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 111
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On March 16, 1910, George W. Bennett was married in London to Ida Gaskell, who was born and reared in Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have two children, Louise and Chester.
In 1913 George W. Bennett was elected trustee of Union township as a Democrat, and is now filling this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of the township. He is a successful farmer, an intelligent man, an enterprising citizen and popular in the neighborhood where he lives.
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CHARLES E. MITCHELL.
Great strength of character is always worthy of record and the late Charles E. Mitchell, of Somerford township, was a man not only of great strength of character, but of strong mind, body and heart. He was one of the leading farmers of Madison county, and through his industry and perseverance accumulated a substantial compet- ency in farm real estate. He pursued the even tenor of his way in a quiet, unostenta- tious manner, attended strictly to his own affairs and did the right as he understood it, keeping his conscience clear of offense toward God and man. Ile won a conspicuous place in the community where he lived and left a family of children who lead hon- orable and useful lives: who live up to the highest standard of citizenship in every respect.
The late Charles E. Mitchell was born on what is known as the Cramer farm, In Somerford township, the only son of Newman 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. Newman and his brother, Abizar, purchased four hundred and fifty acres of this farm from their father.
On January 1, 1837, Newman Mitchell was married to Cassandra Bradley, the daughter of David and Nancy Bradley. She was born on March 17, 1818, and her brothers, Lawson, David M. and Sheldon were men of importance in Madison county. Newman Mitchell finally owned four hundred acres in the one farm. In 1853 he bought the Tom Morris farm near Tradersville. In 1865 he bought the Nathaniel Griffin farm of four hundred and thirty-three acres and paid twenty thousand dollars for it. He assisted David Babb in the purchase of the Babb farm, one mile north of Summerford and, in company with his son, Charles E., purchased other land until he owned over two thousand acres. He was a diligent. industrious, honest man and his word was always accepted at par in the community. He did not engage in "wild-cat" specula- tion but only in legitimate business enterprises and cattle raising was the leading feature of his business career.
Although Charles E. Mitchell was the only son born to his parents, he had two sisters. Lettie, who married Louis Kremer and lived on the old Mitchell farm in Somer- ford township. where she died; and Abbie, who married David Bales. The old Mitchell farm, however. is mostly owned by the Mitchell family at the present time and the old home is still standing.
Born on the farm, reared in the country and educated in the common schools, Charles E. Mitchell was married to Mary E. Heffley, the daughter of Peter Heffley, whose family history is given in the sketch of J. O. Geer, presented elsewhere in this volume. After his marriage Mr. Mitchell obtained the farm now owned by his son, Noel, situated northwest of Tradersville. The present house was erected by a former owner, About 1869 or 1870, Charles E. Mitchell moved to the present Mitchell home farm, a tract of three hundred and forty-four acres. He owned four hundred forty-two and three-quarters acres near his father's old home place, the latter farm being known as the old Sawyer farm, of Someiford township. Charles E. Mitchell and his father were in partnership for several years but some time before his father's death. Charles E. began farming on his own responsibility. He was an extensive stock buyer and feeder and raised thousands of head of cattle, sheep and hogs during his life. He raised a great deal of grass and fed it all to his stock. The home farm was used for fattening his stock and the other farm for grazing purposes.
At his death on August 9. 1898, at the age of fifty-three years, Charles E. Mitchell
CHARLES E. MITCHELL.
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left a widow and family of four children : Alice J., the wife of H. F. Fauver, of London; Harry H., who died unmarried on February 22, 1914, at the age of forty- two, spent all of his life near the old home farm and was a popular citizen of Madison county ; Raleigh and Noel live on the old home farm,
Noel Mitchell owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of the old farm, including the old homestead. He has a fine tract of land which is well improved and highly productive.
