USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 62
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
On July 12, 1904, our subject was united in marriage with Mary Gibson, daughter of James and Hester Gibson. One son has been born to them-Henry G. Mr. Kaiser's sister, who accompanied him to America, is also a member of the household. Of his other sisters and brothers, John and Lewis are dead; George lives in Germany; and Anna Elizabeth also re- sicles in the old country. The father died in Germany, when Henry was five years of age, being then 50 years old; his widow survived him until April 13, 1902, when her death took place. being nearly 80 years of age.
Although Mr. Kaiser has had too much on his hands and mind since coming to America to interest himself much in politics, all his sympathies are with the Democracy. He votes the ticket and does what he can to contribute to the success of the party.
ELSON HITLER, a leading citizen and prominent agriculturist of Pick- away County, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, owns 740 acres of very valuable land in Pickaway township, located near and just south of Circle- ville. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 24, 1833, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Gougar) Hitler.
The Hitler family came to Ohio from Penn- sylvania, George Hitler the grandfather of Nelson Hitler, being the pioneer in Pickaway County of this sturdy old family of German ancestry. He located here in the spring of 1799, settling in Pickaway township on the farm that is now the property of James Fry- back. Later, George Hitler removed to Wash- ington township and settled on the eastern side of the famous body of land known as the Pick- away Plains.
Jacob Hitler, father of Nelson, was three years old when his father brought the family to Ohio. His whole life was spent in Picka- way County, which he subsequently served as commissioner. In many ways he was a self- made man, as there were few educational or social advantages to be secured in his youth. At the time of his death, in 1879, he was held in the greatest respect by his fellow citizens. He married Sarah Gougar, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and they had seven children, the two survivors being : Nelson, of this sketch. and Ellen, who is the wife of Evan Phillips, of Pickaway township. The members of the fam- ily who have passed away were: George, Dan- iel, Susan, Evaline and Jacob, a number of them occupying prominent places in their life- time. .
Nelson Hitler was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the schools of his district. His life has been entirely an agri- cultural one and he is widely known as a very successful farmer and stock-raiser. His large body of land is well managed. He has set aside a portion of it as a deer park, and at the present writing has. 10 head of dleer. These beautiful creatures excite much admiration from the many visitors who are frequently hos- pitably entertained at Mr. Hitler's home.
S AMUEL GOODMAN. one of Pick- away County's substantial and prom- inent citizens and successful agricul- turists, resides on the Goodman farm, in section 16, Madison township, which is recognized as the best cultivated prop- erty in the northeastern section of the county.
Digitized by Google
484
HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
:
Mr. Goodman was born in Green township, Ross County, Ohio, February 11, 1851, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Charles) Goodman.
Daniel Goodman was born in Pennsylvania, and died when his son Samuel was 16 years of age, his wife having died in the previous year, when Samuel was just 15 years old. Of their children, these survive: Josiah, living in Mis- souri; Charles, of Ross County, Ohio; and Elizabeth, Alfred, Nancy E., Samuel and Sarah, all of Madison township, Pickaway County.
Samuel Goodman grew up in Green town- ship and was educated in the schools of Ross County, completing his training in the High School at Kingston, Ohio. His business in life has been agriculture and this he has followed with great success, carrying on general farm- ing and also breeding Shorthorn cattle. As mentioned above, the Goodman farm is noted for its high state of cultivation and for the excellent system of management which Mr. Goodman employs. All his mature life Mr. Goodman has been interested in public matters pertaining to township and county and on many occasions he has been selected by the Demo- cratic party for offices of trust and responsibil- ity. The confidence he enjoys from his fellow- citizens can be shown by the fact that he was twice elected county commissioner, an im- portant office only entrusted to men of sub- stance and the highest integrity. For 14 con- secutive years he has served as treasurer of Madison township, and on many occasions he has represented his party at important con- ventions. He has been a resident of Madison township since 1883. Mr. Goodman has never married.
AMES SHANER, who has been identi- fied with the farming interests of Pickaway township for many years, has operated the large estate of 337 acres known as the Daniel Ludwig farm since 1887. He was born August 2, 1837, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and
is a son of Pearsol and Sarah (Bowern) Shaner.
