History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : L.H. Watkins
Number of Pages: 709

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clusion the judges gave their decision unanimously in favor of the affirma- tive. This result served as a quietus to further discussion, and when it became known that there were abo- litionists in what is now the eastern part of Noble County, a branch of the Underground railroad was soon organized for the safe-conduct and assistance of fugitive slaves on their way to Canada from neighboring Southern States.

In the vicinity of Stafford were two men - Benjamin Hughes, a Yankee and a farmer, and William Steel, a merchant of Irish nativity- who were known to be true friends of the colored race. It is said that Steel was boycotted-to use a modern term-and his business injured, be cause of his sentiments. These and Thomas Large, an Irishman who resided near Sarahsville; William Wilson, Alexander Franklin, Moses Ilorton and Nathaniel Capell were the most active agents* of the Un- derground railroad. The method of operation was to receive and care for the fugitives, secreting and feeding them until they could be sent for- ward to another station. Those who were suspected of harboring runaway slaves had to be very cautious in all their movements, as there were usually plenty of informers, who, actuated either by malice or the hope of a reward, would not hesitate to give information against them. Whenever any agent received a con-

signment of the human chattels, his friends who were members of the organization (and the Underground railroad company was well organ- -- : ized) endeavored to keep him in- formed of the movements of his ene- mies and of slave-hunters. From this vicinity the runaways were assisted on toward Senecaville, Guernsey County. where they were received by George Richey and other officers of the railroad. Richey was a minister of the Gospel and a firm friend of the persecuted race.

Robert Calland, a Scotchman, was a very ardent and fearless abolition- : ist, and took an active part in the agitation of the slavery question. At | one time the abolitionists were threatened with the most humiliat- ing punishments ; but this only served to intensify the excitement. Postmasters refused to deliver anti- i slavery papers to their subscribers, Summerfield furnishing an instance of this kind ; and in many ways were the abolitionists annoyed and perse- cuted.

About 1848 Thomas Large brought to Alexander Franklin a colored man with wife and child. The negro had once before attempted an escape, but had been captured and returned by a man named Bonar, who appears to have been employed as a slave hunter. The negroes were hidden for a few days until it was thought that the way was clear, when Thomas Ilorton started to take them on to the next station. On their way they heard a crackling of brush, and the colored people became much alarmed, fear- ing that Bonar was in search of them.

*To the foregoing names many others might be added. Church Tuttle, of Middleburg, a Yankee of enterprise and intelligence, was in particular a very efficient Underground railroad official. Also Jas. Tuttle .- ED.

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The man handed his child over to Horton, saying he would sell his own life as dearly as possible, for he knew that if recaptured he would be sold and taken to the far South. Fortu- nately the fugitives were not mo- lested, Bonar having a wholesome fear of the Irish abolitionists, who would have subjected him to very rough treatment in case of an encounter. There were several citi- zens of the county who closely watched the movements of the Un- derground trains - some from Mary- land and Virginia, and one man from South Carolina, who would have readily assisted slave-owners in the recovery of their property. A Mary- lander used to make his boasts that he had often knocked down negro wenches, and seemed to think it was something to be proud of. Another from South Carolina, who had been a slave-driver, used to exasperate the abolitionists by describing the pun- ishments which he had inflicted upon the slaves. Such men were of course on the alert to discover something against the abolitionists ; but in spite of their watchfulness many slaves were assisted on their way to Canada and freedom by the Underground railroad, and there were few instances in which negroes were captured or taken back.

In 1845, Peter M. Garner, Creigh- ton I orraine and Mordecai Thomas, while aiding some slaves to escape at Belpre on the Ohio, were surprised by a party of slaveholders just as they were getting out of the skiff. The slaves were returned to bondage and Mr. Garner and his companions i farming. Ile led a dreary, isolated

arrested and placed in jail at Par- kersburg, Va. The claim was made that they were beyond low water mark, and therefore on Virginia ter- ritory. They were kept in jail for several months, and then the case was brought to trial. A verdict, however, was not reached, and they wereagain confined. Governor Bartlett, of Ohio, interested himself in the matter and asserted that their arrest was in vio- lation of the constitution of the United States, and a scheme to kid- nap citizens of Ohio, whom they thought to be abolitionists. They were again brought to trial, Ohio being represented by IIon. Samuel F. Vinton. The court held that they were on Ohio territory when captured, and therefore not amenable to the laws of Virginia; they were consequently released.

