History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 107

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 107

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RANVILLE MOODY BULEN, who has resided upon his present farm in Harrison township since 1885, has one of the most valuable and attract- ive homesteads in Pickaway county, being the owner of 340 acres of land, origin- ally known as the Lincoln Goodale farm. The

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property has been in the possession of the Bulen family for 28 years. Mr. Bulen is both a large grain producer and an extensive raiser of live- stock. About one-third of his land is given over to the cultivation of corn, his crop averag- ing 6,500 bushels, and an equal area to wheat and grass, his wheat crop amounting to some 2,000 bushels per annum. His live-stock oper- ations are chiefly in cattle and hogs. He raises and markets about 200 head of hogs per season, and feeds from two to three carloads of cattle in winter. In 1901 Mr. Bulen erected the resi- dence which he now occupies, which is one of the most attractive in Harrison 'township and adds greatly to the modern and prosperous ap- pearance of the entire homestead. In the agri- cultural operations on his farm 12 horses are constantly employed, about four teams being used in the direct cultivation of the farm.

Granville M. Bulen was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 3, 1862, and is a son of William and Mary A. (Thompson) Bulen. The father, a native of England, came to America with his parents when II years of age. They lived in Canada for one year and then came to the States, settling at once in Franklin County, Ohio, where William Bulen resided until his death, March 10, 1899, at the age of 77 years. Throughout life he had been engaged in farming. His widow, now in her 82nd year, still resides on the old home- stead near Columbus.

On October 3, 1883, Granville M. Bulen was married to Anna M. Barlow, daughter of John Barlow, of Franklin County, Ohio. Three daughters have been born to their union, name- ly : Grace E., wife of Vause Blake, residing on the farm with her husband and their one child-Lucile Fay Blake; Myrtle. M., unmar- ried, who lives with her parents, and Ada M., deceased in infancy.

In politics our subject is a Republican from the standpoint of national affairs, but in local matters he supports the most honest and capa- ble man, irrespective of party. Since he was 17 years of age he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being at pres- ent identified with the organization at Lock- bourne.

D ILDINE SNYDER, son of one of the early pioneers of Pickaway County and himself a resident of it for three- -- quarters of a century, is the owner of a fine homestead of about 350 acres in a compact body, situated in section 23, Wal- nut township. He was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Solt) Snyder. In 1831, when he was three years of age, his parents with their family removed to Pick- away County, coming from Pennsylvania in covered wagons, and for years after their set- tlement experiencing all the hardships of pio- neer life with the brave spirit which was gen- eral in those days, and enjoying also to the utmost its rugged and healthful pleasures.

Mr. Snyder has therefore been reared from infancy in this county. He was educated in its log schoolhouses, passed through all the primitive stages of agricultural development, and emerged a thorough, intelligent farmer. He was married in 1855 to Syrena Walters, daughter of Daniel Walters, and became the father of nine children, six of whom are liv- ing. A brief record of the family follows : Sarah, the eldest, who married Daniel Stein, and died when her daughter, Myrtle, was quite young, the latter being adopted by her grand- father (our subject) with whom she still re- sides; Mary, who became the wife of William May, and is the mother of one son-Roy; Jane, who married Lyman Reigel and has two children-Clarence and Ruth; Emma, who married John May and is the mother of four sons-Ralph, Walter, Alva and Virgil; Clara, who maried William Hall and has three chil- dren-Ruth, Esther and John; Edson Jerome, the only son of the family, who married Sallie Courtright, and died in 1899; Ada, who mar- ried David Belong and has one daughter- Alice; and Ella, who lives at home with her father. The mother of the family died March 21, 1904, and with her passed away one of the noble, pioneer women of the county. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Of the members of Dildine Snyder's immediate family, three are still liv- ing-two brothers -William H. and Wilson-

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and a sister-Mrs. Delilah Brown. It may be added that he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has always been a Democrat. In public affairs he has taken the legitimate in- terest of a faithful, intelligent citizen and at various times has served as township trustee.

ENRY GUSTAV JOCH, the owner of a fine farm of 153 acres in Salt Creek township, for many years was a lead- ing business man at Tarlton, where he conducted a tannery. He was born March 28, 1836, in a small German princi- pality bordering on the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, and was a son of Frederick William and Christiana (Neumeister) Joch.

