History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 64

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

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S OLOMON C. ALLISON, one of the leading business men of Ashville, a dealer in vehicles and harness, and the special representative of the Post Buggy Company, was born near Har- rison Mills, Scioto County, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Caroline (Norris) Allison.

Benjamin Allison came of Scotch-Irish an- cestry and was reared in the vicinity of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania. When about 21 years of age, he came to Ohio and settled in Scioto County, where he became a landed proprietor and established a comfortable home on which his widow still resides. She was born in Car- roll County, Ohio, but moved to Jackson County in girlhood, and was there married to Benjamin Allison, who died in 1891, aged 65 years. Their surviving children are : Solomon C., of Ashville; Erasmus, Charles and Will- iam, all engaged in farming in Scioto County; and Lucy, who remains at home with her mother.

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Solomon C. Allison was reared in his na- tive place and was mainly educated in what was called the White Gravel School, which he left when 17 years of age. In the following year he came to Pickaway County and entered the employ of Henry Noecker, of St. Paul, for some time, and then became a farmer for Henry P. Folsom, and while on Mr. Folsom's farm in Harrison township he was appointed township trustee to fill a vacancy. He was yet a young man but he fulfilled the duties of the office so thoroughly that he was elected trustee at the expiration of the term. In the fall of 1904, Mr. Allison embarked in his present business at Ashville, which he has carried on very successfully, having a wide acquaintance with his fellow-citizens all through his sec- tion. For 20 years he has been connected with the interests of the northern part of Pickaway County, and his business methods have com- mended him to the respectful consideration of all those who have had dealings with him.

Mr. Allison has a pleasant home at Ash- ville, having married a daughter of George and Christina Bowers, of St. Paul. They have three daughters, viz. : Ethel Marie, Elva Pearl and Lena.

Mr. Allison is an active member of the Democratic party and wields considerable in- fluence in both township and county. He is a member of Palmetto Lodge, Knights of Pyth- ias, of Ashville.

A NDREW PARKER JAMES, a suc- cessful farmer of a fine 100-acre tract in Scioto township, has been a citizen of Pickaway County for 18 years and a resident of his present homestead for a period of about three years. He was born in Pike County, Ohio, on New Year's Day, 1850, and is a son of John and Cynthia James. His father was also a native of that county, where he was born April 3. 1812, spent his life as an honest, hard-working farmer and died in 1874. Ilis wife, the mother of our subject. was born January 11. 1813. in Ross County, Ohio, near Chillicothe, and resides

with him, at the venerable age of 93 years.

Andrew P. James attended the schools of Pike County, and after he reached manhood followed the occupation of farming until his removal to a place near Circleville, where he resided for about seven years. He has been a resident of Scioto township for nine years past, and is known as a substantial general farmer and a raiser of such live stock as cattle and hogs.

In 1879 Mr. James was united in marriage to Maggie Butcher. daughter of Adam Butcher, and of the three children born to this union one child, Pearle is living. She is a graduate of the Circleville High School, class of 1900, and taught four years in Jackson township and two years at the Grove school, Scioto township. At present she is at home with her parents. Perley Floyd died aged three years and three months and Cynthia died on the day of her birth.

Our subject comes of a large family, who were generous, in the contribution of both service and life, to the Union cause in the dark days of the Civil War. Four of the brothers entered the service from Ohio and two of them died while in the performance of their duty. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John James, as follows : Cath- erine and Minerva, both deceased, who were the wives of William Kirkpatrick and Henry S. Butcher, respectively; Harriet, who married McKendrey Gordon and resides in Pike Coun- ty; Cynthia Letitia (Mrs. Henry Rader). of Muhlenberg township; Maria R., the wife of Joseph Thompson, residing in Pike County; Peter, who enlisted in the 33rd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., was a prisoner at both Libby Prison and Andersonville, served throughout the war and died afterward; William K .. a member of the same regiment. who died in the service at Stevenson, Alabama : John Wes- ley, who joined the 26th Regiment. Ohio Vol. Inf .. and died in the service: Houston, a law- yer at Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma, who raised a company of the 176th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf .. and was its captain at the front; Thomas Jefferson, who marrie:l and is now de- ceased; and Andrew P., of this sketch.

