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 105
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The Harbage home and surroundings are very attractive. The home is a modern residence and the well-kept lawn makes a splendid setting. The residence consists of eight rooms, with all appointments and conveniences found in the modern residence.
Mr. Harbage raises Duroc-Jersey hogs, making a specialty of purebreds. He is active in everything that relates to the advancement of education, which is best attested by the liberal education extended to his children.
DANIEL ANDERSON.
One of the well-known citizens of Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio, is Daniel Anderson, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch. Mr. Anderson is one of those worthy men who through long years of labor and faithful performance of duty has acquired a competence, and now in the later years of life he is able to retire from the more active duties of his farm home. Mr. Anderson started out for himself in life when only a youth and he owes solely to his own efforts all of which he stands possessed at the present time. His homestead of one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land is located mainly in Canaan township at the point where both Monroe and Jefferson townships touch the border of the former named, the land being located in all three townships. In this same county and close to the town of London, Mr. Anderson was born on May 28, 1841, being a son of Daniel and Louisa (Allen) Andersou.
Daniel Anderson, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was also a native of the state of Ohio, born about four miles from Xenia, and was in his turn a son of Daniel. This first Daniel, together with his wife, came from Scotland, where both had been born and reared, and were numbered among the early settlers of Greene county, this state. They located on the Buckskin road, in that county, and there passed their remaining days, having the reputation of being numbered among the most excellent and enterprising citizens of that time and community.
Daniel Anderson, Sr., was married in Clark county to Louisa Allen, and there they made their home for the following four years, after which time they came into Madison county, where the balance of their lives were spent. Daniel and Louisa ( Allen) Anderson had a family of nine children. all of whom grew to maturity, but of the number only three are now living: Drucilla, the eldest of the family, died at her home in Illinois; Allen, who was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company A. Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from 1861 to the close of hostilities in 1865, is also deceased : Miranda is deceased : William, deceased, went through the Civil War as a private in the same company with his brother Allen; Nancy died at her home in Illinois; Daniel, the immediate subject of this sketch; Frances M .. the wife of Thomas Pugh; Wesley, the youngest of the family, makes his home in New Carlisle: Gus, who was a private in the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, is deceased.
Mr. Anderson's father died when he was but a boy and his mother married again. Soon after, when fourteen years of age, he began life independently on his own account, turning to the work of a farmer as the way he would win his living. Daniel Anderson was married on October 16, 1861, to Manzella Ortman, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Harlin) Ortman, both natives of Maryland, the former descended from German emigrants and the latter from an Irish family. Mr. Anderson's wife was also born in Maryland, close to Harper's Ferry, and was a child of eight years when her parents made the journey to Indiana. The family located first in Wayne county of that state, where they remained but a year, and then moved to Franklin county,
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Ohio, where they spent the balance of their lives, close to the town of West Jefferson. Both parents died as a result of pneumonia, the father on November 18, 1856, and the mother about one year later, on November 28, 1857. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to years of manhood and womanhood except one child who died in infancy. Out of that family there are four living at the present time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born two children, Thomas M., who at the present time resides on the home farm with the father; and Maude, who became the wife of George Wear, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Anderson is and has been for a good many years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he votes for his choice of man, regardless of any party ticket.
Mr. Anderson has many interesting stories to tell of his early struggles to gain a foothold on the ladder of success and also many interesting things to recount con- cerning the conditions surrounding life in this community when he was young. He relates that when he was married his sole worldly possessions consisted of one horse, saddle and bridle, and of this he disposed in order to raise sufficient money to pur- chase the necessary articles with which to go to housekeeping. He then rented a farm from "Billy" Wilson and remained there over four years, when he purchased the farm where he has since resided, having lived continuously in this township for over fifty years.
It has been said that about the highest tribute which can be paid a man is an honorable and long-continued residence in any one locality, and when it is stated that Mr. Anderson enjoys most justly the respect and high esteem of his fellow citizens, he is accorded the fine tribute to which he is entitled.
RALEIGH MITCHELL.
