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 126
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Mt. Sterling Grain Company. His industry and thrift have resulted in the accumula- tion of a quantity of this world's goods, but he has never been too busy to take an active interest in the affairs of the county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Thornton took place in 1885, his bride being Ella Hunter, who was born on August 6, 1862, in Franklin county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Charles and Martha ( Fitzgerald) Hunter. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thornton. Lloyd, born in 1888, now engaged in farming on his father's land, and the husband of Mabel Dennison. The other two children died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are active church members, attending the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Thornton is a trustee of the Mt. Sterling Pleasant cemetery. He is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.
Though not animated with ambition for public honors Mr. Thornton has fulfilled his place with industry and fidelity to high principles. He and his wife have a large circle of acquaintances who esteem them for their genuine worth.
HOMER C. WILSON.
Among the representative citizens of Madison county, Ohio, is Homer C. Wilson, respected for his stability of character and honored because of his practical Christianity and progressive ideas. That he is worthy of the respect shown him by his towns- people is demonstrated by the fact that he served one firm for twenty-two years to a day, leaving at that time to become the traveling representative of the Green-Joice Company, of Columbus, Ohio. He remained with that firm until 1894, at which time he came to Mt. Sterling, Madison county. Ohio, and accepted the position of clerk in the Clock & Boyd department store.
Homer C. Wilson was born on March 28, 1855, in Fairfield county, Ohio, being reared in the town of Rushville, of said county. He began his practical education dur- ing his, school days, clerking in a general merchandise store while attending high school. For thirty-five years he lived, studied and worked at Rushville, taking up other branches of his education in new fields.
Among the emigrants to Ohio, in 1830, were James and Lydia (McBride) Wilson, of Pennsylvania, who upon their arrival located on a farm in Fairfield county, Ohio. James Wilson was born in 1800 and his wife, Lydia. in 1805. It was on their farm near Bremen that John Wilson, their son, first saw the light of day, having been born on December 2, 1832. In 1841 James Wilson passed to his reward, leaving his widow with the responsibility of rearing John, their nine-year-old son, to useful manhood. She performed that duty in an able manner, as all who knew her could testify, and passed to her eternal rest in 1872.
John Wilson grew to maturity and became a farmer, following that occupation until 1860. He selected Mary Ann Patch as his life companion and three children blessed their union : James M. (deceased), Homer C., and Mrs. Lydia Jane Reid, deceased.
Homer C., the only surviving child, is now a stockholder and director of the Security Building and Loan Association, of Mt. Sterling, Madison county, Ohio. The citizens of Mt. Sterling have rewarded his efforts in their behalf by electing him to membership in their council, serving in that capacity for nine years. He also reports the news of Mt. Sterling, through the columns of The Enterprise, of London, Ohio.
In 1878 Homer C. Wilson was married to Louise Dekalb, the daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Tennant) Dekalb, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia, respec- tively. Louise Dekalb was born and reared at Rushville, Ohio, where she attended the public schools, later becoming a school teacher, in which occupation she was engaged at the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children :
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Mrs. Zoa Atkins, who now lives in Mt. Sterling, Madison county, Ohio; and Edison C .. who married Alberta Call, of Mt. Sterling, and is now living in Columbus, Ohio,
Mr. Wilson is an active worker and sincere member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is also a trustee. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
W. H. CARL
Because of the necessity for temperamental fitness for a few professions, including the ministry and medical science, it cannot appropriately be said that the theme of the present sketch is a representative business man. The latter could not be successful in the profession which the subject of this sketch has followed for some years. Mr. Carl, like other members of his calling. has qualities of heart and soul that enable him to enter the house of mourning as a friend and to perform his services in such a way as to enlist the appreciation of his patrons. He is one of the best-known undertakers in the county. Born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, the son of Jacob and Anna (Thuma) Carl, he is a descendant of natives of that county.
