History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 124

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 124

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On September 14. 1899, C. C. Hewitt was united in marriage to Lina M. Dorn, who was born on January 18. 1878, in Ross county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Peter and Catherine K. (Uhrick) Dorn. Her brother's life is reviewed in the sketch of George Dorn in the present publication. The children born to this union are Eloise, born on July 8, 1901, and Max. January 16, 1903.

Mr. Hewitt is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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He is a member of the Knights of Pythias; a Shriner of Aladdin Temple, Columbus, and a Knights Templar at Washington C. H., the Free and Accepted Masons of Sedalia, of which organization he has been treasurer for fifteen years; and is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.

Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt live in a comfortable, attractive home where the spirit of hospitality is constantly in evidence. As a business man Mr. Hewitt is progressive, conducting his business on the principle that "honesty is the best policy." As a citizen he is broad minded and given to generous support of the enterprises which are con- ducive to better moral and financial conditions. He is, therefore, one of Sedalia's most prominent business men.

JAMES R. ANDERSON.

James R. Anderson, a farmer of Pleasant township, was born on October 19, 1872, in the township which is his present home. His parents were James B. and Amelia J. (Deyo) Anderson, to whom six children were born.

James B. Anderson, one of the most progressive and best-known farmers of this district, was a man of unusual activity. His interest in public affairs and his political importance led to his being elected county commissioner in 1896, in which office he served two terms. His far-sightedness is indicated by the fact that he was among the first to start the interurban lines in Madison county, Ohio. The son of Stephen and Margaret (McCowan) Anderson, to whom ten children were born, he was early compelled to take up his share of the burden of making a livelihood. His father was born in May. 1808, in Kentucky, and came to Madison county with his parents when he was only two years of age, and their home was where Mt. Sterling is now located. Later on he had the honor of helping to lay out that village in town lots.

Among other enterprises in which Stephen Anderson was interested was a four- mill, which he built from the savings of his early meager earnings. The beginning of his fortune, however, was in the thirty acres of land which he leased from a neighbor in Pleasant township. With evident foresight and business acumen. he cleared this land and planted it in corn and disposed of his first crop, together with the lease, for two hundred dollars. With this money he bought a team of horses and started on his career as a farmer. thus it would appear establishing the line of activity for the fol- lowing generations of his family. He owned, at the time of his death, in 1893, six hundred and fifty acres of land. He was a sturdy, hard-working, progressive farmer. absolutely loyal to his friendships. His wife, who was born in 1811, in this county, died in 1875.

The father of the subject of this sketch, whose family dates back to Scotch-Irish descent, the family first emigrating to Pennsylvania, was reared on the family farm in Pleasant township, receiving all of the education afforded by the district school and the London high school, which he attended for two terms. In 1857 he was fortunate . enough to fall heir to one hundred acres of land. James B. Anderson was twice mar- ried, his first wife. Amelia Deyo, being the mother of six children, of whom James R. is next to the youngest. The first Mrs. Anderson was born in 1839, in Pickaway county. Ohio, and was the daughter of Jerry and Hannah (Alkire) Deyo. Her death took place in February. 1883. Her children by Mr. Anderson were as follow: Mrs. Mar- garet A. Matlock, of Pickaway county ; Ella. who became Mrs. J. W. Corney, of Union county. Ohio; Jerry S .. deceased ; Stephen ; James R .; Mrs. Myrtle Rafferty, of Henry county. Ohio. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Anderson married Lacy Alkire. whose family is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, the wedding taking place in 1885.

James B. Anderson was a very extensive promoter and, like his father, a pro- gressive man. He was one of a company of men to plan the building of a raftroad

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across Madison county from Columbus to Cincinnati, but although considerable money and time was spent in the project it did not meet with success. As a monument to his skill in building, however, the county has several large steel bridges. He was fond of blooded stock, and owned fine Duroc-Jersey hogs.

