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 120
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Both Andrew and Nancy (Price) Shepherd were members of the Methodist church, and they carefully reared their children in that belief. The mother passed away in 1906, at the age of eighty-eight years. Isaiah Shepherd is one of seven children born to Andrew and Nancy (Price) Shepherd, four of whom are living at the present time, and was born on March 12. 1849, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio. His edu- cation was very limited, and was received in the district schools of Range township.
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He remained on the home place until twenty-four years of age, at which time his father gave him one hundred acres of land nad he at once proceeded to begin agricultural operations for himself.
On February 11, 1872, the marriage of Isaiah Shepherd and Susan Newman, daughter of William and Adeline (Belle) Newman, natives of Ohio, was solemnized. Her parents were formerly of Morgan county, Ohio, in which place she was born, on January 15, 1852, but removed to Madison county in 1880, and settled in Range town- ship, where they farmed until their death, Isaiah and Susan (Newman) Shepherd are the parents of eight children. Milton, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; an infant, and Addie J., deceased ; Francis M., who lives in Range township; Edward, a graduate of Lebanon College, and now going to college at Athens, Ohio; Mrs. Myrtle Call, a resident in Range township; Russell, deceased ; and Horace, who lives in Range township.
Isaiah Shepherd has added to the original farm of one hundred acres given him by his father, until at the present time it consists of one hundred and sixty-two acres, well improved, with proper buildings and all necessary equipment for modern farming. Upon this place there still remains eighteen acres of timber. Several prizes have been won by the sons of Isaiah Shepherd on the products of this farm at the London, Ohio, fairs. The old homestead was a log cabin and very different from the present home. Oxen were used for the cultivation of the crops, one team having weighed two thousand pounds each,
The politics of Isaiah Shepherd are Democratic, and he has always been a strong advocate of all party policies. His religious principles are based upon the creeds of the Methodist church, of which he is a member.
HARRY HEATH.
A farm of two hundred acres, located in Madison county, Ohio, reveals to the view of observing persons the thrift which has been the dominant factor in the life of Harry Heath, a resident of Sedalia. Madison county, Ohio. Formerly a renter on this land, he is now the owner, beside which he owns a modern home in the town of Sedalia.
Harry Heath, born on March 24, 1868, in Pickaway county, Ohio, is the son of Andrew and Emma (Lambert) Heath. to whom nine children were born, seven of whom are living to cheer the "Indian summer" of their lives. The town of Derby now hides from view the old landmarks of his boyhood home, and the former fields of grain are now obliterated by the commercial scenes which have taken their place. Andrew Heath was born on September 12, 1831, in Pickaway county, Ohio. He came to Madison county, Ohio. in 1887, and settld in Sedalia, where he owns property. Emma ( Lambert) Heath was born on March 20, 1841, in Maryland, and came with her parents to Franklin county, "Ohio, when only four years of age. Both Andrew and Emma (Lam- bert) Heath are living, and are members of the Sedalia, Ohio, Presbyterian church.
Harry Heath was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of Pickaway county. Of the many men in Range township who follow agricultural interests, none are more industrious or worthy of respect than this energetic citizen, who, in addition to his other interests, is manager of the Riddle farm. He keeps a very high grade of stock, which he has been busy selling for four years.
In 1889 Harry Heath was united in marriage to Louie Bethards, who was born in 1869, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio. They are the parents of the follow- ing children : Edward C., who is farming on the Riddle land, and Emma and Guy, who are at home.
Harry Heath is a stanch Republican and lends his enthusiastic support to that party in all its elections, considering the good of the people in connection with the
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various candidates for office. That he takes an active interest in all questions pertain- ing to the public welfare is evidenced in the fact that he is a member of three of the most prominent orders in the world, the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. With all of his business, fraternal and family interests, Harry Heath finds time to attend the house of worship and to assist, in every way possible, the npbuilding of the community.
JOHN R. WINGFIELD.
