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 64

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

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 64

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MORGAN'S RAID.

During the memorable raid of the Confederate general, John Morgan. through Ohio in the summer of 1863, which eventually ended in his capture in Columbiana

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county, the citizens of Madison county turned out en masse to repel the invasion. The business houses were closed, hay was left uncured in the fields, ripe wheat uncut, and all went to Camp Chase in the quickest time possible. There was a general out- pouring of the militia, which was organized into a regiment. withi Col. P. W. Taylor in command, A. E. Wilson as adjutant and Jacob Peetrey, as quartermaster. Though this proved a bloodless campaign, yet those who went out in defense of their homes are entitled to credit for their ready response to the call. After their return to the county the militia was organized into two regiments, and the following officers were elected :

First Regiment-P. W. Taylor, colonel: Jesse M. Linson, lieutenant-colonel, and John Holton, major.

Second Regiment-W. R. Fickey, colonel ; G. W. Darety, lieutenant-colonel, and John W. Morris, major. This permanent organization was effected in August, 1863, and placed the county on a defensive footing.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, OHIO NATIONAL GUARD.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, was formed by the consolidation of the Twenty-third Battalion, Ohio National Guard, with the Sixtieth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and was organized at Camp Dennison, being mustered into the service, with an aggregate of eight hundred and forty-two men, on May 9, 1864. The colonel, assistant surgeon, quartermaster, and several of the line officers, non-commissioned officers, and many of the privates had seen service in other organizations. It was organized for the one-hundred-days service.

On May 12 the regiment proceeded to New Creek, West Virginia, in the neighbor- hood of which most of its time was spent. It returned to Camp Dennison on August 27, where it was mustered out of the service. September 1, 1864.

Three companies from Madison county, under the command of Capts. William A. Neil, David Watson and Alexander Swanston, reported at Camp Dennison on May 4, 1864, and mustered into the regiment at the time of its organization on May 9. Cap- tain Neil was elected a major in the regiment. These companies were consolidated into two-C and I-by which they are designated on the muster rolls.

THE RETURN OF PEACE.

The people of Madison county received the news of the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee, at Appomattox, with great joy-all the bells in London, as well as the other towns of the county, were brought into requisition, flags were displayed, and the streets were thronged with people. About nine o'clock in the morning of April 10, 1865, the day the news was received, the business men closed their establishments for the city. The evening of April 12 was set aside by the citizens as a season of rejoicing over the Union victory. Shortly after dark, nearly all of the houses on Main street in London were brilliantly lighted, and a six-pound cannon poured out its thunder tones from a vacant lot on Main street. Then followed a long procession of torchlights, parading the principal streets, after which a grand display of fireworks from the public square, which lasted for more than an hour. The town was full of people from the adjacent country.

Friday, April 14, the day set apart by Governor Brough as a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing in honor of the victory, was appropriately observed in London. Busi- ness honses were closed. and divine services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in the morning, the services consisting of the singing of patriotic songs, and addresses by Rev. Levi Cunningham and Rev. C. W. Finley. The happiness and rejoic- ing, however, were short-lived, for that same evening came the news of the assassina- tion of President Lincoln at Ford's theatre in Washington city. April 19, 1865, was

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observed by the citizens of Madison county as a day of mourning. The business houses wore closed, flags displayed at half-mast, dwellings and other honses were draped in the insignia of grief, while appropriate services were held in the churches. So ended the greatest civil war in history, a war among a free people, waged in order that a government based on the self-evident truths that all men are created free and equal, and endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, might live,

