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 83
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Charles R. Warner was a farmer and spent his entire life in Madison county. He was prominent in the congregation of the Methodist Episcopal church and hield the office of trustee of Fairfield township for some time. His wife, Isabella J. Chenoweth, was born in Oak Run township, this county, on what is now known as the W. D. Chenoweth farm. To this union were born eleven children, ten of whom are still living, as follow : Francis M., subject of this sketch; Thomas S., of Oregon; John S., of Kansas; Joseph H., of Nebraska; Milton C., of Ohio; Charles S., of Oklahoma ; Isabella Fitzgerald, of Fairfield township; Minnie Gregg, of Oregon; W. G., of Clark county. Ohio; O. E., now living on the home place in Madison county ; and Sarah J., who is deceased.
Francis M. Warner received his education in the common schools of Fairfield township. He then began working on his father's farm, which, in itself, was an
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agricultural education. He was united in marriage in 1876 to Julia Jones, and to this union were born three children, two daughters and one son, all of whom are deceased. The son lived to the age of eighteen, but the daughters both died in infancy. Mrs. Warner departed this life in February, 1896.
Mr. Warner followed farming in Madison county until the year 1884, when he removed to Marshall county, Kansas. He resided in Kansas for fourteen years, after which he took up his residence in Missouri. While a resident of that state, he married Anna Florence, who was a native of Butler, Missouri, and who died in 1901. After the death of his second wife, the love for old associations drew Mr. Warner back to his native county and the scenes of his childhood. In 1904 he was united in marriage to Grace Denny, a native of Pickaway county, and a cousin, twice removed, of General Custer. Mrs. Warner is a member of two local clubs, the East High Club and the Elective Franchise Club, and is a woman of rare ability and personality. She is the daughter of Nathan and Agnes (Custer) Denny, both of Southern extraction, Mr. Denny having been a native of Kentucky and Mrs. Denny a native of Virginia. Mrs. Denny was the daughter of Paul Custer, a second cousin of Gen. George Custer, who at one time visited them in London.
Mr. and Mrs. Warner are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Warner is a stauch Republican. He has traveled quite extensively in this country and is an exponent of the theory that to see one's own country first makes one better able to draw comparisons when traveling abroad, and is also the best possible intro- duction to the people of foreign lands. Mr. and Mrs. Warner reside in a comfortable, modern home on Washington avenue. which he purchased in 1911. He still retains the old home place in Fairfield township, and in addition to his holdings in this county retains considerable interests in Frankfort, Kansas, being a director of the National Bank there, and also interests in Oklahoma City.
Historical extracts from the history of four generations may lead the reader to think that the life of Francis Warner has been overshadowed by those who have gone before, but not so; they have merely been the prelude to a perfect symphony of life and the preparation for a better life to follow, as all who know him will testify.
LUKE D. SMITH.
Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote in the career of Luke D. Smith, an enterprising farmer of Deer Creek township, this county, and the son of the late Henry W. Smith, a distinguished citizen of Madison county. Not only has the son been interested in advancing his own personal and private affairs, but, like his distinguished father. his influence has been felt in the upbuilding of the community life where he lives. Mr. Smith has been an industrious citizen, and has striven to keep abreast of the times in every and all respects. He has worthily fulfilled the traditions of the Smith family so well established by his father, who was a conspicuous figure in the public life of this county.
Luke D. Smith was born in London, this county, July 22. 1855, and after receiving a common-school education moved to the farm, after his marriage in 1879. He is the son of Henry W. and Jeanette (Smith) Smith. the former of whom. at his death, was the Nestor of the Madison county bar, was born on April 6. 1814, in Whitestown, Oneida county, New York. and the latter, also a native of New York. of Revolutionary stock. They were the parents of the following children: Ellen, the wife of W. S. Squires: Mary G., the wife of G. A. Florence, of Columbus, Ohio: Luke D., the subject of this sketch : Palmer C., former mayor of London and former prosecuting attorney of Madison county, who was associated with his father, until the latter's death. in the
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practice of law, and, after his father's death, with his father-in-law, until his death, in 1898, his widow uow being the wife of Thomas Kinsman, of Kinsman, Ohio, aud Benjamin F., a farmer of Deer Creek township, this county. In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Smith toured Europe. Six years later, Mrs. Smith died. Two years after her death, her husband passed away.
