History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 65

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

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the farm where. J. Taylor now lives; Alex- ander; Martin ; Hamilton, a physician, who out- lived all his brothers; Thomas; James, father of our subject; and two who died in infancy.

James Bailey was born on the old Bailey farm in Ross County not far from Bourneville. His whole life was devoted to agriculture. He married Elizabeth Hyatt, a daughter of Reuben and Maria Hyatt, natives of Pennsylvania, who ‹lied in early life and were survived by four children, viz. : Reuben, Maria, and Elizabeth and Hannah (twins). Of this family, Reuben was adopted by a neighbor who was on the point of moving to the West, having provided one of those huge wagons covered with cotton cloth, in which the pioneers lived comfortably while transporting themeslves and their belong- ings to distant points. Reuben Hyatt grew to manhood in the West and married; his chil- dren are comfortably established in Washing- ton County, Iowa, and were visited by our sub- ject recently.

Elizabeth Hyatt, who, with her twin sister, was reared as a daughter by her uncle, Jere- miah Foster, was subsequently married to James Bailey, as mentioned above. They be- gan housekeeping on the old Bailey farm, and there all their children were born, with the ex- ception of Susan, who was born after the fam- ily moved to Monroe township. There she married Thomas A. Taylor. of Chillicothe ; she is now deceased. The other children were: Mary Ann, who married Joseph Larkin (who died a prisoner in Libby Prison, during the Civil War) and now resides at Portsmouth, Ohio-her second husband, John Dunten, is deceased; Martin, who married (first) Eliza- beth Craig and (second) Mrs. Elizabeth (Smith) Ballah, of Darby township; Lavina, who married (first) John Kumamon (who died in the Civil War) and (second) R. B. Higgins, and resides in Columbus; Sarah, deceased in February, 1903, who was the wife of James Dick, of New Holland; Catherine, who married W. K. Bennett, and resides near our subject; Hannah, who married John L. Corkwell and has lived in Kansas for the past 23 years; Reu- ben, who married Julia Davis, of Ross County, and lives at Mount Sterling, Ohio; and Adam, of this sketch.

Adam Bailey was seven years old when the family left Ross County and moved to Pick- away, settling in Monroe township. On Feb- ruary 7, 1862, when 15 years old, he went to work for one of the old pioneers of Monroe township, a very prominent stockman, John Van Buskirk, and although but a lad in years he impressed Mr. Van Buskirk so favorably that he was made overseer of his farm of 800 acres. Having much to do with the raising and breeding of stock, this farm being noted for its fine stock, Mr. Bailey studied as a veter- inarian and ever since has been more or less engaged in the practice of this profession. Mr. Van Buskirk also conducted a dairy and cheese factory and kept from 50 to 100 head of cattle, many horses and a large amount of other stock.

In the course of time, Mr. Bailey became almost indispensable to Mr. Van Buskirk and subsequently married Mary Van Buskirk, his employer's youngest daughter. When Mr. Van Buskirk died, 74 acres of the present Bailey farm became the property of Mrs. Bailey by will. Mr. Bailey purchased 100 acres of his present farm from the Van Buskirk heirs and later bought 26 acres from Marion Van Bus- kirk, his brother-in-law. It is all in one body and makes a magnificent farm. It is well watered by Clark's Run, and for stock pur- poses is one of the best farms in Monroe town- slip. He has a fine field of alfalfa which he cuts four times a year as fodder for his stock. Mr. Bailey devotes a great deal of attention to sheep raising, breeds thorough-bred cattle, Poland China hogs and raises some of the best horses that have ever come from this section of the State. Among these is a noted saddle mare, that is known all over Pickaway County. His fine horse, "Diamond," took the second premium at the State Fair at Columbus. Quite recently he has suffered a heavy loss by the death of a fine stallion, "Rigor," which was celebrated all through this section. In addi- tion to being a successful farmer, stock-raiser and veterinary surgeon, he is also an inventor and has patented a small device which renders corn-husking an easy matter.

On September 20, 1868, Mr. Bailey was married (first) to Mary Van Buskirk. Her

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JOB R. RENICK.

