History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 96

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 96

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Mr. and Mrs. Torbert are members of the Presbyterian church at Plain City. Mr. Torbert usually votes the Democratic ticket but is independent both in thought and action, and is not definitely attached to any party, choosing among the candidates for public office as he would choose in any other responsibility of life, with wisdom, foresight and good judgment.

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THOMAS C. GREGG.

However great may be the contribution which the professional man makes to his community, it should be remembered that the business man who conducts his affairs with due regard to the principles of honor also becomes a benefactor. Few residents of this county are as well known as the man whose history is here recorded briefly. He is representative not only of the business interests but of a type of manhood which always deserves and wins the admiration of friends and the esteem and confidence of the public. Thomas C. Gregg, vice-president of the West Jefferson Commercial Bank, has done much to advance the material welfare of the community in which he and his family have lived. He is a native of Jefferson township, having been born here on July 13, 1866.

Thomas C. Gregg is the son of Ashton A. and Mary M. (Pierce) Gregg, the former of whom was born in Brownsville, Peunsylvania, his parents being John and Mar- garet Gregg. After the death of John Gregg, which occurred in his native state, his widow and her three sons, Ashton A., Thomas and Carlton, all of whom are deceased, located in Jefferson township where Ashton was reared and attended school. When a young man, Ashton A. Gregg began the enterprises which later resulted in a successful career, but he lived with his devoted mother until his twenty-first year. He first bought and cleared land, selling lumber to the railroad; at the same time giving some attention to the subject of stock raising. So successful was he that he acquired two thousand acres of valuable land. He was much interested in politics, and was regarded as a man of considerable political influence. He contributed liberally to the church, and both he and his wife saw to it that their children all had careful religious training. He died on March 11, 1911. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. All of the sons have the qualifications which go to make the successful business man. John, retired from business, lives in Columbus, Ohio; Pierce M. has large farming interests, is commissioner of Madison county, and president of the West Jefferson Commercial Bank; a daughter is the wife of J. R. Engle, a retired business man of West Jefferson; Arabella, the youngest daughter, also a resident of this city, has never married.

The early environment of Thomas C. Gregg was that of the country, and his schooling that which was offered by local schools. He had ambitions for a career which farm life failed to satisfy, and soon after his twentieth birthday, he was book- keeper in the bank of which he later became vice-president. His mental alertness and fidelity to every trust, attracting the attention of his employers, he was afterward pro- moted to the position of cashier, serving in that capacity until January, 1915, when he was elected vice-president of the bank, his former position being filled by his nephew, A. A. Gregg. Mr. Gregg has never entirely relinquished his farming interests, and owns three hundred acres of land in this township.

The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg has been happy, and many friends have been attracted to their hospitable fireside. Mrs. Gregg was formerly Ellen Recob, her marriage taking place in 1892. A daughter of Val Recob, she was born and reared in this county, and attended its schools. One child, a son named Mcclellan, was born in this home in September, 1894. After graduating from the Jefferson high school, he entered upon a business career, and is now one of the owners of the Ember Department Store Company. His wife is Mary Hummell, daughter of M. E. Hummell.

The Commercial Bank of West Jefferson has figured conspicuously in the lives of three generations of this family, and three out of its four chief officials bear the name of Gregg. The bank was organized in 1885 as a private business concern, and was owned by Ashton A. Gregg, who was its first president. Its present officers are :

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President, Pierce M. Gregg; vice-president, T. C. Gregg; cashier, A. A. Gregg; assistant cashier, Howard Johnson.

Mr. Gregg and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons, lodge No. 221. A Repub- lican in doctrine, he has been active in local politics.

While Mr. Gregg is quiet and unassuming in manner, he is, at the same time, forceful in personality. He has the rare ability of deciding on a course of action, and having done this, to concentrate his efforts until the goal has been reached. But he is always considerate of others, a man of strong convictions and the moral courage to stand by them, and one who not only commands respect, but having won, retains it. Mr. Gregg is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.

EMILIUS M. KILBURY.

