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 122
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. Gilliland is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics, he gives his sup- port to the Republican party and he and his wife are regular attendants at the Christian church.
CHARLES C. HANKINSON.
In agricultural circles throughout this favored section of Ohio there are few names better known than that of Charles C. Hankinson, president of the Madison County Farmers' Club, who, for many years, has been particularly active in the work of pro- moting in every way the interests of the farmer and in seeking to elevate the standards of agriculture hereabout. Mr. Hankinson is not the first of his name to be thus prom- inently connected with the general promotion of agricultural interests, for his father, the lamented William C. Hankinson, of good memory throughout this part of Ohio, was, in his day, recognized as one of the best farmers and stock men in the whole Miami valley and will long be remembered as the man who first developed the Poland China hog, making that breed of swine one of the most popular in the world.
Charles C. Hankinson was born in the Blue Ball neighborhood of Warren county, this state, on April 15, 1867, son of William C. and Hannah Jane (Craig) Hankinson, both natives of that same county. William C. Hankinson was a son of James Hankin- son, one of the pioneers of this section of Ohio, who, as a young man, made his way from his home in New Jersey to Pittsburgh and thence by river to Cincinnati, arriving at the latter place with but fifty-four cents in his pocket. He made his way up country and entered a tract of "Congress land" near Franklin, in Warren county, where he set- tled down to the strenuous task of carving a home out of the forest wilderness, and there he spent the remainder of his life, living to the great age of ninety-three years.
James Hankinson was a man of singularly robust and vigorous physique, of strong and upright character, a natural leader of men, a man of the true pioneer breed, who quickly assumed a prominent and influential position in the early life of the section in which he settled, and it is undoubted that his vigorous personality aided very largely in the creation of an established order in that then practically virgin country. His wife, who was a Cheesman, was a woman of fine character, she also having been of the pioneer type so essential in the formative days of this country, and she was ever a strong and competent helpmate of her sturdy husband. They were the parents of the following children, Deborah. Lydia. Rachel, Eleanor, Margaret, James, William Cheesman and one who died in infancy or early youth.
William C. Hankinson, youngest son of the pioneer couple above referred to, received such education as was afforded in the primitive schools of his time and place, and grew up amid the natural stress incident to the development of a farm in the woodlands. He remained on the homestead place until his marriage, after which he bought a hun- dred-acre tract in the Blue Ball neighborhood, a part of his father's extensive land holdings, for which he paid one hundred and thirty-seven dollars an acre, and there he proceeded to make a home. the most of this land being wholly unimproved and much of it uncleared of the forest which encumbered it. From the very beginning of his farming operations, William C. Hankinson gave particular attention to the raising of hogs and also became an expert general stockman, long being recognized as one of the best judges of stock and poultry in this section. It was he who first developed the par- ticular breed of swine now so widely known as the Poland China, and it was in his house that he and Carl Freigau, of Dayton. made out the first pedigree sheet of the Poland Chinas, on which all registrations of this famous breed are now based. William C. Hankinson took a prominent part in civic affairs and was especially interested in the development of the local school system, for many years having served as school director
CHARLES C. HANKINSON.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
in his neighborhood, his efforts in behalf of the schools having done much toward ele- vating the standards of education thereabout.
On March 9, 1853, William C. Hankinson was united in marriage to Hannah Jane Craig, who also was born in Warren county, daughter of Obadiah Craig, a native of that county, son of one of the very earliest settlers thereabout. Obadiah Craig was a well-known farmer, industrious and of untiring energy. He was thrice married and to his first union the following children were born: Ann, David, Margaret, Ely and Mary. To the second union the following children were born: John D., William B., Hannah Jane, Lydia, Archibald, Obadiah and Susan B. To William C. and Hannah Jane (Craig) Hankinson six children were born, namely: Clara, who died on April 3, 1891. unmarried ; Sarah, who continues to live on the old home in the Blue Ball neighbor- hood, married Thomas Irwin and has one child, a son, John W .; Craig, a farmer and tile manufacturer, of Blue Ball, married Jennie White and has one daughter, Ruth; Nin, married Charles F. Sanford, of London, this county; William, of Blue Ball, a farmer, who married Harriet B. Byers and has three children, Mary, Paul and James; and Charles C., the immediate subject of this sketch. William C. Hankinson died on March 9, 1909, and his widow is still living on the home farm, enjoying many evidences of the general esteem in which she is held by all thereabout.
