History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 51

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 51

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Mrs. Swearingen.is a direct descendent of Sir Thomas Dent, who in 1662 emigrated to Maryland from Giesboro, Yorkshire, England, being the first proprietor of "Giesboro Manor," an estate that he named for his family seat in England. This estate, which was granted him by the British crown, is situated at the mouth of the Anacostia River, known as the Eastern Branch of the Potomac. Mrs. Swearingen's great-great-grandfather, Sir John Dent, was a member of the first provincial convention of Maryland, which on the 26th of July, 1775, issued its famous manifesto to which his name was attached. He became a brigadier general

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in the Revolutionary Army and in 1776 was in command of all the Maryland troops. After the battle of Long Island, when it became necessary for the American Army to retreat, a small brigade of the Maryland line under General Dent was selected by Washington to cover the retreat and hold the enemy in check. Washington, who from an elevated position. witnessed. the brave conduct of this devoted little band, exclaimed, wringing his hands in agony : "Great God! What brave men I shall lose to-day !" John Dent was elected the first Governor of Maryland. Mrs. Swearingen's father was a son of Maj. Alexander Dent, who was an officer in the War of 1812.

Mr. and Mrs. Swearingen have one daugh- ter who was born at "Tanglewood Farm" and bears the name of Virginia Dent Van Swear- ingen, the family name having formerly had the prefix "Van."

The parents of our subject were charter members of Florence Grange, which for a time was dormant until the subject of this sketch reorganized and put new life into the society. Politically, Mr. Swearingen is a Republican. He is a member of St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church at Circleville, of which he has been a member of the vestry for 10 years, for a long period being junior warden. Like all members of his family, he has been identi- fied with many of the important movements of the agricultural, educational and social cir- cles of his section of Pickaway County, where his family name has been so long held in the highest esteem.

A LVA WILLIAM BENNETT, one of Monroe township's enterprising business men and representative and respected citizens, residing on a well- improved farm of 81 acres, situated on Clark's Run road, is also interested in a large sawmill business and operates a thresh- ing machine. Mr. Bennett was born August 15. 1869, on the farm where he still resides, and is a son of William K. and Catherine (Bailey) Bennett, and a grandson of Samuel J. Bennett.

Samuel J. Bennett, who was born in Pick- away County, Ohio, was a son of John Ben- nett, who owned a farm near New Holland. Samuel J. Bennett became the owner of the present Bennett homestead. He married Re- becca Hopkins, a daughter of John Hopkins. of Ross County. She had two brothers-John and William-and two sisters-Mahala and Ann. Samuel J. Bennett had three brothers -William, Kendall and John. Samuel J. Ben- nett and wife had the following children : Sarah A., who married Philip Taylor and lives in Fayette County; Mary, who married Jona- than Taylor and lives in Monroe township; Nancy, who married William Corkwell and lives at Portland, Indiana; Jane, who married Jacob Barnhart-both now deceased; Fran- ces, who married Thomas Barnhart and lives at Portland, Indiana; Mahala, who married Joseph Chittem and lives at Portland, Indiana ; Rhoda, who married Jeremiah Ensley and lives at Mount Sterling, Ohio; Nora, who married Alvin Tobin and lives in Madison County; Samuel W., deceased, who married Mary Rob- inson : and William Kendall.

William Kendall Bennett, father of our sub- ject, was born May 27, 1845, on his present farm. his father owning 268 acres in one tract and 90 acres in another, just across the road. At that time the country was still covered by timber. William K. Bennett married Catherine Bailey, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James Bailey. Her three brothers were: Martin, who married Elizabeth Smith ; Adam, who married Margaret Fletcher ; and Reuben, who married Julia Davis. Her sisters were: Sadie, who married James Dick and lives at New Holland; Mary Ann, who married Joseph Larkins and lives at Ports- mouth. Ohio; Levina, who married Rugg Hig- gins and lives at Columbus; Hannah, who mar- ried John Corkell and lives in Kansas; and Anna, who married Thomas Taylor and met death by being killed by a railroad train-Mr. Taylor is a resident of Cleveland.

William K. Bennett and wife had three children, viz. : Lora, who died in infancy ; Cora, who married . Charles Stewart, has two chil- dren-Iva and Homer-and resides at Water-

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loo, Ohio; and Alva William, of this sketch. The parents still survive.

