History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 140

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

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Sedalia, Ohio, furnished the background for the boyhood days of J. C. Murray. Here, after learning what he could in the district school, where the common branches scarcely 'outnumbered three, he began to take part in the rugged occupations about the farm, and when only fourteen years old rented a farm' on his own account in Range township and began what might be called an Independent life. The enthusiasm and love of hard work which were so prominent in his character as a boy clung to him throughout his life, so that there is little to wonder at 'in reviewing his achievements when the fact that they were laid on such early and strong foundations, is considered. When he was just twenty-two years of age he become manager of a large tract of land in Monroe township, Madison county, which proved to be a very successful venture.

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In October, 1894, he came to the farm where he now lives, and acts as manager of the farm land belonging to Mrs. Maria (Gwynne) Crotti, of Columbus, Ohio. Aside from the direct management of the farm he is general attorney for the four thousand and twenty acres of land. He is a breeder of purebred stock, consisting of . Shorthorn cattle. Belgian horses, Hampshire sheep and Duroc-Jersey hogs. The farm is given over to general stock and agriculture. The Gwynne farms have been under the man- agement of the Murray family for about sixty years. With his brother, Layton, Mr. Murray owns two hundred and sixteen acres of land in Range township. Although his duties are anything but light, Mr. Murray has found time to show his interest outside the scope of agricultural pursuits, and is active in the affairs of Mt. Sterling, where he is a shareholder and director of the Citizens Bank. In 1909, he was nominated for the office of county commissioner, but resigned in favor of E. E. Breyfogel, of Mt. Sterling.

J. C. Murray has been married twice, his first wife, who was Ella C. Stout, was born on the 10th day of July, 1875, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, and died on the 12th of April, 1909. Their marriage took place on the 6th of March, 1899, and to the union one son, William F., who is now attending school, was born. On the 19th of October, 1910, Mr. Murray married his former wife's sister, Anna B. Stout, who was born in Pleasant township on the 6th of April, 1874. To this union one son, Robert C., was born. She is the daughter of Abraham and Lydia (Graham) Stout, one of the pioneer families of Madison county, and long identified with the activities of the Christian church. Her father was well known as a political leader and held many offices of public trust.

Mr. Murray is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church and have con- tributed liberally in every. instance of church building in Madison county.

HENRY BOWER.

"The farm is and must always remain a chief source of our country's wealth, strength and power as well as the cradle of our ablest men." If this statement is true, every good farmer is a benefactor to the race, because his work is creative. The charge of being a dependent, therefore, can never be laid at his door. The gentle- man here considered lays another claim to greatness, for when the integrity of the Union hung in the balance, he tendered his service to his country, forgetful of his own personal affairs, thus not only being true to his idea of loyalty but also becoming a noble example for others to follow. A native son of Fairfield county, Henry Bower was born on April 5, 1843, his parents being George and Sophia (Macklin) Bower. This family is mentioned elsewhere in the present publication in the sketch of Jesse Bower.

Making the most of his early opportunities was characteristic of Henry Bower, for his later success was built upon his ability to get the best results out of every circumstance. Growing up on his father's farm he was early accustomed to arduous labor. After atttending school in Fairfield, Pickaway and Madison counties. he labored at home until. the breaking out of the Civil War. It was August 1, 1862, when he enlisted at Big Plain, Madison county, in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It was his fortune to see much active service during the war for he was in battles at Richmond, Kentucky, August, 1862; at Jackson, Mississippi, in 1863, and the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 18, 1863. During the siege he was wounded in the mouth. He also took part in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, in July, 1863, and at Guntown, Mississippi, June 10, 1864, as well as the siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, in 1865. He served with honor under the commands of Generals Grant,

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Sherman and Thomas and was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, on August 14, 1885. He returned to Madison county and took up farm life.

