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 129

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150

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 129

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Daniel B. Foster was the son of John Foster, Jr., who was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 4, 1802. After spending his boyhood in Ross county, he removed to Madi- son county in 1833, and located on land a part of which is now owned by his grand- son, Kemper Lee, the subject of this sketch. John Foster, Jr. was an early settler in Oak Run township, a member of the Whig party, but subsequently a Republican. He never took an active interest in politics, however, and was an honest and industrious citizen. He died on November 19, 1880. His wife was Eliza Boyer, a native of Pike county, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel Boyer. They had ten children, of whom Daniel B., the father of Kemper Lee, was the eldst. John Foster, Jr., was the son of John Foster, Sr., a native of Virginia, who came to Ross county, Ohio, about the commencement of the nineteenth century.

Daniel B. Foster received a good · common-school education, and has lived on his present farm since 1833. He followed farming until the last four years, when he retired. He is still living on the farm at the age of eighty-seven years, and enjoys good health. For many years he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a class leader in the congregation. He has always been a stanch Repub- Jican. Daniel B. Foster was first married, January 22, 1852, to Miranda McCliams. By this marriage they had three children, Bernard, Jennie and Flora, who died in infancy. Jennie married John Van Wagner, of London. Mrs. Miranda Foster died on August

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13, 1860, and, after her death, her husband married, for his second wife, Margaret Johnston, the daughter of George Johnston. Nine children were born to this second marriage, as follow : Jessie, Allie, Kemper L., Bruce, Eva, W. Irving, Frank E., Maud and Chester Glenn.

Kemper Lee Foster received a good common-school education in the district schools of Madison county. He has followed farming all his life.

On December 19, 1894, Kemper L. Foster was married to Bessie Riddle, a daugh- ter of Peter and Alice (Busic) Riddle, the former of whom was born in Columbus, Ohio, September 23, 1846, and the latter in Range township, Madison county, November 10, 1848. They were married in Madison county, on December 31, 1873, and had only one child, Bessie, the wife of Mr. Foster. Mrs. Foster's father was a farmer and died - on April 12, 1878. The mother is living with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Kemper Lee Foster had one daughter, who died in infancy.

Mr. Foster owns a small farm in Oak Run township. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 70, and Encampment No. 126, of London. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Grange, No. 877. Mr. Foster is a Republican in politics, and is president of the board of trustees of Oak Run township. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal church.

LEON D. LENHART.

Perhaps the largest building contractor in Madison county is Leon D. Lenhart, a native of London, who, no doubt, has inherited his inclination for building from his father, who has been a well-known carpenter in the city of London. In fact, Mr. Lenhart was associated for some years with his father, but eventually became an inde- pendent builder in and near London, where he has built up a large business. He also .did work at Yellow Springs and in the surrounding country and cities. In fact, his operations extend all over Madison county. Mr. Lenhart works eight men the year round, and in 1914 his pay roll was six thousand dollars, the largest, very likely, of any contractor in Madison county. His business aggregates from thirty to thirty-five thousand dollars a year. Mr. Lenhart personally has several rental properties in this city and is a director in the Peoples Commercial Bank.

Leon D. Lenhart was born in London, March 16, 1874, and is the son of Henry and Rebecca (Raffensberger) Lenhart, both of whom are living in the city of London. Born and reared in London, Mr. Lenhart was graduated from the high school with the class of 1890, when he was only sixteen years old. After having been associated with his father in business for about seven years, he began contracting on his own respon- sibility. In addition to being a contractor, he is more or less of an architect and is able to make his own plans.

On April 8, 1894, Leon D. Lenhart was married to Ora May Watrous, who lived near Kiousville. Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart have one daughter, Phyllis Eleanor, who lives at home with her parents.

The Lenhart family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Len- hart is a Democrat and served one term in the London city council, having been elected as a Democrat in a strong Republican ward. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the London Club. His interests in his own personal business as a contractor, in the bank of which he is a director and in the creamery of which he is a stockholder, take practically all of his time and it may be truthfully said that he works day and night at his business. Mr. Lenhart is interested in baseball and football and to some extent has played the games.

