History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 103

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

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ILLIAM C. HILL, one of the rep- resentative citizens and prominent farmers of Jackson township, re- sides on his fine farm of 1281/2 acres, all in one body, situated just off the Darbyville turnpike. Mr. Hill was born in Muhlenberg township, on the Florence Chapel turnpike, two miles east of Darbyville, on May 16, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Julia A. (Sharp) Hill.

The Hill family is of Scotch ancestry. It was founded in America by our subject's great-grandfather, who subsequently served in the Revolutionary War. His son, Capt. Will- iam Hill, was born in Virginia and came to Pickaway County and settled in Muhlenberg township, in 1815. Here he lived until the age of 83 years and at his death owned al-

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most 700 acres of land, a large portion of which was under cultivation. During the War of 1812 he served as a captain of a Vir- ginia company of volunteers.

Thomas Hill, father of our subject, was born February 21, 1807, in Hampshire Coun- ty, Virginia (now West Virginia), and ac- companied his parents to Muhlenberg town- ship, where he later cultivated a farm given him by his father. He died September 10, 1885, leaving an estate of 215 acres of land. For about a quarter of a century he was a trustee of Muhlenberg township. Politically he was a Whig and later a Republican. He married Julia A. Sharp, who was born in New York, July 1, 1813, and died May 14, 1893. She came here with her parents, who were of German descent. Thomas Hill and wife had IO children and all are living except Marcus, who died aged three years. The nine surviv- ing members are as follows: Mrs. Margaret Darst, of Muhlenberg township; Mrs. Eliza- beth Whiteside, of Darby township; Mrs: Mary Bolin, of Darbyville; Mrs. Ellen Mc- Kinley, of Franklin County; William C., of this sketch; Mrs. Matilda Wilson, of White County, Indiana; Robert C., residing on a part of the old homestead; Ezra Florence, of Dar- byville; and Mrs. Sarah Stiverson, of Co- lumbus.

William C. Hill remained on the home farm until January, 1872, and then worked on several farms until March 5, 1878, when he bought 100 acres of his present farm, which he has increased to 1281/2 acres. Mr. Hill owns other property, being one of the county's large landowners. One farm of 50 acres is located on the Circleville turnpike; another, of 30 acres, in Deer Creek township, occupied by his son; and a third of 66 acres, located on the Darbyville turnpike. Mr. Hill operates all these with the exception of the farm on which his son lives, devoting them to grain and stock, His property is well improved, his buildings being of a substantial character. He raises a great deal of first-class stock and is numbered with the intelligent and successful farmers of the county.

On October 26, 1871, Mr. Hill was married

to Minerva A. Gulick, who was born in Muhlenberg township, near Darbyville, Sep- tember 12, 1848, and is a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Seymour) Gulick, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Ross County, Ohio. The Gulick family is a pioneer one of this section. The children of our subject and wife now living are : Charles, of Deer Creek township; Addie May ; Maude, now a bookkeeper in Columbus, who was formerly a school teacher; Seymour; James; Josephine; Ellen; Marion, who died July 11, 1875; an infant, deceased; and Liz- zie, who died in November, 1880, aged two and a half years.

Mr. Hill is one of the leading Republicans of Jackson township, in which he has served two terms as justice of the peace and 20 years as school director. In 1900 he was the prop- erty appraiser of the township. He is one of the thoroughly reliable business men and valued citizens of Jackson township. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hill accompany this sketch.

J JACOB T. OBERDORFER, proprietor of a large planing mill and an exten- sive manufacturer and dealer in dressed lumber, sash, doors, blinds, shingles, etc., at Tarlton, is carrying on a very successful business and has a large trade territory. Mr. Oberdorfer was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 17, 1867, and is a son of John and Barbara (Myers) Ober- dorfer.

The parents of Mr. Oberdorfer were born in Germany. They came to America early in the '50's, and settled in Fairfield County, where John Oberdorfer operated a woolen mill, in Hocking township.

