History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 100

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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This financial institution was organized in January, 1901, and Mr. Reichelderfer has been its only cashier. The officers of this bank are these well-known capitalists: George D. Mowery, president; Milton Armstrong, vice- president; W. F. Armstrong, secretary ; George S. Reichelderfer, cashier; and D. K. Wilson, assistant cashier. This bank was established on a sound basis and has been carefully and successfully conducted along conservative lines. It stands high in the confidence of the public.

On April 17, 1873, Mr. Reichelderfer was married to Lucy A. Housel, who was born in Pickaway County, and is a daughter of John A. Housel, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one son, John J., who is established at Sheridan, Wyoming.

Politically Mr. Reichelderfer is affiliated with the Democratic party. He has served two terms as treasurer of Salt Creek township, but his many other interests almost preclude office-holding. He is a member of the Luth- eran Church at Tarlton, where he owns a pleasant home and takes part in the social life of the town. He is very well known all over the county and enjoys universal esteem.

H. HELWAGEN, secretary of New Circleville Canning Company, of Cir- cleville and Washington Court House, Ohio, was born in the former city in 1866, and is a son of C. A. Helwagen. The father of Mr. Helwagen was born in Germany. In 1856 he came to Circleville, where he engaged first in a shoe business and then became a grocery merchant. For many years he conducted a first-class grocery in this city and was a respected and valued business man. He was a member of the City Council for 14 years and on several occasions was elected president of this body. He married Mary Kellstadt, who was also a native of Ger- many, and they had two children-J. H., and another son, who died in 1884.

J. H. Helwagen was reared and educated at Circleville. In 1889 he was married to Elizabeth Rudy, a daughter of the late Martin L. Rudy, who was an early settler and farmer in Pickaway County. They have these chil- dren : Carl, Walter, Mary, Elizabeth, Paul and Ida. The family belong to the Lutheran Church.

When a lad, J. H. Helwagen began to as- sist in his father's grocery store; later he was taken into partnership, the firm being C. A. Helwagen & Son. The father subsequently sold his interest to John C. Goeller and the firm became Helwagen & Goeller, which con- tinued for 17 months, when our subject bought out his partner and conducted the business alone until the spring of 1904, when he sold his grocery interests as'his entire time was re- quired in looking after the canning business.

The New Circleville Canning Company was organized and incorporated September 21, 1901, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers and directors of the company are : Samuel W. Courtright, president; Irvin Boggs, vice-president ; William T. Bell, treasurer; J. H. Helwagen, secretary and manager at Cir- cleville; W. G. Jacob, W. A. Dern and Joseph M. Bell, of Circleville; B. K. Johnston, of Pick- away County; O. S. Smith, of Washington Court House; and Z. C. Shepherd, of London, Ohio. The company has plants at Circleville and Washington Court House. The factory at

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Washington Court House is built of cement blocks and is one of the finest factory buildings in this section. The capacity of this plant is 2,000,000 cans of corn annually. The com- pany also packs tomatoes and string beans at this point. About 500,000 cans of tomatoes are packed annually at the Circleville plant. The company's goods meet with a ready sale on account of their uniform excellence, and the business is in a very prosperous condition.

R. CLARKE, D. D. S., one of Circle- ville's leading professional men, where he has practiced dental surgery since 1871, was born in this city in 1849, and is a son of the late E. C. Clarke, D. D. S.

Dr. E. C. Clarke was born in Connecticut and settled in 1840 at Circleville, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1850 he entered upon the study of dentistry at the Ohio Dental College and was graduated in 1851. He at once opened an office in Circleville, where he continued in the active practice of his profession until 1890. His death occurred some six years later. For years he was at the head of his profession at Circleville.

After graduating from the Circleville High School, in 1866, our subject began preparatory study and in 1867 became a regular student in his father's office, later his father's assistant and during the next few years he attended and was graduated, in 1871, at the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery. Upon his return to Circleville he continued in partnership with his father until 1877, when he opened an office of his own. He has spacious apartments, which are perfectly equipped in all departments of dentistry and the most modern and approved methods are employed in the treatment of patients. Dr. Clarke is a member of the Ohio State Dental Society and keeps thoroughly in touch with all the improvements made in his profession.