The war record of this patriot was rather unique, in that he felt that he served his country better by remaining at home than he would have done by enlisting and going to the front. He formed a company of recruits and drilled them at Camp Chase, preparing them for future service. In his zeal for his country, he spared neither time nor money in recruiting and training his company. His energies won him the title of Captain Anderson. After all of these extensive preparations were made, his sympathetic heart was touched by the helplessness of the women and children who had been deprived of the protection of nearly all the able-bodied men. So he laid down his sword, took off his military cap and returned to his ordinary pursuits, at the same time looking after the needs of the villagers. James B. Anderson died on July 15, 1904.

It was not until his twenty-eighth years that James R. Anderson left the home of his parents, and after the death of his father, having inherited seventy acres of land, he added to this one hundred and twenty acres on Deer creek, Pleasant township, and thus began his personal career as a farmer. It was not long before he saw an advant- age in the purchase of an old grist-mill with twenty-six acres of land which had belonged to his father, and there he lived for three years .. In 1908 he bought the farm upon which his present home is located, from his uncle, William P. Anderson, and moved onto it the following year. He remodeled all the old buildings and built several new. The tract now comprises four hundred acres of land. Mr. Anderson is a stock- holder of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, besides owning a one-third interest in a hardware store at Harrisburg, Ohio.

Mary E. Bower, a native of Madison county, became the wife of James R. Ander- son on March 27, 1901. She is the daughter of Jesse and Minerva (Stone) Bower, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and was born on March 12, 1877, in Pleasant town- ship. She was reared in Columbus, Ohio, by her aunt, Mrs. George W. Ray, and was educated in the public schools of that city. The children born of this marriage are James B., born on May 27, 1905, and Francis Earl, April 16, 1909.

Mr. Anderson has always been a loyal Republican, a church attendant and a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Bigplain. As a man of strong character and genial nature, Mr. Anderson is widely and popularly known, and such is his reputation for honesty and loyalty that to be his friend is considered an honor.

WILLIS R. JUNK.

It is encouraging for every farmer to know that "The majority of the men who are guiding the destinies of our nation were born and bred in farm homes, under healthy and natural surroundings and influences." As a member of the army of men and women who are providing the food supply of a nation, the subject of this brief biography occupies no small place in the common life. Willis R. Junk, a farmer of Range township, was born on July 25, 1880, on the farm on which he still resides, and is the son of Clinton and Amanda (Alkire) Junk, the former being a prominent farmer of Pleasant township. He and his wife are mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Willis R. Junk has lived a quiet, uneventful life, but a life full of usefuness and activity. During his boyhood and early youth he attended the local schools in Range township, and at the age of twenty-one, deciding to start out for himself, rented land from his father. For three years he cultivated this rented land near Chenoweth Corners. Subsequently his father left the homestead and the subject returned and rented that farm, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres.

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The subject of this sketch has for some time been interested in graded stock, and has become famous for his exhibition of corn and wheat for the past seven years at the Madison county fair at London, Ohio, and also at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. In both places he has won prizes for the excellency of his farm products. This expert has on the average about seventy-five acres of corn each year, and in 1911 he had twenty-five acres of corn which yielded seventy-five bushels to the acre.

Willis R. Junk and Irene Lawrence were married on May 29, 1802. Mrs. Junk was born on April 1, 1879, in Bigplain, Ohio. She is the daughter of Lemuel and Elisa- beth (Jenkins) Lawrence, who are natives of Ross county, Ohio. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Junk are six in number, these being Paul, Clinton, Myrtle, Kenneth, Seldom and Wilson.

Mr. Junk is a Democrat, a church member and a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.

Mr. Junk's success in life is due to the fact that he has concentrated his energies upon the tasks early planned by himself. Barring the accident of fate, there is little that comes in this life without strenuous and continued effort. Therefore, it is safe to say in most cases that the successful man is the man of indomitable will power and oneness of purpose. Such a man is the subject of this sketch.

THOMAS H. CARPENTER.