Jacob T. Oberdorfer attended school in Hocking township and then went into his fathers mill, where he worked until he attained his majority. His natural inclinations were in the direction of mechanics and for several years after leaving his father he engaged in sawmilling through Pickaway, Ross, Hocking and Fairfield counties. In 1894 he located at

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Tarlton and engaged in business, entering into partnership with Elmer E. Dickson, under the firm name of Dickson & Oberdorfer, which continued until 1889, when the firm was dis- solved, since which date Mr. Oberdorfer has been sole proprietor of what is one of Tarl- ton's most prosperous industries. Mr. Ober- dorfer conducts a general planing mill business, manufactures sash, doors, blinds, etc., sells all kinds of dressed lumber, shingles, lath, etc., and makes estimates to builders and fills con- tracts. He owns a fine farm of 145 acres in Salt Creek township, which is very satisfac- torily managed and brings in quite an income.

Mr. Oberdorfer married Laura A. Dickson, who was born in Hocking township, Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Isaac Dick- son, of that county. Five children have been born to this marriage, namely: Ralph L., Beu- lah E., Paul E., Winnifred L. and Mary C.

In politics Mr. Oberdorfer is a Democrat. He has served on the board of directors of the Tarlton Special School District, with other prominent citizens. He belongs and liberally supports the Lutheran Church. In all that goes to make a good citizen, Mr. Oberdorfer is one of the representative men of Tarlton.

C HADDEUS WILLIAM BAUM, a prominent citizen and representative business man of Duvall, Pickaway County, where he has operated an elevator and been largely interested in dealing in grain and live-stock for the past seven years, was born October 26, 1863, in Madison township, Pickaway County, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Cromley) ·Baum.

The paternal grandfather, Christian Baum, came to Pickaway County from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Madison township, developing it from a wild state. This property is still in the family and is owned by our subject. Christian Baum mar- ried a Miss Shook, a member of another old and prominent German- family of Pennsylva- nia, and they had these children: Joseph;

George; Lewis; John; Jacob; Elizabeth, wife of W. T. Conklin, of Madison township; and Mary, who was the wife of Samuel Posey. The only survivors of this family are Lewis and Mrs. Conklin.

Jacob Baum, father of our subject, was born on the homestead in Madison township, Pickaway County, in September, 1832, and died in 1876, having spent the whole of his long, useful and exemplary life in his native place. He married Eliza Cromley, a daughter of Christian Cromley, and they became the parents of three children, namely : Linnie, who died in infancy; Thaddeus William; and Mat- tie J., deceased, who was the wife of Rev. D. E. Snapp.

Thaddeus W. Baum received his primary education in the schools of Madison township. later spent two years at Lebanon, Ohio, and completed his education by taking a commer- cial course at Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Baum then spent one year teaching school at Nebraska, in Walnut township, and then settled down to . farming. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he purchased the elevator at Duvall and since then has been de- voting his time, in large measure, to dealing in grain and live-stock. He still retains posses- sion of much valuable farming land in Madison township, aggregating some 760 acres, and has other business interests. He is a member of the board of directors of the Citizens' Bank at Ashville, of which he is vice-president; is senior member of the firm of Baum & Herr, opera- tors of an elevator at Groveport; and has a large interest in the Seeds, Grain & Hay Com- pany, a concern recently organized and incor- porated.

On March 19, 1890, Mr. Baum was mar- ried to Mattie Conklin, who is a daughter of W. T. and Elizabeth Conklin, of Madison township. They have three daughters : Ruth, born July 12, 1892, who is a student in the township schools; Helen, born September 20, 1894; and Dorothy, born March 21, 1906.

Mr. Baum is one of the leading members of the Masonic fraternity in this section, being a 32nd degree Mason. As a business man he

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stands very high in commercial life. He was left fatherless at the age of 12 years and busi- ness responsibilities fell upon his shoulders at an unusually early age. These he met with courage and handled with ability, and a large part of his ample fortune has been the direct result of his own efforts. His beautiful home at Duvall is one of comfort and luxury, and his family are prominent factors in the town's pleasant, social life. Personally, Mr. Baum impresses the stranger favorably, his fine ap- pearance and cordial manner inspiring confi- dence and friendship.

ON. GEORGE W. BOWERS, one of the younger members of the Ohio State Legislature, is probably one of the most popular citizens of Walnut township, Pickaway County, where he operates a fine farm of 173 acres. Mr. Bowers was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 21. 1871, and is one of a family of seven chil- dren born to his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Gessley) Bowers, prominent farmers of Amanda township, Fairfield County.