:
The Shaner family is of German extrac- tion and one which for generations has been of importance in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Early in the '50's the parents of Mr. Shaner came to Ohio and settled in Scioto County, re- moving to Pickaway County some years later. After a few more years they took up their residence in the State of Kentucky, where the father died.
James Shaner accompanied his parents to Scioto County, Ohio, where he completed the education he had commenced in his native county. He remained a resident of Scioto County until about the close of the Civil War, when he came to Pickaway County. He has since resided in Circleville and Pickaway townships. For 14 years he farmed the George W. Gregg estate of 555 acres in Pickaway township, and has been established on the farm he now operates for the past 19 years, com- ing here in 1887. This well-cultivated and in every way desirable farm is situated on the Chillicothe and Columbus turnpike, some five miles south of Circleville. Mr. Shaner carries on extensive farming and stock-raising oper- ations and is known in agricultural circles all . over the county. He has served as trustee of Pickaway township for several years, and has also been a member of the Board of Educa- tion. He is a thoroughly up-to-date farmer as well as a public-spirited, well-informed citizen. He has had charge of three large estates in this county, the first one being the old James Emmet farm of 712 acres, upon which he lived several years.
On September 18, 1859, Mr. Shaner was married to Susan Deemer, who was born April 21, 1839, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Bunzo) Deemer, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Shaner was 18 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Scioto County. Mr. and Mrs. Shaner have had eight children, the five sur- vivors being: Jacob P., of Lancaster, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of George Conley, of Cleve- land, Ohio; Leroy T., of Pickaway township; Florence, wife of John Gehres, living near
Digitized by Google
485
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Portsmouth, Ohio; and James L., of Pickaway township. Mr. Shaner has been a lifelong Democrat.
J OASH CROMLEY, deceased, late of Walnut township, was born on the farm now occupied by his widow, on the 17th of April, 1830. He was a son of Jonas and Permeley (Hoff- hines) Cromley, and was reared and educated in the township named. In his early days Mr. Cromley was quite a traveler, and somewhat adventurous, one of his occupations being the driving of cattle over the Alleghanies, on foot and on horseback. Later he learned the ma- son's trade, which he followed industriously and profitably.
Joash Cromley was married in 1859 to Amanda Ashbrook, daughter of Absalom and Phebe (Dunnick) Ashbrook, and they were the parents of two children: Charles, born January 14, 1862, and deceased in December, 1900, who married Nancy Hoover and was the father of Mary Alice and Paul Joash; and Joash Brook, born December 14, 1873, who married Delphine Trout and is the father of one son-Martin William.
Mr. Cromley passed away June 15, 1898. His widow lives in the handsome residence in Walnut township that he erected. She also enjoys the comforts of a good homestead of 160 acres, left by her husband. Mrs. Cromley is a sister of George W. Ashbrook, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Her family is one of the oldest and best known in Walnut township.
ILLIAM A. BAZORE, proprietor of one of the best equipped mills in Deer Creek township, a practical miller and a highly regarded citi- zen, was born in Perry County. Ohio, October 12. 1849, and is a son of David and Catherine ( Bakley) Bazore.
David Bazore. father of our subject, was born in Perry County, Ohio, where his life Was passed as a farmer and stockman. He carried Catherine Bakley, who was born at
Basel, Switzerland, and was 18 months old when her parents came to America and lo- cated in Perry County, Ohio. Of the parental family of five sons and three daughters, Will- iam A. is the only one residing in Pickaway County.
William A. Bazore remained in his native county until he was 14 years old and attended the local schools. Then he went to Zanes- ville and during the succeeding five years learned thoroughly the milling business. In 1869 he removed to Mount Sterling and there followed his trade three years, next spent a year at Harrisburg and then four more at Mount Sterling, one year at Mount Vernon and then five more years at Mount Sterling. After coming to Pickaway County, he engaged in a mill business for one year on a property above Circleville and was engaged for one year in Circleville. In 1885 he located on his present property in Deer Creek township. He began working in the old Haines mill and bought it six months later. Since then he has completely remodeled it, installed modern mill machinery and has doubled its capacity. He now has a 50-barrel mill and produces flour of the best grade, which has a large sale all over the county, being handled by all of the leading grocers. His brands are all favor- ites, the leading one being "Stella's Pride."
