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 88
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Although a young man when the War of 1812 was begun, Doctor Toland did duty as a soldier. serving as a volunteer in the defense of Baltimore, taking part in the battle of North Point.
Not until the winter of 1836 and 1837. however, did Doctor Toland receive his medical diploma, and this after attending lecture courses at the Cincinnati Medical College. The practice which followed was not limited to Madison county, but extended beyond its confines, for the doctor was not only a capable physician, but a kindly and sympathetic man as well. These last named qualities perhaps were inherited from his devoted mother.
Notwithstanding his busy professional life. Doctor Toland found time for civic activities, and in 1843 was elected as a Whig to the lower house of the Ohio Legisla- ture. Continuing his interest in the community to which he was always devoted. this good man was responsible for many of the advantages which the present generation is enjoying. It was mainly through his exertions that the Little Miami railroad was secured to London. He also took an active interest in the building of the Springfield & Columbus railroad, and was its first president. His great-hearted, public-spirited nature is shown by the fact he was untiring in his efforts to improve and enhance the value of London to its inhabitants, and it is he who built the first public hall.
On April 11, 1822. Aquila Toland was married to Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of Col. Philip Lewis, and to them were born three children, namely, Frances A .. after- wards the wife of Dr. Toland Jones; Aquila, who helped to organize the first Grand Army of the Republic post in the country, which was Post 1. Decatur, Illinois, where he lived till his death; and Jane T. The mother of these children was born in Adams county on October 14. 1805, and died on March 9. 1885. Philip Lewis, father of Mrs. Aquila Toland, was born in Pennsylvania, and afterwards settled in Adams county, Ohio, his home, later (1809). being on Deer creek, Somerford township, Madison county. Ohio. He served in the state Legislature in the sessions of 1807-9.
Dr. Toland Jones, who became the husband of Frances A. Toland. eldest daughter of Dr. Aquila Toland, was also a distinguished citizen of London. and a pioneer physi- cian. He was a soldier in the Civil War and organized a company here and served
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as its captain. He distinguished himself on the field of battle, beiug in command of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment at the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain.
Doctor Toland made a speech on the occasion of the departure of the first com- pany from Madison county for the front during the Civil War.
It would seem that the active life of Doctor Toland would not leave him much time for literary labors, and yet he has left some valuable contributions to the medical journals. His large medical practice enabled him to acquire a competency which was increased by judicious investment, and he died possessed of a large estate.
Doctor Toland took especial interest in all organizations which related to his profession, and soon after the Ohio State Medical Society was -started, he became a leading member. Doctor Aquila Toland was a strong character. He gave liberally of his time and professional skill to the world. He was also a man of strong attach- ments. His natural good sense, his habit of careful preparation for any task to be undertaken, his pertinacity in following an enterprise to success, together with his unswerving integrity were principle traits of his character. When he passed away in London, he was mourned by the whole community in which he had lived and to whose welfare and happiness he had ministered for many years.
REED CHRISMAN.
Prominent in the affairs of London, Madison county, Ohio, and distinguished as a citizen whose influence extends far beyond the limits of the city where he lives, the name of Reed Chrisman stands out as a conspicuous one among the successful farm- ers of Madison county. All of his undertakings have been actuated by noble motives and high resolves and characterized by the breadth of wisdom that marks a strong individuality. Although not a politician, he was elected as a Republican to the London city council in September, 1913, and is now serving his first term.
Reed Chrisman was born on May 27, 1869, on High street, in London, Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of Addison and Josephine (Rayburn) Chrisman, the former of whom came with his parents from Illinois when a young man. Addison Chrisman's father, Jacob Chrisman, is said to have built the first saw-mill erected in Madison county. This mill was located on the Sterling pike on Mr. Addison's farm south of London. Besides his sou Addison, Jacob Chrisman had three daughters, namely : Lida, who married Irving Willis, and both are deceased, leaving no children ; Sarah, who married Major Neal, both of whom are also deceased and left no family in Madison county ; Deliah, was the wife of Doctor Williams and the mother of Lee H. Williams.
