History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 74

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

USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 74

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Elmer Helwagen has always resided in his native county except during 1888 and 1889, which period he spent in California. He is one of the leading farmers of Deer Creek township, in which he has served in the office of trustee. In November, 1904, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commis- sioners, this office bringing with it many duties of the utmost importance to the county, the performance of which are never entrusted to men who do not stand very high in public es-

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teem. The present board is particularly effi- cient.

In 1887 Mr. Helwagen was married to Ma- rietta Adkins, a daughter of David Adkins, one of the prosperous farmers of Jackson township, who served as county commissioner for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Helwagen have six children : Roy E., Maud M., Henry E., Ruth, Gertrude and Paul. Mr. Helwagen is a member of the German Lutheran Church at Lick Run. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men.

5 AMUEL RICHARD SMITH, a life- long resident of Pickaway County, owns a beautiful farm of 255 acres which is located partly in Darby and partly in Monroe townships. He was born in Darby township, Pickaway County, Ohio, October 25, 1839, and is a son of Samp- son B. and Margaret (Hale) Smith.

The parents of Mr. Smith were born in Maryland but they were married in Pickaway County, Ohio, and reared a family of 10 chil- dren, the names of whom were: Rebecca, Martha, Mary and Edith, all deceased; Eliz- abeth, wife of Martin Bailey, of Derby ; John, Isaac, William and George, deceased; and Samuel Richard, who is the only surviving son.

Mr. Smith was reared to farm pursuits and has given his attention to the same all his life. His valuable farm is situated on the Circle- ville, Darbyville and London turnpike, some two miles southeast of Derby.

On July 30, 1863, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Martha A. Dick, who was born September 26, 1845, in Darby township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Johnson and Susan (Green) Dick, who reared seven children. These were: Mary and Geor- giana, both now deceased; Nicholas W., a practicing attorney at Columbus; Samuel M., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Worcester, Massachusetts; William L., a practicing physician at Columbus; Jennie, who married Jesse Yoakum; and Martha A. (Mrs. Smith).

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children,

Charles J. and M. Jennie. The former, after completing the common school course, studied medicine, entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he was subsequently grad- uated and then entered Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College, at New York and, still later, Jef- ferson Medical College, at Philadelphia. Thus thoroughly equipped in his profession, he en- tered upon its practice at London, Ohio, short- ly afterward removing to Derby. One year later he established his home at Walla Walla, Washington, removing later to his present home, at Pendleton, Oregon, where he is in the enjoyment of a good practice. He mar- ried Lillian Gulliford, of Pendleton, Oregon, and they have one daughter-Gwendoline. The only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Smith married Albert R. White, of Franklin County, Ohio, and they have two children-Roy S. and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. White reside in Darby township, Pickaway County.

R OBERT A. VANDERVORT owns and operates a valuable farm of 621/2 acres which is very favorably situ- ated in Pickaway township, and on which he settled in 1881. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1851, and is a son of James and Eleanor (Glisten) Vandervort.

The Vandervort family came to America from Holland, and the Glisten family from Ireland. The father of our subject was born in Allegheny County and the mother in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They died in Liberty township, Jackson County, Ohio, and were both buried in the McCune cemetery in that township.

Robert A. Vandervort was reared to the age of 15 years in Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, and was educated there in the public schools. He then accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits and for some three years was engaged in the lumber industry.

On September 28, 1881, Mr. Vandervort was united in marriage with Rachel L. Peters, who was born April 9, 1852, in Pickaway County, Ohio. Mrs. Vandervort is a daugh-

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ter of Gershom M. and Ann (Walcutt ) Peters, both of whom are natives of Ohio. The pater- nal grandfather of Mrs. Vandervort was Mah- lon Peters, who was born in Virginia, settled early in Ohio and died in Darke County. The Peters family is of German extraction. Ger- shom M. Peters died some 25 years since, and Mrs. Vandervort lost her mother when she was 17 years old. Both parents of Mrs. Vander- vort were buried in Reber Hill Cemetery in Walnut township. The Walcutt family is of English ancestry.