The late Henry W. Smith's ancestors were of English stock. He attended the academy at Rensselaer, New York, and was reared on a farm in Jefferson county, that state. In 1838 he came to Ohio, locating at Circleville, county seat of Pickaway county, where he read law for a time, after which, in June, 1840. he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court. He presently settled at Londou, this county, aud in 1840 was made prosecuting attorney, serving in that capacity from 1840 to 1844, and again, by appointment, in 1856. He was elected again to the same office in 1860 and once more in 1864. As a member of the Whig party, in 1848, Henry W. Smith was elected as a representative to the Ohio General Assembly and during the session of 1849 was a useful member, witnessing the enactment of a great number of reforms, including the law permitting a party, possessing a pecuniary interest in a suit, to testify as witness in the trial thereof. This was a radical reform and did not become a law uutil after the next session, the bar, in the meantime, giving it serious reflection and consideration. Mr. Smith's activity also resulted in the present law as to descent, which provides that the husband and wife lacking children can inherit property from each other. This provision, however, was not adopted until a later session. In 1853 Mr. Smith was elected to the state Senate, where his labors proved of much value and importance to the state. In 1864 Henry W. Smith was a presidential elector, aud, in 1865, became the president of the Madison National Bank. serving in that capacity until he sold out . his stock and invested the proceeds iu land. Appointed collector of internal revenue by President Grant, he handled nearly two million dollars annually during his tenure of office and gave highly satisfactory service. Having passed military age, he was limited to ten days' service at Camp Chase at the time of the Morgan raid during the Civil War. during all of which trying period his most ardent support was given to the cause of the Union. In 1876 Mr. Smith was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
Four years after coming to Ohio. Henry W. Smith married Jeanette Smith, of New York State. Luke D. Smith, one of the children of this union, received two hundred and twenty acres of land at his father's death, on this land at that time there having been a log stable and a part of the present honse. The place has been greatly improved by the erection of modern buildings. and today is one of the most highly improved farms to be found in Madison county. The Smith home is located three miles north of London on the Lafayette pike.
In 1879 Luke D. Smith was married to Grace Mayne, of Union county, Iowa, daughter of Philander and Mary J. Mayne, of the Hawkeye state, and to this union three children have been born, Laura, the wife of Dr. F. E. Noland, a deutist of London : Harriet, the wife of James A. Smith, formerly a druggist of London, but now located at Cleveland, Ohio, and Jeannette, at home with her parents, attending the London schools.
Mr. Smith has served as township trustee for twenty years, and is also a member of the board of directors of the county infirmary. He is a Republican and is prom- inent in the councils of the party in this section. At one time he was a member of the board of directors of the County Fair Association and in other ways has displayed his earnest interest in the general advancement of material and civic conditions hereabout.
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RICHARD HARRISON McCLOUD.
As a leader among the politiclans of this county and as a lawyer of more than usual ability, the gentleman whose biography is here considered has made a notable contribution to the citizenship of Madison county. Both he and his father are among the distinguished men of their time, and their achievements form an important part of local history, the former being a man of forceful character and legal attainments, the latter, a pioneer legislator and legal practitioner. It is difficult to estimate the service such men render their kind, or to give adequate acknowledgment of such ser- vice. Richard Harrison McCloud is a native of the city in which he and his family have become so well known, having been born in London, this county, on March 11, 1858, the son of Col. J. C. and Elizabeth (Winget) McCloud.