THE PHIL.POT FAMILY.

William Philpot, the progenitor of the Philpot family in this country, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in the year 1777; his parents were of En- glish parentage, and were sturdy and intelligent people of the middle class. They gave their son the advantages of a good education. Evidencing an aptitude for mercantile pursuits, he was apprenticed to a merchant with whom he remained seven years. Two years after the completion of his în- dentures, 1802, he came to America, in company with two of his friends ; they settled in Belmont County and located a section of land where is now the village of Belmont; here he remained ten years, clearing land and

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life, acquiring experience in pioneer life which he utilized to good advan- tage in after time. About 1813 he went to Barnesville ; where he entered the employ of James Barnes, the founder of the village, and for him established the first store in the vil- lage. Ile was the first postmaster and was identified with nearly all the initial events in its history. Ile was engaged in mercantile pursuits as clerk and proprietor until 1830, when, with his family of wife (nee Ruth Hulse) and eleven children, he came to Summerfield, then a little hamlet of perhaps a dozen families. Ile bought the business of James W. Shankland, the pioneer merchant of did a successful business in land, to- bacco and merchandise, and was not only one of the prominent and suc- cessful business men of the county, but also an esteemed citizen. While in Barnesville he united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church and remained loyal until death. He died in 1864. Ilis children, all of whom were resi- dents of the place and identified with its history, were Ellenor (Wilson), Eliza, Rownd, Maria, Matilda, (Stol- ler), William II., George, Shepherd B., Sarah A. (Hare), Isaac, John II. and Samuel, six of whom are now (1887) living.

'Shepherd B. was his father's suc- cessor in business. He was born in Barnesville in 1819. He grew up in his father's store, obtaining some education from the subscription schools of that time. At the age of twenty-four he became a partner, and in 1847 sole proprietor; for many

years has been one of the largest merchants in the county. For forty- four years he has done business in Summerfield, and for thirty three years has dealt extensively and quite successfully in tobacco. IIe has enjoyed in a very great degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow- townsmen, and in evidence it may be stated that for twenty-two years he has officiated as township treasurer. During the war he did good service in the cause of his country in the formation of military companies, and his time and money were always at command in the furtherance of any war measure. In his religious and political affiliations he is a Methodist the place, and for seventeen years he ; and a Republican. In 1844 he mar- ried Miss Emily, daughter of John Allen, a Virginian, who settled here in 1840. Mrs. Philpot was born in Virginia, and is the mother of nine children - Charles . W., Ruth E., James M., Laura, William II., Ada M. (Rader), John C., Roscoe and Luella (Ritchey).

JOHN LEMMAX .- It is always a pleasure to sketch the career of a prominent and successful man of business, who has attained his posi- tion in life solely through his own well-directed industry, his persever- ing efforts and his unswerving hon- esty. Such a man is John Lemmax. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., December 30, 1820. Ilis father was of Welsh and his mother of Irish descent. In the spring of 1821 the family came to Ohio, settling in the vicinity of Summerfield, where they remained until 1825. Becoming dis- satisfied with pioneer life, they then

John Кеттар

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returned to Pittsburgh, and con- tinued to reside there until Septem- · ber, 1830, when they returned to the farm in what is now Noble County, which was thenceforth their perma- nent home. In Pittsburgh the sub- ject of this notice attended school, and being an apt scholar, received the rudiments of a sound education in the common branches. After his removal to the farm, John was put to work, and all of his attendance at school after he was eleven years of age, amounted to but fourteen days. Money was scarce, and it was diffi- cult to make both ends meet ; there- fore the services of our subject were necessary to contribute to the fam- ily's support, there being five chil- dren younger than himself. He had no money except what he earned himself, by working out among his neighbors, and what he could save in this way he devoted to the pur- chase of books. He also borrowed and read all the books he could obtain in the neighborhood. Early in life he became possessed of Brainard's "Life Among the Indians," Rollin's " Ancient History " (eight volumes), and the works of Josephus. He took part in the pioneer debating societies and thus strengthened his knowledge and acquired experience in public speaking.