A common opinion often expressed is that one who cannot succeed at any other business can operate a farm. This is far from the truth, for there are very few voca- tions which require more natural adaptability and taste for the effective accomplish- ments than does farming. One of the essential elements of the successful farmer is a real love for country life, this for the reason that unless he is contented with his work and his surroundings, no man can hope to do his best, or live up to the full measure of his capabilities. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is, according to this standard, eminently fitted for his work, as results have shown. Thomas H. Carpenter, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of this township, was born on March 1, 1855, at Darbyville, Pickaway county, Ohio, and is the son of Baldwin and Ann (English) Carpenter.

Baldwin Carpenter was a Kentuckian by birth, having been born there on April 21, 1811. When a young man he engaged in the general merchandise business in Darbyville. his worldly wealth at the time he left Kentucky consisting of a horse and bridle and fifteen dollars. He made the journey to this state on the greater part of his property, his horse. When quite a youth he used to drive cattle to New York state, carrying his razor, soap and shaving outfit in his pocket, making the necessary lather from the water which gathered in the tracks of the horses' hoofs. After a brief experience as general merchant, be sold out bis stock and started farming in Pickaway county. He became very prosperous, owning at the time of his death, on January 3, 1894, thirteen hundred acres of fairly well-improved land.

Ann English was born in New York state on September 29, 1829, and came to Ohio with her parents, Abraham and Hannah (Gratesinger) English. She died on May 21, 1906, leaving eight children, namely : W. S., of Darbyville, Ohio; Mrs. Theodosia Kin- near, widow of N. F. Kinnear, of Bellair, Ohio; Florence, deceased; Simon, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Cora, deceased, who was the wife of Doctor Boggs; Mrs. Minnie Jobe, deceased, of Columbus, Ohio; Harry, of Ashville, Ohio; and Thomas, the subject of this sketch, who was the third child in order of birth.

Thomas Carpenter spent his boyhood and youth in Darbyville, not leaving there until his thirty-second year. About 1883 his father presented him with one hundred acres of land, which he farmed for four years, and then went to Tennessee and engaged

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in farming for the following two years. Returning to Darbyville he remained there until 1890, when he located on his own land two miles from Darbyville. He at once began making improvements which increased the value of the property and lived there until 1908. He then bought five acres of land at Mt. Sterling and lived there until March, 1915, when he moved to his farm one mile south of town. He is a stockholder in the Maplewood Improvement Company, and in the First National Bank, both of Mt. Sterling. In his present farm work, Mr. Carpenter is assisted by his only son. and the family home is a splendid modern dwelling.

Mrs. Carpenter was formerly Amanda Renick, and her marriage to Mr. Carpenter took place on December 31, 1890. Mrs. Carpenter's parents were Benjamin F. and Mary (Taylor) Renick, she having been born on October 25, 1857, near Derby, Ohio. She was for some time a student in the high school at Circleville, Ohio, but was pre- vented from graduating by ill health. Renick G. Carpenter, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, was born on August 3, 1892. He is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling high school and of the Ohio State University, in which institution he took the agricul- tural course. He is at present operating the farm with his father.

Benjamin F. Renick was born in Jackson township, Pickaway county, Ohio. He was first married to Sarah Williams, of Pickaway county, to which union were born four children, Mary, Cynthia, Milton and Vincent, all of whom are deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Renick was married to Mary Taylor, of Madison county, to which union were born nine children, as follow: Sarah married Dr. J. T. Kirken- dall, of Darbyville; Amanda, wife of T. H. Carpenter; Jane, who lives in Columbus; Seymour, of Findley ; Job, of Derby; Edward, deceased; Ella married Charles Allen, of Washington C. H .; Benjamin F., Jr., of Derby; and Warner, of Howard, Montana. Mr. Renick was a farmer and stockman. He was a Republican, and a member of the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Renick were interested in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Renick died on August 7, 1901., and his wife died on January 13, 1911.

Mr. Carpenter is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted Masons. His wife, who is a Presbyterian in church membership, is prominent in the circles of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Thus is briefly sketched the career of a man who, by reason of personal gifts and strength of character, has merited the friendship and esteem of all fortunate enough to know him. His life has been characterized by unfailing honesty, integrity of purpose and unflinching sense of duty to the community. He therefore deserves a place among the prominent citizens of this county.