Curtis McCloud, grandfather of the subject of this biography, was a native of Vermont, a grandson of Charles McCloud, who emigrated from that state to Worth- ington, Franklin county, Ohio, in 1808. Later, Curtis McCloud settled in Union coun- ty, but about 1839, he again changed his abode, this time taking up his home and work on a farm in Darby township, Madison county, where he lived until his death in Decem- ber, 1863. His wife was Elizabethi Cutler, also a native of Vermont, daughter of John Cutler, who came to Ohio in 1815, and one of a family of eight children. Elizabeth Cutler McCloud died in 1880. Col. J. C. McCloud, father of the subject of this sketch, was a son of Curtis McCloud, and for many years was a prominent member of the Madison county bar. He was born in Union county, Ohio, on February 15, 1829, and came to live in Madison county when ten years of age. Early in his life the charac- teristics which were to bring him fame and success, were made evident, for he made the most of a meager district-school education, the best to be had in those days, and then after reaching his majority, attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. . At the end of his college course. J. C. McCloud entered the law office of R. A. Harri- son, a prominent attorney of London, later of Columbus, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1857. He formed a partnership with this distinguished gentleman, the law firm being known as Harrison & McCloud until it was dissolved in April, 1859. Sub- sequently, J. C. McCloud formed partnerships with Emery Smith, George W. Burnham, and Martin O'Donnell, at different times, and on March 9, 1879, formed a new legal firm with his son, R. H. McCloud, and in 1881 O. P. Converse was added to this firm, which continued as McCloud & Converse until the death of the senior McCloud, which occurred on April 17, 1887. The firm then continued as McCloud & Converse until in September, 1906, when the firm was dissolved and a new firm established, the same being known as McCloud & Lincoln, which continued until in December, 1914. since which time Mr. McCloud has been practicing alone.
In 1854 J. C. McCloud was married to Elizabeth Winget, who was born in this county. and to this union five children were born, four of whom are living, William McCabe, George, Luther and Richard H., all residing in London. Colonel McCloud's professional and political activities were so extensive as to give him a wide acquaint- ance in the county which was for so many years his home. He was one of the most influential members of the Republican party of his district during all of his active years, and was for sixteen years chairman of the Republican central committee. With this record, it is unnecessary to state that he and his family were as prominent in the social life of the community as he was in the business world, and when he passed away, he was missed by many to whom he was attached by strong bonds of friend- ship, as well as by the community at large, which his life and labors had enriched. His wife was a woman of estimable character and attainments, and was devoted to her home and children. She died on Jannary 21, 1912.
Colonel McCloud, by his legal mind and training, no doubt marked out the path
RICHARD HI. McCLOUD.
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which the feet of his gifted son should tread, although the process may have been unconscious. This observation is made because of the striking similarity which exists between father and son, both as to personal tastes and tendencies, and the direction which these took in private and public life.
Richard Harrison McCloud, as before stated, was born and reared in London. The high school class with which he was graduated was somewhat smaller than that grad- uated today, for he was among the first to receive the coveted "sheepskin" in 1875. He then attended Ohio State University for two years, after which he studied law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar on March 13, 1879. Fortunate in the pres- tige of a well-known and well-liked father, Mr. McCloud has reached the goal of earthly success perhaps with fewer obstacles than is the case with young men who start out alone, but he has been wise enough to take advantage of every opportunity that came his way. Thus it is that he has built up an enviable practice, and in con- nection with it, has not been without public honor. Interested in the questions per- taining to education, he was a member of the London school board for fifteen years. In business circles he is best known as a director of the Central National Bank, while as a politician he has won the respect of his colleagues who elected him chairman of the Republican executive committee, and also of the state central committee.
It is natural to suppose that one so active in professional and political lines would likewise hold membership in social and fraternal organizations equally as important. Nor is the conjecture a mistake, for Mr. McCloud is a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter and council, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights Templar, Mt. Vernon Com- mandery No. 1, of Columbus, and of Aladdin Temple. Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Columbus. He is also a prominent member of the influential London Club.
On October 26, 1886, Richard H. McCloud was united in marriage to Helen Crabb, daughter of Judge O. P. Crabb, which union was without issue. Mrs. McCloud, who like her husband, was born and brought up in London, died on April 29, 1906. As a counselor and legal adviser, Mr. McCloud is noted for carefulness, fairness and relia. bility, and as a man he richly merits what has been given him-the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
EDWARD QUINN.