In his sixteenth year he began learning the carpenter's trade, return- ing to the farm to assist in busy sea- sons. During the first year at this work he received $7 per month ; the second year he began at $12 per month, and his wages were increased to $18 for the second month. In this

way he continued to work at his trade, receiving from $20 to $28 per month. Afterward he began taking contracts, hiring a man and working himself. In his nineteenth year Mr. Lemmax went to Woodsfield and made arrangements to enter the law- office of Edward Archibald as a stu- ! dent. Ilis father hearing of this, and I having a strong prejudice against lawyers, persuaded John to abandon his intention. This Mr. Lemmax always regretted, and believes that he made a serious mistake.

Early in life he became a pro- nounced temperance man, and has ever since remained a firm advocate of the doctrine of total abstinence. Ile joined a temperance society at Summerfield, and soon became prom- inent among its workers. At the solicitation of Mr. S. H. Rownd, president of the society, he visited different places in Morgan, Washing- ton and Guernsey Counties to make temperance addresses. On one occa- sion, in the winter of 1841, he was sent to a place about eight miles dis- tant to deliver an address. Arriving there he found the church in which he was to speak so full of people that it was with difficulty that he forced his way to the pulpit. IIe became confused and forgot his subject. A Bible lay upon the pulpit, and open- ing it, Mr. Lemmax read the first words that met his eve : "What is man that thou art mindful of him ?" Taking this as a text, and beginning his remarks with the history of ancient Greece, he talked with ease and freedom for an hour and three- quarters. On looking at his watch

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he again became embarrassed and made an apology for speaking so 1 long, but was urged to continue. Ile circulated the constitution and by- laws of his society, and was gratified in obtaining eighty-six signatures. After several earnest invitations, he again visited the same place and lec- tured, this time securing sixty-eight more names.

successfully for twenty-four years. Ile began dealing in cattle in 1851. both buying and shipping, and con- tinued twenty-five years, then quit shipping. During this time he handled an average of 3,500 hogs and two hundred head of cattle per year, with a satisfactory profit, and in the meantime gathered up 543 acres of land, four hundred of which were

Mr. Lemmax continued to work at : cleared. His many business interests his trade until 1845, and in the i kept him too busy to devote much attention to farming. and he used much of his land for pasturage. In business matters he wasted no words but was always fair and honorable. and never would he take advantage of another's ignorance in order to secure a profit for himself. For a period of twenty years he handled . about $50,000 worth of live stock, tobacco and merchandise per year, without failing to meet every obliga- tion promptly. This gave him a pres- tige as a buyer that but few have, and a credit that answered instead of larger capital. meantime had saved between $600 and $700. He then made arrange- ments with Charles Hare, of Sum- merfield, to start a store in Freedom. Mr. Ilare advised him to invest in tobacco, and he did so. The result was the loss, in the fall of 1846, of $800. Returning from Baltimore to Freedom, he again engaged in build- ing. Ile also bought hogs and made some money on them. In 1848, in partnership with A. Franklin, he bought a small stock of goods in Zanesville and again embarked in the mercantile business. Two years later he increased his stock largely, Frank in avowing his sentiments ; -- bold, fearless and consistent in mam- taining them, Mr. Lemmax laid the foundation of a character of sincerity and honor, which amidst the vicissi- tudes, the profits and losses of busi- ness transactions, the shocks of polit- ical changes and the scurrility of partisan warfare, has never been shaken or tainted with insincerity. In the possession of these attributes, beyond the reach of cavil or question, is to be found the secret of that inalienable attachment which to day exists among the vast body of his friends and fellow-citizens, and which buying in Baltimore, and was soon doing a successful business. IIe again began buying tobacco and continued that business for thirty years with varying success, some- times gaining and sometimes losing heavily by his operations. In 1864 5 his losses were about $23,000. It required thirteen years to recover this amount. He dealt extensively in hogs and cattle for several years. In 1848 he began buying and feed- ing hogs, marketing them at home. Four years later he began shipping hogs, and this business he continued