Very many counties in the United States have the serious problem of caring for thousands of orphan children, homeless little waifs who long for the love and affection they have lost and who would respond to snch care, by developing into noble charac- ters, if only given the chance. There are thousands of homes where the sound of a child's voice is sorely needed to complete the home atmosphere, and this question would be so easily solved if these empty hearts would only respond to the hungry call of these lonely children-unfortunately left to work out their own destinies, unaided by home environment or loving advise-thereby making complete the homes and hearts of those to whom nature has denied this supreme pleasure. John R. Wingfield, Sedalia, Madi- son county, Ohio, is one that responded to this call and who firmly believes the Mas- ter's words, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."
John R. Wingfield, born on February 9. 1834. in Albermarle county, Virginia. was one of twelve children born to Robert C. and Eliza (Elson) Wingfield, both natives of Albermarle county, Virginia. Only six of these children are now living. Robert C. Wingfield was born in 1802, remaining in Albemarle county until thirty-eight years of age, when he emigrated to the state of Missouri, traveling in a covered wagon. Sixty miles west of St. Louis he purchased a farm and remained there for some time. While living on this place. in Lincoln county. he was thrown from a horse and injured for life. Returning to his old home in Virginia, in 1849, he bonght four hundred acres of land : later he sold this and purchased five hundred and eighteen acres of land in Upshure county. Virginia. in 1854, and resumed his agricultural pursuits. Born in 1802, he passed away in the month of February, in the year 1867, at the age of sixty- five years. Robert C. Wingfield was the son of John and Amma ( Buster) Wingfield, both natives of Virginia. Eliza ( Elson) Wingfield was born in 1811 and died in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years.
John R. Wingfield came to Madison county, on March 19, 1865, at the age of thirty-one years and settled in Range township, where he rented a farm near Danville. The present farm. of one hundred and eighteen acres, was purchased in 1873, for the sum of fifty dollars and fifty cents per acre. After making the initial payment there still remained two thousand five hundred dollars to be paid. and having practically nothing left this seemed quite a problem. but undaunted he went to work. made imme- diate improvements. and by diligent effort succeeded in paying for the place which he now owns. The original home was a story and a half house, eighteen by thirty-eight feet, and the barn was a mere planked-up shed, large enough to care for four horses. John R. Wingfield received very little education in the subscription schools which he attended in Virginia, but he has steadily progressed, demonstrating that an education is not absolutely necessary in order to gain a competency nor yet to attain a place of respect among one's fellow men.
John R. Wingfield has assisted in the building of the pike roads of Range town- ship, having extended one mile through his own labors. In 1856 he was married to Sarah E. Walker, who was born on January 11, 1836, in Virginia. and as no children blessed their union, they adopted the daughter of Charles and Samantha J. ( Gallagher) Rhodes, natives of Ohio. This daughter. Cora A. Rhodes. having lost her mother when
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only three years of age, was carefully reared and given an education by her foster parents, and is now married and with her husband is operating the home place for this man who has truly applied his religion in a practical way. Cora A. (Rhodes) Counts is the mother of two boys. Paul W. and Roger D.
That John R. Wingfield has the confidence of his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he was township trustee for eighteen years. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a Democrat, also a deacon in the church in which he is a member.
CHARLES S. BETHARDS.
Next in importance to the raising of food is its preparation for use and its dis- tribution. And here, as elsewhere, the honest man, be he producer or merchant, fills his place in a community life with as much importance as he whose name is writ large in history. When public health depends upon honest dealing, who shall say that one's work is valueless though it be only concerned with the marketing of the product? Both as teacher, and as manager of a large grain elevator, Charles S. Bethards is a man worthy of place among the leaders of local business enterprises. Mr. Bethards, mana- ger of the Vent & Riddle Company, was born on July 14, 1868, in Range township, this county, his parents being Thomas N. and Louise (Barker) Bethards.
