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 81
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J. Scott Chenoweth had to be content with the education offered by the schools near his country home, and at the age of eighteen life and its problems became a reality to him. Having a temperament which attracted him to the world of affairs, he did not continue in agricultural pursuits exclusively, but gradually entered upon public life, and a number of years later, on January 1, 1894. he entered upon the office of sheriff, to which he had been elected on the Republican ticket in the previous elec- tion. and in which office he served two terms, being re-elected in 1896. In 1903 he was elected county treasurer, and was re-elected, serving two terms, his victory being the result of the largest majority vote ever cast in the county. After his official duties ceased, Mr. Chenoweth entered upon mercantile enterprises in Springfield, Ohio, in which he engaged for two years, and then returned to London. Since then he has sold farm properties outside of Madison county, and has had automobile interests.
But again he entered public life when, in 1911, he was elected land appraiser for London, and on April 1, 1915, he was appointed by Governor Willis as district assessor of Madison county, which is the head of the tax commission of this county. Mr. Chen- oweth is also a director in the London Exchange Bank.
J. Scott Chenoweth has been twice married. When only twenty-one, he led to the
J. SCOTT CHENOWETH
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altar Anna Rowlen, the ceremony taking place on December 28, 1876. The bride was then living in Range township, this county, although she was born in Monroe town- ship, Pickaway county, Ohio, on August 10, 1855, a daughter of Josiah and Harriett .(Hill) Rowlen. To this union four children were born, Edgar, born on December 4, 1878; Ersel and Mabel (twins), March 21, 1884, and Homer R., August 19, 1888. Mrs. Chenoweth was accidentally killed by a railway train on April 1, 1890. In 1893 Mr. Chenoweth married, secondly, Alice Winter, who was born at Carroll, Fairfield county, Ohio. To this latter uuion no children have been born.
The family whose history is here briefly recorded has had a part in the represen- tative social life of London, and the name has been one that has been connected with the history of the state for many years. Through J. Scott Chenoweth, that name has won distinction, for he has been faithful to every trust reposed in him, and has served his town and county long and well.
H. F. JACKSON, D. D. S.
Prominent in the civic and social life of the pleasant village of West Jefferson, this county, few residents of that part of the county have a wider acquaintance, or enjoy a greater personal popularity than Dr. H. F. Jackson, the well-known dentist, who, for the past twenty years, has been so useful a member of society thereabout. Though not a native of Madison county, Doctor Jackson takes as hearty an interest 111 thie affairs of this county as does any of its native sons, and his earnest efforts on behalf of the common good during his residence here have caused him to be known as one of the most public-spirited citizens in his part of the county. Professionally, Doctor Jackson stands very high in the estimation of the people; and for years he has enjoyed a practice which attests unmistakably the confidence which the people repose in his abilities as a dental surgeon. As a member of the West Jefferson school board, Doctor Jackson's earnest efforts in behalf of the cause of education in his home town have been productive of excellent results, aind his unselfish devotion to the public good has endeared him to the whole community.
H. F. Jackson was born in the village of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, on November 2, 1870, son of W. P. and Susan N. (Strickler) Jackson, both of whom were natives of Lawrence county. Pennsylvania, in which county they were reared and married. W. P. Jackson was a millwright and shortly after his marriage located in Cadiz, where he eventually became engaged in the woolen-mill business, and for years was one of the proprietors of a large woolen-mill at that place. His wife died on August 25, 1896, and he is now living retired at New Castle, Pennsylvania. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living. those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow: Charles M., a traveling salesman, living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Dr. W. E .. a dentist at New Castle, Pennsylvania ; Madge, who married Dr. H. W. Geissinger, of Gross City, Ohio; Minnie M., who keeps house for her father at New Castle; Jennie C., who married J. C. McMillin, chief clerk for the Carnegie corporation at New Castle. and Daisy, wife of H. B. Pruden, of Chicago, Illinois.
