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 71

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 71

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On March 28. 1872. Elisha S. Gordin was united in marriage to Caroline Frances

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Thomas, daughter of G. W. Thomas. of Stokes township, to which union two children have been born, Louie Belle, wife of Harry Howard, of Port William, this county, and Fred Pearl Gordin, of Port William.

Mr. Gordin's life has been a very active one. Besides his personal activities as a business man, he has taken the to serve as a member of the Stokes township school board for sixteen years and has served in the same capacity in London. Added to local business enterprises, he has large landed interests in South Georgia, and is a director of the Farmers' and Traders' Bank, of South Solon, this county. His political influence, which has been considerable, has been cast on the side of Republicanism. Mr. Gordin is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge in South Solon, to which place his business takes him frequently, and is an attendant on the services of the Presbyterian church in London, and is president of the business men's bible class of the Sunday school of that church, to this cause giving much time and earnest thought. Because of his sterling worth as a man of character. his kindliness and consideration, and his genial disposi- tion, he has won the warm regard of his many associates.

CHESTER EDWIN BRYAN.

Chester Edwin Bryan, editor and publisher of the Semi-Weekly Madison County Democrat (published by father and sons for fifty-eight consecutive years). was born on the 29th day of October, 1859, at London, Ohio. His father, Marcellus Leroy Bryan, was a native of Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio, while his mother, Martha Sidney Materson, was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America with her parents, an infant in arms. Prof. Ormond Masterson, Mr. Bryan's grandfather, taught languages at Trinity University. Dublin, and came to America in 1831, settling at Columbus, Ohio, where he established the first private school in that young city. Professor Masterson, during the summer vacations, engaged in surveying and assisted in establishing the line for the National road through central Ohio.

Marcellus L. Bryan was editor and founder of the Madison County Democrat, which paper he published from its establishment in 1857 until 1898, and the history of which is given elsewhere in this work. He died on May 26, 1902, and was succeeded by his sons, Chester E. and Ormond M. The latter died on September 7, 1908, and his interest in the business was purchased by Chester E., who has since controlled it. Mar- cellus L. Bryan was born in Batavia, Ohio, March 23, 1829, and was a representative of one of the oldest families in the state. IIis grandfather, David Chester Bryan, was born on Long Island in 1771, was united in marriage to Ruth Bryan in 1792, and came to Ohio before the opening of the nineteenth century. He died in Batavia, July 31. 1829. He was a prominent man in the early history of southern Ohio, and laid off the village of Williamsburg, Clermont county. afterwards, in 1825, removing to Batavia, which town he platted and named. In 1806 he was elected a member of the Ohio Ilouse of Representatives, but his seat was contested and given to Thomas Morris, who afterward became United States senator. Mr. Bryan was subsequently chosen member of the House, 1806-1807, and served as state senator, 1807-1811. Marcellus Bryan's father was also named David Chester Bryan, and on July 14, 1828, he was married to Mary Melvin Moore, a daughter of Capt. Charles Moore, who was a sergeant in the Revolutionary War and an officer in the War of 1812. He was one of the earliest settlers in Clermont county, having come from Philadelphia, and bought a large tract of land near Batavia, on which he erected a flouring-mill and a distillery. David C. Bryan, Jr., was a man of prominence in the community in which he lived, and for some years he was the leading merchant of Batavia. He served as auditor of Clermont county and died there in 1859. Marcellus L. Bryan left five other children besides Chester E., Mrs. James Livensperger, Charles Moore Bryan, Mrs. Mattie Tenny Bryan,

MARCELLUS L. BRYAN.

CHESTER E. BRYAN

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wife of Walter Bryan, and Martell Bryan, all of London, and Addison Watson Bryan, of Marion.

