wife was born in Madison county, and is the daughter of

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William and Clara (Carr) Ervin, who are natives of this county. Only one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bethards, a daughter, named Lucile M.

Mr. and Mrs. Bethards have always been devoted in their religious life, being earnest members of the Christian church. The subject is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Also of the Knights of Pythias. He is a man who stands high in the business and social life of the community in which he lives. As a business man his judgment is respected, and in the broader fields of activity, where strong character is an asset, Mr. Bethards is an acknowledged force.

NEWTON K. COOK.

By the simple process of substitution, the popularized exhortation "back to the farm" may be pertinently changed to the admonition "stick to the farm." The one comes in the form of practical advice to the prodigal, who, having had visions of the towering city with its dreamed myriad of pleasures and countless opportunities, has left the farm; and the other is a plea for the youth to remain on the farm and to cast aside the illusionary visions of an urban life so attractive to the growing mind of the youth. Among the number of those discreet persons who have succeeded in cast- ing aside the visions of a life off the farm and who have faithfully devoted their entire lives to the vocation of husbandry is Newton K. Cook, a prosperous and well-known farmer of Pleasant township, Madison county, and the proprietor of one hundred and twenty-five acres of as fine land as can be found in Pleasant township.

Newton K. Cook was born on April 29, 1868, on the farm where he now lives in Pleasant township, the son of John and Elizabeth (Heath) Cook, both of whom were born in Pleasant township. The father was born on May 2, 1842, and the mother in 1844, near the present home of her son, Newton K. She was the daughter of David and Nancy (Thomas) Heath, natives of Ohio.

Reared on the farm. John Cook remained on his father's farm until the outbreak of the Civil War, at which time he enlisted in the Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was being mustered at Camp Chase. He served faithfully throughout the entire war, and upon its conclusion returned to Madison county and again took up farming. He rented the farm upon which his son, Newton K., now lives. In the meantime his wife had inherited some land in Benton county, Indiana, and the family removed to that county In the early seventies. Eight years later, however. John W. Cook sold the land in Benton county and removed with his family to Pickaway county. where he bought a farm situated five miles from Mt. Sterling. After the death of Elizabeth (Heath) Cook, in 1884, the farm in Pickaway county was given to the two sons, Newton K. and Harry. John Cook remained on the farm with his two sons only a short time after the death of his wife, removing to a farm near Derby, Ohio. Marry- ing the second time. he lived with his wife on the Derby farm for a period of twelve years, after which time the family removed to Ashville, North Carolina, in quest of health for one of their children. The family lived in North Carolina for eight years. or until the death of Mrs. Cook. John Cook then removed to Oklahoma, where he is now living and engaging in the hotel business. To John and Elizabeth (Heath) Cook two children were born. Newton K. and Harry. The former is the subject of this sketch. and the latter is engaged in the hotel business at Chicago, Illinois.

Like his father. Newton K. Cook was reared on the farm and wisely chose farming as his life work. He received his elementary education in the public schools in Benton county. Indiana. and later supplemented his elementary training by attending the Derby high school for a period of two years. When twenty-three years of age. he rented land in Fairfield township. Madison county. Five years later Newton K. Cook moved to Pickaway county and located on the farm which his mother had bequeathed to him and

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his brother. He remained in Pickaway county for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Madison county and located on the farm he now occupies, which he had inherited from his grandfather, David Heath. Having made many improve- ments on the farm. Mr. Cook has brought it up to a high state of productivity and strictly modern in every detail.

In 1890 Newton K. Cook was united in marriage with Minnie Anderson, who was born on March 24, 1870, in Pleasant township, the daughter of William P. and Leonora (Young) Anderson. Two children have been born to this happy union, Edith and Sher- man, both of whom are living at home with their parents. -

In politics Newton K. Cook is an ardent Republican, and is vitally interested in the politics of Madison county and Pleasant township. He has been trustee of Pleasant township for a period of eight years, and has filled this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Christian church and active in the various circles of the church. Mr. Cook is identified with the Knights af Pythias lodge at Mt. Sterling.

WILLIAM COWAN.

