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 112
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James W. Andrix was born near Duvall, Pickaway county. August 27, 1854. and has spent most of his life on the farm. He taught school in Pickaway county for some time, but soon took up farming. Nothing has ever seemed so attractive to him as the farm and no life has seemed so inviting as rural life. He has always been keenly inter- ested in cattle and hogs, and from these has made most of his money.
Mr. Andrix operates a part of the Baldwin-Gwynne farm of twelve hundred acres. He directly has charge of seven hundred and fifty-five acres, and here he has lived for five years, paying cash rent. Formerly, he kept the farm largely in grass, feeding from ninety to one hundred head of steers all the time, and one hundred and forty head of hogs. Recently the rent was raised and he has been compelled to plow much of the blue-grass pasture land. In 1915 he has about four hundred and ten acres of the farm in corn and will feed the entire product to hogs. Mr. Andrix employs several men and to grow the corn he uses twenty horses to operate the farm. He has lived in Madison and Franklin counties for twenty years. Formerly, he operated a large tract, including the Allen G. Thurman farm of five hundred and seventy acres, and the part of the Dun land. He is not unaccustomed to large investments in stock and farm equipment. Being accustomed to handle large propositions either with his own money or with good financial backing. he is not at all startled when face to face with difficult enterprises.
At the age of twenty-four. James W. Andrix was married to Emma Wagner a native of Pickaway county. The Andrix and Wagner family came originally from Pennsylvania. about 1840. Mr. Andrix's father. Jacob, settled in Pickaway county, where he was married to Sarah Sawyer, whose grandfather was burned by the Indians. He was caught in a pen of buckwheat straw which he was threshing, and, after being tied, was burned with the straw. Jacob Andrix was a pioneer farmer in Pickaway and Franklin counties and was an extensive stock drover.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Andrix have reared a family of eleven children. Roy is a turnkey at the Columbus prison. Clyde is on the farm with his father. Perrill is a farmer near Florence, in Madison county. Ina is the wife of Carl Gutheil. James was
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killed, October 23, 1914, while serving as a prison guard in the Ohio State penitentiary. The tragedy occurred at dinner time when James was stabbed by a convict. He was a highly-respected man. Nellie was a teacher at Tradersville in 1913-14 and is now teaching at Summerford. Fletcher is a farmer in Franklin county. Ruth R. and Mabel live at home. John is a clerk in the postoffice at Columbus, and Irwin lives at home with his parents.
Mr. Andrix believes that the rainbow comes down in Madison county. His advice is widely sought and is given large weight. On one occasion Mr. Andrix's advice was sought by a dairyman, living near Columbus, as to selling his dairy and feeding steers. He advised holding the dairy but selling the land worth four hundred dollars per acre and buying a larger tract in Madison county. This is merely an example to show that the people believe in the wisdom and judgment of James W. Andrix. He is a stanch Republican.
LAMAR P. WILSON.
Lamar P. Wilson, the secretary of the Madison County Agricultural Society, and for three years a member of the board of directors, is a prosperous farmer and an enter- prising citizen.
Mr. Wilson, whose farm is located a mile and a quarter west of the village of Sum- merford, on the National road, was born at Lafayette, November 8, 1873, and is the son of Alexander Hamilton and Isabella Parson ( Koogler) Wilson, the former of whom was the son of Valentine and Nancy ( Roberts) Wilson and the latter the daughter of Simon Koogler, a farmer of Greene county. The complete history of the Wilson family is to be found in the sketch of Charles A. Wilson, a brother of Lamar P., presented elsewhere in this volume.
Lamar P. Wilson is the fourth of a family of two children born to his parents. Practically all of his life has been spent in Madison county. For six years he was employed as a commercial traveler. selling to the retail trade for a manufacturing con- cern and covering the Middle West from Texas to Canada. Mr. Wilson was educated in the common schools and in the London high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Since abandoning salesmanship, he has been engaged in farm- ing. He moved to his present farm in 1906 for the second time, having owned it until 1904. when he sold out. The farm has been greatly improved by the installation of several hundred rods of improved fencing.
