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 89
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Reared on the paternal farm. Robert A. Wilson received his elementary education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, which he supplemented by two years
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in the high school at West Jefferson, after which he went west and for a time was located in Nevada, but presently returned home and entered seriously upon the life of a farmer. He has divided his attention between general farming and stock raising, his well-kept place, "Buena Vista Farm," on rural route No. 2, out of West Jefferson. this county, being looked upon as one of the model farms of that section.
On December 20, 1914, Robert A. Wilson was united in marriage to Edna M. Carter, who was born in Brown township, Franklin county, this state, on February 10, 1895, daughter of T. C. and Ella ( McMurray) Carter, well-known residents of that section of the state, and to this union a son has been born, Richard Carter, born on October 3, 1915. Mrs. Wilson completed her schooling in the West Jefferson high school and she and her husband take a prominent part in the social activities of the neighborhood in which they reside, both being held in the very highest esteem by their many friends thereabout. Mr. Wilson is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county. He is a hustling and enterprising young farmer and an upright and honorable citizen of this county, who enjoys the confidence of all who know him,
ANDREW CARY.
Andrew Cary, a retired farmer of Plain City, Darby township, was born in June, 1837, in the same township where he now resides. He is a son of Solomon and Anna (Milliken) Cary. He was reared on a farm in Canaan township, where he attended the common schools, receiving but a limited education. He acquired a thorough knowl- edge of agriculture under the supervision of his father, and at the age of twenty-one years started to farm on his own responsibility. He built a nice house on his farm and resided there until 1910, when he came to Plain City on April 14, of that year. Mr. Cary was greatly interested in stock raising, devoting the most of his time in that direction, and produced some very fine animals, including many fine horses. Politi- cally. he has always given his support to the Democratic party, and has been active in local politics, serving for an extended period as trustee of Darby township.
Solomon Cary, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a young man, locating in Canaan township, where he spent the remainder of his years. His wife, Anna (Milliken) Cary, who was a daughter of Col. James Milliken, was born in Pennsylvania and came to Madison county with her parents in very early times. To Solomon and Anna (Milliken) Cary were born three children : Andrew ; John, deceased; and Catharine, who died at the age of nine years. John Cary was reared in Madison county, and died at Milford, Ohio. Solomon Cary was a son of Abijah and Catharine (Johnson) Cary.
Abijah and Catharine (Johnson) Cary were the paternal grandparents of Andrew Cary, the former being a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio when a young man and located in Canaan township.
The maternal grandfather was Col. James Milliken, and his wife was Elizabeth Milliken. They came in very early times to Madison county, where they purchased land which had to be cleared before he could build a log cabin. They lived here many years and then moved to Big Darby, where Mr. Milliken died.
His children were nine in number. John, Daniel, Samuel, Jacob, James, Anna, Eliza, and two others.
Andrew Cary was united in marriage on October 7, 1868, with Flora E. Burnham, daughter of Darius and Lucretia (Hunt) Burnham. She was born on June 12, 1841, in Madison county, Ohio, where she was reared and educated in the district schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cary had five thousand dollars when they were married, which they invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land, all in woods and swamp.
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Mr. Cary built a log cabin and set to work to clear and ditch his land, to which he continued to add other tracts, until he owned one thousand and ninety-six acres of as valuable laud as there is in Madison county.
After becoming satisfied with his financial success, Mr. Cary divided his holdings between his children, keeping only sufficient for the needs of himself and his good wife. He now lives in a comfortable residence on East Main street in Plain City, sur- rounded with all the comforts of life.
ARCH WALKER.
Among the prosperous agriculturists of Madison county. Ohio, is Arch Walker, pro- prietor of "Oak Run Farm," one of the wealthy landowners of Madison county, who has been able to rest on his laurels and enjoy his distinction as a successful and pro- gressive farmer, retiring from active pursuits at an age when he is justly entitled to a life of ease and comfort.
Arch Walker was born on July 31, 1849, in Brown township, Franklin county, Ohio, and is a son of William and Catherine ( Carpenter) Walker. He was reared to the life of a farmer in Brown township, Franklin county, and was educated in the district schools, attending during the winter seasons and assisting on the farm during the summers, until about sixteen years of age. His father died when he was four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Walker now control eight hundred acres of fine tillable land, the most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Walker has always voted the Prohibition ticket. He is a member of the Baptist church and his wife and one daughter belong to the Presbyterian church.
