History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 59

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

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The children of Mr. and Mrs. Duvall were : John W., of Columbus; George H., of Ashville; Mary F., wife of Clifford Decker, of Madison township; Harley H., of Madison township; and William A. and Chrissie E .. at home.

Mr. Duvall was a consistent member. as is his widow, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Ashville. In his younger years he was a member of the Odd Fellows and at- tended the meetings of the lodge at Ashville. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a kind husband and loving father and in him his neighbors ever found a helpful friend.

OHN L. MAY, whose extensive farm of 175 acres is all in one body and is located in section 35, Walnut town- ship, was born in this township, Oc- tober 13, 1860, and is a son of George J. and Mary (Heim) May. The early history of the May family may be found elsewhere in this work, in the sketch of Milton Franklin May.

John L. May was reared and educated in Walnut township and has resided on the same farm since he was 16 years of age. To those whose fate compels a yearly removal to a dif- ferent home, this fact is very suggestive of peace and comfort and doubtless Mr. May looks upon it in that way. He has been identi- fied with the business and agricultural interests of Walnut township almost all his mature life. For five years he ran a grocery store at East Ringgold, where he was also postmaster, but he sold out this store in 1893. Until January

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1. 1906, he kept out of the grocery business but on that date, in association with his brother Lyman, he again became interested at East Ringgold, his brother operating the store. Mr. May buys and sells hogs, sheep and wool and devotes the larger part of his farm to the rais- ing of hogs. His land is well improved and in 1900 he erected what is considered the finest barn in the township. For a number of years Mr. May has also been agent for the Ohio Farmers' Fertilizer Company.

On November 24, 1887, Mr. May was mar- riedl to Emma J. Snyder, who is a daughter of Dildine Snyder, a sketch of whom will be found in this book. Mr. and Mrs. May have four children, all of whom survive, namely : Ralph E., Walter W., Alva D. and Virgil G.

Mr. May is a Democrat and has always been more or less prominent in party matters in the township, serving as constable for four years, when but 21 years of age. In the fall of 1905 he was elected a justice of the peace, in the administration of the duties of which office he has administered to the entire satis- faction of all concerned. In religious belief Mr. May is a Methodist, belonging to the East Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. May and son Ralph E. are members of the Nebraska Grange at Nebraska.

RANCIS J. PETERS, one of the effi- cient members of the School Board of Madison township, and a well-known agriculturist and breeder of thorough- bred Jersey cattle, resides at St. Paul and owns a fine farm of 135 acres in Madison township. He was born in this township on August 22, 1848. and is a son of William L. and Susanna ( Hoffhines) Peters.

John Peters, the grandfather of Francis J., was one of the very early settlers in Madison township. William L. Peters, the father, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and accompanied his parents in early life to Madison township, where he was reared and

became a very well-known citizen. holding many of the local offices at various times. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Su- sanna Hoffhines, who was born at Ilagers- town, Maryland.

Francis J. Peters was reared in Madison township, attended the schools in his native neighborhood and later engaged in teaching in this township for a number of years. He has always been more or less interested in agri- culture and for a number of years has been breeding fine Jersey cattle.

On September 21, 1876, Mr. Peters was married to Mary J. Cromley, who was born in Madison township, and is a daughter of the late John Cromley and his wife, Rachel C. Teegardin. Mrs. Cromley still survives, a highly esteemed resident of Madison township. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have these children : Ansel V., George T., Lawrence E., Homer F. and Watson E.

Mr. Peters has been a life-long Democrat and has frequently been chosen by his party for important local offices. For a number of years he has been township trustee. for two terms has been township clerk and is serving his first term as a member of the township School Board. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has been prominent in Masonic affairs in his part of the county. being a char- ter member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Canal Winchester, Ohio, and an honorary member of the Chapter at Circleville. On July 3. 1906, he was elected president of the Ashville Banking Company, a new bank organ- ized on that date with a capital of $50.000. Mr. Peters is recognized as one of the town- ship's reliable, substantial citizens.

AMMES R. HOTT, whose family has been identified with the best interests of Scioto township for the past 65 years and who himself is one of the most substantial agriculturists and progressive public men of the county. was born about one mile southeast of his present

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evidence February 2, 1801. He owns a val- cable farm of 194 acres, and not only raises corn, wheat and clover, but cattle, hogy and horses. James R. Ilott is a son of George W. and Matilda ( Robison ) Hott.