Addison Chrisman served during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Regiment, Ohio' Volunteer Infantry, and was a comrade of James and Martin Dungan. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived two and one-half miles south of London in Union township. Late in life he retired and removed to London, where he died on September 18, 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. His widow is now living in Chicago, and Reed is the only member of the family left in Madison county. Jacob Chrisman was one of the early stock raisers of Madison county, and began early in life to raise Shorthorn cattle. This business was continued by his son, Addison Chrisman.
When a young man, Reed Chrisman served an apprenticeship in the tailor's trade in London, and followed the trade for twenty years, covering many states of the Union as a journeyman tailor. At the death of his father, in 1905, Mr. Chrisman inherited the farm of six hundred and eighty-six acres, which was one-fourth of his grand- father's old homestead, the latter having owned three thousand acres in Madison county. Mr. Chrisman has kept the six hundred and eighty-six acres intact as one
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farin, and has rented it for cash. His tenant, Matt Burrell, has lived on the farm for many years. For some time Mr. Chrisman has devoted his entire attention to over- seeing the farm, but has resided during this period in London.
Reed Chrisman's wife before her marriage was Matilda Amelia Wolf, who was born at Sidney, Ohio, August 28, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman were married at Sid- ney, Ohio, November 24, 1900. They have had no children.
Mr. Chrisman is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Chrisman is a member of the Lutheran church. She is active in the various societies of the church and prominent in the religious life of London. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman are good citizens, popular in the social life of London and highly respected throughout Madison county.
MRS. ABNER JOHNSON.
The lady whose biography is briefly presented in these lines is deserving of special mention as a well-known resident of Jefferson township, this county. She had always been a helpful and sympathetic companion for her husband through his untiring efforts for success, and a kind and loving mother to her family of children, as well as always finding time to assist and help care for those in sorrow and distress.
Emma J. (Olney) Johnson, widow of Abner Johnson, of West Jefferson, this coun- ty, was born on May 14, 1850, near Big Darby, in Jefferson township, a daughter of Judson and Lydia (Ayle) Olney, the former of whom was born at Athens, Ohio, and the latter, at Georgesville, Ohio. Mr. Olney was the youngest of four children of Jeremiah and Polly (Truesdale) Olney. His father gave him a farm, on which he started to build a house, but he died in August, 1855, before its completion. Legal complications arose, and his widow got very little out of his estate. After fourteen years, Mrs. Olney married, secondly, Abraham Johnson and lived on the farm where Mrs. Abner Johnson now resides, and where she and her second husband spent the remainder of their lives. No children were born to this second marriage, but to Judson and Lydia (Ayle) Olney, were born two children-Emma J., the subject of this biographical sketch, and Webster P. Olney, who resides at West Jefferson, and is the owner of a farm in Jefferson township.
Jeremiah and Polly (Trusdale) Olney, paternal - grandparents of Mrs. Abner John- son, came from Connecticut at an early date, settling first at Athens, Ohio, and moving later to Jefferson township, this county. They made the entire trip from Connecticut by ox teani, the most common method of transportation in those days. They located on what is now known as the Seeva farm. where they both died. Politically, Jeremiah Olney was a Republican, and both he and his wife were of the Baptist faith, of which church they were regular attendants. It is supposed they were of English lineage.
Emma J. Olney was united in marriage, August 26, 1866. to Abner Johnson, on the home place, where they went to housekeeping. Abner Johnson was a son of Abra- ham and Elizabeth (Kane) Johnson. To Mr. and Mrs. Abner Jolinson were born seven children, six of whom grew to be men and women, namely : Edna (deceased), who was the wife of John Lucas; Anna, who married Charles Temple and lives in Champaign county ; Jennie, who lives at home with her mother; Ethel, also at home; E. W., who lives in West Jefferson. a well-known broker and attorney, a sketch of whom is pre- sented elsewhere in this volume: Carrie, the wife of Charles Shannon, of West Jeffer- son, and Earl, who is at home. Abner Jolenson died on May 18, 1908, aged about sixty-four years. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and for years had taken an active part in local politics, serving as township trustee and road superintendent. His fraternal alliance was with the Masons at West Jefferson, of which order he was a member for many years. and in his religious belief, he belonged to the Methodist church. Mrs. Johnson and family also are members of the same churchi.
