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 121
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THOMAS MONTGOMERY.
While the man who has taken advantage of opportunity is ever a source of emula- tion and pride, his success grows dim when compared with that of the one who, with- out early advantages, has wrested victory from apparent failure through sheer force of character. For this reason, the man whose life forms the subject matter of this sketch is well worthy of the commendation which a study of his career must call forth. Thomas Montgomery, a well-known farmer of this county, was born on July 15, 1855, on the farm which is still his home. He is the son of Robert and Sarah ( Horrell) Montgomery.
Robert Montgomery was born on February 6, 1825. in Madison county, Ohio, near Newport, and was reared on the farm of his father, Hugh Montgomery, a native of I'ennsylvania. He remained a farmer in this county until his retirement in 1900, when be made his home with his son, Thomas, until the time of his death on March 19, 1915. When he passed away he had lived more than the allotted four score and ten, for he was ninety years, one month and nineteen days old. His wife, who was born in Madi- son county, died when her son, Thomas, was only four years of age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were born in the order named, as follow: John, a farmer in Mahaska county, Iowa; Christopher. deceased: Thomas; a fourth child who died in infancy ; and Jane, who died single.
Having attended the district schools only, Thomas Montgomery has had to be con- tent with a meager education. During vacations and after school hours he worked on his father's farm, of which he began to take entire charge in 1885. Mr. Montgomery has always been progressive in his ideas on agricultural subjects, and has from time to time placed on his property valuable improvements. He is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of land on which are located modern buildings. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Montgomery is an owner of stock in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling.
In 1886 Thomas Montgomery was married to Carrie Lane, who was born in Fair- field township on October 2, 1864, and reared in Pleasant township. Mrs. Montgomery is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Morain) Lane of Madison county. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are Elda, deceased, and Mrs. Edna Reay, of Pleasant township.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are members of the Christian church, in which they have been very active. Mr. Montgomery is a Republican, and has served this county by his membership on the school board, which duty he has performed conscientiously.
By his industry, his genial nature and his honesty Mr. Montgomery has long enjoyed the esteem of all who know him, and is regarded as one of Madison county's most worthy citizens.
EDWARD B. MEADE, M. D.
If there is one profession above all others where faith and optimism are essential, it is that of the physician. Coming as he does in daily, almost hourly contact with the pain and sorrow of life. he must be endowed with a skill so great and a personality so strong that it unconsciously belittles the power of these adverse forces, and transforms them into health. harmony and happiness. Dr. Edward B. Meade, a physician and sur- geon and former mayor of Sedalia. was born on December 7. 1860, near London, Ohio, and is the son of Lewis and Ana ( Keating) Meade.
Lewis Meade was a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, having been born there in 1840. He came to this county when a young man. rented and managed large farms and became prominent in this line of work which he followed until his death in 1910. His wife was born about 1842. in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died in 1905. To them were born three children, Emma, later Mrs. Sheppard, who is now deceased; Mrs. Marguerite Woodman, of South Charleston; and the subject of this review.
Edward B. Meade remained at home until his eighteenth year, attending the dis- triet schools of Range township. For a short time he attended the college at Lebanon, Ohio, and subsequently was graduated from the Columbus Business College. In 1885 he attended the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in 18SS. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Sedalia, where he remained ever since.
Besides his medical practice Doctor Meade has retained an interest in farm life, and owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land in Range township. He has given some attention to the breeding of trotting horses and has owned at different times many of whom he has been justly proud. Doctor Meade at one time owned "Lady Ashland," whose record as a pacer was 2:1013. While the Doctor never engaged in the racing business, he is well known among horse dealers and has marketed a great many fine animals.
Edward B. Meade's marriage to Jennie E. Pancake was solemnized in 1887, she being a native of Range township, where she was born on May 2. 1864. Mrs. Meade is the daughter of James S. and Eleanor ( Foster) Pancake. She is a woman of culture and refinement and was educated at the Wesleyan University, at Delaware. Ohio. Only one of the three children born in this home are living. this being Edward. now attending Dartmouth University, at Hanover. New Hampshire. He was born on Decem- ber 12. 1895. The other two children born to Doctor and Mrs. Meade were Iva and Helen.
