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 134
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Lacy Alkire was married to James B. Anderson in 1884. The history of James B. Anderson will be found in the sketch of James R. Anderson, presented elsewhere in this work. Undaunted by the death of her husband, Mrs. Anderson operated the farm in the same capable manner that had characterized her husband's work. Besides possessing a lifetime lease on one hundred and four acres, Mrs. Anderson owns Fairland township property amounting to fifty acres, and is also a stockholder of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling.
Mrs. Anderson has had no children of her own but she has adopted Thomas B. Wilson, whose parents were John T. and Florence (Alkire) Wilson, and who is a grandson of Senator Thomas B. Wilson. The lad was born on the old "Uncle Billy" Wilson farm in Canaan township.
In spite of her very busy life Mrs. Anderson has found time to be a helpful mem- ber of the First Presbyterian church of Mt. Sterling. to which she has been a generous contributor. There are few professions requiring more arduous labor and careful plan- ning than are necessary in the administration of a farm. One must not only be indus- trious but one must have executive ability in order to make the enterprise yield the largest returns. In order to achieve this result, the subject of this sketch has had
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to possess the same business qualities which characterize her " competitors. That she has succeeded speaks volumes for her ability in this direction. She has not only been hard working and energetic but has been honorable in all of her dealings and most considerate of the feelings and rights of others.
In this volume which is concerned principally with the histories of men, it is of especial interest to include the life history of a woman who has been successful in her line of endeavor.
NELSON H. STONE.
A representative farmer and stock raiser is Nelson H. Stone. Because of his life- long application to his calling he has become one of the leading farmers of this section of the state. As evidence of his ambition and foresight might be given the fact that where others were content to be partial owners of an estate, this man at one time bought out the other heirs, and thus possessed the family property in his own name. Nelson H. Stone was born on the farm which is his present home, on May 9, 1853, a son of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Stone, who were the parents of eleven other children.
William Stone was born in Maryland in 1802, and was a lad when his parents set out from that state to find their new home in the West. They did not unpack their wagons until they reached Madison county, Ohio, where they rented enough land on which to start farming. It was 1830 when William Stone came to the present farm in this township, and although there were no improvements on the land, it appealed to him as being a good investment and he purchased it, paying two dollars and a half an acre. There were sixty-eight acres of timber land and the first task of this pioneer was to clear enough space for his log cabin and log stable. He never lost interest in this farm on which he lived and labored until the day of his death, which occurred in 1879. Elizabeth Jones was born in 1807, in Maryland, and after living a useful and helpful life, passed away on December 9, 1890. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Stone were Methodists.
Nelson H. Stone toiled on the farm of his nativity up to the present time. At the death of his father, in 1879, he became the possessor of the property by purchasing the estate of the heirs, so that he has the original sixty-eight acres, which he has cultivated. Although he was educated only in the local schools he has been a student of the subject of education, and has been honored by being a director on the board for several terms.
The wife of Nelson H. Stone was formerly Harriet Bower, born on July 11, 1852, in Lawrence county, Ohio, the daughter of George and Sophia ( Machling) Bower, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The marriage took place in 1872. When Mrs. Stone's parents came to this county her father was a circuit rider in the United Brethren church, in which capacity he served until his death. He and his wife were the parents of two children.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stone are Elza, who became Mrs. Spangler, now deceased ; Mrs. Leah Lindig, of Madison county ; Mrs. Mary Lightfoot, of Columbus, Ohio ; Mrs. Mattie Mouser, of Madison county, and Mrs. Murl Taylor, of Oak Run town- ship. Besides these, one child died in infancy, Stephen H.
To the church which his father served so long and so well Mr. Stone has made liberal contribution. The father of the subject of this sketch came to this section of the country at such an early date that he had to haul products to and from Spring- field and Circleville, Ohio. Nelson H. Stone inherited many of the worthy qualities of his noble father and mother. These have made him a man of progressive tenden- cies and enterprising spirit as well as of generous impulses which result in an unusual
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degree of consideration for others. Mr. Stone is one of the most highly respected men residing in this township. Ile has been a staunch Republican all his life. On his well-improved farm he carries on general farming and now has the place in a high state of cultivation.
