History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 130

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 130

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wilderness. By hard work they cleared the land upon which they settled of the forest trees and developed a splendid farm. They left considerable wealth as a result of their hard work and sagacious management in financial matters. Twelve children were born to them, as follow : Lorain D., Alma R., Alvin J., Celestia E., Herbert W., Julian M., Emily J., Clara C., Harvey O., Orren P., Clayton E. and Clinton A .. The mother of these children died on October 6, 1881, and the father on September 18, 1882.

The late Harvey A. Blue was the son of. Michael and Deborah (Peters) Blue, the former of whom was born on June 14, 1783, and the latter on January 23, 1786. She was the daughter of Tunis and Fannie Peters, and bore her husband thirteen children, as follow : ' Tunis P., Francinah A., Jonathan W., Mary M., Louisa S., Harvey A., Michael, Abigail, Catherine, Absalom A., Deborah H., John Q. A. and William. Michael Blue, the son of Michael Blue, Sr., emigrated with his parents from Hampshire county, Virginia, to Ohio, on horseback, in 1812. They located in Fayette county, Ohio, near Bloomingsburg, where the parents died, and are buried in the Bloomingsburg cemetery. Michael Blue, Sr., was a soldier . of the Revolution. He was the son of John Michael Blue, who was the great-great-grandfather of Alvin J., the subject of this sketch. John Michael Blue was the son of Richard Blue ..

Richard and Donald Blue were twin brothers, born in the seventeenth century. Richard and Donald Blue sailed from Scotland for America. They encountered a rag- ing storm and were shipwrecked. Lifeboats were used in the rescue, and Richard and Donald Blue were taken on different boats. Later they were landed safely on the shore somewhere along the coast of South Carolina. Unfortunately, however, the Blue brothers landed at different points, but, after being in South Carolina for a . time, they came together again and lived for several years near Charleston. There they owned some property. They left papers, now deposited in the vault of the old Charles- ton court house, which told of their disastrous voyage from Scotland to America. They were married in Charleston, and Donald Blue decided to go west through the southern part of the United States. Richard Blue, the ancestor of Alvin J., decided to go north. He located somewhere near the present site of Richmond. Virginia, at which place he died after having reared a large family of children. One of his sons was John Michael Blue, heretofore referred to.

Alvin J. Blue was educated in the public schools of Pickaway county, Ohio, and in the Normal school at Lebanon, Warren county. He was graduated from the busi- ness course, and, after finishing school, engaged in the milling business at London under the firm name of Placer & Blue. The firm built what is now known as the London mill in 1874. They conducted the mill under the firm name until 1879, when Mr. Blue sold out his interests. In the spring of 1880, he removed to his magnificent farm on the Midway pike. Here he built a fine house and barn. Mr. Blue's one hun- dred acres of land is equal in fertility and appearance to any to be found in Madison county. It is known as "Oak Crescent Farm." Mr. Blue is a breeder of purebred Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine. as well as Barred Plymouth Rock chickens.

On January 31. 1877, Alvin J. Blue was married to Carrie M. Rankin, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Withrew) Rankin, and who was born on June 24, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Blue have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Hartford R., born on May 7, 1878. lives at home. Emily Ann, born on November 24, 1879, is a graduate of the London public schools. Celestia May, born on September 1, 1882, was married on December 28, 1904, to John Welsh, and they have had two children, Ralph G. and Robert E. They live in Columbus. Mr. Welsh is a bookkeeper in the water-works department of the' city. An infant son, born on May 7. 1884, is deceased. Florence Pansy, born on August 10. 1885, is a graduate of the London public schools, also from

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the Thomas Normal Training School, of Detroit, Michigan, in music and art, and is a teacher, having taught for the last ten years. Julian Corwin, born on September 23, 1887, was graduated from Ohio State University after two years in the agricultural depart- ment. He married Hazel Claire Noecker on March 4, 1911, and they have had one son, Kenneth F. After their marriage they removed to Kansas where Mrs. Blue died on April 27, 1914. Ellis L., born on November 12, 1889, was graduated from the public schools of London and later married Mary Williamson, August 31, 1910. They have had one daughter, Mary Eleanor. Ellis L. Blue graduated in Osteopathy in June, 1915, and is practicing in Montana. Carrie Gertrude, born on September 29, 1893, is a gradu- ate of the London public schools and is now attending the Ohio State University, where she is "taking a course in domestic science.