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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

HARRY F. FAUVER.

A native of Madison county, Harry F. Fauver, well-known real estate and insur- ance agent of London, has been prominently identified with the agricultural and business interests of his home county ever since he arrived at manhood's estate. and few men in the county are better known or more deservedly popular than he. Though . making his home on his fine farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres in Somerford township, Mr. Fauver has been actively engaged in the insurance and real estate busi- ness in London for more than twenty years, during which time he has been one of the pronounced factors in the development of the best interests of his home county and. in consequence, enjoys a very high degree of popular favor throughout this entire section of the state. his acquaintance extending far beyond the borders of his home county.

Harry F. Fauver was born on a farm in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, on October 30, 1864, son of Matthew J. and Maria J. (Prugh) Fauver, the former of whom was born near the city of Dayton, in Montgomery county, this state, and the latter in Somerford township, this county.

Matthew J. Fauver, who was born on August 24. 1834, was the son of Jolin and Anna ( Johnson) Fauver, natives of New Jersey, the former of whom was born on July 7, 1793, and the latter on June 15, 1797. They were married in 1816, and twelve years later came to Ohio, locating in Montgomery county, in the vicinity of Dayton, where they spent the rest of their lives, John Fauver dying in March, 1877, and his widow in March. 1879. They were the parents of nine children, Matthew J. Fanver, father of the subject of this sketch, having been the fifth son and the eighth child in order of birth. When Matthew J. Fauver was eighteen years of age he began clerk- ing in a store and thus continued for eight years. He then was engaged in farming for a period of fifteen years, at the end of which time he moved to the village of Somerford, this county, bought property there and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed with much success for many years. During the time of his resi- dence in Somerford, Matthew J. Fauver was regarded as one of the most prominent and influential men in that part of the county. For years he served as trustee of Somerford township and did much to advance that community in a material way. He and his wife were members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. Mr. Fanver was a Democrat and for many years took a leading part in the political affairs of the county.

On May 27, 1858, Matthew J. Fanver was united in marriage to Maria J. Prugh, who was born in this county on February 17, 1842. daughter of G. W. and Lonisa ( Wilson) Prugh. His father was born in Somerford township, this county. on June 16. 1816, son of George and Margaret ( Markley) Prugh, natives of Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio in 1812, shortly following their marriage, and located in Somerford township. this county, where the rest of their lives were spent, they being regarded as among the leading pioneers of that section of the county. George Prugh died in 1841 and his widow survived him more than twenty years. her death not occurring until in 1864. G. W. Prugh, son of this worthy pioneer couple, was a prosperous farmer and was trustee of Somerford township for a period of seven years. On February 8, 1838, he married Lonisa Wilson, who was born in this county on January 5, 1823. and to this union three children were born. Valentine H., Maria J. and Theodore.

To Matthew J. and Maria J. (Prnghi) Fauver were born three children, namely : Anna L., born on January 1, 1861; Harry F., the immediate subject of this sketch. and Augusta L .. born on July 27. 1875. Matthew J. Fanver died on October 26, 1898. and his widow is still living at Summerford. enjoying, in the beautiful evening of her life, many evidences of the affection of the entire countryside.

HARRY F. FAUVER

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Harry F. Fauver received his elementary education in the common schools of his home township, supplementing the same by a course in Antioch College, following which he engaged for a few years with his father in the grocery business at Summer- ford and then, for about ten years, was engaged in the carriage and vehicle business, five years as a traveling salesman and five years located at Mechanicsburg, this state. In 1894 Mr. Fauver located in London, where he opened a real estate and insurance office and ever since has been thus engaged, in that time having built up a business in this line second to none in this immediate section. He continues to make his home in Somerford township, where he owns one of the best-appointed farms in that part of the county and where he and his family are delightfully situated. their fine resi- dence possessing all the conveniences conducive to the fullest measure of domestic comfort.