CYRUS R. HORNBECK.
Cyrus R. Hornbeck, son of Cyrus and Elizabeth ( Milliner) Hornbeck, was born on August 28, 1858, at the Hornbeck homestead. two and a half miles from London on the Springfield road, near what is now the state fish hatchery, in Union township.
Two Hornbeck brothers, from one of which the subject of this sketch traces con- nection, immigrated to this country from Holland prior to the. American Revolution. One of these brothers settled in Dutchess county, New York, and many of his descendants live there and in the city of New York. One of the best known of this family is the sheriff of Dutchess county, who recently came into prominence in connection with his pursuit of Harry Thaw into Canada at the time of his escape from Matteawan asylum. The other of these brothers came to Virginia, where he reared a large family. Four of the older members of this family, Simon, Isaac, Michael and Samuel, the father of Cyrus and grandfather of the subject, moved to Ohio, through Kentucky, and were among the earliest settlers in the vicinity of South Solon, this county.
For five generations the name of Hornbeck has been linked with the history of Madison county, viz : Samuel, father of Cyrus; Cyrus, father of Cyrus R. ; Cyrus R .. father of Roscoe G., and Roscoe G., father of Donald W. Hornbeck.
Cyrus Hornbeck, the father of the subject, was born west of Midway, January 27, 1823. His father was Samuel Hornbeck, above referred to. and his mother, Mary ( Hutson) Hornbeck. He married Elizabeth Milliner, daughter of John and Mary ( Slaughter) Milliner and a sister of Peter Slaughter. Elizabeth Milliner was born near Leesburg, Highland county, to which place her parents had come from Halifax county, Virginia, in 1807.
Cyrus Hornbeck was a successful farmer and breeder of Shorthorn cattle, being among the first in this state to specialize in this stock of cattle. At his death, which occurred soon after his enlistment in the Union army, he owned a part of what is now the state prison farm and the state fish hatchery. on the Springfield road, west of London. He died at the age of forty, July 23. 1863, a good citizen, whose early death was widely mourned. He was the father of seven children, Martin. John Q .. Melissa, Sidney E. and Isaac W., all now deceased, and Mary E. Schurr, wife of John Schurr. of Paint township, and Cyrus R., the subject. John Q. Hornbeck was married: the father of two children; enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry and served in the Union army in the Civil War; died at Nash- ville, Tenn. ; was returned to his home and laid away in Paint township cemetery, not having reached his majority, at the age of twenty years. He sacrificed his life and all for the flag.
Left with his mother, brothers and sisters on the farm at the death of his father, Cyrus R. Hornbeck there grew to early manhood. Ile was educated in the common schools of Union township, supplemented by a course of study in Union Christian College at Merom. Indiana, where he prepared himself for the ministry. He was married to Rilla F. Parker, of the adjoining township of Somerford, June 13, 1878. Of this nion. two boys were born, Roscoe G. Hornbeck, judge of the court of common pleas of this county. and Channing C., who died at the age of seven years.
Mr. Hornbeck. for a number of years after marriage, lived n the farm in Union township, then moved to Plattsburg. Clark county, where he conducted a grocery store for a few years, then moved to Lafayette, this county, where he managed a general store. In 1889 he located at London, and in 1890 was elected justice of the peace of Union
C. R. HORNBECK
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township, which office he held for two terms. During his tenure of office as justice of the peace, this being a period when litigation was frequent, he tried hundreds of cases. Although many of these matters were taken to the upper courts, none were reversed for error in the trial below.
While serving as justice of the peace, Mr. Hornbeck studied law and, on March 7, 1895, was admitted to practice in the state courts, later, June 5, 1902, being admitted to practice in the United States district court.
Mr. Hornbeck was a candidae for nomination to the office of probate judge in 1893, but was defeated in convention by L. H. Haner. In 1900 he was nominated and elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Madison county, which office he held for two terms. He gave to this office his best effort and made an enviable record, especially in the success with which he convicted those charged with crime.