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father died in October, 1872, and later, in the following year, on account of an epidemic of typhoid fever, the whole family left Monroe township and moved into Mount Sterling. All the family had an attack but no lives were lost as they had nurses and good medical care, while scarcely any of their neighbors in the country escaped a death in the family. Mr. Bailey pur- chased a house at Mount Sterling and the fam- ily expected to remain in it but a few months, but the months were prolonged until their. period of residence there covered 221/2 years. In February, 1897, Mr. Bailey moved back to the farm. In December, 1893, Mrs. Mary Bailey died and he was married (second), on February 7. 1897, to Margaret Fletcher, who is a daughter of Peter and Mary (Benns) Fletcher. of Ross County. The other mem- hers of Peter Fletcher's family are: Anna; Mary, wife of William Hays; Frank; Will- iam: and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher still reside on their farm in Ross ounty.

Mr. Bailey has two sons, Walter Harry, born to his first marriage, and Clark A., born to his second marriage, the latter, on January 7, 1906. Walter Harry Bailey owns a fine farm of 50 acres in Monroe township. He was born at Mount Sterling, Ohio,. January 27, 1877. He was given excellent educational ad- vantages and was one of the brightest students that graduated from the Mount Sterling High School. He then worked in a grocery store, later opened a bicycle repair shop and also be- came much interested in electricity. Probably with a view of turning his attention from the latter study. his father presented him with his present farm and stocked it and here he has re- sided since his marriage. On October 7, 1896, he was married to Helen Merrill, who is a daughter of Simon Peter and Mary (Gulick) Merrill. They have two children, viz. : Fred- erick Van Buskirk. born February 17, 1900; and Lola. born August 21. 1902. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian Church at Mount Sterling. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Bailey has always been a prominent figure in public affairs wherever he has lived. He served as a member of the Council at Mount

Sterling for 14 years and was also a member of the School Board, on which he has also served in Monroe township, at one time being its president. In 1900 he was elected township trustee and is still filling this position. Since 1875 he has been an Odd Fellow, belonging to the subordinate lodge and to the encamp- ment. Mr. Bailey is a leading member of the Christian Church at Mount Sterling. Person- ally he is a man of the most exemplary char- acter, temperate in both speech and habits. generous to the poor and kind to all those who meet him in the daily walks of life. His com- fortable home is shaded by a beautiful grove of forest trees, and a prolific orchard not only furnishes a wealth of bloom but provides an abundance of delicious fruit. To the outsider it looks as if life might be delightfully passed in this beautiful, abundant home, surrounded by all that any one could ask in comfort. quiet and pleasant companionship.

OB R. RENICK, who passed out of life on February 19, 1891, having just rounded out 71 years of exemplary. useful living. was one of the leading citizens of Jackson township. Pick- away County, where he had been born on Feb- - ruary 9, 1820. He belonged to one of the ol:l- est and most important families of this section of Ohio.

Although Job R. Renick had but the meagre educational advantages offered by the primitive schools of his neighborhood. he de- veloped into a well-informed young man and in maturity was considered one of the most in- telligent, thoughtful, able men of his com- munity. A few sessions at the Athens Acad- emy completed what the teaching in the log schoolhouse had commenced and left him with a better knowledge of books than most of his associates. At the death of his father. he came into possession of a large property and when his brother Thomas died. leaving him his heir. Mr. Renick owned some 1.200 acre- of land that was particularly well adapted to stock-raising. With excellent business per-

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ception, Mr. Renick decided to go into the stock business on an extensive scale and for many years raised the finest horses, Durham cattle and sheep in all Pickaway County. He followed his own methods in stock breeding and raising and his great success proved that these methods were excellent.

While the greater part of his attention was devoted to this part of his business, he con- tinued to invest in land as occasion offered and at the time of his death he owned probably over 1.700 acres of some of the finest land in the county. He took an honest pride in his possessions and became particularly interested in the erection of a fine new home, which, at the time, was the best ever built in Jackson township. It was completed, under his super- vision. in the latter part of 1890, but his death occurred in the okl home before arrangements had been concluded for the occupation of the new one.

The death of Mr. Renick was a loss to his family, by whom he was honored and beloved, and it was a loss to the community where his benevolence had often been felt and where his sound business sense had so frequently brought about public improvements of a most desirable character. His business methods were above reproach and his fortune was acquired with honesty as its foundation.

