History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 76

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

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Reared at Upper Sandusky. Foster Beery received his elementary education in the public schools of that city, supplementing the same by a course in the Ohio State University, at Columbus. Having been reared to mercantile pursuits by his father, he entered a business career quite early and and engaged in the dry-goods business at Upper Sandusky. continuing thus engaged until he was thirty-eight years of age, at which time.

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in 1895, he came to this county, locating at London, where he opened a clothing store, and has ever since been thus engaged, having prospered largely. His store is well stocked and admirably equipped, Mr. Beery being an up-to-date merchant who conducts his business along modern lines, scrupulously attentive to the needs of his trade, and there are few stores in this section of the state better known or more popular than his.

On January 3, 1884, Foster Beery was united in marriage to Sallie Reg, daughter of the late Jerry Reg, a former well-known farmer of the London neighborhood, whose widow, now eighty-seven years of age, makes her home with the family of her daughter, Mrs. Beery. To this union five children have been born, as follow: Isaac R., born on April 12. 1885, a prosperous young farmer living near London, married Lela Edwards; Matthew L., May 23, 1887, who is associated with his father in the clothing store, married Jessica Day ; Brooks F., June 19, 1889, also a farmer near London, married Madge Judy, of West Lebanon, Indiana; Leefe Katherine, who married Ned Speasmaker, of London, and Sarah Louise, January 10, 1900, a student in the London high school. Mr. and Mrs. Beery are thoughtfully attentive to the obligations of their position in society, being influential in the good works of the community, and they and the members of their family are held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Beery is enterprising, energetic and public spirited, and is one of the active workers in the affairs of the London Board of Trade, he being regarded as one of the city's most earnest "boosters." He also is a member of the influential London Club, as well as of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the affairs of both of which he gives his intelligent attention. In his political views, Mr. Beery maintains rather an independent view, being bound to no definite party, regarding the merits of the respective candidates as of more importance than the fetish of the party name in local politics and is an ardent supporter of the cause of good government. In addition to his large mercantile interests, Mr. Beery owns a fine farm near London and is much interested in agricultural pursuits, giving much personal attention to his considerable farming interests. He holds a high place in the esteem of his business associates and enjoys the confidence of all.

WALTER T. BOOTH.

The fact that Walter T. Booth has filled with honor and credit several public offices and that he is assistant cashier of the Madison National Bank, is evidence that his record has been a clean one and his character one that is above reproach. In private as well as public life. this gentleman has lived not only so as to reflect credit upon himself and his early training, but so as to be an inspiration to others. Education has meant to him not a means of earning a livelihood but a means of the culture which recognizes also civic responsibility.

Walter T. Booth was born in Jefferson township. this county. on April 14, 1870, son of J. W. and Mary J. (Johnson) Booth, the former a native of Clark county, this state. and the latter of Madison county, daughter of one of the old families of this county. J. W. Booth was the son of a Virginian, one of the pioneers of Clark county, and upon reaching manhood's estate became a farmer in Jefferson township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. his death occurring in November, 1913. He had been twice married. three children having been born to his first union, namely: Walter T., the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. M. F. Dunn, of London, this county, and Mrs. Lewis Bradley, of Ada, Ohio. Upon the death of Mrs. Mary J. Booth, in 1889, J. W. Booth married. secondly. Louise Martin, to which union one daughter was born, Mrs. Bertha Goldenbogen, of West Jefferson, this county.

Walter T. Booth was born and reared on his father's farm and was educated in the

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country schools. Ambition was apparent early in his career, for he began teaching school in Monroe township when only eighteen years of age. Having taught two years he became deputy county clerk under M. F. Dunn. retaining that position for four years, after which he went back to farm life, but did not remain long after the call to a business career. Leaving the farm, he became teller of the London Exchange Bank in 1889, a position which he held for the following sixteen years, at the end of which time, in November, 1914, he was made assistant cashier of the Madison National Bank, a position which he still occupies. Mr. Booth has never entirely given up his love of the country, for he lives on a farm just north of the corporation, a tract of land consisting of eighty acres, besides which he owns a farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres in Union township.

In May, 1897, Walter T. Booth was united in marriage to Imogene Vent, daughter of John T. Vent, president of the London Exchange Bank, and to this union have been born two children, Flora and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the former is a trustee. Mr. Booth is a member of the London school board, and served two terms in the city council. He is a Mason and a popular member of the London Club. Mr. Booth is a Republican and takes an earnest interest in the political affairs of the county.