Thomas N. Bethards was twice married, and to the first union were born two children, these being Charles S. and Mrs. Louie Heath, of Sedalia, Ohio. Thomas N. Bethards was a native of this township. being born in 1839, and always. followed the occupation of farming in this immediate vicinity, owning at the time of his death, in 1891. twenty-five acres of land. Louise (Parker) Bethards was born in Sedalia, Ohio, in 1835, and died in 1870. She was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Parker, who were well-known farmers, coming from Maryland. Both parents of the subject of this sketch were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas N. Bethards was a man of patriotic principles and of courageous character. Not long after the Civil War was declared he enlisted at Xenia, Ohio, in a company that was formed at Sedalia, in the Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had the honor of serving under General Sherman, and remained in the war for three years and three inonths. His second wife was Eliza Edwards, and there were no children born of this marriage.
The early career of Charles S. Bethards' was marked by no special favoritism of fortune; born and reared on a farm, his educational advantages were only such as were procurable in the rural schools of this township at that time. That he made the most of these advantages, however, is shown by the fact that as soon as his own early education was completed, he began teaching. That was in the year 1888, the place being in Stokes and Range townships. After being a teacher for fourteen years, during which time he served with distinction and devotion, he came to Sedalia, and entering upon a business career, immediately became manager of the Vent & Riddle Elevator Company, a position which he has held ever since. Mr. Bethards has been versatile enough to carry on more than one line of business. for when a branch of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railroad was built to Sedalia, he became their agent. Later he was employed also by the American Express Company.
Never quite able to divorce his interests entirely from agricultural work, Mr. Bethards still operates his splendid farm, upon which he has placed many valuable improvements. He owns thirty-three acres of land in this township, and has nine lots in Sedalia.
In 1890 took place the ceremony which united Charles S. Bethards and Gertrude M. Ervin in matrimony. His wife was born in Madison county, and is the daughter of
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William and Clara (Carr) Ervin, who are natives of this county. Only one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bethards, a daughter, named Lucile M.
Mr. and Mrs. Bethards have always been devoted in their religious life, being earnest members of the Christian church. The subject is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Also of the Knights of Pythias. He is a man who stands high in the business and social life of the community in which he lives. As a business man his judgment is respected, and in the broader fields of activity, where strong character is an asset, Mr. Bethards is an acknowledged force.
NEWTON K. COOK.
By the simple process of substitution, the popularized exhortation "back to the farm" may be pertinently changed to the admonition "stick to the farm." The one comes in the form of practical advice to the prodigal, who, having had visions of the towering city with its dreamed myriad of pleasures and countless opportunities, has left the farm; and the other is a plea for the youth to remain on the farm and to cast aside the illusionary visions of an urban life so attractive to the growing mind of the youth. Among the number of those discreet persons who have succeeded in cast- ing aside the visions of a life off the farm and who have faithfully devoted their entire lives to the vocation of husbandry is Newton K. Cook, a prosperous and well-known farmer of Pleasant township, Madison county, and the proprietor of one hundred and twenty-five acres of as fine laud as can be found in Pleasant township.
Newton K. Cook was born on April 29, 1868, on the farm where he now lives in Pleasant township, the son of John and Elizabeth (Heath) Cook, both of whom were born in Pleasant township. The father was born on May 2, 1842, and the mother in 1844, near the present home of her son, Newton K. She was the daughter of David and Nancy (Thomas) Heath, natives of Ohio.
Reared on the farm. John Cook remained on his father's farm until the outbreak of the Civil War, at which time he enlisted in the Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was being mustered at Camp Chase. He served faithfully throughout the entire war, and upon its conclusion returned to Madison county and again took up farming. 'He rented the farm upon which his son. Newton K., now lives. In the meantime his wife had inherited some land in Benton county, Indiana, and the family removed to that county in the early seventies. Eight years later, however. John W. Cook sold the land in Benton county and removed with his family to Pickaway county. where he bought a farm situated five miles from Mt. Sterling. After the death of Elizabeth ( Heath) Cook. in 1884, the farm in Pickaway county was given to the two sons, Newton K. and Harry. John Cook remained on the farm with his two sous only a short time after the death of his wife, removing to a farm near Derby, Ohio. Marry- ing the second time, he lived with his wife on the Derby farm for a period of twelve years, after which time the family removed to Ashville, North Carolina, in quest of health for one of their children. The family lived in North Carolina for eight years. or until the death of Mrs. Cook. John Cook then removed to Oklahoma. where he is now living and engaging in the hotel business. To John and Elizabeth ( Heath) Cook two children were born, Newton K. and Harry. The former is the subject of this sketch, and the latter is engaged in the hotel business at Chicago, Illinois.
