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 135
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WILLIAM PAYNE.
Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Madison county, Ohio, one who has figured in the growth and development of the agricultural and commercial interests of this favored section. His interests have been identified with its progress and have contributed in a definite measure to the well-being of the community where he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have been among his most prominent charac- teristics. William Payne merits the respect and esteem which is freely accorded to him by the people of Union township.
William Payne was born in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, May 4, 1857, the son of Samuel and Sarah ( Black) Payne, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 20, 1820. The late Samuel Payne was the son of Jesse and Ann ( Griffith) Payne, who were natives of Maryland, but of English and German descent, respectively. They came to Madison county in the latter part of 1820 and settled seven miles southeast of London. Samuel Payne was married in 1858 to Sarah Black and they were the parents of two children, William, the subject of this sketch. and Lydia, who married John T. Armstrong. Mr. and Mrs. John T. Armstrong moved to Illinois and settled ou a farm, where Mrs. Armstrong died in October, 1902. Mr. Armstrong died in 1903. They had a family of six children, two of whom, Grant C. and Archie, are living in Illinois. Samuel Payne followed farming throughout his life, but in his early years drove cattle from Madison county to Philadelphia. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ile died on August 24. 1909. His wife died five years previously on August 24, 1904.
Reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Madison county. William Payne, at the age of seventeen, began life on his own responsibility. For some time lie farmed, purchased feed and shipped cattle. Few meu are better judges of cattle than Mr. Payne. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of splendid land, which is well improved, and upon which he has put most of the improvements. The Payne farm is located about four miles southeast of London in Union township.
On December 24, 1891, William Payne was married to Anna Eggelinge, of Hills- boro, Highland county, Ohio. Mrs. Payne is the daughter of Edward and Lillian Eggelinge, the former of whom was a native of Germany and came to the United States when a young man. After landing in New York City, where be remained for a short time in 1849 during the gold fever, he went west to California. Later he settled at Hillsboro, Ohio, and was engaged in the wholesale liquor business for a number of years. He died about 1885 and his wife, who survived him many years, died in August, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Payne have no children.
It is a matter of interest that William Payne is not a political partisan, but is
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MADISON COUNTY, OIIIO.
independent in his political thoughts and actions. He votes for the best man regardless of what ticket he is on. Mr. Payne raises purebred Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. He also, for many years, has made a specialty of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens.
JOHN WILSON PARKER, M. D.
John Wilson Parker was born at Lowell, Michigan, January 14, 1872, the son of Wilson J. and Margaret ( Skidmore) Parker. He went with his parents to Vermont- ville, Michigan, when he was four years of age. After graduating from the Vermont- ville high school in 1889. he attended Olivet College for two years. He then had medical training at the Chicago Homeopathic College for four years, graduating in 1900. He served as interne in the Chicago Homeopathic Hospital one year and prac- ticed in South Chicago for a similar length of time, thus adding to the experience which was later to make him one of the county's most efficient physicians. It was 1901 when Doctor Parker moved to London, Madison county, Ohio.
On May 26, 1904, John Wilson Parker was married to Grace Phifer, a woman of unusual gifts and of strong personality. To them have been born one child, Albert Phifer Parker, born on April 7. 1908. He is now a student in school.
Doctor Parker, by reason of his careful medical training and his personal fitness for his profession has built up a large practice not only in London, but in the sur- rounding country. He is popular both as a physician and in private life. Doctor Parker is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society. He has served as secretary, and later as president, of the Madison County Medical Society. The people showed their confidence in him when they made him their health officer, and for six years he was engaged in improving local sanitary conditions. Doctor Parker is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Besides fulfilling her destiny as a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Grace Parker has occupied an even broader sphere as a woman of culture and intellectual attain- ment. As far back as her early school days, she was an ardent student. attending first the country school and was graduated from the London high school in 1894. She was then fortunate enough to be able to enroll as a student at Harcourt Place Semin- ary in Gambier, graduating from that institution in 1896. She then went to Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, at which institution her studies were princi- pally in oratory. art and music. With such splendid training added to her native gifts, it is not to be wondered at that Mrs. Parker has taken her place in the com- munity, a place as distinguished among women as is her husband's career among men.