Raleigh Mitchell is a prosperous young farmer of Somerford township, who was born on the old homestead farm, of which he now owns a part. November 20, 1873, son of the late Charles E. and Mary E. Hetlley Mitchell, the former of whom was born on what is known as the Cramer farm in Somerford township, the only son of New- man and Cassandra ( Bradley) Mitchell. Newman Mitchell was born on April 29, 1811, forty miles above Cincinnati on the banks of the Ohio. He was the son of Ensign and Lucy (Hubbard) Mitchell, who, in 1815, settled on a farm, four and one-half miles southeast of Mechanicsburg, in Madison county. In 1826 they moved to a farm of six hundred acres near Rosedale. Charles E. Mitchell owned, at the time of his death, over two thousand acres of land, which he had accumulated by diligent, indus- trious and honest effort and management.
Although the late Charles E. Mitchell was the only son born to his parents, he had two sisters, Jennie, who married David Bales, and after their marriage moved to Texas, where both died; and Lettie, who married Louis Kremer and lived on the old Mitchell farm in Somerford township, where she died, leaving two children, Iva and Roy. The administrator of the Mitchell estate, after the death of the late Charles E. Mitchell, was Dr. Morrow Beach.
After spending his boyhood on the home farm and receiving a good education in the common schools of Madison county, Raleigh Mitchell remained with his father until the latter's death. He inherited a part of the old homestead and also about one hun- dred and seventy-one acres, which comprised his father's home farm at the time of his death. The former farm Mr. Mitchell sold, since which time he has devoted his time. energy and attention exclusively to the latter place. Mr. Mitchell has erected good buildings on the farm and has continued the drainage of the land which was begun
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by his father. The soil is a very fine black loam and exceptionally fertile. Mr. Mitchell devotes himself to raising horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs. The Mitchell home in Somerford township is one of the most attractive spots in Madison county. The house is an attractive modern residence, consisting of six rooms, and the barn is a commodious, up-to-date structure. All the buildings are painted in a pleasing, har- monious color scheme.
Iu November, 1907, Raleigh Mitchell was married to Metta Rafferty, a cousin of the wife of his brother Noel, and the daughter of N. S. and Elizabeth ( Geer) Rafferty. Mr. Rafferty lives in London. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Somerford township. To this union have been born two children, Charles Nathaniel and Dolly Elizabeth.
Since his marriage, Mr. Mitchell has devoted himself almost altogether to farming and has had little time for outside interests. He is one of the most highly-respected young farmers of Madison county.
ARTHUR BRADLEY.
One of the conspicuous names on the list of prominent agriculturists entitled to special mention in this volume is that of Arthur Bradley, the proprietor of the old Peter Paul homestead. located in Monroe township, and consisting of one hundred and eighty-nine and one-quarter acres. Mr. Bradley has long been recognized as an enter- prising and successful agriculturist, and his advice is often requested and followed.
Arthur Bradley was born on January 17, 1850. near his present home, ou the old John Bradley farm, and is a son of John and Sarah Ann (Jones) Bradley. He lived at home until twenty-two years of age, during which time he received a public school edu- cation. He then decided to travel and visited the states of Illinois, Missouri and Kan- sas, working his way. and at the end of eighteen months he returned home. After his marriage he settled on his mother's farm, where he lived until 1875. In 1912 he moved to London, on account of his wife's health, but on February 22, 1915, moved back to his farm. Mr. Bradley has demonstrated his loyalty to the Republican party by voting that ticket, and serving as township trustee for ten years, and school director for twenty years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
John Bradley. father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1812. in Monroe township. Madison county. Ohio, and his wife, Sarah And ( Jones) Bradley, was born on Deer Creek. Madison township. They were the parents of seven children: Calvin. deceased : Adelia. the wife of Joseph Williams; Martha Ann, who died aged eight years: Arthur. of Monroe township: Albert. deceased ; Charles, a farmer in Montana. and Emma, who became the wife of Hezekiah Ammons. John Bradley was a prominent man in the township, and a great fancier of cattle and horses. He became eminently successful, owning over one thousand acres of land. on which he grazed cattle in the days when Ohio had no fences. He lived at home until he was married. at the age of thirty-five. and then bought the John Weaver place, which he disposed of and again lived at home.
