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 125
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In 190S Zebulon D. Fisher was married to Laura M. Brown, who was born on December 25, 1880, in Fairmount, Indiana. Laura M. Brown is the daughter of Alex- ander and Mary A. (Jones) Brown. both natives of Cincinnati, Ohio. Alexander Brown was reared in Pike county, Ohio, and was a soldier in the Civil War.
Zebulon D. Fisher is the son of Isaac N. and Hulda ( Hanawalt) Fisher, who were the parents of seven children, of whom two only are now living. Isaac N. Fisher was born in 1842, in Pickaway county. and engaged in farming until his death in 187S. His wife. Hulda, was born in Union county, Ohio, and passed away in 1911, leaving two sons. Estal E., a merchant of Mt. Sterling; and Zebulon D., attorney and merchant, the only survivors of her immediate family.
In Pickaway county, where he now lives, Mr. Fisher owns seventy-two acres of land. He is the father of two daughters and two sons, namely : Laura E., Zebulon E., Paul R. and Mary A .. all of whom are at home. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church.
SEYMOUR P. YOUNG.
Seymour P. Young was born on December 11, 1864, in Pleasant township. Madison county. Ohio, and is of German descent. He is the son of Frederick and Lucinda (Kaufelt) Young, to whom nine children were born, seven of whom are still living. Seymour P. Young is the youngest child and only son. His father, Frederick Young, was born in 1812. in Germany, immigrating to America when a young man and locating in Pickaway county. Ohio, where he bought land and farmed, later removing to Madison county, Ohio. He continued to cultivate the soil until his death, which occurred on April 23, 1866. His mother, Lucinda (Kaufelt) Young, was born in 1825. in Ohio. and died on March 28. 1889.
The only son of thrifty German parents. Seymour 'P. Young possessed but little knowledge of his parents, his father having died when he was but two years of age and he was bereft of a mother when a young man twenty-five years of age. Reared to farm life and obtaining his education at the old Douglas district school of Pleasant township, Seymour P. Young. at the early age of twenty-one years, began farming for himself. He purchased the old home place, on which he made extensive improvements. This property he cultivated most successfully and also engaged in the raising of stock. becoming very prosperons. In 1912 Mr. Seymour removed to Mt. Sterling, Ohio, where
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he owns a fine home on East Main street. He is a stockholder in the First National bank and is the owner of one hundred and forty-two acres of well-improved land.
At the age of twenty-one years, on December 31, 1885, Seymour P. Young took for his life partner Sereatha Bricker, who was born on January 9, 1864, in Madison county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of James and Lydia (Stone) Bricker, both parents being natives of Ohio. To this marriage of Seymour P. Young and Sereatha Bricker, two children were born: Frederick, a graduate of the Mt. Sterling schools, who took a commercial course at Athens, Ohio, and is now with the Mt. Sterling Build- ing and Loan Company ; and Myrtle L., who is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling schools and resides with the family.
Politically, a Democrat, a member of the Christian church and living up to the precepts of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a member, Seymour P. Young, desti- tute of a father's care when only a child, yet with his indomitable will and ability, has paved the way to success and prospered, carefully educated his children and now in the prime of manhood he can rest secure with his wife and family, enjoying the just reward of labors well done.
EDWARD EVERETT COLE.
The late Edward Everett Cole, lawyer, farmer and scholar, was born on March 17, 1853, at Marysville, Ohio, and died on February 7, 1909. Mr. Cole was a son of Judge Philander Blakesley and Dorothy (Winter) Cole, both of whom were natives of Union county, Ohio. Judge Philander B. Cole was a practicing attorney and judge of the district court. He practiced his profession until the time of his death. Edward Everett Cole spent his early life at Marysville, Ohio, attending the public schools of that place, later becoming a student at Oxford University for two years, and was graduated in 1873 from Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He read law in the office of his father, was admitted to the bar about 1877, and began the active practice of his profession at Marysville.