Like his father. Newton K. Cook was reared on the farm and wisely chose farming as his life work. He received his elementary education in the public schools in Benton county. Indiana, and later supplemented his elementary training by attending the Derby high school for a period of two years. When twenty-three years of age. he rented land in Fairfield township, Madison county. Five years later Newton K. Cook moved to Pickaway county and located on the farm which his mother had bequeathed to him and
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his brother. He remained in Pickaway county for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Madison county and located on the farm he now occupies, which he had inherited from his grandfather, David Heath. Having made many improve- ments on the farm, Mr. Cook has brought it up to a high state of productivity and strictly modern in every detail.
In 1890 Newton K. Cook was united in marriage with Minnie Anderson, who was born on March 24, 1870, in Pleasant township, the daughter of William P. and Leonora (Young) Anderson. Two children have been born to this happy union, Edith and Sher- man, both of whom are living at home with their parents.
In politics Newton K. Cook is an ardent Republican, and is vitally interested in the politics of Madison county and Pleasant township. . He has been trustee of Pleasant township for a period of eight years, and has filled this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Christian church und active in the various circles of the church. Mr. Cook is identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Mt. Sterling.
WILLIAM COWAN.
With untiring perseverance, even as a boy, William Cowan, of Mt. Sterling, Madi- son county, Ohio, has demonstrated in his life's work, to a remarkable degree, what may be accomplished by one man. Starting among strangers as a farm hand at the tender age of eleven years, this mere boy not only undertook to do something but did it and in the doing succeeded. Many men struggle from boyhood to mature years but do not guide their labors with a proper mixture of thought in order to insure results. William Cowan is a man among men, a thinking, capable farmer, investor and business man. He was born on March 6, 1852, at Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, the only child of Harvey and Sarah ( Roberson ) Cowan.
In 1877, at the age of twenty-six years, William Cowan was married to Ellen Jakes, who was born in May, 1857, Lafayette, Indiana, and was the daughter of William and Margaret ( McMahon) Jakes. Three children have blessed the lives of William and Ellen Cowan, namely : Mrs. Minie Francis, who lives at Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Carrie Cannon, living at Columbus, and Mrs. Nellie Waldo, who also lives at Columbus.
In 1878. one year after his marriage, Wiliam Cowan rented land in Ross county, Ohio, for seven years and then had a threshing rig and continued to operate in that line for a period of some thirty years. He removed in 1885 to Range township. Madi- son county, Ohio, where he rented four hundred acres of farm land, continuing as a renter on that property for eleven years. During that period he bought forty-three acres in Range township and rented several more farms. Ile rapidly increased his farming operations and in 1910 purchased fifty-seven acres more in Range township, in addition to the forty-three acres he had previously purchased.
William Cowan has been prominent, not only in the farm line but as a stock man and has made numerous exhibits at the Madison county fairs, of both grain and stock. He has always been at the front in his busy life and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, also in the Security Building and Loan Association of Mt. Sterling, Ohio.
Politically, he is a Democrat and in 1901 was elected as trustee of Range town- ship. This office he resigned in 1907 and the same year he was again honored by the election as trustee of Pleasant township. In his faith he is a Methodist and takes a deep interest in the church and its affairs. He is a member of the men's choir of the church. Mrs. Cowan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is an earnest worker in the Missionary Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. ' In lodge life Mr. Cowan is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Now. in
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the sunset of his life, at the age of sixty-four years, he is reaping the benefits of a successful career. honored by his legion of friends, he and his wife are enjoying all the comforts of home in their modern residence, located in the heart of Mt. Sterling, where they moved in 1907.
SAMUEL J. PAULLIN.