The five children of Gershom M. Peters and wife were all born in Ohio and the three survivors are: Robert W., a well-known farmer and a lay preacher of the Baptist Church, residing in Walnut township; Su- sanna H., wife of Edwin Newton, a farmer of Walnut township; and Rachel L., wife of our. subject. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vandervort, but two survive, viz. : Harry A., of Pickaway township, and Ena A., wife of Pearl Allen, also of Pickaway township.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Van- dervort settled on their present farm in Pick- away township. Here Mr. Vandervort car- ries on mixed farming and raises considerable stock. There are many evidences of thrift and good management in the farm and surround- ings and the home is all that could be desired in the way of comfort.

In politics, Mr. Vandervort is a Democrat. He has been elected three years as a member of the township Board of Education and for several years has been one of the careful and conscientious school directors of District No. I, Pickaway township. Both he and his wife attend the Turkey Run Baptist Church. They are well known all through this neighborhood and have many warm friends.

C. BOHNERT, who is serving his second term as auditor of Pickaway County, was born near Commercial Point, Scioto township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 17, 1869, and is a son of Conrad and Martha (Trimmer) Bohnert.

The father of our subject was born in Ger-

many and came to America and settled in Pickaway County in 1856. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. In Pick- away County he married Martha Trimmer, a daughter of Jonathan E. Trimmer, who was born in New Jersey and settled in Pickaway County in 1840.

N. C. Bohnert was reared on the huine farm in Scioto township, where he still owns 190 acres of fine land. He attended school until 1887 in his native township, after which he entered the Columbus Business College, where he was graduated in 1888. Then he returned to the farm until the spring of 1889, when he embarked in a mercantile business at South Bloomfield, where he continued until 1897, when he again returned to the home- stead farm. In 1902 he was elected auditor of Pickaway County and in the fall of 1905 he was re-elected without opposition, on the Democratic ticket. At this time the Republi- cans put no opponent in the field, knowing that the personal popularity of Mr. Bohnert would make such a move useless. Formerly he served as assessor of Scioto township.

On March 21, 1889, Mr. Bohnert was mar- ried to Maud Thomas, who is a daughter of Edward and Melissa (Walker) Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was born in Scioto township, Picka- way County, and is the youngest member of a family of 16 children. Our subject and wife have three children living, viz .: Eldridge, Blandys Christina and Katheryn Ruth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bohnert are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of South Bloom- field. He belongs to the Knights of the Mac- cabees.

EORGE LEONARD KUHLWEIN, one of the most progressive and suc- cessful farmers of Harrison township, was born October 27, 1863, in this township on a farm adjoining the one which he now owns. He is a son of George and Mary (Acker) Kuhlwein, who were na- tives of Germany.

George Kuhlwein and his wife came to America in 1853 and first located in Colum- bus, Ohio, and later moved to Pickaway Coun-

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ty, where they lived the remainder of their lives, engaged in farming, the former dying at the age of 74 in 1895 and the latter in 1896, aged 69. Mr. Kuhlwein was the father of nine children, namely : Barbara, who married Andrew Barch and resides in Harrison town- ship; Mary, deceased; Frederick, residing on the Ashville turnpike in Harrison township, who is engaged in farming ; a son that died in infancy ; Matilda, deceased; William, who is engaged in farming the old homestead; George Leonard, subject of this sketch; Katie; and Edward, who also lives on the old homestead, engaged in farming. George Kuhlwein came to this country without any means, but by thrift and industry acquired by the time of his death a valuable farm of 210 acres. He and his family were members of the Lutheran Church.

George Leonard Kuhlwein was educated in the Harrison township schools, after which he engaged in farming. He has resided where he now lives for a period of nearly 18 years, and owns a very valuable farm of 821/2 acres, but operates in all about 185 acres. He raises some stock, but is principally interested in raising corn and wheat. He was married to Etta May Muselman, a daughter of Cyrus and Clarissa (Foor) Muselman, and they have four children : Clara, Herman, Paul, and Carl, all living, three of them attending school.

Mr. Kuhlwein has always been a Demo- crat and takes an active interest in the politics of the county. He has served as township supervisor and has been a delegate to the party conventions at Circleville a number of times. Mr. Kuhlwein has a comfortable home, an in- teresting family and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county.

ATHAN COLE GANTZ, a represen- tative citizen and substantial farmer of Darby township, who resides on his well-improved farm of 263 acres located on the Harrisburg and Darby- ville road, also owns an adjoining farm of 12734 acres. Mr. Gantz was born October

25, 1843, and is a son of Adam and Catherine ( Penick) Gantz.