Chester Edwin Bryan, present editor and publisher of the Democrat, and who was named after both his grandfather and his great-grandfather, was educated in the Lon- don public schools, being a member of the class graduated in 1878. His life work, up to this time. has been spent in conducting the newspaper which he so loves. IIe is well known by newspaper publishers throughout the state, having been honored as president of the Ohio Editorial Association, the Hocking and Ohio Valley Editorial Association. and the Buckeye Press Association, the latter of which he was instrumental in forming by merging the other two organizations while serving as their presiding officer. For ten years he was a member of the executive committee for Ohio of the National Edi- torial Association and was elected a lite member of that organization.

In polities, Mr. Bryan has always been a stanch Democrat. He has served as chairman of the Madison county Democratic committee for a number of years and also as a member of the Democratic state committee. In 1902 he was a candidate for Con- gress from the seventh Ohio district. In 1900 and again in 1904 he was a candidate for presidential elector on the Democratic ticket. He was appointed president of the board of trustees of the State Institution for the Deaf, by Governor Judson Harmon, a position which he held until the boards of all Ohio state institutions were abolished by the passage of an act in 1910, placing their control under the state board of adminis- trations. Mr. Bryan was largely instrumental, during Governor James M. Cox's adminis- tration, in securing the location of the Ohio penitentiary farm at London. With but two exceptions, he has attended all the Democratic national conventions which have been held since he reached his majority. He served as alternate delegate at the Kansas convention in 1901, also in a similar capacity at the Baltimore convention in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson was nominated. He was president at the Democratic con- vention in Chicago in 1896 and heard William Jennings Bryan's famous "Cross of Gold" speech, which he considers the greatest oratorical feat of all times. He has served as a trustee of the Carnegie library board of London for the past six years and is now president of the London Board of Trade.

Mr. Bryan was married, February 25. 1886. to Maria Daley, of Monroe township. To this union four daughters were born: Hazel, wife of Warren A. Stevens, of Colum- bus; Beulah Marie, deceased, wife of Godfrey Strauss. of Cincinnati: Uarda. wife of Harold Robertson, of Fulton, New York, and Naomi. at home.

WILLIAM D. WILLIAMS, M. D.

Who can estimate properly or convincingly the influence for good upon the life of a community wielded by the conscientious physician? What record, save that of the great Recording Angel, ever will contain a complete transcript of the unselfish labors of the healer who goes about his business in behalf of ailing humanity, all uncomplainingly, patiently, devotedly and sincerely giving himself, the strength of his hand, of his mind and of his heart, to all who call for such relief of bodily suffering as may be therapeu- tically possible? A mere historical and biographical work of this character is highly informative and instructive, and to future generations of this county this volume will be held as a priceless heritage of the past, but there is very much the future generations ought to know of the doings of their forbears that cannot be put down in cold letters and figures on a printed page. Among these phases of communal life that only can be recorded in the hearts of men here below, that relating to the unselfish labors of the devoted physician properly may be considered as of paramount importance. While no attempt will be made to convey a further message of sentiment in that connection on this page, it is but proper that, in a work of this nature, something of the life's record

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of the late lamented, former well-known and popular physician whose name forms the caption for this sketch, shall be here presented for the information of those generations yet to come who will want to know all that is obtainable of the history of the devoted men and women who wrought, giving the best that was in them, in order that richer material blessings than they had ever known might descend upon those who were to follow.

The late William D. Williams, M. D., in his day one of the best-known and most substantial citizens of Madison conuty, and at the time of his death the oldest resident physician of London. was born in Granville, Licking county, Ohio, on July 15. 1836, and died at his home in London, this county, on March 22, 1906.

Doctor Williams was a good man and an exemplary citizen, and when the word was passed along in this county that the scenes in which he so long had played an active part would know him no more. there was general and sincere monrning hereabout, for he was held in the highest regard throughout this whole community. as there were few who had not, at one time or another, come under the kindly influence of his gentle ministrations. A physician in the truest sense of the word. whose sympathetic interest in the welfare of those committed to his professional care was one of the great secrets of his remarkable professional success. Doctor Williams had endeared himself, through- out years of ceaseless endeavor, to the entire community and the general grief expressed at his passing was heartfelt.

