History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 77

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 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John T. Vent was but ten years old when his mother died. He was reared on the home farm, attending the township schools, and at the age of fourteen began working for himself, his services being engaged by neighboring farmers. He continued this form of service for two years, going to school a part of the time, and at the age of seventeen enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, serving in two. enlistments, the first of which was in Company C, Thirty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When this regiment was mustered out he re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he served until it was mustered out in September, 1865. Mr. Vent was with Sherman's army in the South during the last year of his service and was engaged in the battle of New Creek. He participated in the Grand Review in Washington and at the close of his service returned home and resumed his studies for a year or two. He then engaged in farming for himself. leasing three hundred and fifty acres in Paint township, operating this farm very successfully until he was elected to the office of sheriff in 1885, on the Republican ticket. So satisfactorily did he handle the affairs of this office that he was re-elected in 1887 and before his second term as sheriff had expired he was elected to the office of county treasurer. in 1889, to which office he was re-elected in 1891, serving two full terms in that important public capacity. At the close of this form of public service, Mr. Vent went to Sedalia, this county. where he engaged in the grain business with W. H. Riddle, a partnership which continues very profitably to this day, although of recent years Mr. Vent has given little of his personal attention to the business.

Without any solicitation on his part. John T. Vent was elected president of the Tondon Exchange Bank in 1806. since which time his attention has been almost wholly devoted to the affairs of that sound financial concern. At the time of his election to this important post. Mr. Vent had for some time been serving as a director of the Madison. National Bank, at London, and had acquired a thorough knowledge of the banking business. The London Exchange Bank in 1896 was a private bank and Mr. Vent played a prominent part in the reorganization of the concern as a state bank. In addition to his banking business. Mr. Vent has given much attention to the handling of large estates for heirs, widows and non-residents, in which relation he has been very successful, having a remarkable record for the systematic manner in which rentals thus entrusted to him have been collected; he having collected more than one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in this fashion during the seventeen or eighteen years he has been thus engaged. As a banker, Mr. Vent has displayed executive ability which places him well up in the front rank of financiers in this section of the state and to his prudent and wise management much of the success of the London Exchange Bank has been . due.

On March 10, 1874, John T. Vent was united in marriage to Flora Hamm, who

Digitized by Google

522

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

was born and reared in Union township, this county, to which union two daughters have been born, Imogene, who married Walter T. Booth, assistant cashier . of . the Madison National Bank, and Fannie F., who remains at home. Mrs. Vent was a member of the Methodist church and was active in all its works. She passed away on April 24, 1913.

Mr. Vent for many years has been a strong and influential supporter of the Republican party and at one time was a candidate for the nomination for state senator from the counties of Madison, Clark and Champaign. In the joint senatorial conven- tion he lacked just seven votes of enough to insure the nomination, the nomination at that time being regarded as equivalent to an election. He was offered seven votes from Clark county to secure the nomination, but his fine sense of honor compelled him to decline the proffer, he being unwilling to accept the nomination without the unani- mous vote of his own county. During his service as county treasurer he was for two years president of the Ohio State County Treasurers Association and his influence in that body was reflected throughout the entire state. Mr. Vent also served the public as jury commissioner for a period of ten years and at one time served very acceptably as township trustee of Paint township. He is a fine, wholesome force in the community and is honored by the general confidence and esteem of all in this section. For thirty- five years John T. Vent has ben a member of Chandler Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, at London, and is also a member of the chapter and of the council of that order. He has taken the higher degrees of Masonry and is a member of Springfield Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus .. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being affiliated with the lodge of that order at London.

AUSTIN S. HUTSON.

Few men in Madison county have richer memories of the early days in this com- munity or minds better stocked with the lore of the past, in so far as relates to the history of this county, than Austin S. Hutson, prominent veteran of the Civil War and member of the London city council. Born in 1839, Mr. Hutson has spent his whole life in this county, having for years been one of the strong factors in the development of the commonwealth, and consequently possesses an acquaintance with conditions as they exist now and as they existed in the past generation which makes him a veritable store- house of information on most all matters relating to Madison county. Genial, kindly, companionable and enterprising, Mr. Hutson is a friend to the whole world, and in con- sequence is accorded the highest esteem of his fellow men.

Austin S. Hutson was born on a pioneer farm in Stokes township, Madison county, Ohio, on August- 14, 1839. son of Jolin K. and Hannah (Mahaffy) Hutson, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1799, and the latter a native of Adams county, Ohio, born in 1803. John K. Hutson was a son of Skinner Hutson, a native of London, England, who emigrated to America and settled in Kentucky, where he remained until 1804, in which year he came to this county, locating in Stokes township on a farm which he entered from the government, and there he spent the rest of his life, becoming in his day a powerful factor for good in that pioneer settlement. John K. Hutson was but five years of age when his parents migrated to this county and consequently grew to manhood here amid pioneer conditions. He became a man of substance and of large influence, doing well his part in the development of Stokes township, in which section of the county he owned two hundred and sixty-six and one-half acres of fine land, part of which lay in the village of South Solon. John K. Hutson died in the year 1874, he then being seventy-five years of age. His wife died in 1877, when seventy-two years of age.

