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 110
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SIMEON G. KILGORE.
In the veins of the Kilgore family flows the blood of militant pioneer stock, who knew what it was not only to battle with the savages who first peopled the Middle West, but who knew what it was to battle with the hardships of pioneer life in the American wilderness.
Simeon G. Kilgore, a prosperous young farmer of Union township, was born on July 20, 1872, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Henry and Orpha (Ellsworth) Kilgore, the former of whom was born in Madison county, Ohio, Septem- ber 14, 1828. He was the son of James and Sarah ( Hutson) Kilgore, natives of Ken- tucky and of Scotch and English descent, respectively. James Kilgore was a captain during the War of 1812. He was reared on a farm and received a limited education. In 1864 Henry Kilgore enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in farming during his entire life and owned, at one time, one hundred and sixteen acres of good land. In 1872 he was married to Orpha Ellsworth and to them were born two children, Simeon G. the subject of this sketch, and Charles H.
Henry Kilgore's mother, Sarah (Hutson) Kilgore, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1789, and was married to Jonathan Denton in 1806. The few years during which they were permitted to live together, their lives were full of suffering and danger. Finally, they were driven away by the Indians to the neighboring fort. At the risk of her life, Mrs. Denton rode home each day to attend to the stock. Only a short time elapsed until her husband was killed in a skirmish with the Indians. With her three small children, she was forced to flee to her parental roof. In 1814 she was married to James Kilgore. She died on November 2, 1872, at the age of eighty-four years, leaving a family of eight children. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having joined the church at the age of sixteen years. She was a leader in the class meetings for many years.
Henry Kilgore and wife were members of the Christian church and he voted the Republican ticket. Of their two children, Charles H., who was born in 1876, married Clara Heaton and has one son. Charles. They live in Columbus, Ohio.
During his life Henry Kilgore made many improvements to his Madison county farm. He erected a fine house and barn. He was a member of the county infirmary board for six years and served as school director for a number of years. He died on February 27, 1915. Mrs. Kilgore lives with her son on the old homestead.
Simeon G. Kilgore is a Republican in politics and has also served on the county
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infirmary board for a term of two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at London, Ohio, and a member of Oak Run Grange, at London. The Kilgore farm is known as "Maple Grove Farm" and is conveniently situated on the Kilgore pike. Having been represented in Madison county, Ohio, for nearly a century; the vari- ous members of the Kilgore family are naturally well known in this section of the state. They have always been known as earnest, sincere, God-fearing people, loyal to their friends and devoted to home and family.
REV. WILLIAM M. OVERTURE.
Among the early ministers of the gospel of Madison county, Ohio, was the late Rev. William M. Overturf, a man of tremendous personal power and a man who performed noble service in the Master's vineyard. He lived to rear a family of several children who lived to honor the name which their father bore and the work he did on behalf of the Christian religion.
William M. Overturf was born in Licking county, Ohio. December 21 1832, and died in 1885. He was the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Griffin) Overturf, natives of Pennsylvania and of Virginia, respectively. The former died in 1847 while yet a young man. His wife survived him more than thirty years, passing away in 1881 at a very old age. They had a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters. The only children who are living at the present time are Norman, Catherine and Hulda. Norman was a teacher in Madison county, Ohio, as well as a farmer. He taught at Summerford for five or six years and then took up the study of law and became a very capable attorney. Several of his old pupils still live in Madison county. He practised law in Delaware county, served a term in the state Senate and was elected circuit judge in Delaware county. Subsequently, he removed to Texas and now lives in California. Catherine is unmarried. Hulda is the widow of Charles Carroll, of Columbus. Tru- man, who lives near Columbus was also a teacher in Madison county. He taught for several years near Mt. Sterling. Ira was a minister in the Cliristian church and lived principally in Indiana. John never lived in Madison county. The father of these chil- dren was a pioneer minister, or, as they were known in those days in the pioneer com- munities, "exhorter." of the old Free Will Baptist church.