The professional career of Dr. William D. Williams was bogu in London. this county. in the year 1864. when. a newly-diplomaed doctor, fresh from the scenes of his graduation from a Homeopathie college at Cleveland, Ohio, he came to this county and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. From that time forward. until a few years before his death, Doctor Williams devoted his best talents and his utmost endeavors to the welfare of the community which he had selected as the scene of his life's labors, and in the proper fulness of time became known as one of the ablest physicians and most publie-spirited citizens of this section of the state. There were few movements of large public import hereabout which were not given further impetus by the fostering influence of his intelligent attention and by such unselfish and ungrudg- ing personal service as this he became known as one of the largest personal factors in the development of this region. As a very fitting and proper reward for his painstaking and conscientious professional services, Doctor Williams was enabled to prosper in a material way and. being a far-seeing and prudent investor. acquired large landed and other interests in Madison county, being accounted. at the time of his death. one of the connty's most substantial citizens. He was faithful in bis practice, as he was in all the relations of life, and continued his professional service in the community up to a few years of the time of his death, his later years having been spent in practical retirement from the cares of a long and busy practice. An intelligent and diligent reader of the world's best literature. Doctor Williams was a cultured and broad-minded gentleman and had traveled extensively, having made several comprehensive tours in both hemis- pheres. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and ever displayed a hearty interest in all good works, being a leader in many of the best movements ever designed to advance the common weal in this county. Madison county has had few, if any, more popular citizens than was Doctor Williams, and he enjoyed the highest esteem of all.

In 1866, Dr. William D. Williams was united in marriage to Delia Chrisman, to which union there was born but one child, a son. Lee H. Williams, now and for many years past prominently connected with the Central National Bank, of London, this county. Mrs. Williams died in September. 1902, a little more than three years before the death of her husband, and she also was widely mourned, for she was a good woman, for

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many years having been devoted to all that was best in the community, a very earnest and influential factor in the social and religious life of the county seat.

Doctor and Mrs. Williams left many very pleasant memories, and it is but fitting that their names should be held in remembrance in this volume of history relating to the county in which they had so long and so earnestly labored. a respectful tribute to their worth and a proper recognition of the value of their services to the community.

JAMES F. BELL.

Engaged in the practice of law for many years in London, the county seat of this county, of which town he was at one time mayor. James F. Bell is not only a prominent lawyer, but has identified himself with so many of the important organizations of the community that the influence of his strong personality has been widely felt. He is a man of excellent scholarship and legal training.

James F. Bell was born on a farm in Oak Run township, this county, on January 12. 1872. son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Amos) Beli. The family for several generations back were prominent in the agricultural industry, and took pride in their work. as is exemplified by the remark once made by William Bell, great-grandfather of James F. Bell, who boasted of 'tending ten acres of corn when he was ninety years old. James D. Bell, grandfather of James F., was also a farmer, as well as a school teacher of Ross county. of which county he was a pioneer settler, having located there with his father. James D. Bell married Elizabeth Dewey, and to that union were born seven children, of whom but two are now living, Benjamin, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. and Ann, the wife of Leven Trout, of Terre Haute. Indiana, those now deceased having been William, Jane, Joseph, George and James.

Joseph Bell. the father of James F., was born in Fairfield township. this county. April 21, 1831. in the neighborhood where he passed his entire life. He was only eleven years old when both of his parents died. and after that he lived with an uncle and learned the business of farming and stock raising. Elizabeth Amos, his wife, lived in this county, and it was here that they met and married. the marriage ceremony taking place on September 23. 1852. He and his brother. William married the only two daughters of Robert C. Amos, a pioneer of the county. who came here from Mary- land. Joseph Bell became a successful farmer, although he lived a plain, quiet life. He died on June 11. 1907. Benjamin and Margaret (Conn) Amos were the parents of Robert C. Amos. The paternal great-grandparents of James F. Bell were William and Sina (Wilson) Bell.