Receiving his elementary education in the excellent public schools of New Castle, Pennsylvania, H. F. Jackson was graduated from the high school in that city and then took up the study of dental surgery in the Pennsylvania Dental College at Philadelphia, finishing his professional course at the Ohio Medical College at Columbus. Receiving lis diploma in 1896. he immediately located at West Jefferson, this county, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in that pleasant village, with marked success.
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On November 9. 1897, Dr. H. F. Jackson was united in marriage to Jessie Conklin, who was born and reared in this county, and to this happy union three children have been born. Conklin, born on August 12, 1898, a senior in the West Jefferson high school ; . Ellis, May 16, 1900, a sophomore in the same excellent school, and Harry, March 11, 1911. Dr. and Mrs. Jackson are deeply interested in the social and moral development of the community. of which they are so vital a part and take a prominent part in the promotion of all good works in and abont West Jefferson, Among the leaders in the social life of the town. they are held in the highest esteem by their large circle of friends and are popular among all.
Doctor Jackson is a Republican, and ever since his location in West Jefferson has taken a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of Madison county, his devotion to the cause of good government cansing him to give his most earnest attention to all measures designed to advance the same. For some time he has been a member of the West Jefferson school board and is tireless in his efforts continually to increase the efficiency of the already excellent schools in that little city. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, his fraternal affiliations being with Madison Lodge No. 221. Free and Accepted Masons, at West Jefferson: Enoch Lodge of Perfection; Franklin Council, Princes of Jerusalem : Columbus Chapter, Rose Croix; Scioto Consistory of the Scot- tish Rite, at Columbus, and Aladdin Temple. Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Columbus. He is also a member of the local, State and National dental societies.
A skilled practitioner in the art of his helpful profession. studiously attentive to the latest advances in the science of dental surgery. Doctor Jackson is widely known hereabout as a dentist of high attainments and enjoys a flourishing practice. Enter- prising and public spirited. he is recognized as a good citizen in all this term implies and enjoys in the highest degree the confidence and respect of his home community.
ALPHEUS BURRELL.
In all that fine farming section in the eastern part of Madison county, in the West Jefferson and Lilly Chapel neighborhood. few farmers are better known or more highly respected by their neighbors than is the gentleman whose name is noted above. Though a native of a neighboring county. Mr. Burrell takes as warm an interest in the affairs of his adopted connty as though he always had lived here, and is regarded as a good citizen in every respect. Diligent in business. he has prospered in his farming operations and now owns a fine place of one hundred and sixty-seven acres of choice land two miles south of West Jefferson, all of which has been accumulated by his own unaided efforts, he and his wife having started life for themselves. at the time of their marriage in 1885, on a small rented farm and by careful attention to the details of the farm, attended by frugality and industry, presently were able to move onto a small farm of their own, which later they disposed of and purchased their present fine home place, where they are living in comfort and surrounded by plenty. prepared to enjoy the fruits of their thrift and good management.
Alpheus Burrell was born on a farm in Licking county. Ohio, on June 7, 1862, son of John and Martha (Carmichael) Burrell. both natives of the same county, the former of, whom was born on May 1. 1829, and the latter in November. of the same year. Mrs. Martha Burrell died in 1888, and her husband is still living on the old home place in Licking county. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters. Alva. Alphens, Eliza, Minerva. Louisa. John, Crissie A., George, Frank and Harvey.
Reared on the home farm, Alpheus Burrell received his education in the district
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schools of his home neighborhood and at the age of sixteen began working "by the month" at farm labor, continuing thus employed until the time of his marriage in 1885, at which time he rented a neighboring farm, on which he and his wife lived for several years. Through their combined efforts prosperity attended them and they presently were enabled to purchase a farm of fifty acres in Jefferson township, this county, on which they lived for fifteen years, at the end of which time they purchased their present fine farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres on rural route No. 1, Lilly Chapel, two miles south of the village of West Jefferson, where they are living in comfort, enjoying many evidences of the confidence and esteem of their neighbors.