The late William M. Overturf was married, August 18. 1854, to Hannah J. Long. the daughter of Gideon and Mary (Kerr) Long, who were residents of Appleton, in Lick- ing county. In 1860 the Rev. William M. Overturf began to preach in the Christian church. He came to Summerford to assist in a protracted meeting and was employed at the end of the meeting to take charge of this church. The Wilson family were among the leading members of the church. After serving the church for six or eight years he removed to Mt. Sterling where he remained for two years. Then his old parish- ioners of Summerford installed him again in his old place in the Summerford church and he filled this place until the time of his death. In the meantime, however, he preached occasionally at Mt. Sterling and at Clark's Run chapel. In fact, he preached his last sermon at Clark's Run chapel, his death having occurred but a few hours afterwards. In this community he was a favorite among the ministers in preaching funeral sermons and in performing weddings. He was popular with all classes and enjoyed the universal respect of the community.
By his marriage to Hannah J. Long five children were born, Frank, Clark, Flora M., Elmer C. and Hattie. Clark is living in the West. Flora married Val Wilson and died in middle life. Elmer is a farmer in Monroe township. Hattie married William Prugh and died at the age of twenty-five. Mrs. William M. Overturf is still living in Summerford. She has retained her interest in the church and in religions work. In
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every sense she is an old-fashioned woman with the very best old-fashioned ideas and ideals. She has been a great temperance worker and is known as a woman who, when she has something to say, does not hesitate to speak. Her husband was a Republican in politics and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was one of the original prohibitionists in this section of the state. He was always outspoken in his views. Although not a highly-educated man, he was nevertheless well read and well informed. He performed a noble work in this county.
Of the children born to the Rev. William M. and Hannah J. (Long) Overturf, Frank M. was born in September, 1854, in Licking county, but has spent most of his life since 1866 in Madison county. After teaching in Madison county for a period of about eighteen years, he engaged in farming on the Prugh farm west of Summerford on the National read. He began farming with one hundred and sixty-five acres, but has added to the tract until he now owns two hundred and sixty acres.
In 1880 Frank M. Overturf was married to Malinda Prugh, a daughter of Gabriel and Matilda ( Wilson ) Prugh, Mrs. Frank M. Overturf was born in Summerford. She died on May 15, 1896, leaving five children, namely : Alice Cordelia lives with her father ; Gabriel Prugh was the second born; Jane was the wife of Ira Robbins and died in 1914; Mary was the fourth child; Lewis, the youngest, who is a graduate of the London high school and of the state University, was an instructor in mechanical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania for two years before he was twenty-one years of age, and is now the chief draftsman for a manufacturing concern at Franklin, Pennsyl- vania.
Gabriel Prugh Overturf was born on April 17, 1884, at West Jefferson, in Madison county. He has lived on the farm he now occupies since he was one year old. At the age of twenty-four, Mr. Overturf took charge of the farm he now owns and which consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of hogs and draft horses. In 1907 Gabriel Prugh Overturf was married to Hattie Yeazel, the daugliter of William and Emma (Paul) Yeazel, of Clark county. Mrs. Gabriel P. Overturf's father is deceased and her mother resides in South Vienna, Clark county, Ohio. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel P. Overturf consists of three children, Vivian, Everett and Lewis. Mr. Overturf is a mem- ber of the school board. He and his wife and family are members of the Christian church.
RALPH W. THOMAS.
Ralph W. Thomas, the superintendent of the Madison county infirmary since 1908, and one of the best-known citizens of the county, was born in Stokes township, Madison county, September 4, 1878.
Mr. Thomas is the son of Moses and Catherine (Blessing) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Madison county and who was the son of William and Lavina ( Beacham) Thomas. William Thomas was born in Virginia, December 18 1813, the son of Moses and Catherine ( Williams) Thomas. Lavina Beacham was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1815. Mr. Thomas' grandparents came to Madison county in an early day. Catherine Blessing was a native of Madison county and was married to Moses Thomas, the father of Ralph W., in this county.
