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 133
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BEN EMERY.
The venerable Ben Emery, a retired citizen of London, Madison county, Ohio, is a . veteran of the Civil War, who has lived a long and useful life and who has filled many positions of trust and responsibility within the gift of the people of this county. He served two terms, a period of four years, as sheriff of Madison county, and was theu elected to the important office of county treasurer, in which he served another period of four years, retiring from the latter office in 1898. During his entire life he has been active in the councils of the Republican party and is known as one of the leaders of the party in this section of the state.
Born near Wheeling. Virginia, October 6. 1839, Ben Emery, at the age of eight years, came with his parents to Warren county, Ohio, where they both died. They were Benjamin and Ellen (Nevitt) Emery, the former of whom was born and reared iu Virginia. the son of John Emery, who immigrated to Virginia from Maryland. He was the son of William Emery, a soldier in the Revolutionary army from the state of Maryland. His record as a soldier has been supplied to the Emery family by the United States commissioner of pensions. John Emery, the son of William, was married in Virginia. Benjamin Emery was a carpenter by trade and died in Warren county at the age of eighty-three or eighty-four years, leaving three sous, who came to Madi- sou county : Perry, who was a farmer in Range township for several years, but who lett the county before the Civil War; William, who also lived in Range township, but who left before the war, and Ben. the subject of this sketch.
Beu Emery came to Madison county to join his brothers when a lad of about twelve years. He lived with I. B. Fisher, in Range township, for ten years and kept himself on wages of ten to fifteen dollars a month. Ever since Mr. Emery was a lad he has saved money. During the time he lived with Mr. Fisher, he completed his edu- cation in the common schools, Remaining in Madison county until his brothers had lett the county, Ben Emery enlisted in April, 1861, at the first call of President Lincoln for volunteers for three months, in the Seventeenth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and became a private in Company C. He saw scouting service in West Virginia and, at the expiration of his term of service in 1861, re-enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This company was recruited in Madison county and was commanded by Capt. James Watson. It was recruited for three years' service. Mr. Emery was with the command during this entire period. He served for one year in Eastern Kentucky and, after the battle of Murfreesboro, the regiment was sent into
BEN EMERY.
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Tennessee and took part in the Chattanooga campaign. Later it participated in Sher- man's campaign against Atlanta. Mr. Emery was discharged after the fall of Atlanta. From the time of his enlistment until his discharge, he was promoted from corporal to sergeant and was constantly with his regiment. During this period he was often in command of scouting squads. Subsequently he was employed by the government as a teamster and sent to Missouri. Here he was crippled, discharged and sent home. Mr. Emery returned to Madison county, Ohio, and resumed farming near London, in Union township, farming there until his election to the office of county sheriff.
On May 1, 1867, two years after the close of the war, Ben Emery was married to Caroline Chrisman, the daughter of Peyton and Clara ( Kenton) Chrisman, and a native of London. Mrs. Emery's father was, at one time, auditor of Madison county. He was the son of Isaac and Martha Caroline ( Evans) Chrisman, the latter of whom was born in Rockingham county, Virginia. After giving birth to one son, she passed away early in life. Peyton Chrisman was a farmer near London. He lived on the old Kenton homestead, eight miles south of London, a farm which is still held by his heirs, including Mrs. Emery, who was the eldest of four children. Peyton Chrisman died on April 19, 1878, at the age of fifty-three years. He had spent practically all of his life in the state of Ohio, having come from his old home in Rockingham county, Virginia, with his parents.
Peyton Chrisman's wife, who before her marriage was Clara Kenton, was born in 1829, in Range township, Madison county, on the old Kenton farm and died on October 16, 1889. Her whole life was spent on the farm where she was born, She was the daughter of Simon and Phoebe ( Baker) Kenton, the former of whom was a nephew of the noted Indian fighter and hunter, Simon Kenton, of Kentucky. He was probably born in Kentucky and came to Madison county when a young man. The old Kenton home is a double log house of two stories. Simon Kenton was a well-known cattle drover during his day and generation, and drove cattle over the mountains to Phila- delphia. His home, in fact, was a station for drovers. It is said that even turkeys were driven over the mountains to Philadelphia, and Simon Kenton's house was a stopping place for the drovers. Ile obtained a tract of four thousand acres of land and here he spent practically all of his life. His wife was accustomed to gather np the stock in his absence and, on his return, he would find a sufficient number gathered for the market.