The parents of Mr. Gantz were born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Two years after marriage they came to Ohio and settled in Franklin County, where all their family of 14 children were born, with the exception of the eldest, Elizabeth, who married William White. The other members of the family were: Jeremiah, who married Maria Beale and is deceased; Mary, who married William Innis-both now deceased; Andrew J., who married Sarah Olney and is now deceased : John and William Milton, both of whom died young; Catherine, who married Daywalt Machlin; Theodore G., who married (first ) Elizabeth Dalby, (second) Hannah, widow of Asbury Pritchard, and later contracted a third marriage; Lydia . married (first) Benton White and (second ) James Welsh; Nancy, who married William Watts; Adeline, who married Thomas Barbee; Albert L., who mar- ried Hannah Brown; George H., who married Mary Chambers; and Nathan C., of this sketch.

Nathan Cole Gantz was reared on the home farm and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He is considered one of the rep- resentative farmers of Darby township, and is esteemed as a good manager, always having his various lines of farm work up to the season and prosperous accordingly. Mr. Gantz and family live in great comfort.

On October 25, 1866, Mr. Gantz was mar- ried to Sarah Jane Chenoweth, who was born January 7, 1843, and is a daughter of Elijah and Nancy Chenoweth. The parents of Elijah Chenoweth were Elijah and Rachel (Foster) Chenoweth. The former moved to Franklin County, Ohio, prior to the birth of his son Elijah and settled right among the Indians. For years thereafter little settlement was made in that region and little Elijah grew to boy- hood before he had ever seen a white man other than his father, and, with his Indian playmates, was afraid when they began to come into the neighborhood. The children of Elijah and Rachel (Foster) Chenoweth were : Joseph, Elizabeth, Lewis, John F., Sarah, Cas-

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sandra, Rachel and Elijah. Elijah Chenoweth married Nancy Chenoweth, on March 26, 1827. They had these children: Elijah, Rachel, Cassandra, John Graham, Thomas, Joseph H., Elizabeth, Sarah Jane, and Re- becca. The father of this family lived to the age of 91 years. The mother died aged 66 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Gantz have had eight chil- dren, namely : Albert and Robert, who died young; Erwin, who married (first) Rena Leiter and (second) Anna Sidener-they have three children, Neil, Elmer and a babe un- named; Ella, who married Arthur Miller and has one child-Robert; and Ira, Lewis, Rus- sell and Merick, all of whom are at home. Daniel N. Gantz, a son of Erwin Gantz' first marriage, has always made.his home with his grandparents.

Mr. and Mrs. Gantz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gantz has served as a member of the School Board and has always taken a good citizen's interest in local affairs.

ILLIAM F. ANDERSON, a repre- sentative farmer and reliable, well- informed citizen of Pickaway township, owns an excellent farm of 143 acres here, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Anderson was born in Wayne township, Pick- away County, Ohio, April 22, 1866, and is a son of James H. and Sarah (Fleming) An- derson.

The Anderson family lived in Maryland prior to coming to Ohio at an early day. The grandfather, Thomas Anderson, was one of the pioneers of Wayne township, Pickaway County. James H. Anderson, his son, was ·reared in Wayne township, followed farming as his chief occupation through life and died there in 1897. His widow still survives, re- siding in a pleasant home on Fourth avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

William F. Anderson was reared in Wayne township and was educated in the public schools of that township and Circleville, com-

pleting his education in the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio. His life has been de- voted to agricultural pursuits and he has taken great interest in the development of the re- sources and the improvement of his land.

On February 24, 1891, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Mary Holderman, who was born in Pickaway township. Picka- way County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Lewis and Mary Holderman, the former of whom is deceased. The latter resides with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Anderson. The Holderman family settled at a very early day in Pickaway County and has always been held in high regard. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one son. Bernard.

For a time following his marriage, Mr. Anderson and wife resided in Jackson town- ship, but later removed to Pickaway township, where they have lived ever since. Politically Mr. Anderson is a Republican. He has served four years or two terms as treasurer of Pick- away township and has performed the duties of this responsible office to the full satisfac- tion of all concerned. He is a supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Kingston, of which his wife is a member.