William Walker, father of Arch Walker. was a native of Vermont and moved to Franklin county, Ohio, when a young man, locating in Brown township, Franklin county, at a later period, where he was united in marriage with Catherine Carpenter, who was a native of Delaware county, and a daughter of Israel and Susan ( Hess) Carpenter. To this union were born six children, three of whom are living in 1915: Maria became the wife of J. M. Beach, of Plain City; Cynthia is married to Robert Patterson, of Brown township, Franklin county; Arch, of Plain City; Sylvia was married to Thomas Beach and is now deceased; Leonora became the wife of John H. Milliken, and is now deceased : Cassius B., now deceased, was married to Iva Wright.
The paternal grandfather was William Walker, Sr., a native of Vermont, who came with his family to Madison county. Ohio. locating in Canaan township, and lived there until late in life, when he sold out and moved to Iowa. where he died. He had a family of eight children, three of whom were sons, William, Nathan, and Daniel, by his first wife. By his second wife. he had two sons, Solomon, and Joseph, who went west ; Catherine and two other daughters.
Arch Walker was united in marriage on December 19, 1873, with Sophronia Dominy, who was born in 1854, in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio. She died in 1890, leaving surviving, her husband and three children, Louise K., Alvin W., and Anna Mary, Louise K. was educated in the public schools, and also had a good education in musie. Alvin W. was married to Nellie Hager, and resides at . Tucson, Arizona. They have two children, Holly and Gretchen, twins. 'Anna Mary is a graduate of the Plain City high school, and later attended the Ohio State University, from which she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1906, after which she became principal of the West Jefferson high school, and was teacher of history in the Troy, Ohio, high school.
Arch Walker was married secondly, to Sarah Milliken, on March 5, 1896. She was born on July 11, 1851, in Canaan township, Madison county, and is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Cary) Milliken. Mrs. Walker was educated in the public schools
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and later attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, and spent some time in college at Delaware, Ohio.
Mr. Walker, on his paternal grandmother's side, traces his ancestry back to the Revolutionary War. He and his present wife are a most affable couple, and Mrs. Walker has always been a kind and loving mother to Mr. Walker's children. The Walker farm is one of the most attractive and best cared for places in the county, located in Canaan and Darby townships, known as "Oak Run Farm," and Mr. and Mrs. Walker enjoy a circle of friends extending far beyond their immediate community.
Mr. Walker has raised a good deal of stock of all kinds- horses and hogs being his specialty. He never aspired for office. He is a man well known and liked. In 1896 the family moved to the splendid residence on West Main street where they have since resided, in Plain City, Ohio. Mrs. Walker is a meniber of the Presbyterian church.
ELMER L. BETCHTEL.
Elmer L. Betchtel, mayor of Plain City, and operator of the Pennsylvania lines . at that place, was born on January 17, 1867, at Tremont City, in Clark county, Ohio, and is a son of Lafayette and Sarah A. (Carter) Betchtel. He was reared in the village of Tremont, Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools, and the Barr Normal School, which he attended for two years. After leaving school he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Westville, Ohio, in August, 1886, and has been with them ever since, with the exception of one year in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Betchtel came to Plain City in 1901, where he lias since resided. He has long been an active supporter of the Democratic party, serving for six years on the school board, and in 1909 was elected mayor of Plain City, and was again elected to that office in 1915, which office he now fills. Mr. Betchtel's religious membership is with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and his fraternal alliance is with MeGraw Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias, at Westville, Ohio, where he is a charter member and past chan- cellor, and a member of the grand lodge.
Capt. Lafayette Betchtel, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Spring- field. Ohio, and his wife, Sarah A. (Carter) Betchtel, was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Betchtel was engaged in the grocery business at Springfield, and later at Tremont City. When the Civil War broke out. he enlisted in Company I. of the Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was advanced to captain, serving in all four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Betchtel were born five children, two of whom are living in 1915, Samuel C. Betchtel, an iron moulder at Springfield. Ohio, and Elmer L.
