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 82

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 82

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On July 12, 1893, H. C. Plimell was united in marriage to Lilly Boland, of London, daughter of Edward Boland, and to this union four children have been born, Helen, Frederick, Margaret and Lilly.

Mr. Plimell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Order of Eagles, in both of which organizations he takes a warm interest. He is actively concerned in various movements having to do with the advancement of the general interests of his home town and is held in the highest regard in the business circles of that city, his associates all having the utmost confidence in him. By enterprise and industry he has built up a fine business and is accounted one of the leading merchants of the county seat town.

J. WILSON GOODSON.

The gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch, although a man of quiet, unassuming characteristics, is nevertheless one of the most prosperous citizens of Madison county, where he resides on a splendid farm consisting of three hundred and seventeen acres, improved with a good, substantial residence and all necessary out- buildings, the whole place bearing an atmosphere of intelligent care and prosperity.

J. Wilson Goodson was born in Jefferson township, this county, October 7, 1858, a son of George and Eliza (Huffman) Goodson. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained his education in the district schools, attending during the winter months, and helping his father during the summer. until twenty years of age. At the age of twenty-one he rented his father's farm, and began agricultural pursuits for himself. His fine tract, consisting of three hundred and seventeen acres, is situated on the Blair pike, three and one-half miles northwest of West Jefferson. Politically, Mr. Goodson has been a life-long Republican, and has taken an active part in local politics. He has divided his interests on the farin between general farming and stock raising, being a breeder of Percheron horses and a dealer in a good grade of stock of various kinds. His fine home was built in 1899 and his modern barn was erected in 1911.

George Goodson, father of the subject of this review, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and his wife, Eliza (Huffman) Goodson, was born in Pickaway county, Olio. Mr. Goodson died in 1900, and his widow died in 1902. He was a prosperous farmer, and owned two hundred and fifty acres at the time of his death, all of which he acquired unaided. Politically, he was a Republican, and demonstrated his public spirit by taking an active part in local politics. Mr. and Mrs. Goodson were attentive members of the United Brethren church, to which they gave freely of their worldly goods. Their union was blessed with five children, namely : Thomas, deceased : Sarah, who is the widow of James Johnson, and lives at West Jefferson; Rebecca, who died young ; Alice, who became the wife of Marion Bidwell, a farmer of Jefferson township, and J. Wilson, the subject of this sketch.

On February 9, 188S, J. Wilson Goodson was united in marriage to Clara Harbage, daughter of Owen and Minerva F. (Arnett) Harbage, and to this union one child was horn, a son, born on April 21, 1899, who died in early infancy. Mrs. Goodson is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church at West Jefferson, to which Mr. Goodson is a liberal supporter.

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Mr. Goodson is a quiet, dignified and progressive citizen, commanding the respect of his neighbors and the community in general, and his good wife is admired by all for her gentle, womanly qualities.

GEORGE H. VAN WAGENER.

In the very best sense of that oft ill-used term, George II. Van Wagener, cashier of the Madison National Bank, of London, this county, may properly be referred to as a self-made man. Nearly forty-five years continuous service with the bank with which he is now so prominently connected has given him a position in commercial and financial circles in this section of the state, hardly second to that held by any one hereabouts. Beginning his banking experience as a messenger in this sound old financial institution, Mr. Van Wagener has gradually risen to his present high station in the bank by right of true merit and in thus rising has earned the confidence and regard of his associates all along the way, until now there are few men in this region who are better known in commercial and banking circles and who are held in higher esteem therein. But five years of age when he came to this county, Mr. Van Wagener practically has spent his entire life here and his service in the business life of the community has given him opportunities for acquaintance with local conditions that give to his judgments in financial and commercial matters a degree of finality that ren- ders those judgments highly valuable in all councils affecting the weal of Madisou county. Not only has Mr. Van Wagener been active in the affairs of the business world hereabout, but in civic affairs he also has frequently been called on to render to the public a high quality of service based upon his invaluable experience. As a member of the London city council, he has given fine service in the past and as a present member of the city school board he is giving to the school city of the county seat his very best services. He also has rendered excellent service as corporation treasurer of the city and as clerk of the township and in other public capacities has given to the people the benefit of his expert knowledge of business matters, in all of which trusts he invariably has acquitted himself in such a manner as to win the unqualified approbation of the public, it being generally agreed that few men in the city of London have given of themselves more unselfishly or to better advantage to the advancement of the common interest in Madison county's chief city.

