History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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

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188 he has been agent for the land owned by the Ohio State University, which at first included 1.600 acres, a part of which is sit- .uated in Illinois, requiring Mr. Haas to visit that State very frequently. He still has 619 acres of this land under his direct manage- ment. having sold advantageously $134,000 worth of this land. All of his operations in this connection have been of the most sat- isfactory nature to all concerned.

In his religious views Mr. Haas is identified with the Evangelical Association, in which he has been a steward many years. He is a member of the local Grange. A group picture of the Haas family accompanies this sketch.

OWARD JONES, M. D., a skilled and experienced physician and surgeon, at Circleville. was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853, and is a son of the late distinguished Dr. N. E. Jones. The latter was a graduate of both Hudson College and Hudson Medical College and for many years was one of the most prominent medical men of Northwestern Ohio.

Howard Jones was reared at Circleville from infancy, his parents locating here when he was less than a year old. He was reared and e.lucated here, graduating from the Circleville High School in 1870, when he was entered as & student at Hobart College. at Geneva, New York. In 1875 he was graduated there with his degree of A. B., three years later receiv- ing the degree of A. M. from the same institu- tion. In 1876 he was graduated in medicine from the Ohio Medical College and subse- quently took a post-graduate course at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Jones then came to Circleville, entered into practice and also became a member of the faculty of the Columbus Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, filling the chair of ophthalmol- ogy for two years. and that of physiology for four years. The demands of a rapidly grow- ing private practice, however, made it necessary for Dr. Jones to resign his college work and devote his whole time to his extensive Circle-

ville practice. Until 1882 he was associated with his father, but at that date the older phy- sician retired and our subject has continued to practice alone. He is a member of the Colum- bus Academy of Medicine, of the American Academy of Medicine, and of the Pickaway County Medical Society. The last named or- ganization, which is one of the oldest medical societies in the State, was incorporated by three eminent physicians of Circleville-Dr. N. E. Jones and Drs. Turney and Thompson.

In 1882 Dr. Jones was married to Mary McMullin, a daughter of the late Rev. Samuel H. McMullin, who was pastor of the Presby- terian Church at Glendale, Ohio. The chil- dren of Dr. and Mrs. Jones are : Hildeburn J., a student at Amherst College : Lloyd H .. a stu- dent in the Circleville High School; and Lillian, Eleanor and Virginia.

Politically Dr. Jones is a Republican. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention which nominated the late President Mckinley, in 1896. Through several adminis- trations he has been medical pension expert for Southern Ohio. Fraternally he is an Elk.

R OBERT MATHIAS HIPSHER. a prominent and substantial farmer of Washington township. the owner of 752 acres of valuable land. was born in Madison township. Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio, October 10, 1833, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Young) Hipsher.

John Hipsher was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his par- ents when two years of age. His father, Ma- thias Hipsher, entered land in Madison town- ship, Fairfield County, and that remained the homestead. Elizabeth (Young) Hipsher, the mother of Robert M. Hipsher, was reared near what is now known as Clear Port, Madison township, Fairfield County, and was a daugh- ter of Robert Young, a pioneer of that county. On the paternal side Robert M. Hipsher comes of German ancestry and on the maternal is of English descent. On October 1. 1851, John Hipsher left Fairfield County, Ohio, accom-

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panied by his family, for Effingham County, Illinois. There he bought a farm of 640 acres on which both he and his wife died.

Robert M. Hipsher accompanied his par- ents to Illinois but remained there only a short time. After his return to Ohio, he spent one year in Hocking County and in 1853 was mar- ried to Sarah Chambers, a daughter of Alex- ander Chambers. The latter owned a farm of 332 acres in Washington township, Pickaway County, on which he never lived and which is now the home of our subject, having been pur- chased by him at $3 per acre. Mr. Chambers spent his whole life on his farm of 300 acres in Hocking County.

