USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 100
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SAMUEL N. GUNNETT.
Samuel N. Gunnett, farmer, living on rural route No. 2. West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, was born on March 2, 1881, in Franklin county, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Shannon) Gunnett. His mother died when he was about two years old, and he was reared by his grandmother and his father. He grew up on a farm in Franklin county, where he attended the district schools in the winter and assisted his father with the farm work during the summer. Mr. Gunnett is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his township. He attended the church of the United Brethren.
Joseph Gunnett, father of the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Christina Shannon, who died when Samuel N. was a small lad. Mr. Gunnett never married again. This union was blest with the following children: E. H., who lives in Union county, Ohio, and is a grain dealer; Rev. H. C., who is a Methodist Episcopal minister at White Cottage, Ohio; Agnes, who became the wife of Harry Doby, of Columbus, Ohio; Eliza, the wife of Samuel Glick, also resides at Columbus; Samuel N .. of West Jefferson ; and Jennie, deceased.
Samuel N. Gunnett was united in marriage, June 26, 1902, with Oma Gatlon, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thompson) Gatlon. She was born on December 6, 1882, in Franklin county, Ohio, where she attended the public schools. This union has been blest with four children: Joseph, born on July 3. 1904: Pauline, July 25, 1906: Bertha, April 1. 1909; Ralph, June 10, 1914.
David Gatlon lived most of his life in Franklin county, Ohio. He was a farmer, and in politics was a Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died on March 11. 1914, aged eighty-six years. They had two children, Mrs. Gunnett and Norman, who died when about thirty years of age. Norman Gatlon married Carrie Coe and had two children, Margaret and Earl.
Mr. and Mrs. Gunnett are congenial and affable people and occupy a position of high respect throughout the entire community in which they reside. Mr. Gunnett has the entire charge and supervision of a farm of one hundred and forty acres belonging to his father-in-law, which brings him good returns for his industry. He raises a mixed breed of hogs, Shorthorn cattle, and does general farming.
CHARLES L. PRUGH.
Charles L. Prugh, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on October 4, 1871, in Somer- ford township, Madison county, and is a son of George W. and Martha ( Heffley) Prugh. He was one year old when his parents moved to Jefferson township, where he grew up and attended the district schools, attending only during the winter months, and helping his father on the farm during the summers, until he was seventeen years of age, when he entered the Northern University at Ada, Ohio, attending for one year. He then returned home and took up agricultural pursuits. devoting part of his time to the breeding of registered hogs and high-grade stock of all kinds. He is a stanch Republican, and has shown his active interest by serving as trustee of Canaan town- ship for a period of seven years, and of which township he is the present treasurer.
George W. Prugh, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on April 17, 1842. in Somerford township, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Bradley) Prugh. George
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W. Prugh was united in marriage with Martha Heffley. She was born on March 28. 1848, in Somerford township. where they were married, and resided four years, after which they moved to Jefferson township, near West Jefferson, in the year 1873. Mr. Prugh became very successful in the agricultural world, and now owns one hundred and ninety-five acres, on which he lives, in addition to which Mrs. Prugh owns a fine tract of one hundred and twelve acres in her own name. This union has been blest with two children, Addie, who became the wife of Isaac H. Braithwaite, and resides in Jefferson township, and Charles L.
Charles L. Prugh was united in marriage, January 17, 1893, with Lillie Haynes, daughter of Emory B. and Sarah J. (Pearce) Haynes. She was born in Jefferson township. where she was reared and educated in the public schools, and later attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Prugh located on their present farm, where they have since followed agriculture. They have been blessed with three children, oue of whom died young: Eva M., born in 1897, was graduated from the Plain City high school, after which she became a student in the Ohio University at Ada, Ohio, and George E .. born on March S, 1899, who is at present attending the public school.
Mr. and Mrs. Prugh are regarded as exemplary citizens and good neighbors to their many friends in Canaan township.
HARRY WILSON.
