History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 104

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

USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 104

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About three months after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Glick commenced housekeeping on their present homestead, then a farm of 92 acres, formerly owned by Philip Glick, our subject's father. Since the spring of 1868, when Mr. Glick thus founded a home of his own, the original farm has been greatly im- proved and increased. In 1871 he built a large and convenient brick house, which is still the family residence, and in 1897 he made a valuable addition to the landed property by purchasing 42 acres of James H. Hoover, ad- joining the original tract. In 1900 he bought another 50 acres of Willis Hoover. His en- tire farm is in one compact and attractive body. The land . thus combined was originally one farm, but was purchased and divided by C. Hoover and Philip Glick.

Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Glick have had four children, all living- Dora A., who married Edwin Baum and resides in Madison town- ship; Harley E., who married Mary Boyer, has a son, Paul B., born March 2, 1906, and lives on a farm adjoining his father's place, of which he has charge; Charles W .; and Bert B., who is employed in a Circleville drug-store.

Joshua Glick is active and influential in the public affairs of his township, having served nine years as constable and since 1900 as as- sessor. He is a steadfast and honored member of the Lutheran Church, and is at present an elder in that religious body.

J M. MORRIS, one of the prominent citizens of Pickaway County, and a representative business man of Cir- --- cleville, conducts a large hardware store in this city and stands very high in public esteem. He was born in Wal- nut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, De-

cember 30, 1859, and is a son of James Mor- ris, further mention of whom will be found in the sketches of Thomas J. and George W. Morris, in this work.

Mr. Morris was reared in Walnut township and spent 'his early school days there. Later he attended the Northern Ohio University one term and then began to teach school. This profession he followed in Pickaway County for about 12 years, becoming well and favor- ably known in many localities. He was ap- pointed deputy auditor of Pickaway County and served in that position for two years and a similar period as deputy treasurer. In 1899 Mr. Morris purchased the hardware business of Ainsworth & Brenner, at Circleville, and in the following year resigned his political posi- tion to assume sole charge of the business. He has continued in this line ever since and con- ducts one of the largest hardware stores in this section.

Mr. Morris was married in 1898 to Fanny Florence, who is the eldest daughter of Jona- than Florence and a representative of one of the oldest and most important families of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have two chil- dren, viz .: Donald F. and Ralph. Mrs. Mor- ris is a member of the Presbyterian Church to which Mr. Morris gives a liberal support.

J ONATHAN BRINKER, a well-known and respected farmer residing on a valuable tract of 100 acres in section 9, Walnut township, is also the pro- prietor of a large general store and implement depot, situated at the crossroads. near his home. The family residence is a large brick house built by himself and father in 1889, anti is an added evidence of Mr. Brinker's sub- stantial prosperity.

Our subject was born May 15, 1851, on a farm adjoining the place he now occupies, and is a son of Barnabas and Elizabeth (Knight) Brinker. His father was also a native of Wal- nut township, being a son of George Brinker who settled in this township in the early pio- neer days. After reaching -an industrious and useful manhood in this locality, Barnabas.

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DAVID G. DENNIS.

HENRY T. DENNIS. DAVID H. DENNIS. PAUL H. DENNIS. (Four generations.)

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Brinker married Elizabeth Knight, whose father was John Knight. Of the eight chil- dren born to them, these five are still living : Oliver Perry, of Walnut township: M. T., of Columbus; C. F., of Ashville; Mrs. Gilbert Humble; and Jonathan, of this sketch. Two children died in infancy and George passed away September 1, 1901, aged about 52 years.

Jonathan Brinker was reared and educated in Walnut township, and married Lida Weaver, daughter of D. F. Weaver, on the 29th of January, 1879. They have two chil- dren : Harry W .; and Meda Alice, who mar- ried Charles Hay and lives on the old home farm.

Besides managing his extensive agricul- tural operations, Mr. Brinker conducts a farm implement and a general store. Among the large stock of agricultural implements which he carries are the Milburn wagon and the Great Western manure spreader. An idea of the extent of his general business may be gained by the statements that during the season of 1905 he sold 34 of the manure spreaders at the standard price of $118, and that he yearly disposes of between two and three car-loads of wagons. He also carries a large stock of buggies, surreys, carriages, harness, etc. His general store is one of the most complete in the township.