Mr. and Mrs. Emery have had seven children, namely : Peyton Randolph, who is an attorney at London, and an account of his life history is found elsewhere in this volume; E. Annette, who is the wife of Edwin Baird, of South Charleston, Ohio; Clara Frances, who is the wife of Walter Converse, of London; Helen Louise, who is the wife of J. C. Davidson, of Columbus; Maud H., who is the wife of Angus Bonner, of Madison county ; Angus B., who is a merchant at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Richard Kenton, who is at home. The latter spent two years on a sugar plantation in Cuba and also some time in Santo Domingo.
Mr. Emery is known as one of the most successful citizens of Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Emery own a considerable part of the old Kenton estate and have a com- fortable competence. Aside from the positions of trust and responsibility which Mr. Emery filled as a Republican, he has been active in the conventions of the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as senior vice-commander. He was one of the com- mittee of veterans to locate the lines of his regiment at Chickamauga for the erection of the monument. He attended the dedication of the monument. The Emery family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the early days, Mr. Emery enjoyed fox hunting and kept a pack of foxhounds. This was a sport which Mr. Emery thor- oughly enjoyed, but one which he abandoned many years ago.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
HENRY WARNER.
The events of modern life are so absorbing in their interest and so rapid in suc- cession, that it is well, now and then, to pause and consider the labors of preceding generations, and to spread a garland at the feet of those who have made the way more easy, or at least, to hold such in grateful remembrance. Those sturdy, far- seeing ones of other years who sowed and planted and builded for future generations "builded better than they knew," for upon their work and sacrifice has modern civili- zation grown. One of the goodly company who converted the waste places of this county into beauty and usefulness was Henry Warner, a man of great force of char- acter and rugged patriotism. The gentleman whose career is here considered was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, nine miles from Alexandria, in a beautiful place on the Potomac river, the date being June 15, 1795. He came of fine old Southern stock, being the son of William and Betsy (Denty) Warner, both natives of the state in which Henry was born.
Mr. Warner came of a long-lived family, his grandfather having attained the age of one hundred and four years, his father, eighty-eight, and his brother, the late William Warner of London, ninety-four. Coming to this state with his parents and grandparents in 1805, he settled in Belmont county, removing to London in 1812, and lived here until his death, a period of sixty-four years. During this time, unlike the average American, he never lived in any other place. At the time Mr. Warner came here, London was only a collection of less than a dozen huts, and with faith in the future. he and Judge Patrick McLane laid out the town.
During his day Henry Warner was a prominent merchant, surveyor and dealer in real estate and besides these personal interests he held several connty offices. He was for four years sheriff of Madison county, for fourteen years county treasurer, being elected in 1834, and for a number of years was connty surveyor. He retired from business more than twenty years prior to his death. By industry, frngality, sonnd sense and force of character, he became possessed of a considerable fortune. Many anecdotes are related by old citizens of his rigid honesty and eccentricity-for honest he was, and eccentric to a marked degree. Kind of heart when convinced of duty, or when charity deserved, he was, nevertheless, one of the most sarcastic of men. Mr. Warner exhibited remarkable will power and fortitude during the latter part of his life. for he was an invalid for thirty years before his death, during which time he was patient and gentle.
