History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 52

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

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On February 11, 1886, Mr. Heffner was married to Laura Karshner, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wiggins) Karshner, who still reside in Hocking County. Mr. and Mrs. Heffner had two sons born to them, Clar- ence and Earl. They, with their estimable mother, have suffered a great loss in the death of the husband and father. In the former re- lation he was kind and careful, affectionate and thoughtful, and in the latter he was all that a devoted parent could be.

In his neighborhood and township, Mr. Heffner was most highly thought of. He was chosen school director of District No. 5, be- cause his fellow-citizens knew that he would give close attention to the duties of the office and he was seldom absent from the appointed meetings and did much to make his district school a credit to the locality. Mr. Heffner was a worthy member of the Evangelical As- sociation, as is his widow, and both heartily seconded the benevolent work suggested and followed out by their pastor. The family is very well known and regret was universal that Salt Creek township should lose so excellent a citizen as was the late Lafayette Heffner.

ILLMORE BEAVERS, a substantial farmer of Scioto township, operating one of the farms belonging to the well-known William Rush estate, and, although a young man, a lead- ing Democratic politician of the county, was born near where he resides on the 28th of De-

cember, 1871. He is a son of Walter Balfour and Elizabeth ( Rush ) Beavers, and received his education in the township schools and at the Ohio Normal University at Ada.

When he was twenty years of age Mr. Beavers left school and commenced farming- the avocation he has followed continuously and successfully since. He remained on the homestead for a short time. but when 21 years of age branched out in an independent career. The farm which he now operates consists of 479 acres, and, as stated, forms part of the William Rush estate. In the conduct of the work he employs two teams and conducts mixed farming, such as the raising of corn. wheat, hay and oats, and the feeding of hogs. From 70 to 80 acres are in corn and from 50 to 60 in wheat.

In 1891 our subject was united in marriage with Viola Peters, daughter of James and Sarah Peters, formerly of Scioto township, this county, now of Madison county, this State. Nine children have been born to this union, viz. : Ethel, Carrie, Byron, Myrtle. Hettie (who died in early infancy), Elizabeth, Gladys, Essie and Irma. Mrs. Beaver's par- ents were both born in Scioto township. Picka- way County, Ohio. where they still reside, the father at the age of about 56 and the mother at 50 years of age.

In . the family of our subject's parents. there are, in addition to himself, one son and one daughter, namely : William, who married Lillian Johnson and is engaged in farming in Scioto township. and Alice, who married Chauncey O. Johnson and after his death be- came the wife of l'inley A. Lerch-they reside in Scioto township north of Commercial Point.

The Beavers and the Rush families were among the first settlers of the township and the county, and the details of their ancestry and pioneer work in this locality are given in the biography of Walter Balfour Beavers. the father of our subject, and in the sketches of other members.

Fillmore Beavers upholds the reputation of the stanch families from which he is de- scended. He is already an influential Demo- cratic leader of the county, and is a natural

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politician. Before he was 20 years old he was elected a central committeeman, and in all the stirring campaigns for which Scioto township has become locally famous he has fought in the front ranks: so that although still compara- tively young he has had the experience of many men of twice his age. Mr. Beavers has al- ready served five years on the Central Com- mittee and two years on the Executive Com- mittee. From 1891 to 1905 he was a member of the School Board of Scioto township, being elected for four terms of three years each, and serving one year by lot, after the new law was passed. Fraternally Mr. Beavers is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men.

C HOMAS M. WITHGOTT, one of Perry township's leading citizens, a soldier in the Civil War and later an educator, has been a representative agriculturist for the past 20 years. Mr. Withgott was born in Ross County. Ohio, July 6. 1842, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah ( Bowdle) Withgott.