MR. AND MRS. ABNER JOHNSON.
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Abraham and Elizabeth (Kane) Johnson, parents of Abner Johnson, were both natives of Madison county, the former having been a son of Jacob Johnson, also a native of this county, who was a son of Michael Johnson, a native of Ireland, the Johnsons having been among the very early pioneers of Madison county. The maternal grandfather of Abner Johnson was Daniel Kane, a native of Germany.
Mrs. Johnson is the owner of a comfortable farm, situated one mile south of Gilli- . van, in Jefferson township, which she continues to manage. She is well known, and ยท has many warm friends in the community where she resides. The pleasant evening time of the life of this good woman is made more pleasant by the presence of numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her deceased daughter, Mrs. Edna Lucas, was the mother of four children, namely: Mrs. Bertha Bidwell, who has one child, a son, Merwin; Bruce, who married Alma Lowell; Paul, who married Dorothea Zim- merman and has one child, a daughter, Anna Belle, and Nellie, a teacher in the schools of West Jefferson. Mrs. Anna Temple has seven children, Marie, Merle, Flora, Homer, Erton, Leona and Harold. Mrs. Carrie Shannon has two children, Orville and Cleone, and Edward W. Johnson, who married Odessa E. High, has one child, a daughter, Isabelle.
MILTON EUGENE THOMAS.
Milton Eugene Thomas, son of Milton and Margaret Thomas, was born in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, July 29, 1873. When he was eight years old the family purchased. a farm known as the Horace Sanford farm, in Monroe township, and moved there. Milton grew to manhood, attending school during the winter and helping with the farm work in the summer, until at the age of twenty-five years he started to farm for himself, on rented land, first in Monroe, then in Pleasant, last in Pike township, where he lived for eight years on the C. W. Phellit farm of seven hundred acres. Leaving this farm he moved to the house purchased of Frank Kauf- man (in March, 1910), consisting of seventy acres, with an eight-room house, having all the modern conveniences. as furnace, bath, acetylene lights etc .; barns for horses and other live stock; a plant for the manufacture of drain tile; a saw-mill and houses for the principal men. In addition to his own farm, Mr. Thomas rents an adjoining tract of one hundred and ninety-six acres.
Mr. Thomas is especially interested in the breeding and raising of good stock, having full-blooded Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He has held several large public sales, which were well patronized, because of the quality of the stock offered and the fact that he stood back of them.
On March 6, 1900, M. Eugene Thomas was united in marriage with Nell A. Williams, daughter of Joseph and Adelia (Bradley) Williams. She was born on October 22, 1875, in Madison county, where she has always lived with the exception of two years spent with an aunt in San Diego county, California. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas grew up on adjoining farms and went to the same school. They have two children : Lohren Williams, born on February 11. 1901, and Margaret Adelia. September 25, 1908.
The family are all members of the Plumwood Methodist Episcopal church and are connected with the Rosedale Union church, where Mr. Thomas has served several years as Sabbath school superintendent. They take an active part in the temperance cause through the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Dry Federation, and have a deep and sincere interest in the advancement of the welfare of the community.
Politically, Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican, taking an active interest in local politics, serving in various offices; at present he is on the central committee of Madison county.
The prosperous and well-cared for farm owned by Mr. Thomas is located on rural
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route 3. seven miles southeast of Mechanicsburg, where he has won and retains the respect of the entire community.
John Milton Thomas, father of the subject of this sketch, was born near South Solon, Ohio, and was a son of Benjamin Thomas, a direct descendant of Joseph Thomas, the "White Pilgrim." John M. Thomas was united in marriage with Margaret Ana . Carr. by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living in 1915: Luella, unmarried, and living in Mechanicsburg, Ohio; M. Eugene; Mamie, wife of Charles 1. Arganbright. of Lima, Ohio, and Howard C., of Chicago. Those dead are Samuel, Linnie Wilson and Florence Reed.
ALBERT NEWTON JONES.