With untiring perseverance, even as a boy, William Cowan, of Mt. Sterling, Madi- son county, Ohio, has demonstrated in his life's work, to a remarkable degree, what may be accomplished by one man. Starting among strangers as a farm hand at the tender age of eleven years, this mere boy not only undertook to do something but did it and in the doing succeeded. Many men struggle from boyhood to mature years but do not guide their labors with a proper mixture of thought in order to insure results. William Cowan is a man among men, a thinking, capable farmer, investor and business man. He was born on March 6, 1852, at Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, the only child of Harvey and Sarah (Roberson) Cowan.

In 1877, at the age of twenty-six years, William Cowan was married to Ellen Jakes, who was born in May, 1857, Lafayette, Indiana, and was the daughter of William and Margaret (McMahon) Jakes. Three children have blessed the lives of William and Ellen Cowan, namely: Mrs. Minnie Francis, who lives at Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Carrie Cannon, living at Columbus, and Mrs. Nellie Waldo, who also lives at Columbus.

In 1878, one year after his marriage, Wiliam Cowan rented land in Ross county, Ohio, for seven years and then had a threshing rig and continued to operate in that line for a period of some thirty years. He removed in 1885 to Range township, Madi- son county, Ohio, where he rented four hundred acres of farm land, continuing as a renter on that property for eleven years. During that period he bought forty-three acres in Range township and rented several more farms. He rapidly increased his farming operations and in 1910 purchased fifty-seven acres more in Range township, in addition to the forty-three acres he had previously purchased.

William Cowan has been prominent, not only in the farm line but as a stock man and has made numerous exhibits at the Madison county fairs, of both grain and stock. He has always been at the front in his busy life and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling. also in the Security Building and Loan Association of Mt. Sterling, Ohio.

Politically. he is a Democrat and in 1901 was elected as trustee of Range town- ship. This office he resigned in 1907 and the same year he was again honored by the election as trustee of Pleasant township. In his faith he is a Methodist and takes a deep interest in the church and its affairs. He is a member of the men's choir of the church. Mrs. Cowan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is an earnest worker in the Missionary Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. In lodge life Mr. Cowan is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Now, in

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the sunset of his life, at the age of sixty-four years, he is reaping the benefits of a successful career, honored by his legion of friends, he and his wife are enjoying all the comforts of home in their modern residence, located in the heart of Mt. Sterling, where they moved in 1907.

SAMUEL J. PAULLIN.

Samuel J. Paullin, of Sedalia, Range township, Madison county, Ohio, is the son of Uriah and Martha (Green) Paullin, to whom seven children were born. Letetla, who married Capt. Noah Jones, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, both deceased; Samuel J., whose name heads this review ; Mary M. Klever, whowe husband is a breeder of fancy Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, and lives in Bloomingburg, Ohio; Sarah C. Hanking, of Fayette county, Ohio; and Matilda J. Clark, who lives in Washington C. H., Ohio. Two of the seven children died in infancy. Samuel J. Paullin was born on September 29, 1849, in Fayette county, Ohio.

The father, Uriah Paullin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Paullin, was born on February 24, 1813, in Greene county, Ohio. His parents were natives of New Jersey. Uriab Paullin bade adieu to his paternal home in 1843 and purchased land in Fayette county, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers who cleared and prepared the land for cultivation and habitation. He was a very liberal, hardworking, industrious man, giv- ing generously to those less fortunate than himself. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and seventy acres of land, which he had accumulated by hard work and perseverance. His wife, Martha (Green) Paullin, whose parents, Thomas and Marguerite (Job) Green, came from Virginia in a covered wagon of the "Lange" type, was born on February 14, 1824, in Plain City, Madison county, Ohio.

Samuel J. Paullin, the second born of Uriah and Martha (Green) Paullin, received his early education in the district schools of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, later taking a high school course at Bloomingburg, Ohio. After completing his high school course he entered. the college at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he completed his education. In 1872, when twenty-three years of age, Samuel J. Paullin began a two-year course of teaching but soon decided that the life of a farmer presented a broader scope of living and upon this decision entered the agricultural field, in Fayette county, Ohio.