After practicing law until 1899, Mr. Cole's health failed, and he was compelled to spend a year in Europe. He and his wife during this period visited inany interest- ing places, including the leading art galleries of the Old World, and the prominent points of interest. Both were well informed in advance, and was therefore well equipped to get the most of their European tour. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were always much inter- ested in various forms of art, and had Mr. Cole been trained in that direction he might have become a great artist. He had the happy faculty of seeing the humorous side of things, and he also saw the serious side as well, and was strong, well-balanced and learned man.
Although the European tour was helpful, Mr. Cole did not resume the practice of law upon his return but after one winter spent in New Orleans, came to the farm the next spring and entered upon the details of farm work and out-door life. He was busily occupied in the management of the nine-hundred-acre farm, and continued its management as long as he lived. He kept abreast of modern farming and was familiar with all the latest processes, devices and methods of agriculture. The Cole home was erected in 1904, under his supervision, and is a model of comfort and convenience, and modern throughout.
Even while engaged in farming Edward E. Cole kept up his interest in classical learning and read Latin a great deal. He had also studied French and kept well informed with regard to old-world politics. In all his life his health was never very strong, but in the years that he was engaged in the practice of law he proved con- clusively what he might have done if he had been possessed of a stronger body. As it was he became a very successful attorney.
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Throughout his life the late Edward Everett Cole was an active campaigner in behalf of the Republican party, and on one occasion was the nominee of his party for the Legislature. He was much sought after as a speaker on Decoration Day. His arguments were clear. his logic convincing and his delivery pleasing. No doubt lie would have been a very successful teacher had he turned his talents in that direction. At college he had been a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. Later in life he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows.
One of the distinctive features of the career of Edward E. Cole, was his humani- tarianism. He could not bear to take the life of any living creature, and was frequently heard to say, "Live and let live." Upon one occasion he killed a bird by accident, and the incident made him sick at heart, and he frequently said in describing it that he would not have killed a bird for any consideration. He was a popular and well-liked man, but not a "hail fellow well met." He was ever known as "Mister," and in all his life was never known to have told a salacious story.
On January 29, 1887, Edward Everett Cole was married to Mary Beach, the only daughter and child of Doctor Morrow and Lucy Beach. There were no children born to this marriage. Their married life was very congenial. as they enjoyed the same things and from the same point of view.
A member of the Presbyterian church, Edward E. Cole was not tied to any creed. lle was a man of tolerant religious belief, and broad-minded to a marked degree. He died on February 7. 1909, and his remains were buried in the Deer Creek cemetery, on the Beach family lot.
SCOTT O'DAY.
In those things which make for self-reliance, business integrity and honesty of pur- pose, Scott O'Day has been generously endowed. A man of broad human sympathy and marked ability he has brought himself to a place of the highest esteem in the county in which he lives. Not waiting for circumstances to mold or change his fate he has seized upon every available opportunity to better his life conditions, until now he is able to enjoy the fruits of well-directed endeavor. His career has been interesting both from the standpoint of the agriculturist and the business man.
Scott O'Day was born on the 19th of June, 1872. in Pleasant township. Madison county, and is the son of James and Sophia ( Beunett ) O'Day.
The schools of Pleasant township furnished the rudimentary education for Scott O'Day, later he attended the Caton Business College, of Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1892. After graduation he returned home and worked on the farm, for awhile, with his father. He then rented a tract of land from his father and farmed independently until he was able to buy a farm of his own. Ile now owns two hundred acres of valuable farm land in Pleasant township. On this farm he has made all mod- ern improvements, including the building of two large stock barns, one of which is one hundred and twelve by forty feet and the other one hundred and twenty-four by twenty-six feet. In 1892 he began to breed Shorthorn cattle and met with such snc- cess in this field of endeavor that he has bred them ever since. He finds a market for these cattle in the West, and also ships a large part of his stock to the South. He always has in the neighborhood of seventy to ninety cattle. On his smaller farm in Mt. Sterling, which consists of just fifteen acres, Mr. O'Day has built another barn of large size, and from this place he ships stock which he buys and sells to the market.