On February 27, 1823, Henry Warner was married to Keturah H. Gosslee, a daugh- ter of Richard Goslee, who was born in Sussex county, Maryland, in 1781, and who died in London on November 26, 1872, at the age of ninety-one. Mr. Goslee emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, in 1804. and to Madison county in 1816. Before his death he represented the oldest of five generations living in London. He was married three times and left fourteen children, thirty grandchildren, more than thirty great-grand- children, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Warner became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living, as follow : Mrs. R. A. Harrison, of Columbus, Ohio, who is now in her eighty- seventh year: Capt. James R. Warner: Genl. D. B. Warner. United States consul at St. John. New Brunswick: Mrs. Eliza Baker, of Chicago; Mrs. Ara Myers, of New York City, and Miss Mary Warner. The late Mrs. William Riddle, of London, was another daughter. Mrs. Riddle died at the age of eighty-five, Mrs. Warner, the mother of these distinguished children died at the age of ninety-four in London.
Mr. Warner found expression for his religious faith in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he and his family were devout and helpful members. In politics he was a Whig until the Republican party came into existence, and with the latter party
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he was afterward affiliated. This worthy gentleman of the old school, a man who, without seeking, would have found prominence in any community, passed away on Friday, January 31, 1879.
It is impossible to estimate the good achieved and the wide influence of such a man as we have here briefly portrayed. His brilliant mind made association with him a rare pleasure. In both his pubile and private life Mr. Warner was a benefactor to his kind. As public official he was conscientious, fearless, and faithful to every trust. As a private citizen, he was loyal and sought ever to realize the highest ideals. As a husband and father, he was kind and devoted. To such men, the following gener- ations owe a debt of profound gratitude.
HARLAND E. PARRETT.
The pioneer farmers of Ohio command a secure place in popular confidence and esteem, not only on account of the courage and fortitude which prompted them to brave the dangers of primeval forests, but because of their ability to convert such tracts of wilderness into lasting places of social activity. Among the farmers of the present day who have merited distinction in Madison county, is Harland E. Parrett, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Ohio.
Harland E. Parrett was born on the 9th of January, 1866, in Fayette county, Ohio. After attending the public schools of Madison Mills, Ohio, he remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he rented a tract of land from bis father and began farming for himself. The farm proved to be a success under his manage- ment and after seven years Mr. Parrett was able to buy one hundred acres of land near Florence, Alabama. On that farm he raised a crop of corn and cotton, then availed himself of an opportunity to sell the land and went back to Ohio, where he located for a time at Mt. Sterling. One of the interesting facts regarding the return trip from Alabama is that Mr. Parrett drove his own team all the way. On his arrival in Mt. Sterling, he worked as a laborer, putting in the waterworks. Three months later he rented a farm in Fayette county, Ohio. At the end of a year's work on the farm, he became interested in a tract of land in Pleasant township, Madison county ; this result- ed in his renting the land for eight years. His satisfaction regarding the richness of the soil and the desirable lay of the land in Madison county, led to the establishment of a permanent residence in this locality. Before buying the Joe Robison farm, where he lives now, Mr. Parrett sold six acres of land in McClimansville, Ohio. On the former place he has made some very extensive improvements, including the laying of four hundred rods of tiling. He has confined his land purchases exclusively, of recent years, to Pleasant township, where he owns three hundred and fifty-four acres of land. Aside from raising an especially fine quality of corn, which he has exhibited at Mt. Sterling, Mr. Parrett is a breeder of Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs.
Harland E. Parrett is the son of George and Amelia (Bush) Parrett. His father was born on the 19th of January, 1835, in Fayette county, Ohio, and enjoyed many years of agricultural life. He was a stockman and farmer until his death, which occurred on July 4, 1913. His wife is the daughter of Jacob Bush, a native of Indiana, who had the experience, not uncommon to many of the earliest settlers, of being pur- sued by Indians. The Bush family finally settled in Ohio. Amelia (Bush) Parrett, who was the mother of twelve children, is living at Madison Mills, Ohio. She was born in 1839. The father of George Parrett was a native of Tennessee.
In Fayette county, Ohio, in 1887, Harland E. Parrett was united in marriage to Minnie Puckett, who was born in Fayette county on the 17th of April, 1871. She is the daughter of William and Maria J. (Riggen) Puckett, both identified with the early history of Madison county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Parrett nine children were
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born, two of whom died in infancy. The survivors are: Marvin, who married Edna Graham, and lives in Pleasant towuship; Mrs. Marie Dick, who resides in Mt. Sterling; Mrs. Pearl Downs, who lives in Xenia, Ohio; William, who married Mary Morian and is farming in Madison county, and Glenn, Willard and Robert, who are living at home.