George H. Van Wagener was born in Ulster county, New York, on August 13, 1852, son of Benjamin, and Maria (Bunton) Van Wagener, both of whom were natives of that county. In 1857 Benjamin Van Wagener came to Madison county, locating in the city of London, where for twenty-five years he was actively engaged in com- mercial pursuits, during which time he created for himself an honorable and influen- tial position in the mercantile life of the county. Ile died in 1881, his widow dying a few years later. Benjamin Van Wagener and wife were the parents of nine chil- dren, seven of whom are still living, those besides the immediate subject of this sketch, in the order of their birth, being as follow : Jacob B., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; John B., of London, this county; Fred, of Little Rock, Arkansas: M. F., of London, this county ; Margaret, also of London, and Sarah, of Seattle, Washington.

Being but five years of age when his parents came to Madison county, George H. Van Wagener has spent practically his entire life in the community to which he has given so unselfishly of his diligent services. He received his education in the excel- lent public schools of London and on February 1. 1871, at the age of nineteen, he entered the employ of the Madison National Bank as a messenger and ever since has been connected with that fine old institution, a period of time covering. at the time of this writing, nearly forty-five years, during which time he has given his most faith-

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ful and intelligent service to the best interests of the bank. Such service naturally enough was rewarded and Mr. Van Wagener was gradually advanced in positions of trust and responsibility with the bank until about ten years ago he was elected to the position of cashier, which post he now is filling with the utmost satisfaction not only to the directors of the bank, but to the depositors and customers of the same generally, his good faith and trustworthiness being universally recognized in the community where he is so well known.

On November 18, 1880, George H. Van Wagener was united in marriage to Mary Minter, who was born at Lafayette, this county, daugliter of Crawford Minter, a pioneer, who came to Madison county when thirteen years of age and is now (1915) ninety-nine years of age. To this union five children have been born, but two of whoni, Jeannette and Benjamin, are now living, Louise having died in 1898, Hazel and Ruth dying in 1913.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagener are earnest members of the Presbyterian church at London and are active in all the good works of the congregation to which they are attached, Mr. Van Wagener having been for years one of the trustees of the church. They also are devoted to all other good works in the community and are generally recognized as among the leaders in whatever movements of a local character are designed to advance the interests of the commonwealth.

Mr. Van Wagener is a Democrat and for years has taken an active part in local politics, his deep interest in civic affairs having made him one of the most influential men in the local councils of his party. For some years he served in the London city council and is now a member of the city school board, in which capacity he is ren- dering most useful service in the cause of education. He also has served as corpora- tion treasurer and as township clerk and in various other ways has given to the public the benefit of his expert services. Mr. Van Wagener is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of the consistory of the Scottish rite at Columbus and is warmly interested in Masonic affairs in Ohio. He and his wife are held in the very highest esteem by their large circle of friends in London and throughout the county, all of whom cherish for them the sincerest regard.

W. A. BEADLE.

The subject of this sketch is a man of large business capacity in office matters. As the business manager of one of the enterprising institutions of West Jefferson. Ohio, Mr. Beadle has a splendid field for the display of his qualifications. One of the great secrets of success in his commercial life, lies in the fact that he is a good "mixer," which is a necessary asset in any line which makes it necessary for a business man to meet and make friends.

W. A. Beadle, manager of the Darby Packing Company, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on December 13, 1873. in Warren county, Ohio, and is a son of Elias and Annie (Fallon) Beadle. He was originally in the canning business at South Lebanon, starting in at the bottom when the business was still young, and was rapidly promoted. His experience as manager of various plants has covered a period of twenty years. Mr. Beadle has always been an ardent member of the Republican party, taking a deep interest in politics. His religious faith is with the Methodist church. Mr. Beadle belongs to Madison Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons, at West Jefferson; Miami Valley Lodge No. 703. Knights of Pythias, at South Lebanon, also the United American Mechanics Lodge No. 34, at Blanchester. Ohio.