Alvin J. Blue is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is identi- filed with Madison Lodge No. 70, of London. He is also a member of London Encamp- ment No. 126, the Canton Occidental and the Patriarchs Militant, of Springfield, Ohio, He was elected representative for six years to the grand lodge of Odd Fellows in district No. 58, and was appointed by the grand master for one year. He joined the lodge in 1874, and has been a member for over forty years. Both he and Mrs. Blue are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Blue is also a member of Oak Run Grange No. 797. He has been deputy master of Ohio State Grange of Madison county for the last fifteen years. Mr. Blue has organized several granges in Madison county. He is a Republican in politics. He was elected director of the Madison county infirmary and served during a term of two years, or until the office was abolished. He was township trustee and served six years in that office, and also of the Union township school board, in which he served three years. He is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mrs. Blue is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of London.

EDWARD T. SNYDER.

Woman's emancipation has been a determining factor in the conservation of human energy and character that is so often displayed in the business world to today, and there is no more striking instance of this than is presented in the career of a husband and wife at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Edward T. Snyder, funeral director and furniture dealer at Mt. Sterling, has for a business partner his wife, who studied embalming at the same school which he attended, namely, the Boston School of Embalming, at Columbus, Ohio, and they now have an excellent business and one of the finest motor automobiles in the state, it being the only one in Mt. Sterling.

Edward T. Snyder was born on April 12, 1875. at Mt. Sterling, Madison county, Ohio, and is the eldest child of William H. and Jennie (Will) Snyder, the youngest being a daughter, Mrs. Bessie Alkire. William H. Snyder was born on March 10, 1841, at Sedalla, Madison county. Ohio, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Douglas) Snyder. John Snyder was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, and, when a young man, learned the harness- maker's trade, which he followed for some time. After a time he became convinced that success would attend him if he were established at Sedalia, Madison county, Ohio, and in 1837, he removed to that place, engaging in the harness business until 1845, at which time he changed both his commercial affairs and his residence to Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Here it was that he entered the mercantile world, and followed this line of endeaver until his death, in 1878. At the time of his demise, John Snyder was sixty-eight years of age and he was succeeded by his sons, Taylor and William H., who conducted the business together. After a few years of successful management, they sold the business and William H. retired from active life and passed away in 1903, content to leave the battle of life, which he had fought so well, to those with youth and hope and strength at their' command. His wife, Jennie (Win) Snyder, was born in 1850, at Circleville,

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Ohio, and passed away in 1885, at the age of thirty-five years. She was the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Nye) Will. Her father, who was a miller by trade, was a native of Scotland.

Edward T. Snyder attended the schools at Mt. Sterling and graduated from same in 1893. He began his business career by acting as clerk in a grocery store and, after three years of faithful service, he entered the hardware business, in which, for eight years, he was a successful manager. After severing his connection with the hardware store, he entered the Boston School of Embalming, at Columbus, where he studied until the completion of his course. In 1904 he entered his profession, and six years later, in 1910, he added a large stock of high-grade furniture to his line of goods. He is a stock- holder in the First National Bank. In addition to his interest as a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pyth- ias, he has always found time to attend the Methodist church, of which he is a member and a steward, and to take a lively interest in all civic questions.

On December 7, 1897, Edward T. Snyder was united in marriage to Lillie John- son, who was born on January 25, 1878, in Fairfield county, Ohio. She is a daugh- ter of H. Clay and Anna (Williamson) Johnson, and received her education in the schools of Mt. Sterling, graduating therefrom in 1897. To the union of Edward T. and Lillie (Johnson) Snyder have been born two children, Lillie Mildred, who was born on December 24, 1901, and Harold Edward, born on January 23, 1904, and who died on September 7, 1914.

PEARL V. MOODY.

In Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, on the Xenia road, three and one-half miles south and west of London, is the farm of one hundred and thirty acres, purchased by Pearl V. Moody in 1905, where Mr. Moody now lives. Since obtaining possession of this farm, Mr. Moody has made many improvements, including drainage and fencing. He now has a well-improved farm and one which is especially adapted to stock raising.