George W. Hott was born in Walnut town- -hip. Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1836. With the exception of four years that he lived in I ircleville and two years that he lived in .Ash- ille, he resided in Scioto township all his life. Ile finally died at Ashville in October, 1898. at the age of 63 years. His widow resides at that place, aged 68 years. Besides James R .. there was one other child in the family-Flora C .. who is now the wife of James C. Welch.

George Hott. the paternal grandfather. the was a native of Pennsylvania, removed From that State and first located in Walnut township. Pickaway County. Ohio, but about 1849 settled in Scioto township. The mater- nal grandfather. Isaac Robison, was an Irish farmer who came to Pickaway County when a young man, gave Robtown its name and died there. after a residence of many years. His wife, the maternal grandmother of our sub- ject. died in 1845.

James R. Hott received his education at Robtown in the township schools and when 17 years of age commenced farming and his long. active, practical and useful career as a working member of his home community. With the exception of about six years when he worked at the carpenter's trade. he has been engaged in agricultural labors ever since. Born February 2. 1861. Mr. Hott was married in January, 1889. to Katie B. Rhoads, daughter of George W. and Amelia Rhoads. Two chil- dren were born to this union, namely: Hazel M1 .. and Clarence Turney, both students in the Ashville High School.

Mr. Hott is an active and influential Dem- ocrat, having repeatedly served as a delegate to county conventions. He has served on the Scioto township School Board for the past 12 years. As a citizen or farmer he holds an unas- sailable place in the general esteem of the com- munity and the county, with which his own life and the careers of his ancestors have been so substantially intertwined.

E DWARD C. RECTOR. a representt- tive agriculturist of Pickaway Coun- ty. the owner of a valuable farm of 350 acres, located in one body in Deer Creek and Wayne townships. was born on this farm August 31. 1872. Ile is the only son of George B. and Isabel ( Camp- bell ) Rector.

The Rector family was founded here ly the grandfather. Edward Rector, who was a native of Virginia. The Campbell family is also a very old one in Pickaway County; the maternal grandfather of Edward Rector, Rob- ert Campbell, was born here December 2. 1824. and married Nancy Hanson, who lived on the old Bennett farm in Deer Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled in Wayne township and they reared these children : Barbara, Isa- bel. Robert. Samuel. Nannie. Nellie and Emma. Robert Campbell married ( second) Rebecca S. Westenhaver, of Westfall, and the children of this marriage were: Fannie, Jes- sie. Wilda. Ollie. Frank. Grace and White. Later Mr. Campbell removed to Kinderhook. where he became postmaster and station agent and lived for 10 years, one of the most highly respecte:l citizens of that place. Later he re- tired to the home of his daughter. Mrs. Rector, and still is in the enjoyment of excellent health ..

Mr. Campbell is one of the oldest residents of Pickaway County and has been one of the most useful. For a number of years he served as president of the Pickaway County Agricult- ural Society and has held many of the import- ant township offices. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edward C. Rector has been an agricultur- ist all his life and operates his large farm with very satisfactory results. He is one of Deer Creek township's leading citizens, is president of the Board of Education and a promoter of all the movements which promise to benefit this section-the maintaining of good roads and the introduction of fine breeds of stock as well as the encouraging of educational and re- ligious advancement. He is one of the trus- fees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in his neighborhood.

In 1899 Mr. Rector was married to Eliza-

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ARCHIBALD WHITESEL.

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MRS. OZILLA B. WHITESEL.

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beth Metzger, who is a daughter of Charles Metzger, of Ross County. They have three children, viz. : Dwight, George B. and Gwen- dolen. Mr. Rector is a Knight Templar Ma- son and a member of the Mystic Shrine at Co- lumbus. He belongs also to the Elks.

A RCHIBALD WHITESEL, a promi- nent citizen and representative farmer of Salt Creek township. whose fine farm of 1821/2 acres is situated near Tarlton, was born in this township. February 4, 1836. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth ( Thomas) Whitesel.