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

The militaristic spirit of Madison county lay dormant until it was again aroused by the declaration of war against Spain by resolution passed in Congress on Monday, April 25. 1898. Madison county men at once began to seek ways in which they could be of service to their country. The Madison County Democrat of Wednesday, April 27. gives the news that William Biggert had already enlisted at Columbus; Earl Prugh had enlisted at Delaware, Ohio; Fred Smith took a medical examination a few days before at Pendleton, a suburb of Cincinnati; Dean Davis had enlisted about a week before in the Red Cross department at Columbus; Charles Burris had enfisted, and already Col. II. H. Prettyman and Capt. John M. Boyer were at work organizing a company in London. The Democrat of May 18, among its news items, says that lra Bentzel had enlisted in the hospital corps; Bert Clark had enlisted as a musician and Charles Slagle had enlisted in a Kansas company. On Monday, May 16. the First Ohio Artillery left Camp Bushnell, at Columbus, and passed through London en route south. Frank Stewart, a grandson of Dr. Toland Jones, was captain of Battery II. The following colored boys from London had enlisted: Sam Robison, Will Norris. Nels Winslow. Charles Winslow, James Norris, Charles Cain, Clarence Wickers. Howard Fisher, Joe Henderson and Arnold Hunt. Lieutenant Eugene T. Wilson, a native of Madison county, in the regular army, was reported to be located at Ft. Mason at San Francisco, superintending the laying of submarine mines in the waters of California bay. Shawder Clawson had enlisted. A company was being raised by John F. Locke and Peyton R. Emery, who had the names of seventy-two men. and an organization was to be made soon. The week previous, it is reported, no fewer than twelve or fifteen thousand volunteer troops had passed through London on the railroads on their way south. They were all Ohio and Pennsylvania regiments. The same paper in its issue of the following week says that ninety-five men had made application for mem- bership in a company of volunteers and Drs. MeClelland Vance. John Foster and Goff had been ordered to make the required physical examinations. These examinations had cut the roll short to seventy-two names. It says that the company was "made up of an even set of men, with few exceptions, the length running from six feet one inch to five feet and four inches, ages eighteen to thirty-eight and all residing in Lon- don except eight from Lafayette: three, Rupert, one each from Orchard. Sedalia and Big Plain; two each from Summerford, Plumwood and Walnut Run." There were only eight married men in the company. Their occupations were: "Farmers, twenty- eight; laborers, sixteen ; clerks, six : lawyers, teachers, tailors, three each : carpenters, students, two each: druggist, gardener, insurance agent. engineer. electrician. lineman, telegraph operator and plumber. one each." Assistant Adjutant-General H. B. Kings- ley was to muster the company in as an addition to the Ohio National Guard and the government examination would throw the volunteers into the United States service as Company E. Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The mustering-in took place on the evening of May 30. 1898. The Democrat in its issue of the following day describes the proceedings in the following manner :

"Last evening was fixed on as the time for mustering into the state service the

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London company and Col. H. B. Kingsley, assistant adjutant-general, was assigned to do the work, arriving here in the afternoon as the guest of Col. H. H. Prettyman.

"Captain Locke's boys met at the assembly room of the court house and marched to the public square, where some military maneuvers were gone through with under the orders of Sergeant Harry Armstrong. acting as drill master. A large crowd filled our streets, expecting to witness the attending muster ceremony, but all were disap- pointed, as the company moved to the old Masonic Hall, in the Toland block, where no one was admitted except the examining physicians, Drs. Vance, Foster and Goff, and the newspaper reporters. After the members had arrived and had been lined up on the two sides of the hall, the arrival of Colonels Prettyman and Kingsley, in fitting uuiforms, was received with a hearty outburst of enthusiasm. .