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has followed him throughout his business career. Ilere he wishes to offer a grateful tribute of respect to the names of three of his friends who stood by him in the darkest hour of his mercantile career: To Morris Danford, who furnished him $3,500; to John O'Neill, who fur- nished $2,500; and to "Uncle" Sam- uel Craig, who furnished $2,300 at six per cent, payable at his pleasure, on his individual note without secu- rity. These sums were used in the liquidation of his indebtedness entailed by the losses on tobacco in 1864 and 1865.

Mr. Lemmax was married in 1846 to Margaret, daughter of Alexander Franklin, one of the early settlers of Marion Township. They have reared four children - Mary Rose, now the wife of Charles Craig, of Marion Township; Violet J., Lillie W. and John A., single and residing at home. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In politics Mr. Lemmax is a firm, uncompromising Republican, and for many years has taken a deep and intelligent interest in both local and national political affairs. Early in life he became an adherent of the Whig party. In September, 1840, he attended a Democratic mass meet- ing at Carlisle, addressed by leading Democratic politicians of Monroe County. After they had finished, John McMahon took the platform on the Whig side. and made a telling speech. Hon. Joseph Morris, repre- sentative in Congress, who was one of the speakers present, went home with Mr. Lemmax and spent the

night at his father's house. In con- versation with him, the question was asked, What would take the place of bank-notes! Morris replied, "Sub- treasury notes." On being asked what they were, he admitted that he did not know. "Well, it is not good policy to destroy the bank-notes un- less you have something better to take their place." Mr. Morris said: "John. I am afraid you won't make a good Democrat. To be one, you must stick to the party, right or wrong." And John did not become a Democrat. Ile voted first for Henry Clay, and acted with the Whig and Free-soil parties until the campaign of John C. Fremont, since which time he has been a Republican. Mr. Lemmax has been several times a delegate to State conventions. Ile was a delegate to the National Con- vention of 1876. Ile was the first delegate to propose Hayes' nomina- tion, and, in a conference of the Ohio delegation, secured the passage of a resolution pledging a solid vote for him, and that no delegate should vote otherwise without first con- ferring with the remainder of the delegation. Mr. Lemmax held the office of county commissioner one term and declined a renomination. He was a candidate for representa- tive to the legislature in 1884, but was defeated by a small majority, owing to the hostility of the Green- back element, who at this time were energetically preaching the doctrine of "fiat money," claiming it as the " poor man's money." Mr. Lemmax vigorously opposed this craze and took a decided stand for resumption

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and a stable currency. Ile took a ' months. Thence they went to a lit- prominent part in securing the exten- tle village called Beaver Dam, near Niagara Falls, where Mrs. Large bought a piece of land. and where IIenry found employment as a boy- of-all-work in a store. A sister of Mrs. Large. Mrs. Dr. Craig. had set- tled near Summerfield some time in 1818, and by her advice Mrs. Large disposed of her little property and came to the new country in Febru- ary of 1828, with her little family of six children. She entered from gor- ernment eighty acres of land near the village of Freedom, which she improved and on which she resided until 1839, when Henry became the owner.

sion of the B. Z. & C. Railroad, from Woodsfield to Zanesville, subscribing , liberally to further the scheme, giving it much of his time and attention for over a year, besides furnishing a building for a depot at his own ex- pense. The road runs through his land for a mile and a half. After the completion of the road, on the resignation of one of the directors, he was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy and has since been thrice chosen to fill the same position. In the spring of 1883, with twelve others who paid a like sum, he advanced $2,000 to secure the opening of the road and the running of trains. Ile has had contracts for furnishing the - - road with over four hundred thousand feet of trestle timber, besides a large quantity of cross-ties. Mr. Lemmax has been a stockholder and director of the Noble County National Bank at Caldwell since its organization. Ile has held the office of postmaster, at Freedom (Whigville Postoffice), for twenty eight years, without any complaints from patrons or the De- partment.