It may truly be said that Mrs. Parker is a leader. She is an active and enthusias- tic member of the Women's Club of London; is chairman of the civic committee of the London Civic Federation; and has been especially prominent in Pomona Grange, an order of which she has been a lecturer for several years and in which she has held most of the local offices. It is through the life and work of such women as Mrs. Parker that the whole community receives inspiration and uplift. Such women teach not only through the power of example. but through the subtle influence of person- ality.' It is impossible to estimate the good thus accomplished, for the reason that it cannot be measured by the ordinary standards of profit. The community in which Mrs. Parker has spent most of her life has shown that it recognizes its obligation by according to her the official positions which are given only to the capable and strong. A physician's wife has so many opportunities for service along humanitarian lines that are not possible to other women that she seems particularly blest, and these opportunities are well filled by Mrs. J. W. Parker.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO,
GEORGE DORN.
It has been said that the essentials that go to make up a successful banker are "a good mind, a fair education, honesty, a strong will and industry," These George Dorn undoubtedly possesses, for from a farmer's boy he has risen to a position in the public confidence that not only has made him a bank cashier, but mayor of an Ohio town. More fortunate than some of his colleagues, he was permitted to learn the principles of business under the instructions of a wise and God-fearing father. And in addition to this, he had the innate qualities of head and heart that must be possessed by all who rise above the average in life's struggle for existence. George Dorn, banker and former mayor of Sedalia, was born on January 30, 1874, in Ross county, Ohio, and his parents, Peter and Katherine (Uhrig) Dorn, are still living.
Peter Dorn, who was born on October 18. 1838. in Baden, Germany, came to this country with his parents when he was a lad of fourteen years, settling in Chillicothe, Ohio. His father, the grandfather of George Dorn, died in 1854, in Ross county, dur- ing the cholera epidemic, two years after his arrival in this country, and his wife was left to struggle through the hardships of pioneer life alone. Too much cannot be said in praise of such noble womanhood. She bought land in Ross county, and there brought up her little brood. Peter Dorn was taught the principals of farming, a voca- tion which he followed for fifteen years. He is now president of the Farmers Bank of Sedalia. He accumulated about one thousand acres of land in Madison and Fayette counties, which he subsequently divided among his children.
The mother of George Dorn was born on March 10, 1842, in Baden, Germany, leaving there about 1856, with her parents, who located in Ross county, Ohio. Mrs. Katherine Dorn is living and. like her husband is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dorn were the parents of fourteen children as follow: William (deceased), Edward, Anna B. (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Charles, Lucy, Henry, Phillip (deceased). George, Frederick W., Lina May, Florence, Frank P. and Walter F.
George Dorn spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attending the district school of Range township. This building is known as the Dorn school, being built by his father on the family estate for whom it was afterwards named. For the use of this school Mr. Dorn gave an acre of land. When George Dorn had reached his twentieth year he entered upon a business career in association with his father, who owned a general merchandise and implement store at Madison Mills, Fayette county, Ohio. For eight years they carried on a successful business. then selling out they came to Sedalia and organized the bank of which George became the cashier and manager. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling. Not limiting his interests. however, to financial enterprises, George Dorn owns one hundred acres of well- improved land on which he has built a splendid seven-room house and large barn as well as good substantial fences.
The marriage of George Dorn and Lena Terry was solemnized on August 1. 1895. his bride being born in October, 1876, in Logan county, Ohio, the daughter of Silas and Eliza (Bostwick) Terry, natives of Ohio. Four children have been born in this home, namely. Raymond, a graduate of the Sedalia high school; Martha, Ethel M. and Clarence E.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorn are prominent members of the Presbyterian church, and the former belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted Masons. While living at Madison Mills, Mr. Dorn served one term as treasurer of Madison township. During his residence in this township, where he has always been regarded as a man of forceful character and generous impulses, few have been better known or more highly respected than the subject of this review.
