History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 75

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

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In 1863 George Betts, Sr., was married to Mary Phillips, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of John Phillips, who came to Pick- away County from the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Betts had II children, namely : John W., who is engaged in farming in Deer Creek township; Charles A., who lives near Clarks- burg in Pickaway County; Hattie, deceased at the age of 25 years, who was the wife of Clarence Coon; Thomas B., who is farming in Deer Creek township; Carrie, who lives at home; George; Fred C., who lives on a part of the home place in Deer Creek township, en- gaged in farming; William Pearl, who lives on the home place; Roy, living at home, who

is in the insurance business; and Corrilla Belle and Meeker, who live on the home place. Mrs. Betts died in 1902. Mr. Betts was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined in 1869, thereafter being an enthu- siastic church supporter and contributing lib- erally of his means. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. and was frequently called upon to serve in offices of public trust. He was a mem- ber of the Board of County Commissioners two terms, was president of the Deer Creek township Board of Education, was township trustee and filled numerous other township offices. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers' Bank of Williamsport, and served as its first president. In his death the poor lost a friend, the community a prominent and worthy citizen and the church a liberal supporter.

George Betts, the subject of this sketch, at- tended the schools of his home district, and the Williamsport High School. He has followed farming successfully and has had the manage- ment of the home place since his father's de- mise. Fraternally, he is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Democrat.

ONAS NOGGLE, a life-long farmer and useful citizen of Scioto township. for several years owner of the well- known Squire Wilkins farm of 90 acres, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 27, 1833. He is a son of Samuel and Sophia (Herron) Noggle. His father resided for 33 years on the John Reber farm in Walnut township, dying of paralysis in 1894, aged 83 years. His mother, who died in 1882, lived to be 79 years old. Besides Jonas, two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Noggle-George and Samuel, both de- ceased.

Jonas Noggle resided in Fairfield County until 1858, working hard as a farmer's boy for a moderate education, and becoming a thor- ough master of his life avocation. In that year, when 25 years of age, he married Angelina DeLong, a daughter of David DeLong, of

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Fairfield County, and with $30 in his pocket commenced married life in Clear Creek town- ship, Fairfield County. There he resided for six years, and then lived for 16 years in Wal- nut township, Pickaway County, and for 15 years in Wayne township. Through persist- ency, intelligent work, close application to bus- iness and economy, Mr. Noggle succeeded in comfortably rearing a large family, educating his children and saving sufficient to purchase a good property. In September, 1904, he lo- cated in Scioto township, purchasing the Squire Wilkins farm, a pleasantly located and valuable tract of 90 acres. Here he conducts general farming operations and raises some live stock, being the owner of eight head of horses, 30 head of hogs and 12 head of cattle.

Mr. Noggle's first wife died in 1893, and his second marital union was with Mrs. Susan Krueger, daughter of David Good, of Fair- field County, this State.

By the first marriage there were the fol- lowing children : W. Clinton, who married Annie McCune, a daughter of John McCune, and runs a foundry in Circleville; Samuel, married to Effie Hoffhines and employed in the Ashville corn canning factory; Mary, wife of Henry Allen Hedges, who resides in Scioto township, north of Commercial Point; Ben- ton, who married and became the father of two children-both parents are now deceased ; Charles, residing on the farm of Jacob Thorne, who married Amanda Milligan, of Fairfield County; and Chester, engaged in farming in Scioto township, who married. Effie Hoover, daughter of William Hoover, of Clinton Coun- ty, this State. Ralph and Grace (twins), now 12 years of age, are children of the second marriage, and are living at home, attending school.

J D. HUMMEL, senior member of the firm of Hummel & Plum, well known in insurance lines, at Circleville, was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County. Ohio. October 14. 1876, and is the youngest son of Sylvester and Mary (Dunkle) Hummel.

The father and mother of Mr. Hummel

spent 23 years of the first part of their mar- ried life on the farm on which was formerly located the Southeastern Fair Grounds; after the death of the former owner, Mrs. Hummel's ftaher, they together with G. B. Armstrong purchased the farm, afterward selling their in- terest to Mr. Armstrong and purchasing the Wilson Heffnet farm near Stringtown, which they retained for 10 years at which time they purchased a farm in Jefferson township, Will- iams County, Ohio, to which they removed in the spring of 1902. Mrs. Hummel died at the last named place November 8, 1904; Mr. Hum- mel is still residing on the farm.