The father of Mr. Joch was an educated man and followed the profession of teacher in his native land. Although Henry Gustav Joch was afforded a good, public school education, he did not adopt his father's calling, his incli- nations leading him to learn the excellent trade of tanner and currier, at which he served three and a half years as an apprentice under the in- struction of his maternal uncle, Ernest Neu- meister. He then traveled as a journeyman for some years through his own country, Aus- tria and Russia, until 1867, when he emigrated to America. He took passage on a steamship at Bremerhaven and within two weeks was landed at the port of New York. He pro- ceeded immediately to Zanesville, Ohio, and found work there at his trade and subsequently married in that city. In 1872 he came to Tarl- ton, where he operated a tannery for some years and then took charge of his excellent farm in Salt Creek township: He still resides, however, in the village of Tarlton, where he has a handsome home.

At Zanesville, Ohio, on November 7, 1870, Mr. Joch was united in marriage with Johanna Ditmar, who was born in Germany, May 16, 1838. They have four daughters, namely : Anna J., wife of H. E. Defenbaugh; Mary E., of Zanesville; and Sophia P. and Edith F., living at home.

Mr. Joch is one of the leading members of

the Methodist Episcapal Church at Tarlton, in which he is a class leader. His estimable wife is also an active worker in this church. They are well known and enjoy the esteem of many friends and the regard of all who know them. Mr. Joch is a very intelligent man, having traveled extensively in his youth, and has taken an active interest in public affairs and local concerns ever since becoming a respected resi- dent of Pickaway County.

J J. BREHMER, florist, at Circleville, has been a resident of this city for the past 20 years and stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. He was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of Jacob Brehmer, who was born in Germany in the neighborhood of Wit- tenberg. By trade he was a cooper. He emi- grated to America and his first work was in connection with the construction of the old canal at Chillicothe.

J. J. Brehmer was reared and educated at Chillicothe, and as soon as he was able started out to learn a self-supporting trade. He found work with William C. Mckellar in the "Rose Grove Nursery." Mr. Mckellar was one of the largest rose growers in the United States. Mr. Brehmer was trained in the propagation house and remained there for nine years; dur- ing all this period he lost but one week, which was the result of illness caused by vaccination.

Mr. Brehmer then went to Cincinnati and during his two years there had charge for a time of the greenhouse of S. S. Jackson. He visited a number of places, in all of which he studied details of the florist's business and then went back to Chillicothe for a short time. He was then called to Adelphi, Ohio, to take charge of the Reigel nursery, in which he worked for two years and then became a part- ner in the business. After 12 years there, he came to Circleville in 1886 and located on II acres of ground in the east end of the town, where he carried. on a combined florist and nursery business for four years. His next change was to the old Fair Grounds on the

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Folsom place, and there he carried on a florist business for 13 years. In 1902 he bought his present place where he has a fine plant and has some 12,000 square feet of glass. He also owns a fine nursery in connection with his greenhouse and does an extensive business in that line.

In 1901 Mr. Brehmer was maried to Mi- nerva Sherburn, of Bremen, Ohio. By a pre- vious marriage, Mr. Brehmer had three chil- dren, namely : Pearl R .; Robert Lewis; and Hazel, the wife of Oliver Fellows, of Co- lumbus.

Mr. Brehmer is a member of the Foresters. He belongs to the United Brethren Church.

W. RUNKLE, the able superintendent of the Pickaway County Children's Home, located in Washington town- ship near Circleville, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 21, 1859, and is a son of Daniel and Passy (Swoyer) Runkle.

Mr. Runkle was reared and educated in Pickaway County and until he accepted his present position had always followed agricul- tural pursuits. He is known as a man of ster- ling character and no better selection could have been made for the responsible position in which he is serving his second term.

The Pickaway County Children's Home is under the direct supervision of Mr. Runkle and Mrs. Runkle is its efficient matron. It is under the management of a board of trus- tees which is composed of the following promi- nent and responsible men: H. V. Johnson, John Courtright, M. B. Radcliffe and E. E. Winship, Sr.

In 1887 Mr. Runkle was married (first) to Elizabeth Bownocker, a daughter of Michael Bownocker, of Fairfield County, Ohio. At her death in 1894 she left two children, Olive and Roland, both of whom live in Walnut town- ship. On December 29, 1898, Mr. Runkle was married (second) to Carrie Talbut, a daughter of Alphonse Talbut.