Noel Mitchell was married on June 1, 1911, to Blanche M. Rafferty, the daughter of M. C. and Ora (Seeds) Rafferty. Mrs. Noel Mitchell's father, M. C. Rafferty, was the son of Joseph Rafferty and he was the son of Joseph Rafferty, Sr., who emigrated from Kentucky to Madison county about 1840. Her great-grandfather's old home farm is the present Reason Locke farm, but he owned four farms in Somerford township. Joseph Rafferty, Jr., operated the Locke farm until the house was burned. Later he operated a farm on the national road, one mile west of Summerford, known as the old Patee farm. There he lived until his death on August 4, 1897. M. C. Rafferty was born in the village of Summerford and has spent all of his life in Somerford township. Mrs. Noel Mitchell was born on August 15, 1890, on the old Rafferty farm north of Summerford. All of her life has been passed in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Noel Mitchell have one child, a boy named Roger Lyman, born on May 27, 1915.
SCOTT HULL.
Scott Hull is a successful farmer of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio. and operates a part of the great Baldwin-Gwynne farm, a tract of five hundred acres, which is a part of the entire thirty-three hundred acres of the Gwynne farm. The Baldwin farm alone covers about twelve hundred acres. Mr. Hull operated this farm for five years and is living in the house erected for him. He employs five men and raises principally corn, raising an average of two hundred acres every year. The corn is fed to cattle and hogs. In company with his brother, Harry, Mr. Hull operated six hundred acres of the Allerton farm for five years. This farm is located in Deer Creek township. Harry Hull is now farming near Lafayette.
Scott Hull was born in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, January 27, 1871. and is the son of James and Charlotte (Jewell) Hull, the former of whom was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, October 18, 1838. In 1850 he came to Madison county with his parents, David and Nancy ( Hardman) Hull. They settled in the village of Summer- ford, where David followed his trade as a shoemaker. Later he removed to Paint town- ship. after living at Summerford for two years, and still later settled in Range town- ship. Mrs. Charlotte (Jewell) Hull is deceased. Her husband has lived in Madison county for more than seventy years, and all this time has been engaged in farming He is now living with Scott Hull and is seventy-seven years old.
Nine children were born to James and Charlotte (Jewell) Hull, as follow: Jennie is the wife of Stephen Hamilton, who lives on a part of the Gwynne farm; Cora is the wife of Luther Goodyear of Paint township: Charles is a machinist in Springfield; Scott is the subject of this sketch; Harry lives in Deer Creek township; Eret is a farmer in Clark county ; May is the wife of William Cornwell; Delbert lives in Urbana, Ohio; and Earl lives at Lafayette.
Scott Hull began life for himself at twenty years of age. He worked in the Pennsylvania railroad car shops at Columbus for one year, and then worked on a farm by the month until after his marriage.
On August 29, 1896, Scott Hull was married in London to Alice Tingley, the daugh- ter of John and Serepta (Ritter) Tingley, whose history is presented elsewhere in this.
(48)
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volume. Mrs. Ilull was born in Union township, and was twenty-two years old at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hull are the parents of two daughters, Belva Irene and Ilazel Marie.
When Mr. Hull started life he had nothing. In company with his brother, he went in debt twenty-nine hundred dollars, and at the end of five years had a large farm well stocked. He has devoted himself exclusively to farming and is making a wonderful success in this vocation. Mr. Hull is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
ARTHUR SLAGLE.
Arthur Slagle, who is a well-known farmer living one mile west of the court house of Madison county on the London and Summerford pike, was born on the farm and in the house where he now lives. September 9. 1854 the son of C. K. and Frances ( Eagle) Slagle, both of whom were natives of Virginia.
When about twenty-one years old. the late C. K. Slagle's father gave him thirty- two slaves but, having seen so much of the evils of slavery, he determined to free these thirty-two slaves and made out the papers to that effect. So many free negroes created surprise and fear among the slave owners, who thought their slaves would be influenced. They sought out C. K. Slagle to remonstrate with him and possibly to punish him for the example he had set. Mr. Slagle arranged with a brother to meet him at night at a fixed place. three months in the future with his wife and child, teams and household articles. He came on ahead to Ohio. seeking a new home in a free state. At the appointed time he was back to meet his wife,
They left Virginia at night and came to Greene county, Ohio, where he had located land. His child, then a babe in arms, was named Virginia. She later married Dennis Clark and recently died in London. Her son, George Clark, is one of the Democrat's ablest employees. On the trip north. they came to a deserted cabin in the mountains and sought shelter therein. About midnight, Mr. Slagle, feeling some weight on his breast. wakened to realize that a huge snake was crawling over him. He was so badly frightened that he called his wife. and after hitching up the team they drove away in the darkness.