Five years later, on January 1. 1879. Flora A. Core, daughter of Abraham and Clarinda (Clarridge) Core, was united in marriage to Samuel J. Paullin and they removed, almost immediately, to Madison county, Ohio, where he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, unimproved, and began rather extensive improvements. A nice home was built and maple trees set out for shade. Later a large barn was erected for the comfortable housing of stock, and in 1882 he began the breeding of Short- horn cattle and has had several public sales of the same, as well as exhibits. He discon- tinued the breeding of cattle in 1906.

Flora A. (Core) Paullin, was born on October 21, 1857, in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Madison county, Ohio, when a child of seven years. Her father was a very extensive farmer and stock man and at one time during his career fed from two thou- sand to three thousand sheep. During a storm the father was killed by a frightened horse but the mother is still living at Sedalia, Ohio. Flora A. (Core) Paullin received her education in the common schools of Madison county, Ohio, attended Freeport Nor- mal school at Freeport, Illinois, for one year, and began teaching school at the age of seventeen years. following that vocation for a number of terms in the counties of Madison and Fayette.

At the present time Samuel J. Paullin owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of well-improved land and a stockholder in the Farmers Bank, at Seladia. Ohio, of which

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MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL J. PAULLIN.

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bank he is also vice-president. He is a loyal Republican and takes an active interest in all local questions pertaining to party matters. Samuel J. Paullin has a very happy family consisting of himself and wife and eight children, all of whom have done their part in promoting the interests of the family and the welfare of their fellow citizens. Mrs. Merta E. Doru, the first born, is living in Range township; Herman L. is living in the eastern part of the same township; Wilber, is assistant superintendent of the Industrial Insurance Company, of Columbus, Ohio; Edgar C. is living near Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Minnie A., is employed in the music store of Goldsmiths, in Columbus, Ohio; Elda, is a teacher in the primary school department, at Sedalia, Ohio; Martha H., is at home; Clara Helen married John Donahue and lives in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio.

. Samuel J. Paullin has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons for forty- one years, he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Samuel J. Paullin and his wife are both members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Paullin has been the organist of this church for forty years. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Wom- an's Christian Temperance Union. Mr. Paullin has served as school director. He has been vice-president of the Farmers Mutual Union Fire Insurance Company for fourteen years. This company has grown from $100,000 to $3,500,000.

THOMAS MONTGOMERY.

While the man who has taken advantage of opportunity is ever a source of emula- tion and pride, his success grows dim when compared with that of the one who, with- out early advantages, has wrested victory from apparent failure through sheer force of character. For this reason, the man whose life forms the subject matter of this sketch is well worthy of the commendation which a study of his career must call forth. Thomas Montgomery, a well-known farmer of this county, was born on July 15, 1855, on the farm which is still his home. He is the' son of Robert and Sarah (Horrell) Montgomery.

Robert Montgomery was born on February 6, 1825, in Madison county, Ohio, near Newport, and was reared on the farm of his father, Hugh Montgomery, a native of Pennsylvania. He remained a farmer in this county until his retirement in 1900, when he made his home with his son, Thomas, until the time of his death on March 19, 1915. When he passed away he had lived more than the allotted four score and ten, for he was ninety years, one month and nineteen days old. His wife, who was born in Madi- son county, died when her son, Thomas, was only four years of age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were born in the order named, as follow: John, a farmer in Mahaska county, Iowa; Christopher, deceased; Thomas; a fourth child who died in infancy ; and Jane, who died single.

Having attended the district schools only, Thomas Montgomery has had to be con- tent with a meager education. During vacations and after school hours he worked on his father's farm, of which he began to take entire charge in 1885. Mr. Montgomery has always been progressive in his ideas on agricultural subjects, and has from time to time placed on his property valuable improvements. He is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of land on which are located modern buildings. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Montgomery is an owner of stock in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling.

In 1886 Thomas Montgomery was married to Carrie Lane, who was born in Fair- field township on October 2, 1864, and reared in Pleasant township. Mrs. Montgomery is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Morain) Lane of Madison county. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are Elda, deceased, and Mrs Edna Reay, of Pleasant township.