Charles C. Hankinson was reared on the home place, receiving his early education in the local schools, which he supplemented by a course in the National Normal Uni- versity, at Lebanon, this state. after which he began teaching school and for sixteen years was thus engaged. for twelve years having been the teacher in his home school. performing there a service which was regarded so highly throughout the neighborhood as effectually to disprove the general application of the commonly accepted statement that a prophet is accorded little honor in his own country. In 190S he abandoned teach- ing as a profession and came to Madison county and entered upon his successful career as a farmer. He bought eighty-six and one-half acres of the old Dunn farm in Deer- creek township, for which he paid fifty-nine dollars an acre, and there he remained until 1913, at which time he sold the place for one hundred and forty-five dollars an acre, having, in the meantime, improved the place by clearing twenty-five acres of the uncleared portion, draining and fencing the farm and erecting two dwelling houses, a commodious barn and well-equipped outbuildings, making of the place one of the best farms in that part of the county. After selling the farm, Mr. Hankinson and his family moved to London, the county seat, where they have since resided and where they are very comfortably and very pleasantly situated.
During the time of his residence on the farm Mr. Hankinson took great pleasure in his agricultural pursuits and gave to the same a degree of intelligent attention which soon caused him to become widely known throughout the county. It was at his active instigation that the celebrated Farmer's Club of Madison County was organized in 1911 and he was elected first president of the same, a position which he has held ever since. In Grange work Mr. Hankinson has been active and influential. For two years he was master of Oak Run Grange and is now master of Pomona Grange, a service in which he takes much deliglit. To church and educational affairs he likewise for years has given the same degree of thoughtful and intelligent interest and is an elder in the Presby- terian church, while for two years he performed excellent service as president of the Madison County Sunday School Association, a labor of love to which he brought the best powers of his mind. In educational matters there are few men in the county who have been more diligent and for years Mr. Hankinson performed a very signal service to the county as a member of the school board, of which for some time he was presi- dent. To the cause of temperance Mr. Hankinson also has lent his energetic and enthusiastic support and in the spring of 1915 was elected chairman of the Madison
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County Dry Federation. a position in which he was enabled to perform prodigies in behalf of the anti-saloon movement in this county.
On December 31, 1895, Charles C. Hankinson was united in marriage to Hattie B. Russell, who was born near Crawfordsville, Indiana, daughter of John M. and Harriett ( Cafferty ) Russell. both natives of Warren county, this state. John M. Russell was a farmer and was born on January 1, 1828, on a farm near Franklin, Ohio. He being the second son of Joseph and Sarah McCord Russell, whose early home was in Pennsyl- vania. His wife, Harriett B., was the daughter of James and Kaziah Cafferty. Several years after their marriage they moved to Whitesville, Indiana, where he was engaged in the grocery business for about nine years, moving back in Ohio in 1866, where they spent the remainder of their lives. His chief characteristics were honesty and upright- ness. John M. Russell and his wife, both of whom are now deceased, were the parents of six children, James. Joseph. Findley, Hattie, Eli and Elbert.
To Charles C. and Hattie B. (Russell) Hankinson two children have been born. Irene, born on January 9, 1898, who for four years attended school under her father's tutelage, then attended the schools at Lafayette, graduating from the grade schools under the Boxwell law in 1911. after which she entered the high school at London, from which she was graduated with the class of 1915, at the age of seventeen and is now a student in Ohio State University; and Russell, born on November 28. 1903, who is now in the London school. Mr. and Mrs. Hankinson are members of the Presby- terian church and are interested in all good works hereabout. They also take a proper interest in the social activities of the community and are held in the very highest esteem by their many friends in London and throughout the county.
CARL C. HEWITT.