HENRY FATTLAR.

In the early surroundings of the man whose life is briefly outlined here, there was little to encourage, and very much to discourage, even a strong heart. The father of the subject of this sketch was a hard-working man, but the results of his toil were never in keeping with his effort, so it was that Henry Fattlar had practically nothing to start with. But he was heir to Nature's rich gifts, for "No matter how plain the habitation may have been nor, how simple the fare; the pure air, the bright sunlight, the open country, the trees and flowers, the brooks and forests, the meadows and glens, the song of the birds. and the incomparable charm of undefiled Nature, are the property of all." The father of Henry Fattlar was a native of Germany, having been born there in 1838; his son, however. was born in this country, the date and place being January 15, 1856, Muskingum county, Ohio. The parents are John and Caroline (Smith) Fattlar. They were the parents of ten children.

John Fattlar was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade, and after farming for a few years in this country he returned to his original occupation, continuing in that line

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of employment until his death, which occurred in 1907. At the time of his death, John Fattlar owned two hundred and thirty acres of well-improved land. His wife also was a native of Germany, coming to this country with her parents, and died a few years previous to the death of Mr. Fattlar; they were about the same age.

Henry Fattlar is a well-known farmer in the district in which he resides. Having worked on his father's farm until his twenty-first year, he had but meager opportuni- ties for an education, attending school at Philo, Ohio. When he. had reached his major- ity he came to this county and engaged as a. farm laborer, working by the month for from fourteen to seventeen dollars a month. The skill, efficiency and industry with which he labored is evidenced by the fact that he worked for one employer in Range township for a period of nine years. After fourteen years of this kind of employment he rented a farm from Benjamin Harrison for eleven years, and in 1900 had saved enough money to buy seventy-tive acres of land in Range township. He immediately began the improvements which have made his farm one of the best in the township. He built a two-story, six-room house, and a barn forty-two by twenty-six feet in dimen- sions. One of his specialties as a farmer is the keeping of fine, graded stock.

Sarah (Rowe) Grim and George Grim, natives of Ohio, were the parents of Della Grim, who was born in Fayette county about 1869. Henry Fattlar and Della Grim were married on March 6, 1890. The children born of this union, being three in number, are Shurell, of Richmond, Indiana; Martha, who was graduated from Midway high school ; and Lenna.

Mr. Fattlar is a Democrat. He and his wife are church members. Mr. Fattiar belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

IRA R. DILLE.

It seems to make no difference to what business or profession the boys and girls of this country are called, history repeats itself unanimously in favor of these fortunate boys and girls whose early environments and births were on the farm. No matter how humble the old farm home may have been, no matter whether those sons and daugh- ters came into this life and spent their earlier years on the rough, stony hillsides of New England or whether they enjoyed the more favorable sections of the great Middle West, the lives and achievements of these soil-grown sons and daughters, who have imbibed health and strength and character from this invigorating life, stand out so con- spicuous in longevity and strength that their careers are marked with success. The youngest of four children born to Zenas and Harriet (Pope) Dille was Ira R. Dille, who was born on June 30, 1877, at West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, and reared on the farm, where he attended the schools, fitting himself physically and mentally for the profession in which he has been so successful. The other children were: Mrs. Ada Riddle, of Logan county, Ohio; Mrs. Esta L. Cooper, of Logan county, Ohio; and William L., of West Liberty, Obio.

During the year of 1902. when Ira R. Dille was twenty-five years of age, he engaged as a clerk in a hardware store located at West Liberty, Ohio, and in 1903 he and his brother. William, purchased a stock of hardware goods at West Liberty, Ohio, and entered the mercantile field themselves. Seeing the opportunity to invest individ- ually, Ira R. Dille, in 1911, sold out his interests in the store at West Liberty, Ohio, and removed to Mt. Sterling. Ohio, where he engaged in the hardware line, building up a lucrative trade, in which he is now engaged.