After his marriage, Mr. Hipsher, with his wife, removed to Illinois, where they lived for several years. Mr. Hipsher's total residence in Illinois comprised about four years. Upon returning to Ohio, they lived on the Chambers homestead in Hocking County for two years. In 1857 they came to their present farm, which, at that time, was heavily timbered. They lived for a time in a log cabin and while Mr. Hipsher was clearing the land and get- ting it under cultivation, the family saw some- thing of pioneer life. Subsequently the old log cabin was torn down and a comfortable frame dwelling took its place. Mr. Hipsher is one of the largest landowners in his vicinity, his property being divided into six separate farms, each one of which has certain claims to excellence. There is one tract of 402 acres, which is divided into three farms, which were originally the George Hoffman farm, the Dan- iel Heffner farm and the home place. He also OWns 165 acres near Oakland, in Fairfield County, 50 acres near Lancaster, in Bern town- ship. Fairfield County, and 137 acres in Hock- ing County. He has carried on general farm- ing operations on his home place and has sat- isiactorily rented his other properties. He has expended a large amount of money in making excellent improvements.

Mr. and Mrs. Hipsher have had four chil- dren. as follows: Malissa. Jennie, Drusilla and Rhoda. Malissa married Samuel Heffner and at her death, in July. 1905, left three of her four children, viz .: Sarah, who married

Elmer Coffman and has one child, Sarah Jane, born in July, 1898; Flora, who married George Wolf; and Weldon. Jennie Hipsher married Simon Barr. Drusilla married Ananias Morris, of Circleville. Rhoda remains at home with her parents. The family is one of the most highly respected in Washington township.

JOSEPH SMITH, a successful farmer of Scioto township, was born in Good- hope township, Hocking County, Ohio, July 24, 1853. His father was a farmer, he was trained to agricul- tural pursuits, and his entire life has been de- voted to the avocation whose results form the basis of the wealth of the United States. Mr. Smith attended the district schools of his neighborhood and assisted on -the family home- stead until he was 20 years of age, after which he worked out as a farm hand until 1883. In that year he began farming for himself near Pleasantville, Fairfield County, this State, continuing in that locality for the succeeding 10 years.

In 1893 Mr. Smith removed to the Ford farm, in Scioto township, about a mile and a quarter from his present location, and remained there for five years, since which time he has been operating the well-known H. II. Seeds farm of 155 acres. As a portion of the land is given up to crops of corn, wheat and oats and a portion to the raising of cattle, he is en- gaged in what may be called mixed farming.

Mr. Smith's wife was before marriage Elizabeth Asbell, daughter of William and Almeda Asbell, and by her he has become the father of the following seven children : Arthur E. and William, living at home: Cora, wife of Prentiss Seeds, residing at Orient; Alma, wife of Curtiss Ryerson, of Columbus; Josie Lee. wife of Oscar Bethards, a resident of Orient; and Sadie and Grace, who live at home with their parents.

Mr. Smith is active and influential in the politics of the county, and a stanch supporter of Democracy. He has served as township trustee for several terms-once by appointment

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and twice by election-and has been a member of the School Board for a period of six years. Hle was once honored by election as a delegate to a county convention, but declined to serve on the ground that he had not been a resident of the county for a sufficient length of time to be entitled to such representation.

The father of Mr. Smith, who was a native of Virginia, came to this State when a young man, and died about 35 years ago, at the age of 73 years. His mother was born in Guernsey County. this State, and died in 1893. at the more advanced age of 82.

B BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HILL. a well-known resident and highly re- spected citizen of Muhlenberg town- ship. resides with his venerable mother on the homestead farm of 100 acres which is situated on the Bloomfield and Darby- ville turnpike. He belongs to an old pioneer family of this section and was born on the farm where he now lives March 12. 1856. He is a son of William L. and Susan ( Gilliland ) Hill.

The Hill family and many of its kindred belong to old established families of Virginia. many of whom, after the final adjustment of the difficulties growing out of the War of 1812. sought new homes and better opportunities for their children, in unsettled sections of Ohio. In 1815 a large colony of neighbors and rela- tives started from Hampshire County, Vir- ginia ( now West Virginia ). for the Ohio River. their covered wagons, one after the other, mak- ing a long train. At Wheeling the whole colony was conveyed across the broad river on a ferryboat, and on Ohio soil they again took to their wagons. With many adventures, they finally reached their destination on Darby Creek. in Pickaway County. In the many changes of fortune which have attended the Hill family. they have never forgotten the use- ful service done them by the old wagon and a part of it is still kept as a relic surrounded with a sentimental interest.