Doctor Meade, who is a Republican, was at one time a member of the city council and was later elected mayor of Sedalia. This position he filled with honor to himself and credit to the people whom he served. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which denomination he was for a number of years a member of the official board. Doctor Meade is prominent as a member of the Free and Accepted Masons.
The man who can be a success not only in an exacting profession of this kind, but who can also so win the respect of a community as to become its chief executive. must indeed be a forceful personality and a man of high principles and exemplary conduct.
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JOHN W. CHENOWETH.
A writer on agricultural subjects has said, "The farm must supply in the future, as it has in the past, the leaders in statesmenship, science, art, commerce and industries of all kinds." To be a successful farmer, therefore, requires characteristics involving the same qualities which make for success in other lines of human achievement. Although the pathway of the present subject was made somewhat less rugged by the inheritance of land, yet, in retaining this and adding to it he developed the same traits of character which all successful men must possess. Mr. Chenoweth was born on September 9, 1846, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, being the son of Jere- miah B. and Eliza ( Foster) Chenoweth.
Jeremiah B. Chenoweth, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was quite prominent in his time, being owner at his death of fourteen hundred acres of land, and well known in the county. ITe was the son of John and Margaret (Ferguson) Chenoweth and was born on September 22. 1816, near London, Ohio, in Fairfield township. He was a prosperous and hard-working farmer, but always had time for an interest in affairs concerning his native county. He remained at home until a young man, and then did farm work away from home until 1847, when with his earnings he was able to purchase the present farm of over one thousand acres. When he bought the same it was covered with timber and swamps, but the improvements which he immediately began to make soon increased the value from the original sale price of seven dollars an acre. The first home of this pioneer and his wife was a log cabin, and in this they lived from 1837 until 1860, when they built a fourteen-room house which later burned down.
Eliza Foster was born on April 2. 1824, in Ross county, Ohio, her parents, James and Margaret (Bowyer) Foster, natives of the same county. They came to Madison county about 1825 and located in Range township. The mother died in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Chenoweth were born nine children, the eldest and youngest being girls who died in childhood. The children were: Martha, deceased : James F., killed in the Civil War; John W., the subject of this sketch; Daniel. Nelson P. and George W., all of whom are deceased; Scott, a retired farmer of London; Newton, who lives in Muncie. Indiana: and Mary A .. deceased. The boys born in this home and who later died all reached manhood before their deatlı.
John W. Chenoweth was married twice, his first wife being Alice Henry, to whom he was married in 1872. She was born in 1847 and died in 1874. Having been a widower for four years, Mr. Chenoweth then married Sarah C. Creath, born on February 23, 1852, in Pleasant township, who is the daughter of Owen and Harriet ( Loofbourrow) Creath. Having attended the district schools, in 1865 she was admitted as a student in the Mt. Sterling high school and later became a teacher in her eighteenth year. Her first school was in Pleasant township, and for the following nine years she taught in Madison and Fayette county schools. Mrs. Chenoweth's father was born on November 26, 1825, in Pleasant township, and migrated to Towa with his family when still a young man. the journey being made in covered wagons, when even pioneers were few in number. This family settled in Washington county. During the war Mr. Creath enlisted at Washington, Iowa, in Company K. One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, as it is sometimes called, in the first battle in which he took part. Mr. Creath was born on December 24, 1827, at Lancaster, Ohio. Both parents of Mrs. Chenoweth were Presby- terians. Mrs. Chenoweth had only two sisters. To this union were born six children, namely : Mrs. Mary Lohr, of London, Ohio; Fillmore Jackson, who died in 1852; Mrs. Sarah Chenoweth; Mrs. Helen Lohr, of Augusta, Georgia : Elmira, deceased : Thomas L., of Range township.
By his second wife Mr. Chenoweth became the father of three children, these
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being Mrs. Mary Browning Brown, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Helen B. Cook, of Column- bus, Ohio; and Armour, who is married and living at home with the parents.
Mr. Chenoweth is a Methodist and a Republican. Ile has been noted as a farmer for his expert and progressive methods in farm work and as a man capable of sincere and lifelong friendships.