The site of Mr. Bazore's mill was looked upon as a desirable one from the time of set- tlement here, an old mill having been built here as early as 1813, since which time wheels have turned almost continuously. The frame of the present mill was built in 1849. Formerly there was an old distillery on this land but it was not so old as is the residence, which still does duty as a comfortable home. Houses in these days are not built like this one. with corner posts 14 inches square. Although un- doubtedly very old, perhaps built 100 years ago. it has the appearance of being stanch for as many years more. It is one of the county's historic spots.
On January 24. 1885, Mr. Bazore was married to Mai Alkire. who was born in Dee; Creek township, and is a daughter of Ben- jamin Franklin and Mary (Darr) Alkire. The early Alkire history will be found in the sketcl:
Digitized by Google
486
HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
of Harry Fremont Alkire, in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Bazore have one daughter, Stella, who was born February 16, 1890. Mrs. Bazore and daughter are members of the Christian Church, to which Mr. Bazore gives liberal support.
In political sentiment Mr. Bazore is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Heber Lodge, No. 501, at Williamsport.
ECUMSEH C. MILLAR, one of the prominent citizens of Circleville, has been a leading agriculturist and stock- raiser of Pickaway County during almost all his life. He was born in Harrison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 23, 1851, and is a son of . Adam and Nancy R. ( Howell) Millar.
The Millar family, as shown in another part of this volume, had much to do with the early settlement of Pickaway County. William Millar, grandfather of Tecumseh C. Millar, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio in 1799, settling near the junction of the Scioto River and Walnut Creek. There he secured 700 acres of land, which remained in the pos- session of the family until recently. It passed from fatherto son, each generation adding to its value by improvements. This land lies partly in Harrison and partly in Walnut townships. William Millar and wife were the second fam- ily to settle in Harrison township and he built the first brick house in all the surrounding country. Here William Millar died in 1863 at the age of 86 years, his wife having pre- ceded him in 1860.
Adam Millar, son of the settler and father of Tecumseh C. Millar, was born in Harrison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 15, 1815. His education was only that which could be secured in the primitive schools of that partially settled section, and until his mar- riage he continued to assist his father in de- veloping the home farm. After this event, he succeeded to the ownership of a portion of the family estate and on this he continued to live,
extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising, for many years. He made a specialty of breeding fine horses and had much to do with the improvement of the stock in his part of the county. At the age of 76 years he passed away, leaving behind the record of a long. useful, fruitful life.
Adam Millar married Nancy R. Howell, who was a daughter of Elisha and Louisa llowell. Having been a soldier in the War of 1812. Elisha Howell was granted land in Ohio, of which he took possession in 1820. settling first in Walnut township, Pickaway County, and then removing to Scioto township, where he bought 120 acres of timber land and de- veloped a farm on which he resided for many years. He was a native of Delaware. The children of Adam Millar and wife were: Will- iam. Mary and George (twins), Michael, Taylor. Tecumseh C., Adam, Fillmore, Lu- cinda and Hattie.
Tecumseh C. Millar remained on the home farm until his marriage. He was liberally edu- cated, attending school at South Bloomfield and Lebanon, Ohio. For a number of years he remained on the farm and, like his father, carried on large operations in farming and also continued to breed first-class horses. One of these, "Brownie Wilton," had a record of 2 :10, and brought a great price when Mr. Mil- lar finally sold it. It was taken to Vienna, Austria.
In 1874 Mr. Millar married Jennie Wie- gand, who died in August, 1876. On February 5, 1879, he was married (second) to Lucy M. Staige, daughter of Samuel Staige : they have one daughter-Hattie.V. Adam T., a promis- ing yousg man. our subject's only son, died in 1901, when almost 21 years old. Since 1898 the family have resided at Circleville. Mr. Millar is a Knight Templar Mason.
m RS. RACHEL C. CROMLEY, a lady loved and venerated throughout Madison township, where she was born on March 25, 1834, is a daughter of John and Mary B. (Logan) Teegardin.
Digitized by Google
487
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The father of Mrs. Cromley was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of George Tee- gardin, one of the early settlers of Madison township. John Teegardin was familiarly known as Captain Teegardin, on account of his military rank in the State militia. Alrs. Cromley was a little maid of four years when her mother, who was a native of Virginia. died, and the father's death followed when she was seven years old, leaving two daughters and one son. They were reared by an'uncle, Aaron Teegardin, in Madison township, from whose home Rachel C. Teegardin was married on February 20, 1850, to John Cromley.