Our subject was educated in the schools of Monroe township and has always resided on the homestead farm. It belongs to his father, but he has had the entire management of it for a number of years and has made the im- provements, which include the building of a very comfortable frame residence. For the last 18 years he has owned a sawmill, where he employs from two to four men and does a good business. He also owns a threshing ma- chine and takes contracts all over the county, hiring a number of men and keeping busy all through the season. Mr. Bennett is president of the Tri-County Percheron Horse Company, which owns the famous stallion, "Galiffet," No. 54,981.

On September 17, 1891. Mr. Bennett was married to Suda Sollars, who was born Sep- tember 4, 1872, and is a daughter of Jackson and Sarah (Farren) Sollars, of Madison Coun- ty, Ohio, the former of whom died in 1889. Mrs. Bennett has two sisters, viz. : Minerva, who married Thomas J. Dick and lives in Mon- roe township, and Nancy A., who married John Evans and lives in Fayette County. Her brothers are: Thomas, residing in Monroe township, who married Laura Gillenwater; James, a resident of Madison County, who mar- ried Josephine Johnson; and Frank, who mar- ried Emma Chittem and lives in Fayette County.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have three children, viz. : Grace L., born February 20, 1893; Will- iam Howard, born August 23, 1896, deceased November 8, 1899; and Gladys, born Septem- ber 6, 1904.

Mr. Bennett is a very prominent man in Monroe township and has served for three years as township trustee and has held other offices. For seven years he served as a mem- ber of the Board of Education and during this period the schools were put in fine condition. He belongs to the Threshers' National Pro- tective Association, No. 273. of which he is secretary ; he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 566, and belongs to both the lower and higher branches of Odd Fellow-

ship, being an active member of Pleasant Lodge, No. 544, and Sterling Encampment, No. 202.

Although he has never united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Bennett has been one of the founders and liberal supporters of this branch of Christian work in his com- munity. This religious body has a comfortable church edifice and a rapidly increasing mem- bership at Yankeetown and this good result was brought about through the efforts of seven indi- viduals. This little band of earnest men and women consisted of Alva W. Bennett and wife. Z. D. Fisher, J. W. Morton and wife, Ettie Leary and E. F. Taylor. They organized the Yankeetown Sunday-school and the first meet- ings were held in School District No. 3. Mr. Bennett was unanimously chosen assistant superintendent and this position he has most efficiently filled ever since. The school has brought about excellent results and is a credit to the neighborhood.

0 SCAR MCCLELLAN DICK, a prom- inent agriculturist and leading citizen of Darby township, owns a fine farm of 160 acres which he operates with very satisfactory results. Mr. Dick was born August 22, 1864, in an old log house which still stands on his farm (now utilized as a corn crib) and is a son of Peter J. and Margaret (Bolen) Dick.

Both parents of Mr. Dick were born in Pickaway County. They settled in Darby township when the whole country in this lo- cality was still covered by virgin forests. Their family consisted of five daughters and one son, namely : Oscar M., of this sketch; Mrs. Olivia Leist, a widow; Mrs. Mary Beale; Mrs. Amanda Lutz; Mrs. Jennie Stone; and Blanche, deceased, who was the wife of Ed- ward Selman.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and has always made agri- culture his main business in life. He owns a valuable farm, raises abundant crops and gives attention also to stock-raising. He is one

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of the substantial, representative men of his lo- cality. Always a strong supporter of the Democratic party. he has been something of a leader in its affairs and in 1905 was elected chairman of the Democratic Committee. He is a member of the township School Board.

Mr. Dick married Maggie Stone, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1868, and is a daughter of John and Rachel (Carter) Stone. The former died at Mount Sterling. Ohio, but the latter still survives. Mrs. Dick is one of a family of six children. the others being : Mary ( Moore) ; Ida (Truett) ; James, who married a Miss Rankin, of London, Ohio; Clarence, who married a Miss Sherman; and Leslie, who married a Miss Dick.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick have had five children. viz. : Stanley, who died in infancy ; Harry, who is a student in the Darby High School: and John. Blanche and Clarence. all at home.

Mr. Dick is a member of the Knights of Pythias and takes a great deal of interest in the work of the order. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. to which he gives liberal support.