Elmer L. Betchtel was united in marriage on April 29, 1SS9, with Viola Dyer, of Hilliard Ohio. She was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and received her education at the district school of Hilliard. Mrs. Betchtel is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is the mother of four children, namely: Irma E., who was a student at the Plain City high school, and was killed on December 5, 1912. on the Pennsylvania railroad, where she was an operator; Reuben. W. is a graduate of the Plain City high school, and is at present attending Wittenburg College, at Springfield, Ohio; Iva. L., also a graduate of Plain City high school, is a fine operator, and is now attending Oxford College, taking music: Faith is in the grades of the Plain City schools ..
Mr. Betchtel is a great friend to education, and has given his children all the advantages possible. regardless of cost, and is proud of his investment. He is known as a public-spirited citizen, with the interests of his home town sincerely at heart.
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JAMES H. MOCLIMANS.
Many of the sons and daughters of far-off. lands. have, even at a sacrifice, emigrated from the ties of father and mother, firm in the belief that home opportunities were either of no material account or that the goal was further on. Such was not the opinion of James H. MeClimans, who was born on October 10, 1854, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio, of early pioneer parentage. He is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Clar- ridge) MeClimans, to whom were born nine children, four of whom are deceased. Isaac McClimans was born in 1805, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and in 1812, at the age of seven years, removed to Madison county, Ohio, with his parents. He lived in Range town- ship, where he farmed until his death, in 1880. At the time of his death he was the owner of large farming interests, consisting of seven hundred acres of land, located in Madison county. He was prominent in his community and served as district school director for many years. Elizabeth Clarridge was born in 1813, in Fayette county, Ohio, near Yankeetown, and died in August, 1896. Edmond Clarridge, her father, was a farmer and the propagator of the celebrated "Clarridge corn," which is so extensively used for seed in this and adjacent counties.
Realizing the splendid opportunities for advancement on a large scale in the agri- cultural field, James H. McClimans, who was reared on the old home farm, remained there until the death of his father, and in 1880, at the age of twenty-six years, proceeded to farm his own land, located in Range township, and map out for himself those plans which he executed with wonderful success. After farming in Range township, he went to Pickaway county, where he supervised his wife's property for two years and then. with far-seeing sagacity, purchased twenty acres of land on the north edge of Mt. Sterling. on the London road. This property he platted off into town lots, naming the townsite McClimansville. All of these lots were sold and on most of them buildings have been erected, he having constructed many of them himself. In 1895 he came to Mt. Sterling and erected one of the finest residences in the town, it being the first electric-lighted dwelling in the town. In his large agricultural pursuits, Mr. McClimans has been a noted breeder of Poland China hogs, Jersey cattle and high-grade poultry, also making specialties of flowers and fruit. In conjunction with his wife he is one of the largest landowners in this section and he has made numerous exhibits of fruit and flowers at the Mt. Sterling fairs, with a special exhibit in 1893.
When twenty-six years of age, James H. McClimans was united in marriage to Mary F. Bennett, who was born on February 26, 1861, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and whose parents were William and Rhoda (Van Buskirk) Bennett, natives of Ohio and of English descent. These parents lived in Pickaway county, where the mother died, the father dying later in Indiana, where he had large farming interests. William Bennett was primarily responsible for the discovery of the great Muncie oil fields. While in Pick- away county he was extensively engaged in farming. In the latter years of his life he was retired from active business, and at the time of his death was possessed of large holdings. To William and Rhoda Bennett were born four children : Sarah Sophia (Mrs. O'Day). Winfield Scott (deceased), Mary Frances (Mrs. McClimans), and Laura Jane (Mrs. Heathı).
Mrs. McClimans is descended from one of the leading old pioneers of the state of Ohio, Peter Van Buskirk, who, about 1799. emigrated from Allegany county, Maryland, to Ohio. being one of the earliest settlers in Pickaway county, and settling on what is known as Van Buskirk's run, which was named for him. Among his children was Mrs. McClimans' grandfather, Rev. John Van Buskirk, who was born in Allegany county, Maryland, November 19, 1795, and who died on September 15, 1874, aged seventy-nine years. On February 8. 1821, he married Sophie Seward, who was born in Virginia on
JAMES H. MOCLIMANS.