The late John Cromley was one of the most highly respected men of Madison township. In his death, which occurred March 19. 1905. the township lost a man of sterling worth, one who was honorable and upright in life. who was a kind husband and father and a faithful friend and neighbor. He was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio. May 26, 1828. and was a son of Stephen Cromley, whose father, Paul Cromley, had been one of the earliest settlers in Walnut township. John Crpmley was a successful agriculturist and was one of the township's representative. re- liable men, serving as a justice of the peace and as township clerk, for many years.
-.
Mr. and Mrs. Cromley had four children, viz. : Mary J., wife of F. J. Peters, of Madison township: Rosaltha A., wife of Charles E. Morris, of Columbus; Lucy A., widow of the late George l'. Alspaugh, of Madison town- ship. and George E., of Athens County. Ohio. The late John Cromiley was a worthy member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church. In politics he was a Democrat. In early life he served as a captain in the State militia, and he was always a public-spirited, energetic citizen ..
Mrs. Cromley resides on her homestead farm of 80 acres, in Madison township. sur- rounded by every comfort and cared for by loving children and visited by attentive friends. She is known for her many virtues. For many years she has been a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and has erer been a valued helper in its missionary work.
J ONATHAN PONTIUS, one of the trustees and prominent citizens of Wayne township, resides on a well- cultivated and finely improved farm which lies along the canal road through the township. Mr. Pontius was born January 14, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Frederick) Pontius.
The Pontius family is a numerous and prominent one in Pickaway County. Samuel Pontius, father of Jonathan, was born in Penn- sylvania and married Susan Frederick after he had settled in Ross County, Ohio. He was a farmer all his life.
Jonathan Pontius was reared a farmer and was educated in the district schools of Colrain township, Ross County, Ohio. In addition to cultivating the valuable farm in Wayne township on which he resides, he is also in business outside of agriculture, being a dealer in coal, wheat and corn.
Mr. Pontius married Malinda Routt, who is a daughter of James Routt. of Harrison township, Ross County, Ohio. Four daughters were born to this marriage, the survivors be- ing: Flora, who married Nelson Purdum; Olive, who married Mack Dowden ; and Giert- rude, who lives at home. The eldest daugh- ter, Cora, died aged 30 years.
For many years Mr. Pontius has been a leader in the township's political affairs and at present is serving as one of the board of trustees. He is a man who is very highly re- garded in his community and possesses many sterling qualities. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.
JACKSON STEIN, a representative citizen and well-to-do farmer of Mad- ison township. residing on an ex- cellent farm of 65 acres, was born at Circleville. Ohio, October 30. 1851. He is a son of David and Mary Ann ( Billig) Stein.
The parents of Mr. Stein were natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1850 and settled in Circleville township, on land which had been entered from the government by his
Digitized by Google
488
HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
father, John Stein. David Stein died in 1888.
Jackson Stein grew up on his father's farm in Circleville township and attended the public schools through his boyhood. He has given his whole attention to agricultural pur- suits and long has been considered one of the township's first-class farmers and successful stock-raisers. In addition to the farm on which he lives, Mr. Stein, with his wife, owns a sec- ond farm, of 90 acres, both properties being well improved and very valuable.
On March 11, 1886, Mr. Stein was married to Mary A. Hall, who is a daughter of Peter Hall, of Madison township, the Halls being an old and substantial family of this section.
Not having children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Stein have opened their hearts and their home to four orphan children, whom they have given homes. Two of these children, Harley Woodruff and Bertha Burkham, upon arriv- ing at mature years, were united in marriage; and they have one child-William. The other two children, Charles Grover Stotler and May Elizabeth Stein, continue to be members of the Stein family circle.
Mr. Stein is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, ever ready to do his full duty in the interests of his community. He was for five years a school director of District No. 6. He is a member and one of the trustees of Trinity Lutheran Church at Marcy, Ohio.
ATHAN' PERRILL VAUSE, a well- known citizen and general farmer of Scioto township, residing on a fine farmi of 150 acres, located just off the highway known as the Commercial Point and Harrisburg turnpike, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, being a son of John D. and Mary Elizabeth ( Perrill) Vause.