Among the old settlers of Salt Creek town- ship. the Whitesel family stands among the foremost. It was established here by the grandfather of our subject. Nicholas Whitesel. who came to Ohio when his son Jacob was 18 years old. The latter spent his long life in Salt Creek township. He was born in Vir- ginia and possessed many of the qualifications for good citizenship which may be noted in natives of the Old Dominion. In early man- hood he was a Whig in his political sentiments but later became identified with the Republi- can party. As a man of reliability and stabil- ity. many of the township offices were open to him, but he accepted only that of trustee and possibly that of school director. He married Elizabeth Thomas, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and they had five children, the three sur- vivors being: Elizabeth, a resident of Tarl- ton: Archibald; and Maria, wife of Israel Dum, of Fulton. Kentucky. Jacob Whitesel (lied in 1871. He was a trustee and class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Archibald Whitesel grew to manhood on the home farm in Salt Creek township and has never separated himself from an agricultural life. He obtained his education in the schools of his native township and the Circleville Union School. and practically applied his knowledge by teaching for four terms in both Pickaway and Fairfield counties. He is one of the best-informed men in his locality as well as one of the most successful farmers.

Mr. Whitesel was married (first). in Oc- tober, 1868, to Margaret Robinson, who was a native of Ross County, Ohio. On May 24. 1893. Mr. Whitesel was married ( second) to Ozilla E. Bussert. who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob 11. and Mary ( Armstrong ) Bussert. Her mother was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and the father in Salt Creek township. Pickaway Coun- ty, a son of William Bussert, one of the early settlers of the township. When Mrs. White- sel was nine years old, her parents moved to Livingston County, Illinois, where she was reared and educated. In 1893 she returned to Ohio, where she was soon married to Mr. Whitesel.

Both Mr. Whitesel and wife are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Whitesel is president of the board of trus- tees and a very dependable factor in both its material and benevolent activities. Mrs. White- sel owns a fine farm of 135 acres in Livingston County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Whitesel are well known through their section of the county as hospitable entertainers and they have many pleasant social ties at Tarlton. Their por- traits accompany this sketch.

m ILTON WESLEY PECK. proprie- tor of a fine farm of 114 acres in Wayne township. and closely iden- tified with its public administra- tion, was born December 6. 1851. in Deer Creek township. Pickaway County. Ohio, within six miles of where he now lives. He is a son of John J. and Matilda ( Hurst ) Peck. both natives of Pickaway County. His grandfather, Henry Peck. who was a Vir- ginian, came hither from his native State. be- coming a resident of Pickaway County in 181 1 after his marriage. He was accompanied by his father. George. Peck, the great-grandfather of our subject. Henry Peck purchased a tract of land in Deer Creek township and in Ross County, Ohio. He and his wife had a family of nine children, of whom John J., the father of our subject. was the youngest. In time the

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latter bought all the land owned by his father in Pickaway and Ross counties. John J. Peck died in Ross County in 1904, and was buried in Deerfield township cemetery; his wife, the mother of Milton W., had passed away in Pickaway County, as early as 1855.

On the 21st of October, 1875, Milton W. l'eck was married to Mary Albright, daughter of Francis and Frances Albright, and 12 chil- dren were born to them; of these five are dead and the following alive: J. Francis, who mar- ried Osa Warner and is the father of a daugh- ter-Marjorie; Ward H., Blanche P., Ferne, Audre, Garnett and Milton Carr, all living at home.

Mr. Peck is practically identified with the township government, having served as trus- tee and being at present a member of the Board of Education. As to the fraternities, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. Both he and his wife are active and stanch adherents of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EVIN CORKWELL, whose 240 acres of fine farming land are situated in Monroe township, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the State, which was established when all Cen- tral and Northern Ohio was yet a wilderness and wild animals and Indians were plentiful. Mr. Corkwell was born on the last day of May. 1836, in a rough log cabin, which was the family home at that time, situated in a little clearing in Ross County, Ohio, his par- ents being Benjamin and Charlotte (Evans) Corkwell.

The parents of our subject were among the first white children born in Ross County and the father had also the distinction of being, be- fore his death, the oldest continuous resident of the county.

As nearly as can be traced, the Corkwell family belonged originally to England and it is supposed that the great-grandfather emi- grated thence to Maryland. most probably in boyhood. He met his death by drowning. His son Henry, our subject's grandfather, was

born in Maryland and married there and he and his young wife started to keep house on I a pioneer farm in Ross County, Ohio, when all this section of the State was still full of the tragedy of Indian warfare. The father of our subject frequently recalled his anxious boyhood when every unwonted sound aroused fears of an Indian outbreak. His early recol- lections of Chillicothe were of a village about the present size of Five Points. Henry Cork- well appears to have been a man of industry and business capacity for he acquired much land and left an impress upon the community. His children inherited some 300 acres in Ross County. Among them were Amelia, William, Henry, Levin and Benjamin.