The maternal grandmother of James F. Bell was Mary Wilson. the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Rea) Wilson, the latter of whom was the daughter of Joseph and Betsie (Conn) Rea. To Robert C. and Mary (Wilson) Anos, the maternal grand- parents of Mr. Bell. were born five children, as follow: Margaret. who became the wife of William Bell; Elizabeth, the mother of James F. Bell: and three sons. John. Robert and William, all three of whom died in childhood. The mother of these children died when the girls were of a tender age, and the father, Robert C. Amos, later married Hannah Rush. of Baltimore. Maryland, who conferred the greatest of motherly attention on the children who were entrusted to her care. She died in 1886. There were no children by the second marriage. The mother of Mr. Bell was born on Jannary 18. 1833, and died on May 2, 1900. To Joseph and Elizabeth (Amos) Bell were born eight children. as follow : Wesley H., born on September 18. 1853. who died on October 2, 1860; Mary E .. July 9, 1856. wife of R. N. Mowry, who left at her death, on October 4. 1885, a son. Joseph B .. who died on April 19, 1893; Emma J .. May 31. 1859. who died on March 22. 1866: Eva A .. September 28, 1861. who married A. I .. Fitzgerald. of Wester-

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ville, Ohio, and is the mother of a married son, Fred; Minnie F., February 25, 1864, who married William Edmund Taylor and until recently lived on the home farm in Oak Run township. this county, with her husband and three children, Robert. Ollie and Fay, but now resides on a farm near Plainview, Texas; Sallie M .. August 30, 1866, who died on May 2, 1876; James F., the subject of this biographical sketch, and Lee A .. October 24, 1575. of Columbus, Ohio, who married Belle W. Alkire, and has one son, Joseph Maxwell.

Until his fifteenth year, James F. Bell attended the district schools and then assisted his father on the farm. in the meantime continuing his studies during the winter months until he was nineteen. It would seem that from early boyhood this lad had dreams of the future, for before his school days were finished, he was preparing to teach, and at the age of nineteen, having procured a teacher's certificate. he began teaching in the same school which he had attended as a pupil. The following eight years he spent in teaching and in attendance at college, thus preparing the foundation for his later career. Ile taught at intervals in his old home school during eight years, and never had to apply for the school but ouce. Following his graduation from the College of Law. Ohio State University, with the class of 1899, on June 7, of the same year, he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Ohio, and in December, 1902, was admitted to practice in the United States courts.

Mr. Bell's marriage to Rowena Moore, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Batavia, took place on June 27, of the year of his graduation from college, his wife being the daughter of W. B. and Mariana Moore. Mrs. Bell was born on March 11, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born four children, as follows Martha Frances, born on October 20, 1902: Virginia, March 7, 1905: Joe Amos. September 12. 1911. who died on December 9, 1913, and James Finley, Jr .. January 12. 1915, his father's birthday.

Mr. Bell located in London in the spring of 1900, and at ouce began the practice of law, his office being in the Union Block, opposite the court house. Mr. Bell applied himself assiduously to the practice of his profession and soon became recognized as one of the ablest young attorneys of the community. He had been before the public before entering on his profession, his first public office having been that of clerk of Oak Run township, this county. Mr. Bell has always been allied with the Democratic party, and it is a singular and splendid testimonial of his character that his election to all public offices which he has held has been as the candidate of a minority party, his success being largely attributable to his eminent qualifications and personal popularity. During the years 1908 and 1909 he was mayor of London, and in 1911 and 1912 was the prose- outing attorney of Madison county. He was his party's nominee for judge of the common pleas court in 1914. but was defeated by a slight plurality.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bell have taken a prominent part in the life of the church of which they are members, the First Presbyterian church of London, the church in which the former's grandfather, Robert C. Amos, was, in his day, one of the ruling elders. Mr. Bell is now an elder, and was formerly a trustee. He is keenly interested in the work of the Sunday school, in which he has been the teacher of a Bible class for many years. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, 166 Washington avenue, which is a modern one, having been erected in 1913, is frequently opened for the social functions of the church, as well as for the reception of their friends, and many thus enjoy the hospitality of this amiable couple. Mr. Bell is the owner of three-quarters of the home farm and other valable land near by and is regarded as one of London's most substantial citizens.