It has been truly said that "it is not by sleeping .. but by working. waking and laboring continually that proficiency is attained and reputation acquired." Were this test to be applied to him whose life record is briefly sketched here, he might be con- sidered an exemplification of the statement, for, from his early manhood, ambition, industry and honesty have been marked characteristics. With faith in himself and in the universal good, he has made his life one of influence and usefulness, and has had the reward of knowing that he enjoyed popular favor. Carl C. Hewitt, a well-known merchant and farmer of this township was born on April 11. 1877. in Sedalia, being the son of Washington T. and Mandane (Groves) Hewitt, whose family is mentioned in the present work in the sketch of P. G. Ilewitt. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Hewitt was toll-gate keeper of the Midway and London pike.
After finishing his course in the local public schools, C. C. Hewitt attended the business college of Delaware for one term. In 1899 he went into business in Sedalia. establishing a general merchandise store. Ile started with only a small stock of goods but in 1901 increase of business compelled him to take possession of his new quarters which is thoroughly stocked with a first-class line of merchandise. Besides his mercan- tile pursuits Mr. Hewitt owns one hundred and two acres of land one and one-half miles south of Sedalia, which he is managing. To do this and at the same time to manage a business which attracts trade from an extensive territory requires extreme industry as well as careful planning.
On September 14. 1899. C. C. Hewitt was united in marriage to Lina MI. Dorn, who was born on January 18. 1878. in Ross county. Ohio, and is the daughter of Peter and Catherine K. (Uhrick) Dorn. Her brother's life is reviewed in the sketch of George Dorn in the present publication. The children born to this union are Eloise. born on July 8, 1901, and Max. Jannary 16, 1903.
Mr. Hewitt is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias; a Shriner of Aladdin Temple, Columbus, and a Knights Templar at Washington C. H., the Free and Accepted Masons of Sedalia, of which organization he has been treasurer for fifteen years; and is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.
Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt live in a comfortable, attractive home where the spirit of hospitality is constantly in evidence. As a business man Mr. Hewitt is progressive, conducting his business on the principle that "honesty is the best policy." As a citizen he is broad minded and given to generous support of the enterprises which are con- ducive to better moral and financial conditions. He is, therefore, one of Sedalia's most prominent business men.
JAMES R. ANDERSON.
James R. Anderson, a farmer of Pleasant township, was born on October 19, 1872, in the township which is his present home. His parents were James B. and Amelia J. (Deyo) Anderson, to whom six children were born.
James B. Anderson, one of the most progressive and best-known farmers of this district, was a man of unusual activity. His interest in public affairs and his political importance led to his being elected county commissioner in 1896, in which office he served two terms. His far-sightedness is indicated by the fact that he was among the first to start the interurban lines in Madison county, Ohio. The son of Stephen and Margaret (McCowan) Anderson, to whom ten children were born, he was early compelled to take up his share of the burden of making a livelihood. His father was born in May, 1808, in Kentucky, and came to Madison county with his parents when he was only two years of age, and their home was where Mt. Sterling is now located. Later on he had the honor of helping to lay out that village in town lots.
Among other enterprises in which Stephen Anderson was interested was a flour- mill, which he built from the savings of his early meager earnings. The beginning of his fortune, however, was in the thirty acres of land which he leased from a neighbor in Pleasant township. With evident foresight and business acumen, he cleared this land and planted it in corn 'and disposed of his first crop, together with the lease, for two hundred dollars. With this money he bought a team of horses and started on his career as a farmer, thus it would appear establishing the line of activity for the fol- lowing generations of his family. He owned, at the time of his death, in 1893, six hundred and fifty acres of land. He was a sturdy, hard-working, progressive farmer. absolutely loyal to his friendships. His wife, who was born in 1811, in this county, died in 1875.