On September 2, 1885, Alpheus Burrell was united in marriage to Emma Burrell, who was born in this county, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Heckey) Burrell, and to this union two children have been born, Cleta, a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, who married Albert Engle, a well-known young farmer of Jefferson township, and Alfred, at present a student in the West Jefferson high school. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell are quiet, unassuming people, good citizens and excellent neighbors, who are held in high regard thereabout.
Mr. Burrell is a Democrat. but is not so bound by the ties of party as to vote the ticket "straight" if there are better men on the opposition tickets, he believing that the man and not the party should be the voter's primary consideration in local politics. On the option question he is an unequivocal "dry," and does not hesitate to express his sentiments in this behalf. The fact that he is a past noble grand of the West Jefferson lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is accepted as sufficient evidence of his popularity among his lodge brethren, and the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is further attestation of his general popularity throughout that entire community.
HARVEY E. LONG.
Though the owner of a fine farm of nearly one hundred acres, Harvey E. Long. one of the most progressive young farmers in Jefferson township, this county, is continually seeking a wider outlet for the expression of his energy and finds greater profit in renting a farm of more than twice the size of his own, having made his home on this latter farm, in the Lilly Chapel neighborhood, for more than ten years past. Starting unaided at the age of seventeen to make his own living. Mr. Long has prospered as becomes his enterprise and energy and is recognized as occupying a very substantial position in his home community. At the time of his marriage, in 1902, Mr. Long was the possessor of a horse and buggy and very little else, but he and his wife both had the right spirit, and upon a rented farm did so well that they presently were able to invest in a farm of ninety-five acres in Jefferson township, which, however, not being sufficient for Mr. Long's capacity as a farmer, they do not occupy; living, instead, on a farm of two hundred and sixteen acres in the same township. which they are cultivating very profitably, with the commendable expectation of presently enlarging their own land holdings.
Harvey E. Long was born on a farm on Big Plain in Fairfield township. Madison county, Ohio. on January 13. 1879, son of Rice and Elizabeth (White) Long, both. natives of Pickaway county, this state, the former of whom was the son of James and Mary (Hunter) Long. The father of James Long was a native of Ireland. who came to America in his youth and became a substantial farmer in Pickaway county. James and Mary (Hunter) Long were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, Wesley. William, Kendall. Edward, Lewis, Benjamin F., Rice, Margaret, Hester. Curie and Ellen. Of these, three of the sons and three of the daughters are still living. Rice Long married Elizabeth White and to this union ten children were
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born, of whom seven are still living, namely: Rice, Jr., a farmer in Pickaway county, this state: Homer, a laborer at Florence Switch; Harley, a laborer in Jefferson town- ship. this county; Harvey Elmer, the immediate subject of this sketch; Ida, who mar- ried James Streeter, of Hilliard, Ohio; Mollie, who married Oscar Straley, of Champaign county, this state, and Elizabeth, who married Emery Bricker, of Hilliard, Ohio.
Reared on the home farm, Harvey E. Long attended the district schools of his home neighborhood until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he started out on his own resources, working by the month on neighboring farms until his marriage in 1902, after which he rented a farm of one hundred and two acres and from the very first year of his tenancy "made good." presently moving onto the farm of two hundred and sixteen acres in Jefferson township, which he has profitably operated for the past twelve years. In connection with his general farming, Mr. Long gives considerable attention to stock raising and has some very fine graded stock. having found this phase of farming quite remunerative. Mr. Long is making a wise investment of his earnings and has been able to buy ninety-five acres of excellent land in Jefferson township, expecting gradually to increase his holding until he will have a fine farm in his own right.
On Angust 21, 1902. Ilarvey Long was united in marriage to Mattie Finks. who was born in Franklin county. this state, and to this nion six children have been born, five of whom are living. James, Charles, Lucy, Harley and June. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Antioch Mission church and are active in the good works of the community, being held in the highest esteem by all their neighbors. Mr. Long is a member of West Jefferson Lodge No. 412. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his popularity in that order is fully attested by the fact that he is a past noble grand of his home lodge.