EORGE CLINTON EVERSOLE, who for more than 30 years has re- sided on his beautiful homestead known as the "Bloomfield Lake Park Farm," near South Bloomfield in Harrison township, was for 21 years one of the most successful educators in this section of the State. He is a son of Henry and Sophro- nia (Heise) Eversole, and was born in Wal- nut township, Fairfield County, Ohio, on the 5th of November, 1843. After mastering the elementary branches in the district schools of that county, he took a course at the Fairfield Union Academy, Pleasantville, and completed his education at Denison University, Gran- -ville, Ohio, in 1870.

The succeeding 21 years were faithfully devoted by Mr. Eversole to teaching in Fair- field and Pickaway counties, and during nine years of this period he was a superintendent of

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schools. He ably served in that capacity at Millersport, Ashville (two years), Commer- cial Point (three years ) and South Bloomfield (three years ).

In 1874 Mr. Eversole moved from Fair- field to Pickaway County, purchasing at that time his present residence property, which de- rives its name from the fact that it embraces a beautiful park, which is a favorite resort of picnickers, and much used for general assem- blies. The farm itself is an 84-acre tract, de- voted to cattle raising, grain growing and the cultivation of melons. Mr. Eversole has been engaged in the specialty last named for 15 years and has earned in it more than a local reputation. The 20 acres devoted to the culti- vation of melons yields a product valued at about $3,000, and his "Tip Top" variety is widely known in the markets of Columbus, much of the crop being now sold before grown. In the fall and winter, when the care of the farm is light, Mr. Eversole conducts a commis- sion business in that city. At the expiration of his present term he will have completed a ser- vice of 24 years as justice of the peace. As a life-long Democrat he has also served as dele- gate to various judicial and senatorial conven- tions of his county. Combining the above facts it must be evident that Mr. Eversole has led, and is still leading, a remarkably broad and active life of great practical value to all the communities of his residence. It may also be added that he is a member of Lodge No. 487, F. & A. M., at Commercial Point, and is iden- tified with the best work of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Neither of Mr. Eversole's parents are now living; his father died in 1851, at the age of 40 years, and his mother in 1873; aged 69. The marriage of our subject to Doris Mithoff. daughter of Frederick E. and Wilhelmina (Hose) Mithoff, occurred October 1, 1872. Both of his wife's parents were natives of Ger- many, and her father's four brothers were all prominent in the business world, as will be seen from the following brief facts regarding them: William was an extensive cotton planter of New Orleans; Augustus and Theo- dore were presidents of banks in Lancaster,

Ohio, and Henry was president of the South End Bank of Columbus. Edward T., who recently died, was a large real estate owner in Columbus and left property valued at $2,000,- 000. William, the oldest, was at one time prominent in the building of the Mississippi River levees. Frederick E. Mithoff, the father of Mrs. Eversole, is dead, as is her mother ; their home farm was a fine tract of land near South Bloomfield.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. George C. Eversole, as follows : Lillian, Edna and Flora-all teachers, who were edu- cated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada- the last named being now married to Ollie Mckinley, a farmer living near Harrisburg; and Henry G. and Mithoff, who are attending school.

FREDERICK SCHLEYER, the ju- nior member of the large dry goods and carpet house of Moeller & Schleyer, at Circleville, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1855, and he has been identified with the dry goods business for 36 years. He is a son of the late John F. Schleyer.

In February, 1863, Mr. Schleyer accom- panied his parents to Circleville, where he at- tended school until 1870, and then became an employe of Adam McCrea, in the mercantile business. He remained with this employer for 17 months and in the same room with the lat- ter's successor for about a year and then be- came a clerk for Wallace Brothers, who con- ducted a large dry goods business here. From 1872 until 1875 he remained with this firm and then, with his brother, William Schleyer, he embarked in a shoe business in Illinois, which was conducted for two years. Later he accepted a clerical position in a Columbus dry goods house, and in 1879, with William Wal- lace, he established the dry goods house of Wallace & Schleyer. In 1885 he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he engaged in a shoe business for two and a half years, and then returned to Circleville and became again con- nected with a dry goods firm. In 1894 the

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CHESTER R. ASHBROOK. GEORGE W. ASHBROOK. RAY W. ASHBROOK.

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dry goods firm of Schleyer & Henderson was established and continued until 1900, when the firm style became Finkel, Schleyer & Hen- derson. In 1903 Mr. Schleyer entered into partnership with C. Edmund Moeller, under the firm style of Moeller & Schleyer. On ac- count of his long experience in the trade, Mr. Schleyer is particularly well equipped for the management of so large an enterprise as is the present firm's business. The house has a wide popularity and both members of the firm are recognized men of ability and integrity.