Elias Beadle was married to Annie Fallon, a native of County Galway, Ireland, who came to this country when twelve years of age, landing at New York. She crossed (36)

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the ocean on a sailing vessel and was three months and seven days on the water. Her parents died when she was small. She was sent to New York to live with an uncle, but the uncle died and she was reared by a German woman. Later she was thrown upon her own resources and was working in Cincinnati where she met Mr. Beadle, who at that time was driving a huckster wagon into Cincinnati. After he was married Mr. Beadle took his wife to Warren county, Ohio, where he engaged in contracting work. Elias Beadle is deceased. Annie ( Fallon) Beadle is still living in Warren county. Ohio. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are living in 1915.

Jesse Beadle was the paternal grandfather, and his wife was Sarah Beadle. He came from New Jersey to Ohio. Mrs. Beadle was born and reared in Ohio, and spent the last years of her life in Warren county.

W. A. Beadle was united in marriage, July 15, 1906. with Mabel Crane, daughter of W. D. and Anna Irene ( Harrell) Crane. W. D. and Anna Irene ( Harrell) Crane were both natives of Ohio, Mr. Crane spending his entire life in South Lebanon. His ancestors came from Pennsylvania, and were of German lineage.

Mr. Beadle is a gentleman of sterling qualities, is quick of perception, and executes his duties with that ease which only comes from long practical experience.

HENRY BETTS.

In no county in Ohio will one find a larger number of prosperous farmers than in Madison county, and among them is the gentleman whose history is here briefly given. Henry Betts for many years gave his employers the benefit of his help and knowledge of agriculture, and eventually made up his mind that if he could put money into the pockets of others, he could accomplish as much for himself, and accordingly bought a farm of fifty-five acres and started in for himself, at the same time, taking npon him- self the responsibility of providing for a wife and family. His present valuable farm is sufficient evidence of his success.

Henry Betts, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio. was born on February 10. 1856. in Jefferson township, and is a son of John and Angeline (Alder) Betts. At the age of thirteen years he began working by the month, continuing in this way for a number of years, during which time he attended the district schools during winter months. He bought his first farm, of fifty-five acres, from Isaac Bidwell, for which he paid sixty- three dollars and eighty-five cents an acre, which he later traded for the Gillivan farm. on which he now lives. Mr. Betts has always been more or less interested in stock raising, and has endeavored to produce a fine grade, and is in every sense of the word, a progressive and scientific farmer. Politically, he has always given his earnest sup- port to the Republican party, taking an active part in politics while in Canaan town- ship. but has never sought office. with the exception of one time when he served as school director. His religious belief is with the Universalist church. at Alden Chapel. His fraternal alliance is with West Jefferson Lodge No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons.

John Betts. father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Maryland. and came to Ohio when still a young man, with his mother and brother Henry. They started in a wagon with two horses, one of which died on the way, and they finished their journey with one horse. On arrival in Ohio, they settled in Madison county. close to Canaan and Jefferson townships, where Mrs. Betts lived the remainder of her life. Mrs. Angeline (Alder) Betts was a native of Ohio. They settled on what is now the Frank Peane farm, and lived there until their death. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Jonathan, who resides at Lilly Chapel ; Thomas, who is a resident of Irwin Station; Henry, of Jefferson township; Mary, who became the wife of John Gruell, and lives at Little Darby; Laura D., who is the wife of George Joyce, of Columbus, Ohio; and Sarah.

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Henry Betts was united in marriage, with Maude Stanton, daughter of James and Sarah Stanton. This union has been blest with three children: Claude, who died aged two months; May, who became the wife of Will Genshamer, and resides at Milford, Cincinnati, Ohio; Emerson, who is still with his father.

James and Sarah Stanton, parents of Mrs. Henry Betts, were natives of Madison county, the entire family of Mr. Stanton dying with the cholera when he was a small boy, leaving him alone.