R. K. SHAW.

It is generally agreed that the press is the strongest individual force in a com- munity. No other force is exerted with such continuous direction or is felt by a greater number of persons. The phrase "the power of the press," therefore, has become accepted as axiomatic and has taken its place among the permanent figures of our common speech. Fortunate, indeed, is that community in which "the power of the press" ever is exerted for good; in which the tremendous power of the written and repeated word is used in behalf of the best interests of the community which is served by the printed page. Madison county has much reason for congratulation upon the high character of its newspapers. The exalted standards of conduct which for genera- tions have been maintained in this favored section of the state ever have demanded a clean and wholesome regard for the proprieties and amenities of life, and it is gratify- ing to say that in all the history of the press of Madison county these have been observed, save with, perhaps, rare exceptions, with the most scrupulous nicety by the honorable gentlemen of . the press, whose endeavors ever have been in the direction of better things for the respective communities which their papers so ably served. In the long list of men who have served Madison county so ably in the editorial capacity, there have been many men of light and leading, who have done well their parts in life and whose names are preserved in the annals of this quiet neighborhood; men whose memories long shall be held in grateful regard hereabout. In all this considerable list, however, there have been few men who have exerted a stronger or a more whole- some influence for good than has the gentleman whose name the reader is asked to note above. For more than ten years Mr. Shaw has been prominently identified with the press of Madison county and as sole owner and editor of the London Times is bringing to bear the full force of the powerful leverage which his paper gives him to elevate local conditions and further all good works. Conscientious and able; scholarly and well trained, a man of mature deliberation and calm judgment, Mr. Shaw has brought to his editorial duties an equipment of strength and energy and wisdom and courage which has made of him a force in this community which the present historian will leave to the future historian properly to estimate. Suffice it to say that no man in the county is held in higher regard or more universal esteem than is Mr. Shaw.

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R. K. SHAW.

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and it is a pleasure on the part of the biographer here to present a brief and medest review of his useful career.

R. K. Shaw was born at Boydton, the county seat of Mecklenburgh county, Virginia, on December 29, 1878, the only son of David E. and Jennie R. (King) Shaw, both natives of Stark county, this state. David E. Shaw was engaged as an abstractor most of his life, the larger part of his professional career being spent in Mansfield, this state. For about eight years Mr. and Mrs. Shaw resided in Boydton, Virginia, where Mr. Shaw served in the capacity of deputy sheriff. There their only child was born. When this child, the subject of this sketch, was about one year old, the family moved to West Salem, in Wayne county, Ohio; later moving to near Leesburg, Pennsylvania, thence to Savannah, in Ashland county, this state, from which place they moved to Mansfield, where they resided until a short time before Mr. Shaw's death, when they moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where Mr. Shaw died on August 1, 1889. His widow survived him six years, her death occurring at Mansfield on March 12, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were a most excellent couple. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian church, for many years taking an active part in the various beneficences of that church, and their son was reared in that faith, a faith from which he has not departed.

R. K. Shaw received his elementary education in the public schools of Mansfeld, being graduated from the high school in that city with the class of 1899. He then worked his way through the College of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, and was graduated from that excellent old institution with the class of 1903, receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Upon receiving his diploma, Mr. Shaw entered the ranks of teachers and for one year was employed as teacher in the township high school at South Euclid, near the city of Cleveland, this state, after which, for a year or more, he was in the employ of the Tracey-Wells Company, a large wholesale-notions con- cern at Columbus, Ohio. From that city Mr. Shaw came to Madison county in 1905, locating at London, where he bought the London Times from M. F. Dunn, taking pos- session on June 19 of that year, being associated with H. F. Harrington in the owner- ship and editorial management of the paper. In March, 1908, Mr. Shaw assumed the entire ownership and full control of the Times, which since has been widely recognized bereabout as a powerful factor in the general moral upbuilding of the community which it so ably serves, its editor ever vigorously championing all worthy causes.

On January 25, 1910, R. K. Shaw was united in marriage to Florence Van Wagener, who was born in the city of London, in this county, daughter of John B. and Jennie (Foster) Van Wagener, to which union two children have been born, John David, who was born on November 11, 1910, and James Van Wagener, May 16, 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Presbyterian church at London and are among the most active workers in that congregation. Mr. Shaw is a member of the session and one of the trustees of the church. as well as the teacher of the Busy Men's Bible class, which was organized in March, 1913, and which now has a mem- bership of more than one hundred and fifty earnest Bible students, men of affairs in and about London who. under Mr. Shaw's intelligent direction are diligently search- ing the scriptures. Mr. Shaw is a man of gentle piety, whose religion is exemplified in his daily walk and conversation and which is clearly reflected in the conscientious care which he devotes to the editorial management of his excellent newspaper, his voice and his pen ever being used in behalf of those things which are true and of good report.

Mr. Shaw is a Republican and his paper consistently advocates the principles of that party, wielding a large influence in the political life of the county. He is a member of Beta Mu chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, at Wooster, and is a prominent

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member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Chandler Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, at London; Adoniram Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, and London Council No. 41, Royal and Select Masters. He also is a member of Madison Lodge No. 70, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Madisonia Lodge No. 725, Daughters of Rebekah, in all of which bodies he takes a warm and effective interest. Mr. Shaw is a man of engaging personality and he and his wife are deeply concerned in the general social affairs of the community, to the improvement of which they give their most devoted thought. They have hosts of friends throughout the county and are held in the very highest regard by all.