ENRY NOECKER, one of the prom- inent citizens of Madison township, residing on his valuable farm of 240 acres, situated in section 33, was born in this township on November 20, 1834, and is a son of John and Catherine (Kroninger) Noecker.

John Noecker was born in Berks County. Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio, at an early day, being employed as a tinner at Columbus, as early as 1832. He continued to work at this trade until his marriage, when he settled in Madison township, Pickaway County, and spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He married Catherine Kroninger. who was a daughter of Peter Kroninger, a pioneer of Madison township, who established his home here when the country was all wild and bears and other animals roamed through the great forests that were then standing. Of the children of John Noecker and wife, these

survive: Henry. of this sketch: Peter, of Monticello, Illinois: Phebe. wife of Jacob Longenbaugh, of Cisco, Illinois: Dinah, wife of John J. Fisher, of Madison township: William, of Madison township: Mary, wife of John N. Peters, of Madison township: and Catherine. wife of Peter E. Hoffhines, of Ashville. John Noecker was a consistent member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Madison township. He was a man who stood very high in the eyes of his community. being known as a good, honest and honorable citizen. His family has always been one of the most highly respected in Madi- son township.

Henry Noecker has been a life-long resi- dent of Madison township and has devoted the whole of his mature life to agricultural pur- suits. He was educated in the public schools and to their maintenance and extension of use- fulness he has always given time and effort. His large farm shows in its appearance and productiveness that it is well managed and Mr. Noecker is counted with the progressive agri- culturists of Pickaway County, where good farmers are the rule. He is also one of the leading men in public affairs, and an influential member of the Democratic party. For several years he has served as township treasurer.

On December 25. 1862, Mr. Noecker was united in marriage with Sarah M. Roof, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. not far from Circleville. on December 22, 1839, and is a daughter of Rev. Joseph A. and Christina (Creglow) Roof.

Rev. Joseph A. Roof was born in Switzer- land and his wife in Maryland. He was a well- known pioneer preacher of the Lutheran faith in Pickaway County, and for 21 years served the Lutheran Church at Circleville. and also was pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Madison township, which was founded through his zeal. Later he went to Iowa and preached there for several years, but subsequently re- turned to the pastorate of St. Paul's in Madi- son township. He was twice married and the surviving children of his first wife are: Annie M., widow of Adam Snyder, of Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio; William H., of Iowa; Martin L., of Ashville; Deborah, wife of Nathan Noecker,

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of Madison township: and Sarah M., wife of our subject The children of a later mar- riage, who still survive, are: Fannie, wife of Rev. Yeisley, of Pennsylvania; Joseph A., a resident of some Western State; Lucy S., of Columbus : and Margaret E., also of Columbus.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Noccker were: George B., of Monticello, Illinois : Joseph R., a well-known druggist at Circleville; John H., of Madison township; and Christina, deceased, who was the eldest of the family.

Mr. Noecker and his estimable wife are both members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in which both are active workers. He has been church treasurer for many years and has also served as chorister and sexton. Mrs. Noecker is a member of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety and is prominent in all the church's bener- olent enterprises. They are among the most highly respected residents of Madison town- ship.

B URR H. RADER. a prominent citizen and member of the board of trustees of Pickaway township, resides on his fine farm of 320 acres, which is situ- ated in section 12. Mr. Rader was born in Pike County, Ohio. April 16. 1869. and is a son of James and Mary A. ( Shock) Rader.

The Rader family settled in Pike County at an early day and both of the parents of Burr H. Rader were born there. Adam Rader, the paternal grandfather. came to Ohio from Vir- ginia. The family remained in Pike County until 1875. when James Rader removed with his family to Pickaway County and settled in Pickaway township, where he resided, carrying on farming activities, until the end of his life, his death taking place April 17. 1902. His wife passed away in June. 1891. Of their large family of children, these survive: Annie. wife of Levin Odaffer. living in the neighbor- hood of Ashville; George B. McClellan, of Oklahoma; Nettie, of Pickaway township; Dennis C., of Pickaway township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Burr H., of

this sketch; Dorothy. wife of Ralph Head, of Pickaway township; Florence, of Pike County ; WV. Scott, of Cleveland, Ohio; Cora, wife of Chester Hood, of Pickaway township; Smiley, of Pickaway County ; and J. G. Cleveland, of Pickaway County. James Rader was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.