At Sedalia, Ohio, on the 12th of January, 1892, the marriage of Scott O'Day and Nettie Core was solemnized. She is the daughter of Andrew B. and Clarinda ( Clarridge)
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Core, and was born on the 17th of December, 1869, in Range township, Madison county, Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Fayette county, Ohio. The father, now deceased, was a farmer, and the mother is now living in Sedalia, Ohio. Mr. Core was a breeder and grower of sheep and also cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Day have one child, Freda, born on October 2, 1898, who is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling high school, and is now at Western College, at Oxford, Ohio. In politics Mr. O'Day is an independent voter. In keeping with the tradition of the family to which he belongs Mr. O'Day continues to take part in the affairs of the Methodist church of which his wife and daughter are members. Mr. O'Day is one of the largest stock buyers and shippers in Madison county, Ohio.
FRANK H. HOTT.
Frank H. Hott, who was born on May 20, 1873, in Pickaway county, Ohio, sprung from parentage, on his paternal side, that had seen and taken part in the great conflict of the Civil War. He is the eldest child of William H. and Mary E. (Smith) Hott, to whom were born five children, namely: Frank H .; the second child died in infancy ; also the child following; the fourth child, Milton M., is manager of a bakery at Ashe- ville, Ohio; and Earl S., also engaged in the bakery business at Ashville.
William H. Ilott, was born on September 16, 1847, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and was a farmer boy until, in 1864, he enlisted at Circleville, Ohio, in Company A, One Hundred and Ninety-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served his country in the hazardous capacity of scout until the close of the conflict. After peace had been declared, he returned to Pickaway county, Ohio, and engaged in farming for several years and took up the carpenter's trade. Broken in health, he gave up that work in 1896 and opened a small bakery shop, which business he built up to a large and lucrative trade. He was a progressive leader, charitable in his dealings and an hon- ored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being one of the oldest members of the post to which he paid loving devotion until his death, on March 8, 1914, at Ash- ville, Ohio. He was the son of William H. and Sarah (Whitsell) Hott, formerly of Virginia, who, in 1808, removed to Pickaway county, Ohio, where they farmed until their death,
Mary E. (Smith) Hott, the mother of Frank H. Hott, was born on March 27. 1854. near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Metzger) Smith, both natives of Ohio. She is now living at Ashville. Ohio, where she is engaged in the bakery business, of which she is part owner.
Living at Ashville, Ohio, and receiving his education from the public schools of that town, Frank H. Hott at fourteen years of age, learned the carpenter's trade and advanced rapidly until at the age of twenty years he began contracting on a medium scale, constructing several business blocks and residences. In 1899 he learned the baker's trade from his father, in whose place of business he remained until May 16. 1910, when he came to Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and purchased a bakery very poorly equipped and with practically no trade. Today, as the result of his genius and progressive nature, he owns a thoroughly modern, sanitary baking shop and a comfortable, modern home.
In connection with his bakery Mr. Hott has purchased an automobile, for quick delivery to his many customers and his rapidly increasing trade. His genial nature and business acumen have won for him a large patronage and the respect of his associates and the public as well.
Lola E. Tanquary, who was born on June 2, 1875, at New Holland, Pickaway county, Ohio, became the wife of Frank H, Hott in 1899. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Carrie (Lee) Tanquary, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively.
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Hler father enlisted in the Civil War during the year 1862. at Washington C. H., Ohio, in Company A, of the Sixtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was a corporal and saw most of his service under Captain Black. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and received his honorable discharge in 1864, after which he returned to New Holland and engaged as a traveling salesman until 1899. About that time it became necessary for him to make a trip to Colorado for the benefit of his health which had been undermined during the war and it was there, in 1905, that he passed away at the age of sixty-two, His wife remained in Colorado and now resides in Denver, of that state.
To Frank H. and Lola E. (Tanquary ) Hott have been born five children : Alice. Benjamin E. and Louis V., who are at home; William. deceased ; and a fifth child who died in infancy.
The Democratic party has the support of Frank H. Hott and his enthusiasm is of great assistance to them in their campaigns. He is an earnest and sincere member of the Methodist church. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Frank H. Hott has always been a great worker and an honest man and the respect in which he is held by the townspeople is justly deserved and appreciated.