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MADISON COUNTY. OHIO.
HON. ROSCOE G. HORNBECK.
Roscoe G. Hornbeck, judge of the court of common pleas of Madison county, son of Cyrus R. and Rilla F. Horubeck, was born August 18, 1879, two and one-half miles west of London, in Union township, Madison county, Ohio. For a more complete history of the Hornbeck family, reference is made to the biography of Cyrus R. Horubeck, elsewhere in this work. A native of Madison county, Judge Hornbeck has spent practically all of his life here. His early education was secured in the district schools of Union and Deer Creek townships and in Plattsburg. Clark county. At the age of ten, he entered the public schools of London, from the high school of which he graduated as president of his class in 1899. Afterward he attended Ohio Northern University at Ada, then entered the Law College of the Ohio State University in 1900, which institution he attended for two years and, while in this school, was admitted to practice law in this state in June, 1903; and five years later, in 190S, in the district court of the United States. He took office with his father in London and began the practice of law in 1903 where he followed his profession until elected to the office which he now holds.
Soon after coming to London. Judge Hornbeck was employed as a newsboy for the only daily newspaper London ever boasted, the Daily Nickel Plate, edited and published by the late A. J. Heintzleman. He often refers to the tronble sometimes experienced by the editor and his assistants in getting the paper off the press and to the subscribers on the same day. It was common occurrence to distribute the papers through the village as late as nine o'clock p. m.
A Republican in politics, he has been active in his party siuce becoming of age and has served as central and executive committeeman and for five years as secretary of the Madison county executive committee.
On January 13, 1909, he was appointed postmaster at London by President Roosevelt and at the expiration of the first term was promptly reappointed by President Taft. Because of a change of administration soon after his second appointment, it was not confirmed and he served but a few months of his second term.
Many sweeping changes were made in the postal service during his tenure of office. the principal of which was the establishment of the postal savings system. instituted at the London office September 19, 1911. and the parcel post, begun January 1, 1913. Strictly local changes, such as extension of rural routes, increase of clerical force, rearrangement of equipment, and a general systematizing of the work of the office, were also made. The city free delivery of mail was also established during his term and largely through his efforts, on January 1. 1911, giving to the village of London mail delivery service not excelled in any city.
In the Republican primaries of August. 1914. Mr. Hornbeck was nominated for the office of counnon pleas judge of Madison county, and in the following November was elected over two aggressive opponents, a Democratic nominee and an independent nominee, achieving a notable victory in one of the greatest political battles ever waged in Madison county. He was the first judge to be chosen in Madison county under the law giving to each county in the state one or more common pleas judges. He was elected pledged to two propositions, viz. : prompt action in lawsuits and opposition to needless technicality in construing the law. In furtherance of these pledges. he has inaugurated a plan of hear- ing motions and demurrers promptly after being filed and of enforcing a rule of practice which provides for the dismissal of cases for want of prosecution which remain on the docket for more than three terms without action. He has also recognized the evil of hasty divorce and will grant no decree for divorce until thirty days have elapsed after the case is heard. Ile has been on the bench since January 1, 1915, and, although one of the youngest jurists in the state, is giving to his duties a degree of care and atten- tion that fully meets the exacting requirements of the office.
HON. ROSCOE G. HORNBECK
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
On November 22, 1901, Judge Hornbeck was united in marriage to Gertrude Warner, who was born and reared in London, a member of one of the oldest families of the town, her uncle, Patrick McClain, having been the founder of the village of London.
Of this marriage, four children have been born, Donald Warner, Marian Elizabeth, Ruth Arline and Helen Louise, deceased. Donald, aged thirteen, is locally quite famous as a drummer and musician and is almost as widely known as his father. Judge Horn- beck and wife also take considerable interest in vocal music and have sung in many of the choirs of London and in numerous local musical events. They are warmly interested in the advancement of the community and are popular with all who know them.