"Orderly Sergeant Rea Chenoweth called over the muster roll and all the mem- bers answered to their names except six. It is not believed that any of the absentees played 'rabbit,' but the boys were detained by tardiness, non-consent of parents for minors, etc. The ranks were soon filled with members who had undergone the medi- cal examination and had failed to sign the second roll, four more of whom were present than were needed. The manner of administering the oath simply required the uncov- ering of the head and the raising of the right hand, the oath requiring a true and faithful allegiance to the United States and the state of Ohio, to serve faithfully against all enemies, under the orders of the governor and officers appointed over the mem- bers, as by the rules, etc., governing the National Guard. The election of officers fol- lowed. each unanimously being chosen as follow : John F. Locke, captain; Peyton R. Emery, first lieutenant ; E. Arnett Smith, second lieutenant. According to the official muster-in roll the service was to date from Jnne 30, 1898. for a period of 'two years unless sooner discharged.' In a short talk after the ceremony, Colonel Kingsley expressed his congratulations to the company and the hope that they would soon see some actual service in the field. He was answered by short talks from Captain Locke and Lieutenants Emery and Smith. The evening was ended by a talk from Col. H. H. Prettyman."

MARCHING ORDERS.

On June 18. 1898, Captain Locke received the following telegram from the office of the adjutant-general :

"Capt. John F. Locke. Company E, Third Infantry.

"You will assemble your company Thursday, June 23. 1898, and proceed at earliest possible hour on said date to Columbus, Ohio, and report to the commanding officer, Camp Bushnell. Transportation will be provided by the P. C. C. & St. L. R. R. The transportation enjoined is necessary for the service and numbered limited to one hun- dred and nine-officers and men.

"Acknowledge orders, by the command of the governor.

"II. B. KINGSLEY. Assistant Adjutant-general."

Steps immediately were taken preparatory to the company's departure from Lon- don. On the evening of Wednesday, June 22. the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps presented, at the court house, a beautiful flag to Company E. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. Theodore Davidson, who briefly said :

"Captain Locke and Comrades: Having the honor conferred upon me to perform the duty, I take great pleasure in presenting this emblem of our country in behalf of Lyon Relief Corps No. 52, who are proud of our boys showing such patriotism in this. the war of 1898. In looking over this company we see sons and grandsons of our brave boys of 1861. We wish you now, as we did them, success and a safe return to those whom you have left at home. May you ever respect this flag as did those who

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so nobly fought to defend it. Once again, in behalf of the patriotic women of this organization, I bid you Godspeed and give you this banner-this 'star-spangled banner :'

" .Long may it wave, O'er the land of the free And the home of the brave.'"

Captain Locke responded for the company, his remarks teeming with patriotism and gratitude to the ladies for their esteem, closing with an expression of his regret that the army regulations prohibited the boys from taking the flag with them. Ile placed it in the enstody of the Woman's Relief Corps, which he said, would take good care of it until the company's return, when it would be a pleasure and an honor to march under its folds.

COMPANY RECEIVES AN OVATION.

As it was ordered, Company E left London for Camp Bushnell, at Columbns, on Thursday, June 23. The Democrat, in its issue of the Wednesday following, gives the following account of its departure:

"The weather was all that could be desired and at eight o'clock a. m., according to orders, every man of the one hundred and nine had lined np in front of the court house, under the command of Capt. John F. Locke and Lients. Peyton Emery and E. Arnett Smith. Not only every man answered at roll call, but many others were pres- ent in the hope of being able to join the boys. One young man walked all the way from Sedalia, eleven miles, with the expectation of joining the company, and called upon Captain Locke before he had breakfast. The captain promised to find a place for him in the near future, if possible.

"At" eight o'clock the London cornet band headed the marching files of Lyon Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and other old soldiers, the membership of London Lodge No. 539, Knights of Pythias, and many citizens and stopped at the conrt house, where a uniformed squad of 'marines'-eighteen little tots, varying in age from five to nine years, with Master John Farrar as captain and John N. Boyer, Esq., as drill master, joined the line of march. Each little fellow wore a Dewey sailor suit and cap and was prond of the honor given them. Capt. Robert Ewalt's cadets also joined the ranks when the procession started for the depot. the volunteers being given the position of honor. The streets and sidewalks were literally alive with a multitude of shouting, flag-waving humanity. The fire bell had sounded the alarm and every church bell and factory whistle in town added to the din. The firing of anvils was also kept up and pounds of gunpowder went up in smoke. Such an ovation was never before seen here. As Company E approached the Pan-Handle depot grounds, the boys beheld a beauti- ful display of large flags, bnnting and decorations that ornamented the trees, the tele- graph poles and building. The Pan-Handle depot was a beautiful sight. while the rear of the Big Four depot was almost hidden with small flags. Everywhere could be seen the red, white and blue, for every business house on Main street had been decorated and was closed for the occasion. When Captain Locke and his lieutenants reached the Pan-Handle depot they were assisted in mounting a large truck by Col. H. H. Prettyman. Here a perfect mass of surging, enthusiastic people. estimated. at no less than three thousand in number, greeted them. actually covering all space about the handsome building. The presentation of the swords had become whispered around and everybody was anxious to hear the speeches.