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July 8, 1799. Their children were as follow : Caroline, who married John Wood; Dian- tha, who became the wife of S. Rowlen; Peter married Rebecca Wood; Rhoda, who married William Bennett; Sarah, the wife of H. Russell; Orlando, who married Eliza- beth Betts; Francis Marion, who married Diantha Hayes; and Mary, the wife of Adani Bailey.
To Mr and Mrs. McClimans two children have been born, Mrs. Nellie R. Baker, of Mt. Sterling, and Mrs. Vona Corkwell, who resides in Pickaway county, Ohio. James H. McClimans and his wife are members of the Christian church, and Mr. MeClimans is a member of the Farmers Grange. He has met every emergency and promoted his thoughts into action with such unerring accuracy that the history of his life can only stand for good judgment. coupled with vigorous application. He has secured a large competency. which he and his father can enjoy as the years go by.
MRS. SARAH PRICE.
Mrs. Sarah Price, whose name initiates this sketch, is descended from a fine old pioneer family in Ohio, and is a lady of refinement and culture, and is one of the large landowners of Madison county.
Sarah ( Wilson) Price, widow of John Price, of Plain City, Darby township, Ohio, was born on March 10, 1844, in Madison county, Ohio, and is a daughter of William D. and Nancy ( Moore) Wilson. Sarah Wilson was reared to womanhood in Canaan township. where she was educated in the common schools, and has spent her entire life in Madison county.
William D. Wilson, father of Sarah Wilson, was a son of Valentine and Eleanor (Judy ) Wilson. He was reared on a farin, and at the time of his death, owned nine thousand acres of land. devoting his time and attention to general farming and cattle raising, and was known throughout the entire country as the "cattle king" of Madison county, Ohio. He began life as a poor man, but inherited about two hundred acres of land, which gave him a good start. after which he managed his affairs so wisely that his worldly goods rapidly increased. Mr. Wilson died in 1873. and his wife, Nancy (Moore) Wilson, died in 1882. William D. and Nancy ( Moore) Wilson were the par- ents of eight children. Alexander. James Monroe. Eleanor, Lafayette, William M .. Sarah, Washington and Taylor.
Alexander Wilson was married to Martha J. Milliken, and acquired great wealth as a dealer in live stock. James Monroe is deceased. Eleanor became the wife of Benjamin Morris. Lafayette is a farmer in Madison county, Ohio. William M. is deceased. Washington was a farmer in Madison county, but died some years ago. Taylor was a farmer and died the same year as Washington.
Valentine Wilson. grandfather of Sarah Wilson, was born in Kentucky, and emi- grated-to Ohio. at an early date. where he was married three times. and was the father of eighteen children, of whom the following were the children by his first wife, William D., James. Eli, John, Matilda, and Malinda, all deceased.
Sarah Wilson was united in marriage on December S. 1859, with John Price, son of James and Margaret J. (Ryan) Price. He was born on July 1, 1833. in Clark county, Ohio, and grew to manhood there. receiving his early education in the district schools. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Price removed to their farm where they lived happily, and continued to make their home at that place until the death of Mr. Price, which occurred forty years after their marriage. Mr. Price was a Republican. He was public-spirited. and expressed his interest by serving as infirmary director for five terms. His fraternal membership was with the Masonic order, which he joined
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(39)
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when he was twenty-one years of age. He was a Knight Templar, and a thirty-second- degree member of the Scottish Rite.
Mrs. Price owns magnificent farm lands comprising eight hundred and sixty-six acres. Mr. and Mrs. John Price were the parents of two children, Flora P. and James Wilson. Flora P. was a college graduate and is now the wife of Albert M. Jones, a farmer, and they reside in Darby township. James Wilson, who first married Elizabeth Worthington and had two children, Mary and John. He married, secondly, Grace Sher- wood, and has no children. He is now in the real-estate business in Plain City.
Mr. John Price died on November 17, 1899, in Canaan township, after which Mrs. Price moved to Plain City, in 1904, and resides on East Main street. Mr. Price devoted the majority of his time to his farms. His remains now rest in Forest Grove cemetery, Plain City.