Benjamin Corkwell was born in 1806, in Ross County, Ohio, and died in Monroe town- ship, Pickaway County, in 1876. He was twice married. His first wife, Charlotte Evans, who was born in Ross County. Ohio, left him eight children, viz .: Nancy, Henry, Amelia, Sampson, Benjamin. James, Mary and Levin. She was married when 16 years of age and died at the age of 32. Later, Benjamin Cork- well married Mary Noble and they had seven children, namely : Charity, George, Elizabeth, Elijah, Thomas, William and Winfield. Of this second family, all survive except William, who died young. Of the first family, Nancy, Henry, Amelia and Benjamin are deceased. Benjamin Corkwell purchased land on Deer Creek, partly cleared, for which he paid $16 per acre. At the time of his death he had a farm of 550 acres in Pickaway County.

Levin Corkwell went to school in an old log house near his father's farm in Ross County, and accompanied his father, when 13 years old. to Pickaway County. He assisted . until his marriage and subsequently, in clearing and cul- tivating the 160-acre farm which his father had bought along Deer Creek. After his mar- riage he and his wife started housekeeping in a rough, log cabin which stood on the farm when his father bought it. but later purchased the present farm of our subject, the first pur- chase being one of 130 acres and the second one of II0 acres. Here Mr. Corkwell has lived ever since, has developed a fine property, has reared an honorable family and has as-

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sisted in establishing the good roads and build- ing the fine schoolhouses for which Monroe township is noted throughout Pickaway Coun- ty. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and belongs to the organization known as the Monroe Township Protective Association.

On October 4. 1860. Mr. Corkwell was married to Margaret Elizabeth Hennis, who was born March 1. 1844. in Ross County, Ohio, and has resided in Monroe township since she was six years old. Her parents, Wil- liam and Mary Jane (Noble) Hennis, were natives of Ross County. Her paternal grand- father, John Hennis, came with his wife Mar- garet from Maryland and settled at an early day in Ross County. Her maternal grandpar- ents, Caleb and Elizabeth ( Miller) Noble. were also early settlers in Ross County. Mrs. Corkwell had one brother, William, who mar- ried Flora Almon. He served two years in the Civil War and survived its dangers but died shortly afterward. The father of Mrs. Corkwell died when she was a babe of 16 months. Her mother married again, becom- ing the wife of Martin Bowman, and they had a family of eight children, those who survived infancy being: Mary ( Reichelderfer ) : Saralı ( Baker ) : Christina ( McCafferty) : Martin. who married Louise Hosler; and- Ida ( Pru- (lent). Mrs. Corkwell was reared on an ad- jacent farm to the one on which Mr. Corkwell grew up.

Mr. and Mrs. Corkwell have had seven children, as follows : Charlotte. deceased. who : was the wife of Dr. William Dick, a physician at Columbus; Abner Ross and Charles Wil- liam (twins). who died aged nine months; George, who married Ella Pherson and at his death left his widow and one daughter. Lilie. who resides at Pherson: Josie, who married Stanton Adkins and has a pleasant home near Five Points; Artimethy, who died in infancy : Minnie. deceased, who was the wife of Wil- liam Crabbel and the mother of two children -Howard and Goldie.

CHARLES EVERETT DICK. our subject's grandson, has been a resident of Pickaway County for 14 years. His mother. Mrs. Char- lotte (Corkwell ) Dick, died at Columbus when

he was nine years old. His father, Dr. Wil- liam Dick, was born in. Darby township, Pick- away County, Ohio, studied medicine at Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, where he was graduated in the class of 1888. Dr. Dick is a well-known practitioner at Columbus. In 1895 he took a special course at New York and has an established reputation in his profes- sion. To his marriage with Charlotte Cork- well were born two children-Charles Everett and Glennie Florence. The latter was born in 1884. at Mount Sterling and died February 12. 1902, her death following closely that of her mother, which occurred at Columbus, De- cember 7. 1901.