Mr. Betts is deserving of great praise for the way in which he has struggled through single-handed, and those who have grown up with him and watched his efforts and close attention to business, are the ones best able to appreciate his achievement as an honest, industrious and successful agriculturist of Jefferson township. His farm, consisting of one hundred and one and three-quarter acres, located three and one-quarter miles north of West Jefferson, is one of the best kept farms of that section.

EDWARD J. FITZGERALD.

Among the citizens of Jefferson township, Madison county, Ohio, who have achieved a high degree of success as scientific stock raisers and general farmers, few are more worthy of a place in a volume of this character, than the gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch.

Edward J. Fitzgerald, farmer of Jefferson township, was born on March 3, 1879, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of D. D., and Johanna (Daley) Fitz- gerald, both natives of County Cork. Ireland. After coming to this country, D. D. Fitz- gerald worked as a blacksmith and was located between London and Plain City, Ohio. Edward Fitzgerald was reared on the home farm, and when twenty-one years of age. secured employment as a fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. being promoted at the end of four and one-half years to the position of engineer, which he held for six Years, and which he later resigned in order that he might follow agricultural pursuits. Politically, Mr. Fitzgerald is a believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and his religious membership is with the Catholic church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a third degree member, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

D. D. Fitzgerald, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and came alone to America, landing at New York. His wife, Johanna (Daley) Fitzgerald. was also born in County Cork, Ireland. They attended school together in their native country, but were separated at the age of eleven or twelve years of age. Mrs. Fitzgerald came with her parents to the United States four years before her hus- band came, and settled in Madison county. They corresponded for a time, and finally met again, Mr. Fitzgerald coming from Ft. Edward. New York, to be married. after which he returned to New York and sold his hotel business, and then came back and settled in Madison county, on his present farm. Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Fitzgerald were the parents of thirteen children as follow: D. A. and Nora Fitzgerald live at West Jefferson : Ellen (widow of Mr. Riley) lives on the home place; John died at the age of sixteen years; Hannah became the wife of P. C. Gaynard, and lives near Summer- ford : Mary is the wife of F. F. Ryan; Edward J., of Jefferson township; Daniel L. died when twenty-eight years old; Patrick, died at the age of six months: W. E. lives in Jefferson township; Margaret, died at nineteen years of age; Julia became the wife of Francis Graham; Elizabeth was united in marriage with Arthur Murphy.

John Daley, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland. He emigrated to the United States and settled in Madison county, Ohio, and he and his brother, Patrick Daley, were the original owners of the farm on which Edward J. Fitzgerald now resides, in Jefferson township, consisting of over two hundred and twenty acres.

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Mrs. Ellen Riley who resides with her brother, Edward J. Fitzgerald, is part owner of the home farm. She is the widow of Malachi Riley. Malachi Riley, now deceased. was a resident for a number of years of West Jefferson, Ohio. To Malachi and Ellen Riley were born the following children: Benedict, born on December 18, 1900; . and Collette, March 8, 1902, both of whom are attending school and reside with the mother at the home place.

Mr. Fitzgerald is at present especially interested in producing a fine breed of lrogs, of which he has a large number. He is a gentleman of pleasing address, and is held in high favor by his neighbors.

PETER BUFFENBURG.

The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneers of Madison county. A descendant of Prussian stock. he was born at Petersburg. Virginia, May 3, 1784, and died the 26th of September. 1867. In 1807 he came to Ohio with a thousand dollars in gold and eutered a part of his homestead in 1811, which is now familiarly known as the "Buff Prairie." where he began the business of grazing cattle. Not being inclined to speculate he rarely. if ever, sent his stock away in search of a market, but generally found sale for it on the farm. He seldom performed manual labor and always seemed to strive less, both in body and mind, for the accumulation of wealth than most men strive for the ordinary competency of life.