As secretary of the Madison County Agricultural Society. a position which he has held for three years, Mr. Wilson attends to all of the details of the premium list, adver- tising and concessions. He collects all of the money received by the fair board except gate receipts, which means the handling annually of more than ten thousand dollars.
On June 16. 1897. Lamar P. Wilson was married to Wilda G. Johnson. the daughter of W. B. and Martha (Doak) Johnson, who are now residents of East Liberty, Ohio. Mrs. Wilson was educated in the common schools, also attended high school at DeGraff. Ohio, and taught school in Madison county for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have no children.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamar P. Wilson had a splendid bome. which, on June 16. 1912. was partially destroyed by a cyclone, but was rebuilt the same year. The storm scattered the barn and caused a three thousand dollar damage. Several houses in the neighbor- hood were damaged, roofs were blown off and many barns were destroyed.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Grange, the Farmers Club and other agri- cultural and social organizations in their community. Mr. Wilson votes the Republican ticket. He served as assessor for two years, but does not aspire for office.
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GEORGE LANGEN.
It is no easy task to resist the many temptations of youth and early manhood and establish a character which will remain unstained for all time. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke which affects public policy and even retain the respect of his friends and neighbors, but to win a place of confidence and esteem in the hearts of one's fellows by industry and honorable dealings is worthy the highest praise and commendation. George Langen, a successful farmer of Union town- ship, Madison county, Ohio, has devoted himself conscientiously to the duties of each day and is now one of the most eminently respected men living in Madison county and one of the most prosperous. He has never felt that he had time for sport and about his only experience in hunting was on one occasion when he tried to hunt coons with a bull-dog.
George Langen's home is one mile west of London on the Somerford pike. He was born in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, June 28, 1861, and is the son of Thomas and Ellen ( McCarthy) Langen, both of whom were born in Ireland, the former in County Westmeath and the latter in County Cork. After coming to America and settling in New York state they were married in Albany, and about 1840 immigrated to Ohio. Thomas Langen had been a merchant at Albany and Utica, but lost all of his property by lending his name to the security of others' notes. After living for a time in Cincinnati, during the ravages of the cholera, Thomas Langen and wife moved to Wash- ington C. H., Fayette county, and later to Jefferson township, Fayette county, in 1859. Nine years later they moved to Madison county to a farm six miles south of London in Union township. There they established a home in the wilderness. The land was covered with virgin forests, and after it had been cleared Thomas Langen drained it with "gopher" and box ditches. The "gopher" ditches were drains made two or three feet underground by the use of a sharpened, upright bar of iron with an enlargement four or five inches in diameter at the bottom and pointed at one end. The upper end of the upright was attached to a windlass by means of a large beam and this was dragged along the surface, making a hole which remained open for several years. Box ditches succeeded the "gopher" ditches, and finally the box ditches were replaced with tile. Thomas Langen, who was devoted to farm life, died on his farm on Decem- ber 25. 1872. His widow survived him and lived to be eighty-seven years old. They were members of St. Patrick's Catholic church at London. Thomas Langen was an enthusiastic Democrat. He owned two hundred and eighty acres of land at the time of his death.
Of the eleven children born to Thomas Langen and wife, only four reached maturity : James, who died at Springfield in 1901. at the age of fifty-three: Frank, who is a farmer of Knox county, Indiana ; Thomas, who is a retired farmer of Springfield. Ohio; and George, the subject of this sketch.
George Langen, with the exception of two years spent in the hardware business at London. lived for forty-seven years on the old farm. He inherited the old farm and added to the tract until he owned two hundred and ninety-three acres in oue tract. He did all of the clearing and tiling on the farm. erected many of the buildings and made other substantial improvements. The farm is far above the average in productivity and has on it a ten-roomed house. One of the principal industries on the farm is rais- ing live stock.
Mr. Langen's home farm of eighty-six acres, to which he moved in 1915, has a good house and is situated near London. Mrs. Langen also has a farm of one hundred acres near the old home farm.
