History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 101

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

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e HARLES TRUMP, one of Jackson township's representative men and successful agriculturists, owns a total of 258 acres of valuable land here, 128 of which, located on the Mount Sterling turnpike, constitute his home place-one of the best improved farms in the central section of Pickaway County. Mr.

Trump was born June 27, 1832, in Wirtten- burg, Germany, and is a son of Leonard and Rosena (Kern) Trump.

The parents of Mr. Trump were born in Wirttenburg, Germany, and both died in Pick- away County, Ohio, the father at the age of 70 years and the mother aged 80 years. They had these children: Rosena, deceased in Mis- souri, who was the wife of William Roth; Leonard, of Missouri; William, of Missouri; Charles, of this sketch; Martin, of Monroe township; Pauline, wife of Christ Schwartz, of Circleville; Carolina, wife of Leonard Bach, of Circleville; and Ludwig, of Cincinnati.

Charles Trump grew up on his father's farm in Germany and was 19 years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. A brother and sister of our subject had already crossed the Atlantic and were located in Pick- away County, Ohio, and this was the family's objective point when they took passage, in 1851, on the "Ernest," a trading vessel plying between Havre de Grace and New York. After 36 days on the ocean, a long trip on the canal and a drive of some miles, the newcomers reached Pickaway County and the family was again united. The father bought a farm of 100 acres in Washington township, within three miles of Circleville, on the old Lancaster road and an older brother of Charles took over its management. The latter hired out by the month but was soon stricken with a fever which incapacitated him for a time. After re- gaining his health he worked for two years in the neighborhood and for two more on the home farm and then married.

After his marriage, Mr. Trump rented a farm which he operated for three years and then went to Missouri to prospect, but soon re- turned, satisfied with the farming lands of Ohio. He continued to live on rented property until he was prepared to invest in land to his satisfaction. Some 34 years ago he purchased his present farm, which he has developed into one of the excellent farms and comfortable and attractive homes of the township. He owns a second farm which is somewhat larger, con- taining 130 acres, situated also on the Mount Sterling turnpike and in close proximity, but

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the two farms are different tracts of land, not adjoining. Mr. Trump is looked upon as one of the township's capitalists as well as valued citizens.

On March 1, 1855, Mr. Trump was mar- ried to Frances Figlesthaler, who was born in Baden, Germany, January 24, 1833, and is a daughter of Francis and Katherine (Hartz) Figlesthaler, who spent their lives in Baden. Mrs. Trump emigrated to America in 1853, coming alone. Eight children were born to this marriage, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of George Gerhardt, of Madison County, Ohio; William, of Jackson township; Albert, living at home; Rosena, wife of Frank Brown, of Darbyville; Emma, living at home; August, an electrician, of Columbus; Amelia, living at home; and Carl, of Jackson township.

Mr. Trump has always supported the Dem- ocratic party. He has been one of the town- ship's most useful men and for two years was supervisor. He is a member of the Lick Run Lutheran Church.

D V. COURTRIGHT, M. D., who is numbered with the successful physi- cians and surgeons at Circleville, was born in this city on the 4th of July, 1875, and is a son of the late Dr. Alva P. Courtright.

Dr. Alva P. Courtright was born in Picka- way County, Ohio, the family having been set- tled here for several generations. For a num- ber of years he was one of the leading medical practitioners in this part of the State. He was one of the early physicians here, almost a pioneer in the profession and through a long, busy and useful life built up a reputation for skill second to none of his competitors.

Dr. D. V. Courtright, by choice and hered- ity, is a physician and surgeon. He was reared in a medical atmosphere and his father's sur- gery remains among his earliest recollections. After graduating from the Circleville High School, in 1893, he spent one year at Miami University, and then went to Starling Medical College, Columbus, where he was graduated in

March, 1897. He immediately became an interne under Dr. Hamilton, at the Mount Carmel Hospital, where he remained three years and was then called to Circleville by the death of his father. Since then he has contin- ued in the active practice of medicine and sur- gery here and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens, both personally and pro- fessionally. He belongs to the Columbus Academy of Medicine, Ohio State Medical So- ciety and American Medical Association.

In 1901 Dr. Courtright was united in mar- riage with Nellie L. Straw, who is a daughter of the late David Straw, of Carey, Ohio, who at the time of his death was one of the capital- ists and prominent men of Wyandot County. Two children have been born to the above mar- riage, viz .: Alva Vattier and David Straw. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church and Dr. Courtright is a member of the board of trustees.