James and Margaret J. ( Ryan) Price. were the parents of John Price, the former being a native of Wales. The paternal grandparents were James and Mary ( Harvey) Price.
Mrs. Sarah ( Wilson) Price still owns a portion of the old Wilson homestead, consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, in addition to another valnable farm of five hundred acres at Price Corners. She is a good, Christian woman, and is well loved by the poor for her many generous acts of charity, and her sympathy for those in distress.
REV. AMOS L. ROGERS.
Rev. Amos I. Rogers, minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, Plain City, Darby. township. Madison county, Ohio, was born on April 14, 1862, in Madison county, and is a son of Evan A, and Elizabeth ( Philips) Rogers. He was reared in Van Wert and Allen counties, Indiana, coming to Greene county. Ohio, where he was employed on a farm. ITis education was obtained at the district schools, graduating from the district school at West Liberty, Ohio, after which he taught in the village school. He. also taught one year in Greene county. Ohio, and then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, remaining three years, after which he began to preach in the Methodist Episcopal church. At the end of four years he re-entered college and graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. and has followed the ministry ever since. Rev. Amos L. Rogers is a Republican. His splendid country home, consisting of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, is located on the middle pike, four miles south of Plain City. Ohio, and is known as "The Oaks."
Evan A. Rogers, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Frederick county, Virginia. and was a son of Evan Rogers, of Virginia. Evan A. Rogers was reared to manhood there and came to Ohio. locating in Madison county. where he was married to Elizabeth Philips, who was born in Union county, Ohio, and was married there. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers lived for a time in Madison county after his marriage, and then returned to Virginia, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for several years, and then came back to Ohio, locating in Van Wert county, where he engaged in various pursuits. In religion. Mr. Rogers was a member of the Baptist church. in which he always took an active part. Evan A. and Elizabeth ( Philips) Rogers were. the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy and one in young manhood, M. H .. Ida and Alice. Amos L., of Darby township: W. H. Rogers, who was educated in the district schools, was married to Jane Goodbar. and they reside in Greene county. Ohio! Ida is the wife of W. H. Bunker, of Orland. Steuben county. Indiana : Alide became the wife of Peter Keeslar, of Steuben county. Indiana.
Evan Rogers, the paternal grandfather. was a native of Virginia, where he was a large slave owner, living his entire lifetime in that state.
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Amos L. Rogers was united in marriage with Evangeline T. Ballinger, daughter of Dr. W. I. Ballinger, of Plain City, Ohio. She was a graduate of the Plain City high school, and spent two years in the Wesleyan College, at Delaware, Ohio. Mrs. Rogers is a stockholder in two banks; one at St. Paris, Ohio, and the Farmers National Bank at Plain City. This union has been blest with four children, William L., Elizabeth, Helen, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside, and where their attractive home is always open to those who wish to partake of its hospitality.
J. R. ATCHISON.
The attention of the reader is now invited to a brief and modest review of the career of J. R. Atchison, the well-known druggist of London, this county, probably one of the best-known and most popular men in Madison county. Mr. Atchison is a fine example of the best type of American business men, energetic, enterprising, pro- gressive and public spirited, and his influence in the commercial and social life of the county-seat town has been usefully exerted for many years. Born in that city, he has for forty-seven years been actively identified with the city's business interests and in that time has created a name for fair dealing and courteous attention to the needs of his trade that must be exceedingly gratifying to him.
J. R. Atchison was born in the city of London. county seat of Madison county, Ohio, on March 28, 1851, son of John J. and Rebecca ( Rosser) Atchison, the former of whom was a Kentuckian and the latter a native of Wales. John J. Atchison was a son of Charles Atchison, who was a pioneer in Madison county, having come here from Ken- tucky prior to the county's formation. John J. Atchison was born in Madison county and moved into London when a young man. He built his home on Main street on part of the original plot purchased by his father in 1817. The subject of this sketch, J. R. Atchison, was born at this place. John J. Atchison was a cabinetmaker. He was a member of the London lodge of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of which order he was deeply interested. His death occurred in 1851, he then being but thirty-one years of age. His widow survived him almost thirteen years, her death occurring in 1864. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one now living.
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