The father of the subject of this sketch, whose family dates back to Scotch-Irish descent, the family first emigrating to Pennsylvania, was reared on the family farm in Pleasant township. receiving all of the education afforded by the district school and the London high school, which he attended for two terms. In 1857 he was fortunate enough to fall heir to one hundred acres of land. James B. Anderson was twice mar- ried, his first wife, Amelia Deyo, being the mother of six children, of whom James R. is next to the youngest. The first Mrs. Anderson was born in 1839, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and was the daughter of Jerry and Hannah (Alkire) Deyo. 'Her death took place in February, 1883. Her children by Mr. Anderson were as follow: Mrs. Mar- garet A. Matlock, of Pickaway county; Ella, who became Mrs. J. W. Corney, of Union county, Ohio; Jerry S., deceased ; Stephen ; James R .; Mrs. Myrtle Rafferty, of Henry county, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Anderson married Lacy Alkire, whose family is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, the wedding taking place in 1885.
James B. Anderson was a very extensive promoter and, like his father, a pro- gressive man. He was one of a company of men to plan the building of a railroad
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
across Madison county from Columbus to Cincinnati, but although considerable money and time was spent in the project it did not meet with success. As a monument to his skill in building, however, the county has several large steel bridges. He was fond of blooded stock, and owned fine Duroc-Jersey hogs.
The war record of this patriot was rather unique, in that he felt that he served liis country better by remaining at home than he would have done by enlisting and going to the front. He formed a company of recruits and drilled them at Camp Chase, preparing them for future service. In his zeal for his country, he spared neither time nor money in recruiting and training his company. His energies won him the title of Captain Anderson. After all of these extensive preparations were made, his sympathetic heart was touched by the helplessness of the women and children who had been deprived of the protection of nearly all the able-bodied men. So he laid down his sword, took off his military cap and returned to his ordinary pursuits, at the same time looking after the needs of the villagers. James B. Anderson died on July 15, 1904.
It was not until his twenty-eighth years that James R. Anderson left the home of his parents, and after the death of his father, having inherited seventy acres of land, he added to this one hundred and twenty acres on Deer creek, Pleasant township, and thus began his personal career as a farmer. It was not long before he saw an advant- age in the purchase of an old grist-mill with twenty-six acres of land which had belonged to his father, and there he lived for three years. In 190S he bought the farm upon which his present home is located, from his uncle. William P. Anderson, and moved onto it the following year. He remodeled all the old buildings and built several new. The tract now comprises four hundred acres of land. Mr. Anderson is a stock- holder of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, besides owning a one-third interest in a hardware store at Harrisburg, Ohio.
Mary E. Bower, a native of Madison county, became the wife of James R. Ander- son on March 27. 1901. She is the daughter of Jesse and Minerva (Stone) Bower, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and was born on March 12, 1877, in Pleasant town- ship. She was reared in Columbus, Ohio, by her aunt, Mrs. George W. Ray, and was educated in the public schools of that city. The children born of this marriage are James B., born on May 27, 1905, and Francis Earl, April 16, 1909.
Mr. Anderson has always been a loyal Republican, a church attendant and a miem- ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Bigplain. As a man of strong character and genial nature, Mr. Anderson is widely and popularly known, and such is his reputation for honesty and loyalty that to be his friend is considered an honor.
WILLIS R. JUNK.
It is encouraging for every farmer to know that "The majority of the men who are guiding the destinies of our nation were born and bred in farm homes, under healthy and natural surroundings and influences." As a member of the army of men and women who are providing the food supply of a nation, the subject of this brief biography occupies no small place in the common life. Willis R. Junk, a farmer of Range township, was born on July 25, 1880, on the farm on which he still resides, and is the son of Clinton and Amanda (Alkire) Junk. the former being a prominent farmer of Pleasant township. He and his wife are mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Willis R. Junk has lived a quiet, uneventful life, but a life full of usefuness and activity. During his boyhood and early youth he attended the local schools in Range township, and at the age of twenty-one, deciding to start out for himself. rented land from his father. For three years he cultivated this rented land near Chenoweth Corners. Subsequently his father left the homestead and the subject returned and rented that farm, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres.
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The subject of this sketch has for some time been interested in graded stock, and has become famous for his exhibition of corn and wheat for the past seven years at the Madison county fair at London, Ohio, and also at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. In both places he has won prizes for the excellency of his farm products. This expert has on the average about seventy-five acres of corn each year, and in 1911 he had twenty-five acres of corn which yielded seventy-five bushels to the acre.