Mr. Hornbeck has a knowledge of the fundamental law, a keen power of analysis of fact, fine judgment of human nature and tenacity of purpose, together with a strong sense of duty to his client, which make him a safe and valuable counsellor and a suc- cessful trial lawyer.
In politics he is a Republican and has consistently supported that party. He has always manifested a lively interest in politics and in the success of his friends. Although of much strength in the councils of his party, he has held no official place in its organiza- tion. He has been a hard and open fighter, and consequently has incurred considerable political criticism. His power in politics may be attributed to his capacity for organiza- tion, loyal following, reputation for keeping his political promise and unswerving fealty to his friends. He is a member of the Christian church at Summerford and of the order of the Knights of Pythias at London.
ROBERT W. ARMSTRONG.
Among the well-known farmers and citizens of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, is Robert W. Armstrong, who is a native of this county, born in Range township, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Johnston) Armstrong. .
Samuel Armstrong was born in Union township, and was a son of James Arm- strong and wife, early settlers of Madison county. Sarah Johnston was born in Range township, this county, and was married to Samuel Armstrong here. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Jessie, the wife of Fred Brun- dage, of Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth, living in London; Samuel, a resident of Union township, and Robert W., the youngest born, the immediate subject of this brief review.
Samuel Armstrong was a merchant and live stock dealer, and one of the largest shippers of Madison county. He was a prosperous and influential citizen who took a worthy interest in all public affairs, and was highly respected and esteemed in his community. He died in 1904, and his wife died on October 12, 1897, and is buried at Kirkwood.
Robert W. Armstrong received a common-school education in the public schools of his home township, and lived at home with his parents until his marriage, which took place on October 2, 1902. His wife was Edna B. Weygandt, a daughter of George and Ida May ( Baker) Weygandt, of Grove City, Ohio. George Weygandt was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents when a young man. They set- tled in Franklin county, Ohio, on a farm. Ida May Baker was a native of Franklin county, and was married in that county to George Weygandt, and to this union were born three children, all of whom are living. Mabel is the wife of M. E. Donnely, of Springfield, Ohio. Edna B. is the wife of Mr. Armstrong, and Carl B. is a resident of Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Armstrong's parents are also residents of Springfield, Ohio.
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Mr. and Mrs. Robert Armstrong are the parents of one son, Robert Edgar, who was born on September 22, 1905. Mr. Armstrong is a prominent farmer and stockman of Union township, and operates three hundred acres of the old Fulton Armstrong place,
Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and takes an active interest in local public affairs, and is now serving his third term as president of the township board. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Oak Run Grange, holding his membership in all these lodges at London. Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the Presbyterian church at London.
SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG.
Madison county has been fortunate in the number and character of its farmers, and much of the material prosperity of the county can be attributed to the fact that the farmers have kept abreast of the times. It can hardly be questioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization of a community. If the farmers are progressive and up-to-date, it follows that the standard of living in that community will be high. Thousands of banks have been organized within the last two years in order to supply the needs of the farmers, and, according to one authority, the farmer and his crops furnish the bulk of the money for most of the smaller banks throughout the United States. The wholesome living, which is the good fortune of the farmer, is a factor in keeping up the general tone of the county. The business men of the towns are draw- ing the men for their employees from the country, and everywhere it is noted that the men who are rising to prominence in the various activities of life were born and reared on the farm. Madison county has long been known as one of the very best farming counties of the state. Its excellent farmers have been one of the biggest factors in the material advancement of the county. Among the many excellent farmers of Madi- son county, there is none who stand higher than Samuel C. Armstrong, of Union town- ship. He owns a splendid farm of one hundred and seventy acres, and has just completed the construction of a modern home.