Dr. Courtright retains his Greek letter col- lege fraternity membership. He belongs also to the Masons and the Elks.

OHN C. STEVENSON, a prominent agriculturist and leading citizen of Jackson township, residing on his fine estate of 240 acres, known as the Darst farm, situated on Goosepond turnpike, was born in Circleville township, Pickaway County, Ohio, October 20, 1861, and is a son of John and Jane (Morehead) Steven- son.

John Stevenson, father of John C., was born in County Down, Ireland, November 13, 1823, and was a son of Alexander and Mary Steven- son, who had eight children, three of whom came to America. Mr. Stevenson remained in his own land until he was 25 years of age and then decided to make Ohio his home, locating in Pickaway County in the vicinity of Circle- ville, where he worked for five years at the coopering business and also on farms at a wage of $6 a month. During this period he saved $500 and with it he returned to Ireland and was married.

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At the time that gold was first. discovered in Australia, Mr. Stevenson prepared to go to that far-away country in search of fortune and subsequently located at Melbourne, where he worked first on the city docks and later secured work in the gold mines 100 miles inland. At first he worked for others but soon saw his opportunity, invested in mining properties of his own, which he later operated with some success. His greatest source of income, how- ever, was in his provisioning of the mines. He bought wagons and horses and carried provis- ions long distances from Melbourne to the mines, being able to sell almost at his own prices. With some capital he then returned to Circleville, Ohio, accompanied by his wife and three children. He bought 72 acres of land on the Island, this being the nucleus of his later fortune in realty, and continued to live on it for 25 years. In the meantime he kept on buying land and acquired 400 acres and his wife ac- quired 200 acres. His death occurred Octo- ber 14, 1902.

In 1853 John Stevenson married Jane Morehead, who was also born in County Down, Ireland-one day before the birth of her hus- band. She survived him almost two years, dying May 8, 1904. The seven children who survived infancy were: Alexander, who died December 4, 1905, aged 52 years; Mattie M., a resident of Columbus, who is taking a pleas- ure trip to Australia; Hamilton, a resident of San Francisco, California; Maggie, who died aged seven years; John C., of this sketch; Jen- nie, who is the wife of Rev. Richard Watt, of Ceylon, Minnesota; and Elizabeth, who is ac- companying her sister to Australia.

John C, Stevenson, our immediate subject, was reared in Circleville township until he had passed his majority and remained with his parents on the farm on the Chillicothe turn- pike for several years, then spent two years on a farm near Circleville. After selling this property, he went on a farm in Wayne town- ship which his mother had purchased and there he continued to live for II years. It was a tract of 200 acres and he operated it with great success. During this time he married. Later he bought a farm of 177 acres at Fox, his first purchase, and he still retains this farm.

Some eight years ago Mr. Stevenson purchased his present farm and moved on it in the fol- lowing year. It contains 240 acres and is well improved with good buildings, including a commodious and comfortable residence. It is situated five miles northwest of Circleville.

Mr. Stevenson, in addition to the lands men- tioned, has charge of his parents' estate, which has not been settled. He has in charge 153 acres in Circleville township, left to the three sons; 100 acres on the Columbus turnpike in Circleville township, left to his sister; a one- sixth interest in 160 acres in Pickaway town- ship; a one-sixth interest in 200 acres in Wayne township; and also manages 408 acres that belong to his sisters Martha and Elizabeth; and in addition is administrator for his brother Alexander's estate of 160 acres. Mr. Steven- son thus has control of 1,595 acres, of which he owns a considerable portion. He personally operates his homestead and rents the rest for raising grain. There is a sparkling spring of water on his land, which is known as the Darst spring.

On January 17, 1893, Mr. Stevenson was married to Callie M. Barnes, who was born near New Lexington, Ohio, and is a daughter of Arza R. and Barbara Barnes, natives of Ohio: Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have six chil- dren, viz. : John Beryl, Frank Earl, Grace H., George Bruce, Howard Newell and Eugene Morehead. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are members of the Presbyterian Church.

A strong Republican all his life, Mr. Ste- venson takes a great amount of interest in the success of his party. He has served three years as township trustee and is known as one of the most reliable men of his locality, in business, in political and in private life. The large in- terests he represents are indeed in good hands.