Two of the most highly respected citizens of, Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, are Mr. and Mrs. Albert Newton Jones, both of whom are descended from pioneers of the great Buckeye state, and both of whom are well known in Madison county. Mr. Jones is the proprietor of "Oakwood Farm," a tract of sixty acres situated one and one-half miles southwest of Plain City. and Mrs. Jones owns two hundred acres of land in Canaan township, a tract known as the David Herrington farm. They are interested in every phase of farm life and both are leaders in the community where they live.
Albert N. Jones was born in Union county, Ohio, November 2, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Marian (Newton) Jones, the former of whom was born in South Wales, July 29. 1820, and who died February 19, 1908. Thomas Jones came to America with his parents in 1834. and located with them in Columbus, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Later he engaged in the saddlery business in Madison county. He was married to Marian Newton, the daughter of Albert Newton, who helped to give him a start in life. Albert Newton was one of the early settlers on the Darby Plains, having come to Ohio from the state of Vermont in 1814. A wheelwright and chair manufac- turer by trade and business, Albert Newton was a prosperous man and made a great deal of money during his active life. He was a large landowner on the Darby Plains, progressive in all movements for the welfare of his community, a zealous worker in the Methodist church, and an all around useful citizen. Albert Newton and his wife were the parents of one child, now Marian Newton. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones are the parents of six children, as follow : Albert N., the subject of this sketch; Charles M .. a prominent farmer and stockman of Jerome township, Union county, Ohio, mar- ried Ida Snyder. of Mt. Gilead, Ohio: Elmer E. is a shoe dealer of Los Angeles. Cali- fornia ; Harriet became the wife of J. D. Jones. the latter of whom was a native of Wales. now living in Cleveland, Ohio; Winfred is deceased, and Ann died at the age of ten years.
Albert Newton Jones was reared on a farm in Jerome township, Union county, Ohio. and received his education in the district schools of his home township. He attended school until he was eighteen years of age, but remained at home until lie reached the age of twenty-five years. His father had been one of the first breeders of Percheron horses in the state of Ohio, and Albert N. naturally became interested in horses and has made a commendable success of this line.
Albert N. Jones was married to Flora Price on April 30, 1884. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Wilson) Price, and was born on February 27. 1861. the eldest child of her father's family. She was reared on a farm in Canaan township and educated in the district schools and is a graduate of Shepherdson College, of Granville, Ohio. having finished the course in that excellent institution in 1882.
Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian church at Plain City. Mr. Jones is an adherent of the Democratic party, although not taking an active part in political
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affairs, preferring to devote his time and attention to his extensive agricultural inter- ests. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have traveled considerably and are enjoying life in full measure, having fine farms, which are well managed and very productive. They are honored and respected residents of their communitty, thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit of the times in which they live. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is prominent in this order. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of one child, who died in infancy.
AMOS F. GREEN, M. D.
"No one is living aright unless he so lives that whoever meets -him goes away more confident and joyous for the contact. Faith in all ultimate good should be so vital that it can communicate itself, as with a vibratory impulse to others." If there is one profession above all others, in the practice of which faith and optimism are essential, it is that of the physician. His attitude toward life must be a wholesome one if he is to bring health and happiness to those who need his ministry, and he must also have within his personality those elements which inspire confidence, not only in him as a human benefactor, but also in the Eternal Goodness. The man who can be a success in an exacting profession of this kind, and can so win the respect and trust of a community as to become its chief executive, must, indeed, be a forceful personality. Such a man is Dr. Amos F. Green, physician and surgeon, and mayor of West Jeffer- son, this county.
Amos F. Green was born on October 23, 1859, in York, Pennsylvania, the son of Amos S. and Susan (Forry) Green. His early environment offered very little promise for the career of a physician, but like so many of the country's most useful citizens, he receieved his education in the "university of hard knocks." As a youth of seven- teen, he came alone to Ohio and secured work on a farm near Fairfield, where for a time he was employed by the month. From boyhood it was his ambition to study medicine but the road to fulfillment of his dreams was neither easy nor short. For some years after leaving the farm he was a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, snatching a minute now and then when off duty to read his medical books. By hard work, he was able to save enough money to enter Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which, after three years of work, he was graduated and from which he received his medical degree. Having been obliged to earn every dollar spent in securing his professional training, he was heavily in debt when he left college to enter on the practice of his profession, but he went to work with a determination that could mean nothing less than success. Doctor Green first located a Georgesville. Franklin county, this state, where he remained for four years, at the end of which time he went west, but presently returned to Ohio and made his home in Lilly Chapel, this county, where he practiced until April, 1905, at which time he located in West Jefferson, where he had built up a successful practice.
