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 108
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George and Catharine ( Bloomenshine) Ransch, the paternal grandparents. came to the United States in 1832, settling at Baltimore, Maryland, after which he removed to Columbus, Ohio, walking the entire distance, his wife and family coming in a little wagon. They later settled in Darby township, Union county, where they lived until Mr. Rausch died, never leaving their original farm. Mr. Rausch was a native German, and became very prosperous after coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Rausch were the parents of nine children. only one of whom is living in 1915: Casper Rausch. George Ransch was the founder of St. John's Lutheran church at Marysville.
Martin Rausch was united in marriage, February 28, 1889, with Lydia Blumen- shine, daughter of Philip and Lena Blumenshine. She was born in Darby township, I'mion county, Ohio, and. is of German lineage. On March 5, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Rausch moved to their present home place, consisting of one hundred and twelve acres. This union has been blest with eight children, four of whom are living in 1915: Augusta, the wife of William Bivins, a farmer of Darby township, Union county ; Alfred, who is single and lives at home; Oscar, who is attending school; and Clara, born on June 27, 1903.
Mr. Rausch is a man who enjoys his home and the society of his family, and is well thought of in the community in which he lives.
VERNE H. PHELLIS.
The credit of a community is reflected in its citizenship, whose influence radiates in every direction. Occupying a position of prominence as one of the foremost agricul- turists of Madison county is Verne Il. Phellis who owns a fine stock farm in this county.
Verne H. Phellis, stock-farmer, Irwin, Pike township, Madison county, was boru on June 10, 1881, in Pike township, and is a son of Charles and Clara (Guy) Phellis. He was reared on a farm until twelve years of age. when he moved with his parents to Mechanicsburg, where he attended the high school. Mr. Phellis has always been an admirer of fine stock, and his specialty is the breeding of registered Dorset sleep, sired by a "Tranquility" ram. He also feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs, which he annually ships by the carload. Mr. Phellis is a Republican, but has never taken much interest in local politics. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Mechanics- burg, Ohio.
Charles Phellis, father of Verne H., was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and his wife, Clara (Guy) Phellis, was born in Pike township, and they are now living as retired farmers at Mechanicsburg. To this union were born five children : Nellie A., deceased. a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, Ohio: Charles W., who obtained his education at various institutions, and is now occupying the position of general manager for the Dupont Powder Company, at Huntington. West Virginia, his terri- tory covering West Virginia, the eastern half of Ohio and the eastern half of Ken- lucky; Guy follows farming in Pike township, and is married; Ethel was graduated
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
from the high school, and is now the wife of Charles Keller, of Pike township; and Verne H.
Verne H. Phellis was united in marriage. July 19, 1900, with Helen Shaul, daugh- ter of Jasper and Mira (Joyner) Shaul. She was born in Goshen township, Champaign county. Her parents died when she was eighteen months old, and she was reared by her aunt, Samantha Joyner, receiving her education in the public schools of Mechan- icsburg and Oxford, Ohio. This marriage has been blest with three children: Mar- jorie, born on April 21, 1904; Esther V., July S, 1906; and Juliet, February 19, 1914.
Mr Phellis is full of progressive and ambitious energy and Mrs. Phellis is equally as ambitious for the success of her husband as he is for himself and family. The only public office to which he has given any attention is that of township trustee, in which capacity he served for six years. The prosperous and well-cared-for farm on which Mr. Phellis resides and owns, is located about one-half mile from Rosedale, and is known as "Rosedale Stock Farm," consisting of four hundred and twelve acres.
SAMUEL M. MITCHELL.
Samuel M. Mitchell, farmer, Pike township, was born on July 25, 1863, in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of J. C. and Nancy J. (Mccullough) Mitchell. He grew up amid farm scenes, attending the schools of the district, and at the age of twenty-five years began to farm for himself, and now successfully conducts a large stock farm, consisting of four hundred and sixty-five acres of land. Mr. Mitchell has always voted the Republican ticket, and has taken an active interest in local politics, serving for six years on the board of education in Pike township.