Harry Wilson, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on November 16, 1863, in Canaan township. where he now lives, the son of John S. and Silvina J. (McDonald) Wilson. Hle was reared on the old Wilson farm and received his education at the district schools of Canaan township, attending during the winter months, and working on the farm in the summer, until he was eighteen years of age. At the age of twenty-one years he rented a farm in Deer Creek township and farmed for himself, remaining here twelve years, during which time he was married. Mr. Wilson is now the pro- prietor of "Wilson Inn Farm." consisting of eighty-three acres, situated on the Middle pike, seven miles south of Plain City, and five miles north of West Jefferson. This place is one of the oldest farms in Madison county, and the first house, built in 1807, is still standing. Mr. Wilson has for a number of years given his active interest and support to the Republican party, and is at present a member of the board of education of Canaan township. He is especially interested at this time in the breeding of registered Duroc-Jersey hogs and fine grades of various kinds of stock.
John S. Wilson, father of the subject of this sketch. was born and reared in Canaan township, Madison county, where he attended the district schools. Mr. Wilson was always a hospitable, whole-souled man. He was extremely liberal, and many hungry mouths were fed at his home. His wife was Silvina J. ( McDonald) Wilson. To John S. and Silvina J. (McDonald) Wilson were born six children, four of whom are living in 1915: Harry; Charles, vice-president of the First State Bank at Plain City; Eleanor, who became the wife of Rolland G. Bradley, of London, Ohio: Lucy, the wife of Clinton L. Simpkins, lives at Minster, Ohio.
James Wilson was the paternal grandfather, and his wife was Eleanor (Smith) Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a. brother of William D. Wilson, and both were large land- owners. William D. Wilson at one time owned thirteen thousand acres of land in Canaan township. James Wilson owned eight hundred and fifty acres in Canaan town- ship, and one thousand acres in Deer Creek township. He bought, fed and sold large numbers of stock annually. James and Eleanor (Smith) Wilson were the parents of three sons and one daughter: John S., Valentine H., Thomas B., Lucy E., who is now the widow of William Beach, and the only one now living, and one other.
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Harry Wilson was united in marriage, October 6, 1889. with Ella Wright, daughter of Moses Wright. She was born and reared in Gallia county, Ohio, receiving her edu- cation at the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived in Deer Creek township for eight years after they were married, and then came to Canaan township, where Mr. Wilson built a fine modern home in 1912. This union has been blessed with one daugh- ter, Grace, born on July 4. 1890. She is a graduate of the public school, and is now the wife of Herbert Lombard. They live in Jefferson township and have three sons, James, Robert and Wilson.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gillivan, of which Mr. Wilson is one of the trustees and a member of the official board. He also belongs to Urania Lodge No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Wilson pos- sesses the happy faculty of making friends, of which he has a large number.
EDGAR POWELL.
The subject of this sketch is a good representative of the substantial citizenship of a highly-progressive and prosperous community, and a man whose high ideals of honesty permit no consideration of anything falling short of the mark. He has always been on the lookout for those things tending toward the betterment of conditions in his township.
Edgar Powell, farmer, Plain City, Canaan township, Madison county, was born on April 19, 1856, in Logan county, Ohio, and is a son of Joshua and Lavina (Fisher) Powell. He grew to young manhood in his native township, where he received his early education, going later to the Ridgeville College in Indiana for one year. After his marriage Mr. Powell began the life of an agriculturist, moving to his present farm in 1881, where he has since resided. His attention has been divided between general farming and stock raising, principally to the breeding of registered Duroc-Jersey hogs, of which he has some fine specimens. Mr. Powell has always given his support to the Republican party, taking an active interest in local politics, serving as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has long been actively interested.
Joshua Powell, father of Edgar was born in New Jersey, of German lineage, and a son of Henry Powell. He served in an Ohio infantry regiment during the Civil War, and won distinction at the siege of Petersburg. His wife was Lavina ( Fisher) Powell. He came to Ohio with his father, who located near Cleveland, but afterward moved to near West Mansfield. Logan county, where he reared his family, which consisted of four sons and four daughters, Henry, Thomas. Edgar, Frank, Anna, Melissa, Sarah, and Harriett. Henry is a merchant at Morrow, Ohio; Frank died in infancy; Anna became the wife of Joseph Skidmore, and is now deceased ; Melissa married Robert ITindall, and lives in Logan county on a farm; Sarah became the wife of Edson Gordon, and died, leaving one child; Harriett was married to James Medles, a farmer in Logan county.