CHARLES F. SANFORD.
The history of Charles F. Sanford has long been closely identified with that of Madison county, where his parents before him were early settlers. Mr. Sanford is of the highest type of ambitious and substantial citizenship, where his industry and integrity have been an inspiration to others, and whose influence for good has spread far beyond the limits of the community in which he resides.
Charles F. Sanford, farmer of Monroe township, Madison county, was born on December 20, 1854, on a farm adjoining the one he now owns. He is the son of William F. and Caroline (Brown) Sanford. He grew to manhood on the farm, attended the district schools, and afterward entered the normal school at Worthington, Ohio, finishing his education at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio. After completing his education, Mr. Sanford taught school in Madison and Champaign counties for twelve years, during which time he saved a little money, with which he leased sixty-five acres of land from Mary A. Thurman. In about six years he was the manager of twenty- seven hundred acres of land, so continuing until the death of Mrs. Thurman, when the land was divided among the heirs. Mr. Sanford and Allen W. Thurman bought one thousand acres of this land, five hundred acres of which were covered with timber. They began to divide the land up and sell it in small tracts to suit purchasers, and this ven- ture became very successful. Mr. Sanford later was induced to plat a town site, com- prising one hundred and twenty-three lots, the town, which was named "Sanford," being built in what was known as the "Big Thurman Woods." When the United States postal department was asked to locate a postoffice in the new village the name Sanford could not be used, as a similar name for an Ohio postoffice was already in use. The name of I'lumwood was then substituted. The village, however, stands today recorded in the original name, Sanford.
Politically. Mr. Sanford has always been an active supporter of the policies of the Republican party, and has officiated as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board for many years, positions which he still fills. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plumwood, where the former is a mem- ber of the official board, and is active in the work, going as a delegate to the confer- ences. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are active supporters of the temperance cause, Mrs. San- ford being president of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union, while Mr. San- ford is a member of the county committee of the Young Men's Christian Association. He has been a member of the Farmers National Congress for a number of years, serving as vice-president for two years and as president for the same length of time. He is a stockholder in the Exchange Bank at London, Ohio, and vice-president of the Farmers National Life Insurance Company, located at Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Sanford also served for six years as county school examiner of Madison county, Ohio, At the present time his real estate holdings amount to about one thousand acres of land, all located in Madison county, excepting a small part, which is located in Franklin county.
William F. Sanford, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1819, and his wife, Caroline (Brown) Sanford, was born on August 18, 1826, in Somerford township, Madison county. Mr. Sanford came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Somerford township, where he grew up and married. He started farm-
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MRS. NIN SANFORD.
CHARLES F. SANFORD.
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ing for himself on oue hundred acres of uuimproved land in Monroe township, which he cleared, improved and ditched, and lived there until he died. He was a wonderfully resourceful man, and his wife, a good Christian woman, was a splendid and helpful companion iu his life in the wilderness. William F. Sanford was a Republican, takiug an active part iu local politics and serving in all the township offices, and was highly esteemed as an honorable citizen of Madison county. He and his wife were the pareuts of ten children : One died when small; David B. Sanford, a farmer of Monroe town- ship; Mary, the widow of John Williams, of Fayette county, Ohio; Charles F .; Marshall J., a prosperous attoruey at Lima, Ohio; Louisa, who is the wife of John Sceva, presi- dent of the Farmers Bank at Mechanicsburg, Ohio; Marion, a farmer in Monroe town- ship ; Carrie, the wife of Percy Moore, a dry-goods merchant of Mechanicsburg; Fletcher, deceased, was a school teacher; and Arthur, deceased, followed the same profession. Eight of the family taught school in Madison county.
Charles F. Sanford was united in marriage, December 28, 1892, with Nin Hankiu- son, daughter of W. C. Hankinson. She was born on October 23, 1860, in Warren county, Ohio, and obtained her education in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford began housekeeping in a log cabin, but Mr. Sanford beiug a man who accomplishes things, started in with the determination of winning out, and he has done so. In 1897 he built a beautiful country residence, substantial in character and couveuiently arranged. He has always acted on the principle of "houesty being the best policy," which course accounts for his large nuumber of sincere friends.