Mr. Runkle was appointed superintendent

of the Children's Home on September 18, 1905, for a term of one year and his adminis- tration gave such satisfying results that his re-appointment followed. In all his work he is ably assisted by his excellent wife and both are much beloved by their charges.

Mr. Runkle is a member of the beneficiary society known as the Court of Honor, of Springfield, Illinois. Both he and his wife be- long to the Lutheran Church.

e HARLTON A. VALENTINE, who resides upon a farm of 81 acres sit- uated in section 5, Circleville town- ship, was born in Frederick Coun- ty, Maryland, February 14, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Eccard) Valentine and a grandson of Henry Valentine, who was a prominent farmer in Frederick County, Maryland.

Henry Valentine and his wife, both of whom were natives of Frederick County, Maryland, came to Pickaway County in 1851, at which time their son, Charlton A. Valen- tine, was but four years old, and settled on a farm east of Circleville where Henry Valen- tine devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until the time of his death in 1857. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1895.

Since his 10th year, Charlton A. Valen- tine has lived in Circleville township with the exception of two years spent in farming in Tennessee. For a considerable period Mr. Valentine was a breeder of thoroughbred horses, but now devotes his whole time ex- clusively to farming. He was at one time in- terested in selling farm implements through the country. He was married in 1876 to Sallie Morrow, a daughter of Robert and Mary Mor- row, both well-known citizens of Pickaway County. Mr. Morrow died in 1884 and his wife died in April, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Val- entine were married in the same house which they now occupy. They have had three chil- dren as follows: Ella and Robert, who live

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at home; and Alice, who died in her ninth month. Mr. Valentine is a member of the Foresters and is a Democrat in politics.

AMUEL H. RUGGLES. The late Samuel H. Ruggles, who was one of the old and esteemed residents of Circleville, and one of the city's most ingenious and successful business men, died at his home, April 18, 1904, about the close of his 83rd year. Mr. Ruggles was born June 8, 1821, at Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, and was a son of Samuel and Anna H. Ruggles, who were natives of Boston, Massachusetts. In the early years of his life Samuel Ruggles was engaged in com- mercial shipping in Boston, but after the cap- ture of his vessel by the British, in the War of 1812, he moved to the northern part of New York State, where he engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He died at Low- ville, New York, in 1834, leaving a widow and five children.

Before his father's death, Samuel H. Rug- gles attended Lowville Academy, but after- wards, on account of his mother's limited in- come, he was obliged to leave school. He came to Circleville, Ohio, where his uncle, Gen. Hoel Lawrence, then a prominent business man, had secured for him the position of junior clerk in the mercantile house of Rogers & Martin. Al- though he started here with a very small salary, even for those days, at the end of eight years he had saved enough to justify his admission to a partnership in the firm. This advancement meant a one-fourth interest in all the business, including the grain trade and pork-packing, the latter an industry then in its infancy. In 1845, when the firm opened a commission busi- ness in New Orleans, Mr. Ruggles took charge of this branch house. In a very few years, he bought out the interests of his partners and be- came head of the firm, himself.

In 1852 he disposed of his mercantile and grain interests and for the next 20 years de- voted his attention to pork-packing, owning one of the largest pork-packing houses in Ohio.

Mr. Ruggles organized the first canning factory at Circleville and from this have ema- nated 15 busy canneries in the vicinity. In fact the number of prosperous business con- cerns in the city with which he had some con- nection is surprisingly large.

He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Circleville and was one of its directors before he became connected with the Second National Bank. In 1863 he became a director of the Second National Bank and was made its president on January 12, 1882, which position he filled with rare judgment and success for 21 years, until his death.

On February 15, 1859, Samuel H. Ruggles was united in marriage with Catherine Os- borne, daughter of Ralph Osborne (at one time prominent in the affairs of this State) and granddaughter of Gen. James Denny, of the War of 1812.

Of this union were born four children : Samuel T .; Elizabeth Joslin (who resides with her mother in the old home at Circleville) ; Nelson J .; and Fanny M., the latter of whom died in 1873.

In bringing this brief record of one of Circleville's most valued citizens to a close, mention must be made of his wide-spread char- ities. His benefactions were not distributed with any ostentation, but they were constant and liberal.

