History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 55

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 55

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Leach has never been very active in politics, contenting himself with doing a citi- zen's duty on election day, and he has never served in any office except on the School Board.

EORGE W. HOLDERMAN, a repre- sentative agriculturist of Pickaway township, resides on his excellent farm of 269 acres of well-cultivated land. He was born in Pickaway County, May 17, 1861, and is a son of Lewis and. Mary (Foresman) Holderman and a grandson of George Holderman, who was one of the first settlers in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County.

From its first settlement, the Holderman family has been one of substance and import- ance here, owning large bodies of land and assisting in the development of the county. George Holderman died about 1878. in ad- vanced age.

Lewis Holderman, son of George and father of George WV., was born in Salt Creek township, attended the early schools in the township and married in his native neighbor- hood. He removed to Pickaway township in 1868 and settled on the Circleville and Adelphi turnpike, where he resided until his death, in 1881. His widow resides in Pickaway town- ship. Mr. Holderman was one of the town- ship's leading Republicans and served as .. trustee of the township at one time.

George W. Holderman, who has been a

Digitized by Google

424

HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

resident of Pickaway township since he was seven years of age, was educated in District No. I, of which he has been a director for a number of years. He has always been en- gaged in farming and stock-raising since he reached maturity and has met with abundant success.

On February 25, 1892, Mr. Holderman was married to Sadie Ross, who was born in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Whisler) Ross. . The former is deceased, but the latter survives and resides at Circleville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Holderman have two children- Lewis J. and Mervin.

Politically Mr. Holderman is identified with the Republican party, but has never been a claimant for office, preferring a quiet life de- voted to his family and business. Like all other members of the Holderman family, he sustains an excellent reputation for industry and integrity.

AMUEL W. DUNLAP, a prominent retired farmer of Monroe township, now residing in Circleville, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is a son of John Dunlap.

The grandfather of our subject, John Dun- lap, was born in Virginia and moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1821. His son, also named John, was born in Rockbridge County, Vir- ginia, in 1811, and accompanied his father to Ross County, Ohio, when he was 11 years of age. There he became a prominent citizen and there he died in 1881.

Samuel W. Dunlap was reared in Ross County and there attended school and was trained in agricultural pursuits. In 1869. he came to Pickaway County and settled in Mon- roe township on a farm of 500 acres given him by his father, to which he added until now he owns 1,000 acres, all of this being finely improved and all in one body. Mr. Dunlap engaged in extensive stock-raising and at the present time is the owner of a herd of 25 head of Shorthorns; during his active years

it was his custom to fatten two or three car- loads of cattle annually. He also raised and shipped many fine hogs. For a number of years he was one. of the leading agriculturists of the western section of the county.

Mr. Dunlap was married to Mary Hyde, a daughter of Nathan Hyde, a farmer of Ross County, Ohio. The three children born to this marriage are: Flora, who is engaged in "Set- tlement" work, being at the head of a Settle- ment House at Des Moines, Iowa; John, who is a farmer of Deer Creek township; and Ar- thur, who now manages the home farm in Monroe township.

For 20 years Mr. Dunlap was a member of the Monroe township School Board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, for years has been one of the stewards and is a member of the board of trustees.

OHN HEISKELL & SON, a well known firm of Williamsport dealing in queensware, hardware, groceries, etc., was established by John Heiskell, who died in September, 1903, and the busi- ness has since been conducted by the son, Clif- ford Heiskell, under the old firm name.

John Heiskell was born near South Charles- ton, Clark County, Ohio, in 1847. For about 32 years he lived in Clark County, where he was engaged in farming, and subsequently conducted a general store for 10 years. When about 42 years of age he removed to Williams- port and established the business which is now conducted by his son. He was also engaged in the grain business at Woodlyn during his residence at Williamsport .. Mr. Heiskell mar- ried Louise Clemmons, of South Charleston, Ohio, who still survives and is in partnership with her son Clifford. They had six children : Clifford, subject of this sketch; Charles, who lives near New Holland; Roland, who is at present in Junction City, Ohio, where he is engaged in railroad work; William, who is working in the store at Williamsport; Kent, also a resident of Junction City, Ohio, en- gaged in railroad work; and Mary, who mar-

Digitized by Google

425

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ried Harry Dunlap, of Williamsport. Politi- cally, Mr. Heiskell was a Republican. He was a member of the Masonic order.