Burr H. Rader was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools of District No. 5, Pickaway township. His whole life has been devoted to agricul- tural pursuits and he is considered one of the representative farmers of his township.

In November, 1893, Mr. Rader was united in marriage with Carrie Head, who is a daugh- ter of the late George Head. of Pickaway County. Mr. and Mrs. Rader have five chil- dren : Madge L., Gladys M., Mary C., Glenn and Ruth.

Mr. Rader has always been affiliated with the Democratic party. He is serving his first term as trustee of Pickaway township and in the performance of his duties demonstrates his good citizenship.

LARENCE CURTAIN, a leading member of the bar of Pickaway County, and one of the prominent citizens of Circleville, was born near London, Madison County. Ohio, in the year 1853.

Mr. Curtain was reared in Madison County and commenced his education in the country schools. Later he attended school in London and from there went to the University of Mich- igan. at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in the law department in 1874. Almost imme- diately he settled at Circleville and entered upon the practice of his profession, having been ad- mitted to practice in this State by the District Court in Circleville. Mr. Curtain entered the office of A. T. Walling, who was at that time the nominee for Congress, to which he was subsequently elected, but the firm of Walling & Curtain continued until 1879. Since its dissolution. Mr. Curtain has practiced alone.

In 1884 he was elected prosecuting at-

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MR. AND MRS. LEWIS C. HOOVER AND DAUGHTERS.

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torney of Pickaway County and served in that capacity for six years, this being the only pub- lic office he has ever accepted. He has devoted his entire attention to the law and is well known all over the county for his legal knowl- edge and ability. He belongs to the Pickaway County Bar Association and is president of the Pickaway County Law Library Association. He is a director of the First National Bank and was the attorney for the same for a number of years.

In 1882 Mr. Curtain was married to Mary Carper, and they have one son, Ralph, who was graduated from the Circleville High School in 1906. Mr. Curtain belongs to the Odd Fellows' lodge at Circleville.

EWIS C. HOOVER, a prominent citi- zen and extensive farmer and stock- raiser of Pickaway County, whose beautiful home, known as "Woodside Farm," is located in Harrison town- ship, served the county through two terms as sheriff, his second term expiring in 1905. Mr. Hoover was born July 10, 1848, in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Jackson and Elizabeth (Sco- thorn ) Hoover.

"The paternal grandparents of Mr. Hoover came to Pickaway County from Virginia in 1805, and settled in what is now known as Walnut township. The old brick home is owned by a brother of our subject. The ma- ternal grandparents came here from Pennsyl- vania, settling as pioneers in this section. Their names were Joseph and Hannah Scothorn and they were as widely known as were the Hoov- ers. for those sterling qualities which have been transmitted in large measure to their descendants.

Jackson Hoover, father of Lewis C., was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1820, and in. 1849 moved across Walnut Creek and settled in Harrison town- ship. He became one of the leading men in his community. In 1860 he was elected land assessor for Harrison township and in 1869 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, coun-

ty commissioner of Pickaway County and served in this office satisfactorily through two terms. For 25 years he was township trus- tee and then refused to serve longer. His death took place at the home of our subject, at Circleville, in August, 1905, in his 85th year. He was wonderfully preserved in mind and body until he suffered from an accident which was the real cause of his death. He married Elizabeth Scothorn, who was born in Walnut township and died in 1897 at the age of 77 years. They had seven children, namely : So- phronia, who died at the age of 15 years; Ivy. who died aged three months and was the first person buried in the Hoover and Scothorn Cemetery; Lewis C., of this sketch; Monroe, a resident of Columbus; Sarah, who died aged 17 years; Nancy, wife of A. B. Whitehead. residing near Ashville; and Francis W., who resides with our subject.

Lewis C. Hoover was reared on the home farm and received his education in the local schools. Until he entered into active political life, his time was engaged in farming, saw- milling and running a threshing machine. In 1880 he was elected land assessor and his serv- ices were so satisfactory that in 1890 he was reelected to this office. For a number of years he served as township clerk. He has always been . closely identified with the Democratic party and in 1900 he was elected on that ticket sheriff of Pickaway County. No better sign of appreciation could have been shown by his party and his fellow citizens, than his sec- ond nomination and his subsequent reelection. He served as sheriff until 1905.