Mr. Bowers spent his boyhood on his father's farm and obtained his early educa- tional training in the common schools. Later he attended college, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he was graduated with credit, in 1889. Mr. Bowers followed the profession of teaching until he went actively into politics, and during this time he was principal of the schools of East Ringgold, Ohio, for three years. He was reared a Democrat, and in the fall of 1905 his party saw his availability as a legislative can- didate. Prior to this he had served as a justice of the peace and was thus well acquainted with Ohio laws. Mr. Bowers went into the cam- paign without any opposition from members of his own party, being personally very popular and was elected by a plurality of 1,087 votes, leading his ticket. He is a man of education, judgment and honest convictions and his friends predict for him a very successful career. He has always taken great interest in educa-

tional matters and is president of the School Board in Walnut township.

Mr. Bowers was married to Clara L. Brown, who is a daughter of the late Joseph H. Brown, and they have one son-Harold J. Mr. Bowers' wife's family belong to the Bap- tist Church, but he is a Lutheran. He is a member of Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., at Ashville, and also belongs to Nebraska Grange, at Nebraska.

e HARLES A. PALM, a retired farmer now residing at Circleville, has been a resident of Pickaway County for 60 years. He was born in Witten- berg, Germany, in 1832, and was 14 years of age when he came to America.

All of Mr. Palm's business life was devoted to farming and gardening. For 25 years he was known as one of the most successful mar- ket gardeners in the vicinity of Circleville and he still owns a finely-improved farm of 117 acres in Washington township.

Mr. Palm has been twice married; first to Mary Metz, who died in 1865, leaving one child, Mrs. Christina Landenberger, who has two children. Mr. Palm was married (second) on November 9, 1865, to Christina Doering, who was born in Germany and came to Amer- ica with her parents, at the age of seven years. The children of this marriage are as follows : Anna Martha, who is the widow of William Leist and the mother of four children; Mein- hard G., who married.Ella Miller, daughter of William Miller and has five children; Flora Matilda; and Frank Henry, who married Cora Williams and has one child.

Mr. Palm has always supported the Demo- cratic party but he has not been willing to ac- cept the cares of political office. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Lutheran Church. During his long residence here Mr. Palm has seen all this section develop. He can relate many interesting events which took place long ago and knows personally the sur- viving members of most of the old and leading families which have made Pickaway County what it is.

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ILLIAM M. DEWEY, who is ex- tensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Jackson township, resides on a 207-acre farm in this township, and owns a farm of 226 acres located on the Goosepond turnpike. Mr. Dewey was born in Harrison township, Pick- away County, Ohio, March 3, 1859, and is a son of Lemuel and Adeline (King) Dewey.

Lemuel Dewey was born in Vermont and belongs to the same family which gave the United States her great naval hero, Admiral George Dewey, a cousin of the father of our subject. Lemuel remained in Vermont until he was a man of 40 years of age. After com- ing to Pickaway County, he mainly followed. teaming." At one time in his life he was an officer of the law and it was while fulfilling his duty and attempting to make an arrest, that he was injured in a way that caused the loss of an eye. He died in 1865, aged 60 years. He was twice married, his first wife leaving at death four sons and two daughters. His second marriage was to Adeline King, who was born in Pennsylvania and still survives, residing in Harrison township, at the age of 76 years.

Our subject is the fifth in the family of eight children born to his parents, the others being: Mary (Dolby), of Ashville; Samuel, of Harrison township; Emma (Hall), of Scioto township; George, deceased; Edward, of Ashville; Ella, who died young; and Maggie.

William M. Dewey was only six years old when his father died and his childhood was spent among strangers. As soon as he was old enough, he began to work and as a child was so industrious that he more than earned his keep. When he was 18 years old he went to work for Alexander Caldwell, who employed him by the month until his marriage, when Mr. Caldwell rented the young man one of his farms on which he continued to reside until he settled on what is known as the Link Hus- ton farm. This property Mr. Dewey rents. In 1897 he purchased 102 acres of land on the Goosepond turnpike and later added a 124- acre tract, on which is a good tenant house.

This tract Mr. Dewey lets on shares but works the rest of his land himself, devoting it to grain and stock. He has been a farmer all his life and is a very sensible, practical one who thor- oughly understands his business.