Judge Hornbeck is alive to the business interests of the city and county. He was one of the organizers of the London Board of Trade, served as its secretary and is now on the board of directors. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council of the Masonic fraternity, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.
ALBERT THEODORE PHIFER.
Albert Theodore Phifer was born in Paint township, this county, March 25, 1844, and was the son of James and Phoebe ( Harpole) Phifer.
. James Phifer was born in Stokes, now Paint township, on July 12, 1815, and died on November 26, 1886. His wife, who was a native of Greene county, Ohio, died on December 10, 1899.
Albert T. Phifer was a farmer and lived all his life in the township of his birth. He had received only a fair education, as his school days were interrupted by the Civil War. After the war he realized the need of an education and took a course in a commercial college at Columbus, preceding this, however, with a return temporarily to farm life. He became a proficient bookkeeper, which knowledge served him well in later years. .
At the outbreak of the Civil War Albert T. Phifer enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, attached to the Fourteenth Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and other important engagements, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea.
On January 5, 1872, Albert T. Phifer was married to Vinnie Neiberger, a native of Greene county, Ohio, who was born on May 1, 1854. Mrs. Phifer is a daughter of Dr. James A. and Caroline (Moss) Neiberger. One child was born of this marriage, she being Grace, the wife of Dr. John Wilson Parker, of London, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The widow of A. T. Phifer still lives on the old farm.
The Phifer family comes of German and Scotch-Irish stock, the carlier members of the family having lived in Virginia. Abraham Phifer, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, his ancestors being John and Catharine (Rader) Phifer, natives of Greenbrier county, Virginia. Abraham Phifer, father of James Phifer, came to this county in 1809 or 1810, taking up two hundred and seventy acres of land in what was Stokes township, but is now Paint township. Here the worthy ancestor lived until the time of his death which occurred in April, 1875. He married Ann Withrow, of Pennsylvania, who died in July, 1860. James Phifer was the eldest of four children. After his marriage to Phoebe Harpole he rented land, but not content with being a tenant soon purchased three hundred and ten acres, which was the nucleus of a valuable tract of seventeen hundred acres, the ownership of which made him one of the wealthiest citizens of the county. It was in the year 1872 that he and his faithful wife moved to London.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Albert T. Phifer was an earnest member of the Methodist church. In this faith he was true and active till the day of his death, which occurred on June 4, 1901. Mrs. Vinnie Phifer is also a member of the Methodist church.
No one of his day was more highly esteemed than was the subject of this sketch. As a citizen Mr. Phifer had the greatest respect of his associates, and it was a matter of common knowledge that his word was as good as his bond. He kept a diary of his business interests, and so honest and fair was he known to be that he was often called into settle disputes, and from his judgment there was no need of appeal. Mr. Phifer was a leader in his time. Sober, industrious, frugal, and yet kindly withal; he has left a memory which men might envy.
JOHN H. IRWIN.
Probably the largest annual payroll of any industry in Madison county, Ohio, is that of John II. Irwin, who employs some thirty or forty people, and about one hun- dred and fifty people fed and clothed from the payroll at the mill.
Mr. Irwin's mill and lumber yard are located between the tracks of the Pennsyl- vania and Big Four railroads, and depends upon his logs being hauled by wagon, and is a "good roads" advocate, but despite the urgent needs of his business and several other industries of the city, the London city council has been negligent in providing suitable access to the various industrial plants, including that of Mr. Irwin. He is a staunch citizen of this great county, and although sometimes rather emphatic in expres- ing his views, being independent and self-reliant. he is nevertheless sociable and esteemed by his employees, who have ever been loyal.
John II. Irwin, well-known lumber manufacturer, was born in Hardin county, Ohio, and came to Plain City, Madison county, Ohio. at the age of twenty-five years, and has dealt in lumber all his life. His first experience with lumber was buying and selling logs.
