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 137
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
George Buswell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in England, and came to the United States when he was thirty-five years old. He was very poor when he landed in this country, but possessing the essential qualities in following the voca- tion of a farmer, he rapidly became very prosperous, and eventually acquired a fine tract of land, consisting of over four hundred acres of good farm land. He was united in marriage with Nancy Toops, a native of Ross county, Ohio, by whom he had seven children, six of whom are living in 1915. John L., who follows farming; Sarah, the widow of J. John Penney, of London, Ohio; Maggie, who was married to U. H. Blair, of Oklahoma, and is now a widow; Mary, who became the wife of John Darley, of Nebraska ; Susan, who is Mrs. William Lombard, of West Jefferson, Ohio, and George W.
George W. Buswell was united in marriage, in February, 1895, with Eva Grewell, daughter of E. C. Grewell. She was born in Madison county, and was educated in the schools of Monroe township, and later attended the high school at Plain City. This union has been blest with four children : Florence, a graduate of the Plain City high school, is now teaching school in Jefferson township; Leland is a student in the West Jefferson high school; Keith attends the public school at West Jefferson, Ohio, and Beatrice is in the district school. Mrs. Buswell is an earnest member of the Presby- terian church at Plain City.
Mr. Buswell holds a position of high esteem in his community, where he has become a factor in the business interests. and where his advice is sought by those inter- ested in the raising and shipping of live stock.
924
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
VALENTINE H. WILSON.
The late Valentine H. Wilson was the second son of James and Eleanor (Smith) Wilson, and at the time of his death, Saturday, October 22, 1898, had just completed and occupied the handsomest country home in Madison county. Born on the old Wilson homestead, Darby Plains, October 28, 1839, he died on his magnificent country estate, "Maple Villa," at the age of fifty-nine years.
Valentine H. Wilson was one of four children born to his parents, John S., Thomas B. and Lucy being the other three. His father is referred to in the sketch of the Wilson family, presented elsewhere in this volume. His mother was a daughter of John and Sophia (Bond) Smith, and was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 20, 1818, and in 1832, came to Madison county, residing here continually until her death, February 15, 1904, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lucy E. Beach, with whom she made her home after the death of her husband.
Of the children born to James and Eleanor (Smith) Wilson, John S., the eldest son, was born in Madison county, October 4, 1837, and died in London, January 25, 1905. By his marriage, January 14, 1858, to Sylvina J. McDonald, there were born six children, Flora, James W., Mary, Charles, Mrs. Eleanor Wilson Bradley and Mrs. Lucy Wilson Simpkins, John S. Wilson was a farmer and stockman, and retired from active farm life a few months before his death, removing to London, He was loved by his family, friends and neighbors for his plain, blunt honesty and whole-souled generosity. At the time of his death he had attained advanced standing in the Masonic fraternity.
Thomas B., another son of James B. and Eleanor ( Smith) Wilson, was born in Canaan township, October 31, 1841. He was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity in 1865, and served during the last year of the Civil War in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He married Elizabeth S. Trimble. August 24, 1865, and to this union five children were born, Eugene T. Morrow, John P., Mary T. and Betty Winn. He served during the sixty-ninth Ohio General Assembly as a state senator from the eleventh Ohio district.
Valentine H. Wilson was reared on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits all his life. In addition to his farming interests, he was an extensive stockman, and at the time of his death was the owner of five farms comprising fifteen hundred acres. He had just completed the construction of "Maple Villa," his country home, which cost nearly twenty thousand dollars when death removed him from the scene of life's activities.
On January 25, 1871, Valentine H. Wilson was married to Dollie Jones, the daughter of John and Jane ( Melvin) Jones, the former of whom was born at London, October 31, 1818, and the latter was a daughter of John and Sarah Melvin, natives of Madison county. John Jones was a son of William Jones, who was born near Knox- ville, Tennessee, and came with his father, Solomon Jones, to Ohio, and became a blacksmith at London, where he settled in 1814. Ile became a wealthy landowner and merchant, a friend to all, and one of the most popular men who ever lived in the city of London. He was a heavy loser in the panic of 1837 because of the failure of friends whose notes he had secured. Afterwards he removed to a farm, but his death occurred in the city of London.