J. C. Mitchell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Darby township, and was a son of Judge David Mitchell. He was a very religious man and was a highly-honored citizen of Madison county. In 1876 Mr. Mitchell met with the mis- fortune of losing his eyesight and was blind the remainder of his life. His wife was Nancy J. Mccullough, to whom he was united in marriage on August 26, 1851. She was a daughter of Samuel Mccullough. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were the parents of six children, two of whom are dead. Those living in 1915 are: Emma J., who became the wife of J. B. Galloway, of Marysville, Ohio; Madison; D. A. and Samuel M.
Judge David Mitchell. the paternal grandfather. emigrated from York county, Penn- sylvania, in 1799, settling on Darby creek before Ohio was a state. It was at that time a part of the Northwest territory. Judge Mitchell was a prominent citizen of Union county, Ohio, where he served as justice of the peace for many years. At the organization of Union county he was made associate judge, which office he held up to the time of his death. He was a son of Jesse Mitchell, who was the first white child born in Union county, Ohio. Mr. Mitchell was a stanch member of the United Presby- terian church, of which he was an elder. His wife was Hannah (Caldwell) Mitchell, daughter of John Caldwell of York county, Pennsylvania. She was his third wife.
Samuel M. Mitchell was united in marriage, October 14, 1884, with Eva A. Paris. She was born in Union county, Ohio, and was the mother of two children: Etta M., who became the wife of J. C. Wilson, of Pike township; and Homer H. Mitchell, who was graduated from the Bliss Business College of Columbus, Ohio, and is living at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Mitchell died on January 25, 1889, and Mr. Mitchell was mar- ried to Alfretta Segnar, daughter of Isaac Segnar, this marriage taking place on March 27. 1895. Mrs. Mitchell was born on September 19, 1873, and received her education in the public schools of the district. This second union has been blest with one child, Jesse C., who was born on April 9, 1897, was graduated from the Rosedale high school in the class of 1915, and is now attending Bliss Business College, Columbus, Ohio.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Isaac and Lavina (Parker) Segnar, the parents of Mrs. Alfretta ( Segnar) Mitchell, came to Union county, Ohio, when Mrs. Mitchell was a child of eleven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell find great enjoyment in the society of many warm and sincere friends in the community in which they reside, to whom they are always ready to extend a welcome hand.
CHARLES D. CONVERSE.
Charles D. Converse, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on September 20, 1866, in Darby township, Madison county, and is a son of Russel B. and Anna ( Lumbard) Con- verse. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and was educated in the district schools of Darby township, and later attended business college at Columbus, Ohio, where he learned bookkeeping, but decided upon the vocation of a farmer, which he has since followed. Mr. Converse has always given his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Universalist church of Plain City, a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Plain City, and both Mr. Converse and his wife are members of the Grange in their home town.
Russel B. Converse, father of Charles D., was born on January 15, 1828, in Darby township, Ohio, and died on August 2, 1889. His wife, Anna ( Lumbard) Converse, was born near Covington, Kentucky, February 9, 1826, and came withi her parents to Madison county in 1827. where she has since been a resident. To this union were born four sons : Kilborn, deceased; James, who was married to Florence Milburn, and is living in Franklin county. Ohio; Elmer was married to Ellen King, and is also a resi- dent of Madison county : and Charles D., of Darby township.
Charles D. Converse was united in marriage on October 25, 1897, with Clara Hortsel who was reared in Washington county, Ohio. She died on March 31, 1907, without issue. Mr. Converse was married, secondly, on April 12, 1911, to Eva Cutler.
Mr. Converse is one of the most prosperous and progressive farmers of Madison county, Ohio. His splendid farm of sixty-nine acres in Darby township, known as "Burr Oak Farm," includes the farm on which he was born, where he and his ancestors have long been honored and respected citizens.
NICHOLAS M. HUBER.
Among the farmers of Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, who have suc- ceeded in a large measure and who, at the same time, have won and hield the respect of their neighors and fellow citizens, is N. M. Huber, one of the larger landowners of Canaan township, who lives five miles southwest of Plain City, Ohio. He is a most successful stock dealer, and the proprietor of a farm of two hundred and sixty-eight acres. Mr. Huber, however, cultivates in all three hundred and twenty-eight acres.