Willis R. Junk and Irene Lawrence were married on May 29, 1902. Mrs. Junk was born on April 1, 1879, in Bigplain, Ohio. She is the daughter of Lemuel and Eliza- beth (Jenkins) Lawrence, who are natives of Ross county, Ohio. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Junk are six in number, these being Paul, Clinton, Myrtle, Kenneth, Seldom and Wilson.
Mr. Junk is a Democrat, a church member and a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.
Mr. Junk's success in life is due to the fact that he has concentrated his energies upon the tasks early planned by himself. Barring the accident of fate, there is little that comes in this life without strenuous and continued effort. Therefore, it is safe to say in most cases that the successful man is the man of indomitable will power and oneness of purpose. Such a man is the subject of this sketch.
THOMAS H. CARPENTER.
A common opinion often expressed is that one who cannot succeed at any other business can operate a farm. This is far from the truth, for there are very few voca- tions which require more natural adaptability and taste for the effective accomplish- ments than does farming. One of the essential elements of the successful farmer is a real love for country life, this for the reason that unless he is contented with his work and his surroundings, no man can hope to do his best, or live up to the full measure of his capabilities. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is, according to this standard, eminently fitted for his work, as results have shown. Thomas H. Carpenter, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of this township, was born on March 1, 1855, at Darbyville, Pickaway county, Ohio, and is the son of Baldwin and Ann (English) Carpenter.
Baldwin Carpenter was a Kentuckian by birth, having been born there on April 21, 1811. When a young man he engaged in the general merchandise business in Darbyville, his worldly wealth at the time he left Kentucky consisting of a horse and bridle and fifteen dollars. He made the journey to this state on the greater part of his property, his horse. When quite a youth he used to drive cattle to New York state, carrying his razor. soap and shaving outfit in his pocket, making the necessary lather from the water which gathered in the tracks of the horses' hoofs. After a brief experience as general merchant, he sold out his stock and started farming in Pickaway county. He became very prosperous, owning at the time of his death, on January 3, 1894, thirteen hundred acres of fairly well-improved land.
Ann English was born in New York state on September 29, 1829, and came to Ohio with her parents, Abraham and Hannah (Gratesinger) English. She died on May 21, 1906, leaving eight children, namely : W. S., of Darbyville, Ohio; Mrs. Theodosia Kin- near, widow of N. F. Kinnear, of Bellair, Ohio; Florence, deceased; Simon, of 'Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Cora, deceased, who was the wife of Doctor Boggs; Mrs. Minnie Jobe, deceased, of Columbus, Ohio; Harry, of Ashville, Ohio; and Thomas, the subject of this sketch, who was the third child in order of birth.
Thomas Carpenter spent his boyhood and youth in Darbyville, not leaving there until his thirty-second year. About 1883 his father presented him with one hundred acres of land, which he farmed for four years, and then went to Tennessee and engaged
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in farming for the following two years. Returning to Darbyville he remained there until 1890. when he located on his own land two miles from Darbyville. He at once began making improvements which increased the value of the property and lived there until 190S. He then bought five acres of land at Mt. Sterling and lived there until March, 1915, when he moved to his farm one mile south of town. He is a stockholder in the Maplewood Improvement Company, and in the First National Bank, both of Mt. Sterling. In his present farm work. Mr. Carpenter is assisted by his only son, and the family home is a splendid modern dwelling.
Mrs. Carpenter was formerly Amanda Renick, and her marriage to Mr. Carpenter took place on December 31. 1890. Mrs. Carpenter's parents were Benjamin F. and Mary (Taylor) Renick, she having been born on October 25, 1857, near Derby, Ohio. She was for some time a student in the high school at Circleville, Ohio, but was pre- vented from gradnating by ill health. Renick G. Carpenter, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, was born on August 3. 1892. He is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling high school and of the Ohio State University, in which institution he took the agricul- tural course, He is at present operating the farm with his father.
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