"Col. H. H. Prettyman then secured order and in a fitting address presented the commissioned officers of the company with handsome swords. Captain Locke spoke the appreciation of himself and his men. He was followed by a few stirring remarks by

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ex-Senator S. W. Durflinger. The demonstration closed with the splendid rendition of an army song by a local . quartet, Messrs. Chenoweth, Placier, Cheseldine and Dodds. In a few moments the train pulled out, the boys crowding to the windows to wave a parting adieu to their loved ones."

In its issue of Wednesday, June 29, 1898, the Madison County Democrat stated that through the efforts of Dr. Mcclellan Vance, Horace C. Plimell, Eck Bennett, and others, a second military company had been organized with a muster roll of eighty- five names. The organization was completed the evening before at the court house when the following officers were elected : Mcclellan Vance, captain; Horace C. Plimell, first lieutenant ; Alexander Bennet, second lieutenant ; Fred Newcomb, orderly ser- geant ; Ira Bentzell, second sergeant; Peter Dunevant, third sergeant; Martin Goings, fourth sergeant; Fred Weber, first corporal; Allen Hull, second corporal; John McGuire, third corporal ; John Dungan, fourth corporal ; Ernest Thomas, fifth corporal ; Charles Thompson, sixth corporal ; Benjamin Springer, seventh corporal ; Henry Tyler. Jr., eighth corporal.

In the same issue of the Democrat it is stated that Benjamin Emery, then county treasurer, with the aid of John A. Lincoln and Cary Jones, both well-known young lawyers, was engaged in raising another military company to be subject to the Presi- dent's third call for volunteers. Thirty-five had already signified their willingness to enlist.

In its issue for July 13, the same paper reported the raising of still another com- pany by Col. H. H. Prettyman, who claimed that he had ninety-five names on the muster-roll. Neither of these three companies was ever mustered into the state mili- tia, and, therefore, none into the government service.

ROSTER OF COMPANY E.

Company E, on its arrival in Columbus, proceeded at once to Camp Bushnell, where it joined its regiment, the Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Col. Charles Anthony, of Springfield, and made up of the following com- panies : Company A, Covington; Company B, Springfield; Company C, Gettysburg; Company D, Urbana ; Company E, London ; Company F, Hillsboro; Company G, Day- ton ; Company K. Piqua ; Company L, Sidney, and Company M, Sabina. The local company was given its government medical examination on Thursday, July 1. Several members were forced to return home, but their places were taken at once by recruits whom Lieutenant Emery had taken to Columbus from London. The company, as mus- tered into the United States service, was as follows:

Officers-John F. Locke, London, captain; Peyton R. Emery, London, first lieu- tenant ; E. Arnett Smith, London, second lieutenant; Rea Chenoweth, London, first sergeant ; Harry Armstrong, London, second sergeant; William Trehearne, London, third sergeant ; Thomas Coleman, Madison county, fourth sergeant; Harford A. Toland, London, fifth sergeant; Ernest W. McCormack, Madison county, quartermaster ser- geant; Jacob E. Ward (Range), Thomas H. McCormack (Madison county), William J. Florence (South Charlestown), William J. Robey (London), Harry B. Gallagher (London), Homer C. Ray (Walnut Run), Birnam J. Dewey (Rupert), William E. Winan (London), Frank Cowgill (Plumwood) ; Drell B. Legge (London), John C. Volka (Lafayette), and Walter J. Stahl (London), corporals; George Davidson, Lon- don, musician : assigned duties-George Jones, Lafayette, artificer; Claude Snyder, London, wagoner; Thomas Manuel, London, cook; Peter Heilman, London, assistant cook.