Mr. Dewey was married (first), in 1880, to Lucy Malone, who was born in Pickaway County and was a daughter of Whitfield Ma- lone. She died in 1886, aged 24 years, leav- ing three children: George, of Jackson town- ship; and Charles and Ezra, who live at home. In 1888 Mr. Dewey was married (second) to Leah Gochenouer, who was born in Pickaway County, and is a daughter of Joseph Gouche- nouer. To this union four children have been born as follows: Nellie May; Clara Ann; Lemuel Addie, who bears the combined names of his paternal grandfather and grandmother; and Gardner-all living at home.

Politically Mr. Dewey, like his distin- guished cousin, has been a lifelong Democrat. He has been a school director for many years and for the past four years has been town- ship trustee. In manner and appearance, Mr. Dewey bears a striking resemblance to the hon- ored admiral of the United States Navy.

H. COLVILL, M. D., one of the lead- ing physicians and surgeons of Cir- cleville, where he has been established since 1899, was born in 1855 in Jackson County, Ohio, and is a son of Robert G. Colvill, formerly a farmer of Jackson County, but now living retired in Circleville.

G. H. Colvill. spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, going to school and as- sisting in the homely duties which make up a large part of the farmer boy's life. He spent some time also in the Hamden High School and then began teaching and also preparing for medical college. After three years of school teaching, he went to Columbus and became a student of medicine with Dr. Kinsman and at the same time attended medical lectures at the Columbus Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1879. In 1898 Dr.

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Colvill took a post-graduate course at the New York Post Graduate College.

After receiving his degree, Dr. Colvill set- tled for practice at Harrisville, in Harrison County, Ohio, where he remained for 20 years, faithfully performing the duties of his ardu- ous profession all this time. In the spring of 1899 Dr. Colvill removed to Circleville, where his reputation for medical skill had preceded him. During his seven years of practice here he has justified the expectation of those who have sought his experienced services. He is one of the valued members of the older medi- cal organizations of the State, having belonged to the Ohio State Medical Society for nearly 20 years, to the Belmont County Medical Society for 15 years and for a like period to the East- ern Ohio Medical Society.

In 1881 Dr. Colvill was married to Me- lissa G. Southward, who was born in Picka- way County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. John A. Southward. Dr. and Mrs. Colvill have four children, viz .: Edith; Robert G., a student at Wooster College; Lillian E. and Helen I. The family belong to the Presbyte- rian Church, of which Dr. Colvill is an elder and one of the active workers in the Sunday- school. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason, and at present is prelate of Scioto Commandery, K. T., at Circleville.

m RS. MARGARET E. MCKENZIE, a highly esteemed resident of Pick -. away township, lives on her excel- lent farm of 87 acres, which she has practically managed for some years. Mrs. Mckenzie was born in Vinton. County, Ohio, May 10, 1856, and is a daugh- ter of Patrick and Mary (Murphy) Ward.

The father of Mrs. Mckenzie was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and her mother in County Longford. The father died July 23, 1882, but the venerable mother, now in her 80th year, is an inmate of St. Anthony's Hos- pital at Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Ward were early settlers in Vinton County, Ohio, whence they removed to Pickaway Coun- ty in 1860, locating in Jackson township. Of

their seven children, these survive: Margaret E. (Mckenzie); Patrick, who lives in Ran- dolph County, Virginia; Frank, of Columbus; Catherine, wife of Judge C. C. Shearer, of Xenia, Ohio; and John, of Aberdeen, Wash- ington.

Mrs. Mckenzie was only a child when her parents located in Jackson township, Pickaway County, where she was reared. She obtained her education in the public schools of Circle- ville and later became a teacher, following the profession through two years. She was a suc- cessful and popular educator and made many friends among her pupils and their parents.

On April 26, 1875, Margaret Ward mar- ried Leo Mckenzie, who was born May 5, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret Mckenzie. In another part of this work in the sketch of Frank S. Mckenzie, may be found extended mention of the Mckenzie fam- ily. The children born to this union were: John J., Mary C., Samuel P., Leo M., Frank C., Catherine E., Margaret T., Elizabeth S., Ruth H. and Antoinette A. (deceased).