In 1875 Dr. Clarke was married to Clara Barrere, who was born at Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, where her father, Benjamin

Barrere, was in the banking business. Dr. and Mrs. Clarke have three children, viz .: Abbe M., an accomplished musician, a gradu- ate of the Ithaca (New York) Conservatory of Music; Grace B. and Harold, the latter a student in the Circleville High School. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Clarke is a trustee. He was ac- tively interested in the building of the present church edifice. He is a man of some means and owns valuable property at Circleville. He built the Clarke Building, on West Main street, which is one of the city's best business struct- ures, having a 22-foot front and a depth of 100 feet, and is three stories in height. He has done other building-all of it of the most substantial character.

Dr. Clarke is prominent in Masonry in the State, is a Knight Templar and is past master of his lodge and past eminent commander of his commandery. He is identified with all the best interests of Circleville and is one of the city's representative public-spirited men.

S AMUEL M. SARK, a resident of Pick- away County for 35 years, one of its leading educators and at the present time superintendent of the schools of Darby township, is a son of Isaac and Mary (Marburger) Sark. Isaac Sark died in Walnut township, and the widow was after- ward married to George A. Kashner, of Circle- ville. Four of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sark grew to maturity and are still living. They are as follows: John H., of Walnut township, who married Ann Mark- wood; Samuel M., our subject; William, of Scioto township, who married Julia Burton; and Charles, of Walnut township, who mar- ried. Florence Martin.

Samuel M. Sark was born in Walnut town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, February 1I, 1865, and after thoroughly mastering the ele- mentary and high school courses at home be- came a student at the Ohio Northern Univer- sity, at Ada, graduating therefrom in the scien- tific and law departments. His record as a

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WILLIAM T. BELL.

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teacher was noteworthy from the first. From 1889 to 1892 he served as school examiner, and in 1893 he was granted a high school life certificate by the State board. In 1895 his Re- publican friends put him forward as a candidate for the State Senate, but he was defeated by Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley, of Ashville. Mr. Sark has several times been elected township superintendent of schools, holding also a pro- fessorship in the Derby High School. He has given such eminent satisfaction, both as super- intendent and teacher, that his educational ca- reer seems destined to be in the future even broader and more prominent than in the past. In the fraternities he is well known as a Ma- son and Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.

In 1893 Samuel M. Sark was married to Mary B. Thomas, daughter of Newton Thomas, of this county, the other children of Mr. Thomas being two daughters-Minnie and Lora-and a son-Ralph. Three children hae been born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Sark-Emmett, Bernice and Blanche, all liv- ing at home. All the members of the family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday-school. The comfortable family residence is in the village of Derby.

ILLIAM T. BELL, a highly es- teemed resident of Circleville, and for many years a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Jackson town- ship, where he owns 600 acres of finely-improved land, was born in 1844, in Jackson township, Pickaway County, Ohio. His parents were Hugh and Lavina (Renick) Bell.

Hugh Bell was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1815. He became one of Circleville's early merchants. He was at first a strong Whig, but later became identified with the Re- publican party. He never accepted a political office. He died at the home of his son, William T. Bell. He married Lavina Renick, who was a daughter of George Renick, a representative of one of the oldest families in the county.

William T. Bell was about six years of age when his parents moved to Ross County, Ohio,

and there he was reared, educated and trained to be a practical farmer. He followed farming and stock-raising in Ross County until 1869, when he bought a farm of 600 acres in Jackson township, Pickaway County, on which he re- sided until 1898, when he moved to Circleville. Mr. Bell directed his agricultural efforts large- ly in the direction of raising first-class stock. At present he owns 25 head of the finest Short- horns in the county and it has been his custom to feed and ship several car-loads of fat cattle annually. He was very prominent in agricult- ural circles in Jackson township during his active years and still retains his property and also much of his old-time interest.

Mr. Bell was married (first) to Mary E. Miskimins, who was a daughter of Joseph Miskimins, of Ross County. Mrs. Bell died in 1891 survived by four children, viz. : Joseph M., who is connected with the Second Na- tional Bank of Circleville; Anna T., wife of Rev. George A. Wilber, a Presbyterian minis- ter, located at Belgrade, Montana; N. H., a farmer of Fayette County, Ohio; and Jennie S., wife of Frank E. Robinson, cashier of the Northern Savings Bank, of Columbus. Mr. Bell was married (second) to Mrs. M. Cath- erine Miller, who is a daughter of Alexander Caldwell, of Jackson township.