Privates-Charles Anderson, London ; Edward Betts, London; Ernest Burt, Lon- don ; Henry Bunnemyer, London; John R. Booth, Lafayette; John H. Baker, London ;

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Lawson Bradley, London; William J. Bishop. West Jefferson; Charles Burns, West Jefferson : Madison Bigelow, Columbus, Ohio; Hugh F. Connor, Rupert; Frank Cor- bett. London: Wesley Cartwright, West Jefferson; William R. Cartwright, West Jef- ferson: John F. Cleary, Summerford; Richard Cavanaugh, London; Benjamin F. Curry, South Solon; Patrick Dwyer, London; Ernest G. Dillow, Lafayette: Denton Dulaney. Lafayette; Grant Dennison. West Jefferson; Williabm MacDavidson, Lon- don : William Furrow West Jefferson; Lon Fleming, Lafayette; Fremont Freeman, London : Zeph Fout, South Solon ; Albert Griffith, London; Ray M. Garrett, Mechanics- burg, Ohio: Michael Garrick, West Jefferson; Harry Gulcher, London; Toland J. Gra- ham, London; William D. Grubb, Big Plain: Michael Hickey, London; William Heath, Sedalia : Howard Holt. Orchard. Ohio: Elijah . Harding. London : Charles Hart, West Jefferson ; John Haun, West Jefferson : Arthur Howard. Sedalia ; George Haynes, Sedalia : James Herdman, London : George Hartman, South Solon; Newton J. Hollo- way. Big Plains; Charles Jack, London: Eugene Kelley, Summerford; Charles S. Kulp, London: William Kinner, London; Thaddeus Keefer, London : Cornelius Londergan. Range: LeRoy Long. London: Lonzo Liller. London : Clifford Murlett, London : Reed MeCollum. London : John Minter. Lafayette; John A. Markley. Summerford; Samuel A. Morris, South Solon ; Morgan Moon. South Solon : Thomas Nicely. Sedalia ; Harley Neighborgall. West Jefferson: John O'Brien, London: Joseph W. Pearce, West Jeffer- son : Harry Pryor. West Jefferson : Richard D. Prendergast, London; Charles F. Peel. Lafayette: William W. Ross. Range: Homer W. Roberts, West Jefferson ; Harry Ryan, London : James II. Richardson. South Solon: Leighton F. Sharp London: Ernest 1. Sidner, London; Monah Sweetman. West Jefferson; George Smith, London: Charles Tumblison, London; Emmett Timmons, London: John Taylor. Sedalia : Chauncy D. Taylor. Sedalia ; Edward Washington, Sedalia; Howard N. Webb, London : Walter W. Wolfe. London: Oliver Wolff, Galloway, and Charles T. Young. Company E returned with every man that it took out with the exception of one, Emmett Timmons, who was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability.

MOVEMENTS OF THE THIRD.

On July 7, 1898, the Third Regiment proceeded by rail to Florida and went into Camp DeSoto, on the west coast of that state, near Tampa, where it remained until Monday, July 25, on which date it was transferred to Fernandina, on the east coast of Florida, where it remained until the latter part of August, at which time it moved by rail to Huntsville, Alabama, where it stayed until ordered to Camp Bushnell, Columbus. Ohio, to be ordered out on a thirty-days furlough.