In compiling a biographical history of Madison county the list of those who have added to the common good hereabout would be incomplete without the name of Edward Quinn, one of the wideawake and enterprising farmers of the West Jefferson neigh- borhood. Mr. Quinn was reared and trained to the vocation of an agriculturist. and has profited thereby, making the most of his qualifications, and continually adding to lis store of knowledge in that direction. until he is now recognized as a local authority on modern agricultural methods.
Edward Quinn was born on May 8, 1872. in Canaan township, this county. a son of Edward and Eliza (Ganer) Quinn. He was well trained to the life of a farmer, under the supervision of his father, and was educated in the common schools. He remained with his father until the latter's death, and has never married. His time has been divided between general farming and stock raising, and two of his specialties are Merino sheep and Duroc-Jersey hogs. ITis excellent farm, consisting of two hun- dred and twelve acres, is situated three and one-half miles north of West Jefferson. Politically, Mr. Quinn has always been a stanch Democrat, and is a public-spirited citizen, which quality has been demonstrated by his service as school director for a period covering fifteen years, and he is now serving as one of the township trustees. Though Jefferson township is wont to return Republican majorities. Mr. Quinn was
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elected as trustee by a large majority of votes, he being well known and highly respected in that township. His religious sympathies are with the Catholic church, he being connected with the church of that faith at West Jefferson, and his financial member- ship is with the Foresters.
Edward Quinn, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and came to the United States when he was nineteen years old, locating in Franklin county, this state, where he remained three years, and from there came to Madison county, spending the remainder of his life here. At the end of his first year here, he began to farm for himself, and saved enough in twelve years to purchase a farm of one hundred aeres. In Franklin county Mr. Quinn was married to Eliza Ganard, also a native of Ireland, who came to America while still a young girl. To this union were born four children, namely: - James, a farmer iu Jefferson township, who married Bessie Nugent; Edward, the subject of this review ; Mary, at home, and William, who married Winnie Carney and resides at Cincinnati. Edward Quinn, Sr., died on April 29, 1912, and his widow is still living at the old home with her son, Edward.
Mr. Quinn is unassuming in his attitude toward others. and through his absolute integrity has made many warm friends in Madison county, all of whom hold him in high regard.
CLARENCE BIDWELL.
Clarence W. Bidwell, a progressive and well-known farmer of the West Jefferson neighborhood, in this county, was born on January 20, 1885, in Jefferson township, a son of Webster and Sarah ( Buswell) Bidwell. He was reared on a farm and obtained his early education at the district schools, attending only during the winter months, as his services were required by his father during the summer. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he was married, and so ably has he operated his farm that he is now well provided with the goods of this world. His fine farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres. situated four miles north of West Jefferson, is one of the most attractive and homelike places in the township. He owns a fine imported Belgian mare, and is a breeder of Duroc-Jersey, all registered stock.
Webster Bidwell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Canaan town- ship, this county, and died when his son was two years old. His widow. Sarah (Buswell ) Bidwell. married. secondly, John Penny. who died in 1914. She is now living at London, this county. To Webster and Sarah (Buswell) Bidwell were born the following children besides the subject of this review : Ada, who married Leonidas Johnson and lives near Lilly Chapel; Minie, who married Eugene Ortman, of Logan county. Ohio: Edith, who married Frank Burrell. of Licking county, Ohio, and Pearl, who makes her home in London.
On February 28, 1907, Clarence Bidwell was united in marriage to Florence Stoner. who was born on February 6, 1884, in this county. daughter of Ross and Millie ( Hunter) Stoner. to which union four children have been born. Earl (deceased), Ernest. Cecil and Clyde.
Mr. Bidwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gillivan. and Mrs. Bidwell is a member of the church of the same denomination at West Jefferson. Mr. Bidwell and his wife are both descended from old pioneer families of Madison county, and are known far and wide for their kind-hearted and benevolent interest in com- munity affairs. Mr. Bidwell is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county.