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5 ENRY C. RENICK. one of the sub- stantial citizens and fine farmers of Pickaway County, who owns one of the best farms in Jackson township, was born in this township in 1862, and is a son of John Renick, of one of the oldest families of the county, extended men- tion of which will be found in this work.

Henry C. Renick was reared to the age of 14 years on his native place, but the death of his father at this time caused the removal of the family to Circleville. Here he attended school until failing health prevented close ap- plication. in 1885 removing to the farm in Jackson township. In 1895 he returned to Circleville, but in 1900 he settled on his pres- ent farm in Jackson township.

In 1886 Mr. Renick was married to Emma M. Rice, who died in 1895. She was a daugh- ter of A. C. Rice and belonged to one of the old pioneer families of this section. Three children survived, namely : Ruth M., who grad- uated at the Circleville High School in 1905 and subsequently also took a post-graduate course : J. Fred, a student in the Circleville High School; and Donald Van Meter, at home.

In 1898 Mr. Renick was married (second) to Catherine A. Adkins, who is a daughter of Hon. Barzillai Adkins, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Pickaway County. The two children of this union are : Louise A. and Thomas Adkins.

Politically Mr. Renick is a Republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He bings to the Presbyterian Church.

LBERT LINLEY SHOCKLY, own- er of an attractive and valuable farm- ing estate of 506 acres in Darby town- ship. is a son of Woodson J. and Mar- tha (Smith) Shockly. Of the other members of the parental family. a sister, Mary E .. who is now deceased. married James Bal- lah: the elder brother, George A., married Mary J. Rector, who is deceased; while Nel- son. the younger brother, died at the age of 18 years.

Our subject was born in the township of his residence on the Ist of April, 1846. As he has developed physically, mentally and in ma- terial things right in this locality, he is one of the oldest of its continuous residents and, what is far more, one of its most respecte.1. In 1874 he married Sarah J. Mckinley, who passed away on December 9th of the same year. Mr. Shockly's second union was with Josephine Dennis, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Hess) Dennis, of Monroe township, Pickaway Coun- ty. Mrs. Shockly's father is deceased. but her mother still survives, being an honored resi- dent of Monroe township. Mrs. Shockly has one brother, George W., and one sister. Effic.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert L. Shockly-Clarence W., Ethel. Ruth, Albert Vernon and Mary E. The fam- ily homestead consists of a fine tract of about 73 acres on the Five Points road. the resi- (lence beautifully shaded by pine trees. Mr. Shockly also owns another farm of 150 acres and the old home farm of 282 acres near Derby. He purchased his homestea 1 in 1803 and has so improved it that it is one of the nicest pieces of property in the locality.

As a member of the School Board, Mr. Shockly has taken an active and a practically useful interest in the educational matters of his township. Mrs. Shockly is a faithful Methodist.

P ERRY ALDENDERFER, township clerk of Salt Creek township, is a representative of an old family of this section and is a well-known and pop- ular citizen. He was born October 2, 1870, in Salt Creek township, and is a son of Samuel and Leah ( Harmon) Aldend'erfer, the former of whom was a son of Henry Al- (lenderfer, who came from Pennsylvania and was a pioneer settler in Salt Creek township.

For many years the late Samuel Aldender- fer was one of the valued citizens of his lo- cality. He was born in Pickaway County and spent his long and exemplary life in Salt Creek township, where he died July 12, 1881. He was prominent in the political affairs of the township. His widow, whose maiden

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name was Leah Harmon, still survives. The two surviving members of their family are: William H., of Columbus, and Perry, of this sketchı.

Perry Aldenderfer was reared and educated in Salt Creek township, where he has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. On January 9, 1900, he was united in marriage with Minnie Spangler, who is a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Goodman) Spangler, of Tarlton. They have one daughter, Flor- ence, who was born June 27, 1902. Mr. Al- (lenderfer was reared in the Lutheran Church.

Politically, Mr. Aldenderfer has always . been stanch in his support of the Democratic party and on numerous occasions appreciation has been shown by his election to various local offices. He is now serving his first term as township clerk and is one of the most popular officials the township has ever had. This office includes the duties of the clerk of the township School Board. Mr. Aldenderfer has been identified with the Odd Fellows at Tarl- ton for a long period and has served as deputy grand master. He belongs also to the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Stoutsville.