N. M. Huber was born in Hocking county, Ohio, June 23, 1851, and is the son of Joseph and Maxie (Kost) Huber, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America on the same vessel, and after landing at Baltimore, Maryland, came on to Lancaster, Ohio, where they were married. Joseph Huber was a contracting mason, having learned his trade in Switzerland. As a matter of fact, he was more than a contractor, he was a man so skillful in his trade that he was known as an artist. He followed his trade until he was disabled and then bought a farm in Hocking county, Ohio, and lived on the farm until his death. Early in life he had been a member of the Catholic church, but later left the church. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Mary is the wife of Joseph Zimmerman, of Lancaster, Ohio; Joseph, Jr., married and is a carpenter at Circleville, Ohio; John is deceased: Mar- garet is the wife of Lawrence Stonebarger: Nicholas M. is the subject of this sketch;
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Paul is a farmer of near Lancaster, Ohio; Rosa is unmarried and lives at Lancaster; Teressa is the wife of a Mr. Fox, of near Lancaster.
Nicholas M. Huber, who was reared on a farm near Lancaster, was educated in the common schools, attending school in the winter and working on the farm during the summer months. Subsequently, when he was old enough, he took up farming for himself.
Nicholas M. Huber was married to Mrs. Alice Gladden, who had been previously married to a Mr. Atkinson. She was born in Pennsylvania, and by her first marriage had one child, Nellie, who is a graduate of the common schools and of St. Mary's Academy at Columbus, Ohio, and is the wife of Clinton Norris. By the second mar- riage there has been one child, Lee G., who married Grace Pennington. They live with Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas M. Huber.
Mrs. Huber is a member of the Christian Science church. Mr. Huber votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the trustees of this township.
As a citizen, Nicholas M. Huber is of high rank in this township. As a farmer he has won considerable attention to his efforts as a breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs. He also buys and ships large quantities of grain and live stock.
HERBERT E. REESE.
Herbert E. Reese, an industrious farmer of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, where he has charge of one hundred and ninety-one acres of land, and who lives on rural route No. 1, out of Plain City, Ohio, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, December 2, 1888. He is the son of Thomas L. and Sarah (Kincade) Reese, both of whom are also natives of Gallia county. Thomas L. Reese is the son of John and Harriet (Smith) Reese and is one of five children born to his parents. The others were William, Nathan, Ella and Sarah. Of these children, four are now living.
Thomas L. Reese grew up in Gallia county and was educated in the common schools. He was married in that county and has always lived there. He and his wife have been the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: Maggie, who is the wife of Harry Viars, of Gallia county; Millie, who is the wife of Morris Swisher, of Gallia county ; Elijah, who married a Mrs. Brown and lives in Union county; Herbert E., the subject of this sketch; Emma, who married Earl Moore, of Gallia county; Willard, who is unmarried lives with his brother, Herbert E .; Garnet and Clyde are deceased.
Herbert E. Reese, who was reared in Gallia county and educated in the public schools of that county, began life for himself at the age of eighteen years, at which time he began working by the month. He came to Madison county at that age and has lived here practically all of the time since.
Herbert E. Reese was married on December 22, 1909, to Blanche H. Cline, who was born in Gallia county, Ohio, July 16, 1898. She is the daughter of Perry and Elizabeth (Davidson) Cline, both residents of Gallia county. Mrs. Reese is one of three children born to her parents and the eldest in the family. The other two children are Roy, who married Clara White, of Gallia county; and Edna, who lives at home with her parents.
After Mr. and Mrs. Reese were married they lived in Pike township for some time, where they rented a farm. They moved to Darby township in December, 1911. Mr. Reese is an extensive breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs and registered Shorthorn cattle. He and his wife are pleasant people and popular in the neighborhood where they live. They have one son, Robert Max, born on February 8, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Reese are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Chuchery. Ohio. Mr. Reese votes the Democratic ticket.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
MONROE BIDWELL.
Monroe Bidwell, farmer, residing on rural route No. 2. West Jefferson, Ohio, and the proprietor of the old Ephraim Bidwell farm, was born on July 14, 1850, on the home farm in an old log house, and is a son of Ephraim and Laura ( Lombard) Bid- well. He was the eldest son of the family, and was reared on the farm where he now lives. His early education was greatly neglected, on account of being required to assist with the farm work until he reached maturity. Mr. Bidwell has only himself and wife to thank for his financial success, having acenmulated all he and his wife now own unaided, and his splendid farm, consisting of one thousand and sixty-nine acres, situated in Jefferson township, Madison county. is one of the most prosperous of the larger estates of this section. Mr. Bidwell has always been a loyal voter of the Repub- lican ticket, but has never taken an active part in politics.
