History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 78

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

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J. W. HUME.

Few names in the business life of London, the county seat of Madison county, are better known than that of J. W. Hume, member of the well-known firm of Anderson & Hume, hardware merchants, a past president of the London Board of Trade and one of the most active figures in the commercial circles of the county. Before going to London to engage in business, Mr. Hume had for years been engaged in the hardware business in the pleasant village of Big Plain and had done much for the advancement of the general interests of the eastern part of the county. While living at Big Plain he had taken an active part in the civic affairs of Fairfield township. He owns a good farm in Fairfield township and is regarded as one of the substantial men of Madison county, a very proper subject for review 'in a volume of this character, carrying, as it does. biographies of those enterprising men and women who are doing so well their respective parta in the common life of this favored commonwealth.

J. W. Hume was born on a farm near Big Plain. in Fairfield township. Madison county. Ohio. on August 19, 1872. son ef George W. and Isabelle (Davidson) Hume. the former of whom was born on the same farm, son of one of the best-known pioneers of that section. George W. Hume was a man of substance, an excellent farmer and a good citizen, who did much to advance the welfare of that section of the county in which he so long lived and labored. He remained on the farm on which he was born until 1895, In which year he and his wife moved to Pickaway county, this state, where they spent their last days. both dying within ten days of each other; Mrs. Hume's death occurring

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on August 28, 1914, and Mr. Hume's death occurring on September 6, of the same year. They were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Edward D. Hume, living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reared on the farm and educated in the schools of his home neighborhood, J. W. Hume engaged in the hardware business at Big Plain shortly after reaching his majority, he having opened his store there in 1895, and he was thus engaged until 1907, in which year he moved to London, forming a partnership with Charles B. Anderson in the hard- ware and furniture business, under the firm name of Anderson & Hume, which partner- ship is still continued, mutually agreeable and very successful, this firm being one of the best known of its kind in this part of the state.

On December 25, 1895, J. W. Hume was united in marriage to Laura L. Looker, of Lilly Chapel, this county, and to this union two children have beeen born, Robert and Horace. They are active in the good works of the community and are held in high regard by all who know them.

Mr. Hume is a Republican and gives proper attention to the political affairs of the county. During his residence at Big Plain he held the office of township assessor for a time and also served as clerk of the township. Since his arrival in London he has given close attention to the general commercial and civic affairs of that city and in 1913 was elected president of the Board of Trade there, his activity in advancing the general interests of the county seat having been greatly appreciated by his business associates, all of whom give him .their fullest confidence and hold him in high esteem. Mr. Hume is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Lilly Chapel and of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Big Plain. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is popular with all who know him.

ROBERT W. BOYD.

For many years the name Boyd has been indissolubly connected with the best affairs of Madison county, the Boyds, father and son, having been prominently asso- ciated with almost every movement for the advancement and betterment of local con- ditions that has arisen hereabouts in the last quarter of a century. In a biographical sketch covering the interesting and useful career in this county of the late Robert Boyd, president of the London Exchange Bank, presented elsewhere in this volume, a history of the beginnings of the Boyd family in Madison county is given, to which the reader is respectfully referred in connection with the present subject, it thus being sufficient to say here that Robert W. Boyd, cashier of the London Exchange Bank and son of the late Robert Boyd, former president of that sound old financial institution, is representing honorably and serviceably the third generation of the Boyd family in this county, even as his father and his grandfather had served the com- munity in their day and generation. Fulsome praise has no place in a work of this character and, indeed, ought never be countenanced; yet it is not too much to say that Robert W. Boyd is one of the most popular men in Madison county. Emerson, in his great essay on "Character," recalls the indignation of an eloquent Methodist at the · kind admonitions of a doctor of divinity,-"My friend, a man can neither be praised por insulted;" and, indeed, in this age when the superlative is shrieking throughout the land, it would seem that even the common acceptance of the term praise had out- worn its wonted use, for everything whose praises the promoters are shouting from the housetops is either the greatest this or the greatest that that ever was. What with "the puff direct and the puff collateral and the puff oblique" of the old time, magnified by the megaphonic methods of the modern advertiser, praise-if, despite the eloquent Methodist whom Emerson cites, praise be possible has overshot itself. When every- thing has become alike superlative, there are no superlatives and the promoter's adjec-

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ROBERT W. BOYD

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tives are regarded askance by those whose ears are assaulted by the tumult of his cries. However, there is such a thing as proper and due praise, the modest meed that merit claims, and it surely is not ill-timed or unfitting that, on such a page a's this, a few words be said in passing regarding the life and the personality of Robert W. Boyd, whose enterprising, energetic and public-spirited career in this county has been productive of such large results in the way of bettering conditions hereabout.

