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 115
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HARLAN HUFFMAN.
Harlan Huffman is a prosperous farmer and a well-known citizen of Stokes town- ship, living on rural route No. 1, out of South Solon, Madison county, Ohio.
Mr. Huffman is a native of the township where he lives, his birth occurring there on March S, 1860. He is a son of George and Louisa (Ervin) Huffman, the former of whom was born in Greene county, Ohio, and the latter was born in Fayette county. They were married in Madison county, and were the parents of five children, two of whom, Amanda J. and Harlan, are living. Amanda J. is the wife of John M. Gossard. The deceased children are Mary Belle, Frederick H. and Annie. Mary Belle was the wife of J. H. McGinnis, and lived in Fayette county, Ohio, until her death in 1910. Frederick H. died at the age of nineteen, and Annie died at the age of twenty-one.
The late George Huffman, the father of Harlan, was a farmer by occupation who moved to Madison county about 1840, when a young man. He settled in Stokes town- ship, and eventually became the owner of one hundred and two acres of fine farming land in this township. ITis death occurred in April, 1890, and his widow is still living and makes her home with her son, Harlan.
Ilarlan Huffman owns a magnificent farm about four miles west of Sedalia. His place is well improved and well stocked, Mr. Huffman having devoted his entire career to the business of farming, and his well-kept and attractive country place gives evidence to the fact that he has met with a very commendable degree of success in his efforts.
Politically, Mr. Huffman is an adherent of the Republican party, but has never taken a very active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Midway Lodge No. 806. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the Union Star Lodge at Midway, and takes an active interest in the affairs of these fraternal organizations.
JOHN MILTON STROUP.
John Milton Stroup is a hard-working and industrious farmer of Stokes township, Madison county, Ohio, born on a farm in that township, March 27, 1877. He is a son of John and Sarah E. (Thomas) Stroup. His father is also a native of Stokes town- ship, born on the same farm, and he was a son of Joseph Stroup, a native of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Stroup's mother was a daughter of James Thomas and wife.
John Milton Stroup is one of four children born to his parents, all of whom are living : Bertha, living at home; Walter married Bertha Gordon, and they live in Green county ; John Milton, the immediate subject of this brief review; and Charles married Mary Stroble and they live in the Hoosier state.
John Stroup. the father of John Milton Stroup, was educated for the ministry, and has been engaged in that profession for the past thirty years. He is an evangelist in the Methodist Episcopal church, but makes his home in Stokes township. Mrs. John Stroup is the owner of a well-improved farm of nineteen acres in Stokes township.
Educated in the common schools of Madison county, Ohio, John Milton Stroup
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remained at home until he had reached his majority. On February 16, 1898, he was married to Della Winfield, a daughter of Hampton and Lettie (Cast) Winfield, both of whom are living at Clarksville, Ohio. To this union three chldren have been born, all of whom are living: Gerald D., born on January 26, 1899, is now a student in the high school ; Ella Marie, January 9, 1901, is a student in the public schools; Leah Louise, January 27, 1906.
Mr. Stroup owns fifty acres of well-improved land north of South Solon, about three- quarters of a mile. He is a general farmer and stockman, and is prominent in the community where he lives.
Fraternally, Mr. Stroup is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, at Springfield, Ohio. As a Republican he has served his township as road supervisor for the past six years, and has given pre-eminent satisfaction in this community.
JOHN M. GOSSARD.
John M. Gossard, a successful farmer of Stokes township, living on rural route No. 1, out of South Solon, Madison county, Ohio, was born on October 13, 1849, in Fayette county. Ohio, the son of John V. and Phoebe (Cox) Gossard.
John V. Gossard was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 15, 1811, the son of John, Sr., and Elizabeth (Vatentine) Gossard, natives of Pennsylvania. They immi- grated to Ohio and were married in this state. He died in 1840 and his wife died in 1872. John V. Gossard was married to Phoebe Cox on June 9. 1841. She was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 27, 1814. When Mr. Gossard was twenty-one years old he engaged in farming 'on his father's farm. In 1852 he bought two hundred and sixty acres of land in Madison county, Ohio. He was educated in the common schools and served as trustee of Stokes township. John V. Gossard was married three times, first to Hannah Brown, by whom he had one son, Robert. After her death he married Nancy Ritenour, who lived only eleven months. He then married Phoebe Cox, and to them were born five children, Joseph, Arthur, Marcellus, John M. and David, of whom three are living. At the time of his death on June 4, 1880, John V. Gossard had been a member of the Methodist church for more than thirty years. He was a good citizen and highly respected in the township. Mrs. Phoebe Gossard died about 1888.