Digitized by Google

523

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Austin S., the subject of this sketch, now is the sole survivor.

Austin S. Hutson received his early education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and when thirteen years of age left his home to reside with "Major" Peter Buffenburg, his brother-in-law, where he remained until September 17, 1861, on which date he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, at Cincinnati, and thus became a soldier in the army of ten thousand men under Gen. Ormsby Mcknight Mit- chell, known as the old Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Hutson subsequently served under Generals Sherman, Rosecrans, Sheridan, Burnside and Grant; re-enlisted as a veteran, and was through the Atlanta campaign and in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Hunts- ville, Alabama ; Bridgeport, Alabama; Middleton, Tennesse; Noonday Creek, Georgia ; Kilpatrick's raid; Nashville, Tennessee; Selma, Alabama; Columbus, George and others. He was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Stone's River and was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer on July 15, 1865, after a term of service of four years and two months ..

Upon the completion of his army service, Mr. Hutson returned to the Buffenburg farm, as assistant superintendent, and upon "Major" Buffenburg's death was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of the great estate of five thousand and two hundred acres, the duties of which position he performed faithfully for twenty-nine years, or until his retirement in 1896, in which year he bought a fine house on Maple street, in the city of London, this county, where he since has resided, enjoying in comfort the well-merited rewards of a life of industry and conscientious application to the duties of the high trust reposed in him. For thirty-five years he has been a strong advocate of woman suffrage.

On December 7, 1865, Austin S. Hutson was united in marriage to Fanny Curtis, daughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Patterson) Curtis, the former of whom was an early brickmaker in Loudon. This union was without issue, but Mr. and Mrs. Hutson reared two adopted sons, William Rudel and Austin S. Smith. Mrs. Hutson died in 1895, and Mr. Hutson married, secondly, in 1897, Mrs. Ceraldia (Paulin) Pancake, widow of the late John Pancake, who was born in Clark county, this state, and who, by her first husband, is the mother of six children. Though to this second union no children have been born, Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are friends of all children, and they have done much toward helping the children of others, who, from time to time, they have discovered to be in need of properly directed assistance.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are members of the Methodist church and are active in all good works. Mr. Hutson is one of the strongest and most pronounced foes of the liquor traffic in Madison county, and for years has been counted among the leaders in the determined war which is being waged against that traffic in this state.

Mr. Hutson always has taken a keen interest in fine horses, and during the many years of his superintendency of the Buffenburg estate was noted as a breeder of blooded stock. This interest in horses has waned but little since his retirement from active direction of such affairs, and he still owns some very fine horses, in which he takes a very proper pride. Mr. Hutson is a Republican, with Prohibition leanings, and for years has been an influential factor in the political life of Madison county. For twenty-nine years he was a member of the Paint township school board and is now a member of the city council .of London, a position in which his wide acquaintance with affairs and mature judgment are proving of great service to the public. He is, a member of Lyon Post. No. 121, Grand Army of. the Republic, Department of Ohio, and for many .years has been one of the leaders in the affairs of that. post. In many ways Mr. Hutson

Digitized by Google

524

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

has demonstrated the eminent value of his service to the public, and he is held in the very highest regard throughout the whole county, being universally regarded as one of the best citizens of the county.

HARRY S. MITCHELL.

Few men in this section of Ohio are better known than the gentleman whose name the reader notes above, and few are more active factors in the promotion of the best interests of the entire region hereabout. Known generally throughout this region as "the land man," Mr. Mitchell is one of the most energetic real-estate promoters in this part of Ohio, his operations covering a wide territory throughout central Ohio, his particular specialty being farm lands, in which he has extensive dealings. Mr. Mitchell is a native of this county, as was his father before him, his grandfather having been one of the pioneers of this section, and is earnestly devoted to the best interests of the same, being among the most energetic "boosters" of Madison county and Madison county lands in all that enterprising band of "boosters" who have made of this county one of the best in the state. Proprietor of large farming interests himself, Mr. Mitchell has qualified as an expert on land conditions hereabout and his services are in wide demand throughout this part of the state as an intermediary in extensive land transactions.

Harry S. Mitchell was born on a farm four miles west of the city of London, county sent of Madison county, Ohio, on August 5, 1869, son of Oliver and Cornelia (Clark) Mitchell. the former of whom also was born in this county, son of James Mitchell, a Virginian, who settled in this county at an early day in the settlement of the same and became an influential and prosperous farmer.