In politics Mr. Bell is a Republican. He has always been a loyal supporter of the gov- ernment. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, 86th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for service in the Civil War, was mustered in at Camp Dennison and was discharged eight months later, in March, 1864, having served in Kentucky and Tennessee. He is a valued member of Groce Post, G. A. R., at Circleville. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church. His portrait ac- companies this sketch.

E DWARD THOMAS, one of the pros- perous farmers of Scioto township, who owns a finely-cultivated farm of 90 acres, was born near LaFayette, Indiana, November 23, 1840, and is a son of John and Eliza Thomas.

When he was three years of age, the par- ents of Mr. Thomas moved to Pickaway Coun-

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ty, Ohio, locating on the William Millar farm in Harrison township. A few years later re- moval was made to the Philip Renick farm and later the father settled on the John Ruth farm in Scioto township, where he died in 1857. The mother died in Pickaway County in 1860. Their family consisted of two sons and five daughters, namely .: Reuben, who died sudden- ly while attending church, in Allen County, Kansas; Martha, who married Elihu Spencer and died in Scioto township; Percie, wife of Stephen Boyd, residing in Chillicothe, Mis- souri; Emma, wife of Lewis All, of Ford County, Illinois; and Maria, wife of William Reed, residing in Scioto township.

Mr. Thomas is a self-made man, from an early age depending upon. his own resources. During 1856 and 1857 he worked for Robert Morrow, and in the latter year he went to Illi- nois, where he remained until 1859. Upon his return to Scioto township, he worked one year for B. F. Walker and until 1863 for M. L. Walker. After his marriage in the latter year he settled on the Conrad Bohnert farm. There Mr. Thomas farmed for two years and in 1865 removed to the Walker homestead where he engaged in farming for two years. Then, in association with Mr. Walker, he bought the old Thompson farm and lived on it for six years, after which he sold that property to Mr. Walker and settled, in 1871, on his present valuable farm.

This 90-acre property was known as the Myers Reed farm, Mr. Thomas securing it through several business transactions and transfers of land. It is a valuable farm and Mr. Thomas has placed it in excellent condi- tion. He grows corn, wheat and hay and raises considerable stock. Almost entirely through his own efforts, Mr. Thomas has at- tained to his present comfortable financial con- dition. When working for Mr. Morrow at $8 and $13 a month, he was provident enough to put some of his wages aside and gradually ac- cumulated capital.

In 1863 Mr. Thomas was married (first) to Melissa D. Walker, who was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wertenbaker) Walker, of Scioto township. She died January 13, 1880, and rests in the Methodist Episcopal

Cemetery north of Commercial Point. To this marriage seven children were born, as fol- lows: M. Lewis, born in 1864, residing on the Whitney Lamb farm, formerly the Ingle farm, who married Mintie Mckinney, daugh- ter of James Mckinney, of Scioto township and has five children-Ray, Sarah, Edward, Clark and an infant; Ella, who is the wife of William Ryerson, of Muncie, Indiana, and the mother of four children-Cora, Margaret, Mary and Helen; Maud, who married N. C. Bohnert, auditor of Pickaway County, resides at Circleville and has had six children-Eddie (deceased), Melissa (deceased), Eldridge, Blandys Christina, Katheryn Ruth and a babe that died in infancy; Tessa, who married Al- bert Whitesel and died at Gibson City, Illinois, leaving one son, Scott, who resides with his grandfather, Mr. Thomas; Robert, who mar- ried Annie Rose and has one child, Orville; James, who married Josephine Graphis, daugh- ter of Dock Graphis; and Jesse, who married Edna Welch, daughter of Frank Welch, of Ashville, and has one child-Myrtle.

In 1883 Mr. Thomas was married (sec- ond) to Margaret Reed, a daughter of Wil- liam and Eveline Reed, of Scioto township. The children born to this marriage were: Guy and Gertrude (twins), the former of whom married Eugenia Briggs and resides at Gibson City, Illinois, and the latter of whom married Howard Bowlinger, of Ashville, and has one child. Harold; Clyde and Icy (twins), both deceased; and Belva, who is living at home.