The trains bearing the Third Regiment and its equipment passed through London on the way to Columbus on September 15. The section bearing Company E stopped for a few minutes at London, where a large crowd awaited it. Company E was returned to London on the evening of the next day, marched to the court house and there dis- missed for a thirty-days furlough. They were never called together again and were mustered out of the United States service on October 26, 1898.

The people of London held a great peace jubilee. celebrating the return of peace, on Friday, September 30, 1898. It was estimated that fully twelve thousand people were in London to watch the mammoth parade and to hear the speeches. In the procession were five bands. Company E led by Captain Locke, a squad of police, the London fire department. Plain City Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, with one hundred and twelve members, four hundred children from the public schools, one hundred and twenty children from the St. Joseph parochial school, floats depicting historical and industrial scenes, a bicycle corps of sixty-five men and fifteen women, a cavalcade of horseman, headed by the Oak Run "rough riders"-forty-five

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strong, and delegations from all the townships-Paint township having the largest, one hundred and fifty-eight strong.

London was without a military company until 1900, when, on April 3, Company L of the Fourth Regiment. Ohio National Guard, was organized with E. Arnett Smith as captain ; Rea Chenoweth, first lieutenant, and Harry Armstrong, second lieutenant. At the time of its organization the enlisted men of this company were, Dan Foley, Wright Andrews, Jefferson Wagoner, Ross Hornbeck, Leonard MePike, T. B. Maloney, Pearl Smith, George M. Kelly, L. B. Prugh, Charles Skeels, Ed Beck, Will Robey, Clif- ford Murlett, H. Bunnemeyer, William Tumblison, James T. Corbett, George Davidson, J. W. Byers, W. R. Whitten, Walter Barnhart, Charles Watrous, Harry Bennet, Harley Long, Charles D. Smith. James B. Stephens. Charles Thompson, Fred Snyder, John Minter. Michael Maloney, Emery Watrous. LeRoy Long, Ernest Burt, A. C. Sifrit, Jr., Malachia Jones, Elizil Tway, F. F. Mohar, Earl Prugh, Scott Andrews, Walter Jones. Bruce Tanner, H. MeSaveny, Thomas Lee, Bernard Flynn, J. F. Flannagan, Cilton Stoll, J. F. Beathards, A. L. Roland, W. A. Shaw. Charles Hart. Earl A. Bentzel, J. B. Liv- ingsparger, Will Stephens, William Kinner and M. C. Hickey. This company was mus- tered out on March 31, 1905.

COMPANY C, FOURTH REGIMENT.

Again London was without a militia company until during the spring and early summer of 1915 there was a strong effort to organize a local militia company and the result of the agitation was finally a success. On June 1 the organization of a company was effected, the company being known as Company C, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard. On that date Jolin C. Volka was elected captain. R. M. Cheseldine first lieu- tenant, and R. M. Mabe second lieutenant. Those mustered in at the time the company was organized were as follow : Pearle Ames. Darwin Beach, Raymond M. Cheseldine, Charles Clark, Walter Clemens, Charles C. Crabbe. Dale Crabb. Floyd Dunavent, Ray- moud Eades, Merrill Emmons, Marion F. Engard, Walter R. Engard, William M. Farrar, Cyril Fisher, Joseph Ford, Fred W. Guthrie, W. J. Guthrie, Frank Johnson. Robert D. Jones, George Kelly, Ernest Lane, Caylor B. Lewis, Raymond M. Mabe, Jolin L. Moon, Ed L. Morrissey, Ray A. Morrissey, Charles R. Morcher, Pearl H. Moats, John T. Norris Wiley B. Queen, Albert B. Rankin, Robert L. Rea, William C. Roberts, W. J. Robey, Rupert Roddy, Harry F. Smith, John Spring, Richard P. Strain, Lester G. Summers, J. F. Swartz, Fred W. Thiel, John Thiel, Kyle M. Vance, Nathan Vanskoy, John C. Volka, Fred E. Walp, Frank Webb, Jr., Francis Whalen and Walter G. Willis.

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History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Part 64

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

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