On October 23. 1883. George Langen was married to Ella Sullivan, the daughter of
GEORGE LANGEN
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Peter and Catherine ( Meehan) Sullivan, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, and who spent a part of her life in Fayette county. For the past ten years her parents have lived retired in London. Her father was a large and successful farmer. Mrs. Langen was nineteen years old at the time of her marriage. Of the eight children born to Mr, and Mrs. George Langen, one died in infancy. The seven living children are: Thomas, who is married and manages the home farm; Catherine, who is the wife of John Gory, of London ; Florence, Oscar. Alfred, Mary and Helen, all of whom live at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Langen and family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church at London, Ohio. Although Mr. Langen is classed as a Democrat, he is independent when it comes to elections. He served sixteen years as a member of the fair board of Madi- son county and, for four years, has been its treasurer. As such official he is compelled to attend constantly to the business of the fair since he handles all of the money. Fraternally. Mr. Langen is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1786, London, Ohio. He is also a member of the Board of Trade at London. He takes an interest in all public affairs and served as a member of the school board for a quarter of a century.
PETER C. GAYNARD.
Peter C. Gaynard, a successful farmer and teacher of Somerford township. was born on September 12. 1873, in Union township on the London and Summerford road, the son of Peter. Sr., and Margaret (Coleman) Gaynard, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former of county Mayo and the latter of County Galway. They were mar- ried in Springfield, Ohio, and later settled on a farm. Peter Gaynard. Sr .. had come to America in 1848 and for a time worked on the railroads of Illinois. Indiana and Louisiana. In 1860 he settled in Madison county. and in partnership with his brother. Thomas, purchased the homestead farm. beginning with six acres. In 1880 Thomas Gaynard moved to Logan county, where he died. Peter purchased his brother's interest and continued to farm until his death in October, 1901, at the age of seventy years. His wife had died previously, in July, 1880. The Gaynard farm was formerly a station on the old National road in stage coach days and comprised a tavern with several barns and sheds. Peter Gaynard was a quiet, unassuming man and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church. Of their children. Peter C. is the subject of this sketch; Thomas C. is also a farmer and teacher in this county; John died in childhood: and Delia, who is unmarried and lives in Springfield, owns the old home farm. She remained with her father until his death.
Educated in the common schools and in the normal school at Lebanon under the skillful direction of Professor Holbrook. one of the greatest educators in the history of Ohio, Peter C. Gaynard completed a commercial course at Ada. Ohio. Ile began teaching at the age of eighteen years and taught his first school in 1892. Mr. Gaynard tanghit continuously from 1892 until 1912 with the exception of three years. In 1912 he became superintendent of the Deer Creek township schools and his term in this connection has just expired. During the past twenty years, or until 1912. Mr. Gaynard taught alto- gether in Madison county with the exception of one year spent in Clark county. Many of his pupils have become teachers due to the encouragement they received from him and many of them have been inspired to greater and greater work in the educational field. In 1911 Mr. Gaynard received a life certificate in Ohio. He has served at various times in official capacities in connection with teachers' institute. He is familiar with all phases of educational work. He also served as township trustee of Somerford township for a period of two terms.
In 1904 Peter C. Gaynard was married to Hannah Fitzgerald the daughter of David
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D. and Johanna ( Daily) Fitzgerald, both of whom are deceased. Both were born in Ireland, she being fifteen and he eighteen at the time of their coming to America. After coming to Ohio, they were married at Plain City. Johanna ( Daily ) Fitzgerald's parents both died in Madison county. John Daily's brother, Patrick, was associated with him in farming, and at his death, Johanna inherited his estate since he had no children. David D. and Johanna Fitzgerald settled at Gillivan, in Jefferson township, where they engaged in farming. They were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity. Mrs. Gaynard's father died on the farm at the age of sixty-two and her mother at the age of fifty-two. Her father was a member of the school board for fifteen years. He was also a blacksmith and had a shop on his farm for many years. Of the children born to David D. and Johanna Fitzgerald, nine are still living. Three live in Columbus and six in Madison county. David A. lives in West Jefferson; Edward J. lives with his sister on the old farm; William E. is a farmer near the old home; Nora I. is unmarried and lives in West Jefferson; Ellen is the widow of Malachi Riley and together with Edward Fitzgerald owns the old homestead; Johanna is the wife of Mr. Gaynard; Mary is the wife of F. F. Ryan; Julia married Francis Graham; and Elizabeth is the wife of Arthur Murphy. The three latter daughters live in Columbus. John, Margaret, Daniel and an infant are deceased. John died at the age of sixteen, Margaret at the age of twenty and Daniel at the age of twenty-nine.