Jacob Carl came to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he lived until his death, which took place on January 6, 1870; the wife also passed away there, about two years later, Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl, six of whom are living. These are, Gabriel, residing near Dayton, Ohio; Isaac, a Minnesota farmer; Sarah Loughman, of Miami county, Ohio: Mary Ellen Van Cleave, of Dayton, Ohio; Rebecca Hibbert, living south of Dayton, at Centerville, Ohio.
In point of geographical location, the subject has had a varied experience. Edu- cated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, he was early required to leave his books for the plow, for there were many mouthis to be fed under the parental roof and the children early learned to carry their share of the burden. For some time after his school days came to an end the subject worked on the farm. His first business experi- ence was in connection with a house-furnishing store. Later he came to Salem, Ohio, and purchased a cabinet shop and undertaking business, and here he lived for five years. He then removed to West Milton, Miami county, which was his home for the following four years, during which time he was engaged in the undertaking business. Establishing the firm of Carl & Herr, he next took up business activities in Dayton, remaining there for five years, and at the end of that time came to London and established the business in which he is at present engaged. He has been a resident of London for twenty-one years.
Mrs. Carl was, before her marriage, Fannie Daniels, of Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Elisha and Olive (Chase) Daniels, the former a native of Blackstone, Massachusetts, and the latter of Boston, Massachusetts. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels lived in Miami county, Ohio, locating on a farm which is now known as Overlook Park. He died in Miami county and at the time of his death was a heavy landholder. His widow moved to California and died there at Angel's Camp. Their children were. Emma Gene, Lucy, Alice and Fannie, the subject's wife. On the Chase side, Mrs. Carl is descended from distinguished ancestry, the paternal grandfather having been a first cousin of the noted statesman, Salmon P. Chase. The Chase family in Massachusetts were distin- guished in colonial times and gave valuable service to the cause of the Revolutionists. The Chase family were descended from the three Chase brothers who came to the United States on the "Mayflower," one of these brothers, Isaac Chase, being the pro- genitor of the subject's wife. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl are, Grace and Geraldine, both of whom are at the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, Ohio.
Mr. Carl is progressive and in his business has always had equipment that is modern and of the very best quality. He was coroner of Madison county for nine
W. H. CARL.
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consecutive years. A further evidence of the standing with his London associates is the fact that he has been a leading member of the State Embalmers' Association for a number of years. He is also a director of the London Vault Company. As to his political affiliations, it may be said of Mr. Carl that he is an enthusiastic Republican. He is also a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He and Mrs. Carl are devoted members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
There is a peculiar sense in which the person under consideration here ministers to the welfare of the people. Associated with them chiefly in their sorrows, for this reason his field of service is a very broad and a very important one. May we not assume that his daily occupation has emphasized frequently in his line the truth of the following sentiment: "Every day of meeting sorrow superbly makes their life more grand. Every tear that falls from one's own eyes gives a deeper tenderness of look, of touch, of word, that shall soothe another's woe. Sorrow is not given us that we may mourn. It is given us that, having felt, suffered, wept, we may be able to understand, love, bless."
JOHN N. WALDO.
Among the many progressive citizens of Mt. Sterling, Madison county, Ohio, the present leader of this thriving town is distinct in his individuality. It is a source of pleasure to know of one who still holds his own at the age of seventy, and such a man is Jolin N. Waldo, present mayor of Mt. Sterling, who was born on October 21, 1844, in Palestine, Ohio, and has been a farmer, merchant and mayor.
Of the six children born to Stacy and Rachel J. (Neff) Waldo, three are now living, namely : John N .; Mrs. Sarah E. Laird, of Wichita, Kansas; and George A., who is a grocery merchant of Mt. Sterling. Stacy Waldo was born on August 3, 1815, in Franklin county, Ohio; he was a tanner by trade, but in 1855 he removed to Madison county where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1894. His wife, Rachel J., was born during the year of 1823, in Virginia, and passed away in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Waldo were both members of the Christian church and were sincerely missed by their circle of friends and relatives.