Samuel C. Armstrong was born in Sedalia, Madison county, Ohio, November 17, 1875, and is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Johnson) Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Union township. and the latter in Range township. They were married in Madison county and had seven children, four of whom are living. Three died in infancy. The four living children are Jessie, Elizabeth, Samuel C. and Robert. Jessie is the wife of Fred Brundage, of Columbus. Elizabeth lives in London. Samuel C. is the subject of this sketch. Robert lives in Union township.
Samuel Armstrong was engaged in the mercantile business. He also bought and shipped live stock and was one of the largest shippers in Madison county. Ile died in 1904. His wife died on October 12, 1897.
Samuel Armstrong was the son of James and Nancy ( Fulton) Armstrong, who were married on March 24, 1791, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1814 settled in Madison county, where they built a cabin. One year later James Armstrong brought to Madison county the others of his family who had not come in 1814. He and his wife had eight children. They were farmers all their lives.
Samuel C. Armstrong, the subject of this sketch, received a good common-school education, and on November 17, 1903, was married to Carrie May Murray, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Truitt) Murray, both of whom are natives of Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Armstrong have had two children, both of whom are living. Mary Louise was born on September 21, 1904, and Ruth Elein was born on July 31, 1911.
Mr. Armstrong owns one hundred and seventy acres of fine land in Union town- ship. He is a man who takes a very commendable pride in farming, and his farm shows
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the results of his careful attention. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at London. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Union town- ship school board. The Armstrong home is located five miles southeast of London, in Union township.
CHARLES W. PRINGLE.
Charles W. Pringle, a well-known business man of London, may be justly proud of his ancestry, for as the son of a father noted for his rugged honesty and kindly nature, and of a pious pioneer mother, he comes naturally to distinction in the business and social world. Althoughi a college graduate, Charles W. Pringle was early attracted to mercantile enterprises, and here has he forged his earthly destiny, not forgetting, however, the claims and obligations which good citizenship places upon the stronger members of society in favor of its weaker, dependent members. Charles W. Pringle was born in Fairland township, Madison county, September 6, 1850, his parents being William D. and Catherine (Bales) Pringle. William D. Pringle was born in South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio. Catherine Bales was born in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia.
Charles W. Pringle's boyhood was spent on the farm, where he had plenty of hard work after school hours and during the summer vacations. He first attended the Fairfield township schools, then the West Jefferson Academy, and later Oberlin College, where he took a scientific course, remaining there for four years. After his college course was completed, he helped organize and was the first teller of the Central Bank, now called the Central National Bank of London. For two years he was associated with this bank, then with his brother, J. A. Pringle, he built a grain elevator at Lilly Chapel. For nine years this elevator business was operated under the firm name of Pringle Brothers. Then Charles W. Pringle bought ont his brother's interest and con- ducted the business alone for eight years, when he sold out, and in 1893 removed to London. Here, in partnership with the late William M. Jones, he began the manufac- ture of a patent baking pan, operating this business successfully for six years. Mr. Jones' death ended the partnership.
Being versatile in his tastes and ability Mr. Pringle has not confined himself to purely mercantile business, for during all the years he was engaged in manufacturing and selling he has operated the old homestead farm in Fairfield township.
It was in 1913 that Mr. Pringle began the new line of work in which he is still interested. At that time he bought a half interest with Job J. Clark, who had estab- lished an insurance office in 1871. At the death of Mr. Clark, which occurred on February 28, 1914, Mr. Pringle assumed the business with W. D. Chenoweth, the firm name being Pringle & Chenoweth. Their success was assured from the start, and they now occupy a leading place among local business men.
On May 1. 1884, Charles W. Pringle was married to Minnie L. Snyder, a daughter of John and Drusilla Snyder, living near Lafayette, in this county. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pringle, these being Mabel L. and Emma M., the latter is now a student at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.
The subject of this biography is held in high esteem in the community in which he lives. C. W. Pringle is a prominent Mason of London, and like his father a mem- ber of the Republican party. Some light is shed upon the estimable character of the subject of this sketch by reference to the life and personality of his esteemed father. The latter was a Virigina slave holder and was well-to-do, but convinced that slavery was wrong, before the war set his slaves free, and came to Ohio. He was a great admirer of Lincoln, who, it is evident, had a strong influence upon him.