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Probably the oldest member of the colony was Le Roy Hill. the great-grandfather of our

subject. With him came Judge William Flor- ence. who had previously visited this section as far back as 1806, had entered several thousand acres of land on Darby Creek and then had to- turned to tell his neighbors and friends the lo- cality's advantages, which doubtless had much to do with the united migration. Col. Elias Florence, son of Judge Florence, became the largest landowner in the county.

Capt. William Hill, son of Le Roy, was born in Virginia, accompanied his father to Pickaway County in 1815 and lived here until his death at the age of 70 years. His estate of 700 acres of land was divided among the six of his eight children that grew to maturity.

William I. Hill, son of William and father of Frank Hill. was born in Hampshire Coun- ty. Virginia ( now West Virginia). June 23. 18oo. He was therefore a youth of 15 years when his parents and neighbors came to Darby Creek. in November. 1815. Settlement was made on the left bank of the creek. opposite Darbyville. At that time the whole country was a forest in which game and many wild beasts abounded, it not being a very unusual occurrence to shoot bears and wolves. Deer were plentiful and venison was no unaccus- tomed dainty in the larders of the pioneers. Turkeys were also in abundance. Almost every male member of the early settlers' families became good sportsmen. The clearing of their large bodies of land became an immediate duty and William L. Hill. after receiving his portion from his father. a tract of 100 acres. began to make a clearing. but subsequently exchanged it with a brother, gaining in this way the land now occupied by his widow and sons, Henry C. and Benjamin Franklin. The property at one time comprised 175 acres. During his long life here. Mr. Hill succeeded in clearing nearly all of it. His death occurred April 19. 1881. In political belief he was first a Whig, and when party changes came about he was first a Know- Nothing and later a Republican. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

On April 4. 1833. William L. Hill was united in marriage with Susan Gilliland, who was born October 5. 1816. in Darby township. Pickaway County, Ohio. This venerable lady

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who still survives has passed the whole of her 90 years in the vicinity of her birthplace, with the exception of one year spent in Champaign County, Illinois. She is a daughter of Capt. John and Elizabeth (Thomas) Gilliland.

Capt. John Gilliland was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, and was the youngest of nine children born to his father, Samuel Gilliland. Three of the sons of Samuel Gilliland served in the War of 1812-Nathaniel, Samuel and Hugh. At the time of Hull's surrender at De- troit, they were serving there and much against their will they were compelled to give up their arms. The two other sons, John and Andrew, remained at home; the former gained his title of captain as a commander of the Ohio State militia.

Captain Gilliland was 18 years of age when he came to Pickaway County, preceding his parents. He picked out a desirable home for them and they later settled on it and spent the rest of their lives here. Captain Gilliland owned 550 acres, which he had well stocked. After the death of seven of his 13 children, he sold out his land in Pickaway County and went to Champaign County, Illinois, where he died aged 60 years. His widow and children later went to Missouri and those who continued with the mother finally located in Kansas.

Captain Gilliland married Elizabeth Thomas, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, of Virginia parentage. Their children were: Enoch, deceased; Nancy ; Elizabeth, who lied young ; Susan, the mother of our subject ; Nathaniel, who died young : Andrew Jackson, deceased, late a resident of Kansas, who served during the Civil War as a member of the Seventh Regiment, Illinois Vol. Cav .; David, who died young; John, who died aged seven years; Robert, who died young; Hugh, of Mis- souri; Lacy Ann, of Kansas; and Mary Jane, of Missouri.

To William L. Hill and wife were born nine children, as follows: Albert, now a resident of Kansas, who was a soldier during the Civil War, a member of the 45th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf .; Sarah (Hankins), of Chillicothe; Kate ( McKinley), of Harrisburg, Ohio; Cole- man, also a member of the 45th Regiment,

Ohio Vol. Inf., who died in prison; Henry C., now residing at home, who was the first of the sons to enlist in the Union Army-he served three years in Company A, 45th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and also in the State militia; Annie (Litton), of Ashville; Elizabeth (Hott), of Pickaway County; Benjamin Franklin, our subject ; and Mary J. (Goss), of Columbus. Henry C. is the manager of the home farm for his mother, who is still a lady of remarkable strength of both mind and body. Born at a date which reaches far back in the history of our country, she has lived to witness its most wonderful developments. She is intelligently interested in all that concerns the country, her neighborhood and especially her family.