Mr. Brinker's fraternal connections are confined to the Knights of Pythias, and his re- ligious, to his membership in Hedges Chapel, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D AVID GRANVILLE DENNIS, a leading farmer and good citizen of Muhlenberg township, owning a fine farm of 156 acres in this township, was born in Monroe township, Pick- away County, Ohio, August 8, 1854, and is a son of David H. and Winnie (Funk ) Dennis.

Daniel Dennis, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Maryland and was the founder of the family in Ohio. He was twice married. He located in Ross County but sub-

sequently came to Pickaway and died in Mon- roe township in 1877 at the age of 98 years. His father lived to the age of 103.

David H. Dennis, father of David Gran- ville Dennis, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 10, 1826, and accompanied his par- ents to Monroe township. Pickaway County, where his whole life has been spent. He still owns 212 acres of fine land and has distributed among his children some 365 acres, all of it in one body, lying in Monroe and Muhlenberg townships. For a number of years he dealt largely in land, handled a large amount of stock and carried on extensive farming. He served at one time as treasurer of Monroe township and for a long period has been one of the leading Republicans of his locality. His wife died April 29, 1901, at the age of 73 years, leaving six children, namely : William T., of Monroe township; Mrs. Sarah Jane Mitchell, of Monroe township; David Gran- ville, of this sketch; Richard T., of Monroe township; Nancy, wife of Charles Downs, of Monroe township; and Samantha, wife of Seth Hill, of Monroe township.

David G. Dennis was reared in Monroe township and attended the district schools. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has proved a first-class farmer. He has resided on his present farm for the past 25 years and has developed and improved it into a very val- uable property.

Mr. Dennis has been twice married; first, to Harriet Hanson. Two children were born to this union, viz .: Minnie, who is a popular teacher at Darbyville; and Henry T., of Muhlenberg township, who is married and has a son, Paul H. Mr. Dennis was married (second) on March 26, 1902, to Dora Wing, who was born in Vinton County, Ohio, and is ,a daughter of James and Phebe Ann (Car- penter ) Wing.

Mr. Dennis has been a Republican all his life. He has been a useful citizen of Muhlen- berg township, serving 13 years as trustee and about five years as school director. He be- longs to the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Darbyville. A group picture of the Dennis family accompanies this sketch.

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EORGE M. PONTIUS, who resides on a fine farm of 172 acres situated in sections 17 and 20, Circleville town- ship, was born in Washington town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 20, 1856, and is a son of Daniel M. and Cath- arine (Clare) Pontius.

Daniel M. Pontius was also born in Wash- ington township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a son of Daniel Pontius, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this country as one of the first settlers.

George M. Pontius is also descended from Jacob Metzger who emigrated at an early day from Holland to Pennsylvania, where he set- tled in Berks County. He was a great-great- grandfather of our subject .. Jacob Metzger died July 8, 1835, aged 88 years, 5 months and 16 days; his wife Mary died October 30, 1835, aged 83 years, 7 months and 13 days. They were buried near Hallsville, Ross County, Ohio. Their son, Jacob Metzger, removed from Berks County, Pennsylvania, to Pickaway County, Ohio. He was twice married. His first wife, a Miss Shriner, died in Pickaway County at the age of 54 years. He married, as his second wife, Sarah Dillen, and with her removed to Michigan, where both died, Jacob Metzger at the age of 87 and his wife at the age of 67.

George M. Pontius has spent the greater part of his life in Circleville township. He was reared and educated in Circleville, where he lived for about 14 years. He was married in 1880 to Jennie Grant, a daughter of Sam- uel Grant, a farmer of Washington township. They have two children-May and Catharine.

Mr. Pontius has been engaged in raising small fruit such as berries, and is also interested in raising Shorthorn cattle. His farm of 172 acres, while situated in two sections, is all in one piece of land. There are two houses on the property ; one a frame house, erected in 1896, which is occupied by Mr. Pontius; the other a brick dwelling, erected in 1853 by George Metzger, which Mr. Pontius rents.