John Jones was reared in London and worked in his father's store as a boy, and also worked in the store of William Warner. After his marriage, William Warner, then sheriff of Madison county, selected him as a deputy, a position which he held for four years. He was then elected sheriff as a Whig and served two years. Later he served twelve years as a justice of the peace. He and his three sons were engaged in the grocery trade until about 1875. He was a strong temperance man, and a charter member in Madison Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. By his mar-
.
925
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
riage to Jane H. Melvin he had four children, Frank, Horace, Dollie, the widow of Valentine H. Wilson, and Emma, the wife of Harvey Chandler, of London. . Valentine H. Wilson and wife were the parents of five daughters, of whom three, Minnie, Maud and Eleanor, are deceased. Mrs. Mabel (Wilson) Dye and Helen are living.
Mr. Wilson's success as a farmer and cattle dealer was due to his tireless industry and unrightness. He worked unceasingly and always with fidelity to a given purpose. He was too modest to engage in politics, and never sought a public office, but as a member of the school board he took an active interest and served his fellow citizens with honesty and distinction. Valentine H. Wilson will be long remembered for his domestic virtues and high-minded principles. He was a kind father and a most loving and devoted husband.
WILLIAM A. CLAWSON.
Great stability of character has been the lever with which William A. Clawson, one of Range township's most substantial farmers, has wrested a competency from the soil, and by diligent effort and thrift, has earned the confidence and respect of his fellow men. He was born on April 19, 1859, in Ross county, Ohio, one of ten children born to Strawder and Louise (Ogden) Clawson, eight of whom are now living,
Strawder Clawson, the father, was born on March 1, 1823, in Kentucky, and in 1837, when a lad of fourteen, removed with his parents to Ross county, Ohio.
Four years after the arrival in Ross county of Strawder Clawson, Louise Ogden, who was to be his future bride, arrived with her parents from Maryland. She was born in 1833, and when she came to Ohio was a girl of eight years. The family had traveled all the way from Maryland to Ross county, Ohio, in a covered wagon. Although an extensive farmer in his day, Strawder Clawson, in addition to his agricultural inter- ests, was a stock buyer and shipper. In 1874, while ou a visit in Illinois, he was taken ill and passed away very suddenly. The wife is still living and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Silas Drais, near Mt. Sterling, Ohio.
William A. Clawson received what little schooling he could in the district schools near Madison Mills, Ohio. His education was very limited, owing to his father's need of him in connection with the work on the farm at his home. In 1876, when only a lad of seventeen, he came to Madison county, and rented the Curtis Ward farm, situated near Sedalia, which he subsequently tilled for twenty-five consecutive years. During fifteen years of his career on this larm, aside from his agricultural pursuits, he engaged in buying cattle for a large export company, and hogs for a packing plant in Massa- chusetts. Most of the stock purchased for the export trade was shipped from Madison and Fayette counties.
For twenty years past the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Norman horses has been the specialty of Mr. Clawson. He enjoys the distinction of being an exceptionally good cattle feeder. On one occasion he reared and fed four yearling calves that tipped the beam at one thousand two hundred and ninety-six pounds each, at time of sale. On January 1, 1902, Mr. Clawson purchased the farm on which he now resides, containing one hundred and twenty acres, located on the Fed- eral roads between Danville and Sedalia, in a soil region of great fertility, well improved with hnudreds of rods of tiling, a good barn and other improvements in the process of completion.
On September 1, 1904, William A. Clawson was united in marriage to Mrs. Lillian L. Young, daughter of Reuben T. Latham, of Sedalia, Receiving her education in the village schools of Sedalia, one year each at the London and Springfield schools, Mrs. Clawson began teaching school in her native township at an early age, engaging nine
926
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
consecutive years in this occupation, spending five years of this time at one district in Paint township. She is an active member of the Presbyterian church in the town of her birth, a loyal church worker, interested in the missionary cause, identified with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, an ardent supporter of all movements having an educational or moral intent. She stands for all that is noble and uplifting, and is highly respected in the different sections where she has resided.