On December 17, 1913, Ira R. Dille was united in wedlock to Emma B. Johnson, who was born in November, 1884. in Fairfield county, Ohio, and is the daughter of H. Clay and Anna (Williamson) Johnson. After graduating from the Mt. Sterling schools, Emma B. Johnson served in the office of the local telephone company for several years,

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in the bookkeeping department. Only one child was born to the union of Ira R. Dille and his wife, Emma B. Dille. This child died when an infant.

Ira R. Dille is a member in two of the most prominent orders of the world, the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. His political faith is with the Republican party, and he attends church regularly. At the early business age of thirty-eight years, Ira R. Dille has placed himself in the enviable class of quick thought and resolute determination, from which he has wrought out an independent career for himself and his worthy helpmeet.

HON. CHARLES CAMERON GREEN.

Among the citizens of London of whom Madison county is truly proud is the Hon. Charles C. Green, former treasurer of the state of Ohio, and now president of the West Manufacturing Company of London, and an all-around spirited man of affairs. On account of the interest which he aroused among the citizens of this city, the Board of Trade was organized and here it must be conceded was stirred the public spirit that has caused the many marked public improvements of the past four years.

After serving as cashier in the county treasurer's office at Lisbon, Ohio, for five years, Mr. Green in 1900 became cashier of the office of the state treasurer upon Hon. 1. B. Cameron's election to that office. Mr. Cameron served as state treasurer from 1900 to 1904. In 1904, upon the election of Hon. William S. Mckinnon to the office, Mr. Green was voluntarily retained, handling approximately twenty millions of dollars annually. After serving in this position for nearly nine years, on the death of Mr. Mckinnon, on November 17, 1908, Mr. Green was appointed by Gov. Andrew L. Harris to fill out the unexpired term of his office. In the May convention of that year Mr. Green received the Republican nomination for treasurer of state, but was defeated in the following election, turning over his office to his successor in January, 1909.

Charles C. Green was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, at Salineville, April 6, 1873, and grew to manhood in his native county. When about twelve years of age ne took a position as office boy in the offices of the Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Company. at East Liverpool, Ohio, the largest pottery plant in the world. After serving in their general office in various capacities for nine years, he took charge of the office of the A. J. Boyce Foundry & Machine Company, manufacturers of clay-working machinery, here he was located for two years. At the end of that period he took the position as cashier in the office of the Columbiana county treasurer, under Hon. I. B. Cameron.

After retiring from the position of treasurer of state. Mr. Green became associated with the Merchants National Bank at Cincinnati as their financial agent. The Mer- chants National Bank is the institution of which the late M. E. Ingalls was the con- trolling factor.

Mr. Green established, in the meantime, the West Manufacturing Company, at Columbus. This company was removed to London in 1911. By turning his attention from politics to industry, he has proved that he is quite as well fitted for the one as the other. Since coming to London he has built up one of the most important enter- prises in Madison county.

The West Manufacturing Company manufactures metal specialties for the whole- sale paper and hardware trade and sells exclusively to jobbers. This company was the first enterprise to locate in London which has developed an export trade-of this bus- ness practically one-third is export. The West company manufactures the celebrated "Queen" and "West" Roll Paper Holder and Cutters, and half a million merchants, located in every section of the civilized world daily tear off paper to wrap packages with from this device that has been manufactured in London; from which it can be

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CHARLES C. GREEN.

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seen that Mr. Green deserves a good portion of the credit for the general advertising throughout the country which London is getting as a manufacturing center.

In this connection it may be stated that it was his coming to London that turned the attention of this locality toward manufacturing. The start had to be made by some one, and Mr. Green made the start in the face of considerable opposition on the part of the town. Madison county did not want to be considered as a manufacturing county in those days. Now things have changed, and with successful institutions springing up from time to time, the people are realizing the advantages that follow the pay-roll which these institutions bring to the locality.

In securing the location of these industries the town did not pay out a single dollar. Mr. Green had "Glade Hill" addition to the town of London laid out, and a few thousand dollars were paid by the more enterprising of the local people for lots in this addition. As the lots are worth more than was paid for them, it can be truthfully stated that these institutions came to London at no cost to the people of London.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 124

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

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