Mrs. Mckenzie and her children are de- voted members of the Catholic Church. She is a woman of remarkable business capacity and is much respected by all who know her. On account of Mr. Mckenzie being an in- valid, many unusual cares have been placed on her shoulders. These she has supported with fortitude and cheerfulness. Her children have been carefully reared, her home and land well looked after, her religious duties have never been forgotten and there are many of her neighbors who have had reason to feel grateful for her kindness when they have been in trouble. or visited by sickness. She is con- ceded to be an admirable woman.

J JACOB MERZ, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, at Circleville, has been identified with the business in- terests of this city for the past 28 years. He was born at Circleville, in 1859, and is a son of John Merz.

John Merz is well known at Circleville, where he still resides, having reached his 78th

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year. He was born in Germany and located at Circleville in the year of his son's birth. He is an expert gardener and many of the beautiful lawns and productive gardens of the city have come under his supervision.

Mr. Merz was reared and educated at Cir- cleville and was graduated at the High School in this city. For two years he was with C. R. Goldfredrick, in the capacity of clerk, and then embarked in a grocery and provision busi- ness of his own. He has ever since been lo- cated at the corner of Watt and Pickaway streets and controls a large and profitable trade. His stock is full and varied, while his methods of business have always been those based on strict honesty.

In 1880 Mr. Merz was married to Eliza- beth Schlagetter, who is a daughter of Frank Schlagetter. Mr. and Mrs. Merz have three children, viz .: Frank H., who is a practicing dentist; W. Robert, who assists his father; and Anna L., a talented young lady who will grad- uate during the coming year from the Conserv- atory of Music of Lima.

Mr. Merz has been a lifelong Democrat. As a man of substance and reliable character, he has frequently been called upon to hold office. For 12 years he served as president of the City Council and at present is city treasurer. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Foresters. For many years he has been a member of Trinity Evangelical Church and is one of its most liberal supporters.

EORGE S. W. NEFF, a substantial agriculturist and leading citizen of Darby township, is the owner of 269 acres of valuable farm land, lying in three compact bodies. The largest tract, containing 165 acres, is the homestead on which he resides, situated on the old Federal road. Another farm of 52 acres is on the same thoroughfare, and the third, almost equal in size, is located on the Darbyville and London road.

Our subject is a son of Elijah and Mary A. Neff, Virginians. Seven children were born to their union, as follows: William, deceased;

Isaac V. S., who died June 14, 1892; James, who died at an advanced age; three girls, who died in infancy ; and George S. W., who is the only member of the family now living.

Mr. Neff's birthplace was Hardy County, Virginia (now West Virginia), but has re- sided in this county since he was six years of age. Both he and his many friends therefore consider him practically a native of Pickaway County, and his success a part of its progress.

George S. W. Neff was married to Eliza- beth Powell, daughter of Jacob Powell, of the Old Dominion, and four children were born to them, viz .: Otis, who married Minnie Grable and at his death, at the age of 35 years, left a widow and one child-Hazel; Mary E., who married James Grable and became the mother of three children-Edith, George and Alfred; Carrie Jane, who became the wife of Harry Adkins and the mother of two children -Agnes and George; and Ella, who is the youngest and resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Neff are both dead. She has three sisters -Mary, Alice and Almira; six half-sisters- Jessie, Anna, Carrie, Mattie, Osta and Mag- gie; and a half-brother-Otis.

The Neff family residence is a nine-room, frame house one of the prettiest in the neigh- . borhood. . The farm on which Mr. Neff lives has been his home ever since he came to the township as a boy of six years. Since then he has not only developed into a splendid man- hood, reared a family of his own and prospered in worldly affairs, but established a solid repu- tation for intelligence and morality. He has taken deep and continuous interest in educa- tional matters, having served for a number of years on the School Board. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order.

J OSHUA GLICK, son of a widely known pioneer, himself a successful farmer and owner of 184 acres of land in sec- tion 8, Walnut township, was born at Circleville, Ohio, October 17, 1845. He is a son of Philip and Nancy (Hoover) Glick, a full account of whom may be found in the biography of Jacob H. Glick, appearing elsewhere in this work.

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Our subject is the second son in the family of which Caleb Glick, of Washington town- ship, is the eldest. He had the usual experi- ences and training of a lad on a farm and reached manhood as a resident of Circleville, where, on Christmas Day, 1867, he was joined in wedlock to Mary Crist, daughter of Nicholas and Susan Crist.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 103

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