Of the children born to John V. and Phoebe (Cox) Gossard, Joseph died in 1903; David in April, 1912; Artie is the widow of Frank Thomas, of Stokes township; Mar- cellus lives in London ; and John M. is the subject of this sketch.
Born and reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, John M. Gossard remained at home until he was twenty-seven years old. He was married in August, 1876, to Amanda J. Huffman, a daughter of George and Louise Huffman. To this mar- riage there were born ten children, four of whom died in infancy. Six are living, as follow : Arden, who is at home; Loring, who lives on the old homestead, married Margaret Tupps and has one son, Kenneth; Harry, who is at home; Howard, who is attending high school at Midway; Ethel, who is the wife of Edward Steward, of Stokes township; Lula, who is the wife of Rufus Schotts, of Chillicothe.
Mr. Gossard owns one hundred and ten acres of land, which is all well improved. He moved to the farm which he now occupies in 1908, and aside from building a barn has made many other substantial improvements.
Mr. Gossard is a stanch Republican but has never cared to hold office. He served, however, as road supervisor for some time and also as a school director. Mr. Gossard is living within two hundred yards of the school which he first attended when a lad. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Midway, and both he and his wife are members of the Grassy Point Christian church.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
JAMES RANKIN STROUP.
Range township. Madison county. Ohio, enjoys the distinction of having furnished to the various municipalities of the United States five different mayors. Judge D. C. Badger was mayor of Columbus, Ohio; John B. Koontz served as mayor of Washington C. H., Ohio; M. C. Allen, as mayor of Nevada, Iowa; W. S. Stroup, as mayor of Dun- kirk, Ohio; aud James Rankin Stroup. the subject of this sketch, is now serving his fifth term as mayor of South Solon. Mr. Stroup is a familiar personage to every man. woman and child of South Solon. He is widely known for miles around as the mayor of South Solon, as the founder of the South Solon Advance, and as an all-round business man and farmer. He has been a familiar figure in both the political and social arena of this section, and has made himself popular among the inhabitants by kind deeds, will- ing hands and active support to all worthy projects for the benefit of the community and those around him. He is the one man needed in every community to fall back upon when energy and willingness are needed to promote the general welfare. -
James Rankin Stroup was born in Range township, Madison county, Ohio. March 9. 1844, and is the son of William and Caroline M. ( Rankin) Stroup, the former of whom was born in Madison county. Ohio, and was the son of John and Rebecca ( Grimes) Stroup. John and Rebecca (Grimes) Stroup were natives of Pennsylvania and Ken- tucky, respectively, and among the first settlers in Madison county, Ohio. They estab- lished a pioneer home in Paint township, and spent the remainder of their lives there.
William and Caroline M. ( Rankin) Stroup had eight children. five of whom are living. The deceased children are Rebecca F., who married William McCune, of Colum- . bus; John M., who died in Midway, Madison county ; and Joshna. who died in California. Both William McCune and his wife are deceased. The living children are: James Rankin, the subject of this sketch; William Edwin of Dunkirk. Ohio, who has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad for the last thirty-five years; Sarah E., who lives in Chicago: Margaret C., who lives in California ; and Harry L., who is train dispatcher in New York city. William Stroup was engaged in the mercantile business at Midway for many years. During the latter part of his life he was engaged in the grain business at Lima. where he died in 1SS5. His wife died ten years previously.
Born in Range township and educated in the common schools at Sedalia, James Rankin Stroup clerked in his father's store until 1861. When he was seventeen years old he enlisted in Company D. Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was one of the first of the young men to respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers. He participated in James A. Garfield's first battle at Middle Creek, Kentucky. Colonel Garfield was commanding a brigade at the time, Jannary 10, 1862.