Pearl V. Moody was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, January 14, 1877, and is the son of Ira C. and Emma (Frankenburg) Moody, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, and the latter in Muskingum county, Ohio. They were married in Muskingum county, Ohio, and had six children. Granville lives in Lancaster, Fairfield county, where he is superintendent of a lumber yard. Harley is a resident of Lancaster and a teamster for the gas company. Pearl is the subject of this sketch. Daisy is the wife of Homer Judy, of Pickaway county. Elery T. lives in Madison county where he is a farmer. Effie M. is the wife of Paul Reynolds, of Columbus. The father of these children, Ira C. Moody, was a farmer by occupation until 1901, when he removed to Newport and retired. He came to Madison county, Ohio, from Pickaway county in 1898.

Pearl V. Moody received a good common-school education at Tarlton, Pickaway county, and was graduated from the Tarlton high school. At the age of twenty-two, he began life on his own responsibility. At that time, in partnership with his brother, Granville, he rented a farm. This arrangement continued for three years, when Pearl V. was married.

Pearl V. Moody was married on June 12, 1902, to Ethel B. Cryder, a daughter of William B. and Rebecca J. (Amburg) Cryder, the former of whom was born in Paint township, and who lived there until his death about 1895. His widow is now living in Paint township. Mr. and Mrs. Pearl V. Moody have had four children, one of whom died in infancy. The living children are Marian C., William C. and Ruth Pearl.

Mr. Moody is an intensive farmer and stock raiser. He votes the Republican ticket. The Moody family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newport.

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THE BRYAN FLYNN FAMILY.

It is seldom that woman, entering the economic field, has the same opportunity to concentrate her thought and time upon the task in hand that man has, because of the household duties she is also forced to assume. It gives the publishers of this work especial pleasure to discover and record lives which have not only been suc- cessful in the outer field of action, but which, in heroic self-renunciation, have minis- tered to the needs of dependent ones. The Misses Ella and Julia Flynn, who success- fully supervise a farm in Pleasant township are striking examples of this fact.

Miss Ella Flynn was born in October, 1861, in Pickaway county, Ohio, the daughter of Bryan and Margaret (Sullivan) Flynn. As the fourth child of a family of nine, she was not unused to some of the deprivations incident to those living in rural com- munities in the generation preceding our own. There were many to be sheltered under the parental roof, many little mouths to be fed, and to accomplish this the parents, as well as the children as they grew to maturity, were compelled to be hard working and self-sacrificing.

Bryan Flynn was born about 1830, in Ireland, leaving there at the age of twenty- four and migrating to America. For one year he lived near the border line of Penn- sylvania and New Jersey. His marriage occurred in New York City, after which he brought his bride to Madison county, Ohio, and for the remainder of his life engaged in farming. After years of industry and economy he purchased ninety-six acres of land in Pleasant township, Madison county, moving to this place from Oak Run township, and on this place he made many extensive improvements. Mr. Flynn did not limit his activities to agricultural pursuits, but took an active interest in the common good. For instance, it was not merely a business consideration which led him to encourage the protective measures necessary along certain rivers, and because of his efficiency and honesty he was chosen to build the first levee on Deer creek, near the old Stephen Anderson farm, in the fall of 1880. The "good roads" movement had an early advocate in him, for he spent both time and money in the interest of improving local highways. He was very fond of purebred horses and made a study of them. He was considered one of the most industrious men of his locality.

Margaret (Sullivan) Flynn was an equally noble character, and an able assistant in all of her husband's interests. Born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1833, she came to this country on the same sailing vessel on which her husband traveled, taking eight weeks to complete the voyage. She was a devoted wife and mother, and passed away in 1913. Both she and her husband were devout members of the Catholic church. To them were born nine children, namely : William. of London, Ohio; Daniel, a farmer of Franklin county, Ohio: Sr. Mary Bernard, a Sister of Charity at Detroit, Michigan ; Ella, who remains on the home farm; Margaret. deceased; Mary, of Columbus, Ohio; Bernard. who died in infancy; John, a farmer, and Julia, who also lives on the home farm. Not only did Mr. and Mrs. Flynn rear and educate their own children, but they took other children under the shelter of their roof and care. Bryan Flynn died on October 23, 1889.