R OBERT PHERSON, whose valuable farm of 74 acres is situated in Muhlenberg township, is a prominent farmer of this section and belongs to one of the leading families of Pick- away County. He was born near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, March 28, 1853, and is a son of George and Elmira (Van Sickle) Pherson.

Extended mention of this prominent old family of this part of Ohio will be found in an- other part of this work, in the sketch of Isaac A. Pherson. The parents of Mr. Pherson were born in Perry County, Ohio, and lived there until 1875, when the father brought his family to Pickaway County and purchased a farm of 412 acres in Muhlenberg township. Here he lived until his death in 1889.

Robert Pherson is the third member of a family of 10 children. He was reared on the home farm and was educated in the local schools. From his father's estate he inherited

48 acres. Prior to coming into possession of this property, he bought 200 acres in Monroe township, which he improved and on which he lived until his father's death, when he sold the property and took up his residence on his pres- ent farm. This he operates and rents 266 acres adjoining his own property so that his agri- cultural operations are carried on on a large scale. In 1890 he erected his handsome home residence and substantial barn, with other buildings, and has one of the most attractive homes of the locality.

In 1877 Mr. Pherson was united in mar- riage with Martha Ridenour, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 26, 1854, and is a daughter of Daniel and Margaret ( Rous- culp) Ridenour, natives of Pennsylvania, of German extraction. . Mr. and Mrs. Pherson have had these children : Walter E., of Muhlen- berg township, who married Jessie West; Frank. a promising child, who died of typhoid fever, at the age of six years; Elbert, living at home; Owen, a bright, handsome, manly youth of 19 years, who died December 25, 1902, from the effects of an accidental discharge of his gun while hunting; Grace, who married Sher- man Downs, of Monroe township, and has one child-Charles Robert; and Ellen, George. Robert and Rilla, all at home.

Mr. Pherson was reared a Republican but he has been identified with the Prohibition party for some time. During his residence in Monroe township, he was township trustee and has served some 20 years on the School Board in Muhlenberg and Monroe townships. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pherson, a steward, trustee and for more than zo years has filled the diffi- cult position of superintendent of the Sunday- school. Like other members of his family, he is held in universal esteem.

ORMAN PYLE. whose well-culti- vated farm of 125 acres, is located near Salem, in Pickaway township. was born near Kingston, in Ross County. Ohio, August 18, 1860, and is a son of William and Jane A. (Gill) Pyle. The Pyle family was established in Ross

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ALEXANDER C. BELL.

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County in pioneering days, by Thomas Pyle, the paternal grandfather. Both parents of our subject were born in Ross County, where the father died in 1900. The venerable mother re- sides at Kingston, Ohio.

Norman Pyle spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm near Kingston, Ross Coun- ty, and was educated in neighboring schools. He was trained along agricultural lines and has always been a farmer and stock-raiser. Prior to settling on his present farm, in 1906, he re- sided on the large farm of Charles F. Smith, of Chillicothe, near Emmett's Chapel, in Pick- away township.

On August 22, 1889, Mr. Pyle was mar- ried to Ella Hard, who was born at Berlin, Ohio, September 13, 1859. Her parents were Rev. S. and Margaret (McDowell) Hard, the latter of whom was born in Vinton County, Ohio. The father was formerly a resident of Berlin and later, of Chillicothe. When Mrs. Pyle was 13 years of age, her parents set- tled in the latter city, where she was educated. Later she taught school in Ross County. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle have had two sons, the one sur- viving being William N., who was born Sep- tember 13, 1891. The other, Lloyd M., is de- ceased. Mrs. Pyle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kingston.

Mr. Pyle is not an active politician, but he takes a deep interest in the civilizing elements of church and public school and casts his vote for those candidates most likely to advance these interests. At one time his father was one of the commissioners of Ross County.

A LEXANDER C. BELL, president of the Third National Bank of Circle- ville, whose portrait is shown on the - -- opposite page, is one of the promi- nent citizens and leading capitalists of Pickaway County. Mr. Bell was born August 22, 1830, in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Catherine (Caldwell) Bell.