After the war Mr. Stroup came back to his native county, and for several years was engaged in farming and selling farm products. During that period he raised pure- bred Jersey cattle and hogs. In 1889 he removed to South Solon, and in 1902 founded the South Solon Adrawcc. au enterprising newspaper of that section. In 1902 he was elected mayor of South Solon and served eight years, until 1910. In 1914 he was re-elected mayor and is now serving his fifth term. Mr. Stroup is also justice of the peace and a notary public. He is likewise engaged in the real-estate and loan business. As mayor of South Solon his efforts have ever been for the benefit of the town, and as the result of his election the town has many needed improvements. His projects for benefiting the community have been entirely impartial. He is a newspaper man of con- siderable note, and has built up the South Solon Idrance until it is a thriving and newsy sheet, well patronized and widely read. Among his other interests, Mr. Stronp owns a farm of fifty-eight acres in Range township. He also owns a splendid modern home in South Solon.
On October 20, 1863, James Rankin Stroup was married to Martha Haskell. a
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daughter of David and Ann (Kenton) Haskell. Mrs. Stroup's mother was a daughter of Simon Kenton, a nephew of the famous Kenton of pioneer times. Mr. Haskell was born in Utica, New York, and his wife at Xenia, Ohio. They were married at Xenia. The Haskells were farmers and stockmen throughout life and lived in Range township after their marriage. Mr. Haskell died in 1893, and his wife died in 1911.
Mr. and Mrs. Stromp have had three children, as follow : Haskell, born on Septem- ber 3. 1864, lives in Range township, near Danville: Grace, born in 1879, died in 1901; Anna C. died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Stroup celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on October 20, 1913. at their home in South Solon. There were about eighty guests and they received many presents. The Springfield News mentioned the event as one of the most interesting in the history of Stokes township.
Mr. Stroup resides with his wife and granddaughter in a fine residence in South Solon. He is as active, as quick in wit and conception, and as deft in his literary work as a young man. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of South Solon, and is quartermaster of the post. He is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, at Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Stroup is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at South Solon. James Rankin Stroup is identified with the Democratic party.
GEORGE W. GOSSARD.
George W. Gossard, farmer and stockman of Stokes township, was born in the township where he now lives, October 28, 1865. He is the son of Joseph and Jennie ( Eckles) Gossard.
Mr. Gossard's father was born in Madison county, and his mother also. They were married in this county, and had seven children, of whom six are living. Silva, the youngest, died at the age of seventeen. The six living children are: George W., the subject of this sketch; Fred, who lives in Midway, and who is a carpenter by occupa- tion ; Willis, who lives on the old homestead: Oscar, who lives at home and manages the home farm ; Charles married Nora Rogers, who died about 1910, and he also lives on the old homestead ; Dell is the wife of William Roth, and they live at Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Joseph Gossard followed farming and spent all his life in Madison county, Ohio. where he owned forty acres of well-improved land. He died on May 22, 1905. His widow is still living on the old homestead. The grandfather of George W. Gossard died in 1880. The late Joseph Gossard was a member of the Grassy Point Christian church and a Republican in politics. He held numerous township offices.
George W. Gossard, who received a good common-school education in the public schools of Madison county, was reared on the farm and lived at home with his parents until his marriage at the age of twenty-six years, November 10. 1891. At that time he was married to Mary Vaughn, a daughter of William and Martha ( Richardson) Vanghn. Mrs. Gossard's father was born in Madison county, and served in the Civil War for three years and four months. He died shortly after his return from the war, as the consequence of exposure he suffered during service. Mrs. Gossard's mother lived the remainder of her life in Stokes township. Madison county. She died many years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Gossard have had five children, all of whom are living. Hazel is the wife of Lester Campbell, they have one son, Max, and live near Yellow Springs; Guy and Marie, twins; William and Marjorie all live at home with their parents.
Mr. Gossard operates a farm of forty-seven acres, and raises a high grade of live stock. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is identified with Midway Lodge No. 806. As a Republican, he has served as road supervisor and school director for a number of years. The Gossard family are members of the Christian church at Grassy Point.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
JOSEPH C. CLAWSON.