Politically, Mr. Pontius is a Democrat. In 1902 he was elected township trustee, in which capacity he is still serving. He has been a )

member of the School Board of Circleville township since 1894. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

AMES J. EGAN, one of Circleville's leading business men, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, was born in County Cork, Ireland, May 1, 1841, and has been a resident of this city for over 30 years. His father, John Egan, was born in County Cork, while his mother, Catherine O'Sullivan, was born in County Limerick. There were five children in the parental family.

James J. Egan was reared and educated in his native land, where he resided until he was 32 years of age, when he came across the ocean. After residing in New York City for two years, he came to Circleville. He is the only one of his family to come to America. For one year he worked for William Foresman and was then engaged as a grocery clerk for Fred Warner in 1877, but in 1879 he embarked in a grocery business for himself and has been so engaged continuously ever since. Mr. Egan owns the store where he conducts business, besides a handsome residence on East Watt street.

Mr. Egan was married (first) in 1877 to Eliza O'Sullivan, who died in 1880. Mr. Egan was married (second) in 1881 to Mary J. Warke, who was born in Ireland. The chil- dren born to this union are: J. Parnell and Robert Joseph, both of Chicago; Mary, at home; Sarah B., manager of the music depart- ment of the firm of Ball & Livingstone, of Columbus, Ohio; and Elizabeth T., living at home. With his family, Mr. Egan belongs to the congregation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church; he is a member of the Holy Family Society of this church, and was a member of the building committee, when the parochial school was erected.

Politically Mr. Egan is a Democrat and on numerous occasions he has been called to take a place on important civic bodies, He was a member of the Board of Equalization for seven years, for six years was a member of the Board

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of County Visitors and at present is the city's careful and capable health officer and a member of the Board of County Visitors. For six years he was a member of the Board of Health of Circleville. For two years he was canal col- lector under Governor Hoadly. Mr. Egan has been a resident of Circleville for upwards of 31 years.

77 ILLIAM MALCON MITCHELL, a successful farmer of Scioto town- ship, has resided for the past 39 years on his present farm, which now contains 135 acres. He was born in Harrison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 27, 1856, and is a son of John and Ann (McGuire) Mitchell.

John Mitchell was born in Devonshire, England, May 10, 1821, and came to America in 1852, the trip across the Atlantic in a little sailing vessel consuming seven months and five days. Landing finally at New York, he proceeded directly to Columbus, Ohio, and soon began running an engine for a distillery. Later he came to Ashville, Pickaway County, and ran the engine for the Ashbrook distillery until it was abandoned and then entered into the post and rail fence business, which he followed until within a few years of his death, which took place September 29, 1899. In 1854 he married Ann McGuire, who was born May 10, 1830, in County Leitrim, Ireland, Manor Ham- ilton, Curnagella, a daughter of James Mc- Guire. To them were born two children, viz. : William M., of this sketch, and Maggie. The latter became the wife of Prof. P. A. Lewis, who for 20 years was a leading educator of Pickaway County, during six years being prin- cipal of the Commercial Point schools. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had one daughter, Nellie, who was graduated from the Commercial Point High School in 1905. Since the death of Pro- fessor Lewis, his widow and daughter have resided with Mr. Mitchell and his mother, in Scioto township.

William M. Mitchell was educated in the township schools and was II years old when his father located on our subject's present farm

in Scioto township. At first but 17 acres were purchased; to this nucleus of an estate, land was gradually added, sometimes but one acre at a time, until, by 1894, the farm contained 85 acres. To this our subject added until his land aggregated 135 acres, and here he carries on mixed farming and gives much attention to the raising of stock, particularly hogs. He is interested in contracting work and runs four teams. His interests are largely agricultural. He recently returned from an extensive trip through various parts of the West and South, being one of a party seeking information and chances for investments. The itinerary took them through the Indian Territory, Oklahoma and Southern Texas and Mr. Mitchell found much to interest him in the great ranches near Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi and all through that region.

In political sentiment Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat and has served as a delegate to both county and State conventions. He attended the State convention that nominated the late Governor Pattison, and rarely misses a county convention, usually being a delegate. He served two terms of three years each as town- ship trustee and during his incumbency many important improvements were brought about.