FRANCIS M. CHENOWETH.
Francis M. Chenoweth, who died in 1904, was a man well known and his memory still remains in the hearts of many of his fellow citiezns. As a business man. he con- tributed to London's economic prosperity; as a loyal citizen, he contributed to its general welfare; as a man, he contributed to the happiness of his family, friends and acquaintances. Mr. Chenoweth was a native of this county, having been born on Deer creek, in Fairfield township, in 1833. His parents were the Hon. John F. and Margaret (Ferguson) Chenoweth, who were Kentuckians by birth.
Elijah Chenoweth. the paternal grandfather of the subject, and his wife, who was a Foster, were born in Kentucky and came to this state in 1796, making their home in Franklin county. near Harrisburg, when this place consisted of only a dozen houses. Here this patriarch lived and died at a ripe old age.
Hon. John F. Chenoweth was one of the foremost men of this county in his day, having a wide acquaintance as a result of his extensive business and public life. He was a large landholder, owning over three thousand acres of real estate, besides being a prominent stock dealer. He often told stories of experiences of his youth, when it was his task to drive cattle over the mountains to the markets in Pennsylvania. For over thirty years he was a justice of the peace, and later was representative of his district in the state legislature. London was honored by his spending the latter part of his life within its borders. He and his wife were the parents of fifteen children.
Francis Marion Chenoweth was educated in the local public schools, but remained with his parents until his marriage. After this event he settled in Oak Run town- ship, on a farm of three hundred acres, to which he afterwards added seventeen hun- dred acres, a part of which was in Fairfield township. In the latter township he lived fourteen years, during which time he was engaged in farming and cattle breeding and selling, the previous fifteen years having been spent in Oak Run township. In 1885 he left the farm and. like so many professional farmers of his time, came to London and built a modern home. This home was on Elm street. From that time until his death the subject was identified with many of the important business enter- prises of the city. notably as one of the organizers of the Central Bank of London.
In 1856 Mr. Chenoweth took as his life partner Margaret Rea, daughter of Mathew and Ann (Amos) Rea, who were born in Virginia and Maryland respectively. They
FRANCIS M. CHENOWETH
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came to this county with their parents, who were brave enough to endure the hard- ships of pioneer life. Mr. Rea was one of the wealthy farmers and stockmen of the county, and was widely known. He was prominent in local Democratic circles, in the activities of which he took keen interest. He and his wife were the parents of seven children.
Francis M. Chenoweth was twice married, his first wife dying in April, 1893. By her he was the father of eight children, of whom only Rea, the seventh born, is living. The others were Robert F., Emma A., Ada, Annie E., Myrtle, Ella and an infant. The second Mrs. Chenoweth was Mrs. Leslie, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth moved to a farm in Wyandot county, Ohio. Mr. Chenoweth died on October 24, 1904, at Upper Sandusky.
During his lifetime Mr. Chenoweth was public-spirited and capable of valuable service. He was a member of the board of education and held various other public offices. Politically, he was a Democrat and, in religious life, a Presbyterian. He was loyal to the obligations of family and civic life, and did all in his power to further the best interests of the community.
ABRAHAM J. DENNISON.
Abraham J. Dennison was born on October 1, 1862, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and is the son of James and Sevena ( Warren) Dennison, who were the parents of six boys and six girls.
James Dennison was born in January, 1827, in Madison county, where he was reared on a farm. When still a young man he removed to Pickaway county, where he first rented and then bought land. His present home is still on the property then acquired. His wife was born on October 25, 1830, near Chillicothe, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Margaret (Blane) Warren. She died on January 10, 1911.
Abraham Dennison was brought up on his father's farm, attending the local schools, and did not leave home until his twenty-fifth year. One year previous to his marriage, he rented land from his father and continued its cultivation for the next fifteen years. In 1901 he bought one hundred and fifteen acres of good farm land in this county, which he made his home. He has always kept a good grade of stock for the market.