Jonah Bradley was the original settler of the family in this county. coming as a married man. from the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia. He bought one hundred and sixty acres in 1804. located in Madison county. David Bradley followed, and then James. David lived to old age, although he was always sickly. James died young, and Jonah died at the age of sixty-nine years. The Bradley family was well represented in the Civil War. numbering eight in all. six of whom returned at the end of the war.
Arthur Bradley was united in marriage. November 12. 1875, with Jemima Booth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Booth. She was born in September. 1854, in Clark county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have been born four children: Anna is the wife of Carl Roseberg and lives in Pike township, Madison county; Edith is the widow
MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR BRADLEY
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of George Vogleburg, and is living at home; Albert lives in the state of Wyoming; and Myrtle.
James and Elizabeth Booth, parents of Mrs. Arthur Bradley, were natives of Madi- son county, Ohio. He was a farmer and shoemaker for many years. Both parents are deceased.
The grandparents came from England at an early date, settling in Clarke county. The Booths were all prominent people in the county.
On his fine farm in Monroe township Arthur Bradley carries on general farming, and raises Duroc-Jersey hogs.
Mr. Bradley is an affable and congenial gentleman, and one to whom all give high praise as to his upright character and unswerving conscientiousness.
HOWARD A. LEWIS.
Agriculture has always been an honorable vocation, and at the present time the agricultural output of the United States is more than equivalent to the total output of all the factories in the country put together. There is one thing in the life of a farmer that distinguishes it from any other occupation, and that is his ability to exist independently of every other vocation. The merchant, the banker, the manufacturer, all depend absolutely on the farmer's crops. A famine throughout this country would bankrupt the strongest merchant, wreck the largest bank and close the most extensive factory. Business men can see their business collapse within a week, but nothing short of an earthquake can ruin the farmer. Land is, as it has always been, the most permanent financial investment. Madison county has a group of farmers unexcelled by those of any other county in the state of Ohio. Many of theni have shown their wisdom and judgment in converting their profits and their wealth into farm real estate. Among the citizens of Madison county, who belong to a family of very successful farmers, is Howard A. Lewis, of Somerford township. Mr. Lewis is the proprietor of "Traders- ville Stock Farm."
Howard A. Lewis was born on the site of his present home, November 22, 1872. and is the son of Schuyler and Eliza (Candler) Lewis, the former of whom was born in New York state, February 25, 1812. and who was the son of Gardner and Martha (Barber) Lewis. natives of New York. born in 1786 and 1788, respectively. They were married in New York state in 1811, and in 1822 emigrated to Vermont. In 1836 they came to Ohio and settled in Somerford township. His wife died in 1845, and he was married, secondly, to Ruth Hutchinson, who died on September 1, 1880. He died in 1862.
At the age of seventeen Schuyler Lewis began working by the month at eight dol- lars a month, and continued for eight years. He purchased one hundred acres of land in Somerford township after coming to Madison county. This land was located three miles from the present Lewis home in Somerford township, and grew in area from year to year until it was finally increased to three hundred acres. He added to his land until he eventually owned sixteen hundred and sixty acres in three tracts, part of which was in Deer Creek township. The supervision of this land required his very careful attention. Ile began early in his career to lay tile and remained a thorough believer in drainage throughout his life. He was principally engaged in stock raising, and was accustomed to buy young stock, cattle and sheep. After feeding them on grass, they were prepared for the market. During his entire life he acted as his own man- ager and rode a horse back and forth to his various farms. He was a stockholder and director in the Farmers Bank at Mechanicsburg, and did his principal banking business at this place. The bank was situated five miles away. Although he voted the Demo- cratic ticket, he was never an office-holder and never aspired to office.
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The late Schuyler Lewis was married. October 25. 1836. to Lydia Hazzard, of Ver- mont, who came with him to Madison county. They had no children. Mrs. Lewis died on April 4, 1862. Mr. Lewis was next married to Eliza Dickason, the daughter of Jesse and Agnes Dickason, and a sister of Sammel R. Dickason (referred to elsewhere in this volume). To this marriage there was born one son. Howard A., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Eliza Lewis survived her husband and is still living in Summerford, where she has resided all her life, In spite of limited educational advantages offered to Schuyler Lewis, he became a well-informed man and one of the Buckeye state's most successful farmers and stockmen.