The Bell family is of Irish extraction but has many representatives in America and the

name is notably associated with business en- terprise and mental ability. William Bell, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland on August 13, 1802, and two years later was brought to America by his father, James Bell. The latter settled in Pennsylvania and en- gaged in farming until 1812, when the whole family came to Pickaway County, Ohio. James Bell and wife had eight children. William Bell was reared to agricultural pursuits and passed the greater part of his life as a farmer in Walnut township. He served as captain of a local militia company for a time. His death occurred April 30, 1851, at the age of 41 years. He married Catherine Caldwell, who was born in Ohio on March 24, 1802, and died December 16, 1889. She was a daughter of Alexander Caldwell, who was born in Ire- land and was an early settler in Ohio. Both William Bell and wife were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were : James, Jane, Alexander C., Ruth, Will- iam Thomas, Catherine, Caroline S. and an infant, the only survivors being the subject of this sketch and Caroline S.

Alexander C. Bell was not able to enjoy the educational advantages in his youth which he has given his own children. He was reared among pioneer conditions and the death of his father, when he was but 19 years old, placed responsibilities upon his shoulders before he was scarcely able to support them. His father had left a farm of 200 acres and he inherited one-fifth. After purchasing the interest of the two sisters, the three brothers formed a part- nership and operated the farm together for a number of years. They were all young men of industry and kept adding to their land until the amount became very large; when it was subsequently divided, our subject took the farm in Circleville township on which he resided for 'many years. He kept on accumulating land until he Owned 1,500 acres, in Circleville, Walnut and Jackson townships. This land he has distributed among his children. For many years his rural home was considered one of the best improved places in the township and here he carried on large farm and cattle-raising operations, making a specialty of Shorthorns.

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Mr. Bell was united in marriage (first) on October 25, 1855, to Minerva R. Reber, who was born March 5, 1834, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Allen) Reber, prominent old set- tlers of Wyandot County. Mrs. Bell died October 15, 1875. . Mr. Bell was married ( second) on September 17, 1885, to Mrs. Sally E. Valentine, who was born in Circle- ville, Ohio, a daughter of the late Bentley Giroce. Mrs. Bell died in March, 1886. Mr. Bell's children-all by the first marriage- were : Thomas R., of Circleville; Lucy K., who married John D. Newton, of Circleville, and at her death left two daughters and one son; Clara, wife of Benjamin Renick, of Cir- cleville; Charles, of Pickaway County ; Flora, wife of Charles Van Meter, of Paducah, Ken- tucky; Rachel, wife of Arthur McNeil Wie- gand, of Pickaway County; Lyman A., at home; Mettie, wife of Robert Hinkle. of Tennessee; and Anna O., wife of Edward A. Brown, an attorney of Circleville.

In politics Mr. Bell is a stanch Democrat. In the fall of 1887 he was elected county com- missioner of Pickaway County and was hon- ored by re-election in the fall of 1890. He was one of the organizers of the Third Na- tional Bank of Circleville, became one of its first directors and for the past two years has been its president. This financial institution stands very high, Mr. Bell's honorable name at the head of it lending influence and inspir- ing confidence.

------- EORGE L. HOLDERMAN, a member of one of the old pioneer families of Pickaway County, and a successful agriculturist of Pickaway township, where he owns the old homestead farm, which is situated in section 23, was born here June 21, 1873, and is a son of William and Mary M. (Earnest) Holderman.

The father of George L. Holderman was born in Salt Creek township and the mother in Pickaway township, Pickaway County. The father died in 1892, but the mother still sur-

vives and resides with her son, George L. The great-grandfather and grandfather of our sub- ject were among the very first settlers in Salt Creek township, being among the first to fell the trees, to cut out the roads and to bridge the streams.

Wilson Holderman, father of George L., was long one of Salt Creek's leading business men. He' was an extensive farmer and also engaged in the buying and shipping of live- stock and finally made this his main occupa- tion. He married Mary M. Earnest, a native of Pickaway County and a daughter of Sam- uel Earnest, who for many years resided in Pickaway township. To this union were born four children, the three survivors being : Harry E., of Kingston; George L., of this sketch: and Jennie, wife of Samuel P. Rodgers, who is engaged in a general mercantile business at Patrick, a suburb of Charleston, West Vir- ginia. Wilson Holderman voted with the Re- publican party. He was liberal and public- spirited and promoted the welfare of his home locality to the extent of his power. He gave generously to charity and to the Presbyterian Church at Kingston, of which his widow is a valued member.