Mr. Thomas was reared a Whig, later was a Republican but is now a supporter of the Democratic party in national elections. In local affairs he uses his judgment and sup- ports the best man. He is a well-known, re- liable and representative man of Scioto town- ship.

F. REICHE, dealer in hardware, buggies, agricultural implements and farm seeds, has been in busi- ness at Circleville for the past 24 years, during which period he has built up a large trade. He was born in 1856, at Waverly, Ohio.

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Mr. Reiche attended school at Waverly until he was 15 years of age and then accom- panied the family in its removal to Columbus. With enlarged opportunities he continued his studies in mechanical drawing and learned the trade of machinist and for about 15 years he was connected with the Columbus Machine Company as a mechanical draughtsman.

In 1878 Mr. Reiche was married to Mar- garet D. Wardell, who is a daughter of Wil- liam A. Wardell, of Circleville, in which city Mrs. Reiche was born and reared. They have one child-Ethel C.

In August, 1883, the death of his father- in-law called Mr. Reiche from Columbus to Circleville to take charge of the former's busi- ness and this he has continued to do ever since. assuming its responsibilities and enlarging it into one of the large concerns of the city. Mr. Reiche is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Reiche is a Catholic.

J AMES T. TIMMONS, a representative agriculturist of Perry township, has lived almost all his life on the old Tin- mons homestead, on which he was born December 27, 1860, and is a son of Benjamin and Marian Gladstone (Temp- lin) Timmons. Extended mention of this prominent old family of this section of Ohio will be found in the sketch of Joseph Clark Timmons, appearing elsewhere in this work.

James T. Timmons obtained his education in the schools of Perry township and has given the close attention of many years to the de- veloping and improving of the homestead farm. He spent one year on the old Dorn place and one year on the W. I. Wood place, in Deer Creek township, but with these exceptions his home has always been on the old farm. This is a valuable property and under Mr. Tim- mons' efficient management grows more and more valuable every year.

Mr. Timmons married Anna D. Yates, who is a daughter of Marcus and Angeline (Harrison) Yates, and a granddaughter of John Yates, who was a pioneer in Deer Creek township. On her mother's side she comes from

a family that has supplied two Presidents to the United States, while one of her ancestors signed that noble document, the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Timmons have these children : Carl M., connected with the Market Exchange Bank, at Columbus, who married Laura Kirkpatrick; Ralph B .; Pearl; Lyle; George Washington; and Marian C.

Politically, Mr. Timmons is a Republican, but he has never been very active in public affairs beyond performing the duties of a good citizen. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fraternal associations are with the Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Knights of Pythias.

A LONZO EUGENE WEAVER, whose well-improved farm of 50 acres of ex- cellent land is situated in section 22, Walnut township, was born in Aman- da township, Fairfield County, Ohio, January 19, 1852, and is a son of D. F. and Amanda (Cole) Weaver.

The parents of Mr. Weaver moved to Wal- nut township, Pickaway County, in 1855. In 1859 D. F. Weaver, our subject's father, es- tablished his store at a hamlet which later was made the postoffice of Nebraska, where he has continued in business until the present time. For over 40 years he was postmaster at this point and was the incumbent up to the time of the establishing of the rural mail delivery, when the postoffice was discontinued.

Alonzo E. Weaver was three years old when his parents located in Walnut township. His education was obtained in the district schools and at the Circleville High School and his children were educated in the same school where he was first instructed. Until 1882 he worked for his father in the latter's store and then began to farm. In addition to operating his own property, he and his son-in-law, George C. Marion, farm 260 acres belonging to Mary Huber. Mr. Weaver has met with satisfactory success in his agricultural operations and is classed with the good farmers of his section of the county.

On September 10, 1874, Mr. Weaver was

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married to Mary C. Oman, who was born and reared in Walnut township. She died Novem- ber 1, 1901, being survived by three children, namely : Lulu B., who married George C. Marion and has one son, Alonzo, named for his grandfather; Edith, who married Walter Marion and resides on the home farm; and Mary, who is still attending school.

Politically, Mr. Weaver is a Republican. He is serving as a member of the School Board of Walnut township. For 40 years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a steward and trustee, and for 20 years was the superintendent of the Sunday-school, an office his son-in-law, George C. Marion, now fills. He belongs to Colum- bia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Circleville. In 1897 Mr .. Weaver built his handsome brick residence, one of the most com- fortable and commodious in the township.