Mr. Mitchell is one of Pickaway County's most successful farmers and ranks with her most representative citizens. With the excep- tion of one year spent in Connecticut, Mr. Mitchell has resided in his present home con- tinuously for almost 40 years and probably no citizen in his locality is held in higher personal esteem.

5 ENRY SCHLEYER, one of the lead- ing merchants at Circleville, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 14, 1850, and is a son of the late John F. Schleyer, one of the city's old busi- ness men.

Henry Schleyer was 13 years old when his parents moved to Circleville, where he com- pleted his common school education. He then learned the tinner's trade with Peter Kimmey and followed the same for some 12 years. For

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one year he was engaged in a dry goods busi- ness and then became associated with his father in the grocery line. Later the firm became J. F. Schleyer and they turned their attention to the coal trade. Mr. Schleyer has been in the coal business for himself ever since the death of his father.

On October 5, 1880, Mr. Schleyer was married to Mary F. Fellers, who is a daughter of Martin Fellers, who was an early settler and a substantial farmer of Pickaway County. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schleyer, namely : Anna M., Jennie Florence, Turney R., who is in the employ of the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad and is located in Ar- kansas; Elizabeth and May.

Mr. Schleyer is one of the city's represent- ative men. For nine years he was a member of the Board of Equalization of Circleville, and was a member of the last decennial board. He belongs to the National Union. Mr. Schleyer is a member of the Lutheran Church.

J OSEPH M. CROW, deceased, was a citizen of Pickaway township, who en- joyed the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens among whom a long and exemplary life was spent. Mr. Crow was born March 20, 1827, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and died July 18, 1898. He was a son of David and Mary (Conley ) Crow.

David Crow, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He en- listed as a blacksmith and repaired guns as well as attended to general blacksmithing work. After the war he entered land from the govern- ment in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, Ohio, as one of the pioneers. The Indians very often had him repair their guns. He estab- lished a home here, married Mary Conley, a native of Maryland, and here spent his whole life, rearing his family, developing his land and accumulating a competency.

The late Joseph M. Crow was reared on his father's pioneer farm and in his youth at- tended the district schools in which the founda- tion of his education was laid. His whole life

was devoted to farming and stock-raising and at death he was able to leave 114 acres of well- cultivated land to his family. This valuable farm is situated near Salem, in Pickaway town- ship, and it is still occupied by Mrs. Crow and is managed by her son, Harley W. Mrs. Crow's daughter, Lovella M., resides with her mother and brother on the homestead. She is an accomplished lady and has officiated for a number of years as organist of the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church. The other son, William A., lives at Dayton, Ohio.

On January 1, 1856, Joseph M. Crow was united in marriage with Amanda May, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 15, 1834, and is a daughter of Samuel and Charity (Long) May. Samuel May was born in Penn- sylvania and was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting in the commissary department; his wife was born in Canada. They accompanied their respective parents to Ross County, where they made early settlement.

In his political creed, Mr. Crow was a Re- publican, but he was in no way bigoted and frequently cast his vote, in local matters, more for the man than for the party. He was one of the leading members of the Salem Metho- dist Episcopal Church, in which he was a trustee, steward and class leader. He was an honorable and upright man, one who lived up to his convictions and one whose fellow-citi- zens were always ready to take his word as quickly as another man's bond. He was a worthy member of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of the county.

D AVID K. WILSON, assistant cashier . of the Salt Creek Valley Bank, at Laurelville, and a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Salt Creek township, was born on the farm near Tarlton, Ohio, on which he resides and which he now owns, on November 6, 1843, and is a son of Hugh and Magdalena (Kinnear) Wil- son.

Hugh Wilson was of Scotch extraction and was born in the North of Ireland. He accom-

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panied his father, John Wilson, to America and the family lived for a time in Pennsyl- vania and then came to this section of Ohio. Hugh Wilson became one of Salt Creek town- ship's reliable and substantial citizens. He served as township trustee and at one time was a member of the Ohio State militia, in which he served as captain of a company of light horse. He married Magdalena Kinnear, who was a daughter of Judge David Kinnear, who was a prominent resident of Pickaway township, Pickaway County, and served as as- sociate judge in the county. The two surviv- ing children of Hugh Wilson and wife are: David K., of this sketch; and Josephine, who is the wife of George R. Baker, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Hugh Wilson was identified with the Republican party at the time of his death. Throughout life he had been a public- spirited, law-abiding citizen. He was a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge at Tarlton and was in good standing at the time of his death, in October, 1875.