Mr. Parrett is keeuly alert and public spirited iu his civic attitude and accords a strong allegiance to the Progressive party. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a firm believer in the Methodist doctrines and is interested in the advancement of education in Pleasant township, where he serves as school director. In reviewing the life of Mr. Parrett the qualities of persistence and integrity are notably prominent. Back of the impor- tant moves which have led to his success in life has been a driving ambition to make his efforts couut for something worth while.
JOHN M. OGLESBEE.
If one were to look through Pleasant township, this county, for a citizen who, all of his life, has been conscientious in his work, and loyal in his family obligations, that person need not look further than the home of John M. Oglesbee. Unlike most young men, he remained under the paternal roof after his school days and early manhood were passed and dutifully assumed the cares incident in farm life as his father grew older and less able to be active. By hard work and application to business it has been possible for him to increase the real estate holdings of the family from eighty-seven to one hundred and forty-nine acres and to become a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, Ohio.
John M. Oglesbee was born on August 5. 1858, in Pleasant township, Madison county, on the farm which he has made his home ever since. He was the son of John and Mary (Long) Oglesbee, who were the parents of four children. John Ogles- bee, Sr., was a native of Greene county, Ohio, being born there on March 17. 1810. on the ground which is now occupied by Spring Valley. His early days were spent on a farm, but he came to Madison county with his parents about the year 1834. He worked for his father for two years, receiving in payment for his labor fifty acres of land. Besides this he drove a freight wagon aud delivered products from Spring- field. Ohio, to the inland towns of Circleville and Dayton. At that time London, Ohio, the county seat, consisted of only a few log cabins. At the time of his death in 1907, this pioneer agriculturist had managed to acquire eighty-seven acres of land. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, who did her share toward increasing the family income in those many ways known only to the farmer's wife, was born in 1819, in Pickaway county, and passed away four years after the death of her hus- band. The following children formed the family circle of this worthy couple: Edithia, who died in infancy ; Mrs. Phoebe E. Duncan, of Sedalia, Ohio; Mathilda, deceased, and John M.
John M. Oglesbee was able by thrift and perseverance not only to keep the property which he had acquired from his father, but to increase this considerably. His boy- hood was like that of other farmer's boys, both in his education, which was obtained at the district schools, and in his work and play. He was content to remain at home and to assume each duty manfully as it appeared, taking charge of the farm from the year 1880. After the death of his parents he became sole owner of the land. To this inheritance he added enough acres of well-improved land to give him in all one Indred and forty-nine acres, twenty-five of which are in natural timber. He takes nench pleasure in the possession of his modern house and barn which he built in 1913, and one of his chief sources of pride is his high-grade stock, of which he has a large quantity. He is also a shareholder in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling.
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In 1884 John M. Oglesbee was married to Mary Graham, who was born in this township in 1860. She is the daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Graham. An only danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Oglesbee is Mrs. Milda Bower, of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Oglesbee are earnest members of the Christian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Oglesbee have lived so long in this community that theirs is a wide acquaintance. By frngality in the early days, and ceaseless work, Mr. Oglesbee has acquired not only property, but an honorable name, which he may be proud to hand down to the next generation. He is known for his honest dealings and his principles of integrity.
WILLIAM H. RIDDLE.
So often is it fonnd that those who are conspicnous in the business, professional and social life of their home town are the children of parents similarly conspicnons in their generation, that "like father like sou" expresses only a truism. William H. Riddle was born in London on November 6, 1860, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Warner) Riddle, the former a native of Mt. Sterling, Madison county, the latter a native of London. The paternal grandfather, Henry Warner, was a man of nnusual gifts. He was a scion of one of the old pioneer families of this county.