The eldest of the children born of this union was John N. Waldo, who was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio. When twenty-six years of age Mr. Waldo purchased a piece of land and decided to become a farmer, but one year later, in 1871, he engaged in the shoe business at London, Ohio, and followed the same for four years, returning to the farm in Pleasant township during the year of 1875. For nineteen years Mr. Waldo resided on that place, which he developed to the best of his ability, his management resulting in more than ordinary success. He came to Mt. Sterling. in 1894, where he became actively engaged in the buggy and carriage business. After meeting with the most gratifying success in this line of endeavor Mr. Waldo sold the business in 1909, to his son, Will- iam. In 1901 John N. Waldo was elected mayor and served as such for one year, being elected to that office for the second time in 1914.
Laura Heath became the wife of John N. Waldo in 1868, and to them have been born five children : William, a merchant of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; the twin of William who died in infancy ; Edward, deceased ; Mrs. Mary E. Brown, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; and Omer, who is established in the monument business at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Laura Heath was born in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, in 1848 and is the daugh- ter of David and Nancy (Thomas) Heath, both natives of Virginia.
Mr. Waldo served as a member of the city council for ten years and in 1901 was elected township trustee, serving in that capacity for thirteen years and while a trustee
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was elected mayor and served in both offices at the same time. He has always taken an active interest in the upbuilding of Mt. Sterling and his civic pride has been sur- passed by none. Mr. Waldo is vice-president and a stockholder of the Security Build- ing and Loan Association, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a loyal supporter of the Christian church, of which he is a member. He is a stanch Republican and has always worked for the advancement of his party. He has figured largely in all the civic improvements of the town and has always been an eager leader in every question pertaining to the betterment of those around him.
JOHN M. WILLIAMS.
To attain a position of special prominence and influence in the domain of news- paper enterprise requires intellectual attainments of a broad and thorough nature. When these things are found in a man of pleasing personality, they win for him a place of the highest regard in the community in which he lives. John M. Williams has made an enviable record in newspaper work in Mt. Sterling. As editor of the Tribune, Mr. Williams has given high proof of his ability to fill the position tendered him.
John M. Williams was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 23rd of September, 1857. His parents were natives of Ohio, his father, William Williams, having been born in Highland county, in August. 1822, and his mother, whose family name was Hiser. having been born in the same county in 1824. John M. Williams was one of three children, his sister. Clara. died when she was just seventeen years old. The father for a few years conducted a country store in Elmville, Ohio, but later returned to the occupation of farming, which he continued until his death which occurred in 1901. He and his wife were members of the Dunkard church. The paternal grand- father of John M. Williams was Thomas Williams, a native of Virginia, whose wife, Susan Gall, was also a native of Virginia. The ancestry of the family has been traced back to Wales.
Back of every successful man or woman, is found years of patient toil and thought- ful preparation. Out of this is built the foundation upon which everything worth while is based. Mr. William's preparation for success in life has been thorough. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools of Highland county, Ohio, and the high school of Hillsboro. In 1877 he began to teach school and one year later, in order to prepare himself more thoroughly for the position assigned him, entered the normal school at Lebanon. Ohio, where he remained two terms. Afterward, for ten years, he taught in the district schools. For one term he taught in the Mt. Sterling schools. In 1889 Mr. Williams bought a printing office which had been started in 1887. Since that time he has given most of his time and attention to newspaper work. The Tribune has a circulation of over fifteen hundred subscribers.
Mr. Williams has been loyal to the highest ideals of citizenship and has made every effort to give Mt. Sterling an eminent place in the commercial life of Ohio. He is a director and shareholder of the Security Building and Loan Company. In his political interests Mr. Williams is a zealous advocate of the principles and politics of the Demo- cratic party and has been an active and effective worker in its cause. For the past fifteen years he has held the position of township clerk. On account of his enthusiasm in school affairs he was elected a member of the school board of Mt. Sterling.