Robert W. Boyd was born in the city of London, this county, on October 4, 1864, son of Robert and Caroline (Wilson) Boyd, the former of whom was the eldest son of James and Martha (Millikin) Boyd, who came to this county in 1830 from Penn- sylvania, Martha Millikin having been a daughter of Col. James Millikin. Caroline Wilson was the daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson, who settled in this county in the year 1810.

Reared amid the very best parental influences, Robert W. Boyd received his gle- mentary education in the public schools of the city of London, the county seat, and was graduated from the London high school with the class of 1882. He then entered Ohio Wesleyan University, where he spent two years; following which excellent course he entered Duff's Mercantile College at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with high honors. Upon receiving his diploma, Mr. Boyd returned home and for six years was employed in the county treasurer's office, a period of public service during which he created the best possible impression upon business circles generally in London. From the county treasurer's office Mr. Boyd went to the London Exchange Bank, of which his father was the president, being installed as cashier of that excellent institution on May 15, 1898, and has ever since that time been thus engaged.

Enterprising, energetic and public spirited, Mr. Boyd soon found himself called upon to take an interest in numerous enterprises of a local character and for years he has been regarded as one of the busiest and most influential men in Madison county. He not only operates large farming interests, comprising the properties of Shields & Boyd and of Boyd & Foley, all situated near the London corporation, but is the treasurer of the Thomas & Armstrong Manufacturing Company; president of the West Jefferson Telephone Company; treasurer and director of the Madison County Automobile Com- pany, of London; president of the London Creamery Company and director of the London Board of Trade. He also is half owner of the Murray-Boyd building, the finest office building in London, and also is interested, as part owner, in the Hotel London building, the London Exchange Bank building and many other important busi- ness properties in London, besides having a helping hand unselfishly outstretched in behalf of every movement or measure designed to promote the best interests of Madison county and the county seat town.

Mr. Boyd is a Republican and for years has taken an active interest in the political life of the county, his efforts in behalf of good government being generally recognized throughout this part of the state. For four terms he served as treasurer of the London corporation and has been one of the most influential promoters of civic better- ment. In social affairs Mr. Boyd is looked upon as one of the leaders and is an active and useful member of the influential London Club. He is a thirty-second degree member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member both of the Scottish rite and of the com- mandery, and is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, holding his membership in Aladdin Temple, at Columbus. He also is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias and in all his fraternal relations has borne his part well.

Few men in Madison county ever have inspired a larger measure of public: con- . fidence and esteem than has Robert W. Boyd, and he is held in the highest regard · -

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throughout the whole county. Diligent in business, he has prospered; cordial in his conversation with his fellowmen, affable and obliging in all his relations in life, he holds the respect of all and is immensely popular with his associates generally.

RALPH V. D. COONS.

One. of the most active promoters of the interests of the city of London, county seat of Madison county, is the gentleman whose name is here noted. Though having been identified with the interests of the town for less than ten years, few men there are giving more of their time and talents to the betterment of general conditions than he and since taking up his residence in London he has made a wide circle of friends throughout the county, all of whom have the utmost confidence in the sincerity of his efforts on behalf of the common welfare.

Ralph V. D. Coons was born in the city of Columbus, the capital of the proud state of Ohio, on September 6, 1872, son of Isaac N. and Agnes (Tracey) Coons, the former of whom was a native of Licking county, Ohio, and the latter of Cumberland, Maryland. Isaac N. Coons for many years was engaged in mercantile business at Columbus, he having been well known there as a dry-goods merchant, but is now living in the Isle of Pines, off the coast of Cuba, to which place he moved on January 11, 1903, and where he is successfully engaged in fruit growing. His wife died on February 11, 1910. They were the parents of five children, namely : M. D., of Marietta, Ohio; Ralph V. D., the immed- ate subject of this sketch; C. N., of Columbus, Ohio; one deceased, and Ray M., of the Isle of Pines.

R. V. D. Coons was educated in the public schools of Columbus and his first work was performed as a messenger in the office of Bradstreet's at Columbus. he having worked there for eight months, at the end of which time he was engaged as a messenger - in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, serving in. that capacity for six months. He then took employment with McCord & Kelly, grain dealers, of Columbus and remained with that firm for nine years. He later spent five years with another grain firm in Columbus, at the end of which time he became associated with the Cohen & Spencer Lumber Company, of Columbus, remaining with that firm for five years, leaving on January 17, 1907, to go to London, this county, as manager of the Plerce Lumber Company, the largest concern of its kind in Madison county, which was organ- ized in the year 1906, and there he has remained ever since.

On August 31, 1898. Ralph V. D. Coons was united in marriage to Ella McFarland, who was born near Pancake chapel, this county, a daughter of W. H. McFarland, and to this union three children have been born, all of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Coons are attendants at the Methodist church and Mr. Coons is a member of the men's Bible class of that church. He and his wife are actively interested in the good works of the community and are held in the highest regard therein.