William H. Riddle received an education rather above the average, for after graduating from the London high school in 1879 he attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware for two years. However. attracted to business enterprises, in 1882 he became associated with E. J. Robison, a London druggist. The firm name was Robison & Riddle and this business alliance continned for seven years. Between the years 1884 and 1894 Mr. Riddle served as deputy county treasurer under A. Tanner, W. M. Jones and John T. Vent. He will be remembered in local history as timekeeper and paymaster for the contractors who built the Madison county court honse. At the expiration of Mr. Vent's term of office as county treasurer, he and Mr. Riddle became engaged in the grain business, at Sedalia. Madison county, a business in which both are still actively interested. These men are owners of a large elevator and do an extensive business under the firm name of Vent & Riddle. Besides handling grain, they sell coal, cement products, lumber, feeds, etc. They also feed some stock
Mr. Riddle has never relinquished his connection with farm life, and with his sister, Mrs. Sarah K. Robison, owns and manages a farm of six hundred and sixty acres in Range township.
Mrs. Mary Snyder. a charming young woman of London, became the wife of William H. Riddle on August 28, 1911. To them twin boys were born on July 6, 1913, these being William Henry and James McClain. Mrs. Riddle is the daughter of James A. McClain, of Fayette connty, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Riddle is one of the picturesque and beautiful places which makes London an attractive city.
William H. Riddle is sought after by various organizations in whose work and purposes he is interested. He is a Mason, of which organization he is a past master; a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge; a Shriner and a Knight Templar. He belongs to Mt. Vernon Commandery No. 1. of Columbus, and the 'Aladdin Temple of the same city. Among local Republican politicians Mr. Riddle is well known and has served two terms as a member of the city council. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The life of Mr. Riddle has been one of great activity. but in spite of this fact he has not been unmindful of the obligations of society. Mr. Riddle has those graces of character which endear any man to those among whom his life has been spent, and his place in this published work is merited by fact that in his community he has risen to `an enviable place in the business and social and religious life.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
MRS. LACY ANDERSON.
There are few to whom the day does not bring a return of the tasks that grow irksome and of duties that one would fain neglect. But the stout heart does not ask how nor why. It shoulders the burden and bears it uncomplainingly, deeming as inci- dents the events and circumstances which to others would be insurmountable obstacles. Below are given a few of the facts concerning a life remarkable for its tenacity of purpose, its clearness of vision and its executive ability. Mrs. Anderson's life has been one full of interest as well as unusual activity. Left a widow by the death of her husband, Mrs. Anderson has bravely borne the burdens which usually fall to the lot of man. She is a native of Mt. Sterling, having been born near there on January 25, 1857, the place of her birth being where a part of the Mt. Sterling cemetery now is located. She is the daughter of Robert H. and Harriet ( Fitzgerald) Alkire, prominent citizens of this region.
Robert H. Alkire was born on October 14, 1830, on the same farm which afterward became the birthplace of his daughter and his own permanent residence. He died near Big Plains on January 8, 1912. His parents were William and Katherine (Neff) Alkire, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of William were Robert and Elizabeth (Douglas) Alkire, who originally came from the state of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Alkire were the parents of the following children. Lacy, the subject of this sketch; Lydia M., deceased ; Catherine, of Fairfield township; Edward W., a lumber merchant at Columbus, Ohio; Ella M., who died on February 2, 1915; George F., who married J. T. Graham and is living at Columbus; Florence M., who became Mrs. J. T. Wilson, and is now deceased, and Belle W., who is now Mrs. Bell, of Columbus.
In 1815, Robert H. Alkire and James B. Anderson became parties to what after- ward transpired to be a romance, for they drove a herd of cattle from Mt. Sterling, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lacy Alkire later became Mr. Anderson's wife, but neither of the two men had the slightest idea at that time that the daughter of one of them would be the wife of the other.
Lacy Alkire had only such training for her future career as would come naturally to the daughter of a farmer. She had no other schooling besides that acquired in the "little red school house" of Fairfield township, to which township her father had moved in 1862. and the high school of London, in which she studied for one term and qualified as a teacher but never taught.
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