Reuben Withgott, father of Thomas M., was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1801, and died there in 1861. He was a son of Thomas With- gott. a native of Maryland, who was a ship carpenter on a vessel plying between Baltimore and Annapolis. He came to Ohio in 1799, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, and settled on a farm west of Chillicothe, on which they died. That farm remained in the possession of the family until 1890. Reuben Withgott married Sarah Bowdle, who was born in Ross County. Ohio, and lived there until her death in 1880. She was a daughter of William and Anna ( Brown) Bowdle, the latter of whom was a daughter of White Brown. one of the carly settlers of Perry township. Pickaway County. Eight children were born to Reuben Withgott and wife, namely: Jane. deceased; Margaret F., living near Kingston, Ohio, who is the widow of the late W. R. Nichols, a na- tive of Ross County, Ohio-they were mar- ried in that county and lived there some time after marriage, subsequently removing to

Pickaway County and settling near New Hol- land: Jesse L., deceased; Elizabeth A., who married Rev. R. Wolf-their three surviving sons had a narrow escape from death in the earthquake and fire at San Francisco, their home being in the destroyed residence district ; Lucretia W. and Katherine R., both of Kings- ton; James F., who died at Kingston; and Thomas M., of this sketch.

Thomas M. Withgott was reared in Ross County but had not completed his education when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. In May. 1864, he entered Company E, 149th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for the 100-day service and during this period he participated in the battles of Monocacy, Snicker's Gap, Harper's Ferry. Winchester, Deal's Island and saw much of the hardships of real war. At the close of his term of enlistment, having per- formed every duty of a good soldier. he re- turned to his home and set about completing his education, taking up high school studies and later becoming a student at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1869. Mr. Withgott then entered the educational field as a teacher and for the next decade or more dvoted his time entirely to educational work. At many points he is remembered as a very faithful as well as capable instructor. He taught one year at Dellbrook, three years at Piketon, Pike Coun- ty, and one year at the Bloomingburg Acad- emy and for five years was superintendent of the schools of New Holland.

When Mr. Withgott decided to become a farmer, he first bought land in "Egypt," and later purchased land across the road from his present farm, the latter being his wife's inheri- tance. He carries on general farming and stock-raising operations. After his marriage he settled at New Holland.

In 1875 Mr. Withgott was united in mar- riage with Henrietta E. Timmons, who was a daughter of Rev. F. A. Timmons and died in 1876. Mr. Withgott was married (second) to Nannie M. Evans, a daughter of John and Amanda (Lieby) Evans. Mr. Evans was a prominent citizen and a large landowner, pos- sessing some 600 acres of land in the vicinity

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of New Holland. He died in September. 1903.

Mr. and Mrs. Withgott have five children, viz. : Frank, a student in civil engineering at the Ohio State University, who is now on rail- road construction work for the Denver, North- western & Pacific Railway, in Colorado; Grace, who married John May, a son of Dr. J. B. May, of New Holland, resides in Cincinnati and has two children-Robert and Margaret : and Mary A., Esther M. and John E., who are at home.

In political sentiment, Mr. Withgott is a Republican. He has always been interested in educational matters and has testified to his sin- cerity by serving as a member of the School Board for the past 26 years. His fraternal relations are with New Holland Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M .; Fayette Chapter, R. . \. M .. at Washington Court House; Ferguson Post. Grand Army of the Republic, at New Holland, and formerly was active in Odd Fellowship. Since he was a youth he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His stand- ing in his community is that of an honorable, upright man and public-spirited citizen.

J OSEPH BRANHAM JUSTICE, M. D., one of Darbyville's successful medical practitioners and prominent citizens, was born April 1, 1863, on a farm near Ironton, Lawrence Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of John G. and Ohio (Casey) Justice.

The father of Dr. Justice was born in Law- rence County, Ohio, where he still resides. In the period of the Civil War he served, during 1864, in the 91st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and was with Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. His business has been farming and working in various iron furnaces. He married Ohio Casey and they had 11 chil- dren, six of whom are now living, as follows: Joseph Branham; John George, of Ironton, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Rice. of Day- ton, Ohio; James, of Lawrence County, Ohio; Estella (Hall) ; and Josephine, wife of John Burk, of Jackson County, Ohio.

Joseph Branham Justice was born the eld- est of a large family and his father was not able to assist him very much in the way of se- curing the educational opportunities he crave l. He remained at home until he was 21 years of age. In the meantime he made every effort to secure an education and succeeded in passing the examinations, receiving at the age of 22 years a certificate entitling him to teach school. During the seven years in which he continued to teach school in Lawrence County, he applied himself to the study of medicine, and without assistance prepared himself for college. In 1893, having completed his preparation and provided himself with the means, he entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. He was graduated there in 1896 and immediately afterward opened an office at Hanging Rock. in Hamilton township, Lawrence County. In November, 1898, he came to Darbyville and has been closely engaged in professional work here ever since.