ELIJAH WALKER BALES.

Among the many substantial farmers of Madison county who have retired from the farm to make their homes in the county seat, few have a wider acquaintance, both in London and in the county at large, than Elijah Walker Bales, who left his fine farm in Fairfield township in the fall of 1914 to take up his residence in a comfortable home in London. For many years Mr. Bales has been regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial farmers of this county. Though now living in town, he still retains his extensive land holdings, being the owner of four hundred and twenty-seven acres of choice land in this county, two hundred and fifty acres of which lies in Pleasant town- ship and the balance in Fairfield township, and is very well circumstanced as to this world's goods, being in a position calmly to enjoy the full rewards of a life of well- directed industry.

Elijah Walker Bales was born on the old Bales farm in Fairfield township, Madison county, Ohio, on January 14, 1855, son of Moses and Rachael (Chenoweth) Bales, the former of whom was born in Virginia on August 30, 1811, and died at his home in this county on July 25, 1885, and the latter was born in Ohio on April 24, 1815, and died on September 5, 1897.

Moses Bales was the son of Thomas Bales, a prominent planter of Virginia, who. becoming wearied of the slave-holding system. liberated his numerous slaves and moved with his family to this county, where he bought a farm and entered vigorously into the pioneer life of this section. early becoming one of the most influential men in the part of the county in which he settled, he and his wife ever exerting a wholesome influence in the community. The remainder of their lives was spent here, and their memory is not forgotten. ·

Moses Bales was a young man when his father came to this county, and he early became one of the most prominent residents of Fairfield township. He was one of the early trustees of that township, and for years was a strong factor in the development of that community. Moses Bales married Rachael Chenoweth, a member of a pioneer family, and to this union ten children were born, namely: Catalina. born on August 20. 1835, widow of H. W. Bail ; Malinda. November 11, 1838, wife of Gibson Bail; Louisa Jane, February 4. 1840. who married Robert Rea, of London, this county, and is now deceased ; Thomas Marion, August 4. 1844, now deceased; William Pingle, September 14, 1846, now deceased; John Foster, June 5. 1848, who married Alice Jane Rife, and lives in Circleville. Ohio; Mary Margaret. August 26, 1850, who married Dr. Charles Snyder. of London. and is now deceased; Charles Lewis, December 31, 1852, now deceased. married Mary Susan Fitzgerald, of Fairfield township, this county; E. W., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Ada Leona, June 25, 1857, who married Frederick W. Pierce, of London, and she is now deceased.

Elijah Walker Bales was reared on the home farm in Fairfield township, receiving his education in the excellent district schools of that neighborhood, and grew up thor-

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oughly grounded in the essential details of farm life, becoming, in his turn, a fine farmer, even as his father and his grandfather. Following his marriage, in 1880, he bought the home farm, his father and mother being dead, and he continued to live there until he moved to town, in the fall of 1914. His farming affairs prospered from the very start, and he gradually added to his holdings, until he became the possessor of four hundred and twenty-seven acres, as noted above, all well improved and under a fine state of cultivation.

On September 16, 1880, Elijah Walker Bales was united in marriage to Mary E. Robinson, daughter of Samuel Robinson, of Pleasant township, and to this union three children have been born, Bonna Lee, who is at home with her parents in London; William Robinson, who married Mary Chenoweth, of Fairfield township, is operating the old home farm, and Rachael Margaret, also at home with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Bales are Methodists and their children have been reared in that faith, the family being highly regarded for its devotion to the general welfare of the community. Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonic lodge at London, and is a Republican, for many years having taken a warm interest in the political affairs of the county. He has served as township trustee in both Pleasant and Fairfield townships, in which capacity his services proved of large benefit to the public interests under his charge. He is cordial in his intercourse with his fellow men and is held in the very highest regard by all who know him.

THOMAS A. GALLAGHER.

A representative in the third generation of a family that has been prominently identified with the affairs of Madison county since the year 1850, there are few men in this county who have a wider acquaintance, or who are held in higher regard than Thomas A. Gallagher. a popular merchant of London, who, in addition to his mer- cantile interests, owns a fine farm six miles south of London and some valuable town property.