He was a forceful and evenly balanced man and although public life had no attractions for him, he possessed just the qualities needed in the successful management of the country's affairs. His life was exemplary and its influ- ence will long be felt.

S AMUEL TURNEY RUGGLES, presi- dent of the Second National Bank of Circleville, is one of the best known men of this city, where he has lived all his life. He is a son of the late Samuel H. Ruggles, who for a period of nearly 60 years was intimately connected with the most important business enterprises of Cir- cleville.

Samuel T. Ruggles completed his educa-

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tion in Eastern schools where he was trained in business methods. For 10 years he was en- gaged in the pork-packing business with his father, and for six years under the firm name of Ruggles & Morrow. Upon the death of his father in April, 1904, he became president of the Second National Bank of which he had previously been one of the directors. In addi- tion to the banking business, he is largely inter- ested in farming and other pursuits, and is the manager of the Marshall Anderson estate. Like his father, he possesses remarkable busi- ness ability and is looked upon as one of Circle- ville's most enterprising and successful men of affairs.

Mr. Ruggles was married to Maude Rich- ards and they have two children-Catherine Osborne and Miriam J. They reside in one of the city's most beautiful homes, located on South Court street. Mr. Ruggles and family attend the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

EORGE W. ALKIRE, one of the prominent agriculturists of Madison and Pickaway counties, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section of Ohio, and is the only sur- viving son of Isaac and Mary (Graham) Al- kire.

The Alkire family is of Scotch extraction and many members of it still reside in old Scot- land, where the name is spelled Alkirk. The founder of the Alkire family in America was a member of the colonizing expedition of Lord Baltimore, which crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made the first settlement in Maryland in 1634. Evidently this early settler was a man of virile strength as his descendants have in- creased and multiplied, their lives and histories being more or less interwoven with the annals of a number of the States of the Union. From Maryland the name is traced to Virginia, thence to Kentucky and about 1800 it became known in Ohio.

Almonas Alkire, of Virginia, in 1720 mar- ried Mary Crayman, the daughter of a neigh- bor, and from this union came a family, the

four preserved names being : William, born in 1724; Deborah, born in 1728; Almonas, Jr., born in 1730; and Sarah, born in 1732.

William Alkire, the eldest son of the above family, was born and probably reared in Vir- ginia and there married Elizabeth Moore, for his first wife. Subsequently he removed to Kentucky but no records are at hand to show whether the following children were born in Virginia or Kentucky. They were: Mary Ann, born October 5, 1781, who married Courtney Tanner; Robert, born October 3, 1783, who married Elizabeth Douglass; John, born December 17, 1785, who died in infancy ; Margaret, born in 1786, who married James Denison; Jacob. born April 1, 1787, who mar- ried Mary Phebus, who died March 20. 1842, his death following on June 5, 1847; Isaac, the father of our subject; Abraham. born August 6, 1790: Lydia, born January 3, 1792, who married John Graham; Harmon, born February 10. 1794, who never married; John (2), born October 15, 1795, who married Susan Mantle ; Delilah, born in 1796, who mar- ried John Metz; and William, born 1797, who married Hannah Osborn. After the death of his first wife, William Alkire married Temper- ance Clay, who was a sister of the distinguished statesman, Henry Clay. Two children were born to this marriage, viz. : Henry Green Clay and Joseph. The former was born May 25, 1807, in Ohio, and died July 23, 1863. His wife was Elizabeth Neff, of a well-known Ohio pioneer family.

Isaac Alkire, son of William and Eliza- beth (Moore) Alkire, and father of George W. Alkire, was born .October 12, 1788, prob- ably in Kentucky. His death occurred May 16, 1877, on his farm in Darby township, Pick- away County, Ohio, where he owned 500 acres of land. He inherited 100 acres of land from his father, who came to Ohio about 1800. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married Mary Graham, who became the mother of eight children and died November 14, 1862. The two living children of Isaac Alkire are: George W., of this sketch; and Cynthia, the wife of F. O. Bostic, of Mount Sterling.

George W. Alkire was born in Darby town-

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ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, on January 4, 1836. He was educated in the district schools and was reared a practical farmer on the old homestead, where he remained until he was 38 years of age. He owns 807 acres of ex- cellent land in Pickaway County, as mentioned above, and also 75 acres in Madison County, on which he lives. Formerly the family owned the present site of Mount Sterling, which town was originally laid out by Mr. Alkire's uncle, a Mr. Smith.