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Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are members of the Christian church, in which they have been very active. Mr. Montgomery is a Republican, and has served this county by his membership on the school board, which duty he has performed conscientiously.

By his industry, his genial nature and his honesty Mr. Montgomery has long enjoyed the esteem of all who know him, and is regarded as one of Madison county's most worthy citizens.

EDWARD B. MEADE, M. D.

If there is one profession above all others where faith and optimism are essential, it is that of the physician. Coming as he does in daily, almost hourly contact with the pain and sorrow of life. he must be endowed with a skill so great and a personality so strong that it unconsciously belittles the power of these adverse forces, and transforms them into health. harmony and happiness. Dr. Edward B. Meade, a physician and sur- geon and former mayor of Sedalia. was born on December 7, 1860, near London, Ohio, and is the son of Lewis and Anna (Keating) Meade.

Lewis Meade was a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, having been born there in 1840. He came to this county when a young man, rented and managed large farms and became prominent in this line of work which he followed until his death in 1910. His wife was born about 1842, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died in 1905. To them were born three children, Emma, later Mrs. Sheppard, who is now deceased; Mrs. Marguerite Woodman. of South Charleston; and the subject of this review.

Edward B. Mende remained at home until his eighteenth year, attending the dis- trict schools of Range township. For a short time he attended the college at Lebanon. Ohio. and subsequently was graduated from the Columbus Business College. In 1885 he attended the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio. from which institution he was graduated in 1888. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Sedalia, where he remained ever since.

Besides his medical practice Doctor Meade has retained an interest in , farm life, and owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land in Range township. He has given some attention to the breeding of trotting horses and has owned at different times many of whom he has been justly proud. Doctor Meade at one time owned "Lady Ashland." whose record as a pacer was 2:101%. While the Doctor never engaged in the racing business, he is well known among horse dealers and has marketed a great many fine animals. .

Edward B. Meade's marriage to Jennie E. Pancake was solemnized in 1887. she being a native of Range township, where she was born on May 2. 1864. Mrs. Meade is the daughter of James S. and Eleanor (Foster) Pancake. She is a woman of culture and refinement and was educated at the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. Only one of the three children born in this home are living, this being Edward. now attending Dartmouth University, at Hanover, New Hampshire. He was born on Decem- ber 12, 1895. The other two children born to Doctor and Mrs. Meade were Iva and Helen.

Doctor Mende. who is a Republican, was at one time a member of the city council and was later elected mayor of Sedalia. This position he filled with honor to himself and credit to the people whom he served. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. in which denomination he was for a number of years a member of the official board. Doctor Meade is prominent as a member of the Free and Accepted Masons.

The man who can be a success not only in an exacting profession of this kind. but who can also so win the respect of a community as to become its chief executive. must indeed be a forceful personality and a man of high principles and exemplary conduct.

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JOHN W. CHENOWETH.

A writer on agricultural subjects has said, "The farm must supply in the future, as it has in the past, the leaders in statesmenship, science, art, commerce and industries of all kinds" To be a successful farmer, therefore, requires characteristics involving the same qualities which make for success in other lines of human achievement. Although the pathway of the present subject was made somewhat less rugged by the inheritance of land, yet, in retaining this and adding to it he developed the same traits of character which all successful men must possess. Mr. Chenoweth was born on September 9, 1846, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, being the son of Jere- miah B. and Eliza (Foster) Chenoweth.

Jeremiah B. Chenoweth, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was quite prominent in his time, being owner at his death of fourteen hundred acres of land, and well known in the county. He was the son of John and Margaret (Ferguson) Chenoweth and was born on September 22, 1816, near London, Ohio, in Fairfield township. He was a prosperous and hard-working farmer, but always had time for an interest in affairs concerning his native county. He remained at home until a young man, and then did farm work away from home until 1847, when with his earnings he was able to purchase the present farm of over one thousand acres. When he bought the same it was covered with timber and swamps, but the improvements which he immediately began to make soon increased the value from the original sale price of seven dollars an acre. The first home of this pioneer and his wife was a log cabin, and in this they lived from 1887 until 1800, when they built a fourteen-room house which later burned down.