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JESSE S. BOWER.
Widely known on account of varied business relations and personally held in high esteem as a man of strong character and usefulness, Jesse S. Bower is entitled to a place of honor in the ranks of those who have fought for the political and agricultural interests of Madison county. Possessing the strong mind and true information as to public wants and needs, he has often been called upon to exercise his powers in muni- cipal affairs. The various lines of work in which he has, at different times in his life, been engaged would lead one to believe that he could make a success of everything he undertook.
Jesse S. Bower, who is now living on his farm in Pleasant township, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 17th of January, 1845. He is the son of George H. Bower, born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of August, 1810, and Sophia Mechling, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, who died in 1885, at the age of forty-five years. George II. and Sophia (Mechling) Bower reared an interesting family of ten children, The eldest child. Manual, was poisoned in the Civil War and died shortly afterward. The other members of the family are: Joseph, who died on April 6, 1914, at Derby, Ohio; Henry, who lives in Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Speed G., who lives on the home place : John. deceased ; Mrs. Sarah Francis, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Leah Tracy, who is a widow ; Mrs. Harriet Stone, of Madison county, Ohio; Mrs. Alice Clark, of Union coun- ty, Ohio, and Jesse S. George H. Bower, the father of Jesse S. Bower, died in 1872.
George H. Bower, who was the son of Michael and Sarah Bower, natives of Penn- sylvania, came to Ohio when a young man and worked at the shoemaker's trade near Lancaster. Fairfield county. In 1850, through a true desire to aid and uplift his fellow men, he entered the ministry of the United Brethren church, and became one of the pioneer circuit riders, his travels taking him all over the southwestern part of Ohio. In this vocation he proved himself a true soldier of the church. As he was obliged to be away from home for many weeks at a time. he soon saw the necessity of buying a permanent home for his wife and children and this resulted in his purchasing a forty-one acre farm in Pleasant township. Madison county, Ohio, in the year 1857. His last work as a missionary of his faith was in the sonthern part of Ohio, where the expression of his zeal left a deep impress upon those whose lives were touched by his.
Jesse S. Bower was reared on the farm in Pleasant township, where he remained until 1861, when the change of conditions brought about by the Civil War. caused him to learn the blacksmith's trade in Perry county. He enlisted at London, Ohio, in Com- pany B. Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. He was in the battle of Guntown. Mississippi, and as a result was taken prisoner and sent to the Andersonville prison, where he remained ten months and eighteen days. When he was liberated he was sent back to Camp Chase and there received his discharge on the 27th of June. 1865.
In 1867 Jesse S. Bower married Minerva Stone, who was born in Pleasant town- ship, on the 2nd of April, in 1848, and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Holloway) Stone. For two years he worked on a farm in Illinois, and the two years following were spent on a farm in Madison county. The blacksmith's trade, however, still held a fascination for Mr. Bower, and in 1869, he returned to his former occupa- tion, where he remained until the opportunity came to open a general store. which he took advantage of in 1885. Later, after he had' received a postoffice appointment. he had charge of a rural route from Lilly Chapel to Nioga and return. The farm on which he now lives contains one hundred and fifty acres, and is an extension of the thirty-one acre farm which he bonght in 1889.
In politics Mr. Bower has given his ardent support to the cause of the Republican party, and his political friends have honored him in many ways in recognition of his ability and interest. He has held the office of justice of the peace and has had experi-
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ence as constable in his district. Following the teachings of his father, Mr. Bower continues to be an active member of the church of the United Brethren, and is the oldest living member of the Denison Chapel, in Fairfield township. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. and Mrs. Bower are the parents of ten children, three of whom died in infancy, those who survived are George, who lives at the home place; Mrs. Fleeta Jones, who is living in Madison county ; Mrs. Mary Anderson, of Pleasant township, Madison county ; Nelson, of Harrisburg, Ohio; Earl, who is farming on the home place; Frank, who is employed in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and Hattie who makes her home with her parents.
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