.Although for years a leading Republican, Mr. Renick never desired office for himself, and when his fellow-citizens tendered the same to him, he declined the proffered honor, pre- ferring to be an independent citizen, with time to devote his energies to his private affairs. While not a member of any church, his lean- ings were in the direction of the Methodist Episcopal creed, and he gave this body liberal support and even donated a site for the erection of a church edifice. He passed out of life honored and esteemed and his memory is ten- derly cherished by his family and commands the respectful consideration of his fellow-citi- zens. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

Mr. Renick is survived by a widow and three sons. On June 8. 1875. he was united in marriage with Ella Rutter, who was born at Circleville, Ohio, and is a daughter of

Jacob and Deborah ( McClelland) Rutter. Jacob Rutter was born in Virginia and came to Pickaway County in 1831. In partnership with a Mr. Rock, he went into a tailoring business at Circleville, where he continued for 12 years. Then he purchased a farm in Wash- ington township, on which he lived one year, and a second farm in Monroe township. Later he embarked in a hardware business at Circle- ville, under the firm name of Rutter, Wolfley & Rains ( later changed to Rutter & Wolfley upon Mr. Rains' decease), and this business was continued for a quarter of a century, being one of the leading ones in its lines at Circle- ville. During all these years Mr. Rutter re- tained possession of his farm of 241 acres in Muhlenberg township. Each year it became more valuable. Mrs. Renick is the only one living of his three children. He died at Cir- cleville.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Renick were : Nellie, who died in infancy ; Henry R., who has never married and who resides with his mother; Job E., who lives at Circleville, but will soon move to his farm in Jackson town- ship; and John J., also a resident of Circle- ville, who expects, however, to remove to his farm in Jackson township in the coming fall. They are all large property owners.

Prior to the death of Mr. Renick, Mrs. Renick's only connection with business was the sympathy and approval she naturally felt at her husband's unusual success. His de- cease left her with many business responsi- bilities and, to the surprise of herself and friends, she has developed into one of the shrewdest and most capable business managers in this section. She still continues to reside on the old Renick farm in Jackson township, which has been in the possession of the Renick family since 1802. On this farm have been discovered many Indian relics of an interesting character and there is still standing the ruins of an old Indian fort which has been locally called "Johnnie's Camp."

After Mrs. Renick had discovered her ca- pacity for business, she decided to put a por- tion of her ready capital into desirable farm- ing lands. Investing some $40,000 in Pick-

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away County realty, she became the owner of iour farms, three of these being situated in Jackson township and one in Muhlenberg township. She informed herself thoroughly and bought first the John Renick farm, of 229 acres, for which she paid $75 per acre and could easily sell for $100 per acre. The Van Bibber farm of 226 acres is located in Jackson township and for this she paid $42 per acre. Her son, Henry R. Renick, now has these two farms under operation. The Montgomery farm in Jackson township consists of 196 acres, for which Mrs. Renick paid $36.60 per acre, and this is improved with a 10-room house. The Dr. Brinker farm of 136 acres is situated in Muhlenberg township and for this Mrs. Renick paid $42 per acre. All of this land would probably bring $100 in the open mar- ket, all of it being so well situated and, in most cases, excellently improved.

Mrs. Renick operates some 1,200 acres in Jackson township and manages it with the ability which would do credit to a farmer who had been trained from youth up. Her son, Henry R. Renick, has three farms-one of 220 acres, one of 226 acres and one of 75 acres. Job E. Renick has three farms-one of 241 acres, one of 186 acres and one of 60 acres. The third son, John J. Renick, has a iarm of 600 acres, all in one body.

Mrs. Renick is one of the most highly es- teemed ladies in church, business and society, in her locality. Her fine old home is fitted up with an eye both to beauty and comfort. Among her most cherished possessions are some fine old oil portraits of the family, which canvases bear the signatures of famous artists whose work may, at present, only be found in the collections of families of prominence and substance.