Eliza Foster was born on April 2. 1824, in. Ross county, Ohio, her parents, James and Margaret (Bowyer) Foster. natives of the same county. They came to Madison county about 1825 and located in Range township. The mother died in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Chenoweth were born nine children, the eldest and youngest being girls who died in childhood. The children were: Martha, deceased; James F., killed in the Civil War; John W., the subject of this sketch; Daniel, Nelson P. and George W., all of whom are deceased; Scott. a retired farmer of London; Newton, who lives in Muncie, Indiana; and Mary A .. deceased. The boys born in this home and who later died all reached manhood before their death.

John W. Chenoweth was married twice, his first wife being Alice Henry, to whom he was married in 1872. She was born in 1847 and died in 1874. Having been a widower for four years, Mr. Chenoweth then married Sarah C. Creath, born on February 23, 1852, in Pleasant township. who is the daughter of Owen and Harriet (Loofbourrow) Creath. Having. attended the district schools, in 1865 she was admitted as a student in the Mt. Sterling high school and later became a teacher in her eighteenth year. Her first school was in Pleasant township, and for the following nine years she taught in Madison and Fayette county schools. Mrs. Chenoweth's father was born on November 26, 1825, in Pleasant township, and migrated to Iowa with his family when still a young man, the journey being made in covered wagons, when even pioneers were few in number. This family settled in Washington county. During the war Mr. Creath enlisted at Washington, Iowa, in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, as it is sometimes called, in the first battle in which he took part. Mr. Creath was born on December 24, 1827, at Lancaster, Ohio. Both parents of Mrs. Chenoweth were Presby- terians. Mrs. Chenoweth had only two sisters. To this union were born six children, namely : Mrs. Mary Lohr, of London, Ohio; Fillmore Jackson, who died in 1852; Mrs. Sarah Chenoweth; Mrs. Helen Lohr, of Augusta, Georgia ; Elmira, deceased; Thomas L., of Range township.

By his second wife Mr. Chenoweth became the father of three children, these

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being Mrs. Mary Browning Brown, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Helen B. Cook, of Colum- bus, Ohio; and Armour, who is married and living at home with the parents.

Mr. Chenoweth is a Methodist and a Republican. He has been noted as a farmer for his expert and progressive methods in farm work and as a man capable of sincere and lifelong friendships.

CHARLES F. SANFORD.

The history of Charles F. Sanford has long been closely identified with that of Madison county, where his parents before him were early settlers. Mr. Sanford is of the highest type of ambitious and substantial citizenship, where his industry and integrity have been an inspiration to others, and whose influence for good has spread far beyond the limits of the community in which he resides.

Charles F. Sanford, farmer of Monroe township, Madison county, was born on December 20, 1854, on a farm adjoining the one he now owns. He is the son of William F. and Caroline (Brown) Sanford. He grew to manhood on the farm, attended the district schools, and afterward entered the normal school at Worthington, Ohio, finishing his education at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio. After completing his education, Mr. Sanford taught school in Madison and Champaign counties for twelve years, during which time he saved a little money, with which he leased sixty-five acres of land from Mary A. Thurman. In about six years he was the manager of twenty- seven hundred acres of land, so continuing until the death of Mrs. Thurman, when the land was divided among the heirs. Mr. Sanford and Allen W. Thurman bought one thousand acres of this land, five hundred acres of which were covered with timber. They began to divide the land up and sell it in small tracts to suit purchasers, and this ven- ture became very successful. Mr. Sanford later was induced to plat a town site, com- prising one hundred and twenty-three lots, the town, which was named "Sanford," being built in what was known as the "Big Thurman Woods." When the United States postal department was asked to locate a postoffice in the new village the name Sanford could not be used, as a similar name for an Ohio postoffice was already in use. The name of Plumwood was then substituted. The village, however, stands today recorded in the original name, Sanford.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 122

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

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