J. D. Hummel is one of the successful busi- ness men who was reared on the farm, spending two years learning the blacksmith's trade. After completing his education in the com- mon and high schools, he taught for some six years in the schools of Salt Creek township. Pickaway County, and one year in Jefferson township, Williams County, Ohio, becoming a popular educator.

In July, 1904, Mr. Hummel came to Cir- cleville, purchasing the interest of E. S. Hock- man in the Hockman & Plum Insurance Agency ( formerly the Van Heyde Agency, es- tablished in 1868). the new firm taking the style of Hummel & Plum. They represent the following old-line companies : Home, of New York; National Fire, of Hartford. Connecti- cut : Hartford Fire, of Hartford, Connecticut : Aetna, of Hartford, Connecticut; Royal, of Liverpool. England: Liverpool & London & Globe, of Liverpool, England; North America. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Mutual Benefit Life, of Newark, New Jersey; and New York Plate Glass, of New York.

On January 1, 1901, Mr. Hummel was married to Ada Sonora Mowery. eldest daugh- ter of John F. and Marye (Wolf) Mowery. of Salt Creek township, Pickaway County. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel have one daughter, Marye Ruth, Forn October 25, 1902. While not de- voting himself unduly to politics, Mr. Hummel. as an intelligent citizen and progressive busi- ness man, keeps thoroughly posted on both out- side and local affairs. He stands as one of the county's representative business men and does his part in promoting its general welfare.

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e APT. EDWARD R. BLACK. a prominent resident of Salt Creek township, and an honored veteran of the great Civil War, resides on a well-cultivated farm of 172 acres, to the value of which he has materially added by the placing of excellent improvements. Captain Black was born in Pickaway township. Pickaway County, Ohio, on August 22, 1836, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Burget ) Black.

The father of Captain Black was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He came to Pickaway County from his native State, in 1811 and during the War of 1812 he served as a soldier on the frontier. He settled at Circle- ville. then a village, and as he was a carpenter and contractor he had much to do with the construction of what is now Pickaway County's metropolis. He erected the first Court House here and buildings stand in good preservation -in various sections of town and county- which testify to his honest work. Later he removed to a farm in Pickaway township, on which he resided until his death, in 1868, in his 83rd year. He married Elizabeth Burget. who was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and accompanied her parents to Circleville in 1802. Thus on both sides of the family, Captain Black represents old pioneer families.

Edward R. Black was educated in the best local schools of the neighborhood in which his parents then resided, and was mainly reared on the farm, receiving the practical training in farming and stock-raising which proved valuable later in life. He was 26 years of age when the Civil War spread its blighting in- fluence over the country. On every side volun- teers were answering the call for national de- fenders and Pickaway County was prompt in showing loyal sentiment. On November 8, 1861, Edward R. Black enlisted as a private in Company A, 6Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which became subsequently a part of the Army of the Cumberland. His period of service covered the remainder of the Civil War, he being honorably discharged on August 27, 1865. From the ranks, through personal valor, he rose, step by step, to the captaincy of his

company, from the battle of Stone River until the close of the war being captain of Company H. 69th Reg .. Ohio Vet. Vol. Inf. He par- ticipated in the larger number of the great bat- tles of the war and bravely endured the priva- tions and hardships inseparable from the life of a soldier. At the last battle of Nashville. he was detailed as an aide to General Cruft and served as one of the latter's inspectors for several months, and then rejoined his regiment, at Raleigh, North Carolina. With thousands of his comrades and thousands more of admir- ing and enthusiastic fellow-citizens, he enjoyed the Grand Review at Washington City, a pageant which will always be remembered by those who took part in its glory or who were permitted to view it.

After the close of the war. Captain Black returned to Pickaway County, prepared to be- come as good a private citizen as he had been a brave soldier. He resided in Pickaway town- ship until 1886, when he removed to Salt Creek township and in 1892 he settled on his present farm. Here he carries on large agricultural operations, raises large crops and breeds fine stock. During his residence in Pickaway town- ship he served seven years as a justice of the peace. He has been more or less prominent ever since coming to Salt Creek township. Al- ways a stanch Republican, he has frequently been selected as his party's standard-bearer. has been its candidate for the General Assembly and also for county treasurer. He has the con- ficence and esteem of his party and has a well- earned popularity with all classes.