C. K. Slayle was accustomed to tell an ansing story about the geese he kept on Oak run, which crossed his farm. On one occasion he discovered several boys with bulging pockets and knew that they were hunting his goose eggs. He caught one of them, John Southern, whom he pretended to be very glad to see, and putting his arms around the lad squeezed him until he could hear the eggs breaking. The boy's struggles were of no avail. The eggs kept on breaking until streams of goose eggs flowed from his breeches. The incident was not soon forgotten.
C. K. Slagle's abhorrence of slavery led him to help negroes in escaping to Canada and. in the days before the war, he helped to maintain a station of the "underground railroad." Owners of fugitive slaves were accustomed to hunt in the vicinity when several darkies were concealed about the place.
Building a dam on Oak Run. C. K. Slagle established a pond of nine acres and erected a saw-mill. His son-in-law. Dennis Clark. operated a carding-mill and woolen factory with the same power. During the war. both mills were kept running day and night. At one time. all of the hands, including Mr. Slagle himself, enlisted and the mills were stopped. Mr. Slagle was not accepted on account of his age and the mills were operated by children and such help as could be obtained. It was a fine paying business until July, 1863, when everything was destroyed by fire. It was a loss of sixty thousand dollars and there was no insurance. The mill was never rebuilt.
Prior to the election in 1864 Mr. Slagle was one of those men chosen to carry
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ballots to the soldiers at the front. He served two terms as county commissioner and died in 1876, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife survived him ten years. In 1847 Mr. Slagle built the house which still stands on the Slagle farm. He kept open house during his life and enjoyed his friends. He was an enthusiastic church mem- ber and had a religion which made him happy. He was not afraid to express himself even with shouts when filled with religious fervor.
To C. K. and Frances (Eagle) Slagle were born eleven children, as follow: Vir- ginia, who was brought from Virginia to Ohio by her parents when an infant; Edwin, who served three years in the Civil War and later went to Missouri but died in Chi- cago; Minerva, who married Lewis Buvinger, and died in Kansas; Austin, who was a machinist, served three years in the Civil War and died in California; Mary Ann. who is the widow of a Mr. Rinehart, of Columbus, Ohio; Oliver who was a machinist and served one hundred days in the Civil War, was in the railway mail service for some years and died at Leavenworth, Kansas; Albert, who is a carpenter and machinist of London; Kate, who is the wife of George McEwen, of Chetopa, Kansas; Charles, who served in the Spanish-American War, lives at the soldiers' home at Dayton, Ohio; Frank who is a carpenter in Columbus, Ohio: and Arthur, the subject of this sketch,
Arthur Slagle was born and reared and spent his whole life on the old Slagle farm. For thirty-five years he conducted an ice business at London, supplying ice from, a nine- acre pond, fed by big springs, at the head of Oak run. This pond made fine boat rid- ing and a magnificent place for skating in the winter. In the ice business, Mr. Slagle's warehouse had a capacity of from three to seven thousand tons. For thirty-five years he kept the town of London cool.
There is an old grape arbor on the Slagle farm, which was set out by Mr. Slagle's father more than fifty years ago. The arbor has had little attention, but it still bears fruit.
In 1885 Arthur Slagle was married to Ella Pancoast, of Fayette county, Ohio, They have had three sons: Edwin who operates an electric sub-station on the Ohio Electric railway : Elmer, who is a farmer of Madison county ; and Harold, who is a student in the London high school,
In early life, Mr. Slagle enjoyed hunting and was never happier than when on quail-shooting expeditions with his dog and gun. For many years he was a member of the Gun Club and had a high mark as a trap shooter. A Republican in politics, he served six years on the school board and seven years on the board of township trustees.
JOHN W. DE VORE.
Descended from a soldier of the American Revolution who came over to the United States with General Lafayette, John W. De Vore is one of the well-known citizens of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, where he is engaged in the manufacture of tile.
John W. De Vore was born in Fayette county. Ohio, seven miles east of Washington C. H., on the Chillicothe pike, June 16, 1848. His great-grandfather De Vore fought in the American Revolution, and liked the Virginia country so well that after the war was over he returned to France. sold his property there and returned to America. He remained in Virginia until his death. His son, Joshua, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Fayette county, seven miles east of Washington C. H., where he followed farming the remainder of his days.