Henry Powell, the paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, coming to America at the age of nine years. He was a son of George Powell.
The paternal great-grandfather was George Powell, a German nobleman, who was strenuously opposed to the wars of Germany. He was a man of great wealth, and owned a portion of the present site of Berlin. Abandoning his property, he char- tered a vessel for the purpose of bringing his mother and brothers to the United States, all of whom were drowned in trying to board the ship. The great-grandmother. who was already on board with her two sons, started for the United States. One of her sons died on the voyage across the water, and she, with her remaining son, landed in America without funds. Her son, grandfather of Edgar Powell, was bound out in
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an English family. After arriving at young manhood he was married and became the father of four sons and two daughters, William, Joshua, Henry, Thomas, Mary and Alla.
Edgar Powell was united in marriage, in September, 1880, with Amanda Kilbury, daughter of Thompson Kilbury. She was born in Canaan township, but was reared in Jerome township, in Union county, where she attended the public schools. This union has been blest with four children, Clayton I., Ida, Dale and Glen B. Claytou I. attended the college at Yellow Springs, Ohio, Ile is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. and is master of the lodge at West Mansfield, Ohio, where he follows auctioneering. Ida Powell is a graduate of the elocution department at Ada, Ohio, and became the wife of Joseph Zimmerman, of Union county. Dale Powell attended the law school at Cincinnati, Ohio, for one year, and later entered the Bliss Business College, at Colum- bns, Ohio, from which he was graduated. He is a member of Urania Lodge No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons. He lives at home. Glen B. Powell, who is directing his attention to agriculture, raised an acre of corn which took the premium in the town- ship contest in 1914, giving him a trip to Washington, D. C. . He is at home, and unmarried.
Mr. Powell is unassuming in his manner, and is a whole-souled, generous Christian. who never allows anyone needing assistance, to go from his door unaided. Mrs. Powell is as kind as her husband, and is a regular member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their fine farm, known as "Oak Lawn Farm," consists of one hundred and twenty-three acres, and is located five miles southwest of Plain City, Ohio.
JAMES HAMILTON.
The venerable James Hamilton, a farmer and carpenter of Darby township, Madison county. Ohio, is a native-born son of old Ireland, who, although he came to America three-quarters of a century ago, has never been naturalized and has never voted in this country. He has lived to rear a large family of children to lives of use- fulness and honor, and he, himself, reflects great credit upon the community where he lives.
James Hamilton was born in Middletown, Armagh county, Ireland, June 11, 1829. and came to America some time before the Civil War. His father had died when he was an infant, and his mother had married a second time. Mr. Hamilton first landed in Canada and there he learned the carpenter's trade, coming to the United States later with his master in this trade. Ile stopped in Champaign county, Ohio, at Mechanics- burg, but after remaining there a short time. he came on to Madison county, where he began taking contracts, and where he soon prospered in the carpenter business.
After having worked at his trade for several years. James Hamilton was married on May 23. 1849, to Lois Converse. the granddaughter of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, who was an early settler on Darby plains south of Plain City, Ohio. Mrs. Hamilton is a daughter of Jeremiah. Jr., and Melinda (Derby) Converse, the former of whom was born in Vermont. They grew up together and after their marriage, came to Madison county. Ohio. He died at the age of seventy-nine, and his wife at the age of forty-two, after having reared a large family of children, as follow : Cyrus D., Rhoda, Erastus, Elias, Zelotus. Jeremiah. Lemuel, Melinda, Lois, Rosanna and Samantha, all of whom are deceased, except Lois, now Mrs. James Hamilton. Jeremiah Hamilton was a physi- cian and surgeon in Plain City during his lifetime. and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Mrs. Hamilton had little opportunity for an education in her youth, having to assist with the work in the home.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have made all that they have in the world through their own efforts. After their marriage they lived in Liverpool for a time, where Mr.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES HAMILTON.