Misses Ella and Julia Flynn have been eminently successful in the cultivation of the home farm, on which they are now living in their beautiful home, which is equipped with all modern conveniences and improvements. They have spent all of their lives on the farm, where they have grown up from childhood, having attended the Pleasant township school. Their sister, Mary, now residing in Columbus, Ohio, has been an efficient assistant in helping to care for the aged parents and making the home comfortable. While the home place is not large, consisting of only ninety- six acres, it is exceptionally well cared for, its condition doing credit to the brains and hands of the women who manage it.

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The Misses Flynn have never married because of the filial duties which they deemed they owed their parents. Because of the illness and, later, the advanced age of the parents, it was evident to these noble women that they must be provided with a home, and to this task they devoted all of their strength and thought. But even these duties did not consume all of their love and sympathy, for they became the loving guardians of their little nephew, Joseph, born on September 1, 1899, who was the son of their brother, Daniel, taking him into their home after his mother's death. The little fellow, however, died on November 2, 1908, at the age of nine, and at about the same time the wife of John, another brother, also died, leaving. a little boy ten days old. The Misses Flynn took this boy to bring up, and he is now a student in the high school at London. This boy, Bernard, was born on July 24, 1900, at Kiousville, Fair- field township.

The Misses Flynn have lived too busy lives to give much time to organizations, but they are devout church members, and valued members of the Sodality of the Im- maculate Conception.

It is impossible for such a chronicle as the above to be more than a bare out- line of the lives it describes. The picture must be done in big, bold strokes, por- traying merely the facts known to the world. The details all the "little unseen, unnumbered acts of kindness and of love"-must go unnoticed except by the recording angel. These women may justly be called noble who, in self-forgetfulness, have made life happier and richer and sweeter for those whose health and happiness depended largely on them. For years they devoted themselves to the care of their parents, thus relinquishing much that might have contributed to their own personal happiness. In order to care for those who needed them, they voluntarily assumed burdens, which, through the alchemy of love, have been converted into blessings.

KEMPER LEE FOSTER.

Kemper Lee Foster, an industrious farmer of Oak Run township, Madison county, Ohio, was born in Oak Run township, April 10, 1867. He is the son of Daniel B. and Margaret (Johnston) Foster, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 7, 1828.

Daniel B. Foster was the son of John Foster, Jr., who was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 4, 1802. After spending his boyhood in Ross county, he removed to Madi- son county in 1833, and located on land a part of which is now owned by his grand- son, Kemper Lee, the subject of this sketch. John Foster, Jr. was an early settler in Oak Run township, a member of the Whig party, but subsequently a Republican. He never took an active interest in politics, however, and was an honest and industrious citizen. He died on November 19, 1880. His wife was Eliza Boyer, a native of Pike county, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel Boyer. They had ten children, of whom Daniel B., the father of Kemper Lee. was the eldst. John Foster, Jr., was the son of John Foster, Sr., a native of Virginia, who came to Ross county, Ohio, about the commencement of the nineteenth century.

Daniel B. Foster received a good common-school education, and has lived on his present farm since 1833. He followed farming until the last four years, when he retired. He is still living on the farm at the age of eighty-seven years, and enjoys good health. For many years he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a class leader in the congregation. He has always been a stanch Repub- lican. Daniel B. Foster was first married, January 22, 1852, to Miranda McCliams By this marriage they had three children. Bernard, Jennie and Flora, who died in infancy. Jennie married John Van Wagner, of London. Mrs. Miranda Foster died on August

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13. 1560, and, after her death, her husband married, for his second wife, Margaret Johnston, the daughter of George Johnston. Nine children were born to this second marriage, as follow : Jessie, Allie, Kemper L., Bruce, Eva, W. Irving, Frank E., Maud and Chester Glenn.

Kemper Lee Foster received a good common-school education in the district schools of Madison county. He has followed farming all his life.