Mrs. Peter C. Gaynard was reared in West Jefferson and educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Gaynard have only one living daughter, Margaret, aged nine. Charlotte, another daughter, died at the age of nine. Mr. and Mrs. Gaynard are mem- bers of the St. Patrick's Catholic church, at London, and Mrs. Gaynard is active in the various societies of the church.
In his career as a teacher the success of Peter C. Gaynard may be attributed as much as anything to his broad and liberal sympathies, to his appreciation of the point of view of the children, who have sat at his feet as learners. Mr. Gaymard has always been interested in athletics and has been able to enlist the interest of many boys in school by appealing to their love for athletics. Peter C. Gaynard is a good man and a good citizen and has served in this community faithfully and well.
JOHN TINGLEY.
The late John Tingley, who until his death on January 22. 1915. was a resident of Summerford, was born in Greene county. Ohio in 1844. He was brought to Madison county, Ohio, when a child by his parents, William I. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Tingley, the latter of whom was a daughter of William Wilson. of Greene county. William Tingley located in Madison county, five miles west of London in Union township, where he and his wife lived until their death. He died at the age of fifty and his wife at the age of seventy. They reared a family of many children. most of whom married and set- tled in this county. William died in Champaign county. Simon is living in London at the age of seventy-six. Dan died in Champaign county. George died in Clark county. John is the subject of this sketch. Simon still lives. Pearl lives in London. Bessie is the wife of Ross Barnes of London. Minerva married Dow Couples, and died in Logan county. Susan died unmarried at an advanced age. Sarah married James Bell and died in London. Elizabeth. the wife of Stewart Ritter. lives at Summerford. Missouri is the widow of James Lammon, of London. Catherine married Stephen Sweet and died in Clark county. Gertrude is the wife of Jesse Peppers, of Clark county.
John Tingley was married on November 10, 1868, to Serepta Ann Ritter. the daughter of William and Ency ( Barr) Ritter. of Clark county. Mrs. Tingley was born near Harper's Ferry, and was brought to Ohio when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley settled
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near Brighton, in Clark county, about 1872, and later came to Madison county, settling on the David Gerard farm near Mr. Tingley's old home in Union township. He con- tinued farming until six years ago, when he retired and removed to Summerford. For thirteen years Mr. Tingley operated the Sam Prugh farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Tingley had nine children. One child died in infancy. Isabelle is the wife of Milton Cornwell, a farmer of Union township. Cora is the wife of Oscar Boisel of London. Alice married Scott Hull of Somerford township. Willie is a farmer in Union township. Minnie is the wife of Eret Hull of Somerford township. Laura is the wife of James Speakman, who died at the age of twenty-six. Delmar lives with his mother. Edna is the wife of Clyde Gist, a blacksmith of Summerford.
The late John Tingley was a member of the German Baptist church. He was inde- pendent in politics, but served in various township offices.
BENJAMIN F. LINSON.
It is doubtful if there is a couple living in all Madison county, who are more gen- erally loved than Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Linson, the superintendent and matron of the Madison County Children's Home. Until 1904 they were farmers of this county and in that year were appointed to take charge of this home. Both are natives of Madison county and have now been in charge of the home for eleven years. Mrs. Linson is noted for her kindness to the children and the extreme care she takes to provide for their comfort and well-being in life. Not only has she endeared herself to the children but she has won the admiration of the public. Mr. Linson is not only a careful and pains- taking business man, but he is likewise a man born with the natural sympathies for the great work in which he has been engaged for more than a decade. Mr. and Mrs. Linson enjoy the confidence of the trustees and the public alike.