On June 2, 1906. Dr. Amos F. Green was united in marriage to Mrs. Josephine B. Smith. who is the mother, by her first marriage, of Marie Smith, a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, and now a student of the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mrs. Green is the daughter of Thomas E. and Mariah (Bennett) Biggert, natives of Franklin county. She obtained her elementary education in the local schools of her girlhood home and later attended the college at Ada, Ohio. Doctor and Mrs. Green are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take much interest in the work of the church, the doctor being a member of the board of trustees. and Mrs. Green an active worker in both church and Sunday school, both giving liberally of their time and means to further the success of the church.
Doctor Green is connected with the county and state medical societies and is a past
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master of Madison Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons; past noble grand of Gilroy Lodge No. 695, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and a member of Camp Chase No. 7276, Modern Woodmen of America. Doctor Green is a Republican, and since locating in this county has taken a warm interest in local politics. He was elected mayor of the village of West Jefferson in November, 1913, and is now serving in that elective capacity.
RUBY N. CONVERSE.
Ruby N. Converse enjoys the distinction of living on and owning "Oak View Farm," where he was born. He is an extensive breeder of high-grade live stock, and has specialized in raising Duroc-Jersey hogs.
Ruby N. Converse, who is living on rural route No. 2, out of Plain City, Ohio, was born on "Oak View Farm," a tract of one hundred acres situated one and one-half miles southwest of Plain City, Ohio, December 26, 1873, the son of Lemuel D. and Laura A. (Thomas) Converse.
Lemuel D. Converse was born in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, January 21, 1826, the son of the Rev. Jeremiah Converse, who was one of the early settlers of Darby Plains, having come to Ohio from Vermont. Laura A. Thomas was born in Logan county, Ohio, near the famous cave. She is still living and residing in this county, although her husband died in 1909. They had five children, three of whom are now living. Carrie is the widow of C. H. Rouse, of Columbus, Ohio. Pearl D., of Plain City, Ohio, is the vice-president of the Chase Manufacturing Company, of Columbus. Ruby N. is the subject of this sketch.
Ruby N. Converse grew up on a farm in Madison county, the one where he now lives and which his mother owns, and, when he reached manhood, was married to Grace E. Smith, the daughter of James A. Smith, who was born in Washington town- ship, Franklin county, Ohio, and who received a good education in the schools at Plain City. Mr. and Mrs. Converse have had two children. Effie L. graduated from the Plain City high school of the class of 1911. She is unmarried and lives at home. H. Smith is a student in the Plain City high school at the present time. Mr. Converse is a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,. and is a past grand in this lodge. He is also a member of Canaan Grange, and votes the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Converse is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah.
ROBERT ALEXANDER WILSON.
Prominently identified with the various movements designed to advance the material prosperity of the fine agricultural district surrounding West Jefferson, this county, Robert A. Wilson, a descendant of an old pioneer family of Madison county, takes his place as a substantial young agriculturist of that section, where he has earned the sincere regard of those with whom his dealings have bronght him in contact, and who is eminently deserving of specific mention in a volume of this character.
Robert A. Wilson was born on a farm east of West Jefferson, this county, on September 28, 1893, son of Henry C. and Kate (Farrar) Wilson, prominent residents of that locality, the former of whom was born in Canaan township. this county, on April 23. 1856, son of Alexander and Martha J. (Milliken) Wilson, and who were the parents of but two children, both sons, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Walter F., a prosperous farmer in Montana. Alexander Wilson was the son of William D. Wilson, one of the early pioneers of Madison county and a man who did much for the development of this section.
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