It is difficult to estimate what those farmers have accomplished toward increasing the yield of corn who have given their attention to the development of specific varieties. Emilius M. Kilbury, the proprietor of "Yellow Corn Farm," of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and the producer and grower of "Kilbury Yellow Hybrid" corn, is a most successful farmer and a leading citizen of this township. Interested in education, he has had a prominent part in the movement for consolidated schools, having served as president of the Jerome township board of education. He has also been one of the organizers of the farmers' institute at Plain City and twice has served as president; one of the organizers of the Plain City Corn Carnival and a member of the executive committee; a member of the Plain City Matinee and for some time official starter; also prominent in the membership of the Grange; and, at present, one of the lecturers of the latter organization.

Emilius M. Kilbury, who is descended from an old and honorable family, now living at Kileville, was born in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, March 15, 1858. He is the son of T. T. and Darthula (Perkins) Kilbury, the former of whom was born in Canaan township, June 6, 1830. He was the son of Thomas Kilbury, who was the son of Richard Kilbury. Richard Kilbury came to Madison county and settled on Darby Plains in 1813, where he lived until his death. He was born in 1797. Richard Kilbury had several children, among them being Thomas, who was the grandfather of Emilius M. Kilbury. Thomas Kilbury was the father of thirteen children by his first marriage, among whom were Ira. Orson, Armenus, T. T., Sarah, John, and James. After the death of his first wife, he married Polly Clark and to them were born five children, Isnac, Emily, Harrison, Levi and Nina. .

Few educational opportunities were available during the boyhood and youth of T. T. Kilbury. He grew to manbood in Madison county, Ohio, and in 1860 moved to Union county, north of Plain City, where he remained until the time of his death. He was a devoutly religious man, public-spirited as a citizen, a leading stockman of his community during his day and generation and his judgment was widely sought by his neighbors and highly valued. He raised the first Merino sheep in this section of the state, paying eleven hundred dollars for ten ewes and a buck lamb. He was accustomed to raise his sheep and then drive them over the mountains to Philadelphia and was known as the first man who drove cattle from Darby Plains to the East. T. T. and Darthula (Perkins) Kilbury were the parents of seven children, Elmore S., who is deceased; Amanda, who is the wife of Ed Powell, of Madison county ; Emilius M., the subject of this sketch; Ulysses G., who lives in New York state; Clark R., who is a farmer of Union county ; Emma S., who is deceased; Thomas E., who is a farmer of Union county and lives at Plain City.

Emilius M. Kilbury was reared on a farm and, at the age of two years, was taken

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by his parents to Union county, where he attended the public schools of Jerome town- ship in the winter and assisted with the work on the farm in the summer.

After remaining at home until twenty-five years of age, Emilius M. Kilbury was married on December 13, 1883, to Ida Tway, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, January 5, 1861, and who was educated in the common schools. Mrs. Kilbury is the daughter of Nelson and Philoma (Frazell) Tway, the former of whom served in the Seventh Regiment Ohio Independent Cavalry, and acted as the body guard for President Lincoln during the Civil War. He carried orders from the President to the officers in the field.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury bought the farm of sixty-six acres now known as "Yellow Corn Farm." They have been the parents of two children, Bertha L., who married Walter Lathon. Before her marriage, she was graduated from the Plain City high school. Clinton S., the other child, is a graduate of the Plain City schools and was the honor man of his class. He is unmarried and lives at home.

Mr. Kilbury is a stanch Democrat and has twice been the nominee of his party for representative from Madison county.

BURR E. CARPENTER.

On the West Jefferson and Plain City pikes, four miles south of Plain City, Ohio, is situated "Spring Run Farm," comprising two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, of which Burr E. Carpenter is the proprietor. He is one of the most successful farmers of Canaan township, and one of the best-known men in the community in which he lives.