In 189S. Ilariott. Gill & Company started a saw-mill on the site of Mr. Irwin's present mill, and about three years later Mr. Gill disposed of his interests in this mill to Mr. Hariott and Mr. Irwin, and the business was continued under the latter man- : gement until 1903. the firm in the meantime operating a mill at London, and in. Adams county. Ohio. In 1901. after having acquired the Adams county mill. Mr. Hariott was given his option on the choice of either mill. and he chose the Adams county mill, and Mr. Irwin has been in charge of the London mill ever since.
Mr. Irwin saws from one million to twelve hundred thousand feet per your, and has bough itmber within a radius of ten to fifteen miles, at an average of perhaps eight or nine miles. He keeps from teu to fifteen teamis busy all the time hauling logs to the mill. The output of this mill is principally railroad stock, and he manufactures chair stock. principally out to pattern. and is able to produce almost any piece that goes into the manufacture of a chair. The payroll of the mill proper includes nineteen persons, and Mr. Irwin pays out annually about fourteen thousand dollars for timber, and his entire payroll is from three to five hundred dollars a week. The Irwin business now requires twice the amount of capital required in 1901. Mr. Irwin has also operated mills at other places, especially one at Natural Bridge, Virginia. He buys the stand- ing timber. which is out by men, by the hundred feet, and he keeps about five men cutting timber all the time, and furnishes them with a tent and car. This feature of the business has proven very attractive. Mr. Irwin is no sportsman and devotes little time to outside interests. He has adhered closely to his business and has let other interests take care of themselves.
Twenty-two years ago John H. Irwin was married at Plain City. Ohio. to Mrs.
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MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Minerva (Snyder) Bradley, the widow of David Bradley. Mrs. Irwin died on Septem- ber, 23, 1911, after eighteen years of married life. She was an earnest and devoted worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active part in the Sunday school and prominent in the various societies of that denomination. She was also prominent and influential in the literary clubs of Plain City and London, and was a very popular woman, possessed of most charitable instincts, and her loss was deeply mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Irwin is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he still retains his membership in the church at Plain Ciyt. -
REA CHENOWETH.
Rea Chenoweth was born in Fairfield township, Madison county, Ohio, on March 12, 1876, a son of the late F. M. and Margaret ( Rea) Chenoweth, referred to elsewhere In this work. Moving to London in 1885 with his parents, he had the opportunity of attending good public schools and the local high school. He took a course in the prepara- tory school at Columbus and then matriculated as a student in the University of Vir- ginia at Charlottesville.
Mr. Chenoweth's taste attracted him to a business career. He first started in the grain business with Silver & Chenoweth at West Jefferson. becoming their bookkeeper for the period of a year. In the fall of 1896, he purchased the interest of A. Tanner, who was engaged in the grain business, operating under the name of Tanner & Cheno- weth, which firm later became Chenoweth Brothers, the brothers being Robb F. and Rea. This firm conducted an extensive business in grain, hay, straw and feed, also operating fifteen hundred acres of farm land. For about nine years this partnership existed. when Rea Chenoweth sold out to his brother in 1904. In the fall of 1906, Rea returned as manager of the business for his brother, who had in the meantime lost his health. Continuing as manager for three years, he then purchased the business, remod- eling the plant and in various ways extending the enterprise generally. Mr. Cheno- weth also takes an active interest in farming, for he personally oversees the cultiva- tion of one thousand acres of land in this county.
Rea Chenoweth enlisted for service during the Spanish-American War and was made first sergeant of Company E. Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after- ward became first lieutenant, and then captain of Company L. Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard.
Louise Watson, daughter of Capt. David Watson and Elizabeth (Jones) Watson, of London, became the wife of Rea Chenoweth in April. 1909. David Watson was born ou a farm in Paint township, this county. He was a captain in an Ohio regiment during the Civil War. and died in Madison county. Elizabeth Jones was born in Madison county, a daughter of John Jones. David and Elizabeth (Jones) Watson were the parents of four children as follow : Howard. Robert J., deceased ; Mrs. Mary Williams, and Louise. wife of the subject of this sketch.
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