Thomas A. Gallagher was born on a farm in Paint township, this county, on October 9, 1874, son of John L. and Ann (Dean) Gallagher, prominent and highly respected residents of that section of the county. John L. Gallagher was born in County Sligo, Ireland, on Good Friday, 1826, son of Patrick and Ann (McDermott) Gallagher. both natives of the same county. In 1848 John L. Gallagher came to America. landing at New Orleans, where for a while he worked on the levee, finally working his way up river, as a fireman on steamboats, until he reached Cincinnati, from which point he worked his way up state to South Charleston, at which point his parents, who had come to America in 1849, had located for a season. At that point John L. Gallagher engaged with his father in working out a land lease in Clark county. Ten years later he took a lease on David Harold's farm, near South Solon, this county, where he worked for six years, at the end of which time he bought a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres in Union township, to which he gradually added, as he prospered. until he was the owner of twelve hundred and eighty-five acres of choice land in this county and was accounted one of the most substantial citizens in that neighborhood. In the meantime his parents also moved to this county and here their last days were spent. John T .. Gallagher was a pioneer in that section of Union town- ship. in which he settled. his original land holdings having been but a wilderness of tangled woods and swamps. Out of this he developed a fine farm, to which, by industry, frugality and good management. he added until he became very well-to-do.

When twenty-five years of age, John L. Gallagher was. united in marriage, at Cin- cinnati. to Bridget Gilmore, to which union one child was born, a daughter, Mary Jane.

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who died in infancy. Bridget Gallagher died about two years after her marriage, and one year later Mr. Gallagher married, secondly, Anu Dean, of Xenia, Ohio, who also was a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and to this union twelve children were born, as follow : Frank, who lives in London, this county; John P., also a resident of London; Peter A., also of London; Anna, wife of J. C. Dineen, of Springfield, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Murray, of London, this county; Katherine, wife of William A. Dunn, of Lon- don; Margaret, wife of Thomas Moore, of 60 Patterson avenue, Columbus, Ohio; Ella, wife of Thomas C. Enright, who lives on the old home farm in Union township; James F., living on Logan avenue, in London, this county; Thomas A., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch ; William, who died in March, 1900, and Edward F., who died in February, 1911. John L. Gallagher, father of these children, died in January, 1911, at the age of eighty-five years, and his widow survived him but little more than a year, her death occurring in March, 1912, at the age of seventy-four.

Thomas A. Gallagher was reared on the home farm in Union township and remained there until he was thirty years of age, at which time his father retired from the farm and moved into the city of London. He accompanied his parents to the county seat and there, in association with his brother. Frank, engaged in the lumber business, with yards there and at Mt. Sterling. After being thus engaged for five years, he disposed of his lumber interests and entered the mercantile business, forming a part- nership with a Mr. Polster, under the firm name of Polster & Gallagher, in the clothing und men's furnishing line, and has ever since been thus engaged, the firm having one of the most popular and largely patronized stores at the county seat.

Mr. Gallagher is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county, though not what might be called an active politician; his extensive business interests requiring his close personal attention. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is very popular with all his friends. He is recognized as an excellent business man, enterprising and up-to-date, and possesses in large measure the confidence of commercial circles generally hereabout, all who know him holding him in the highest regard.

JOHN T. VENT.

No name in Madison county is better known or held in higher repute than that which the reader notes above. For many years prominent in the civic life of this county, retiring with official honors well won, and then taking up the cares of a Anancial career, Mr. Vent has acquitted himself most admirably in all his undertakings . and very well deserves the high place he holds in the community. A soldier of his country at seventeen, Mr. Vent gave valiant service in defense of the Union and at the end of this service returned to school, completing his education, after which he engaged in farming in this county on a large scale. All this time his fine personality was making him friends in all parts of the county and presently he found himself elected sheriff of the county. Before completing his second term in that office he was elected county treasurer, also being re-elected to that important office, an attesta- tion of popular favor on the part of the community that was most unmistakable. Upon completing his public career, Mr. Vent engaged in the grain business very success- fally for a few years and then was called to accept the presidency of a bank. That was in 1896 and since that time Mr. Vent has been one of the most conspicuous figures in the financial life of this section of the state, his management of the London Exchange Bank having been such as to inspire, from the very start, the unbounded confidence of the entire community.

John T. Vent was born on a farm in Ross county, Ohio, on January 7, 1846, son

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JOHN T. VENT.

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of J. W. and Sarah (Gray) Vent, natives of Delaware, who came West, locating in Ross county, this state, where they resided for several years, at the end of which time they moved to Pickaway county, where they lived for about seven years, moving then to Fayette county. After two years of residence in the latter county, they came to Madison county, locating in Paint township, where the rest of their lives were spent.

To J. W. and Sarah (Gray) Vent ten children were born, five of whom are still living, the others, besides the subject of this sketch, being James T., of Monticello, Illinois; E. S., of London, this county; M. H., of Union township, this county, and Mrs. Miranda Willis, of Fayette county, this state. The mother of these children died in 1856 and Mr. Vent married, secondly, Virginia Gill, to which second union there was no issue. J. W. Vent died in 1885, at the age of seventy-five and his widow died a few years later.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 76

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

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