David K. Wilson was reared in Salt Creek township and was educated in the public schools at Tarlton. Since the age of 18 years he has practically managed the farm, reliev- ing his father of active superintendence many years before the latter's death. This is a fine property and is well adapted to general farm- ing and stock-raising. It comprises 275 acres.

In 1870 Mr. Wilson was married (first) to Jennie Williams, who was a native of Fair- field County, Ohio. She became the mother of five children, viz .: Frank K., William H. (deceased), Leslie D., Charles A. and Ross D. Mr. Wilson was married (second) to Ada Burget, of Circleville, Ohio.

For nine years Mr. Wilson served as a di- rector of the Tarlton Special School District and during this period was treasurer of the board. In addition to his agricultural interests, Mr. Wilson is concerned in the leading finan- cial institution at Laurelville, to the manage- ment of which he devotes a portion of his time. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is con- nected with the Tarlton lodge. Politically he is a Republican. Religiously he is a Metho- dist, belonging to the church at Tarlton, and

is a liberal supporter of its various benevolent enterprises, including both home and foreign missions.

E S. NEUDING, a leading grocer of Circleville, but prominent also in other lines of business and influen- tial in public, religious and fraternal circles, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, January 26, 1866. He is the third child in a family of six children born to J. F. and Harriet (Brown) Neuding, the other members being: Amos H., a resi- dent of Columbus, Ohio; William H., of Cir- cleville; L. Howard, also of this place; Dora E., wife of Harry C. Baker, both living in Circleville; and E. Frederick Neuding. em- ployed in the grocery of his brother, E. S. Neuding. The father was one of the pioneers of Pickaway County, coming in the early '40's and engaging for many years in the music business.

When he was six years of age, the parents of our subject located in Circleville, where the boy was reared and educated. For 10 years after leaving school, he was employed as a clerk in a grocery store, and in 1870, under the firm name of Neuding & Christy, entered the field as a proprietor. The association con- tinued for about two years, when the senior partner purchased Mr. Christy's interest, and has since conducted and developed the business alone. Besides having firmly established him- self as one of the leading grocers in this section of the county, Mr. Neuding is an influential factor in several important industries. He is secretary and treasurer of the Circleville Seal- ing Wax Company, and is one of the directors. of the Circleville Ice Company and the New Home Building & Loan Company.

In fraternal circles Mr. Neuding has ac- quired an especially high standing, being a Royal Arch Mason. He also has an honorable identification with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters, and is banker of the Woodmen of the World, his high stand- ing, as well as executive force of character, being recognized by his service on the board

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of directors of both the Pythian Castle Asso- ciation and the Masonic Temple Association.

In his relation to the public affairs of his township and county, Mr. Neuding has shown the same adaptability and ability which have marked his management of all interests en- trusted to him. Politically he is a Democrat. He served as treasurer of Circleville township from 1893 to 1901 and his record in that capac- ity was so generally satisfactory that he was advanced to the county treasurership, where he served two terms of two years each, having been elected in 1900 and 1902.

In 1891 E. S. Neuding was united in mar- riage with Mary H. Jones, daughter of Nathan Jones, deceased, formerly a well-known busi- ness man of New Holland, Ohio. They are the parents of two children-Helen and Lucile. Mr. Neuding has long been a pillar of the United Brethren Church. In the local organ- ization he is trustee, general steward and su- perintendent of the Sunday-school, and during the erection of the new church in 1898 was a member of the building committee, of which he was treasurer and also general church treas- urer. In the broader affairs of the denomina- tion, he served as a delegate to the general conferences held at Frederick, Maryland, in 1901, and at Topeka, Kansas, in 1905. He was also a delegate to the national tri-council of the United Brethren, Congregational and Protestant Methodist churches, held at Dayton, Ohio, in February, 1906.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 104

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