JOHN W. TOOPS.
In recording the lives of those men who have contributed so largely to the success of Range township, Madison county, Ohio, through their own advancement, the name of John W. Toops should be added to the list, as he has made steady progress in agricultural lines and is worthy the respect and esteem in which he is held. Born on October 16, 1869, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, John W. Toops rapidly developed the sterling qualities that have piloted him through forty-six years of life.
John W. Toops is the sou of Frederick and Eliza ( Stone) Toops and was reared in Pleasant township, where he received his preliminary education in the district schools, completing his schooling in the state normal, at Ada, Ohio, where he was a student for two terms. He held the position of teacher from 1890 until 1905, in the district schools of Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, but the promotion of his own business appealed more to his uature, and shortly after the closing of the last school term he purchased eighty-four acres of land, making many improvements and cultivating the same until 1909, when he bought one hundred and fifteen and one-half acres in Range township.
Improvements were made on this last farm to the extent of remodeling the house and the painting of both house and barn. The house was painted white with trimmings of Tuscan red, while the barn was painted buff aud trimmed iu white. This well-kept farm is located three and one-half miles from Sedalia, Ohio, and to the passer-by it is a beautiful sight, as it indicates the good taste and management of the owner. By this one act alone, Jolin W. Toops has revealed his true nature to the close observer. for here the soul of an artist is blended with that of a mau who is not afraid to soil his hands with honest toil. Mr. Toops is a breeder of full-blood Hampshire hogs, and this year has fifty-eight acres planted to corn. At various times the products of this farm have been exhibited at the farmers' institutes, and have received unusual praise.
Leona Anderson, born on September 24, 1871, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, daughter of John and Emma (Wickell) Andersou, was united in marriage to John W. Toops on June 14, 1894, and six children were born to them: Herbert A., a
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student at Ohio State University; Marcia E .; Everett A., a student in the high school at Sedalia, Ohio; Doris. Alice L. and Lois L., who are at home. Mrs. Leona ( Ander- son ) Toops died on September 10, 1911. and Mareia is now keeping house for her father and family.
Politically, John W. Toops is a Republican and enthusiastic for the advancement of his party. In his religious faith he is an independent believer with a natural optimism that is quick to discover the good in all things, leaving the dross unnoticed and untouched.
THOMAS L. CREATH.
Should you inquire of an expert on the subject of farming what are the essential personal characteristics of the successful farmer, he would reply that they are "a par- ticular temperament. a strong physical constitution, a knowledge of crops and soils, and business tact." When, as in the case of the life history here briefly recorded, an ambitious youth starts out with no capital except his health and his determination to succeed. and middle age finds him a representative of his chosen line of work in his community, no better evidence is required to show that in the beginning he possessed the necessary qualifications. Thomas L. Creath was born on April 26, 1859, in Washing- ton county, Iowa, and is the son of Owen and Harriet ( Loofbourrow) Creath, men- tioned elsewhere in this work in relation to the history of John Chenoweth. To them were born six children.
Thomas L. Creath attended the East London schools and grew up in that vicinity, living with his mother, his father having been killed in the battle of Shiloh. He learned the blacksmith's trade after his marriage, when he located in South Solon, Ohio, and later in Chenoweth Corners, where he followed his trade for a period of six years. At the end of that time he again took up the vocation of his ancestors, renting the farm on which he lives at present. which he later bought. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land which is equipped with modern improvements and has splendid new buildings, including a modern house. The barn is built of cement blocks, and there is a natural flowing well which is the only one of its kind in the com- munity. Mr. Creath takes much interest in his stock. of which he raises a high grade. He has a Percheron and a Shire stallion, and raises Poland China and Dnroc-Jersey hogs for market. At the London fair, where he has exhibited his horses, Mr. Creath has won many prizes. He is very proud of the first prize taken by one of his stallions. Mr. Creath was one of the first to raise alfalfa in Range township. having begun this branch of agricultural activity in 1911. He had thirty-three acres of alfalfa in 1915. Mr. Creath is of an inventive turn of mind. for he has invented a corn shucker, which was patented the first time on November 10. 1903, and the second time on January 5, 1904. While the machine is a practical success it has never been placed on the market.