Howard A. Lewis spent his boyhood days on the farm, and at the age of twenty- one took charge of his father's farm property. He keeps one hundred and fifty head of cattle practically all the time, and sometimes has as many as two hundred and fifty head. He also breeds horses and has been very successful in this particular. Mr. Lewis has added to the home place until it now consists of thirteen hundred and fifty acres, and owns altogether twenty-six hundred and fifty-two acres, whereas his father's greatest holdings amounted to sixteen hundred and sixty acres. This enormons tract of land is managed in three separate farms and requires from eight to fifty men and fifty head of work horses. Mr. Lewis has continued tiling and has made substantial improve- ments on all the farms. He holds the place in the bank at Mechanicsburg which was formerly held by his father. He votes the Democratic ticket.
Howard A. Lewis was married at the age of twenty-seven to Mary Goings, the dangh- ter of Martin and Flora ( Brougher) Goings, of Somerford township. Mrs. Lewis's father still resides in Somerford township and has spent his whole life here. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have four children, Howard. Jr., Charles, Marvin and Bernard, all of whom live at home with their parents.
The young man who is favored by inheritance and who adds nothing to his legacy is entitled to little credit in this world. Mr. Lewis, however, although still a young man, has almost doubled the estate left by his father. For this reason he is entitled to the admiration of the people of Madison county. It is needless to say that he is a highly-respected citizen of the county, and one who is well known in agricultural and financial circles.
CLYDE B. WORTHINGTON.
Clyde B. Worthington. farmer, Plain City. Darby township, was born on October G. 1884, on his father's farm in Darby township, and is a son of Charles and Hattie ( Beach) Worthington. He was reared on the farm and received his education at the district schools, attending during the winter seasons and devoting his time to agri- cultural pursuits in the summer. Charles Worthington was forced to retire from active farm work in 1900. At that time Clyde B. Worthington was sixteen years of age and was attending high school. He gave up two years of high school in order to take charge of the farm and has been farming continuously since. His father's farm. of which he has charge, consists of one hundred and thirty acres, and is located four miles southwest of Plain City, and his home place is known as "Fair Oaks Farm." His skill in so successfully managing his property has placed him in the position of being an authority along this line. Mr. Worthington is a stanch Republican, and takes a deep interest in all that adds to the betterment of the conditions in his township.
Charles and Hattie (Beach) Worthington, parents of the subject of this sketch, are residents of Plain City, Ohio, to whom have been born four children, namely : Clyde B. : Sylvia, who became the wife of Roy Sells, of Plain City; Edith, who is
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the wife of E. Kyle, of Kyleville, Ohio; and Thomas H., who is single and lives at Plain City, where he is engaged in business.
Clyde B. Worthington was united in marriage, June 6, 1907, with May Dutton, daughter of John and Retta (Drumm) Dutton. She was born on April 20, 1886, in Licking county. Ohio, and received her education at the district schools. This union has been blest with five children, Charles, Alpharetta, Martina, Elton and Paul.
Mr. Worthington has wisely and vigorously applied practical industry, which, accompanied by progressive ambition, has resulted in returning to him the best there is in the line to which his attention has been directed.
WILLIAM J. BOERGER.
Among the descendants of the early German settlers in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, is William J. Boerger, a well-known and prosperous citizen, residing on rural route No. 1, Plain City, and the proprietor of the splendid farm known as the "W. J. Boerger Farm," consisting of one hundred and forty-five acres of as valuable farm land as will be found in the township.
William J. Boerger, farmer, Plain City, Madison county, was born on August 28, 1872, in Darby township, Union county. and is a son of John K. and Margaret ( Maeger- line) Boerger. He grew to young manhood on his father's farm, and attended the district schools, and afterward, the parochial school at St. John's Lutheran church. After leaving school Mr. Boerger remained at home until he was eighteen years of age and then began to work out by the month, returning in two years to assist his father on the farm. Again, in 1895, he worked by the day at various kinds of employ- ment, saving enough by the year 1902 to buy a farm of his own, consisting of one hun- dred and twenty-five acres, paying for one-half at that time, the other half in three or four years, and in 1904 bought twenty acres, and now owns in all, one hundred and forty-five acres, the most of which he has made unaided. Mr. Boerger is a Democrat, but has never taken any special interest in politics. He belongs to St. Paul's Lutheran church at Chuckery, of which he has been one of the elders. He is a stockholder in the Home Telephone Company. At present he makes a specialty of raising high grade Percheron horses.