On the 30th of May. 1885, at Marshall, Ohio, John M. Williams was united in mar- riage to Nannie Carlisle. who was born on the 4th of February, 1863, near Marshall, Ohio. She is the daughter of James S. and Emily (Hill ) Carlisle. both natives of Ohio.
To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born the following children: Carl C., is a linotype operator in Phoenix, Arizona: Harry is associated with his father in the printing busi- ness ; Mrs. Donna M. Hayman and Mrs. Grace Zahn reside in Pleasant township; Ruth
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still remains with her parents. All the children are graduates of the high school at Mt. Sterling.
Mr. Williams is a trustee of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of Madison county.
JOHN R. WILSON.
As a man whose entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits, and this suc- cessfully, and also as one whose life and character are such as to command respect John R. Wilson merits a place in the present volume. The family name early became identified with the annals of this county, and from the time of its appearance there has been nothing to mar or tarnish its pristine honor. While the subject of this review has acquired wealth, it has not been done at the expense of others, for he has been eminently just and square in his dealings. John R. Wilson was born on December 31. 1844, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and is the son of Abraham N. and Elizabeth (Neff) Wilson.
Abraham N. Wilson was born in 1818, in Virginia, and left there with his parents when he was still a small child, their next home being in Pickaway county. Moving to Madison county in 1856 he bought what is known as the old Cook farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres, and that farm has been in the family ever since. Its owner passed away there in 1885. His wife, who was born in 1836, died about the year 1867.
John R. Wilson. was reared on his father's farm in Pleasant township, Madison county, where he attended district school No. 2. He is still farming a portion of that land, now owning sixty-eight acres, and part of his interest has been in graded stock. His home is now near Mt. Sterling.
In 1885, the marriage of John R. Wilson and Allison N. Dennison was solemnized, his bride being the daughter of William Dennison. She was born in 1862, in Madison county, Ohio. Two children have blessed this union, Ola, now Mrs. Roberson, of Madi- son county, and William, who is operating the home farm.
Mr. Wilson is a Republican. He is an ardent church attendant, and contributes largely of his means to the work of the Christian church. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. His father was a Mason.
By his habit of consideration for others in all of his dealings, as well as by the sterling qualities which his character is made up of, John R. Wilson has endeared him- selt to the community which has been his home for so many years. He is a man whom to know is to admire.
W. O. MENDENHALL.
William O. Mendenhall was born on February 8, 1871. at Buckley. Illinois, and is the son of Dr. William O. and Lydia ( Hayworth) Mendenhall. His boyhood was spent in the atmosphere of a home where education was a prominent factor in the life of each member. Surrounded by these fortunate circumstances, William O. Mendenhall secured for himself a broad, liberal education, beginning in the public schools of Illinois, where he continued until eleven years of age. With his parents he then removed to Richmond, Indiana, where he completed his course in the public schools, later taking a collegiate course at Earlham. He is one of five children born to his parents, three of whom are now living.
William O. Mendenhall, Sr., was born in 1835, at Lafayette, Illinois, and was reared on the farm. In 1859 he began a four-years course at the university at Ann Arbor. Michigan, after which he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois, graduating from same, and immediately began the practice of medicine in Illinois. In 1882 he
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removed to Richmond, Indiana, where he practiced medicine until his death in 1906. To the union of William O. and Lydia (Hayworth) Mendenhall, were born these chil- dren : Ola and Nora, deceased; Dr. Edwin H., a physician and surgeon of Richmond, Indiana ; Mrs. Georgia L. (Garver), of Springfield, Ohio; and William O., Jr. Lydia ( Hayworth ) Mendenhall, the mother of William O. Mendenhall, was born on February 28. 1845, at Ridge Farm, Illinois, and is now living at Springfield, Illinois.