Burr E. Carpenter was born on July 14, 1850, and is the son of Wesley and Sarah (Smith) Carpenter, the former of whom was born in Galena, Delaware county, Ohio, and the latter was born in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Carpenter's father came to Madison county, Ohio, at the age of twenty-seven years, and after bis marriage located on the farm where Burr E. now lives and here spent the remainder of his life. He was a Republican in politics. Three children were born to Wesley and Sarah (Smith) Carpenter, as follow: Irene is the wife of John Stolbert of Canaan township; Mary is the wife of Benjamin Johnson of Madison county, Ohio; Burr E. is the subject of this sketch.

Burr E. Carpenter was reared on the farm he owns in Madison county, and was educated in the district school of Canaan township. He attended school in the winter and worked at home on the farm during the summer. When Mr. Carpenter had reached his majority. he began life on his own responsibility but worked at home for his father and with his father until his marriage.

On September 16, 1876, Burr E. Carpenter was married to Amelia. Porter, who was born in Canaan township, and is the daughter of Silas and Cynthia (Beetley) Porter. She was educated in the common schools of the township, and attended the same school as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of two children. Stanley P. married Laura Wright. He was educated in the common schools and in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley P. Carpenter live on Mr. Carpenter's farm and have one child, Helen, Laura is a graduate of the Plain City high school. She is unmarried and lives at home with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are quiet, unassuming people, and have a host of friends in this county. He is public spirited in the large meaning of the term, and has done much in behalf of the prosperity of Canaan township. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members of the Big Darby Baptist church, and Mr. Carpenter is one of the trustees. He is a Republican and has served several terms as trustee of Canaan .township.

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HOWARD D. BOWMAN.

Howard D. Bowman is an excellent young farmer of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, who has charge of one hundred and ninety-one acres of land belonging to his father. Mr. Bowman was born in Morgan county, Ohio, October 3, 1885, and is the son of Henry and Rachael Bowman, the latter of whom was born in Morgan county, Ohio, and the former was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1847. Mrs. Rachael Bowman died on February 4, '1909. Since this time, Henry Bowman has been mar- ried to Flora Latimore. They live in Plain City, Ohio.

Henry and Rachael Bowman were the parents of four children, as follow : Joseph, who is a graduate of the Chesterhill high school and spent two years in Ohio State Uni- versity, is a farmer in Morgan county, Ohio, and his wife before her marriage was Nannie Smith; Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the Chesterhill high school, is the wife of Thomas Lovell, and they live in Montana; Edith is a graduate of the high school, and the wife of Emmitt Watson; Howard D. is the subject of this sketch.

Howard D. Bowman, who was reared in Morgan county, Ohio, and educated in the public schools of that county and in the high school at Chesterhill, came to Madison county in 1904, and five years later was married to May D. O'Harra, the daughter of Harry and Della (Kilbury) O'Harra. The marriage was solemnized on November 13, 1909. Mrs. Bowman's father was born in Madison county, Ohio, and her mother in Union county, Ohio. She died on May 17, 1913. Harry and Della (Kilbury) O'Harra were the parents of four children, namely: Fay is the wife of J. B. McCune; Laura is the wife of Pearl Harper; May, who was born in Madison county, May 1, 1886, is now Mrs Bowman; Bessie is the wife of F. C. Berg.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard D. Bowman have one child, William H., born on February 26, 1915. Mr. Bowman is a Republican in politics but is a young man and has never been active in the councils of his party. He is devoting his whole energy to' the various aspects of farming and already has accomplished a great deal in mastering the intricacies of present day farming. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are popular and well known in Darby township.

FRED KILE.

Fred Kile, the proprietor of the grain elevator at Kileville, Ohio, as an enterpris- ing farmer of Union, Madison and Franklin counties, Ohio, has long been prominent in the political life of this section of the state. As an active Republican and one whose counsel is widely sought by the rank and file of his party, he is a member of the county central committee, and formerly a delegate to county, congressional, judicial and state conventions of the "Grand Old Party." Although prominent in politics all of his life, Mr. Kile has never held office. Besides the elevator at Kileville, he owns one hun- dred and thirty-five acres of land and divides his attention between the farm and the elevator.