Benjamin Franklin Hill, our immediate subject, has always resided in the old home with his mother. He was reared and educated in Muhlenberg township. During his younger years he assisted in farming, but his tastes and talents do not lie in that direction. From boy- hood he showed a mechanical turn of mind which developed into a strong desire for work- ing with tools, resulting in his learning the carpenter's trade. This he has followed for 23 years and has a well-equipped shop on the home farm. Politically Mr. Hill is a Republican, but he has never been willing to accept any office.

W. PLUM. one of the popular officials of Pickaway County-the efficient county clerk-is also a member of the well-known insurance firm of Hum- mel & Plum, of Circleville. He was born in Madison township. Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Mary C. (Smith) Plum.

William Plum was born in Franklin Coun- ty, Ohio, and settled in Pickaway County in 1865, where he engaged in large farming and stock dealing operations. He died in 1888, his wife having passed away previously.

H. W. Plum was liberally educated, first in the country schools, then in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and Ohio University at Athens. Following this he taught school for

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12 years throughout Pickaway County and for five years was superintendent of schools at Tarlton. For six years he was a member of the County Board of School Examiners and is well known all through this section of the State in educational circles. In 1903 he embarked in the fire and life insurance business in partner- ship with Mr. Hummel; the firm represents eight fire insurance companies and the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, of New Jer- sey. In 1903 he was elected clerk of the courts of Pickaway County and assumed the duties of the office on August 1, 1904.

Fraternally Mr. Plum is associated with Circleville Lodge, B. P. O. E. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.

AMUEL J. IRWIN, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Tarlton, was born in Walnut township, Pick- away County, Ohio, December I, 1865, and is a son of George A. and Sue (Young) Irwin.

The paternal grandfather of Dr. Irwin, John E. Irwin, came to Circleville, Ohio, at an early day. the family being an old and well- established one of Pennsylvania. George A. Irwin, the father of Dr. Irwin, was a very prominent citizen of Circleville and was twice the choice of his party for mayor of that city. For years he was interested in the milling busi- ness there, prior to that time having been an extensive farmer in Walnut township. His death occurred at Circleville.

Samuel J. Irwin completed his high school course at Circleville, graduating on June 14, 1883. In the fall of that year he began the study of medicine with Dr. George T. Row, of Circleville, with whom he continued for several years and then entered the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, where he was most creditably graduated in March, 1887. In the following year he located at Tarlton, where he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice. During the first administration of President Cleveland, he served as pension examiner of Pickaway County.

In November, 1889, Dr. Irwin was mar- ried to Helen E. Ballard, a daughter of the late James Ballard, of Tarlton, a well-known citizen who died in 1891. Dr. and Mrs. Irwin have four daughters, viz .: Mary L., Marion B., Pauline and Maxine E.

Politically Dr. Irwin is a Democrat. Fra- ternally he belongs to Columbia Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Circleville, and is a 32nd degree Mason. For nine years he has been a member of Company F, Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and for the last four years held the rank of Ist lieutenant in this company. Dr. Irwin is a public-spirited citizen and is always ready to promote the best interests of the town. He has served as a member of the board of directors of the Tarlton Special School District and has paid close attention to the work com- ing before this body. With his wife he be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM B. WEGERLY, who oper- ates a fine farm in Washington township. was born in Ross Coun- ty, Ohio, February 9, 1856, and is the oldest child of Adam and Amelia (Schlager) Wegerly.

Adam Wegerly is still living and owns the farm of 350 acres which his son William B. operates for him. He is the father of six chil- dren : William B., our subject ; John V., born August 14, 1857, who is single and lives on the home farm; Milton B., born February 25, 1859, who married Matilda. Kellstadt and has one child-Shirley ; Margaret Alice, born January 22, 1861, who married John Lamparter of Cir- cleville and has one child-John ; Franklin A., born March 20, 1863. who married Clara Evans and lives on a part of the home farm, in Circle- ville township; and LaFayette, born Septem- ber 11, 1880, who is practicing law at Circle- ville. being a member of the firm of Lindsay & Wegerly.