On May 13, 1890, Harry F. Fauver was united in marriage to Alice J. Mitchell, daughter of Charles and Mary E. Mitchell, the former of whom was a well-known and substantial farmer of Somerford township and whose history will be found else- where in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Fauver three children have been born, Gwynneth, Matthew Mitchell and Harry Ordell, all of whom are still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Fauver are members of the Christian church at Summerford, of which Mr. Fauver for years has been one of the trustees. and their children have been reared in that faith.

Harry F. Fauver is a Democrat and for years has given close attention to the political affairs of his home county, ever having been an exponent of the best prin- ciples of good government. For two terms he was treasurer of Somerford township. his father and grandfather having served in their lifetime as trustees of the same township. His services in that connection were valuable to the public and much appre- ciated by the people of that township. Mr. Fauver is a Mason, having joined the lodge of that order in Mechanicsburg in 1894. and also is an Odd Fellow, having joined the lodge of that order at Summerford in 1886. In all his relations in life he has done well his part, and few men in the county may rightly claim to have been actuated by a higher sense of civic duty than he. In both his business and' social obligations he has faithfully met all the requirements and possesses in full measure the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

JUDGE SYLVESTER W. DURFLINGER.

Perhaps no greater tribute can be paid to a judge than that his own code of ethics is higher than any written law. In a profession in which one's moral and ethical standards are so frequently and so severely tested, a man of whom this can be said is strong indeed, and deserving of the highest esteen which it is possible for the people to give. To such there is but one ideal of right and justice, and to this he must hold himself as rigidly as he would hold others. The above characterizes Judge Sylvester Durflinger, who was one of the most distinguished citizens of his time, being a widely known and popular lawyer and judge. Sylvester W. Durflinger was born at Lilly Chapel, Madison county, Ohio, on April 20, 1836, the son of Philip and Mary (Lilly) Durflinger, the former a native of Ohio, to which state he came in its early history, the latter a descendant from a very old Virginia family which was of English and French extraction.

Philip Durfinger devoted himself to farming. and after a useful life died in 1839. IIis wife's ancestors emigrated to Ohio as pioneers and located in Ross county, where they became unusually well known and where they amassed considerable wealth. Lilly Chapel was named for this family, and the ground upon which Lilly Chapel was erected was a generous donation from James Lilly, former county commissioner of Madison

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county. Mrs. Mary (Lilly ) Durflinger, the mother of Sylvester W., was married, secondly, to Samuel T. Pearce, of London. She passed away in London ou August 6. 1891.

Sylvester W. Durflinger was one of a family of two children and was educated in the district schools. He early aspired to be an attorney and made his plans with that in view. Having taken the studies preparatory to a collegiate course he matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware when only eighteen years of age, graduat- ing from that famous institution in 1860. Soon afterward he came to London and upon the invitation of the Ilon. R. A. Harrison, entered his law office. After seven months of valuable experience here, he removed to Bloomington, Illinois. When the Civil War broke out this patriot was one of the first to enlist as a private in Company .A, Thirty-third Regimeut. Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Having served four years he was honorably discharged in July, 1865. Returning to his native state he located per- manently in London, where the Republican party, in 1866, nominated and elected him county recorder. He was ambitious for higher honors and availed himself of every spare moment to acquire further knowledge of the law, with the result that he was able to pass a creditable examination and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He early formed a partnership with George W. Wilson, a partnership which lasted many years and resulted in a lifelong friendship.