John K. Boerger, father of the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to the United States when three years of age. They settled in Columbus, Ohio, and lived there fifteen years, when they moved to Darby township, Union county, where they both died. Mr. Boerger was married in Columbus, Ohio, to Margaret Maegerline, and settled on a farm in Darby township, where he became the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres of good farm land, all of which was acquired unaided. Mr. and Mrs. Boerger became the parents of seven children, six of whom are living in 1915: Fred, who is married and lives at Racine, Wisconsin; John was married to Caroline Rausch. deceased, and now lives in Pike township, Madison county; Mary, the wife of George Rausch, who lives in Darby township, Union county; Lena, who became the wife of George Rausch, and resides in Union county ; Emanuel was married to Dora Ell, and lives in Darby township, Union county, Ohio; William J., of Darby township. By his second marriage, John K. Boerger had five children : Alfred, who is married, and lives in Ohio; Ernest is single, and lives in Wisconsin; Gerhard is married and resides in Union county ; Carl is single and lives in Union county ; Walter is married and resides at Columbus, Ohio.
William J. Boerger was united in marriage, April 9, 1896, with Catharine Rausch, daughter of John A. Rausch. She was born in Union county, Ohio. This union has been blest with five children, four of whom are living in 1915: Elmer, Henry, Kilian and Frieda.
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The maternal grandparents were Archibald McAdams and Amanda ( Kimble) McAdams. The former was born in Champaign county, Ohio. His parents were natives of Veront. They emigrated to Ohio nad located in Champaign county.
Wallace C. Morse was united in marriage, September 28, 1887. with Ella Rice, daughter of Elias and Janie ( Mitchell) Rice. She was born on April 20. 1866, in Union county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Morse have been born two children, as follow : Harry R., born on March 7, 1890, a graduate of the Bliss Business School, of Columbus, Ohio, now has charge of his father's farm: Helen C., July 23, 1895, is a student at the Plain City high school.
Through his agricultural pursuits. Mr. Morse has amassed a comfortable fortune, of which he is duly appreciative. His home place is situated about nine miles west of Plain City, on rural route No. 1, and consists of one hundred and seven acres of land, all in a fine state of cultivation.
DANIEL PERRY.
Daniel Perry, retired carpenter, Plain City, Ohio, was born on January 2, 1847, in Delaware county, and is a son of Ezra and Phoebe (Gardner) Perry. He was reared in the village of Jerome, Union county, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen enlisted in Company E. Thirtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 13, 1862, and served until the close of the Civil War. He enlisted twice before, but was rejected on account of his age. Mr. Perry was captured at Atlanta, Georgia, and on July 22, 1864, was takeu to Andersonville, from which prison he was sent to Florence, South Carolina, and was paroled at Goldsboro, in April, 1865. Mr. Perry receives a pension. In 1867, Mr. Perry came to Plain City, where he engaged in carpenter work, and later became a contractor, in which line he is still engaged. Mr. Perry is not a member of any church. His fraternal membership is with Urania Lodge No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons, and both he and his wife belong to Elizabeth Chapter No. 56, Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Perry is past worthy matron. Mr. Perry is a stanch Republican, and a public-spirited citizen. He has served four years as postmaster of Plain City. Ohio, and has also been active in county politics. At the present time he is a member of the Madison conuty executive committee of the Republican party.
Ezra Perry, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Vermont. His father. Martin Perry, died when he was a very small lad, and he was reared by his uncle. Seth Perry, to the age of seventeen years, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade at Plain City, which trade he followed there for a number of years, and then went to Jerome, in Union county. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventy- fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Robbs, in 1864. At the battle of Murfreesboro. he was wounded and was thus disabled from further service. He returned to Union connty, Ohio, and later moved to Madison county, where he died in Plain City.
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