Mr. Clawson is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which orders he is regarded as a member of high esteem. Still hale and hearty, in the prime of life, he displays more than ordinary interest in all civic and political questions, and has a host of friends in and out of his immediate community.
FRED L. CRABBE.
The liquor question today is a great issue, and the entire country awaits with inter- est the final outcome of the great battle that is being waged between the "wets" and "drys." To the casual observer it would seem that the issue is even greater than the combatants themselves realize, and frue it is that if the people had realized years ago the importance of the strictest regulation in regard to this vital question, there never would have been the need for national prohibition. Nothing ever becomes a menace if properly regulated in the beginning; however, the fight is on, and many good, strong soldiers are taking part in the campaign, one of whom is Fred L. Crabbe, attorney and school teacher, of Mt. Sterling. Madison county, Ohio.
The majority of people applaud those who have the courage of their convictions, even though an enemy to their cause, and the residents of Mt. Sterling give their hearty support and co-operation to Mr. Crabbe in his campaign against the liquor interests. In his position as city attorney he wields great influence and stands squarely for purity in both public and private life. Fred 1. Crabbe was born on August 19. 1885. at Big Plain, Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of John W. and Ellen ( Minshall, Crabbe. Hle was reared on the farm and attended the district schools of Fairfield and Deer Creek townships, Madison county. After finishing in the schools of Fairfield. Mr. Crabbe attended the Normal school at Athens, Athens county, and then, in 1903. began teaching at South Solon. this county. For four years he taught in the district schools of Union township. and in the year 1911 began teaching in the Mt. Sterling schools, where he was principal of the grammar department. Later, Mr. Crabbe resigned his position in the Mt. Sterling schools and is now devoting his entire time to fighting the liqnor traffic. After being affiliated with the Ohio Anti-Saloon League for three years, he was elected attorney for that organization. and is now serving as attorney for the Anti-Saloon League in the Toledo district. He is devoting his entire time to the prosecution of violations of the liquor laws and lecturing for the cause of temperance.
That Mr. Crabbe was peculiarly fitted for the practice of law. is attested by the fact that. three years after he was admitted to the bar, he was elected as city attorney and solicitor for Mt. Sterling and of all the cases he has pleaded. both in the civil and criminal courts, he has never lost a case. He began the study of law with his brother, Charles. in 1905. and was admitted to the bar in 1913. He now devotes his entire time to his law practice. In all questions of civic betterment, Mr. Crabbe is a diligent and conscientious worker.
On May 21, 1907. Fred L. Crabbe and Ione M. Phillips, of South Solon, Ohio, were mited in marriage. Ione M. Phillips was born on May 24, 1890. at Lima. Ohio. and is the danghter of Mrs. Clara J. Phillips, now of London, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe are the parents of one child. Gerald, who has developed traits 1
927
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
that will very likely decide him to follow the example of his father, in becoming a leader on all questions pertaining to the public welfare. Mr. Crabbe takes great pride in acknowledging himself a Republican 'and a stanch supporter of this party. Mr. Crabbe, is termed a "live wire" and any cause which has his support is fortunate indeed."
'JOHN WOOD JOHNSTON.
The individual homes of a nation give it stability of cause it to degenerate to the plane of weakness. So inspeaking of a nation as a whole, we accuse or praise the individual home. Therefore, to make the establishing of a home the ambition of one's life, is to contribute to the strength of the nation. It is this innate love of home that develops the finest qualities of human life and he or she who has saisfied this love has been a greater factor, in the conservation of the human race, than all else beside.
In introducing John Wood Johnston, of Range township, Madison county, Ohio, to the reader of this history, it is mere justice that actuates the statement that he is one of those whose nobility of aim and untiring perseverance has contributed so largely to the betterment of this community. His grandparents came to Pennsylvania in the early days and settled in Range' township, Madison county, and it was here that the son, 'George, and the grandson, John Wood Johnston, were born. William and Mar- garet (McClimans) Johnston, the grandparents of John Wood Johnston, were of hardy pioneer stock and many a sad broken life, today, would be in perfect harmony with the universe, had each succeeding generation been prompted to the supreme efforts displayed by these thrifty pioneers.