In 1871 S. W. Durflinger took the next step in his conspicuous public career by being elected prosecuting attorney, a position which he filled with credit for the fol- lowing four years. About this time also he became a member of the board of education. By 1883 Mr. Durflinger had become so well known and so popular that it was an easy matter for him to be elected to the state Senate from the eleventh district, com- prising Clarke. Champaigu and Madison counties. The next milestone in the life of Mr. Durflinger was his election as judge of the court of common pleas, which took place in 1895. Five years previous to this he was appointed by President Mckinley as census director. Another honor of which he was proud was his election as trustee of the Central Insane Asylum, an office which he held for many years. Perhaps, how- ever, the greatest public service which he rendered along purely humanitarian lines was in connection with the Ohio Wesleyan University, his alma mater. In this insti- tution he took a keen interest, giving unsparingly of his time and thought as one of its most distinguished trustees.

Sylvester W. Durflinger was twice married, his first wife being Eliza J. Silver, a native of Madison county, and to her he was married on October 17, 1867. She died on May 23, 1878, leaving two children : Mary K., now Mrs. Edwin M. Knowles, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and Annie L., now a resident of Copenhagen, Denmark. Judge Durflinger was married, secondly, to Mary A. Flannagan, who is still living, in her beau- tiful home north of London. Mary A. Flannagan was born in New York City on November 27. 1858. Three children were born of this union, namely : Florence, wife of Richard D. Logan, of Toledo, Ohio, her birth having been on December 26, 1880; Lillian, now Mrs. Frank Conway, of London, was born on February 28, 1883, and Clarence W., the youngest child. was born on September 15, 1892.

Mrs. Mary A. Durflinger comes of a family with a very interesting political his- tory, her father having been very active in New York politics. She is the daughter of John C. and Mary A. (Maloney ) Flannagan, he being a native of Ardagh, County Roscommon, Ireland, and she a native of the ancient city of Galway. John C. Flanna- gan ran away from school in Ireland and came to New York City in 1840. Being a man of strong personality and with those qualities which make for leadership, he became one of the first members of Tammany Hall which was then being organized. He at first adhered to the principals of the Democratic party, but after much political

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activity in New York, he renounced that party. He was a merchant in New York City until 1868 when he came west and located in Madison county, settling near Plain City on a farm, and in this county he lived the rest of his life. Mr. Flannagan was a representative Irish gentleman and in many ways a remarkable man. He had a. fine education, which was rare for the Irishmen of his time. The latter part of his life was spent near London, during part of which time he lived in Clark county. He died in London. He and his wife were the parents of six children, five of whom are living. His wife died on August 10, 1894, at the age of eighty.

Mrs. Durflinger, the widow of Judge Durflinger, is prominent in the literary and social circles of her home city. She has been a prominent member of the Woman's Relief Corps for thirty years and is one of the leading spirits in the High Street Club and the Women's Federation. It would seem that this cultured woman is, in a way, continuing the life work of her husband and no doubt she still feels the uplifting influence of his strong personality.

Returning to the organizations with which the judge was actively affiliated, perhaps the one closest to his heart was the Grand Army of the Republic, he being a member of Lyon Post No. 121. Next in importance was the college fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, membership in which is a distinct honor, as it indicates a high degree of scholarship. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens may be partially indicated by the fact that for twenty-five years Judge Durflinger was on the board of county school examiners. He was also a member of Chandler Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons. Judge Durflinger was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in April, 1913.

Judge Durffinger was a man of many estimable qualities, one of the most promi- nent of which was his hospitality. He was unusually fond of people, and was never so happy as when surrounded by his friends and loved ones. Thus the home of the judge and his charming wife became a real social center, radiating joy and good cheer to all who came within its beneficent influence. Judge Durflinger was the type of man who, by sheer force of character, inspired confidence and respect. Such are never wanting in public honor, and his section of the state showered upon him nearly. all of the honors which it had to give. Nor was its trust betrayed. This distinguished man discharged every public duty with fidelity and courage, and lived the life of a private citizen with that integrity which endears a man not only to those who know and love him but to the whole community affected by his life.

JAMES T. AND MARY ANN (HARRINGTON) BLACK.

The Black family, of Madison county, Ohio, came to America about the time Washington was first inaugurated President and settled in Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania.