To Moses and Catherine (Blessing) Thomas were born nine children as follow : Dera, who is the wife of George C. Adams, of Lafayette, Ohio; Amanda, who is the wife of Robert Chapman, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Lavina, who married David M. Henry. of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Austin, who is a resident of Portland, Oregon; Gwinn, who lives in Plain City, Ohio; Carrie, who married John Horney, of Plain City; Ried, who lives
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in Fremont, Nevada; Ralph, who is the subject of this sketch; and Amy, who is the wife of Bemis Mendenhall, of Springfield, Ohio.
The late Moses Thomas was a farmer by occupation and owned ninety acres of land in this county. He died on July 3, 1905, and his wife died two years previously, on August 5, 1903.
Ralph W. Thomas received a good common-school education at South Solon and was graduated from the high school at that place.
On December 23 1908, Ralph W. Thomas was married to Amma Ada Burnham, the daughter of L. A. and Anna (Longbrake) Burnham, who live in Plain City, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, Lucille, boru on June 23, 1909, and Ralph H., April 30, 1911.
Mr. Thomas followed farming until 1908, when he was appointed superintendent of the Madison county infirmary, a position which he has now held for seven years. The infirmary includes a farm of one hundred and six acres, of which Mr. Thomas is ex-officio manager.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Presbyterian church at London. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Masouic lodge at London and the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 539. He is also a member of the Oak Run Grange. Mr. Thomas is a Republican.
JAMES Q. GEER.
There is no calling or vocation in which enterprise and industry will not produce a rather large measure of success. In the pursuit of agriculture, enterprise and industry are quite essential. Among the well-known and highly-respected farmers of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, who have attained a large measure of success in agri- culture, and who, at the same time, have greatly benefited the community in which they live, is James Q. Geer a retired farmer of Summerford. Although he was deprived of all educational advantages in his youth and was not able to learn to read or write, he was endowed with sound common sense and has made a successful business man. During all of these years he has had many difficulties with which to contend, including especially considerable sickness in the family. Nevertheless, he has remained an optimist and is so today.
James Q. Geer was born on September 17. 1836, near the present county infirmary in Union township, Madison county, Ohio. He is the son of James and Rachel (Minchel) Geer, natives of Vermont and Virginia, respectively. James Geer, Sr., was a renter and occupied a part of the Florence land. He died near Tradersville, when his son was only seven years old, leaving a widow and eight children. The mother kept the family together and lived until they were all grown, passing away at the age of fifty-two.
James Q. Geer grew to manhood near Tradersville, in Madison county. He was accustomed to take odd jobs of clearing land, rolling logs and grubbing. He performed his first work for Mr. Willard, the father of E. E. Willard, the president of the Madison county board of commissioners. He made rails, cut cordwood, broke horses, and in fact did anything that he could find to do. He and his brother, George, supported their mother until her death.
At the time of Mr. Geer's marriage, he owned a horse worth possibly fifty dollars and a seventy-five dollar note, taken for the sale of a span of mules. An uncle had given him a fifty-cent pocket piece and his wife received twenty-one hundred dollars cash out of the Heffley estate. Mr. Gear soon began to handle sheep, buying and selling them. He paid forty-seven and one-half dollars an acre for his first land and during the early years of his career paid thousands of dollars in interest at ten per cent. His uncle, Quinn Minchel, backed him in buying sheep and stood by him for thirty years or more.
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He also borrowed money from John Thompson, but his uncle signed the papers. In later years he was able to borrow money at six per cent. Having begun to buy land as soon as possible, Mr. Geer has acquired tract after tract and now owns several hun- dred acres of land and several fine farms in Madison county, and also property in the village of Summerford. He probably has more separate deeds than any other man in the county, many of the purchases, however, having included only a few acres. Mr. Geer still keeps sheep and has found them most profitable.
James Q. Geer was married to Elizabeth Heffley, the eighth child in the family of Charles and Elizabeth ( Wilsou) Heffley. Mrs. Geer's mother was the daughter of the original Valentiue Wilson, of Somerford towuship. Mrs. Geer died on February 14, 1907, the last survivor of the family of nine Heffley children. The old Heffley home is located on the north bank of Deer creek, one mile uorth of Summerford and here Charles Heffley settled about 1820. Here he spent his life and died on the old farm. The Heffley children were Jacob, Peter, Sarah Ann (who married Joseph Rafferty), William, Simon, Catherine (who married Henry Comfort), Sarah (who married George Stan- ford), Elizabeth (the wife of Mr. Geer) aud Isaac.