About that time Henry Bower married and bought more land in Pleasant town- ship. When this farm was purchased it contained only a log cabin and a barn, but improvements have been added since. Mrs. Bower was married to Mr. Bower in 1866, she being at the time Mrs. Lethy ( Roberson) Gilliland, the mother of Charles Gilliland, now deceased. Mrs. Bower's birth date was December 25, 1843, her parents being John S. and Maria (Riddle) Robison, who were natives of Madison county. Mrs. Bower passed away on November 10, 1914, leaving three children, John L., a machinist of Mt. Sterling; Eva M. Wickle, deceased, and Lela M., now Mrs. O. E. Loffbourrow, of Pleasant township.

Mr. Bower has always voted the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Christian church and an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic., being the present commander of J. C. Bostwick Post No. 406, at Mt. Sterling. Having led an unusually active life Mr. Bower retired from business in 1912, and is now living in his own home in Mt. Sterling. where he owns also one hundred acres of valuable land.

The career of this estimable farmer and lover of his country has been a long. busy and useful one, and his service has been of a kind which it is impossible to estimate in the common standards of value. His qualities of head and heart, which go to make up the full measure of a man, have endeared him not only to his immediate friends but to a neighborhood of extensive dimensions. He is the type of man who readily awakens esteem and admiration.

MRS. LYDIA J. STOUT.

One of the honored women who has marked the passing of years with large and worthy accomplishments and who has maintained her home in Madison county, Ohio, for over seventy years, is Mrs. Lydia J. Stout. Her gracious personality has endeared her to both young and old, and her memory of the early days in Ohio makes her com- pany very interesting and pleasant.

Lydia J. Graham was born in Pleasant township, this county. April 20, 1844, the daughter of F. O. P. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Graham. Her only sister, Mrs. Mary Dunlap, lived in Florida. F. O. P. Graham was born in Madison county, in 1816. He was reared on the farm and found no other occupation as interesting, save that of the blacksmith's trade. in which capacity he assisted his father during the early years of his life. He depended upon his own resources in making his way in the world, had a deep respect for honest toil and was content, during his life, to improve the surroundings in which he worked, rather than seek fortune outside the locality in which he lived. He died in 1893. His wife. who died five years later. was born in Madison county in 1818, and proved a valuable companion to her husband, especially in the affairs of the Christian church. where Mr. Graham held the office of deacon and was ever instant in good works in the various departments of church activity. Mr. Graham held the office of township trustee for a number of years, he was county infirmary director and was at one time elected county commissioner, but never assumed the duties of that office. The grandparents of Lydia J. Graham were John and Lydia (Alkire) Graham, natives of Kentucky. They came to Madison county, in 1807, a few years after Ohio had been admitted as a state into the Union.

The district schools of her day afforded Lydia J. Graham few advantages save those of learning the three elementary branches. During her attendance at school her home life was spent on the farm. In 1873 she became the wife of Abraham Stout, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 27th of January, 1830. He was the

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son of George and Christina (Cortwright) Stout, natives of Germany. After his mar- riage Abraham Stout settled on the farm with his wife's parents and continued the occupation of farming until his death which occurred in 1899. He was very fond of horses, and on account of the attention given to their habits, became quite an authority on them. Throughout his life he exhibited characteristics of industry, sincerity of character and honesty of purpose.

Mr. and Mrs. Stout were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Mary Hagens, who is a widow and lives in McClimansville, Ohio; Anna, who married J. C. McMurray, the husband of her deceased sister, Ella; Dr. Oliver G., an osteopath at Dayton, Ohio, and Amelia F., deceased.

The property belonging to Mrs. Stout includes two hundred and thirty-two acres of well-improved land in Pleasant township and a valuable piece of real estate near Mt. Sterling. The pleasant homestead in which she lives has been the scene of many happy gatherings and is still associated with memories of the past. Its hospitality is still enjoyed by the few who remain, to represent the friends she made in her girl- hood days, in the county in which she was born.

M. B. ARMSTRONG.

In the industrial life of Madison county few enterprises have a greater reputation for excellence of output or a higher standing in business circles throughout this part of the state than has the Thomas & Armstrong Company, manufacturers of the celebrated "Buckeye Goods," sheet-metal products, which find a wide and ready market throughout the country. As the president of this well-known company, M. B. Armstrong has a wide acquaintance in manufacturing and business circles in central Ohio and occupies a high place therein, his associates having unbounded confidence in the soundness of his judg- ments on industrial matters.