John W. De Vore was married on January 29, 1872, to Jennie O'Farrell, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and to this union nine children have been born, eight of whom are still living: H. I., who was born in Fayette county on the old homestead, lives in Columbus, Ohio; Leota, deceased, was the wife of Lee Jones, and they were the parents of three children; Harry E., born in Fayette county, lives in London : Maud is the wife
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of Otis Cornwell, and they live in this county; Jennie May is the wife of William Goodyear, of Clark county, Ohio; John W. is a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Jessie is the wife of l'lysses Goodyear, and they live in Summerford, Ohio; Julia, living at home and Herbert, who married Gladys Swingle, lives near his father and assists him in the manufacture of tile.
After his marriage Mr. De Vore rented land in Fayette county, Ohio, for ten years, and then moved to the old homestead, where he was born and reared, and where he spent thirty-eight years of his life. In 1895 he sold his property in Fayette county, and removed to Madison county, buying a tile factory and saw-mill in Union township, and twenty-eight acres of land. Since that time he has been engaged in the manufacture of tile, and carried on a lumber business until the last year, when the saw-mill was abandoned. He now devotes his entire time to the manufacture of tile. For the past forty-nine years John W. De Vore has operated a threshing outfit in Madison county and vicinity, and is one of the best known threshermen in this section of the state., Mr. De Vore is a Republican in politics, but his extensive business and farming interests have prevented his taking an active part in political matters.
HENRY CARY.
Henry Cary, farmer, three and one-half miles south of Plain City, was born on May 7, 1862. in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew and Flora E. ( Burnham) Cary. Ile was reared to the life of a farmer in Darby township, where he attended the district schools in the winter and assisted on the farm during the summer, until his marriage. He has been eminently prosperous, and is now the owner of a fine country place consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, known as "Oak Grove Farm." At the time of his marriage Mr. Cary lived on a rented farm in Darby township, buying his present valuable tract in 1898. He belongs to the Republican party, being the only member of his family with these views.
Andrew and Flora E. (Burnham) Cary, parents of Henry Cary, were residents of Plain City, and were the parents of four sons and two daughters, Anna, Henry, Nettie (deceased ), Rodney, Burnham and Frank P. Anna became the wife of John Meek, and is living at Los Angeles, California. Rodney was married to Lizzie Deems, and lives in New Mexico. Burnham was married to Clara Martin, and lives in Darby township. Frank Cary was united in marriage with Julia Van Teelburg and also lives in Darby township.
Henry Cary was united in marriage. December 11. 1889. with Margaret J. Miller, daughter of John and Catharine ( Ninhauser) Miller. She was born on June 24, 1862, in Brown township, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. receiving her education at the public schools and remaining on a farm until her marriage. She is of German lineage. No children have come to bless this union. but Mr. and Mrs. Cary took into their lives a little girl, Mary L. Cary, who was born on November 14, 1899. She is a graduate of the common schools, and is at present a student at St. Mary's Academy, at Shephard, Ohio.
John and Catharine (Ninhauser) Miller were natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married, emigrating to the United States about 1850. They located in Pennsylvania, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of ten children, six daughters and four sons: Philomena, Elizabeth, Peter, Mary, Martha, Belle, Charles, John and two others.
Mr. Cary has always lived an exemplary life, and he and his wife are quietly enjoying their beautiful country home, and have many sincere friends in Madison county. Although Mr. and Mrs. Cary do not belong to any particular denomination,
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY CARY.
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they attend the Presbyterian church. The residence now occupied was built at the time of purchase, but Mr. Cary has made many improvements and has made it modern in all respects. He built a splendid barn and the farm is one of the most attractive in this neighborhood.
DAVID BROWN.
The late David Brown of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, was one of the best-known farmers and stockmen in Madison county. He was a man whose mind was ever alert to matters of public interest, and the real welfare of mankind was dear to his heart. He read much and kept closely in touch with public affairs, always feel- ing a just pride in the educational efforts of the community. The family of David Brown has the unique record of having furnished ten teachers to Madison county, as well as more graduates-seven in number-from the National Normal university at Lebanon, than any other family that ever attended that school.