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JOHN McDONALD, III.
John McDonald, III, who died in Madison county more than a quarter of a century ago, was a representative of the third generation of the McDonald family in this county, and both his father and his grandfather were named John McDonald. The McDonald home is situated on the West Jefferson pike, five miles east of London, in Deer Creek township. The original John McDonald, of Madison county, who may be designated as John McDonald, I, was reared in Scotland and received an excellent education. He came to Ohio with his son, John, II, from southern Tennessee, about 1800, and they settled in a log house, near which the railroad later passed. John McDonald, I, who died in 1811, and his son, John, II, are both buried in the Glade cemetery. John McDonald, II, acquired four hundred acres of land, and in 1807 built a brick house that is still standing and still in a good state of preservation. The present brick front of the house was built by a later owner, but the rear part was a part of the original house. It was John McDonald, II, who donated the church site and the cemetery near the farm. He was a splendid figure of the sturdy Scot, tall, straight, portly and dignified in appearance. He was a believer in "water witches," and often acted as one himself, locating veins of water for his pioneer neighbors. He was also accustomed to bleed members of his family for various ills, and, although somewhat superstitious, was a strong churchman and well versed in the Scriptures. He believed implicitly in the Bible and in the actuality of a lake of burning fire and brimstone, reading the Word literally. John McDonald, II. who died in January, 1853, was honest by nature and adhered strictly to the Golden Rule. A grandson tells that as a lad he had a swelling in his side and his grandfather lanced the wound, assuring him it would not hurt. His pain was frightful and he lost all confidence in his grand- father's truthfulness, and, in fact, could not behold him for years afterwards without the thought arising that the grandfather was a "liar."
John McDonald, III, the subject of this sketch, was born in Deer Creek township, this county, the son of John McDonald, II, and the grandson of John McDonald, I, one of the original settlers of Madison county. John McDonald, I, had a large farm of one thousand acres, which extended from the West Jefferson pike to the national road, a distance of two miles, his house being on the cross road, now the Simpson road. The old frame house is still standing. Joseph McDonald, one of his sons, received one hundred and eight acres of the one-thousand-acre tract, and later added to this farm until he owned two hundred and eight acres. In 1883 he built the house in which Howard McDonald now lives, and there he died, about eighteen months after com- pleting the house. at the age of seventy years. Practically all of his married life was spent on that farm, except a few years spent in Iowa. He married Mary A. McCoy. a foster child of William McCoy, of Deer Creek township, and to this union three children were born, William, M., a business man of London, this county, engaged in the retail sale of feed and farm implements; Olive M., who is the wife of Frank Melvin, of London, and Howard, who now occupies the home farm. Another son. Frank, born to a previous marriage, a mail clerk, died as the result of injuries received in a railroad accident.
In his farming operations, Joseph McDonald was an extensive sheep and horse dealer, and bought horses and sold them during the Civil War. He was not interested in public service, and never aspired to office. His widow, who had remained on the farm after his death, died in 1913. At her death, Howard McDonald purchased the interests of the other heirs and owns all of the farm except a one-twelfth interest.
Howard McDonald was born on June 18, 1873, on the site of the present home, in a house still standing, which was built ninety years ago and which was formerly the
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Coniac school house. It is now used as a granary. At one time, after it had been abandoned as a school house, it was moved to the farm and used as a residence. It now stands some distance away from Mr. McDonald's present home. Howard MeDon- ald is an extensive breeder of Shropshire sheep and specializes in Red Duroc-Jersey hogs. He attends all the county fairs, but is not an exhibitor. Having been reared on the farm and having been active in its management since he was eighteen years old, he understands it thoroughly and is wholly devoted to the vocation of agriculture.
In 1899 Howard McDonald was married to Alice M. Walker, who died in Novem- ber. 1902, leaving no children. In 1904 Mr. McDonald married, secondly, Minnle J. Johnson, who was born in this county, daughter of Henry and Ella Johnson, who lived on an adjoining farm, and to this union one child has been born, Robert Milton, born in 1912.
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