Oliver Mitchell was a prominent farmer and sheep raiser in his vicinity and was highly regarded throughout that part of the county. He married Cornelia Clark, who was born in Connecticut, but who came to Ohio when a little girl with her parents, "down-east Yankees," who located near Woodstock, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To this union there were born but two children, the subject of this sketch, and another son, who died in infancy. Oliver Mitchell, by energy and industry, rose to be one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood and at his death (his son, Harry S., being but three years of age at the time), left a fine farm of four hundred and fifty acres. His widow is still living, and for years has made her home in New York City.

Upon the death of her husband in 1872, Mrs. Mitchell moved from the farm into the city of London and there her son, Harry S., was reared, receiving his education in the schools of that city, being graduated from the London high school with the class of 1885. That fall he entered Ohio State University, at Columbus, and completed the scien- tific course in 1890. specializing in metallurgy, with a view to becoming a steel and iron chemist. For one year after completing his studies, Mr. Mitchell devoted his entire attention to the extensive interests involved in the home farm, recuperating meanwhile from the heavy strain his studies had placed him under, and then took employment with the Laughlin & Junction Steel and Iron Company, at Mingo Junction, Ohio. as chemist. He did not remain long with this company, however, as he found the severe strain thus imposed upon his death entirely too trying, and then and there abandoned his original plan of being a professional steel and iron chemist. Following this he spent two years in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as city salesman for the Gager Lime Company, manufacturers of lime and lime products, in which company he had a financial interest. Upon returning home from Tennessee, Mr. Mitchell again devoted his personal attention to his mother's large farming interests, continuing thus engaged until about the year 1909, when he established himself in the real-estate business in London, specializing in

Digitized by Google

525

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

central Ohio farm lands, his business in this connection growing so rapidly that he presently became known as the "land man," by which title he is generally known throughout this section.

On January 31, 1899, Harry S. Mitchell was united in marriage to Gertrude Smith, youngest daughter of the late Auburn Smith, in his day one of the most prominent druggists and business men of London, and to this union two children have been born, Oliver Tress, born on November 29, 1899, and Ann Arnett, March 13 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are interested in all good works in and about London, and no couple in the community are held in higher regard by their large circle of friends than they, they for years having been regarded as among the leaders in the social life of the community.

Mr. Mitchell is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county. Though not, by any means, being included in the office- seeking class, he has been called on to serve the public as a member of the London city council and is now performing equally faithful service as a member of the city board of education and is also giving good service as a member of the board of trustees of the Kirkwood Cemetery Association.

Among the real-estate dealers of this state, few are better known than Mr. Mitchell, and he is actively identified with the National Association of Real-Estate Dealers, being affiliated with the board at Columbus, this state. He is a Mason of high degree. being a member of the Knights Templar and also of the Mystic Shrine, and is exceedingly popular with his lodge associates. During his school days at Ohio University, he was elected to the university chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta and still takes a warm interest in the affairs of that fraternity. Public spirited. enterprising and energetic, Mr. Mitchell Is regarded as one of the most influential factors in. the building up of the best interests of this section, and in commercial and financial eircles he is held in very high repute. possessing the unbounded confidence of all his business associates.

F. E. ROSNAGLE, M. D.

F. E. Rosnagle was born at Springboro, Warren county, Ohio. on September 18. 1885, son of Francis E. and Alice (Hayner) Rosnagle, both natives of that county, pros- perons farmers who still live there, and who are the parents of four children.

Educated in the common schools of Springboro, F. E. Rosnagle was graduated from the high school of that town, after which he entered Lebanon University. at Lebanon, this state. attending the course of instruction there for two terms. Becoming confirmed then in his earlier decision to become a physician, he entered the medical school of the University of Cincinnati, and after a year there entered the medical department of the I'niversity of Ohio. heing graduated from that excellent institution three years later, in June. 1914. receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Tpon securing his diploma. Doctor Rosnagle came to Madison county and on Septem- ber 19, 1914. entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at London, where he ever since has been quite successfully engaged in general practice. He immediately entered into the common life of the people with such hearty interest as to convince his many new-found friends that he was prepared to devote himself unreservedly and whole- heartedly to the general welfare of the community which he had thus so earnestly adopted.

On September 3. 1913. F. F. Rosnagle was united in marriage to Lelia D. Jack. of Lebanon. Doctor and Mrs. Rosnagle are attendants of the Presbyterian church. and their devotion to the good works of the community attests their hearty interest in all measures designed to promote the common welfare, both having made many warm friends since their arrival in this county.