William B. Wegerly is the only one of the family born in Ross County. When he was two years of age, his parents moved to Pick- away County and settled on a farm of 260 acres in Perrv township, where they lived for

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several years. After selling the farm, his father bought a farm of 260 acres in Circle- ville township, a portion of which is now owned by Henry Hulse. In 1866 Adam Wegerly pur- chased a tract of land four miles north of Circle- ville on the Walnut Creek turnpike, where he and the members of his family living at home reside, having removed thither in 1890.

€ LMER ELSWORTH SMITH, one of the representative business men of Ashville, was born January 30, 1862, in Madison township, Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of Reuben and Eliza A. (Glick) Smith.

Mr. Smith comes of honest old Pennsyl- vania stock, families whose integrity was as solid as the enduring hills where they were nurtured. At a very early day both the Smiths and the Glicks settled in Madison township, Pickaway County. Reuben Smith, father of Elmer E. Smith, was born in Madison town- ship and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hall) Smith and a grandson of John Smith. He still survives, in his 85th year, and spends his time 'between Ashville and the homes of his chil- dren throughout Madison township. His wife passed away in January, 1897, at the age of 69 years. Their children were: Mary C., de- ceased, who was the wife of William Plum; Mima I., wife of E. M. Teegardin, of Coffey County, Kansas; Jacob S., of Ashville; Sarah D., wife of W. H. Rohr, of Columbus ; Minerva L .. wife of J. J. Rohr, of Springfield, Ohio; Martin Luther, of Lancaster, Ohio; Solomon Orlando, of Madison township; Emma K., wife of. W. D. Nothstine, of Madison township; Seymour M., of Duvall, this county .; Addie F., widow of S. S. Smith, of Canal Winchester, Ohio; Elmer Elsworth, of this sketch; and Birdie V., wife of Lester E. Hickle, of Pitts- burg. The father of this family followed farming all his active life. Prior to the death of his wife, they celebrated their "Golden Wed- ding." In politics he has always been a sup- porter of the Democratic party. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.

Elmer Elsworth Smith was educated in

the local schools, the Normal School at Lith- opolis, and was graduated at the Pleasantville Academy, in 1890. He then entered the edu- cational field and for 13 years was a teacher in Pickaway County, and for two years in Fair- field County, during which time he taught one year in the Lithopolis High School. In 1893 he was called to Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, to accept an official position in the Philadelphia House of Refuge, where he remained for al- most 12 years, during eight of which he was record clerk and for the last four years, acting assistant superintendent.

In November, 1904, Mr. Smith left Glen Mills and came to Ashville, where in partner- ship with George M. Hickle, of Lancaster, he' opened up a large department store. It has been enlarged into one of the leading stores of its kind in Pickaway County, carrying a very large and complete stock, which is handled with the good judgment and the unfailing courtesy which has made the enterprise successful.

On January 30, 1888, Mr. Smith was mar- ried to Mary S. Freibely, who is a daughter of Lewis and Maggie A. (Courtright ) Freihely, of Fairfield County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Jebb Horton, who was born June 8, 1895. Mr. Smith belongs to the Lutheran Church, while Mrs. Smith is a Pres- byterian.

Fraternally Mr. Smith is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Pickaway Lodge, No. 747. Po- litically he is in perfect accord with the Demo- cratic party, has always been more or less in- terested in public matters since attaining his majority and has been sent as a delegate to important conventions. . Both as business man and as citizen he stands very high in public esteem throughout Pickaway County.

'e HARLES J. DELAPLANE. a prom- inent and representative member of the Pickaway County bar, whose home has always been located in Circleville, his native city. was born here in 1846, and is a son of Samuel Delaplane, formerly a prominent merchant at Circleville, who died in 1856.

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Hle secured his literary training in his na- tive place, studied law and in 1867 was grad- uated at the Cincinnati Law School. Ile im- mediately opened an office at Circleville, where he has continued to practice, although for the past few years not so continuously, on account of poor health. During his most active years he served as solicitor of Circleville for two terms and as prosecuting attorney of Pickaway County for a like period. During his adminis- tration of the office he was noted for the fear- lessness with which he protected the interests entrusted to him, but he was never accused of the professional vanity which has marked the official life of many members of both bench and bar. His clients were of the best. In addi- tiom to professional duties, Mr. Delaplane was secretary and treasurer of the Circleville Light & Power Company, for some 12 years.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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