CLIFFORD HEISKELL was born December 23, 1872, in South Charleston, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. His education was received in the High School from which he graduated and in a business college at Colum- . bus, Ohio, which he later attended. In 1891 he began working in his father's store and five years later became full partner. Since his father's death he has had the active manage- ment. Mr. Heiskell was married October, 1903, to Arizona Yates, who was born in Pickaway County and is a daughter of S. M. Yates, a resident of Circleville. Mr. and Mrs. Heiskell have had one child, a son, Laurence Yates.

Mr. Heiskell is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.

E PHRAIM IMLER, whose death took place at his home in Salt Creek town- ship, on February 2, 1889, was born in this township, March 13, 1826, and was a son of Henry Imler, who came from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled in Salt Creek township.

Ephraim Imler spent the whole of his long and useful life in his native township, where he became possessed of property and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of those who knew him. In boyhood it became necessary for him to look out for himself, and through his own industry and excellent management he became possessed of means, by the time he had reached his majority, to enter upon domestic life and start to farming for himself. He was married on October 18, 1853, to Malinda Bochert, who was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on February 7, 1835, and is a daughter of Stanley and Mary (Drum) Bochert. Stanley Bochert was born in Penn- sylvania and accompanied his parents in boy- hood to Pickaway County, where he resided many years, dying here some 30 years since, a very highly respected citizen.

The children born to Ephraim Imler and

wife were: Levi and Stanley B., of Salt Creek township; Mary S., of Youngstown, Ohio; Henry E., of Paulding County, Ohio; Ma- linda J., wife of Henry Cramer, of Salt Creek township; Schuyler C., of Salt Creek town- ship; Minnie W., wife of Porter Hiatt, of Salt Creek township; and Newton H. and Fos- ter G., both of Salt Creek township.

In 1856 Mr. Imler settled on the farm on which his death took place and where his widow still resides. This is a well-cultivated tract of 49 acres. Had Mr. Imler's useful life been spared, he would probably have added much to its improvements and development. His death, on the date above mentioned, was caused by a tree accidentally falling upon him while he was engaged in sawing it. This tragic closing of the life of a good man and most highly regarded citizen was the cause of universal regret in the neighborhood. He is remembered by his family as a kind husband and careful, affectionate father, while among his fellow-citizens he was known as a man of sterling character. In politics he was a Re- publican. His venerable widow is a valued member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She, too, is widely known and every- where respected and beloved.

J OHN D. VAUSE, deceased, was for many years one of the leading agri- culturists of Harrison township. He was born March 10, 1818, and was a son of Thomas Vause, a native of Virginia who migrated from Moorefield in that State to locate on Buck Creek, near Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. Later he moved into Franklin County, where he died in 1852, aged 66 years. His wife, Elizabeth Decker, died in the same year, aged 60. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vause, as follows : John D .; Rachel, who be- came the wife of William Thornton Decker ; William, who married Mary Stimmel; Luke D .; James Inskeep, residing in Harrison town- ship, two miles from Ashville, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Thomas B.,

Digitized by Google

426

HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

who married Missouri Moore; and Hannah Decker, who was killed by an accident.

John D. Vause was educated in the early schools and reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he purchased a farm of 260 acres in Har- rison township, Pickaway County, on which he lived and labored until his death February 16, 1898, although he naturally retired from active work during the later years of his life. He married Mary Elizabeth Perrill, who was born January 1, 1822, and died January 20, 1901. She was a daughter of Nathan Perrill, a Virginian by birth, who settled in Madison township, Pickaway County, where he died many years ago. He was married to Christina Stump, near Moorefield, Virginia. and became the father of five children. viz. : Augustus L., who served in both branche's of the State Leg- islature and as sheriff of Pickaway County- both he and his wife, Mary Seymour, are de- ceased; Zebulon H., who married Rebecca By- waters ; Catherine, wife of John Moore; Mary Elizabeth, wife of our subject; and Frances, wife of Adam Dyer. To Mr. and Mrs. John D. Vause were born eight children, namely : Christiana E., who married Thomas J. Rath- mell, and now resides in Hamilton township, Franklin County, Ohio; Rachel C., wife of Seymour R. Vanmeter, residing in Circleville; Mary P., who lives at home; Nathan Perrill, of Scioto township; J. Baldwin, residing on the old home farm in Harrison township, pur- chased by his father and partly settled by his grandfather; Thomas W., who died in 1879; Frances P., wife of Dr. H. C. Blake, of Lock- bourne; and Anna L., who lives at home with her sister and brother-Mary P. and J. Bald- win.