. M. B. Armstrong was born at Columbus, Ohio, on June 1, 1867, son of Frank and Amanda (Harker) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of Miami county, this state. Frank Armstrong was a well-known' manufacturer of sheet-metal goods at Columbus, who died in 1885. His widow survived him a little more than ten years, her death not occurring until in 1896. They were the parents of four children, all sons M. B. Arm- strong having three brothers, Richard D., Frank H. and C. C. Armstrong, all of whom live at Marysville, this state.

His father having been in the sheet-metal trade, M. B. Armstrong may be said to have been born to the business in which he has made so great a success. He became thoroughly grounded in the details of this trade at Columbus and in 1802 came to this county, locating at London, where, after working for a time as a mechanic in a local concern, he entered the sheet-metal trade for himself and was thus engaged until 1906, in which year he formed a partnership with the late M. M. Thomas, for years a well- known hardware merchant of London, in the manufacture of sheet-metal goods of all kinds, under the firm name of Thomas & Armstrong. From the very start this enter- prise was successful and the concern of which Mr. Armstrong is the strong and efficient head is now one of the best-known concerns of its kind in the country. Upon the death of M. M. Thomas in 1910 the company was incorporated as the Thomas & Armstrong Company, Mr. Armstrong being elected president, which position he ever since has held. On another page in this volume the important enterprise with which Mr. Armstrong is so prominently identified is dealt with at some length, the reader being respectfully referred to the same for further details regarding it.

In 1890 M. B. Armstrong was united in marriage to Charlotte Saunders of Colum- bus, Ohio, and to this union two children have been born, Marie, who married Dr. Peter Engard, of Columbus, this state, and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are active in

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the good works of their home city and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends. Mr. Armstrong takes an earnest interest in the civic affairs of the town and has an honorable record of service in the city council of London. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is very popular with his lodge associates, as well as with his associates in his extensive business operations and enjoys the utmost confidence of the entire community, in which he is held in the highest regard by reason of his fine public spirit and enterprising characteristics, he being generally recognized as one of the most forceful factors in the business life of the county.

LUTHER E. EVANS, M. D.

In the eastern part of Madison county and the western part of Franklin. county there are few. men who have a wider acquaintance or who have created for them- selves a more firmly established position in the affections of the entire countryside than has Dr. Luther E. Evans, whose extensive medical practice, first in the village of Alton, in the latter named county, and then for the past ten years in West Jefferson, this county, has brought him into the most intimate relations with the people of that prosperous and highly favored section. Since coming to Madison county Doctor Evans has taken a warm interest in the affairs of this county and is widely recog- nimed as a man of high ideals, public spirited and progressive, who holds very dearly to heart the common weal. As president of the board of education of the village of West Jefferson, he has exerted his best influence in behalf of. the schools of that town and was particularly influential in securing the splendid new high school build- ing which now graces that thriving. and enterprising village. A conscientious practi- tioner of his noble profession, Doctor Evans has brought to that practice a fine natural endowment of talents, supplemented by the most studious attention to the latest research in the ever-widening realm of medical science and his skill as a physician and surgeon is recognized far and wide in the field in which he has so devotedly applied his energies

Luther. E. Evans was born on a farm in Pennsylvania in 1874, son of Lewis .

Evans, and his boyhood was spent on the farm, his elementary education being received in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. At seventeen years of age he began teaching school and was thus engaged for three years. He then attended the Pennsylvania State Normal School. from which he was graduated, and later took a course in pharmacy in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Upon the completion of this admirable preparatory course he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, this state, from which excellent old institution he was graduated after the full course of four years. It is but proper to say that in his efforts to secure an. education, this ambitious student was unaided by outside sources, having been compelled labor- iously to "work his way" through college, it thus being apparent that there was, very Nttle playtime mixed with the years he spent acquiring his fine professional and practical education. . Upon receiving his degree, Doctor Evans located for the practice of his chosen profession in the village of Alton, in Franklin county, this state, and after spending four years there moved over the line into Madison county, locating at West Jefferson, where he ever since has been successfully engaged in practice. It was in 1905 that Doctor Evans located at West Jefferson and since that time he has estab- lished himself very firmly in the good graces and affections of the people. with whom he has thus been thrown in such intimate relations.