Digitized by Google

526

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

Doctor Rosnagle is a member of the Madison County Medical Society and of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, and is also a member of the University of Ohio chapter of A. K. K. Doctor Rosnagle also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Bringing to his practice all of a student's enthusiasm, together with a zealous faith in the humanities, Doctor Rosnagle is giving of the best of himself to his profession, and the success which already has attended his practice in this county is taken by his friends as a fair augury of the firm place he is destined to establish for himself in this community.

HORACE GREELEY JONES.

One of the leading banks of Madison county and of London is the Central National Bank, of which Horace Greeley Jones is president. Not only is he president of this bank, but he is heavily interested in various business enterprises in London and owns a magnificent farm of two hundred and sixty acres opposite the prison farm.

Horace Greeley Jones was born in London on September 6, 1852. He received his education in the public schools of London and in the high school under Professor MeCliutick. His parents were John and Jane H. (Melvin) Jones, the former of whom was reared in London and who, although he attended school not more than two years, became a well-informed man and a prominent factor in his father's store, in which he clerked as a boy. John Jones also clerked in the store of William Warner for two years, and, in February, 1841, was married to Jane H. Melvin. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Melvin, natives of Madison county. In the fall of 1841, John Jones became deputy sheriff under William Warner. He served in this position for four years. Later he was elected sheriff for one term and served two years. Still later he served twelve years as justice of the peace. He also served one term as mayor of Lon- don. In the meantime, he had purchased a grocery store, which he conducted a great many years, and upon his retirement he sold to his two sons, Lucien and Frank.

His younger brother, an attorney at Champaign. Illinois, was partly reared and edu- cated by him. At the time of the organization of the Odd Fellows lodge, in 1846, he became a charter member. Six children were born to John and Jane H. (Melvin) Jones, as follow : Mary, Lucien, Frank, Dollie, Horace and Emma. Horace is the sub- ject of this sketch. Dollie is the widow of Valentine Wilson. Emma is the wife of Harvey Chandler. Mary and Lucien are deceased.

The late John Jones, who was born at London, October 21, 1818, was the son of .

William Jones, who was born and reared near Knoxville, Tennessee, and who came with his father, Solomon Jones, to Ohio. William was a blacksmith by trade. He settled at London in 1814. and for a time dealt in property, grain and other merchandise. He became wealthy but, nevertheless, was a liberal man and extended financial assistance to many of his neighbors and friends. In the financial panic of 1837, he suffered severely as a consequence of having secured the debts of others. Still later, he removed to a farm. He died at London a few years after the panic of 1837.

Horace Greeley Jones, after finishing his education, clerked for his two brothers. Lucien and Frank, in the general store established by their father. At the death of his brother. Lucien Jones, in 1876. after having spent six years in the store, Horace Greeley Jones succeeded to his brother's interests. The firm was continued as Jones Brothers until 1912. In the meantime, about 1903, Horace Greeley and Frank Jones had organ- ized the London Coal. Company on West High street. This company did no retail business and was very successful. On June 1. 1915, the company was sold to the Pierce Lumber Company. Mr. Jones was manager of the coal company, and did all the buying for the

Digitized by Google

527

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

firm. In 1913, the Central Bank, of which he had acted as president for a number of years, became the Central National Bank. Mr. Jones continued as president. He is at present one of the liquor commissioners of Madison county.

On September 10, 1879, Horace Greeley Jones was married to Lizzie Houston, the daughter of Doctor James and M. J. Houston. Mrs. Jones's father was a fine physician, who also owned a drug store at Jamestown. He finally sold the store and spent bis later years with his daughter, passing away at the age of eighty-one. Not only was he a successful physician, but he was a brilliant man personally and a man who was always well informed in regard to current history. He liked to argue political and religious questions. He, himself, was an ardent devotee of the Universalist faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones spent a year in Europe, taking a very extensive tour of the principal points of interest. They also spent three winters in Florida and one in Cali- fornia. Likewise, they visited Cuba and Nassau, and were in the Northwest on two occasions. About the same time, they visited the Grand Canyon. Mr. Jones is a man who believes in seeing America first. Mrs. Horace Greeley Jones is prominent in all the clubs of London, and has been president of most of the clubs. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Houston ancestry dating from Revolu- tionary stock.

Although Horace Greeley Jones is a Republican, he is not a political worker, and is not especially interested in politics Fraternally, he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a life member of the consistory, a life member of Mt. Vernon 'Commandery No. 1, at Columbus. a life member of Syrian Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Columbus Lodge Lodge No. 37, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Formerly, he was a member of Mystic Lodge No. 36, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Jones is interested in the Young Men's Christian Association. and in all such religious influences. He was reared in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, but is not now a member of any church. Mr. Jones is a mem- her of the London Club of this city.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 77

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

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