The late James T. Black, one of Madison county's noted citizens, was of this family. He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ozborne) Black. His father was but one year old when his parents came to this country and was of Covenanter ancestry, his family being of the early, hardy Scottish Covenanters who crossed over from Scotland into North Ireland and helped to make up the Presbyterian community of Ulster. Daniel Black and family came, at an early date, from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Madison county.

Hon. James Thomas Black, named for two paternal uncles, was born on August 28, 1831, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and died at Plain City, Ohio, March 6. 1913. In early life he came with his father's family to Ohio, where they located on a farm just east of Plain City. In 1863 Mr. Black removed to Plain City where he

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became one of the most progressive citizens. His efforts in building up his home community and surrounding country made for the betterment of the entire county. He was a worker for good roads, one of his last acts being the signing a petition for a macadamized road past the old home farm, an earnest advocate of efficient drainage and ditching, an ardent believer in good streets and sidewalks, and ever presented the beautifying and refining infinence of shade trees upon the folks who lived in their neighborhood. An amusing incident is recalled in connection with his interest in shade trees. The town conncil had by ordinance made the planting of shade trees compulsory. Once when he and a fellow member of the council were superintending the placing of trees along a certain sidewalk, an irate lady, the owner of the abutting property appeared with a kettle of boiling water and threatened to scald the last man of them.

Mr. Black was almost continuously giving his time, means and talents as village, township and school district officer, but was once defeated as a member of the board of education because he advocated a more than fonr-room school building, the majority saying that four rooms could never be filled, whereas in twenty years the development justified his foresight in that the schools were filling a twelve-room building. He was a member of the General Assembly of Ohio, having conferred npon him the rare compliment of being elected as a Democrat from a Republican county, and here as elsewhere he was a valuable public servant. being greatly interested in whatever touched the farming element and being a foremost champion in preserving the canal systems of the state from spoilers and grabbers for the time when these rights-of-way will be expanded into noble water courses for carrying all kinds of heavy and nonperishable freight, to the great saving to the people.

Mr. Black was in early life a farmer, but ill health forbade his following this occupation. After coming to Plain City he became a successful merchant in the hardware and furniture business. but he always also conducted operations on the farm. In these pursuits he acquired a modest competency, besides giving all his chil- dred college educations. He himself was a finely educated man, having attended Pine Grove and Juniata Academies, then as now, leading Presbyterian institutions of learn- ing in western Pennsylvania. For a time he taught school but he preferred a more active, out-door life. He was a very popular man, had a pleasant word to everyone, was generous to a fault. and kindly in his home. No worthy person was ever turned from his door: he never counted charity.

Mr. Black held membership in Urania Lodge No. 311. Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter. Royal Arch Masons: London Council, Royal and Select Masters and Mt. Vernon Commandery No. 1. Knights Templar, at Columbus, Ohio. He was for many terms worshipful master of his lodge. Ile was the founder of Avery Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, at Hilliards, Ohio, and by request became its first worshipful master.

James T. Black was nited in marriage on January 6, 1857. with Mary Ann Har- rington, daughter of Alvin and Elizabeth (Beach) Harrington. Mary Ann Harrington was born on April 2, 1834, near Amity. Madison county, Ohio, lived practically her entire lifetime within the borders of her native county, and departed this life on December 15. 1912. at Plain City. Mrs. Black's father, descended from Revolutionary War stock. came from Vermont. a Yankee school teacher. to the then wilds of Ohio, settling in Madison county. Her mother's people came to Madison county but little later than 1800. Some of them were refugees from the Canadian colonies, having been exiled and their property confiscated by the British government on account of their sympathies being with the southern colonies in their struggle with the mother country. These, together with those in the New England colonies, were in the Revolutionary War.

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Mrs. Black's people were active in community upbuilding. Her grandfather oper- ated mills and factories at Amity. She had two uncles who were members of the General Assembly of Ohio and a brother, one of the great lawyers of the South, who was speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, and at the time of his death at the early age of thirty-nine years was commissioner from his state to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia.

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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 129

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150