Thomas L. Creath has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1883. was Nellie Campbell, born in Pickaway county, Ohio, January 8. 1861, she being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Campbell. Her death occurred on March 1. 1886. Of this union one child was born. this being Robert. born on January 25, 1885, and who died on February 17. 1902. Mr. Creath was married. secondly. to Myrtle E. Counts, their wedding having taken place on November 14. 1900. Mrs. Creath is a native of Range township, having been born there near Sedalia on January 15, 1873. She is the danghter of John and Belle (Jeffries) Counts, natives of Madison and Fayette counties, respectively. They are now living near Sedalia, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Creath are the parents of two children, namely: Nelabel. born on February 17, 1902. and at present attending school; and Owen. February 25. 1905, who passed away on September 2, 1905.
Mr. Creath"s political interests have been with the Republican party. He served on
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the school board for one term. Mr. Creath belongs to the Methodist Bethel church of which he is now district steward and trustee. He is not a member of any lodge.
Mr. Creath takes a deep interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity and in the duties which have been entrusted to him he has been faithful and conscientious. A man of inflexible integrity, he justly deserves a place among those whose careers go to make up the annals of this county.
SAMUEL I. GILLILAND.
There is a common saying that every man may be a hero if he but chooses to do his duty, and does it well. And there are heroes in every walk of life, men who fight not for the sake of fighting, but for the right against the wrong, whether it be in com- mercial life, in politics or in the heart of obscure districts. Samuel I. Gilliland has fought to place the farmer on the plane of social prominence, where he rightfully belongs, and to show that his influence has a direct bearing upon the vitality and life of a community. He has also proved that a life of work on the farm can lead to the heights of success, as well as work done in the turmoil of thriving cities.
Samuel I. Gilliland was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on January 2, 1853, and is the son of Samuel and Malinda (Alkire) Gilliland. His father was born in Pickaway county. Ohio, on December 16, 1810. He was a farmer and the son of Andrew and Mary Gilliland, natives of Virginia. To the union of Samuel and Malinda Gilliland the following children were born: Mrs. Elizabeth Deyo, deceased; Andrew and William, also deceased; Mrs. Emma Hill, who is living in Kansas; Mrs. Lennie Morgan, who is deceased ; Marion, who is also deceased; Mrs. Mary Cobble, a widow, who lives in Derby, Ohio; Robert, John and Mrs. Hanna Graham, all deceased; and Samuel, the subject of this sketch.
The district school of log-cabin days, of which so little trace remains save in the most remote districts, was the center of educational activities, when Samuel Gilliland went forth, as a boy, to learn the three branches. Most of the pupils, if not all, were farmer boys, who faced the long walks and rough country roads with happy counte- nances, and who gradually became accustomed to the life of toil which made the trials of their later years easier to bear. Samuel Gilliland remained on the farm, working with his father, until his marriage to Marietta Skinner, in 1874. For a time he rented a tract of land near Mt. Sterling and later, in 1898, he was able to buy a farm of his own, and now owns forty acres. He keeps a very good grade of stock and deals a great deal in sheep. Mr. Gilliland believes firmly in the improvement of the modern farm and has given every effort to make his home a model in this respect. His residence. which was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars, is an example of what the country house of today can represent.
Marietta Skinner was born on August 13, 1856. in Era, Pickaway county, Ohio, where she received her early education. She is the daughter of John H. and Elizabethi ( Hetherington ) Skinner. Her father was born in England, and came to this country when he was only twelve years old. For a time he lived in the state of New York and later came to Newark. Ohio. His death occurred in 1895. He was a tailor by trade, but worked at it only a short while, as his interests were with farming and horse training. His wife. Elizabeth, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Gilliland. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilli- land, Mrs. Anna Letitia Campbell is living in Pleasant township; and John H. is a bookkeeper in Columbus, Ohio. The latter was educated in the public schools and later took a business course at Bliss Business College in Columbus, Ohio. Before starting upon a business career he taught school for three years in Pickaway county.
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