Besides his affiliations of a professional nature. Mr. Bell is a member of Madison Lodge No. 70. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand and past district deputy of that lodge. He is a member of the influential London Club and of the London Board of Trade.

Brief as has been the present record, it may serve to indicate the fact that its

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subject has received no inconsiderable part of the respect and honor which every com- munity bestows upon the men who serve it with honesty and fidelity. He has been true to every public trust, conscientious in the discharge of his duties, whether of a public or private nature, and true to his ideals.

OMER E. JONES.

In a biographical sketch presented elsewhere in this volume, relating to the life and, the public services of the late IIon. William M. Jones, of London, this county, there is set out at some length the history of this well-known family in Madison county. It will. not be necessary, therefore, in this connection to review the genealogy of the gentleman whose name is noted at the head of this brief biography, the reader being respectfully referred to the sketch above mentioned for further essential details. Omer E. Jones, a worthy son of his distinguished and lamented father, is doing well his part in the life of this community and it is but fitting that there should be set out here some brief and modest mention of his active career. Having been a resident of the city of London, county seat of Madison county, since he was three years of age, Mr. Jones has been a most interested witness of the later development of that thriving little city, and it properly enough may be said that he has been a no small factor in that development. Identified with the banking interests of the city since he was twenty years old, Mr. Jones has acquired an acquaintance with the business interests of the county which. gives to his service in the bank with which he is connected, as well as to the com- munity at large, a special value. and it is not too much to say that he is regarded as one of the leaders among the younger set of enterprising business men who have done so much in recent years to bring about better conditions hereabout.

Omer E. Jones, teller of the London Exchange Bank, of London, this county, was born on a farm in Fayette county, Ohio, on September 4, 1879, son of the late Hon. William M. and Lucy A. (Pancoast ) Jones, proper mention of whom is made elsewhere. in this volume. Being but three years of age at the time his parents moved to London, in 1882, Mr. Jones has spent practically his whole life in that city. Receiving his early education in the excellent public schools of London, he entered Duff's Mercantile College. a high-grade commercial school at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution. Upon receiving his diploma, Mr. Jones returned home and at once entered upon his business career as a bookkeeper in the London Exchange Bank. with which his late father at that time was prominently connected. That was on September 1, 1899, and Mr. Jones ever since theu has been connected with this bank. He rapidly rose to the position of teller in the bank, which position he now 'is holding, much to the satisfaction of the customers of the bank, with whom, it is not improper to say, he is exceedingly popular, as he is with his business and personal associates generally throughout the county. In addition to his counection with the above bank. he also is secretary of the Citizens' Loan and Savings Company, of London.

On November 2, 1904. Omer E. Jones was united in marriage to Carrie W. War- rington, of South Charleston, Ohio, daughter of William O. Warrington, a prominent citizen of that place, and to this union one child has been born, a danghter, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist church and are earnestly interested in the various good works of the community. They are prominently identified with the social life of the town, and their many friends are pleased to regard them as among the leaders in London's pleasant social activities.

Mr. Jones is a Republican, as was his honored father before him, and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county, though never having been included in the office-seeking class. IIe is a Mason of high degree, being a member of

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the chapter and of the council of that ancient order in London, as well as a Knight Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being affiliated with Aladdin Temple of the latter order at Columbus. Ile also is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at London and is treasurer of the three Masonic bodies at London. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Jones owns a fine farm in Oak Run township, this county, to which he gives considerable personal attention, he being much interested in the wonderful developments recently made in the science of agriculture. Enterprising, energetic and public spirited, Mr. Jones is performing admirably his part in the complex life of his home city and very properly enjoys the utmost confidence and the high regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

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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 71

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