Benjamin F. Linson was born in Paint township eleven miles south of London, November 18, 1861, and is the son of Benjamin and Maria (Anderson) Linson, the former of whom was also born in Madison county, the son of Judge George and Eliza- beth (Hutsenpiller) Linson. Benjamin Linson was born in Madison county, Ohio, on September 16, 1820. His father was born in the Old Dominion state on January 7. 1790, and his mother on December 24, 1792. They were married in Virginia, in 1815, and came to Madison county, where he died on April 14, 1855, and his wife died ten years previously on June 5. 1845. At the age of twenty-nine years, Benjamin Linson, the father of Benjamin F .. the subject of this sketch, began farming and stock raising on fifty acres of land and, at his death, owned five hundred and thirty-six acres. He was married to Marie Anderson on August 7, 1849, and to them were born nine children. Benjamin Linson died on October 5, 1876, and his wife on September 3, 1912. Margaret Shough, the last survivor of the family of Judge George Linson, lived at Sedalia, and died in August, 1914. at the age of eighty-three years, leaving two sons. Charles and Edward.
The late Benjamin Linson received a part of his father's old home place. By occu- pation, he was a teacher and farmer. He owned six hundred and fifty acres of land and was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of good horses and good sheep. He was active until his death in 1876, at which time he was fifty-six years old. Of their children, Benjamin F. is the subject of this sketch; William is a farmer near Springfield, Ohio: Amanda married A. B. Surbaugh and died in the state of Missouri: Elizabeth is the wife of Lee Foster, of Springfield, Ohio. The other five children died before reaching maturity. Some time ago the old home was sold.
Benjamin F. Linson. being but fourteen years old at the time of his father's death, helped his mother on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He
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remained at home until his marriage on December 28 1881, to Belle Murray, of Sedalia. Madison county. Ohio, the daughter of Maxwell Murray, an old resident of this county, but who is now deceased. Mrs. Linson was born and reared at Sedalia. Her brother, Clark Murray, is manager of the big Gwynne estate in Madison county, and is a repre- sentative of the third generation of the Murray family to manage this great estate. In fact, the Gwynne estate has been managed by some member of the Murray family during the past sixty years.
During the three years preceding his marriage, Mr. Linson managed the home farm for his mother. In 1899 he came to London, and after four years moved to another farm in Madison county. He farmed until 1904 when he and Mrs. Linson were appointed superintendent and matron of the children's home, two miles north of London.
Since coming to the children's home. Mr. Linson has added several buildings to the children's home farm. At the time of his coming. there were twenty-eight imnates including eleven colored inmates, but there are now no colored children there. The average number at the home is about thirty inmates. At the age of sixteen, each child is placed in a good home. Mr. and Mrs. Linson keep an eye on the children. the girls until they are eighteen and the boys until they are twenty-one years old. They have placed over sixty girls in private homes since 1903 and not a single one has gone astray. Perhaps no better evidence of the sympathy, judgment and ability of Mr. and Mrs. Lin- son could be cited than this very fact. At the home, girls are taught house work. including cooking, laundry work and sewing. The boys are taught farming. They are present in the home in about equal numbers and are directly presided over by governessos. the governess for the boys being Mrs. Clara Hall and for the girls Ella Warner. Each governess has her living room and bedroom near the children's sleeping dormitories, so that they may be in constant touch with the children. The school in the bnilding is pre- sided over by Ruth Morse and all of the children are compelled to attend school while they are residents of the institution. The children's home farm consists of seventy-five acres and is devoted to raising prodnets consumed at the institution. Everything at the children's home is made to seem as nearly as possible like a real home. The habits of the children are regulated, they have good meals consisting of splendid home cook- ing and appear very happy under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Linson.
Mr. and Mrs. Linson have been the parents of three danghters. Edna. who is the wife of Warren Snyder; Elizabeth, who is at home with her parents; and Mary, who was born in the children's home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Linson are members of the Presby- terian church. Mrs. Linson is active in church work and in clubs. She is especially active in the Farmers' Club. For several generations the Linsons have been Democrats and Benjamin F. Linson is no exception to the rule.
WILLIAM WARNER.
The late William Warner, who came to London. Madison county. Ohio, when a little boy with his parents. William and Susan Warner, was a prominent man in the history of Madison county during his day and generation, and for more than twenty ;years served as the sheriff of this county. He was engaged in the mercantile business and, aside from the office of sheriff, filled other important positions of trust and responsibility. His parents were farmers who lived in the suburbs of London. his father. William War- ner. Sr .. having been one of the old-fashioned shouting Methodists and a pillar in the church at London.
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