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Hamilton worked at his trade. Later they located on Darby Plains, and still later they purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the corporation of Plain City. Mr. Hamilton has always been a lover of good horses and is an expert judge of these animals. He and his wife are the parents of six children. Charles A. married Nellie Brigg, of San Francisco, California, and is in the mining business in old Mexico. He has a ranch twelve miles wide and twenty miles long. He sold a mine for one and one- half million dollars, and still owns several mines in Mexico, where he lives at Oaxaca. George is a farmer. He married Carrie Channels, and they live at Plain City, Ohio. Homer is a railroad man and farmer, living in Idaho. Albert is a contractor, a resi- dent of Sacramento City, California. Isabelle is the wife of Douglas Sherwood, of Plain City. Daisy is the wife of William Noteman. of Union county, Ohio.
Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Presbyterian church at Plain City. Mr. Hamil- ton is in sympathy with the Democratic party, but as stated before has never voted in the United States, never having taken out naturalization papers. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are old residents of this county and among its most highly respected citizens.
GRANT CROSS.
Grant Cross, farmer, Canaan township, Madison county, was born on November 22, 1864, in Wood county, West Virginia, and is a son of Solomon H. and Nancy Jane (Flynn) Cross. At the age of sixteen years he moved with his parents from West Virginia to Missouri, and while still single he came to Ohio where he was employed by Monroe Bidwell for two years, when he was married and began farming for him- self on a rented place. After six years spent on a rented place he bought his present farm, which is situated due north of West Jefferson. When he came to Ohio, he was absolutely without a cent of money, and is now the owner of one hundred and nine acres of good land, than which there can be found none better in the state of Ohio. Mr. Cross is a stanch Republican, and has shown his public spirit by serving as trustee for a period of nine years, and has also been road supervisor and constable. His inter- ests have been divided between general farming and the raising of purebred stock.
Solomon H. Cross, father of Grant Cross, was born in West Virginia, as was also his wife, Nancy Jane ( Flynn) Cross. They both died in Missouri, near Sedalia. Their children were eleven in number, nine of whom are living in 1915: John A., Mary. Amanda, Grant. Frank L., Katherine. Harrison, Nancy Jane, Cora, Tennie and Albert. Mary married Moses Markley : Amanda became the wife of Daniel Meredith; Frank L., lives in Mississippi ; Katherine is the wife of Eli Hammond; Harrison is deceased; Nancy Jane married John Pennecott; Cora became the wife of John Knoache; Tennie married Allen Mosby. These children, with the exception of one, all grew up and resided in Missouri.
Grant Cross was united in marriage. August 15, 1888, with Louie Streator, daughter of Henry and Eliza Streator. She was born on April 10, 1870. in Jefferson township. This union has been blest with six children : Harry is a resident of Canaan township; Roy is with his father; Frank follows farming; Ida is the wife of Clarence Chamber- lain, of Kiousville; William H. is attending school and lives at home; Mary Etta is at home.
Henry and Eliza Streator. the parents of Mrs. Grant Cross, were natives of Colum- bus. Ohio. Mr. Streator is of English descent.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Cross was a Spaniard, who came from Oneida county, New York, to Madison county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Grant Cross are well known and well liked in the community for many miles around.
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JACOB L. PETERMAN.
The subject of this biographical sketch is a product of Madison county, and has always prided himself upon remaining loyal to the place of his birth, with which he has been well pleased, knowing there were opportunities to be found here to amply fill all the requirements necessary for the achievement of a successful career, if he made the attempt to find them. His success in the agricultural world and his fine farm tell : story of their own as to how his efforts have been directed.
Jacob L. Peterson, farmer, Plain City, Madison county, Ohio, was born on April 12, 1863, in Jefferson township, of the same county in which he now resides, and is a son of Jacob and Matilda (Crego) Peterman. He was reared on a farm in Jefferson township, and was educated at the district schools. At the age of twenty years he began farming for himself, renting at first, and later bought thirty-six acres, to which he continued to add until he is now the owner of one hundred acres of good farm land, situated seven miles south of Plain City, Ohio. Mr. Peterman has put valuable improvements on his place. including a good, modern house, which was built in 1914. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Big Darby Baptist church.