Fred Kile was born in Madison county, Ohio, January 5, 1863, the son of J. A. and Mary (Martin) Kile, the former of whom was a native of Licking county, Ohio, and the latter was born in Franklin county, Ohio. They were married, however, in Madison county and made this county their home until their deaths. J. A. Kile passed away at his home on September 19, 1899, and his wife about three years later in May, 1902. He was a prominent farmer and stock dealer, a Republican in politics and a charter member and past grand of Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and active in the affairs of the church until their deaths. They were the parents . of five children, three of whom are living, R. P., who is a farmer at Lander, Fremont

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county, Wyoming; Fred, who is the subject of this sketch; and Clark, who is a farmer in Union county, Ohio.

Born and reared on a farm in Madison county, Ohio, Fred Kile was educated in the district schools, attending school in the winter and working at home on the farm during the summer. On April 2, 1885, Mr. Kile was married to Elizabeth Purdum, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in November, 1862, and who received a common- school education in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Kile have only one living child at this time, Elton M. Kile, a prominent lawyer and farmer of this community. Another son, W. T. S., was a successful grain dealer. He died on November 5, 1909.

Mr. and Mrs. Kile are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City and Mr. Kile, as a member of the official board, is active in the work of the church.

Prominent as he is in the religious and political life of this community, he is naturally well known, not only in Madison county, but in Franklin and Union counties as well. He is an honorable citizen, an upright man, one who does his full duty, private or public.

MICHAEL E. DWYER.

The successful business men in nearly every line have begun life on the farm, their sturdy youth having been just the material necessary for a solid foundation of achievement. Michael E. Dwyer, a prominent merchant of London, this county, is Do exception to the rule. Born on March 9, 1864, on the farm of his father, Michael Dwyer, he early developed the thrift which was characteristic of his parents. both of whom were natives of Ireland, and soon made the name of Dwyer a synonym for efficiency and worth.

Michael and Johanna (Hourigan) Dwyer, soon after their arrival in America, settled first in Greene county, Ohio, later moving to Madison county. Not quite satis- fled with this location as a permanent home, they finally removed to Clark county, where they reared and educated their children as progressive, Christian citizens and where Michael Dwyer, in 1867, passed to his eternal rest, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss. In 1880, just thirteen years later, death claimed the wife and mother who had proved herself, not only a wise and loyal helpmeet, but a kind and loving mother, whose training and example were to make those she left behind, a power for good among all who know them.

When Michael E. Dwyer was fourteen years of age, his mother and her children moved to London, his father having previously died. His brother, Thomas J., and a sister, Mrs. Mary E. Corbett, now reside in London. Mrs. T. F. Ryan, another sister, now reside in Columbus, Ohio.

Michael E. Dwyer was educated in the public schools of London, where at the age of eighteen, he learned the tinner's trade which he followed for ten years. His ambition and thrift during these ten years, brought him such a measure of success that before he was twenty-one, he had purchased the business of James J. Welsh, bis former employer. For four years he conducted that business unaided after which the firm of Dwyer Brothers was formed, his brother, Thomas J., becoming a partner. Together they bought, April 9. 1888, the lot upon which the building they now occupy was erected in 1892. This building is sixty by ninety feet and consists of two floors. but in addition to this they also use the upper floor space, fifty by eighty, in another building. When Mr. Dwyer first became a merchant, he sold hardware exclusively, but his affability and honesty soon increased the demands of the trade to such an extent that a full line of high-grade furniture was added.

On August 17, 1899, after winning success and proving his ability to become the head of a household, Michael E. Dwyer was united in marriage to Margaret Bindon.

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MICHAEL E. DWYER.

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of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, and to them was born one child, Paul, who is now attending high school.