On December 19, 1894, Kemper L. Foster was married to Bessie Riddle, a daugh- ter of Peter and Alice (Busic) Riddle, the former of whom was born in Columbus, Ohio, September 23, 1846, and the latter in Range township, Madison county, November 10, 1848. They were married in Madison county, on December 31, 1873, and had only one child, Bessie, the wife of Mr. Foster. Mrs. Foster's father was a farmer and died on April 12, 1878. The mother is living with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Kemper Lee Foster had one daughter, who died in infancy.

Mr. Foster owns a small farm in Oak Run township. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 70, and Encampment No. 126, of London. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Grange, No. 877. Mr. Foster is a Republican in politics, and is president of the board of trustees of Oak Run township. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal church.

LEON D. LENHART.

Perhaps the largest building contractor in Madison county is Leon D. Lenhart, a native of London, who, no doubt, has inherited his inclination for building from his father, who has been a well-known carpenter in the city of London. In fact, Mr. Lenhart was associated for some years with his father, but eventually became an inde- pendent builder in and near London, where he has built up a large business. He also did work at Yellow Springs and in the surrounding country and cities. In fact, his operations extend all over Madison county. Mr. Lenhart works eight men the year round, and in 1914 his pay roll was six thousand dollars, the largest, very likely, of any contractor in Madison county. His business aggregates from thirty to thirty-five thousand dollars a year. Mr. Lenhart personally has several rental properties in this city and is a director in the Peoples Commercial Bank.

Leon D. Lenhart was born in London. March 16, 1874, and is the son of Henry and Rebecca (Raffensberger) Lenhart, both of whom are living in the city of London. Born and reared in London, Mr. Lenhart was graduated from the high school with the class of 1890, when he was only sixteen years old. After having been associated with his father in business for about seven years, he began contracting on his own respon- sibility. In addition to being a contractor, he is more or less of an architect and is able to make his own plans.

On April 8, 1894, Leon D. Lenhart was married to Ora May Watrous, who lived near Kiousville. Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart have one daughter, Phyllis Eleanor, who lives at home with her parents.

The Lenhart family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Len- hart is a Democrat and served one term in the London city council, having been elected as a Democrat in a strong Republican ward. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the London Club. His interests in his own personal business as a contractor, in the bank of which he is a director and in the creamery of which he is a stockholder, take practically all of his time and it may be truthfully said that he works day and night at his business. Mr. Lenhart is interested in baseball and football and to some extent has played the games.

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HARRY F. FAUVER.

A native of Madison county, Harry F. Fauver, well-known real estate and insur- ance agent of London, has been prominently identified with the agricultural and business interests of his home county ever since he arrived at manhood's estate, and few men in the county are better known or more deservedly popular than he. Though making his home on his fine farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres in Somerford township, Mr. Fauver has been actively engaged in the insurance and real estate busi- ness in London for more than twenty years, during which time he has been one of the pronounced factors in the development of the best interests of his home county and, in consequence, enjoys a very high degree of popular favor throughout this entire section of the state, his acquaintance extending far beyond the borders of his home county.

Harry F. Fauver was born on a farm in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, on October 30, 1864, son of Matthew J. and Maria J. (Prugh) Fauver, the former of whom was born near the city of Dayton, in Montgomery county, this state, and the latter in Somerford township, this county.

Matthew J. Fauver, who was born on August 24, 1834, was the son of John and Anna (Johnson) Fauver, natives of New Jersey, the former of whom was born on July 7, 1793, and the latter on June 15, 1797. They were married in 1816, and twelve years later came to Ohio, locating in Montgomery county, in the vicinity of Dayton, where they spent the rest of their lives, John Fauver dying in March, 1877, and his widow in March, 1879. They were the parents of nine children, Matthew J. Fauver, father of the subject of this sketch, having been the fifth son and the eighth child in order of birth. When Matthew J. Fauver was eighteen years of age he began clerk- ing in a store and thus continued for eight years. He then was engaged in farming for a period of fifteen years, at the end of which time he moved to the village of Somerford, this county, bought property there and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed with much success for many years. During the time of his resi- dence in Somerford, Matthew J. Fauver was regarded as one of the most prominent and influential men in that part of the county. For years he served as trustee of Somerford township and did much to advance that community in a material way. He and his wife were members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. Mr. Fauver was a Democrat and for many years took a leading part in the political affairs of the county.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 130

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

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