It is a maxim demonstrated by all human experience that industry is the key to prosperity. Success comes not to him who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler who with cheerful optimism and sleepless vigilance takes advantage of every circumstance calculated to promote his interests. Such a man is Joseph C. Clawson, an enterprising farmer of Stokes township, Madison county, Ohio, who has, within a comparatively brief period of time, advanced from an humble station to a proud position among the lead- ing farmers of this great county. Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous position, have been the dominating factors in his most successful career. He is known as a man of strictly honest business principles, industrious, pleasant and agreeable.
Joseph C. Clawson was born in Vinton county, Ohio, November 3, 1857. He is the son of John W. Clawson, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, whose wife was also born in that county. The parents were married in Jackson township, Vinton county, Ohio, and after their marriage took up farming. John W. Clawson had eight children, only one of whom, Joseph C., the subject of this sketch, is living. Samuel served in the Civil War, enlisting when seventeen years old and serving altogether three years and six months. He died near Sedalia, Missouri, in 1913. Jacob served in the Civil War, enlisting at the age of eighteen and serving three years and six months. After the war he settled in Pickaway county and later moved to Missouri, near Sedalia, where he died in 1912. Elizabeth Jane married Edward Schafer of Pick- away county. They moved to Madison county in 1907, and settled in Stokes township. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom are now living, Charles, Clarence, Edward, Harry, Allie, Elizabeth, Mattie and Blanche. Charles lives in Los Angeles, California ; Clarence in Madison county ; Edward in Madison county ; Harry in Madison county ; Allie in Pickaway county ; Elizabeth is the wife of Earl Huffman, of Pickaway county; Mattie is the wife of Clinton Stout, of Pickaway county, and Blanche, who is unmarried, resides in Madison county. One child died in infancy, and the mother of . these children, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Schafer, died in 1912. The father died in 1907 in Madison county. The fifth child was Rosella, who died abont 1879 in Madison county. Three children died during the Civil War.
John W. Clawson was also a soldier in the Civil War and enlisted in Company I. Eighteenth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served about three years. He was wounded two times during the war, and after receiving an honorable discharge returne ! to Vinton county and engaged in farming until his death, November 28. 187S. His wife died in February, 1911.
Joseph C. Clawson received but little education during his early years. Ile was compelled to work hard and had little opportunity to attend school. Until 1879 he worked for other people. In that year he began life for himself by renting from G. W. Linson. in Madison county. He rented land altogether for twenty-three years and then purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres in Stokes township, and has added to this original tract until he now owns five hundred and eight acres of magnificent land, well improved and very fertile. Practically all the improvements on this land have been made by Mr. Clawson himself.
On July 7, 1886, Joseph C. Clawson was married to Jennie Bozarth, a daughter of Lewis and Rosanna (Moon) Bozarth, the former of whom was born in Greene county. Ohio, and the latter was born in Madison county. They were married in Madison county, and had six children, four of whom are living, as follow: John is a resident of Berry county, Missouri ; Jennie is the wife of Mr. Clawson; and was born in McClain county, Illinois, on September 15, 1855; Mary is the wife of Huston Thomas, deceased ; Laura is the wife of L. W. Badger, of Berry county, Missouri.
After their marriage the parents of Mrs. Joseph C. Clawson lived in Madison county
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
for a year, and then removed to McClain county, Illinois. The father was a farmer and stock dealer in Illinois for seventeen years. Eventually, he returned to Madison county and purchased the old Aaron Moon homestead farm and followed farming the remainder of his life. He died March 7, 1909, and his wife died in 1911. Lewis Bozarth was also a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted from Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Clawson have had three children: Laura, who died at the age of nineteen; Anna, who died at the age of seventeen; and John, who died on September 1, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Clawson adopted a little girl at the age of nine months. She is Eatha Clawson, born on September 15, 1895.
Mrs. Clawson is a member of the Christian church at South Solon. Mr. Clawson is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to office. He makes a specialty of raising Shire draft horses and Shorthorn cattle.
JOHN MORRISON.
John Morrison is a successful farmer of Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, who was born on the ocean on the voyage from Scotland to America on June 2, 1858. He is the son of Andrew and Agnes (McIndo) Morrison, both of whom were natives of Scot- land. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living, namely : Alex- ander, who was born in Scotland, lives in Ross county; John is the subject of this sketch; Margaret is the widow of Wesley Davis, of Highland county; Mary is the wife of David Fairley, of Highland county; Robert lives in Paint township; Archie is a resident of Highland county; Andrew also lives in Highland county; William died at the age of thirty in Highland county; David and Walter, both of whom live in High- land county.