George Johnston, actuated with this same homing instinct which impelled his parents to seek their fortunes amid the greatest hardships, toiled day by day, patiently, persistently and religiously until he finally accomplished that which was dearest and meant most happiness to his family, a home. He was born on November 29, 1814, in Range township, Madison county, and after reaching the age of maturity, availed himself of the privilege necessary to the completion of a perfect, home, marrying Barbara Beam, who bore him seven children, three of whom are now living. George Johnston followed' agricultural pursuits during his entire life and passed away on the farm. which had been the nucleus of his abundant success. His death occurred on December 26. 1906. Barbara Beam Johnston was born on September 4, 1812, in Pennsylvania, and after assisting her husband in the building and maintenance of their home. passed away on July 10, 1899. Both husband and wife were members of the Methodist church and reared their children in the faith that has been such a com- fort to them through joy and sorrow.
Reared on the farm, John Wood Johnston received the rudiments of his education in the district schools of Range township, where he was born, which event took place on November 7, 1850. His labors on the home place, during his apprenticeship in the agricultural line, were very onerous, but. his outstanding character has proven their worth. In order to cultivate the soil the heavy timber had to be removed, and in this process he assisted by driving an ox team for logging and hauling. He served his father faithfully for twenty-five years and in appreciation was given a farm with which to build his future competency. On this farm be built a small house and added to it as his earnings and family increased.
On September 6, 1853. Lizzie Gregg, who was to be the future wife of John Wood Johnston, was born in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio. Their marriage was solemnized in 1875, and they are the parents of four children: Mrs. Eva Henry, of Range township: Eva, who lives at home; Alva, a farmer living in Indiana, and
928
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
Mrs. Ona Housman, who lives in Paint township, this county. On May 31, 1884, Mrs. Lizzie (Gregg) Johnston passed away.
After his many years of efficient industry, John Wood Johnston has acquired two hundred and sixty-three acres of good laud upon which he is now living. In his political faith he is a Democrat and in his religious faith a Methodist, in which church he is both a trustee and steward. He is a member of the Independent .Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Farmers Grange. In the russet years of his life, John Wood Johnston can feel a satisfaction that is denied the restless, money-mad crowd that surge the cities, looking with louging eyes at the peaceful farm homes that are the root of happiness.
COL. EUGENE TRIMBLE WILSON.
Col. Eugene T. Wilson, who is a retired officer of the United States army, is a son of Thomas B. and Elizabeth S. (Trimble) Wilson, and the grandson of James and Eleanor (Smith ) Wilson.
Thomas B. Wilson was born in Canaan township, October 31, 1841, and received his education in the Lafayette schools and in Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he was graduated in 1865. Ile enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in May, 1864, one year before his gradua- tion, and was mustered out the following September. He was married to Elizabeth S. Trimble. August 24, 1865, shortly after his graduation from the university. She was a native of Grayson, Kentucky, and his classmate in college. They were the parents of five children: Eugene T., the immediate subject of this sketch; Morrow Beach ; John T .; Mrs. Mary T. Keifer, of Springfield, Ohio, and Betty W., the last of whom is the companion and housekeeper for her brother, Col. Eugene T. Wilson,
Thomas B. Wilson was an ardent Republican and although his farm of six hun- dred acres kept him very busy, yet he nevertheless found time to serve the public in positions of trust and responsibility. He was twice elected township trustee, and in 1890 was the nominee of the Republican party for state senator from the seventh Ohio district. He was triumphantly elected and became an earnest, conscientious and able representative of the people in the sixty-ninth General Assembly. His success as a farmer and his career as a public servant were eminently gratifying to his friends, who were legion. He died at his attractive country home on the Lafayette pike, three miles north of London, September 16, 190S. His beloved wife, who had been his companion for many years, had died about seven years previously, September 30, 1901.
Eugene T. Wilson was born at Lafayette, in Madison county, and after com- pleting the high school course in the London high school. entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, and was graduated with the class of 1888. Gen. J. Warren Keifer was at that time the representative in Congress from the district and the speaker of the National House of Representatives.