J LESLIE STONE, one of Darby town- ship's successful farmers, resides on his well-improved and finely culti- vated farm of 95 acres, which is fa- vorably situated on the Five Points turnpike, in Darby township, was born in Mad- ison County, Ohio, May 22, 1861, and is a son of John H. and Rachel (Carter) Stone.

The parents of Mr. Stone reared these chil- dren : James, Clarence, Ida, Mary, J. Leslie and Maggie D. During the Civil War, John H. Stone gave years of service to his country, enlisting in 1861 in the 154th Regi- ment, Ohio Vol. Inf. He survived all the dan- gers of war and died at his home, in days of peace, at the age of 75 years. His venerable wife still survives, aged 76 years.

J. Leslie Stone was reared a farmer and obtained his education in the public schools. He is considered one of the excellent farmers of Darby township, managing his land with very satisfactory results. His wife inherited 53 acres of land and also owns a one-fifth interest in 50 acres of land left by her father. Mr. Stone has added 44 acres more and now has a farm of about the right size to be operated safely and successfully without outside help. Mr. Stone has made many improvements of a

substantial nature here. His handsome nine- room residence is one of many comforts. It was erected in 1904 and has a number of the modern conveniences which, in these days, make rural homes so desirable. His other buildings are suitable and well placed and his fine barn is one of the best in the township.

On January 25, 1894, Mr. Stone was mar- ried to Jennie Dick, who was born in Darby township, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 6, 1868, being a daughter of P. Jackson and Mar- garet (Bolin) Dick, both natives of Pickaway County. P. Jackson Dick was born near New Holland, Pickaway County, and was seven years old when he removed to Darby township with his parents, Nicholas and Mary (John- son) Dick. For 63 years he continued to re- side on the Dick farm in Darby township, to which he came as a boy, until his death, Feb- ruary 13, 1902. His wife died January 10, 1898. Six children were born to them, as fol- lows: Olivia, widow of Joseph Leist; Maim, who married Smith Beale; O. M., or "Mack," as he is familiarly known, the only son, who married Maggie Stone-he is chairman of the Democratic County Committee; Mandane, who married Fred Lutz; Jennie, wife of our sub- ject; and Blanche, who married Edwin Sell- man and died June 5, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have two children, namely: Tura Lu- cine, born February 13, 1897; and Jackson Leslie, born October 3, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch is a good citizen, always taking an active interest in mat- ters pertaining to the advancement of his neighborhood. He enjoys the esteem and re- spect of those with whom he is brought into contact and may very justly be mentioned as one of the township's representative men.

---- EORGE R. CLIFTON, a well-known, progressive farmer of Muhlenberg township, residing on a finely im- proved and well-developed farm of 75 acres, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, near Yellow Bud, January 13, 1856, and is a son of William and Rachel (Bartley) Clifton.

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Mr. Clifton has spent the whole of his life in this county. He grew up on his father's farm and lived at home until his marriage. He was educated in the district schools. When he was 10 years old, his father died. Mrs. Rachel (Bartley) Clifton, the mother of our subject, survived her husband many years, dying in July, 1901, at the age of 76 years. She was the mother of eight children, namely : William, a soldier in the Civil War, who died at Camp Chase, Ohio, in 1865; Thomas, who served over four years in the Civil War and died at Columbus, Ohio, in August, 1900; Benjamin, deceased; Daniel; Samuel; Catherine (Pratt), of Paulding County; Jane (Kelley), who lives in the State of Washington; and George R., the subject of this sketch.

George R. Clifton was married in 1880 to Missouri Henman, also a native of Pickaway County, where she lived with her parents until the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Grindell) Henman, both natives of Maryland, who came to this county many years ago. Both are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clifton are the parents of five children: William, born January 5, 1883; Elmer, born January 31, 1884; Edgar, born August 31, 1886; Turney, born August 14, 1889; and Harry, born March 5, 1891.

After his marriage, Mr. Clifton rented a farm for 13 years and then bought his present farm of 75 acres, of which a good part was in timber. He has cleared all but 17 acres, doing all the work himself. He has erected good sub- stantial buildings on the place and it is now one of the best improved farms in the locality. Mr. Clifton has been a Democrat all his life and served one term as constable.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 100

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923