T SAAC A. PHERSON, a prominent farmer and successful merchant of Muhlenberg township, whose general store is situated on a part of his farm of 160 acres, was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 19, 1850, and is a son of George and Elmira (Van Sickle) Pherson.

On the paternal side Mr. Pherson is of Irish ancestry and on the maternal, of Dutch.

Robert Pherson, the paternal grandfather, was born McPherson, but after he had lived some years in America he dropped the prefix "Mc." Other members of his family, however, re- tained it, three of his brothers who also came from the North of Ireland-William, James and John-keeping to the original spelling. From one of these descended the late General McPherson, the gallant soldier who fell at the head of his command during the Civil War. Robert Pherson entered a half section of land near Somerset. in Perry County, Ohio, and then sent to Ireland for the rest of the family. He served in the War of 1812 and died in Perry County at the age of 80 years. His family consisted of three daughters and four sons.

George Pherson was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1818, and remained there engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to Picka- way County and purchased a farm of 412 acres in Muhlenberg township. He was an active member of the Democratic party until the out- break of the Civil War, when he became a Re- publican and so continued until his death, which took place in 1889. During 1864-65 he served as county treasurer of Perry County. He was a prominent member of the German Reformed Church. He married Elmira Van Sickle, and they had the following children : James K., deceased, a brave soldier who first served his country with bravery and then was starved to death in the enemy's prison at Salis- bury, North Carolina; Isaac A., of this sketch; Robert, of Muhlenberg township; Sarah Jane, wife of I. H. Zartman, of Perry County ; Har- riet, wife of T. P. Neff, of Mount Sterling; Emily. A., deceased, who was the wife of Rob- ert Proctor; George B., of Grove City; Eliza- beth, wife of John S. Neff, of Jackson town- ship; William A., of Pherson; and Marthia A., widow of George Corkwell, of Pherson.

Isaac A. Pherson remained at home during his boyhood and youth and accompanied his parents to Pickaway County in 1875. He was educated in the local schools and was trained to be a farmer. He assisted his father in clear- ing and improving the large property he pur- chased here, it being a part of the Colonel

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM MILLAR AND FAMILY

Digitized by Google

429

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Florence estate. Being one of his father's heirs, he has always remained here and on his 160 acres he has made many improvements of a substantial nature. In 1882 he started a general mercantile business, erecting a com- modious store building for the purpose and has a good stand for business. The village of Pherson was named in his honor and in 1887 he was appointed its first postmaster, by Presi- dent Cleveland. He has retained the office ever since, having a section of his store set apart for the transaction of mail business.

Mr. Pherson was married in 1869 to Mary J. Cotterman, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 1, 1849, and is a daughter of Sam- uel and Margaret (Foreman) Cotterman, the former of whom was born in Perry County, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pherson have had these children: Cora M., wife of W. O. Dountz, of Scioto township; James H., at home; Etta, wife of Carl Bach. of Pherson; Hattie A., wife of R. E. Furge son, of Bucyrus, Ohio; and Emma T., Her- man C., Scott E. and Jennie May.

Mr. Pherson is a prominent member of the Prohibition party and is chairman of the Coun- ty Central Committee. He is a leading mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has been a class leader since 1886 and in the same year assisted very liberally in the matter of building a new church edifice.

ILLIAM MILLAR, a substantial citizen and representative man of Harrison township, who owns the old Isaac D. Millar homestead on which he was born on April 28, 1847, is a son of Isaac D. and Sarah Ann (Millar) Millar.

The Millar family of Harrison township, Pickaway County, have occupied their land for the past 100 years. The great-grandparents of William Millar were Isaac and Elizabeth (Sea) Millar, the former of whom was born February 9, 1749, and married Elizabeth Sea on October 28, 1777, and died January 23, 1815, in the 66th year of his age. His wife

was born August 15, 1756, and died April 14. 1794. Their children were: William, born August 6, 1778; Catherine, born February 19, 1780; Rebecca, born February 3, 1783; Mi- chael, born March 30, 1785; Isaac, born De- cember 6, 1787; Elizabeth, born February 4. 1790; and Adam, born March 24, 1792.