Ephraim Bidwell. father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Madison county, Ohio, and was a son of Elisha Bidwell. He grew up and lived in Madison county his entire life. About three years prior to his death he moved to Plain City, spending his last days there. He was the father of six children, only two of whom are living in 1915. Monroe and Ellen, who became the wife of Joseph McKimmon and now lives near Lincoln, Nebraska. Ephraim Bidwell was a farmer and a member of the Legislature.
Elisha Bidwell, the paternal grandfather, was born in Vermont, and came with his wife and family overland by wagon to Ohio. IIe entered land from the government at Jefferson, one and one-half miles northwest of the present home of Monroe Bidwell, where he settled and reared his family. When he came here the land was wet and swampy and his was no easy task in clearing, ditching and putting the land in tillable condition. Mr. Bidwell was the father of fifteen sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Three of his sons, Benjamin, Elijah and Washington, were killed during the Civil War.
Monroe Bidwell was united in marriage on September 2, 1874, with Martha C. Kreamer. daughter of John Kreamer. a wealthy farmer. She was born in October, 1852. in Madison county. To this union were born three children. Eber W., Cloa and Irma, all living in 1915. Eber W. Bidwell was educated in the district school, finishing bis training at Ada, Ohio. He was married to Maggie Burrell, who died, leaving him one son, Asil H., born on April 1, 1897, who was reared by his grandfather and edu- cated in the public schools. Eber W. Bidwell was married, secondly, to Alta Ford. by whom he had two children. His second wife died and he was married. thirdly, on May 19. 1915. to Mrs. Magdalena (Hansel) Hanson, who was born in this county, a daughter of Chris and Amanda Hansel, the former of whom is a farmer of this county. Cloa Bidwell became the wife of Elmer Starkey, and has three children, Everett, Will- iam and Marie. Irma Bidwell is the wife of Raynard Harbage, a farmer of Canaan township.
John Kreamer, father of Martha C. (Kreamer) Bidwell, was born in Venango county. Pennsylvania. a son of Joseph and Mary (Badley) Kreamer. Joseph Kreamer was of German descent and came to Madison county where he died at West Jefferson. Mary ( Badley) Kreamer died in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of ten children. all of whom are now deceased. John Kreamer came to Madison county with his father. He married Mary Snodgrass, who was born near Milford Center, Ohio, and they settled on a farm in Monroe township. About 1860 they went to live on the Morris farm. Mr. Kreamer died in Monroe township in January, 1870. His wife is still living at the age of eighty-seven. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Kreamer was a Republican and was township trustee for several years. John and Mary (Snod- glass) Kreamer were the parents of the following children : Ann died at the age of two years; Haddin died in infancy; Eugene married Laura Wright, and is a farmer resid-
MONROE BIDWELL
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
ing in Jefferson township: John married Rose Burrows, and is a retired farmer of Milford Center ; Rose married John Byerly, who is a farmer in Monroe township; Martha C., who married Monroe Bidwell, is the eldest of the children living.
Monroe Bidwell is a descendant of one of the old and highly-respected pioneer families of Madison county, where he is a well-known and honored citizen. He is a Republican. Mr. Bidwell is a member of the Universalist church, and Mrs. Bidwell is a member of the Methodist church.
WELCOME A. WEST.
In Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, may be found the ancestral home of the West family, a tract of seventy acres of land purchased by and owned during his life time by the late Alexander West, the paternal grandfather of Welcome A. West, the subject of this sketch. Its present owner came into possession of the farm about a quarter of a century ago, and here he has lived ever since. The old home of Alexander and "Betsy" West is still standing on the West farm and remains today practically as Mrs. West left it at the time of her death, in 1892. It is a fine specimen of the old Ohio homes.