From the time he came into political privi- leges, Dr. Justice has been a Democrat. and while a resident of Lawrence County, as he has since, took an active interest in public matters. Formerly he attended all the important con- ventions of his party and was a very popular member of it, but he was not willing to accept office, on one occasion refusing to accept the nomination for sheriff. Prior to leaving Law- rence. County, he was a member of the county convention and of the committee on resolutions, in which he opposed free silver with all his ability, the motion being defeated in the com- mittee. Since coming to Pickaway County, professional duties have largely absorbed him. although he has served five years in the Village Council. He has also served his precinct one term on the central committee.

On March 24, 1889, Dr. Justice was mar- ried to Ida May Silbaugh, who was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William Henry and Mary Jane (Everly) Sil- baugh. The former was born in Germany and came to America at the age of 16 years. He served three years in an artillery regiment dur- ing the Civil War. Mr. Silbaugh was a sub- stantial citizen and highly respected man. The mother of Mrs. Justice was born at Morgan-

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town, West Virginia, and still survives. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Justice are: Glenn Leroy, born January 25, 1890, at Ironton, Ohio, who is a member of the graduating class of 1907 at the Williamsport High School; Ivan Silbaugh, born August 10, 1893, at Iron- ton. Ohio; Mary Helen, born June 30, 1896, at Ironton, Ohio; Dean Hudson, born Febru- ary 13, 1899, at Darbyville, Ohio; and Don- ald. born May 25. 1904, at Darbyville, Ohio.

Dr. Justice has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church since he was 20 years of age and has been trustee and treasurer of the Darbyville church almost from the date of his location in the village. His fraternal connections include the Masonic lodge at Wil- liamsport, the Odd Fellows lodge at Derby and the Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Darbyville. Formerly he was con- nected with the Heptasophs at Ironton. He belongs also to the Academy of Medicine, at Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Justice is a self-made man and is an example of one who has attained professional prominence and personal esteem through his own unaided efforts.

ILLIS EDMUND PAYNE, post- master of Ashville and a promi- nent citizen of the town, was born February 22. 1866, in Walnut township ( near Nebraska). Pick- away County, Ohio, and is a son of Jefferson and Sarah Jane (Ward ) Payne and a grand- son of Joel Payne.

Joel Payne was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Virginia. At an early date they settled in Pickaway County. Ohio. Jefferson Payne and his wife. the parents of our sub- ject, were both natives of Pickaway County ; both died in the year 1897. the former at the age of 60 years and the latter at the age of 57. They were the parents of four children. of whom one died in infancy. The others were: Eva E. : Marcus Walter. assistant post- master at Ashville, and Willis Edmund.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Walnut township and com- pleted his education in the schools at Ashville, graduating from the High School at the age of 20. . After finishing school, he accepted a po- sition with Samuel W. Miller as a clerk in a store at Ashville, which position he held for two years. After leaving Mr. Miller's employ, he engaged in the mercantile business for hin- self, which he conducted for 10 years. On October 12. 1897, he was appointed postmas- ter at Ashville, which at that time was a fourth- class office. Mr. Payne has succeeded, with the growth of the town, in building up the office, so that the revenues were increased suffi- ciently to raise its standard to that of a third- class office, which it became on January 1, 1905. Mr. Payne has always strongly advo- cated improvements in the service and it was through his personal efforts and his influence with the postal authorities that rural free de- livery of mail from the Ashville office was es- tablished, thus accommodating the rural popu- lation with a daily service. It was the first permanent rural mail route in Pickaway Coun- ty. This service went into effect from Ash- ville on February 1, 1902. In being raised to a third-class office, Ashville became an inter- national money-order office and at that time Mr. Payne was appointed by President Roose- velt for four years.

Mr. Payne was married January 3, 1889, to Minnie Alice McMun, a daughter of Ed- mund and Sarah McMun, of Walnut town- ship, who were natives of Ohio. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Payne,-Ruby Agnes and Sarah Irene,-both of whom are attending school.