Mr. and Mrs. Geer have been the parents of six children. Charles died iu Columbus. Luther died in Chicago. Wilbert, who is one of the leading young farmers of Union towuship, married Flora Thompsou, and they have one child, Marie. Cora, who is the wife of Harry Augustus of Dayton, Ohio, owns "Gooseneck Farm," of one hundred and uinety-three acres. Guy married Mrs. Bliss Nelsou, a widow, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Ray married Nora McVicker and they have two children, Charles and Chester (twins).
James Q. Geer is a good man and a good citizen, a man who has worked hard for the large competence which he may now enjoy in his declining years. He has the satis- faction of knowing that he has done muuch for the development of Madison county aud has contributed in no small measure to its present progress and prosperity.
MANASSES MILLER.
Manasses Miller is a successful fariucr of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and the proprietor of "Darby Plains Farm" of fifty-three acres. He is a native of Holmes county, Ohio, born on August 17 1856, two miles south of Mt. Hope. He is a son of Isaac and Polly (Fry) Miller, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They grew to maturity and married in Holmes county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, of whom there were three sons and five daughters: Catherine, deceased ; Emanuel, a farmer of LaGrange county, Indiana ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Frena, the wife of Philip D. Miller, of Goshen Indiaua ; Daniel, living ou the old home farm iu Holmes county, Ohio; Manasses, the immediate subject of this review; Magdalena, the wife of Jacob D. Saubaugh; Lena, the wife of Christ Saubaugh.
Manasses Miller received his education in the public schools of Holmes county, and was reared there on his father's farm. During the winters he attended school and during the summer seasons he worked ou the farm, until he reached the age of twenty- three years.
On September 26, 1878, Manasses Miller was married to Amanda Yoder, of Farm- erstowu, Ohio. Mrs. Miller was born in Peunsylvania, January 22, 1857, and came to Holmes county, Ohio. at the age of fifteen years. She received her early education in the schools of her native state, completing her school training in the schools of Ohio after coming here with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Mary, the wife of John N. Miller, lives in Holmes couuty, Ohio; Jouas married Magdalena Miller, and lives in Madison county, Ohio; Emanuel went west and was drowned; and Samuel, who is unmarried and lives at home.
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At the time of Mr. Miller's marriage he had nothing of his own. They lived in Holmes county, Ohio, for some time, during which period they rented land for two years. Later they bought a half interest in one hundred acres of land, and still later the other half interest. Mr. Miller sold this farm and came to Madison county, November 23, 1898, and purchased the farm where he is now living. He has been very successful since coming to this county.
Although Manasses Miller was reared in the faith of the Mennonite church, he no longer affiliates with that denomination. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is a progressive, up-to-date citizen and an honorable resident of Darby township.
JAMES ALBERT PORTER.
James Albert Porter, who is familiarly known by the people of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, as "Al," was perhaps one of the youngest soldiers of the Civil War. He was only fourteen years old in 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Ninety- fiftlı Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hanson. He served three years and was only seventeen years old at the time of his discharge. Notwithstanding the fact that he was fourteen at the time of his enlistment, he carried a musket. At Gun- town, Mississippi, where most of his company was captured, he suffered severe wounds.
James Albert Porter was born in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, in 1848. and is the son of John and Mary (Timmons) Porter, the former of whom was the eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter, and the latter of Fayette county, Ohio, whose parents came to Ohio from Maryland.
James Porter, the grandfather of James Albert, came to Ohio from Maryland at the age of eleven years with his father, James Porter, Sr. Arriving in Ross county in 1800, James Porter, Jr., lived there during the War of 1812 and served two and one- half years in that war. Being a great ruimer, he was detailed as a messenger. He took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane and later was married in Ross county to Elizabeth Kilburn, who died in Madison county, Ohio, in 1828, of milk sickness. Subsequently, he settled in Union township, Madison county, where he owned seven hundred and fifty acres of land, for which he paid fifteen hundred dollars. James Porter, Jr., was killed at a house-raising in 1852, at the age of sixty-three. His old home in Madison county is now an experimental farm and formerly belonged to his son, William, who still lives in London and who is the last of the family of twelve children born to James, Jr .. and Elizabeth ( Kilburn) Porter. The second wife of James Porter. Jr., was a widow, whose maiden name was Bradley and who died soon after her husband's death.