Thomas Vause, his grandfather, was born in Hampshire County. Virginia, and removed from the vicinity of Moorefield at a very early day to Clark County, Ohio. He saw service in a light horse company in the War of 1812. Through his care and excellent methods he increased his holdings and became a man of
substance as well as of importance, owning at his death some 600 acres of land in Franklin and Pickaway counties. In 1823 he settled in Franklin County and erected a fine home near Lockbourne, where he resided until his death, in 1852, at the age of 66 years. In 1817 he married Elizabeth Decker, who died the same year as he, aged 60 years. They had seven children, as follows: John D., our sub- ject's father; Rachel, who married William Thornton Decker; William, who married Mary Stimmel; Luke D .; James Innskeep, of Har- rison township, whose biography is given on another page of this book; Thomas B., who married Missouri Moore; and Hannah Decker, who was killed by an accident.
John D. Vause was born near Springfield, Ohio, on Buck Creek, March 10, 1818, and was reared a farmer. The last 36 years of his life were spent on a farm of 260 acres in Har- rison township which he purchased in 1862. His death occurred February 16, 1898. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Perrill, was born Janu- ary 1, 1822, and died January 20, 1901. Her parents, Nathan and Christina (Stump) Per- rill, both Virginians by birth, settled in Madi- son township, Pickaway County, at an early clay. Five children were born to Nathan Per- rill and his wife, namely: Augustus L., who married Mary Seymour, both now deceased- he was a very prominent business man, serving as slieriff of Pickaway County and also in both branches of the Legislature; Zebulon H., who married Rebecca Bywaters; Catherine, who married John Moore; Mary Elizabeth, the mother of our subject; and Frances, who mar- ried Adam Dyer. Mr. and Mrs. Vause reared eight children, namely : Christina E., who mar- ried Thomas J. Rathmell; Rachel C., who married Seymour R. Vanmeter; Mary P., who lives, on the old home place in Harrison town- ship; Nathan Perrill; J. Baldwin, at home; Thomas W., who died in 1879: Frances P., who married Dr. H. C. Blake, of Lockbourne; and Anna L., who resides at home with Mary P. and J. Baldwin.
Nathan P. Vause was educated in the dis- trict schools and assisted on the home farm until his marriage, when he settled on his
Digitized by Google
-
489
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
present farm, a valuable property, formerly owned by Godfrey Kegg, but now owned by Mr. Vause and wife. Here he carries on gen- eral farming and the family occupy a comfort- able, roomy residence, beautifully shaded by sugar maples, which house was built before the farm came into their possession.
On November 22, 1893, Mr. Vause was married to Susan B. Northrop, a daughter of Edward B. and Rhoda (Loomis) Northrop, who had three children-Edward L., Freder- ick B. and Susan B. Edward L. married Min- nie Mansur, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Frederick B. married Fannie L. Chaney, a daughter of Dr. Hugh Chaney, formerly a member of the Ohio Legislature. The father of Mrs. Vause was the oldest son of Judge Benjamin North- rop, of Cleveland, Ohio. He died at the hos- pital at Annapolis, Maryland, three months after enlisting for service in the Civil War.
J ACOB M. HENSEL, a representative agriculturist and stock-raiser of Mad- ison township, who resides on a well- cultivated farm of 215 acres, was born on this farm, in August, 1854, and is a son of George and Salome ( Billings) Hensel.
The parents of our subject were born in Germany and after emigrating to America set- tled first in Fairfield County, Ohio, but later remove.l to Pickaway County, locating on the farm which the son now owns and occupies. On this farm George Hensel died in 1882. He was identified with the Democratic party and was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. In his family and in his relations with his neighbors and fellow-citizens he was a man who commanded respect. Of his children, these survive: Elizabeth E., widow of E. Moore, residing in Miami County, Kansas: Catherine L., living in Madison township; Louisa, wife of George Harts, living in Miami County, Kansas: Amelia, who is the wife of John Ditt- man, of Fairfield County, Ohio; Josephine, who lives in Madison township; and Jacob M., of this sketch.
Jacob M. Hensel was educated in the dis- trict schools and was reared on the home farm. He was only six years old when his mother died and has always regretted the loss of her tender care. Being the youngest of the family, he never left the home roof-tree. He was his father's right-hand helper and gave him filial care when the ailments of age enfeebled hin1. He carries on large farming operations and raises much excellent stock.
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.