Harvey E. Long is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local political affairs. For ten years he served the public of Jefferson township as superintendent of roads and for four years gave equally effective service to the public as township assessor. Hle is a good farmer. taking advantage of the many wonderful improvements in agri- cultural methods which have been brought out in recent years and is operating his place on strictly up-to-date lines. Enterprising and industrions, blessed with a most competent helpmeet. he is doing well and is very properly regarded as one of the sub- stantial citizens of Jefferson township, a man in whom his neighbors have the fullest confidence.
WADE H. SMITH, D. V. S.
The sympathy which mankind extends to the dumb brutes of creation, the "little brothers," who are unable to voice their feelings in a manner capable of close interpre- tation to that higher order of the animal creation which the great God has endowed with articulate speech, is one of the most convincing evidences that man, indeed. was created but little lower than the angels. The pleading of the eloquent eyes of one of the domestic animals, gazing at one of the acknowledged "lords of creation" with mute appeal to bring relief to the sufferings which it cannot voice. is one of the most pathetic sights in all nature, and no one can behold such a sight without experiencing a new respect for the self-sacrificing doctors of veterinary surgery who are ever ready to respond to the call to bring relief to the sufferings of stricken animals, and without acknowledging anew that these devoted surgeons are indeed far in the front ranks of public benefactors. Among the several surgeons in Madison county whose lives have been devoted to the relief of the sufferings of the brute creation, none is better known or is held in higher esteem than the doctor whose name heads this review, and the
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biographer finds it a pleasant task to present for the information of the readers of this valuable volume a brief epitome of his life's history.
Wade H. Smith was born on a farm in Franklin county, Ohio, on June 27, 1868, son of Josiah O. and Nancy ( Lane) Smith, the former of whom was born near the city of Hagerstown, Maryland, and the latter was a native of Franklin county, member of a pioneer family in that county, both of whom are now deceased. Josiah O. Smith came to Ohio from Maryland with his parents when he was about eight years of age and grew to manhood on a farm near Fivepoints, in Pickaway county. There he married, after which he settled on a farm in Franklin county, reclaiming this farm from the forest wilderness in which it was located and became a successful farmer, he and his wife rearing their family there and becoming recognized as among the most influential and useful members of that community.
To Josiah O. and Nancy (Lane) Smith were born ten children, namely : Sarah A. died in August, 1915, wife of George Worthington, of Franklin county; Dr. E. H., a well-known physician, of South Vienna, this state; Mary, wife of John Snyder, of Mt. Sterling, this county : Clara, wife of William Neville, of Delaware county, this state; Lou Emmma, wife of Josepli Weaver, of South Vienna ; Theodosia, wife of Crosby Brandt, of South Solon, this. county; Dr. Wade H., the immediate subject of this sketch, and F. H., a well-known attorney, of Columbus, Ohio; Alice May, wife of James Redman, of London, this county ; and Vincent, died at the age of five. The parents of these children remained on the Franklin county homestead until their retirement from the active life of the farm, at which time they moved to the pleasant village of West Jefferson. They died a few years later at South Vienna, Ohio.
Reared on the Franklin county homestead, Wade H. Smith received his elementary education in the district school of his home neighborhood and remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. From his earliest youth he found himself possessed of a deep sympathy for the sufferings of the domestic animals and developed a singular aptitude in the treatment of their ailments. Deciding to devote his life to the relief of the sufferings of man's faithful dumb friends, he entered the veterinary college at Toronto, Canada, taking the full course there, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Surgery. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Smith immediately located in West Jefferson, this county, and ever since has been engaged in the practice of his humane profession, being known far and wide hereabout as a veterinarian of unusual skill. It was in 1894 that Doctor Sniith located at West Jeffer- son and during the past twenty years he has done wonders in this section in the way of alleviating the sufferings of the domestic animals. He is widely and prominently known in the ranks of his profession and is a member of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association at Columbus, in the affairs of which he ever takes an active and influential part.