R ICHARD TIPTON DENNIS, a rep- resentative citizen of Monroe town- ship, president of the Board of Edu- cation and a large farmer and stock- raiser, owns 372 acres of excellent land in one of the best sections of the town- ship. He was born in Monroe township, on an

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adjacent farm, on February 1, 1857, and is a son of David H. and Winnie (Funk) Dennis.

Early in the settlement of Ross County, Ohio, came Daniel Dennis and wife Nancy, from Maryland. They settled in the forest, which at that time was so dense that clearings had to be made before the first steps could be taken looking to cultivation of the land. At a later date he sold the Ross County farm to his son Henry and purchased a large farm in Mon- roe township, Pickaway County, where he died in 1877. His first wife died in Ross County. After he settled in Monroe township, he mar- ried Mary Hess, who still survives and resides with two of the children-Effie and George W .- on the farm of 110 acres left her children by Daniel Dennis, at the time of his death. The eldest of his daughters by this marriage, Josephine, who is the wife of Albert L. Shock- ly, a farmer of Darby township, also shared in the inheritance.

The children of Daniel Dennis' first mar- riage were: David H., father of our subject; Henry, who married Clarissa Smith-he pur- chased and later sold his father's old home in Ross County, and died in Monroe township; Millie, deceased, who married (first) Charles Evans, and (second) Robert Timmons; Mary, who married Felix Grindol and lives at Ham- mond, Illinois; Bettie, deceased, who was the wife of John Dennis; Peggie, deceased, who was the wife of Elijah Dennis; and Nancy, de- ceased, who was the wife of John Mulnix.

David H. Dennis, father of our subject, was born November 21, 1826, in Ross County, Ohio, and was only a boy when he accompa- nied his father to Pickaway County. His edu- cation was secured in the old log school houses, which were the best afforded at the time, and he grew up his father's helper on the farm. After his marriage he settled on the farm on which our subject was born and which now be- longs to our subject's sister, Mrs. Samantha Hill. For many years a rough log house sufficed for a residence. Later, however, Mr .. Dennis tore down the log cabin and on the opposite side of the road built a comfortable frame residence. He still lives in Monroe township, where he has long had a reputation

as a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He owns 211 acres of land situated jointly in Mon- roe and Muhlenberg townships. He was be- reft of his wife on April 29, 1901, after a happy married life of many years.

To David H. Dennis and his wife, Winnie Funk, were born the following children: Nancy, who married Charles Downs and lives in Monroe township near Five Points, on what is known as the Noah Cardiff farm, which her husband owns; Sarah Jane, who married C. B. Mitchell and lives east of Five Points in Monroe township; William T., now owning and operating the old William McCafferty farm in Monroe township, who married Rhoda Hat- field; David G., who married (first) Harriet Hanson and (second) Dora Wing and lives on a part of what was once a section of the Flor- ence estate in Muhlenberg township, along Dry Run; Richard Tipton, the subject of this sketch; and Samantha, wife of Seth Hill, of Monroe township.

Richard T. Dennis enjoyed excellent edu- cational advantages and is one of the best- informed and intelligent men in Monroe town- ship. He was an apt pupil in the district schools and also ambitious. In 1881 he entered the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and in 1883 took the teacher's special course and se- cured his certificate. Mr. Dennis then took up teaching as a profession and for the following 21 years taught school in Pickaway County, his time being divided partially thus: First in Deer Creek township, then two years in the graded schools at Darbyville, five years in the Pherson district in Muhlenberg township, six years at Five Points, and several years in the schools of his own neighborhood. During this time' Mr. Dennis may have been the cause of a very general remark, that Monroe township turned out more capable teachers than any other township in the State. The fact is that he took such deep interest in his educational la- bors that he inspired the young to added effort and, with his encouragement and thorough training, well educated young men and women went out from under his care and many of them found educational work awaiting them because they were competent. Probably if a

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JOHN BOLENDER.

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census was taken of the teachers who are now successfully filling positions in the township, it would be found that a large per cent. have been under Mr. Dennis' instruction. This face must be very gratifying to so thorough an educator as he. From 1888 to 1891, Mr. Dennis served as county school examiner under appointment from Hon. Daniel J. Myers, judge of probate.