The late John Porter the eldest son of James, Jr .. and Elizabeth ( Kilburn) Porter. came to Madison county with his father. Of the twelve children, James, John and Will- iam remained in Madison county, and for many years family reunions were held on the old farm. Three generations of the Porter family have occupied the farm where James Albert Porter now lives. Originally. it was a wilderness but has been developed into a splendid farm. John Porter was the guardian of his younger brothers and sis- ters. He died on the farm at the age of thirty-seven, in 1856, when his son. James Albert, was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. John Porter were the parents of three sons and four daughters: James Albert: John Milton; Samuel Irvin; Leah Elizabeth, who married Peter Hill and died in Madison county; Catherine, who married David Gerrard and also died in Madison county; Antoinette, who married Alex Wilson of Somerford township: and Mary, who married Albert Arbogast, of Union township.
After the Civil War, James Albert Porter went west and pre-empted a claim in Labette county, Kansas, where he spent twenty-seven years in stock raising and farm- ing. He was living in Kansas during the famous grasshopper experience. Upon his
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return to Madison county, one brother, John, being dead, he joined his brother, Samuel Irvin in business. Samuel Irvin Porter died on June 10, 1900. When tlie estate of John Porter was divided, each child received one hundred and ninety-four acres. James Albert Porter, being the only surviving son, received the old Porter homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. In recent years he has spent a great amount of money in drainage and fencing. Generally speaking, the land is rented. Neither John Milton, Samuel Irvin or James Albert Porter ever married.
James Albert Porter is a Republican and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Coffeeville, Kansas.
GEORGE W. BENNETT.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Madison county, Ohio, whose careers have become an essential part of the history of this section, George W. Bennett, the present trustee of Union township, who lives one mile east of London on the West Jefferson pike, occupies a prominent place. For many years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are a keen per- ception, a tireless energy, an honesty of purpose and motive and every-day commonsense. These qualities have enabled him not only to promote his own interests but to con- tribute largely to the moral, educational and civic advancement of the community where he has lived.
George W. Bennett was born near the Antioch church, in Pleasant township, Madi- son county, Ohio, November 8, 1865, the son of Edward and Catherine ( Sollars) Bennett, the former of whom was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 9, 1883, and the latter also born in this part of Ohio. The Bennett family is of English origin and repre- sentatives of the family were among the earliest settlers in the Buckeye state. The father of Catherine Sollars lived and died in Fayette county. Edward and Catherine Bennett located in Madison several years before George W. their son, was born. When he was three years old they moved to Fayette county, where they lived until he was thirteen years old and then moved to Pickaway county. After that they returned to Madison county. Later they moved to Clark county, where the father died. Edward Bennett was a farmer by occupation. He and his wife were the parents of eight chil- dren, who reached maturity. Four of these children were living in 1915, three of them in Madison county. George is the subject of this sketch; Amanda is the wife of Bert Nickle, a farmer who lives in London: Margaret is the wife of Bernard Foster, of Licking county : William lives near Sedalia, in Madison county: Lewis died in Indiana at the age of twenty-five years; Alex died in Madison county at the age of forty-nine; Lora died unmarried; Emma married John F. Rogers and died in this county.
George W. Bennett was reared on a farm and spent ten years in Clark county, Ohio. In 1910 he returned to Madison county, to the farm south of London, where he lived for two years. Upon selling this farm he bought his present farm, known as the old McDonald farm, located one and one-half miles east of London on the West Jefferson pike. Here Mr. Bennett owns one hundred and forty-six acres, for which he paid one hundred and twenty dollars an acre. The farm is under a fair state of culti- vation and since moving to it Mr. Bennett has built a new house.
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