In November, 1890, Dr. Wade H. Smith was united in marriage to Emma Wright. to which union was born one child, a daughter, Clara, who married Lewis Bourbon, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Smith died in 1891 and Doctor Smith married, secondly. July 20, 1893. Jennie Jones, who was born in Clark county, this state, and to this second union two children have been born, Richard, a painting contractor, of West Jefferson, and Mary, a recent graduate of the West Jefferson high school. Doctor and Mrs. Smith are prominent in the community life of their home town. being interested in all good works hereabout and are held in the very highest esteem by their many friends.
Doctor Smith is a Democrat and has given close attention to the political affairs of the county since taking up his residence here. For two years he served as treasurer of the corporation of West Jefferson and for three years served as a member of the
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town council, in all his public acts performing his duty to the people with the ntmnost regard for the common good. A good citizen and an excellent neighbor, he has won a high place in the regard of the community at large and has the full confidence of all who know hin.
H. C. PLIMELL.
The Plimell family has been honorably and influentially identified with this section of Ohio for nearly one hundred years, since the year 1818, to be exact, and in all that time its various members have done well their parts in whatever sphere of action they were found. The first of the name to come to Madison connty was the father of John I'limell, who brought his family here from Virginia in 1818. John Plimell being then eighteen years of age. The family home was established on land entered from the gov- erment in Deer Creek township, and this old homstead is still in the family. John l'limell, grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, grew to manhood's full estate on this pioneer farm and spent all his days there. He married Winnie Lewis, also a native of Virginia, whose family wa's one of the old colonial families of Virginia, distinguished in Revolutionary days, two or three of her uncles having held high rank in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, there having been at least one general in the family. In other ways also the Lewis family was prominent in the affairs of the Old Dominion. To this union nine children were born, six of whom grew to maturity, and two of whom are still living, these both being physicians, the venerable Dr. John T. Plimell, of California, and Dr. George W. I'limell, of Kentucky.
James Plimell, son of John and Winnie (Lewis) Plimell, was born on the old home- stead at Upper Glade, in Deer Creek township, this county, in 1828. and lived there all his life. As a youth he evinced unusual aptitude in his studies and in his young man- hood became a teacher, being thus engaged for ten or twelve years. following the custom of teachers in those days, "boarding around" with the families of his pupils. Later he engaged in farming, working the old home place and early became accounted one of the most influential men in the Upper Glade neighborhood. For years he served Deer Creek township in the capacity of township trustee and also was for years a member of the township school board, his influence in both these offices having been very helpful in advancing the educational standards of that community. James Plimell was a Democrat, and in one campaign was his party's candidate for the office of county commissioner, but was unable to overcome the opposition majority in that year.
In 1860 James Plimell was united in marriage to Sarah Fetro, a native of Illinois, who came to this county with her parents when a young girl. and to this union four children were born, namely: H. C., the immediate subject of this sketch: Nora, who married John Jackson and is now deceased : J. C., who is operating the old home farm in Deer Creek township, and Carey, who died at the age of sixteen years. James Plimell died in December, 1910, in his eighty-third year. and his widow is still living on the old home place, surrounded, in the evening of her life, by many evidences of the esteem and affection of that entire neighborhood.
H. C. Plimell. born on December 23. 1863, was reared on the old homestead in Deer Creek township, and received his education in the excellent schools of that neigh- borhood. In his young manhood he taught school for five years in his home township and in Oak Run and Somerford townships, aiding meanwhile in the work of the farm. remaining there until he was twenty-eight years of age, at which period in his life he moved to London, this county. where for awhile he was engaged as bookkeeper for William Holland. carriage manufacturer. He then was engaged as a clerk and
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bookkeeper in the grocery store of William Cartzdafuer, in the same city, which posi- tion he occupied for eight years, at the end of which time, in 1902, he bought his employer's store and continued the business at the old stand until 1904, in which year he moved to his present location at the corner of First and Main streets, where he is conducting a very successful business in the general groceries line.
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