On February 11, 1869, Captain Black was married to Susan Shoemaker, who was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Daniel Shoemaker, and a granddaughter of Judge Jacob Shoe- maker, who was an early settler of Salt Creek township. Captain and Mrs. Black have two daughters-Annie E. and Helen S. The former is connected and identified with the Civil Serv- ice Department of the government, at Wash- ington, D. C.

Captain Black is a valued member of Groce Post, G. A. R., at Circleville. There are com- rades there who remember the gallant service

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performed by Captain Black and his brothers of Company H, on the evening before the battle of Chickamauga, in the burning of Reed's bridge, which brought out the statement from General Thomas that this strategic act saved the Union Army from utter destruction.

A BRAHAM C. HIBBENS, a prominent and successful farmer of Wayne township, who owns a well-improved farm of 150 acres in Wayne town- ship and another of 1441/2 acres, part- ly in Wayne and partly in Deer Creek town- ships, was born March 9, 1836, in Waverly, Pike County, Ohio. His parents were James R. and Mary ( Chenoweth ) .Hibbens.

The children of James R. Hibbens were : Cranville C., Samuel R., William, Abraham C. and Rebecca Ann.

Abraham C. Hibbens attended school in his youth in a pioneer log schoolhouse, but later had better advantages at Waverly, his father having located in Waverly, Pee Pec township. At the death of the father, Abra- ham C. inherited his present farm in Wayne township, later purchased 1441/2 acres and now owns 2941/2 acres. His property is finely im- proved and the greater part of it is under cul- tivation.

On November 19, 1861, at Portsmouth, Ohio, Mr. Hibbens enlisted for service in the Civil War, joining Company I, 56th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under command of Capt. Thomas Kinney and served until April 7, 1866, in which period he saw service at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg and in many minor engagements. He was mustered out at New Orleans, April 7, 1866, and just one month later received his honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio.

On March 22, 1870, Mr. Hibbens was married to Juliet Hard, a daughter of Daniel D. T. and Lemira (Puffer) Hard, the latter a daughter of Richard and Clarissa Puffer. Mr. and Mrs. Hard had these children: Mary Louise and Addie, both deceased; and Mrs. Hibbens and her twin sister, Helen, now the wife of R. A. Nessmith, of Columbus.

Mr. and Mrs. Hibbens have two daughters -Helen and Flora May. The former has been a successful teacher in the schools of Cu- lumbus for years. The latter remains with her parents. The whole family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Pleas- ant. Mr. Hibbens is a Mason, belonging to Heber Lodge, No. 501, at Williamsport. He is a well-known and highly respected citizen. In politics he is a Republican.

J AMES STRODE SWEARINGEN. a representative of one of the oldest fam- ilies in Pickaway County, and a prom- inent farmer of Jackson township. where he owns a valuable farm of 180 acres on the Florence Chapel turnpike, was born August 19, 1857. in Jackson township. Pickaway County, Ohio. He is a son of Henry Bedinger and Elizabeth (Nesbitt) Swearingen.

Our subject is in the seventh generation of his family established in America. The founder, Zachariah Swerengen, as the name was formerly spelled, was born in Holland. married Barbara De Barette, lived in the Province of Brabant and emigrated from there to America in 1654. He settled in Maryland, of which he was made a freeman in 1669.

Zachariah Swearingen, son of Zachariah. the immigrant, probably married in Maryland. He reared four sons : Thomas, Van, John and Samuel.

Thomas, the eldest son of Zachariah Swear- ingen (2), also married in Maryland and had two sons-Thomas and Van. According to old records these sons, in 1734, settled along the Shenandoah River, in the vicinity of Sheperds- town. The second son was later a lieutenant of militia, in Berkeley County, Virginia. He seems to have been a man of military tastes as the records show that he later became a colonel of militia and doubtless had much to do with the civilizing of that locality. He had five children.

Josiah Swearingen, the eldest son of Thomas Swearingen, was born March 28, 1744, in Virginia, and died August 9, 1795.

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He also became a military man, becoming a captain under General Lewis, during Lord Dunmore's War. On January 5, 1777, he mar- ried Phebe Strode, who was born December 8, 1747, and died July 6, 1786. Their chil- dren were: Thomas, James S., Samuel and Eleanor. The last named became the wife of Governor Thomas Worthington.