Adam Millar, the grandfather of William Millar, died March 28, 1824, aged 32 years and 4 days. He married Rebecca Decker and they had two sons: Isaac D., father of our subject; and John. who died when a young man.

Isaac D. Millar was born March 18, 1822, and on February 22, 1844, married his cousin. Sarah Ann Millar, daughter of William and. Mary (Sudduth) Millar, whose children were as follows: Elizabeth, born May 2, 1809; George Washington, born February 5, 1811: Isaac, born January 28, 1813; Adam, born March 15, 1815; Sarah Ann, born April 24. 1817; Lucinda, born December 12, 1819; Wil- liam A. P., born November 17, 1824; and Mary Catherine, born April 23, 1830. Isaac D. Millar died October 21, 1867 ; his wife died June 27, 1900, aged 83 years.

The children of Isaac D. and Sarah Ann Millar were: John D., born December 6. 1844, deceased March 28, 1860; William, the subject of this sketch ; Mary Rebecca, born Sep- tember 6, 1850, wife of Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley; Leonard, born April 1, 1854, resid- ing in. Harrison township, whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this work; Isaac M. and Adam P. (twins), born March 21, 1857, the former of whom died February 3, 1860, and the latter on March 26, 1886; and Annie I .. , wife of F. S. Chryst, probate judge of Trum -- bull County, who died at her home in Warren,. Ohio, March 25, 1901, leaving two daughters -Blanche E. and Sarah M.

William Millar has passed almost all his life on the old homestead, following farming. He attended the township schools and a very excellent school at Granville, but the death of his father recalled him to take charge of affairs at home. His farm, which is known as the "Bunker Hill Farm," contains 276 acres. Mr. Millar is one of the leading agriculturists of

Digitized by Google

430

HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

his section and owns one of the most valuable farms in the township.

On January 14, 1892, Mr. Millar was mar- ried to Aphlus O'Day, who is a daughter of Wesley and Malvina (Scutt) O'Day. The father of Mrs. Millar was born in Delaware, May 10, 1820, and died June 20, 1887, at South Bloomfield, Ohio. The mother was born in Onondaga County, New York, Au- gust 15, 1827, and resides at South Bloomfield with her youngest son, Meredith O'Day. Mr. and Mrs. Millar have four children, viz. : Sarah Ann, born September 27, 1894: Isaac O'Day, born February 17, 1896; and Mary Ette Bernice and Hariett Beatrice (twins), born June 15, 1905. A group picture of the Millar family accompanies this sketch. In politics Mr. Millar is a Republican as was his father before him. Mrs. Millar has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at South Bloomfield since she was 15 years of age.

I SAAC E. MORRIS, one of Pickaway township's representative agricultur- ists and prominent citizens, serving his second term as township trustee, resides on a valuable farm which is situated some seven miles from Circleville, on the Circleville and Kingston turnpike. Mr. Morris was born September 16, 1865, on the famous Pickaway Plains in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Reason S. and Harriet (Pontius ) Morris.

Both parents of Mr. Morris were born in Washington township, Pickaway County and now reside in Salt Creek township. Reason S. Morris is a son of Henry Morris, one of the early settlers of this county, in which the family has been one of standing for many years. To Reason S. Morris and wife were born 10 children, as follows: Daniel. of Salt Creek township; Mary A., wife of Andrew Wilson, of Athens County, Ohio; Henry V., of Logan. Phillips County, Kansas; Isaac E., of this sketch; Mahlon, of Pickaway County : Evaline, of Salt Creek township: Charles E .. of Walnut township; Clifton, of Logan, Phil-

lips County, Kansas; Rosa E., wife of Claude W. Work, of Denver, Colorado; and Arthur, of Salt Creek township.

Isaac E. Morris was born in Pickaway township, this county, and was 11 years old when the family removed to Salt Creek town- ship, where he attended school until he be- came interested in farming. His training in this dirction was of a practical nature and he has always been interested in agricultural pur- suits. He settled on his present farm, near Elmwood, in 1891, and in addition to carrying on general farming raises many horses, cattle and hogs.

On February 25, 1890, Mr. Morris was married to Ina Chrisman, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jeremiah Chrisman, of that county.