Mr. Dwyer's sterling worth won him the distinction of election as the first presi- dent of the London Board of Trade and he has served as a member of the board of public works for two terms. He is an honored member of the Knights of Columbus and an active worker in the Catholic church. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Mr. Dwyer is probably the largest individual property holder in London and, aside from the twenty-five or more pieces of rental property in town, he owns a farm in Union township, located two and one-half . miles east of London, on which flows a magnetic spring whose water analysis shows a favorable comparison with the best mineral springs of the world. This energetic man has achieved a most remarkable success in life, not because of so-called luck, but because of his real ability and the desire not only to grasp his opportunity but to make it. This is the secret of true success, but so few have the courage necessary to real achievement. Opportunity and luck are but the products of diligent application and the daily wisdom absorbed from the experience of solving each problem by conscientious endeavor.

Such have been the tools Mr. Dwyer has used in his garden of life and the brilliant flowers grown therein will not fade, but spread a lasting fragrance to be inhaled by future generations.

ROBERT SLYH.

In Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, is a fertile, highly productive, beautiful and well-kept farm owned by Robert Siyh, a pioneer of Canaan township and one of the most highly-respected citizens of this community. Mr. Slyh's farm comprises two hundred and fourteen acres and not only is a beautiful tract of land but is conveniently situated with reference to schools and markets.

Robert Siyh was born in Canaan township, November 19, 1843, the son of Mathias and Sarah (Patterson) Siyh, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion state.

Before his marriage to Sarah Patterson, Mathias Slyh had been previously mar- ried, but his first wife died leaving four children. He then came to Ohio, where he was married to Sarah Patterson. They had a family of seven children, as follow : Isabelle married Daniel Walker; Elizabeth married William Milliken; Mary married William Wilson; Ann is the wife of Robert Reece; Ruth is the wife of Isaac Beach; Robert is the subject of this sketch; Charles married Eliza Kilgore.

Robert Siyh was reared on a farm in Canaan township, and attended the country schools of Madison county. He remained at home until a year after having reached his majority, and then began life on his own account, about which time he was mar- ried to Sarah Smith, a native of Canaan township, and the daughter of Alva and Catherine (Moore) Smith. Mrs. Slyh was reared on a farm in Canaan township. She died on November 15, 1914, after having borne seven children, six of whom are now living, Alva married Anna Baily and lives in Franklin county, Ohio. They have three children, Robert B., Frank F .. and Catherine. Sarah L. is unmarried and lives at home. Matthew married Maud Wright and has three children. Louise, Geraldine and Geneva. twins. Walter is unmarried and lives at home with his father. Frank married Imogene Steele and is a resident of Springfield. Ohio. He was graduated from the Plain City high school. They have one daughter, Maxine I. Forest, married Maude Ray and is a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he is a street car conductor.

Mr. Slyh, besides his farm in Canaan township, has other minor interests. Politic- ally, he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a man of quiet and unassuming manner, and is popular in the community where he lives. He is a man well known in this section of the county, being one of the oldest settlers in this section of the county.

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GEORGE A. SHOVER.

George A. Shover. a successful farmer of Darby township and a breeder of Perch- erou horses and purebred Duroc-Jersey hogs, is one of the best-known citizens of the township. Mr. Shover owns a tract of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land on the Post roud, two miles east of Plain City, Ohio, a farm that is under a high state of cultivation and well improved.

George A. Shover was born on the farm which he now owns. August 31, 1868. He is the son of Eli and Mary (Taylor) Shover, the former of whom was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1834, and the latter was born in Darby township. Madison county, Ohio, March 9. 1842. Eli Shover died in May 1915, and his widow is still living in Plain City, Ohio.

To Eli and Mary (Taylor) Shover were born four children, three of whom are now living. Rosa, who is deceased, was the wife of Harry L. Doughty. She had two chil- dren. Fred married three times, his present wife being May Courtney. They live in California. George A. is the subject of this sketch. May is unmarried and lives with her mother in Plain City, Ohio.

Mr. Shover was reared on the farm he now owns, and educated in the district schools, which he attended during the winter working at home on the farm during the summer. After finishing the common schools, Mr. Shover took up book-keeping at Plain City, Ohio, and was graduated from a business college at that place. Upon finishing his course, he returned to the farm and has lived on the home farm ever since.

On January 2, 1907, George A. Shorer was married to Minnie D. Smith, who was born in the Buckeye state.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 96

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

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