In the industry of stock raising. Peter Buffenburg was noted all over the country. aud was celebrated for the high grade of cattle which he raised. This subject was to him one of intense personal interest, and he was looked upon as an authority and was often called to render expert judgment in matters pertaining to the raising of stock. In the management of his affairs, he always made his aunnal income exceed his expendi- tures : so that. in a few years he accumulated a small sum of money, which he invested in real estate adjoining his first purchase. until he obtained a beautiful farm of three thousand acres. His discrimination of judgment in loaning money was such that he never lost any by this means. Before his death, by continuing his investments in real estate, he obtained a contignous tract of five thousand acres, which, with his personal effects. has been estimated at half a million dollars.

Such men as Peter Buffenburg help to lay the foundations for the material pros- perity of their section of the state and in so doing begneath rich opportunity upon those who follow. His entire estate was left to his wife, Angeline M. (Hutson ) Buffenburg. and his two daughters. Engenie Jeannette, now the wife of John Crawford, of New York City, and Mary May. wife of Clinton Morse, of London, Ohio. During his long life. Peter Buffenburg was never heard to speak a harsh or disrespectful word of any of his neighbors or acquaintances; nor does his name appear as a litigant on the records of his county court. With his numerous tenants he was kind and liberal, always avoid- ing difficulties and altercations.

During the Civil War. Peter Buffenburg always manifested a deep interest in the success of the Northern arms and in the perpetnity of the Union. His reading con- sisted mostly of the news of the day and ancient history. In his habits of life he was strictly temperate, and was rather inclined to retirement amounting, at times. almost to solitude. In conversation he was not very communicative, but always courteous and kind. He disliked anything like vanity, and sernpulously avoided every appearance of ostentatious wealth. To sum up his traits of character, he was not only entirely free from profanity, but strictly moral : he was humane and modest, unassuming and honest. In regard to his religious views he died as he lived. inclining to a belief in Universalism.

Eng by E G. Mlliams & Bra.NY

Peter Buffenburg

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FRANCIS M. WARNER.

Francis M. Warner, son of Charles R. Warner, was born on May 4, 1849, on his father's farm, near Bigplain, Fairfield township, this county. Mr. Warner's grand- father, Joseph Warner, Jr., was a native of Virginia, who, about 1804, came with his parents to Madison county, where they erected what is still known as the Warner homestead, located on the Charleston pike, in Union township. Before removing from Virginia, Joseph Warner, Jr., married Sarah Atchison, who was a native of Kentucky, and to this union were born eight childrn, all of whom reached the age of maturity. The names of five are given: John A., Eli G., Charles R., Rebecca A. and Rachel C.

Joseph Warner, Jr., and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Warner being an exponent of that faith for forty-five years. He was a pioneer of the sturdy type and an incident which transpired shortly after his arrival in Ohio will prove this statement. Mr. Warner was a carpenter by trade and, although skilled in his vocation, had attended school very little while in his native state, though his desire for education was unusually great. Upon his arrival in Union township, he contracted to build a school house and for his labor on that building he received one year's schooling. He erected the first house in London, also the second, which was his own residence. He was the contractor who erected the first Madison county court house at London. Mrs. Warner died in April, 1850, at the age of fifty-four years, and her husband departed this life fifteen years later, August 30, 1865, aged eighty-one years.

Joseph Warner, Sr., emigrated to this county from Virginia with his wife, Ruth Warner, and family, about the year 1804. He remained in Madison county for a number of years, subsequently removing to a home in the vicinity of Cincinnati, where his wife died at the age of ninety years. After the death of his wife, he returned to Madison county, where he resided with his son, Joseph, Jr. Joseph Warner, Sr., served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, at which time he became an expert horseman, never losing his love for the accomplishment which carried him safely through the perils of war. At the advanced age of one hundred years this energetic veteran of the Revolution rode on horseback from his home, in Madison county, to Washington, D. C., returning on the same horse, feeling none the worse for this trip of fifteen hundred miles. Again, at the age of one hundred and three years, he made another trip on horseback, to visit his daughter, who resided in another part of the state, but before his visit was finished he was taken ill and passed away at the age of one hundred and four years. These sketches of the lives of both the elder and the junior Joseph Warner give the key to the later successes of Charles R. and Francis M. Warner and their sterling qualities and business ability have been handed down to the fourth generation.

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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 82

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