Mr. Hoover was united in marriage with Hannah Brintlinger, a daughter of Thomas and Harriet Brintlinger, of Harrison township. They have. two daughters-Harriet Elizabeth and Alma I. The family occupy a beautiful home and take part in the social life of the neighborhood.

Mr. Hoover belongs to Palmetto Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Ashville, Ohio. He is one of the representative men of Pickaway County. A group picture of the Hoover family accom- panies this sketch. Elsewhere in this work is shown a view of Mr. Hoover's home.

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R TEZIN W. PHEBUS, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Deer Creek town- ship, was born in this township, on a farm just back of Spring Lawn Cemetery, on December 19, 1851, and is a son of Simon and Mary (Colwell ) Phebus. Simon Phebus was born in Deer Creek township, just south of our subject's -present farm, where he lived until maturity, and then removed to the farm on which Rezin W. was born. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life and died on his farm in September, 1881. His burial took place on the same day that President Garfield was buried. He mar- ried (first) Mary Colwell, who was a daugh- ter of James and Mary (Hanson) Colwell. James Colwell was a large property owner and an extensive trader. At one time he was one of the largest capitalists of this section, but he unfortunately went security and was obliged to pay the sum of $20.000. Even with this loss, he owned 1,500 acres of land in the vicinity of Clarksburg, when he died. Two children of this marriage reached maturity-Rezin W. and his older brother. Amaziah, who lives at Williamsport. The second marriage of Simon Phebus was to Louisa Walston, and two chil- dren of this marriage reached maturity-Mrs. Amanda Cox, and Merwin, who lives at Savannah, Georgia.

Rezin W. Phebus was reared and educated in Deer Creek township and. although he has resided in various parts, with the exception of one year he has always lived in his native town- ship. This has resulted in a very close acquaintance with his neighbors and the forma- tion of many pleasant ties of friendship and good feeling.

After living one year south of Circleville, Mr. Phebus returned to Deer Creek township, locating on what is now the W. H. Plummer place, but shortly afterward he moved to the present F. I). Alkire place, where he lived for -- seven years. His father then bought a part of the old J. Walston farm. southeast of Wil- liamsport and he remained on that until his marriage and then moved to the farm now owned by Joseph Schleich. From there he moved to the old Thomas Walston place for --

one year. then to the Amos Rector place, next to the Obed Walston farm, where he remained for seven years. His next removal was to the Isaac Hornbeck farm and from there he re- moved. in 1893. to his present farm, which he rented for one year and bought in the fall fol- lowing. This is a part of the old Walston farm and contains very good land, which under Mr. Phebus' management yields abundantly.

On February 15. 1877, Mr. Phebus was married to Ora Rector, who was born in Deer Creek township. Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Amos D. and Martha ( Wig- gins) Rector. Her father was a native of this county all his life, and died on his farm August 29. 1880. His widow subsequently married Edward Ulm, of Madison County, Ohio. who is now deceased. The children of Amos D. Rector and wife were: Mrs. Flora Blacker. of Columbus : Ora (Mrs. Phebus) ; Trimble. of Madison County ; Mrs. Etta Eckert, of Indiana : Matilda. of Missouri; and Vista, who died aged 22 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Phebus have had two chil- dren, Nellie and Thomas. Nellie married Harry White, of Williamsport, who now re- sides in Columbus: they have one child- Maxine. Thomas, who was born June 4, 1890, died of diphtheria, on August 2, 1896, aged six years.

Politically Mr. Phebus is a Republican. For the past three years he has been a member of the School Board. Fraternally he belongs to Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

L AFAYETTE HEFFNER, deccased. was a well-known and most highly respected citizen of Salt Creek town- ship, where he was born May 2. 1855. and died October 27. 1897. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth ( Holler) Heffner. Extended mention of this prominent old family of this county will be found in an- other part of this work.

Lafayette Heffner attended the district

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schools through his boyhood and into youth, until farm work claimed all his time. He grew up a thorough farmer, well acquainted with all the details which make the difference be- tween a successful and an unsuccessful agri- culturist. He was industrious and possessed excellent business judgment. His estate con- sisted of a farm of 135 acres. all of which he placed under an excellent state of cultivation. He also owned excellent stock and had his farm equipped with good buildings and the best of farm machinery.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 51

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