On December 29, 1887, Mr. Dennis was married to Elvira Adkins, who was born May 7, 1866, in Monroe township, Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, and comes of an old pioneer family of the State. Her parents, George W. and Louisa (Walstor) Adkins, reside near Five Points. The other members of their family, exclusive of Mrs. Dennis, are: Stanton, re- siding near Five Points, who married Josie Corkwell; Harry, living in Darby township, who married Carrie Neff ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of G. W. Winfough, a merchant at Five Points; Gertrude, who is the wife of Harry Long, of Five Points; and Etta, who resides with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have five children, namely: Fern, born October 13, 1888; Gladys, born August 12, 1890; Nita, born April 15, 1894; Eunice Pearl, born August 24, 1901; and Carl Richard, born December 8, 1903. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Dennis has all his large body of land in one tract, most favorably located along the Williamsport and Era road and the Mount Sterling and Darbyville turnpike. He pur- chased 215 acres of this farm from Isaac Col. lins, 43 acres from his sister, Mrs. Mitchell, 45 acres from the John McCafferty property and secured the rest from his father. It is all rich land, well adapted to both the growing of corn, oats and wheat and to the extensive rais- ing of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. The fam- ily residence, a commodious frame dwelling of 10 rooms, occupies a conspicuous place on the farm and presents the appearance of an at- tractive, comfortable home. Various improve- ments have been added at various times and modern ideas have been generally followed.

Mr. Dennis has always taken an active in-

terest in local good government. He served as township treasurer from 1900 to 1906 and in 1904 was elected school director of his dis- trict and president of the Board of Education. Scarcely any citizen of Monroe township stands in higher esteem.

OHN BOLENDER, who owns a very valuable farm of 72 acres in Wash- ington township, was born on this farm on November 26, 1831, and be- longs to an old pioneer family of this section. He is a son of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Leist) Bolender.

Benjamin Bolender was born in Pennsyl- vania and came to Pickaway County at the age of 22 years. He married Elizabeth Leist, who was a daughter of Andrew Leist, and their lives were spent as farmers in Washington township.

John Bolender was reared and educated in Pickaway County, his schooling being ob- tained partly in the old log schoolhouse near his home. It was not unusual, in his young manhood, for stockmen to drive their cattle to Eastern markets and in 1850 he took a lot of cattle, driving them all the way to Balti- more, Maryland. He set out on the 6th of March, safely reached his destination with his cattle and returned more at ease, utilizing the steamboat and stage coach and reaching home on June 28th.

In 1852 Mr. Bolender was married to Sophia Stepelton, who died in 1863, the mother of six children, of whom three died in infancy. The survivors are: Isaac, who is in the gro- cery business at Circleville; Eliza Ann, who married S. E. Valentine; and Noah, who lives on a part of the home farm. Mr. Bolender married (second) Susan Leist, a daughter of John D. Leist. Nine children were born to this union, namely: Lydia A., the widow of the late James Martin Riffle, of Pickaway township; Henry, who resides at home; George, who married Eda Glick and lives in Wayne township; Lucy, who married William H. Stout; Ida, who lives at home; Charles,

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Lily and Edward, who live at home and Nel- son, who lives in Washington township.

Mr. Bolender originally owned 105 acres, but sold 33 acres to his son Noah. In 1882 he built the present commodious brick resi- dence which adorns the farm. For the past 32 years he has been a member of the township School Board. He enjoys the distinction of having lived longer on one farm than any man in the township. He has seen the country de- velop and has done his part in promoting pub- lic improvements and in adding to the general prosperity of this section. For years he has been a leading member of the Evangelical As- sociation, is one of the trustees and at various times has been one of the stewards. As one of the representative men of this locality, Mr. Bolender is held in general esteem. His por- trait accompanies this sketch.

ILLIAM BYRON FREDERICK, an excellent farmer and represen- tative citizen of Wayne township, belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of this section of the State. Mr. Frederick was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, February 19, 1867, and is a son of Wil- liam and Sophia (Bookwalter) Frederick.

Peter Frederick, the grandfather of Wil- liam B. Frederick, was one of the earliest set- tlers in this county. By trade he was a cabi- netmaker and farmer and was probably of Ger- man descent. He married Katherine Zimmer- man and they reared two children. On the ma- ternal side the grandparents of Mr. Frederick were also old and well-known settlers, Henry and Salome Bookwalter. The father of Mr. Frederick lived until February. 5, 1906, the mother having passed away in 1892.