George W. Alkire was united in marriage with Katherine Smith, who was a ward of Dr. Whitford, of Circleville. They have had four children, viz. : Martha, who died aged 18 years; Nella, who lives at home; Katherine, who also resides at home; and William, who married Bessie Snyder.

Mr. Alkire is a charter member of the Mount Sterling lodge of Odd Fellows and is one of the oldest members of the fraternity in his section. He has been identified with the improvement and growth of Darby township since his earliest days and no citizen is held in higher esteem.

ON. RENICK W. DUNLAP, a mem- ber of the 76th General Assembly of Ohio-State Senator from the 10th Senatorial District-is one of the men of prominence in Pickaway County, where he was born October 21, 1872. He is a son of Nelson J. and Elizabeth (Bell) Dun- lap, and a grandson of John and Mary (Min- ear) Dunlap.

The Dunlap family can justly lay claim to be one of the old pioneer one's of this section of the State. As far back as traced, its an- cestry belongs to Virginia, and it was from that State that the great-grandfather of our dis- tinguished subject came to what was then the wilderness of Ohio, and established his family among the first in Ross County. He had mar- ried a native of Maryland, and at least one son was nine years old when the settlement was made. John Dunlap, the son mentioned, served in the War of 1812, and lived in Ross County until his death in 1878.

Nelson J. Dunlap, father of Renick W. Dunlap, was born in Ross County and was educated in the early schools of the neighbor- hood, having better advantages than many of his comrades, through his parents' care in send- ing him to an excellent private school at Chilli- cothe. Had the Civil War not come upon the country, it is probable that his life would have been entirely confined to agricultural pursuits in his native county, but in November, 1863, he enlisted in the United States Navy, in de- fense of his country. He was attached to the Mississippi squadron and for more than a year took part in the general warfare along the river. Prior to entering the navy, he had been a volunteer in the defense of Cincinnati and thus became somewhat acquainted with the hardships of a soldier's life, proving his brav- ery by acting as a scout under Colonel Reed. The life on the water was scarcely less excit- ing and hazardous, but Mr. Dunlap returned home without serious injury.

After his return from the army, Mr. Dun- lap resumed farming and in 1868 settled in Pickaway County, near Kingston, where he remained until 1905, when he removed to Kingston. He still retains his cultivated farming lands, which aggregate some 1,100 acres, and also gives attention to the business enterprise known as the Kingston tile factory, of which he is the proprietor. He has also long been prominent in county politics and served two terms as township treasurer and had the honor of being the first Republican ever elected in Pickaway township.

On December 10, 1867, Mr. Dunlap was married to Elizabeth Bell, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1846, and is a daughter of Hugh and Lovina (Renick) Bell, the former of whom was born in Pick- away and the latter in Ross County. Hugh Bell was a son of Thomas Bell, who was an early settler in this part of the State. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap were born the following chil- dren : Mary E., wife of Amos Leist, of Kings- ton, Ohio; Renick W., our subject; Nellie T., wife of Dennis Dreisbach, of Pickaway Coun- ty; and Alice J., who resides with her parents at Kingston.

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MRS. ELIZABETH G. McGUIRE.

MRS. ELIZABETH S. GULICK. ABEL SEYMOUR GULICK. SEYMOUR J. McGUIRE. (Four Generations.)

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For a number of years Nelson J. Dunlap was president of the township School Board, having always been an earnest advocate of public education. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Kings- ton and for years has been one of the leading members of the Patrons of Husbandry and has served as master of the Scioto Grange. He is a member and one of the trustees of the Pres- byterian Church at Kingson.

Renick W. Dunlap passed his boyhood on his father's farm and secured his early educa- tion in the local schools and completed his course at the Kingston High School. In 1895, after a thorough course of agricultural train- ing, he was graduated at the Agricultural Col- lege of the Ohio State University. His tastes have always been in the direction of agricul- tural pursuits and, although public affairs have claimed a part of his time, his greatest pleas- ure is found on his beautiful farm, where work is carried on systematically and scientifically, with the most satisfying results. For some time he has been interested in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and owns some valuable herds.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 107

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