George L. Holderman laid the foundation of his education in the district schools of Pick- away township, later attending school at Kingston and subsequently becoming a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus. After entering into business he resided for one year at North Bend, Nebraska, where he en- gaged very successfully in buying and ship- ping cattle, going from there to Chicago, Illi- nois, where he lived for a short time. He finally returned to the homestead farm in Pick- away, township, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since.

Mr. Holderman was married (first) to Minnie Hanawalt, a native of Frankfort, Ohio, by whom he has one daughter-Bessie M. Mr. Holderman was married (second) to Bessie Terry, of Kingston, Ohio.

In politics Mr. Holderman is affiliated with the Republican party. He is an energetic. enterprising young man and occupies a large place in the confidence and esteem of his fel-

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low-citizens, being always ready to assist in movements calculated to benefit his township and county.

C HOMPSON B. WRIGHT, A. M., M. D., of Circleville, is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of this part of the State. He was born at Circleville in August, 1864, and is a son of Charles E. and Lovina (Thompson) Wright.

The late Charles E. Wright was one of the most prominent men of Pickaway County. He was a member of the manufacturing firm of Haswell, Wright & Company, and for many years was connected with the old Scioto Bank. He was born at Baltimore, Maryland. His death occurred in 1877, the cause being the hardships he endured during his service as a lieutenant in Company A, 114th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., during the Civil War. He married Lovina Thompson, who was a daughter of Jesse C. Thompson, who was one of the early settlers in Pickaway County. Dr. Thompson lo- cated at South Bloomfield in 1837 and practiced medicine there until his death in 1889. He was widely known for his skill and he was probably the first practitioner in the West to perform what is known as the Caesarean opera- tion. At that stage of surgery it was a won- derful feat and the successful termination of the operation won Dr. Thompson great repu- tation. He married Emily Sage, who was a daughter of Harley Hi Sage, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Dr. Wright has the papers pertaining to the service of the old patriot and is thus eligible to the Sons of the American Revolution.

Thompson B. Wright was reared at Circle- ville and after graduating at the High School entered Kenyon College and was graduated there in 1883. with the degree of A. B., in 1895 receiving the degree of A. M. In 1886 he was graduated in medicine from the Colum- bus Medical College. After a few months of initial practice at South Bloomfield. Dr. Wright came to Circleville and entered into partner- ship with his great-uncle, the late Dr. A. W.

Thompson, under the firm name of Thompson & Wright, which association continued until 1894, Dr. Thompson dying in the following year. Since then Dr. Wright has practiced alone. During the Spanish-American War. he spent nine months in the service, as a surgeon of the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Infantry. U. S. Volunteers, with the rank of captain ; three months of this service were spent in Puerto Rico.

In 1888 Dr. Wright was married to Francis R. Scovil, who is a daughter of the late Lyman E. Scovil, who was one of the sub- stantial citizens and respected men of Pickaway County. Dr. and Mrs. Wright have two daugh- ters-Katharine H. and Frances S.

Fraternally Dr. Wright is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He still retains his Greek fraternity membership in the Alpha Delta Phi and the Phi Betta Kappa. He keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in his profession and is a valued member of the American Academy of Medicine and belongs also to the National Association of Military Surgeons. He is a member of the local pension board.

A DAM BAILEY, a prominent citizen and large farmer of Monroe township. whose farm of 200 acres is situated on the Clark's Run road, is also one of the most successful breeders of fine horses, cattle and stock in this section. Mr. Bailey was born March 29, 1847. in Ross Coun- ty. Ohio, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Hyatt) Bailey.

The branch of the Bailey family to which our subject belongs came from Germany. The grandfather was Richard Bailey, who came to America and settled in Ross County. Ohio. where he bought a farm in the wilderness, pay- ing 25 cents an acre for it. He built a sub- stantial stone house, erecting it on the second highest hill in Ross County, and it still stands as one of the old landmarks. His wife. Cath- erine, was born in Pennsylvania. They had nine children, namely: Katherine (Shaner) : Mary Ann, wife of Elisha Wilkins, who owned

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 64

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