Colonel Wilson began his military career proper as a second lieutenant in the First Artillery, at San Francisco, and was retired on July 24, 1914. with the rank of lien- tenant-colonel of the coast artillery. He was assigned for one year as commandant of the military school conducted in connection with the Ohio State University at Columbus. From 1898 to 1899 he was chief of the depot commissary at Santiago, Cuba. From 1899 to 1901 he was aid to General Shafter, and for one year was on special service in charge of the trans-Alaska military road and government telegraph. In 1904 he was elected as one of the few officers to receive special training in the school of submarine defenses, and continued this study for one year. In 1906-7 he attended the Army War College, where special training is given for such officers as
929
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
have ability to conduct administrative phases of war. In June, 1908, he was sent to Panama, where he remained in charge of the subsistence department until February, 1914. On March 4, 1915, by a special act of Congress, he was made colonel along with Goethals, Gorgas and others, and retired after thirty years of continuous service.
In the magnificent residence of his father, two miles north of London, on the Lafayette pike, Col. Eugene T. Wilson makes his home. This residence was built in 1869, and is one of the beautiful country places of the county. Colonel Wilson is specializing in the breeding of Shropshire sheep, and the head of his flock is the champion ram of Ohio.
MRS. MARGARET TAYLOR.
It is said that "society advances in happiness and culture not through striking dramatic acts but through myriads of unnumbered and unnoticed deeds." Historically considered, woman has been the goddess of the fireside. While it was man's duty and custom to hunt and fish and thus provide food and shelter, woman's was the care of the home and the children and the preparation of the food out of the materials which her husband supplied. From this division of labor has come about the compara- tive obscurity in which woman has heretofore lived, and even the modern woman finds her greatest happiness in self-forgetful ministration to her loved ones. She whose life forms the theme of this brief chronicle, like her sisters, has been faithful to her trust. Mrs. Margaret Taylor, widow of William Taylor, was born on July 28, 1850, in Pleasant township, this county, and is the daughter of John and Margaret (Alkire) Tanner, to whom seven children were born.
The father of Mrs. Taylor was a native of Pickaway county, and was born on October 4, 1809, and died in 1869. John Tanner came to Madison county when it was possible to buy good land for one dollar and fifty cents an acre. Building materials were crude at that time, but this pioneer showed his inventive genius by building a log cabin and making other improvements with the materials at hand. Living here for some time he then bought land in Madison county and the seven room house built upon this property was considered the finest house of its time in that vicinity. This residence is still standing. Mr. Tanner's father was Cortney Tanner and his wife's maiden name was Emery, both these grandparents being natives of Kentucky.
Margaret Alkire was born in Pleasant township in 1823, her parents being Abraham and Jennie (Creath) Alkire, both of whom were born in this county. She died in 1823. Although the subject of this sketch was one of seven children, she is the only one living today. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Tanner were. Malissa, Courtney, Hannah J., Abraham. Catherine C., William and Margaret.
Margaret Tanner remained on the home of her father during her childhood and girlhood, during which she attended the school of Mt. Sterling. The event which took ber away from the farm was her marriage to William Taylor, which occurred in 1869. Mr. Taylor was a son of Warner and Jane (Blackburn) Taylor, natives of Virginia. who emigrated to Pickaway county in the early days of 1827.
William Taylor was born in Pickaway county on October 4, 1836, and came to Madison county in 1869, where for a short time he worked on a rented farm. Subse- quently he bought land belonging to the brothers of his future wife. His next enter- prise was the buying and selling of stock, the basis of his operations being Mt. Sterling and Era, Ohio. He was too enterprising to be limited in his business dealings by absence of a railway and before the railroad was built, he drove his cattle to Columbus to be marketed. He was one of the most extensive shippers in the county, and it is said that the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling cashed more personal checks for (59)
930
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
him than for any' man in the county. He was honored by being placed in the office of trustee of Pleasant township, and was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. lle passed away in' 1893, leaving as the only child 'of this union a' daughter, named Ella T., who afterwards became Mrs. Zahn. She was born on May 28, 1871, in Pleasant township, and in 1893 was married to John Zahn, a farmer and plumber, and to them have been born an only son, Maxwell Taylor Zahn, born on January 21, 1894.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.