Dr. Luther E. Evans was united in marriage to Mrs. Laura (Howks) Gregg. who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, whose son, Albert A. Gregg, a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, is now a student at Purdue University, Lafayette,

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Indiana, taking the course in electrical engineering. Mrs. Evans is a woman of fine culture, an admirable helpmeet to the doctor in his exacting duties in behalf of the people, and both are held in the very highest esteem by their large circle of friends in and about West Jefferson. They are members of the Methodist church and are earnestly interested in the various beneficences of that church, as well as in all good works of the neighborhood, being regarded as among the leaders in whatever move- ments are designed to advance the common interest thereabout.

Doctor Evans is a thirty-second degree Mason, his local membership being in the lodge at West Jefferson. his affiliation with the Scottish rite being through the con- sistory at Columbus. He also is a member of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus; He is a Republican and takes an earnest interest in the political affairs of the county. being an ardent advocate of good government. As president of the school board of West Jefferson his influence in educational affairs in that village has been pronounced and beneficial and his services in that connection are much appreciated by the people generally. Doctor Evans is interested in several enterprises of a local character and is also a stockholder in the Central National Bank of Columbus. He is a member of the Madison County Medical Society and of the Olio State Medical Society, in the affairs of both of which organizations he takes a warm interest. his connection therewith being recognized as most valuable by his confreres. all of whom not only hold him in the highest regard but have the utmost confidence in his judgment on professional questions.

BENJAMIN F. CORSON.

Benjamin F. Corson, born on March 6. 1848, in Fayette county. Oblo, lived at a period in the early history of his state, when luxurious accommodations were unknown. for he and his hardy ancestors cleared the forests for agriculture and hewed. from the timber, the material with which they constructed their homes and barns.

John and Elizabeth (Blizzard) Corson were the parents of Benjamin F. Corson, and to them were born eight children, four of whom are now living. John Corson was born on September 30, 1809, in the state of Virginia. and when two years of age. came to Ohio with his parents and during these early pioneer days he grew to manhood in Fayette county, Ohio. In the year of 1862, he again changed locations and removed to Madison county, Ohio, and two years later he selected the farm in Range township for a permanent home, and on this property he farmed until his death in 1S75. With a mechanical turn of mind, John Corson had learned the carpenter's trade when a young . man, and with this important accomplishment, so necessary for the providing of shelter for man and beast, he constructed his own buildings.

In 1813. in Madison county, Ohio. Elizabeth (Blizzard) Corson, the mother of Ben- jamin F. Corson, was born. She died at the advanced age of seventy-two years, in 1885.

Content to remain one of the multitude. who. from agricultural pursuits. have made possible the permanent prosperity of this nation, Benjamin F. Corson, with wise judg- ment, secured an ample education in the district schools of Range township and in Fayette county, Ohio, and remained on the old farm. purchasing from the heir his unowned interest in this valuable estate. at the time of his mother's death in 1885. This farm consists of one hundred and seventy-two acres, located in Range and Paint townships. Ohio.

At the age of twenty-seven years, Benjamin F. Corson joined his fortune to that of Louise Ellars, who was born in 1847. in Range township, Madison county, Ohio, and wbo remained his faithful. capable, loving companion during their many years together. until her death on May 7. 1913. From this union three children were born. Ernest, living on the home place: Edna. deceased, and Emmet, located in Paint township. Ohio.

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Politically, Benjamin F. Corson is a consistent Democrat. He is a regular church attendant. Officially he has faithfully served the interests of his community, for four years, as township trustee.