Samuel J. Paullin, of Sedalia, Range township, Madison county, Ohio, is the son of Uriah and Martha (Green) Paullin, to whom seven children were born. Letetia, who married Capt. Noah Jones, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, both deceased ; Samuel J., whose Dame heads this review; Mary M. Klever, whose husband is a breeder of fancy Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, and lives in Bloomingburg, Ohio; Sarah C. Hankins, of Fayette county, Ohio; and Matilda J. Clark, who lives in Washington C. H., Ohio. Two of the seven children died in infancy. Samuel J. Paullin was born on September 29, 1849. in Fayette county, Ohio.
The father, Uriah Paullin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Paullin, was born on February 24, 1813, in Greene county, Ohio. His parents were natives of New Jersey. Uriah Paullin bade adieu to his paternal home in 1843 and purchased land in Fayette county, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers who cleared and prepared the land for cultivation and habitation. He was a very liberal, hardworking, industrious man, giv- ing generously to those less fortunate than himself. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and seventy acres of land. which he had accumulated by hard work and perseverance. His wife. Martha (Green) Paullin, whose parents, Thomas and Marguerite (Job) Green, came from Virginia in a covered wagon of the "Lange" type, was born on February 14. 1824, in Plain City, Madison county, Ohio.
Samuel J. Paullin, the second born of Uriah and Martha (Green) Paullin, received his early education in the district schools of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, later taking a high school course 'at Bloomingburg, Ohio. After completing his high school course he entered the college at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he completed his education. In 1872, when twenty-three years of age, Samuel J. Paullin began a two-year course of teaching but soon decided that the life of a farmer presented a broader scope of living and upon this decision entered the agricultural field, in Fayette county, Ohio.
Five years later. on January 1. 1879. Flora A. Core, daughter of Abraham and Clarinda (Clarridge) Core, was united in marriage to Samuel J. Paullin and they removed, almost immediately. to Madison county, Ohio, where he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, unimproved, and began rather extensive improvements. A nice home was built and maple trees set out for shade. Later a large barn was erected for the comfortable housing of stock, and in 1882 he began the breeding of Short- horn cattle and has had several public sales of the same, as well as exhibits. He discon- tinued the breeding of cattle in 1906.
Flora A. (Core) Paullin, was born on October 21. 1857, in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Madison county, Ohio, when a child of seven years. Her father was a very extensive farmer and stock man and at one time during his career fed from two thou- sand to three thousand sheep. During a storm the father was killed by a frightened horse but the mother is still living at Sedalia, Ohio. Flora A. (Core) Paullin received her education in the common schools of Madison county, Ohio, attended Freeport Nor- mal school at Freeport. Illinois, for one year, and began teaching school at the age of seventeen years. following that vocation for a number of terms in the counties of Madison and Fayette.
At the present time Samuel J. Paullin owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of well-improved land and a stockholder in the Farmers Bank, at Seladia, Ohio, of which
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL J. PAULLIN.
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bank he is also vice-president. He is a loyal Republican and takes an active interest in all local questions pertaining to party matters. Samuel J. Paullin has a very happy family consisting of himself and wife and eight children, all of whom have done their part in promoting the interests of the family and the welfare of their fellow citizens. Mrs. Merta E. Dorn, the first born, is living in Range township; Herman L. is living in the eastern part of the same township; Wilber, is assistant superintendent of the Industrial Insurance Company, of Columbus, Ohio; Edgar C. is living near Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Minnie A., is employed in the music store of Goldsmiths, in Columbus, Ohio; Elda, is a teacher in the primary school department, at Sedalia, Ohio; Martha H., is at home; Clara Helen married John Donahue and lives in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio.
Samuel J. Paullin has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons for forty- one years, he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Samuel J. Paullin and his wife are both members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Paullin has been the organist of this church for forty years. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Wom- an's Christian Temperance Union. Mr. Paullin has served as school director. He has been vice-president of the Farmers Mutual Union Fire Insurance Company for fourteen years. This company has grown from $100,000 to $3,500,000.
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