The late David Brown was born near the home where he died, April 8, 1833, and passed away after a brief illness on August 8, 1912, at the age of seventy-nine years, three months and twenty-eight days. He was the son of James and Mary Ann (Burn- side) Brown, the former of whom was born in Nassau, New York. June 21. 1795, and the latter was born in the Old Dominion state in 1803.
James Brown emigrated to Canada when a mere lad, and later settled in Ohio, having been married in Madison county, He died on March 13, 1875.
At the age of twenty-four years, David Brown began to rent land, which he con- tinued to do for a period of three years. At the end of that time, he bought ninety acres of land and in March, 1876. purchased the present home farm of two hundred and six acres. He added to this farm until it contained three hundred and thirty-seven acres, and in the meantime erected substantial buildings and made of it one of the most attractive farms in this section of the state. The house was built in 1906, and is a com- miodious country residence. David Brown was interested in Polled Durham cattle, and for many years he was an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep. He was one of the largest sheep raisers in thissection of Ohio and contributed materially in making Ohio a great sheep state.
On March 30, 1857, David Brown was married to Isabelle Patrick, daughter of Young and Della Patrick, of his own neighborhood. To them were born two children : William D., who lives at Tulare. California ; and Hiram C., who died in infancy. Mrs. Brown's death occurred at their home near Plain City before that of her little sonl. Mr. Brown was married, secondly, on June 15, 1864, to Sarah E. Taylor, daughter of Samuel and Eunice Taylor, of Plain City, and to this union there were born twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven, Frank Irwin, Clara, Ida Bell, Charles D., Jolin T., Eva G., Nellie M., Bessie, Lula, Lucille and Russell H., are surviving. Frank Irwin lives at Dayton. Clara is the wife of Charles Ackley, of Plain City. Ida Bell is unmarried. Charles D. lives at Plain City. John T. lives near Mechanicsburg. Eva G. is the wife of Howard Sidner, of West Jefferson. Mellie M. is the wife of Ralph Demmitt, of Vandalia, Ohio. Bessie F., Lula G., Flora Lucille, Russel H. Lula and Lucille are teaching school in Colorado. Ida, Bessie and Russell H. remain at home with their mother. James Sheridan died at the age of twelve.
Mrs. David Brown is the granddaughter of Richard Taylor, who was born near Harpers Ferry, Virginia, July 15, 1773, and who at the age of sixteen migrated to Kentucky, where he learned the tailor's trade. In 1800, he located near Plain City, in Madison county, but subsequently returned to Kentucky owing to the state of his health. In 1810 he returned to Ohio and afterwards lived on a farm near Plain City, He died at the age of ninety years. Samuel Taylor was Mrs. Brown's father. Mrs. Rachael
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Keiser, a sister of Mrs. Brown, inherited the old home where Mrs. Brown was born. Her father, Samuel Taylor, died in 1887. He had been married twice, his second wife being Rosanna Kent, whom he survived. Her daughter still owns the old Taylor home- stead near Plain City.
David Brown lived sixteen years near Plain City. but, after the death of his father, removed to the old homestead, four miles east of Mechanicsburg where he lived until his death. He followed the business of farming all his life and was very successful in his chosen work, taking great pride and satisfaction in stock raising and the cultiva- tion of his excellent farm. He served as township treasurer and as township trustee for a period of nine years. He was also a justice of the peace for many years. In his home life he was a devoted husband, an ideal father, the kindest of brothers, and his hospitality was unbounded to his friends. In business transactions he was always will- ing to do more than he required of others. The great rule of his life was the golden rule, and the constant manifestation of this spirit, coupled with unusual sound judg- ment. led people to turn to him as a wise and trusted counsellor.
JAMES W. ANDRIX.
One mile east of the village of Summerford on the old National road may be found one of the most enterprising and intelligent farmers of Madison county. He is James W. Andrix, a man who, while not owning land is a large farmer and has an enormous capital invested in stock and farm equipment. Altogether, Mr. Andrix is a live, ener- getic, far-seeing and successful business man and agriculturist.
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