Having decided to devote himself to the mercantile business, William O. Menden- hall, when nineteen years of age, removed to Danville, Illinois, where he clerked in a grocery store. In 1893, during the "World's Fair," at Chicago, he turned his steps to that city, where he entered the field of photography for a short time. Remaining in Chicago for three years, he then returned to Richmond, Indiana, where he returned to his former business as clerk in a store until 1900, then he removed to Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and formed a partnership with G. H. Johnson, in the grocery line, which co-part- uership continued until 1912, when Mr. Mendenhall assumed full charge of the business.
During the year 1900, which marked the beginning of his independent mercantile life, William O. Mendenhall and Ella Johnson were united in. wedlock. No children have been born to this union. A Republican in politics, and a member of the board of public affairs, William O. Mendenhall, in his busy life, devotes much of his attention to other matters, and is a member of the Christian church as well as in the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Modern Woodinen of America also claim him as a member, and altogether, his life has been replete with well regulated industry, which his ample education has wrought out to a fine degree of success.
ROBERT F. CHENOWETH.
Only a glimpse at the external facts of the life of the man above mentioned reminds us that "Defeat is for those who acknowledge it." During the latter years of Robert F. Chenoweth's life, illness incapacitated him from active participation in business, but. despite this affliction, he took a keen interest in affairs to the end, and at all times endeavored to give the best of his talents and ability to the purposes to which his life was dedicated. When his life's record came to an end it was not incomplete in nobility and oneness of purpose, nor in attainment through struggle. Robert F. Chenoweth, a prominent stock dealer and grain buyer, and one of the best known farmers of this county, died at his home. seven miles south of London, on the Big Plain pike, on February 10, 1913. Ile was a son of the late F. M. and Margaret (Rea) Chenoweth, both of whom are mentioned elsewhere in this work. His birth occurred on February 25, 1861, in Oak Run township.
After his education in the local schools and at Kenyon College was completed, Mr. Chenoweth was for many years engaged in the grain and seed business and in farming. He was widely known as a partner of the late A. Tanner, of the firm of Tanner & Chenoweth and, later, Chenoweth Brothers, being associated with his brother, Rea, who now controls and manages the business. The Chenoweth Brothers partner- ship extended for nine years, but Robert was compelled to give up a part of his large business interests on account of failing health. He had given his entire attention to agricultural enterprises in Fairfield township until 1892, when he took up a business career in London, where he dealt in hay and grain. But he still retained connection with his farming interest until the fall of 1906, when impaired health compelled him to travel. He was away from home more or less until the spring of 1911 when, with partially regained health, he again took charge of his farm.
On October 5, 1887, Robert F. Chenoweth married Geneva Kennedy, the daughter of John H. and Abigail (Mitchell) Kennedy. Both of Mrs. Chenoweth's parents are
ROBERT F. CHENOWETH
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natives of this county and representatives of two of its most prominent and influential families. To Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth were born two children, Austin, of London, and Lawrence. Austin married Margaret Leonard, and to this union a daughter, named June Rea, has been born.
Among the organizations to which Mr. Chenoweth belonged was the Columbus Lodge of Elks. Mr. Chenoweth was conscientious in all that he undertook to do, laboring early and late with an apparent indifference to fatigue. Personally, he was a man of forceful character and this, together with his genial nature, made him pop- ular among his associates. He had that fine quality of manhood which not only attracted warm friendship, but enabled him to retain the same.
WILLIAM D. WOOD.
Only a few years more and the tribute to the last remaining veteran of the Civil War will be paid. Father Time is fast thinning the ranks of those brave heroes who saved their country from division. Long after their names are forgotten, the memory of their brave deeds will live in the hearts and minds of those who follow after, inspir- ing them to kindred acts of patriotism, should their country call. William D. Wood, who was born on February 27, 1841, in Fayette county, Ohio, is one of the remaining few who still live to tell the story of distress and hardship endured during the great conflict.
When the call to arms came, William D. Wood responded with patriotic zeal, enlist- ing at Washington C. H., Ohio, in the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with General Sherman during his entire enlistment, seeing service in every Southern state except Florida and Texas. He was discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, returning to the home of his parents, in Fayette county. Ohio, and remained with them until 1866.
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