Welcome A. West, the grandson of Alexander and Elizabeth (Curl) West, and the son of Samuel and Margaret Ann (Neer) West, was born in Pleasant township, Clark county, June 16, 1866. Mr. West's father was born in Logan county Ohio, September 6, 1845, and was married to Margaret Ann Neer in Clark county, Ohio. September 18, 1864. They had four children, of whom two, Kelly and Sheldon, died early in life. The latter was born on June 16, 1873. The living children are: Welcome A., the subject of this sketch; and Harlan, born on April 14, 1878. The latter resides in Springfield, Ohio, and is assistant cashier of the First National Bank. He never lived in Madison county. Samuel West is now living in Pleasant township, Clark county, Ohio, two miles distant from his son, Welcome A. He came to Madison county as a child, the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Curl) West, and settled on the farm where Welcome A. now lives. Alexander West, by his own efforts, developed this farm. He was born on June 21, 1809; married to Elizabeth Curl, March 31. 1831: and died on December 20, 1861. at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, Elizabeth or "Betsy" Curi. was born on March 29 1812, and died on March 25, 1892, at the age of eighty years. Alexander West was the justice of the peace for many years, and held court in his house. He and his wife had a family of fourteen children, most of whom reached maturity. Four are now living, Samue!, Thomas, Edwin and Mary Ann. Samuel and Thomas live in Clark county, the latter a resident of Springfield. Samuel lives on the farm, where most of his married life has been passed. He is now retired, but i's well remembered as a stock buyer who covered a wire range of territory. including Madison. Champaign and Clark counties. Edwin is living retired at Mechanicsburg, in Champaign county. Mary Ann is the widow of James Turpin, and lives at North Lewisburg, Ohio. Among the other children who are deceased, Henry lived and died in Clark county ; John died at the age of twenty-six while a recruiting officer of the United States army; Linnie was the wife of Thomas Buzzard and spent practically all her life in Madison county, dying in 1899, at the age of fifty-six years; Susannah, the twin sister of Mary Ann, died in November, 1880, and was the wife of John Furrow; Dorothy died at the age of twenty-eight, unmarried.
At the age of twenty-four, Welcome A. West came to Madison county, Ohio. He had received a good common-school education, and when his father, Samuel West, who was the administrator of the estate of Alexander West, closed up the business, Welcome A. West bonght in the old farm of his grandfather. He has made many improvements
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
upon the farm but the old house has been permitted to remain largely as it was when "Aunt Betsy" left it.
On February 27, 1890, Welcome A. West was married to Gertrude M. Evans, of Clark county, Ohio. Mrs. West was born in Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of three children : Ellis M .. Orris C. and Hazel J., all of whom are living at home with their parents.
For thirty years Mr. West has kept a diary, including all of the weather reports and all neighborhood happenings. This diary has been accepted as evidence in court, and Mr. West is very proud of it. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Summerford. Mr. West is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and votes the Republican ticket, as does his father and as did his grandfather before him.
JOIIN W. RECTOR.
Biographies of good men form splendid examples and incentives to those drifting along life's pathway. and are often the first aid to the discouraged and faint-hearted, inspiring them with hope for another "chance." The gentleman whose life history is here briefly reviewed is one who has followed a course of straightforward principles, and made his way to a respected and honored position in the agricultural world win- ning the admiration and praise of his neighbors and friends.
John W. Rector, farmer, West Jefferson. Ohio, was born on February 19, 1864, in Wayne township, Pickaway county, Ohio, and is a son of Marcus and Mary F. (Van Kuren) Rector. Ile remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then rented his father's farm, starting in for himself as a farmer. Through his industry and good management Mr. Rector has so skillfully conducted his business matters, until he now owns one hundred and twenty-two acres of farm land. Mr. Rector has always been a stauch Republican, and greatly interested in the welfare of his township but has never taken an active part in local politics.
Marcus Rector, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and his wife, Mary F. (Van Kuren) Rector, was born at Albany, New York, coming with his parents to Pickaway county, when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Rector both grew up in that county, and were married there. Mr. Rector was a generous- hearted and prosperous man. but his generosity was taken advantage of and he lost all he had. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred about 1893. Mrs. Rector still resides at Big Plain Madison county, Ohio. They were the parents of eight children. as follow: Alva C. was born in Jefferson township; Marcus is a blacksmith in Madison county; Robert S. is teaching school at Big Plain : Roy is a musician, and resides at Columbus, Ohio; Clara became the wife of George Alkire; Maud is the wife of Frank Edwards, of Big Plain, Ohio: Myrtle is the wife of Daniel Brobert. and lives near Circleville, Ohio: John W., of Jefferson town- ship.
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