Mr. Coons is a Democrat and though giving due attention to the political affairs of the county, never has been included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Masonic order at London and is worshipful master of the lodge in. that city. Mr. Coons is especially active in the business affairs of the city and was one of the organ- izers of the London Board of Trade, which he served as president for the year 1914. He also was one of the organizers and was the first president of the Madison County Fish and Game Protective Association and is a member and director of the London Club, serving that influential club as chairman of the house committee. He also is a member of the Health and Welfare League of the city of London and of the Business Men's Credit Association.

During his residence in London Mr. Coons has made a very definite place for him-

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self in the business life of the city and has also in every way extended the influence of his strong personality throughout the county, he being found in the forefront in all movements designed to promote the general welfare. His straightforward manner and earnest interest in the city of his adoption have won for him the admiration and respect of all who know him and he is held in very high regard in business circles, his associates reposing in him the highest possible confidence.

GEORGE CREATH.

The late George Creath, a successful merchant, who was well known in Madison county and who during his entire life occupied a position of prominence in the com- mercial and financial circles of the city of London, was born on October 5, 1837, near Mt. Sterling. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Creath, the former of whom was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1797, and the latter of whom was born in Virginia in 1734. John Creath was the son of William and Margaret Creath, the former of whom was of Irish descent and a pioneer in the state of Kentucky. In 1811, William Creath removed to Ohio and settled near Mt. Sterling, when his son John was a lad fourteen years old. There William Creath lived until his death. On March 25, 1823, John Creath was married to Elizabeth Robey, the daughter of Notly Robey. They had seven children, none of whom are living at the present time. The last survivor was Wiley Creath, who died some years ago. John Creath was captain of a militia for seven years. Although reared in the Presbyterian faith, he later became a member of the United Brethren church. He died on January 15, 1881, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife died previously in December, 1873.

George Creath was only one year old when his parents removed from near Mt. Sterling to Fairfield township, where they settled on a farm. There they lived for forty- three years. George left the farm at the age of twenty years and came to London, where he clerked in a general store. After working in London for a number of years, In company with his son, Murray. he purchased the store which he conducted until the time of his death. July 28, 1903. Since the death of the father, the business has been conducted by his son Murray. The store is that formerly owned by Thomas Rowlen.

On November 23, 1859, George Creath was married to Josephine Murray, the daugh- ter of Maxwell and Jane (Armstrong) Murray. the former of whom was a native of Ross county, Ohio. The complete family history of Mrs. Creath is to be found in the sketch of Clark Murray, presented elsewhere in this volume.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Creath lived for a time on Oak street. until their residence burned. They then removed to South Oak street. Still later they removed to West High street, and finally to Elm street, the present home of Mayor Burns. Mrs. George Creath died on September 24. 1908.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Creath were members of the Presbyterian church at London and' were strong in the faith of this denomination. Mrs. Creath's father had been one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in London. George Creath was an ardent Republican, and a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man who, despite business cares. was devoted primarily to the interests of his home and family. He disliked to leave home under any and all circumstances. He and his wife were keenly devoted to each other, and enjoyed a most happy married life. They had six children : Carrie married Walter Arbuckle, and died at the age of fifty: Wiley died on September 29, 1880. at the age of eighteen; Herman died in infancy; Minnie J. is the wife of Lester Bidwell, referred to elsewhere in this volume; Murray M. is a well-known merchant of London, and is referred to elsewhere in this volume; Louise married Harry E. Baner, of Springfield. Ohio.

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The Creath family has always been regarded as one of the substantial families of Madison county. They have been prominent in the various phases of the community life in the city of London and vicinity. George Creath, during his life, enjoyed the admiration of a large circle of friends ..

ROBERT BOYD.

In making up the annals of Madison county, the historian is confronted at many points by the indisputable evidences of the permanence of the work accomplished by the late Robert Boyd, one of the leading men of his day and generation in this county. Robert Boyd was a man of high ideals and of extraordinary power of initiative, whose life touched at many angles the common life of his community and whose strong personal influence ever was directed along right channels. A resident of this county from the time he was six years of age, he grew into the very life of the commonwealth and became a powerful factor therein. Enterprising, energetic and public spirited, Mr. Boyd's rapid progress to a position of power and influence in this section of the state was but natural and the large rewards he gathered along the way were but proper guerdons of the race well won. Touching at many points the commercial, finan- cial and industrial life of the county, he brought to all these relations the best service of his vigorous intellect, his fine courage and his rare wisdom and in whatever field his labors carried him he wrought well. Growing up on a farm in Canaan township, this county, Mr. Boyd became one of the largest landholders and most extensive live- stock dealers in the county; later entering the banking business he rose to a position of large influence in financial circles hereabout and became interested in numerous enterprises, all of which profited by his connection therewith. In his church and social relations, Mr. Boyd was equally prominent, his fine manly qualities being impressed upon all with whom he came in contact, and his death in 1905 was widely and sincerely mourned, for he was a man who had done well his part in life.