Mr. Payne has always been an active worker in politics and is one of the representa- tive men in the Republican party of Picka- way County. He has always been active in all matters pertaining to the advancement of Ash- ville. He took an active part in securing for Ashville the High School Building, fighting the effort made by many to locate the school outside the village. Mr. Payne is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and circulated the peti- tion for the establishment of Palmetto Lodge,

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of which he is a charter member. He was elected vice chancellor, when the lodge was established and has since held all the chairs.

B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN DREIS- BACH, one of the prominent citizens, stockraisers and agriculturists of Pickaway County, who owns 3321/4 acres of valuable land in Circleville and Washington townships, his homestead being located in section 32, Circleville town- ship, was born June 13, 1845. on a farm lo- cated in Pickaway township. three miles dis- tant from his present home. The parents of Mr. Dreisbach were Isaac E. and Lydia ( Hit- tle) Dreisbach.

The Dreisbach family is an old one in Pick- away County, having been established here by the grandparents of Benjamin F. Dreisbach, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio as pioneers, crossing the moun- tains in a covered wagon, bringing with them their children and household possessions and settling in Pickaway township, Pickaway County. They found a wilderness and be- longed to that vanguard that opened up civili- zation in this section and made possible the plenty, comfort and privileges now enjoyed by their descendants. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Rev. John Dreisbach, was a pioneer preacher of the Evangelical Associa- tion in this section. Before he came to Ohio, he had preached in New York and Pennsyl- vania and had served as a member of the State Legislature in the latter State.

Isaac F. Dreisbach was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and was 12 years of age when his parents came to. Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio. Here he lived a long and useful life, passing away at Circleville, Ohio, in 1897. He was the father of seven children. namely : Mary D .. who is the wife of Prof. H. C. Smith, who holds the chair of languages, at North- western College; Benjamin Franklin: Mrs. Martha A. Earnest. of Kansas: Rosalie, wife of David S. Ludwig. of Circleville township; Emma Grace, wife of Rev. T. W. Woodside,

a missionary in West Central Africa ; Charles H., a minister of the Congregational Church, who now lives retired on a farm in Spink County, South Dakota; and Reuben H. de- ceased, who owned the old homestead at the time of death, which is now occupied by his widow and four children.

Benjamin F. Dreisbach was reared on his father's farm, where he was trained in prac- tical farm work. In the meantime he was afforded educational opportunities; in the dis- trict school he prepared for the High School at Circleville, and after one year in that insti- tution he spent two years as a student at North- western College, where he was graduated on his 21st birthday, on June 13, 1866. He en- joys the distinction of having been the first male graduate of this excellent institution of learning. Mr. Dreisbach then returned to Pickaway County and soon took charge of a school. Ile continued to teach during the win- ters until his marriage in 1873, his summers being spent in agricultural labor on his father's farm.

Mr. Dreisbach now owns some of the most valuable land in this section of the State, as it is situated in the heart of the famous Pickaway Plains, 1821/4 acres lying in Circleville town- ship, and 150 acres in Washington township. In 1874-75 he erected on the farm in Circle- ville township one of the finest homes in Pick- away County-a large brick residence which not only presents a handsome appearance but is fitted with every comfort and convenience to be found in any city residence. All of the other improvements are of a most substantial character and add to the property's value and attractiveness. Mr. Dreisbach has also im- proved his Washington township farm on which stands a substantial brick dwelling. He rents this farm. but continues to operate the one in Circleville township, raising corn, wheat and clover.

On November 6, 1873. Mr. Dreisbach was united in marriage with Mary .A. Hitler, who is a daughter of Abraham and Eleanor ( Mor- ris) Hitler, who were prominent pioneers in Pickaway County. The marriage took place in the old brick home on Mr. Dreisbach's farm

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in Washington township. To this marriage were born five children, the survivors being : Dennis H., Guy Evans, Emma Grace and Orin Woodside.

Dennis H. Dreisbach was educated in the public schools of Circleville township, the Cir- cleville High School, and spent one year at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He mar- ried Nellie Dunlap, who is a daughter of Nel- son and Elizabeth Dunlap, of Pickaway town- ship, and they have one daughter-Elizabeth.