In political sentiment, Mr. Morris is a Democrat and has been active in party affairs in the township. On several occasions he has been selected for office by his fellow-citizens and is now serving his second term as town- ship trustee. He enjoys the confidence of the public and bears the reputation of being an excellent and industrious official.

ARTIN E. DREISBACH, a retired farmer and merchant, of Circle- ville, and a citizen of wealth and standing, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, on Septem- ber 8, 1826, and is a son of Rev. John Dreis- bach and his wife, Fannie Eyer.

Rev. John Dreisbach was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1789. After reaching maturity, he became a clergyman of the Evan- gelical Association, preaching both in Penn- sylvania and New York. In 1831 he came with his family to Pickaway township, Picka- way County, Ohio, being the fifth member of his denomination, after a society was organ- ized, in the locality. While a resident of this county he occasionally occupied the pulpit, also editing the Evangelical Messenger at Dayton, and ( for two years) after its removal to Cleve- land. Prior to coming to Ohio, he served as

Digitized by Google

431

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and was not only a good, conscientious son. but one of decided ability in the practical affairs of life.

To Rev. John Dreisbach and his second wife, Fannie Eyer, were born 11 children, of whom the following four are living: Jacob E., a resident of Carthage, Missouri; Martin E., our subject; Fannie (Spickler), living in Bakertown, West Virginia; and Martha (Gil- dersleeve), residing in Denver, Colorado. By a previous marriage, with a sister of his second wife, Rev. John Dreisbach had two children.

Martin E. Dreisbach has lived in this coun- ty since he was five years of age. He was early inured to agricultural work and mar- ried, when 22 years old, Elizabeth Reedy, daughter of Michael Reedy, who had settled in Green township, Ross County, in 1812. Mrs. Dreisbach died in October, 1903, the mother of three children, of whom the only one now living is Arista, wife of Harry P. Lorbach, an optician of Circleville.

Mr. Dreisbach enlisted for service in the Civil War in 1864, on the 2nd of May, joining Company A, 155th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered in at Camp Dennison, going direct to Martinsburg, Virginia, and thence to Whitehouse Landing, City Point and Norfolk. He was assigned mostly to garrison and fatigue duty, being at one time assistant quartermaster of his regiment. After his hon- orable discharge, on the 27th of August, 1865, Mr. Dreisbach returned to his home and earnestly resumed the pursuits of peace.

In 1876 Mr. Dreisbach moved to Circle- ville and engaged in the implement and seed business, in which he successfully continued until 1905, when he retired from active life, having not only acquired a competency through his mercantile enterprises but also a fine farm of 300 acres in Pickaway township. He is well known in Grand Army circles, being a charter member of Groce Post, of Circle- ville. He has held all the offices in the gift of the post and has never relinquished his mem- bership since he assisted in the organization of the post. He is also an Odd Fellow in good

standing. Politically Mr. Dreisbach is a Re- publican, and, religiously, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ľ EANDER HERMAN WARD, pro- prietor of what is known as the "Rose Dale Fruit Farm," is closely identified with the history and with the agricultural prosperity of Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio. His prop- erty comprises 80 acres of land, 27 of which are laid out in orchards and small fruits. He is a member of a family that has been estab- lished in Pickaway County for over 100 years and is in the fourth generation from William Ward, the founder of the family in America, who came as a pioneer from Virginia to this county. Mr. Ward was born in Walnut town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 28, 1858, and is a son of William T. and Catherine (Payne) Ward and a grandson of William P. and Hannah (Sabins) Ward.

William Ward, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Hampshire, Eng- land. His father, desiring that he should learn a trade, apprenticed William to his uncle Charles who did not, however, treat the lad as he deserved. He accordingly resented his uncle's mistreatment and ran away. He se- cured a place on an English vessel through a distant relative, Commodore Ward, of the English Navy. After making several trips across the ocean, he finally concluded to remain in this country despite the fact that Commo- dore Ward offered him every inducement to return to England. The Commodore's motive in constraining the young man to return to England was not wholly unselfish, for William owed 'the Commodore the price of a passage across the ocean. It resolved itself into a case of "Ward eat Ward" and terminated in the Commodore's selling the young man for an amount equal to the price of a passage across the Atlantic, to a Mr. Snyder, a resident of Pendleton County, Virginia. Between young Ward and freedom lay 10 acres of saplings and underbrush, which he had to grub to

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 55

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