Charles Everett Dick was born on his grandfather's farm in Monroe township, later accompanied his parents to Mount Sterling and still later to Columbus, where he enjoyed the advantages offered by the city public schools. The death of his mother, however. caused his return to his grandfather and he completed his education in the graded schools at Five Points. Since his marriage. Mr. Dick has resided on his grandfather's farm of 1IO acres, managing both this and his grand- father's home farm.

On October 9, 1902, Mr. Dick was married to Jermie Alice Miller, who was born in 1884 in Darbyville, and is a daughter of Dr. J. A. and Theresa ( Miller) Miller. Dr. Miller's children were: William A., who died in 1904; Jennie ( Mrs. Dick ) ; Edna Pauline: and Ma- rianna Laura. Mrs. Dick graduated at the Darbyville High School in the class of 1001 and is a lady of education and social acquire- ments. Mr. Dick has always been active in the Republican party and in 1904 he was ' electe:l clerk of Monroe township. his popu- larity being shown by his nomination to office before he had attained his majority.

ILLIAM MADISON HOOVER. who has resided on his present homestead in Harrison township. for more than 40 years. is the owner of a farm of 1211 ; acres about two and one-half miles northeast of Ash- ville. on Walnut Creek. Until 1903 he was

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actively engaged in farming. and was one of the leading hog-growers of Pickaway County. but is now chiefly engaged in the sale of fer- tilizers and wire fencing. The homestead. which was originally settled by a Mr. Cum- mings, was purchased by our subject's father in the last year of the Civil War: but all except 20 acres of the Walnut Creek farm was pur- chased from the proceeds of our subject's hog- raising business.

William M. Hoover was born in Harrison township. Pickaway County, Ohio, on a farm near his present homestead. August 10. 1854. being a son of Jacob and Ivy ( Kyles) Hoover. The father was a native of Walnut township. this county, born December 20. 1824. and spent an unobtrusive, honest life in farming : he is deceased. as well as the mother, who was born September 20. 1828. and died April 13. 1864. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hoover were born 10 children, namely : Sam- vel H .. Sarah .A., Hannah J., William Madi- son. James H. Phoebe Elizabeth. Harriet. Su- sannah Emma. George B. and a child that died in infancy. George Hoover. the grandfather of our subject. took up land in Walnut town- ship at a very early day. when the county was covered with wide-extendling and mighty for- ests.

William M. Hoover attended the common schools of his native county. was trained in the common-sense methods of the practical farmer. and has profited by both his education and his early training. He acquired property and an honorable standing as a citizen, and on December 9. 1875. was united in marriage with Margaret Arbaugh. daughter of John and Nancy Arbaugh. residents of Harrison township. The parents of Mrs. Hoover were natives of Vinton County. this State, and in 1858. when she was two years of age, migrated to Pickaway County.

To Mr. and Mrs. William M. Hoover have been born 10 children. viz. : Ollie E .. 'born October 13. 1876: Herbert. born Janu- ary 29. 1879. who died June 29, 1885 : Walter J .. born July 2. 1881. engaged in farming north of Ashville, who married Edith J. Berry. of Harrison township: John Herschel. born July 24. 1883. who married Jessie Hickman,

of Columbus, and resides in Ashville : Claude and Maude ( twins). born September 27. 1887 ; Herman and Thurman (twins), born March 29. 1800, the former of whom died July 4, 1890. and the latter, July 7. 1800: Lulu N., born November 12, 1891 : and James Robert. born January 13. 1894.

Since his marriage. Mr. Hoover has re- sided on the homestead which he now occupies. As a stanch Democrat he has been active in the politics of the county, and has served for 12 years as trustee of Harrison township. As to his fraternal relations, he is a member of the Knights of Honor. Mrs. Hoover is a member of the United Brethren Church, at Ashville.

A LLEN DRUM, a progressive. repre- sentative farmer of Salt Creek town- ship. and a member of the township School Board, resides on his finely- cultivated farm of 130 acres. Mr. Drum was born in this township. . ovember 12. 1842. and is a son of William and Sarah ( Bowman ) Drum.

The family. of which our subject is a mem- ber. came to Ohio from the rich agricultural section of Pennsylvania, known as Be ks Coun- ty. Henry Drum. the paternal gr: 'father. who was a soldier in the War of 1812. came at an early day to Pickaway County and set- tled in Salt Creek township with his wife and two daughters. His land, situated i ction 5. he improved into an excellent farmn.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 59

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