Guy Evans Dreisbach enjoyed the same educational privileges as did his brother. He is now a capable telegraph operator and is en- ployed at Lafayette, Indiana.

Emma Grace, the only daughter, graduated at the Circleville High School in the class of 1900. She spent one year in study at the Na- tional Park Seminary at Washington. D. C., and then took a course in voice culture in New York City.

Orin Woodside, the youngest son, is a stu- dent in the Circleville High School. He bears the name of his uncle, Rev. T. W. Woodside, a missionary in Africa, as above stated.

From boyhood Benjamin F. Dreisbach has been connected with the Evangelical Associa- tion and for 31 years he has been superintend- ent of the Ebenezer Evangelical Church Sun- day-school, of Pickaway township. He is a life member of the Evangelical Sunday School As- sociation of Ohio, and for a number of years has been connected with the county association as vice-president and as corresponding secre- tary. Having been so closely identified with Sunday-school work for so many years. it was particularly appropriate that Mr. Dreisbach should have been a member of the World's Fourth Sunday School Convention, which was one of the most notable gatherings, in point of numbers, experiences and personnel, that has ever been recorded. This convention was held at Jerusalem on April 21-22, 1904. Few individuals, comparatively speaking, ever en- joy the opportunity of making such a journey. Through study for many previous years, Mr. Dreisbach was fully prepared to understand and enjoy every part of the trip and this mate- rially added to its pleasure. Its memories will

remain with him through life and will serve him with material to still more efficiently carry on his work in the Sunday-school field.

L JEWIS NEISWANDER. In the death of Lewis Neiswander, on December 2, 1903, Madison township lost a most estimable man and respected citizen. He was born December 2, 1846, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Daniel and Eliza (Tyson) Neiswander.

The Neiswander family is of German ex- traction and many of its members still live in Pennsylvania and many more in Ohio. From the former State to Pickaway County. Ohio, came Daniel Neiswander and his family. in 1850, when Lewis was but a child. Several years later they removed to Fairfield County. Still later Daniel Neiswander removed to Wood County, Ohio. after a short residence in Putnam County, during which period his wife died. Daniel Neiswander died in Wood Coun- ty, in advanced age.

Lewis Neiswander was a farmer all his mature life and in pursuing the peaceful pur- suits of agriculture he lived a quiet, useful life, and when he died he left behind a good property as well as a good name. He was one of the leading members of the Reformed Church of Bloom township, Fairfield County, Ohio, in which he had served as deacon for 17 years and was also one of the elders. In politi- cal sentiment he was a Democrat, and for more than 25 years he was an Odd Fellow.

On August 24, 1869, in Fairfield County, Ohio, Mr. Neiswander was united in marriage with Leah C. Glick, 'who was born in Pick- away County, Ohio, on August 25, 1848, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary M. (Noth- stine) Glick. Daniel Glick, the paternal grand- father of Mrs. Neiswander, was a son of Ben- jamin Glick, who was born in Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers of Fairfield County. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Neiswander was John Nothstine, a very early settler in Madison township. The father of Mrs. Neiswander. now a venerable citizen. in

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his 84th year, is one of the most highly es- teemed residents of Madison township. His wife passed away in February, 1878. Three of their children still survive, viz. : Leah C. ( Mrs. Neiswander ) : Sarah .\ .. who resides with her sister; and James U .. of Columbus.

Mrs. Neiswander resides on her excellent farm of 160 acres in Madison township. She has two children-Minnie V. and Daniel E. In September. 1899. Daniel B. Neiswander was married to Maud B. Runkle, daughter of the late Samuel Runkle, of Franklin County, Ohio: they have two children-Festus C. and Lura V. Since she was 16 years of age Mrs. Neiswander has been a member of the Re- formed Church in Bloom township. With her late husband she visited and frequently enter- tained neighbors all over the township, a pleasant social custom which cemented friend- ships. Mr. Neiswander was always welcome, being a man of pleasant ways and such sterling character that he had a very wide circle of friends. At home he was beloved for his kind- ness and justice as husband and father.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 52

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