Robert Boyd was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on October 9, 1824, the eldest son of James and Martha (Millikin) Boyd. natives of that state, the latter of whom was the daughter of Col. James Millikin. James Boyd and his small family came to Madison county in 1830, locating on a farm in Canaan township, quickly taking their places among the leaders of the community life of that section of the county. James Boyd died at the early age of thirty-three years and his widow lived to a ripe old age, being, in her day, one of the best-known and most widely respected and influential women in her neighborhood. They were the parents of four children.

Being the eldest of the children of his widowed mother, Robert Boyd early was compelled to assume a responsible position in life and thus, by the time he had reached manhood's estate, had acquired those fine qualities of rugged independence and developed that keen sense of initiative which later in life were to stand him so well in stead. He remained on the home place, assisting his mother in the management of the farm until the time of his marriage in 1849, in which year he engaged in farming for himself, on a tract of one hundred and forty-five acres, a portion of the home farm. Here he prospered and later sold this tract, buying four hundred acres in Jefferson town- ship, where he resided for five years, at the end of which time he left the farm and moved into the city of London, for the more convenient and advantageous prosecution of his rapidly growing live-stock interests. Even when quite young, Mr. Boyd had taken an active interest in the live-stock business and gradually developed the same until he became probably the most extensive grazier and dealer in live stock in the county, a business ,which he maintained with much success for many years. During. this time he also extended his land holdings, until he presently became .one of the. largest landowners in Madison county. His interests also extended in numerous other

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Robi Bor

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directions and as president for many years of the London Exchange Bank of London, he exerted an influence in general business and financial circles second to none in this community. That this influence ever was exerted in behalf of the better interests of the county and that, in all his doings, Mr. Boyd ever was prompted by a desire to further the common good, his unselfish labors thus proving of large value to the public, is one of the best commentaries on his useful life than can be penned. He believed in his fellow men and they trusted him, few men in this county having enjoyed a larger measure of general confidence and esteem than he.

On October 18, 1849, Robert Boyd was united in marriage to Caroline M. Wilson, daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson, early settlers of this county, they having come here in the year 1810, and to this union five children were born, namely : Nancy, who married James W. Byers, of London, this county; Alice, who married the Hon. A. G. Carpenter, judge of the appellate court at Cleveland, Ohio; Albert W., of London; Caroline M., who married George W. Kohn, of Van Wert, Ohio, and Robert W., cashier of the London Exchange Bank of London, this county. The mother of these children died on February 21, 1900, and the father survived until February 15, 1905. Both counted their friends by legions and they were sincerely mourned, it being felt by all that their passing had created vacancies in the community life hereabout that would, indeed, be difficult to fill. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were earnest members of the Methodist church and for many years had been among the most active workers in the congregation to which they were attached, Mr. Boyd long having been a trustee of the church, in which capacity his services were rendered with the same faithful regard to the best things that characterized all his service in this community. His was a well-filled and a useful life, and his memory long will be cherished in Madison county.

MRS. MINNIE J. BIDWELL

Born in the city of London, and for a number of years prominent in the educational circles of Madison county, Mrs. Minnie J. (Creath) Bidwell was educated in the public schools of London, was graduated from the high school at the latter place in the class of 1887, and was also a student in Wooster University, of Wooster, Ohio, and at Chicago University.

Mrs. Bidwell is the fourth child born to her parents in a family of six children. Her parents were the late George and Josephine (Murray) Creath, the former of whom was born October 5, 1837, at Mt. Sterling, and who died July 28, 1903, and the latter was born November 23, 1859, the daughter of Maxwell and Jane (Armstrong) Murray. The late George Creath was son of John and Elizabeth Creath, natives respectively. of Kentucky and Virginia, the former being born in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, in 1897, and the latter in the Old Dominion state in 1794. John Creath was a son of William and Margaret D. Creath, the former of whom was of Irish descent and a pioneer of the state of Kentucky. In 1811 William Creath emigrated to Madison county, Ohio, and settled near Mt. Sterling, where his death occurred. He married Eliza- beth Robey, March 25, 1823. She was a daughter of Notly Robey. John Creath and wife were the parents of seven children, of whom Wiley, the last survivor, died several years ago. John Creath died January 15, 1881, at the age of eighty-three, while his wife had passed away previously in December, 1873. He was the captain of a militia company for seven years, and although reared in the Presbyterian faith, in later years became a member of the United Brethren church.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 78

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

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