Mr. Frederick's life has been almost en- tirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. He is now operating the farm of his father-in-law- a tract of 333 acres in Wayne township.

Mr. Frederick was married on Christmas Day, 1895, to Bertha M. Miesse, who is a daughter of Dr. Morris H. Miesse, a prominent

physician of Circleville. They have three chil- dren, viz .: Harold Edward, born June 28, 1898; Leland Miesse, born Noember 17, 1900; and William Byron, Jr., born July 28, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick belong to the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Frederick is a good citizen and takes an interest in all that concerns his township. He served for three years as a member of the School Board.

R OSS NEFF, of the younger generation of prominent agriculturists, comes of a family well known and thoroughly respected in Pickaway County. He is the owner of 180 acres of valuable land in Darby township, divided into two bodies. The home farm, which he bought from the Mitchell heirs in 1899, comprises 121 acres; the other tract of 59 acres he purchased in the spring of 1905.

Our subject is a son of Isaac V. S. and Sarah Malinda (Neff) Neff, and a grandson, on the paternal side, of Elijah and Mary A. (Powell) Neff and, on the maternal side, of Absalom and Sarah (Reay) Neff. The grand- parents on both sides came to Ohio from Vir- ginia. Seven children were born to Elijah and Mary A. (Powell) Neff, as follows: William, deceased; Isaac V. S., father of our subject, who died on the 14th of June, 1892; James, deceased; three girls who died in infancy; and George S. W., who married Elizabeth Powell and, with his wife, is living in Darby township.

Isaac V. S. Neff was born in Virginia and when 14 years of age came to Ohio with his father. The latter purchased 212 acres of land where George S. W. Neff, the uncle of our subject, now resides. Isaac V. S, Neff lived at home until he married Sarah Malinda Neff, daughter of Absalom Neff, who also had mi- grated from Virginia. Five children were born to this union, viz .: Mary Jane, who died when a child; Ada, who died in 1885, and William, who died in 1894; Ross; and Catherine, who died when an infant.

Ross Neff was born on the old home farm in this county, September 2, 1868, and on Feb-

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ruary 28, 1900, he was married to Effa May Murphy, daughter of W. F. Murphy, of Derby. Besides herself, there were four children in the family of Mrs. Neff's parents-George, now deceased, who married Emma Neff; Joseph, also deceased, whose wife was Molly McKin- ley; Charles, who married Clara Dennison ; and Sally, wife of Abraham J. Dennison.

Mr. Neff is identified with the Knights of Pythias and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although still comparatively a young man, he already is placed in the ranks of the reliable and progressive citizens of the town- ship.

S AMUEL DUNKEL, one of the most substantial farmers and respected cit- izens in Pickaway County, is the owner of 330 acres in Walnut town- ship, comprising the home farm, and 185 acres in Circleville township. He has. lived in this locality ever since he was an in- fant, or for a period of more than 83 years, and has had the reputation for years of raising the best wheat in the county.

Our subject was born in Salt Creek town- ship, this county, on the 23rd of February, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Markel) Dunkel. . His parents were both natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and were mar- ried in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County. When Samuel was only about a month old, they removed from Salt Creek to Circleville township, where the lad developed into man- hood. On March 26, 1862, he was married to Susanna Berger, daughter of Henry Berger, by whom he has had four children. The first born, Elvina, is the wife of William H. Lat- house; they live on the family homestead with their six children-Shirley, Flossie, Homer, Clara, Mary and Florence. Mr. Dunkel's sec- ond child died unnamed. Lydia, the third, died single, in September, 1901, aged 30.

Rev. Joel Dunkel, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dunkel, is a Presbyterian minister at Saginaw, Michigan: His primary education was received in the district schools of Walnut township, after which he in his later

years attended and was graduated from Heid- elberg University, at Tiffin, Ohio. He then took up theological studies at the McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. While a student at the latter institution, Mr. Dunkel's mother (the wife of our subject) passed away, April 23, 1895, and he thereupon discontinued his course. In the following year, however, he entered the theological department of Princeton University, where he continued for two years. He married Lulu Baker and he is the father of one child, Wilbur Dwight.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 101

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