Jacob Peterman, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and came to Madison comity, where he was united in marriage with Matilda Crego. Mr. Peterman has always followed farming, and he and his wife reside in Clark county, Ohio. To this union were born three children, all living in 1915: Jacob L .; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Lloyd, and lives in Madison county; Thomas J., who is married and lives in Jefferson township.
Jacob L. Peterman was united in marriage, October 11, 18SS, with Amanda Harris, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris. She was born on June 2, 1861, in Canaan township, and was educated in the public schools of district No. 3. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterman has been born one son, Isaac HI., born on November 27, 1899. He is a graduate of the public schools and the Plain City high school, after which he taught school in district No. 3, where his mother had attended school. He is now a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio.
Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris, parents of Mrs. Jacob L. Peterman, were natives of Madison county and Franklin county, respectively. Mrs. Harris died on September 15. 1915. at the age of eighty-three years,
Mr. and Mrs. Peterman are the proprietors of the farm known as "Sunny Brook Farm," consisting of one hundred acres, where they reside and enjoy the friendship of many warm friends.
WILLIAM T. HOOPER.
The gentleman whose name introduces the following biographical sketch, is one whose worth is of the highest character as a straightforward business man, and his consideration of his friends and neighbors is always a matter of high praise by all who know him. Mr. Hooper owns a fine farm in Canaan township, Madison county.
William T. Hooper. farmer. Canaan township, Madison county, was born on July 17, 1868, in Allen county, Ohio, and is a son of Philip C., and Mary ( Palmer) Hooper. He was reared in Allen county, where he attended the district schools during the winter months, and assisted with the farm work during the summer. When he was twenty- two years old he began the vocation of an agriculturist on his own responsibility. dividing his attention between farming and his work in the oil field, but later devoted his entire efforts to agriculture. Mr. Hooper has given his support to the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in local politics. He is a member of the Big Darby Baptist church, and belongs to the Franklin Protective Association. At the time
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of his marriage Mr. Hooper rented a farm for six years, during which time he saved enough to buy his present tarm of one hundred and ten acres in Canaan township, where he now lives, all of which he has earned by his own efforts.
Philip C. Hooper, father of William T., was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and his wife, Mary (Palmer) Hooper, is a native of Union county, Ohio. They are now living as retired farmers at Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio. This union has been blest with five children, all living in 1915: John, who owns and operates a saw-mill at West Cairo, Ohio : Samuel, a merchant of Lima, Ohio; James, a farmer in Union county, Ohio; William T .; and Margaret, who married a Mr. Fisher.
William T. Hooper was united in marriage, December 25, 1892, with Cora Harris, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris. She was born on August S, 1870, in Canaan township, Madison county, where she was reared and received hier education, attending the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper are the parents of five children, as follow: Jay is in the automobile business at West Jefferson; Ethel ; Leona is single, as is Vivian, and Nellie who are at home.
Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris, parents of Cora (Harris) Hooper, were natives of Franklin county. Ohio. They lived in Canaan township, Madison county, the greater part of their married life. Mr. Harris was a farmer, but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the parents of the following children: Elsie, Amanda, Flora (deceased ), Ada, Cora and Thomas (deceased). Mrs. Harris died in September, 1915.
Mr. Hooper enjoys the confidence and respect of the community in which he resides, where he and his wife are interested in every measure to promote the general welfare.
RAYMOND HARBAGE.
The achieved success of Raymond R. Harbage, whose history is briefly outlined In the following sketch, is an illustration of the fact that the man with the college edu- cation is not necessarily a failure when it comes to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Harbage can point with pride to his accomplishments.
Raymond R. Harbage, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on November 24. 1889, in Jefferson township, Madison county, and is a son of Charles and Jennie B. ( Roberts) Harbage. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and attended the public schools and later went to the West Jefferson high school, after which he became a student at the Ohio State University. Mr. Harbage devotes his time to general farm- ing and stock-raising, principally cattle and hogs, which he sends away each year by the carload. He is a stanch Republican, and believes in furthering the interests of his township in every possible way. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jefferson, Ohio. His fraternal alliance is with Madison Lodge No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons.
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