HENRY LARGE, one of the success- ful financiers and early settlers of Marion Township, was born near the city of Dublin, July 21, 1817. Ilis parents, George and Eliza Large, were farmers, and came to America in 1825. They landed in Quebec, where the elder Large died some three weeks after his arrival, leaving the family in rather destitute ci- cumstances. They removed to Mon- treal, where they lived about three

The early life of Mr. Large was one of toil and hardship. At the age of sixteen he made his initial effort in business by taking a job of splitting rails at thirty-one cents per hundred. At eighteen he began life as a farm laborer at $8 per month. These facts, although seemingly trivial, show what can be done from small beginnings. By dint of indus- try and close economy he accumu- lated a sum nearly sufficient for the purchase of the homestead farm, which he bought in 1839. On this farm, which he still owns, he laid the foundation of his fortune. Never at one time has he owned more than 155 acres. The life of Mr. Large has been a busy and suc- cessful one, in fact it may be said that, considering his opportunities, no resident of Noble County has been more so. Ile has devoted his time to farming, tobacco raising and loaning his net earnings, and is

Henry Lange,

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thought to be the wealthiest man in the county. Many are curious to know how it was possible for him to acquire so fine a competency under such adverse circumstances. Ilis answer to the question is, "By the rigid practice of industry, economy, promptness and the avoidance of debt," and we might add, shrewd management and a desire to excel. Mr. Large is quiet and reserved in manner, and possessed of no dis- tinguishing characteristics, except- ing his financial ability and his extraordinary mathematical acquire- ments; his gift in this respect is wonderful, and like that of Pascal and Colburn, is a God given faculty, as his education was almost wholly confined to that school in which the teachers are observation and expe- rience.

In politics he is a Republican; in religion a Methodist, although not a member of any church. Ile is classed among the foremost men of the county in wealth, brains and intelligence.

Mr. Large was married early in life to Miss Maria, daughter of Ed- ward Cleary. She was born in King's County, Ireland, in 1823 She has been to Mr. Large a help- meet in all that the word implies. They have had nine children : Mary A. (McClintock), John, Sarah J. and Emma (died in infancy), Eliza II., Clara I. (Guiler), George E., Emma J. and Joseph II.

HON. L. W. FINLEY, one of the prominent agriculturists and repre- sentative men of the county, was born near the village of Mt. Ephraim,

Noble County, Ohio, March 11, 1844. Like most other farmer boys of that day, his opportunities for education were quite limited. Ile succeeded, however, in obtaining a good English education, and at the age of eighteen commenced life as a teacher. Soon after he enlisted as a private soldier in the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the United States service with the regi- ment, which for the greater portion of the time was stationed at Colum- bus and Cincinnati, Ohio. The last year of the war he was detailed as clerk at the headquarters of the northern department, commanded by Generals Hooker and Heintzlemein. Ile remained in the service until the close of the war, when he resumed his former vocation. In 1867 he began merchandising in Sarahsville, which he followed successfully for six years, when, in consequence of failing health, he sold out his stock and engaged in farming in Center Township, where he remained until the purchase of the farm on which he now resides, in Marion Township, to which he removed in 1880. Mr. Finley has been quite prominently identified with State and county pol- ities. In 1876 he received the nomi- nation for auditor of the county on the Democratic ticket, but the county being largely Republican, he was defeated by J. F. Knouff.

In 1883 he was again compli- mented by a nomination for repre- sentative, and was elected by a hand- some majority over one of the strong- est men in the Republican ranks. In the legislature Mr. Finley made an

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enviable record, and in 1885 was renominated, but the question of the election of a United States senator being prominent in the canvass, and the Republicans having a majority of about three hundred, he was defeated by Hon. T. C. Williams by a small majority. While a member of the legislature he framed several import- ant measures; notably among the number were two affecting railway corporations, one an amendment of the law governing liens, the other a law compelling railroads to use " spark arresters" to prevent fires along their lines. But perhaps the most valuable bill introduced by Mr. Finley was one providing for the clothing of the indigent poor in the various eleemosynary and penal insti-

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History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 48

Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : L.H. Watkins Number of Pages: 709

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : L.H. Watkins
Number of Pages: 709