Upon arriving in America, Andrew Morrison settled in Highland county in 1858. and for a few years was employed as a laborer. Later, however, he purchased a farm in Paint township, Highland county, and followed farming. He died about 1906. His wife died on May 22, 1915.
John Morrison received a common-school education in the district schools of High- land county and lived at home until his marriage. Mr. Morrison was married on December 25, 1883, to Hannah Belle Taylor, a daughter of James and Mary Ann (Siffens) Taylor. Mrs. Morrison's father was born in Lancaster, England, and her mother in Rochdale, England. Her father came alone to America on a sailing vessel in the spring of 1840, and her mother came in August, 1840. Both settled in Phila- delphia. After their marriage they settled at West Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia. About 1865 Mrs. Morrison's father moved to Washington county, Ohio, and settled near Marietta. He was a spinner by trade and his wife was a weaver. About fifty-six years ago he moved to Highland county from Marietta, and after living about thirty years in Highland county, moved to Findlay, Ohio, where he died in 1892. Still later the family moved to Dayton, where the mother died on September 21, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years and twenty days. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their nine children were as follow: Sarah Ann, who is the widow of Frank Dooley, of Leesburg, Highland county; William, who died at the age of fifty-six; Thomas, who lives in Florida ; Mary, who is the wife of Albert Weber, of Dayton, Ohio; Joseph, who lives in Colorado; Hannah Belle, who is the wife of a Mr. Morrison ; Hattie, who died unmarried at the age of forty-nine; Clara. who is the wife of Samuel Teter, of California ; and James A., who lives in Loveland, near Cincinnati.
Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living, namely : Nina, born on July 3, 1884; Florence, February 11, 1SS6, married Pearl Hunter and lives in London; Clara. April 11, 1SSS. married Howard Harrison and lives in Paint township; Clarence, June 5. 1890, died on March 15. 1892; John Taylor, March
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7, 1898, is at home; Mary Agnes, November 30, 1899. died on August 15, 1900; and Francis Albert. September 22, 1902, died on October 29, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were married in Highland county, and after their mar- riage moved to Madison county in 1892 and rented land. Mr. Morrison owns a farm of sixty acres but manages, altogether, a farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres. Ile engages in general farming and stock raising and keeps a high grade of stock on his farm in Paint township.
John Morrison is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at South Charleston, and the encampment. at London. He is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the school board. He has served as supervisor for a number of years. Mrs. Morrison belongs to the Methodist church. Mr. Morrison was baptized as a Presby- terian.
JESSE S. GAIN.
Jesse S. Gain, stockman and breeder, who is proprietor of "Fairview Farm" near the Madison county fair grounds on the Marysville pike, is today one of the best-known horsemen in the state of Ohio. For many years he has been engaged in breeding registered Percheron and harness horses.
Born on May 14, 1859, in Paint township, Jesse S. Gain is the son of Thomas and Mary ( Stroup) Gain, the former of whom came with his brother. Jesse. to Ohio. Their father Joshua Gain, was born in Jefferson county. Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1760, and died in Harrison county, Virginia, in 1854. at the age of ninety-four years. His wife before her marriage was Mary Crouse, who was born in 1771, and who died in Frederick .county. Virginia. in 1846. The name Mary is to be met with frequently in the Gain family.
Joshua and Mary (Cronse) Gain had eleven children ; some of the sons removed to Illinois. Her old home in Frederick county, West Virginia, is still held by members of the family. Thomas Gain, father of Jesse S., was born in Morgan county, Virginia, April 16. 1821. as was also his brother. Jesse, the father of Dr. Charles Emory Gain, the postmaster of London. Jesse Gain was born on September 23. 1823, and died on August 27. 1892. at London. Thomas and Jesse Gain removed first to Berkeley county, Virginia, and on August 3. 1845, removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where they lived for two years. Afterwards, they lived in Greene county, Ohio, until 1851. and then both came to Madison county, settling near each other in Paint township. Jesse, how- ever. soon removed to London.
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