Mr. Schleyer was married to Kate Hutch- inson, of Hannibal, Missouri, who was a niece of Mrs. T. C. Wallace, of Circleville. Mrs. Schleyer died in September, 1904, leaving one daughter, Mary, a very talented young lady who is now abroad, completing her musical education. She is under the best instructors at Berlin and Prague.

Mr. Schleyer is a member of the Presby- terian Church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the National Union.

EORGE W. ASHBROOK, a promi- nent farmer and valued citizen of Walnut township, who owns a fine farm of 200 acres, situated in sec- tion 20, was born in this township, May 29, 1841, and is a son of Absalom M. and Phebe ( Dunnick ) Ashbrook.

Absalom Ashbrook was born in Virginia and made his entrance into Ohio as a babe in his mother's arms. His parents made the jour- ney from Virginia on horseback and settled in Amanda township, Fairfield County. There the father of our subject was reared, there obtained his district school education and there was subsequently married to Phebe Dunnick. To this marriage eight children were born. After his marriage, Absalom Ashbrook moved to Walnut township, Pickaway County, and in 1847 bought of William Stage the latter's distillery, with several hundred acres of land. Later he moved back to Amanda township, Fairfield County, where he died.

George WV. Ashbrook lost his mother when he was seven years of age, but his father mar- ried again and the family was kept together.

He was reared in Walnut township, which has always been his home, with the exception of six years-from March 22, 1860, to March 22, 1866-which he spent in Amanda town- ship, Fairfield County. His education was obtained in the district schools and in the Na- tional Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio. His business through life has been continuously of an agricultural nature, except two terms when he was engaged in teaching. His fine farm is a very valuable property both as to loca- tion and cultivation. In 1883 he built the pres- ent substantial and commodious family home.

In 1864 Mr. Ashbrook enlisted for the 100-day service in the Civil War, joining Company I, 159th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and serving as orderly sergeant. He received his discharge on August 27, 1864.

On December 29, 1865, Mr. Ashbrook was married to Jane Reber, a daughter of Charles and Belinda Reber, of Amanda township, Fairfield County. They have one son, Chester R., . who a well-known, enterprising farmer of Walnut township. The latter mar- ried Mattie Weaver, a daughter of Philip Weaver, and they have one son-Ray Weaver Ashbrook.

George W. Ashbrook is one of the leading Republicans of his section of the county and has frequently served in official life in the township, having been both trustee and treas- urer. He is one of the directors of the Reber Hill Cemetery. Mr. Ashbrook does not seek political office and when elected a justice of the peace declined the honor. Both he and his son, Chester R. Ashbrook, belong to the Ma- sonic fraternity, both being Knights Templar. Portraits of Gorge W. Ashbrook, his son, Chester R. Ashbrook, and his grandson, Ray W. Ashbrook-three generations-accompany this sketch.

EORGE BETTS, who resides on the old Betts homestead in Deer Creek township, was born on this place March 16, 1875, and is a son of George and Mary ( Phillips) Betts, George Betts, the father, was a very promi- nent business men of Pickaway County for

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many years and left an impress on his imme- diate community which time cannot efface. He was born near Clarksburg, Ross County, Ohio, and was a son of John W. and Harriet ( Gordy) Betts. He was the only one of his family to come to Pickaway County except one sister, who, after a short residence at Dublin Hill, was married and moved West. George came just after his marriage in 1863, his worldly wealth at that time being one horse and a mule. He engaged in farming and stock- raising, and subsequently, for a period of 35 years. was acknowledged to be the most exten- sive stock dealer on the Cincinnati & Mus- kingum Valley Railroad. He had a number of men out buying stock for him all the time, and shipped extensively to distant points. He pur- chased an elevator at Woodlyn and became senior partner of the firm of Betts & Hun- sicker, doing a general grain, coal and imple- ment business. He became a man of affluence, owning about 1,800 acres of land in addition to his other interests. He was ever the friend of the needy, and gave many a deserving man his start, but his generosity came near being his undoing. He was the victim of many of his friends, for whom he went security, and upon his death a large part of his estate went toward the payment of the obligations of others. He was a man of great popularity, having hundreds of acquaintances throughout the county. He died December 2, 1895, of pneumonia, and was buried at Spring Lawn Cemetery.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 74

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