FORGE W. HEFFNER, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon at Circleville, is a native of this great State, born in 1871, in Salt Creek township, Picka- way County, and is a son of the well- known Daniel L. Heffner, of Salt Creek town- ship. whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

Probably no family in Pickaway County commands a higher degree of respect than does the old pioneer family of Heffner. It was es- tablished here by Abraham Heffner, the pa- ternal great-grandfather of Dr. Heffner, who crossed the mountains of Pennsylvania, and settled in what were then the deep forests of Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, choosing land, as did most of the first settlers, along a water-course. Here Samuel Heffner was born and lived all his life, dying on No- vember 1, 1895. Here Daniel L. Heffner, father of Dr. Heffner, was born June 19, 1853. He became one of the county's large agricult- urists.

George W. Heffner was reared on his father's farm and after completing the com- mon-school course in his native county spent one year at Ohio Wesleyan University at Del- aware. He then began the study of medicine and also commenced teaching district school and in the course of nine months was prepared to enter Starling Medical College at Colum- bus, where he was graduated in 1895. The next year was spent as house physician at St. Francis Hospital, after which he located in Circleville and opened an office for the practice of his profession.

In 1899 Dr. Heffner erected a substantial building on East Main street and here he has his office and a private hospital for the treat- ment of patients requiring special methods. His apartments are thoroughly equipped and his treatments are along modern. scientific methods, including the use of an X-Ray ma- chine. He is one of the enthusiasts of his pro- fession and keeps posted concerning all the ad- vancement made therein. He belongs to the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association.

In 1897 Dr. Heffner was married to Belle M. Walling, who is a daughter of Hon. . I. T. Walling, formerly member of Congress.

Dr. Heffner shows his interest in civic mat- ters by serving on the Board of Education of the city and as secretary of the Library Board. Fraternally he is a Mason.

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A LSON C. FOSTER, a representative agriculturist and reliable citizen of Pickaway township, residing on his well-improved farm of 210 acres, on the Circleville and Kingston turnpike, was born in Windham County, Vermont, Sep- tember 26. 1844. He is a son of Charles and Lovina ( Thompson ) Foster.

The father of Mr. Foster was born at Jack- sonville. Vermont, and the mother in Franklin County. Massachusetts, both belonging to old New Englandl families of age and standing. The paternal grandfather. Obed Foster, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The family was established in Ross County, Ohio, by Charles Foster in the fall of 1854. Charles Foster died on his farm there in 1867, aged 55 years. His three surviving children are: Alson C., Highland H. and George A., the two last named being residents of Ross County.

Alson C. Foster was reared in Ross Coun- ty an! was educated in the schools of Green township and the public schools at Kingston. Hle has made farming his chief pursuit in life and has met with very satisfying success. In the spring of 1870 he removed from Ross County to his present farm in Pickaway Coun- ty, where he has made many substantial im- provements and has a pleasant, comfortable home.

Mr. Foster was married (first ) December 23, 1869, to Laura S. May, who was a daugh- ter of the late Henry May, an old pioneer of Pickaway County. To this union six children were born, the five survivors being : Nellie L., wife of John Erskine, of Terre Haute, In- diana; Charles H., of Pickaway township; Frank C., of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Anna T., wife of WV. F. Hurst, of Athens, Ohio; and Harry H., of Columbus, Ohio. The deceased member of the family was Dr. Fred M. Fos- ter, who was a graduate of the Ohio State Medical College at Columbus, Ohio.) On May 7, 1903, Mr. Foster was married to Minnie E. Terry, who is a daughter of David Terry, of Green township, 'Ross County, and they have two children-Julia E. and Mary.

Mr. Foster is a Republican and is active in local politics. He has served several terms as

clerk of Pickaway township and has been a member of the School Board. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Scioto Lodge at Chillicothe.

J ACOB BENNETT, a retired resident of Darbyville, who for many years was engaged in agricultural work in this county, was born June 5, 1838, in that part of Hocking County, Ohio, that was later set off as Vinton County, and is a son of Franklin and Mary (Tinkham) Bennett.

Franklin Bennett was also a native of Hocking County and was a son of Jacob Ben- nett, who came from New York with his fam- ily and settled in Hocking County. Franklin Bennett and his wife, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, lived in Hocking County where they were engaged in farming. After the death of Mr. Bennett, his wife remarried and passed the remainder of her days in Missouri, where she died at the advanced age of 871/2 years. She was the mother of seven children, namely: Jacob, the subject of this sketch; Marcellus and Marcella (twins)-Marcellus enlisted in the 114th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and was killed at the battle of Vicksburg- Marcella married a Mr. Weed and now lives in Indiana; Jason, who went to Oregon and has never since been heard from; Avis ( Ryther), who lives in Missouri; Cyrus D., lives in Montana; Lucinda, deceased during childhood.