In 1887 Abraham Dennison was married to Sarah Murphy, daughter of William F. and Roxanna (Crabe) Murphy. Sarah Murphy was born on February 8, 1865. Her father, who is still living with his children, was born on August 10, 1835, in Pickaway county. Her mother was born in the same county on November 13, 1836, and died on December 29, 1913. The children born of this union were three in number, namely : Frederick, born on November 26, 1887, is a student in the Ohio State University; Mabel is the wife of a Mr. Thornton, and was born on July 23, 1889, in Pleasant township; and Ray, born on December 28, 1890, resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison have erected a beautiful modern dwelling, which is lighted by gas.
Abraham Dennison is a church attendant, a Republican in politics and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Mt. Sterling. He was township trustee for two terms.
Mr. Dennison is one of the foremost agriculturists of this district. He has iden- tified himself always with the best life of the community in which effort he has been joined by his wife, who is much admired for her genialty and her womanly character- istics. Worldly greatness does not consist in heroic achievement. It may be just as truly found in the careful carrying out of human obligations, though this may be apart from the eyes of the world. In this respect the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Dennison have truly been an inspiration.
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JOHN O'DAY.
John O'Day has been one of the prominent figures in the field of agriculture in Madison county, Ohio, and his loyalty to the place of his nativity has won for him a place of high esteem in the county in which he lives, and a wide acquaintance among the farmers of that section. Our forefathers left behind them the idea that simplicity should be the keynote of nseful lives, and it is a relief, in this age of unrest, to find a man who has lived for over thirty years on a place established years before, by his parents.
John O'Day was born in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, on the 4th of January, 1877. He is the son of James and Sophia (Bennett) O'Day, and assisted his parents on the old home place until his father retired from the active duties of the farm, in 1898, and left the full care of the estate to his son. The common schools of Pleasant township afforded Mr. O'Day his early educational advantages. As a youth he had fellowship with hard work and responsibility, but his self-reliance was quickened by these very conditions, and made possible the realization of his ambition to be a successful farmer. Mr. O'Day now owns three hundred and fifty-two acres of land. On the old home place where he lives he has made many improvements, includ- ing the installation of gas and electric light, not only for light but for heat. The farm represents everything that is new in modern farming. Mr. O'Day is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, purebred horses, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep.
On the 30th of September, 1896, the marriage of John O'Day and Unity Jones was solemnized. Unity Jones, the danghter of James and Annette (Bostwick) Jones, was born in Fayette, Ohio, July 18, 1876. The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. O'Day are: Mary, who is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling high school; Bennett, Annette, James, Grace and John. All of the children are living at home.
Aside from his duties on the farm Mr. O'Day has found some time for school affairs and serves as a member of the school board in district No. S. His political interests and enthusiasm are with the Republican party of which he is an active mem- ber. In religious belief he is affiliated with the Methodist church.
FREDERICK HOLTON THORNTON.
Since the subject of this brief biographical record has become a representative among the men of his chosen calling in this community, it may be assumed that he early made a plan for his life, and that with undeviating determination he carried out this plan from day to day. until the present time. Frederick Holton Thornton is a native of this township, although his ancestory came from Virginia. He was born on August 27. 1863, his parents being AAllen and Rebecca ( Dountz) Thornton. Allen Thorn- ton was also born in this county, the date of his birth being September 19, 1833. He was reared on the farm, and when grown to manhood pursued that vocation in Pleasant township. Hle rented a farm, and in that way saved enough money to buy land near Mt. Sterling, where he farmed for fifty years. He passed away in 1906. His wife. who was born in 1833. died in 1865. Her parents were Frederick and Isabelle Donntz.
Frederick Thornton's early life was not different from that of the average farmer boy, but his subsequent success has shown what such a boy can do when he is deter- mined to better his material condition. Working under the guidance of his father until 1906, he then began his independent career by purchasing one hundred and twenty- seven acres of improved land. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of good real estate which he is still improving. He has a splendid modern home. Mr. Thornton gives much of his time to stock raising, and is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and pure- bred Shropshire sheep. Mr. Thornton owns shares in the First National bank and the
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