To this man, Benjamin F. Corson, reared in the days of hardship and struggle, too much commendation cannot be bestowed, for he has wrought out his life in honest endeavor and ultimate success, with a spirit of tenacity and a well-regulated mind. He has achieved much for his family and himself and, in that achieving, will leave to posterity the culmination of his labors, which has reduced the virgin forest to the home of comfort, connected with all the modern utilities of the present age.

IRA CONVERSE.

Ira A. Converse, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on March 29, 1844, in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Cyrus D. and Harriet ( Whitman) Converse. He was educated and reared in Darby township, and after leaving school be followed farming until about 1862, when he divided his time between farming and teaching school. He went to the Civil War in Company B, Sixty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with his regiment to Virginia. He was twenty years old when he went to war, and twenty-two when he returned. Mr. Converse Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City, Ohio, and also belongs to the Grange of Darby township. His farm of eighty-five acres is classed with the best land in Ohio, but was originally a swamp.

The parents of Ira Converse were Cyrus D. and Harriet ( Whitman) Converse. Cyrus Converse was born on September 5, 1814, and was as ou of Jeremiah and Malinda Darby. Cyrus D. Converse was reared in the neighborhood of Plain City, Ohio, where he attended the common schools. He lived there until fifty years of age, when he moved to near London, Ohio, and lived on a farm, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Converse died on March 18, 1900, and his wife, Harriet (Whitman) Converse, died on November 9. 1914. They were united in mar- riage on November 6, 1836, and were the parents of three children. Hiram K. mar- ried Ellen Morelook, by whom he had five children. His death occurred on September 22, 1914. Louisa M. became the wife of Lucius Burnman. She died in 1862, leaving surviving, her husband and two daughters Ira A. is the subject of this sketch.

The paternal grandparents were Jeremiah and Malinda (Darby) Converse. Jere- miah Converse was a son of Jeremiah Converse, Sr., who was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War, and a native of Vermont, the frmily, including Jeremiah. Jr., came from Vermont to Darby Plains in 1814. locating southwest of Plain City, Ohio, where they bought land, and where Jeremiah Converse, Sr., lived until he passed to the "great beyond." Malinda (Darby) Converse. his wife, was of English lineage. Her family came from Vermont at an early day, and settled In Ohio. To Jeremiah, Jr., and Malinda (Darby) Converse. were born teu children. Jeremiah, Cyrus D., Erastus, Lemuel. Zelotos. Malinda. Lucius, Rosannah, Rhoda and Samantha.

The Converse family originally came from France. and the great-grandfather on the paternal side. Jeremiah Converse, Sr .. came from Vermont to Plain City. He was the father of fourteen children-twelve sons and two daughters.

Ira A. Converse was united in marriage on September 15, 1867, to Alma Lingo- felter. a native of Montgomery county. Illinois, where she was reared, receiving her education in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Converse settled in Darby town- ship, where Mrs. Converse died on March 23, 1912. To this union were born five children. four of whom are living. Cyrus D. was married to Mariah Nunameker; Anna was a student in the high school, and is now the wife of Ernest Chapman, and they live in Mississippi: Emma, the wife of Charles Andrews, was a graduate

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of the Plain City high school; Frederick H. married Hattie Giffins, and lives at Russels Point,. Logan county, Ohio; Bertha is. a graduate of the Milford Center high school, and is the wife of Sidney G. Young, of Darby township.

Ira A. Converse is a descendant of an honorable and upright old pioneer family of. Madison county, Ohio, whose reputation he is still bearing out. Mr. Converse is very fond of travel, and in 1912, he spent the summer in Europe, visiting Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, England and the Azore Islands.

OSCAR W. FINLEY.

Near Plain City, Ohio, in Darby township, Madison county, is "Oak Lawn Farm," a tract of forty acres, owned by Oscar W. Finley, a prominent stockman and horse fancier, distinguished for having bred "Finley Boy," a standard bred horse with a mark of 2:15. Besides "Finley Boy," he has also bred many other fast horses and is a prominent citizen in this section of Madison county.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 140

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

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