Jacob Bennett, the subject of this sketch, grew up on his father's farm in Hocking Coun- ty and received a common-school education. On August 12, 1861, he enlistedl in Company B, 18th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Colonel Stanley and Captain Fenton. He participated in numerous skirmishes and took part in the battle of Stone River and also in the battle of Chickamauga subsequently serving on de- tached duty for a year, most of this period being spent at Chattanooga. He was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in November, 1864, and was discharged on November 9th. He

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JOHN G. HAAS AND GRANDCHILDREN.

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then returned to his parents and worked out by the month for one summer. He was mar- ried on August 24, 1865. to Lodema Tremain. who was born in Miami County, Ohio, July 1. 1839, and is a daughter of Edwin and Sarah Jane ( Hutsell ) Tremain. Mrs. Sarah Jane (Hutsell ) Tremain was a native of Miami County, Ohio. After her husband's death, she moved to Pickaway County and died in Darby- ville in 1896. After his marriage, Mr. Ben- nett rented a farm for one year and afterwards worked in a sawmill for four or five years. In 1876 he moved to a farm in Pickaway County near Darbyville and worked at farming until the time of his retirement to Darbyville, in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had eight children, namely : Thomas Edwin, who is en- gaged in farming near Darbyville: Mary, of Richland County; Franklin, who lives in Co- lumbus: David, who lives in Madison County; William, who is engaged in farming in Muh- lenberg township: Sarah Jane, who lives at home: Stephen, who lives in Derby : and Lucy, who lives at home.

Mr. Bennett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he has always been a Republican, and is at present justice of the peace. He is a member of Groce Post. G. A. R., at Circleville.

J OHN G. HAAS, a representative agri- culturist and substantial man of Wal- nut township, who owns 466 acres of excellent land, was born on the old homestead which he now owns, on February 15. 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca ( Miesse ) Haas.

The parents of Mr. Haas were both born and reared in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 1836 they were married in their native neigh- borhood and moveil immediately to Walnut township. Pickaway County. Jacob Haas was born September 2. 1808, and died in Walnut township. February 6. 1896. His wife was born November 28. 1810, and died November 26. 1883. They reared a family of eight chil- dren. the survivors being John G., Daniel

and Benjamin, the last named of whom is a resident of Fairfiekl County.

John G. Haas was reared and educated in Walnut township and this locality has always been his home, with the exception of the win- ter of 1854-55. when he was attending college at Delaware. Ohio. After his return. he taught school in Walnut township for some eight years and also served for four years as township superintendent of schools.

On March 10. 1859, Mr. Haas was mar- ried to Harriet 1). Hedges, who is a daughter of Jabez and Maria Hedges. Mrs. Haas died March 24, 1901. the mother of six children. viz. : Edward Byron, Ella. Clara, Dora, and two babes that died in infancy. Edward Byron was born June 22, 1860, and died .August 10. 1891. He married Clara Peters and they had two sons-Ralph P. and John Samuel. Ella. born January 31. 1863, remains at home with her father. Clara, born July 7. 1864. married Clayton Weaver. has four children-Alice. Anna. Harriet and Mabel-and resides at the home of our subject. Dora, born September 12. 1867. married Oscar Heffner, of Walnut township and they have three children-John G., Ray Edward and Howard.

After marriage. Mr. Haas remained on the homestead for one year and then removed to the home of his father-in-law, where he oper- ated the farm for two years. He then came to his present farm, trading a property he had previously owned and paying the sum of $5.000 in addition. This valuable farm contains 306 acres ankl is finely improved. The large brick residence is one of the finest homes in the township. It stands .well back from the high- way and is approached by a walk leading through a row of beautiful cedar trees. Mr. Haas also owns the old homestead of 160 acres, in Walnut township.

For many years Mr. Haas has been one of the leading men of his locality. He is a prominent Democrat and was only 22 years old when he was elected to the office of town- ship clerk. Subsequently he served as trustee and as treasurer and for six years as infirmary director. He has also served as one of the trustees of the Reber Hill Cemetery. Since

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 65

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