James S. Swearingen, the second son of Josiah Swearingen, was born February 3, 1782. in Berkeley County, Virginia. He was a youth of quick perceptions as the family annals tell that when he was but 16 years old he was made a clerk in the office of the county clerk at Win- chester, Frederick County, Virginia. A change of climate being suggested to him, on account of his delicate health, he concluded to become one of the great body of pioneers who were seeking homes and lands in what was then the wilderness of Ohio, and succeeded in exchang- ing his Virginia estates for land near the vil- lage of Chillicothe. He also possessed his fam- ily's military spirit as we learn that in 1800 he was appointed an ensign in the army, two years later made a lieutenant and was con- sidered so good a soldier and so reliable a man that he was called to guide a party through the wilderness from Chillicothe to Lake Erie; and when he reached Detroit, he was entrusted with the command of a company which was hurried to the relief of the settlement at Chicago. There he remained in command during the building of Fort Dearborn and later was sta- tioned at Fort Mifflin in the vicinity of Phila- delphia. Later he was sent to various points to quell disorder, the greater part of his life being spent on the frontier.

In 1814, after deserved promotions, General Swearingen was stationed at Chillicothe, where he remained until the close of the War of 1812. After the cessation of hostilities, he decided to make that place his home, although, through his father-in-law, he had become the possessor of the Bedinger tract of land in Jackson township, Pickaway County, of which our subject's farm is a part. General Swearingen died at Chilli- cothe on February 3, 1864.

On November 4, 1811, while stationed at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he was married to

Nancy Bedinger, who was born January 7, 1787, and was a daughter of Capt. Henry and Rachel (Strode) Bedinger. The Bedingers were German Protestants who fled from perse- cution to America. They landed at Philadel- delphia, Pennsylvania, in 1734 and subse- quently settled in York County, Pennsylvania. Henry Bedinger, son of Adam the immigrant, married Magdalena Slagle and they moved to Sheperdstown, Virginia, in 1762. The father of Mrs. Nancy Swearingen, Henry Bedinger, was born there October 16, 1753. He became a captain in the Patriot Army during the Revo- lutionary War, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington and for four years was confined on Long Island. He survived the horrors of the British prisons and in 1796 located the land in Jackson township, Pickaway County, which was given him for his services as a soldier. This land has remained in the family, never having been either bought or sold. He was a member of the Order of the Cincinnati.

The children of James and Nancy (Bed- inger) Swearingen were seven in number, three of whom died in infancy. Those who reached maturity were: Henry Bedinger, Eleanor, Sarah B. and Virginia. Virginia died unmar- ried. Eleanor married twice; first, John H. Grant of Covington, Kentucky, and second, Maj. Edward Clarkson, also of Covington. She died in 1879. Sarah married N. W. Thatcher.

Henry Bedinger Swearingen, father of our subject, was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, on November 16, 1814, and in 1848 he settled on what was known as the Bedinger survey, al- though he has been a resident of Pickaway County from 1837. On January 3, 1850, he married Elizabeth Nesbitt, who was born June 3. 1827, at Xenia, Ohio, and died in 1881. He died October 15, 1889. Their children were: Eleanor V .. James Strode, Nancy N., Robert N., John Grant, Henry B., Thomas T., and Mary S. Eleanor V., born in 1854, married W. Vernor Grant, of Covington, Kentucky (now a resident of Circleville), in 1882, and died September 26, 1890, leaving a son-Henry. Nancy N., born in 1858, died in 1887. Robert N., born in 1859, died in 1865. John Grant,

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born February 24, 1863, married Fannie Dent on November 13, 1888, and they have one daughter-Virginia Dent. Henry B. is con- nected with government official life, with head- quarters at Louisville, Kentucky. Thomas T., born in 1868, is in business at Columbus. Mary S., a graduate of a private seminary at Columbus, married William Hail, resides in Houston, Texas, and has three children.

The father of the above named family was a graduate of Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, and was a man of scholarly tastes and wide information. He numbered among his intimate friends many of the prominent men of his day who were attracted to him by his sterling character, his genial hospitality and his social accomplishments. He was a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church, con- nected with St. Philip's parish, and through life was a true churchman. His liberality to his church and to educational and philanthropic objects was notable.

James Strode Swearingen was given good educational opportunities which he took ad- vantage of in his youth. Declining a profes- sional life, he chose agriculture as his occu- pation and has continued in the cultivation of the patrimonial acres. The farm is a highly cultivated one and is well improved. In 1890 Mr. Swearingen remodeled the family resi- dence, introducing many modern features, making it an ornament to the township and a pleasing, comfortable home to the owners.

On November 12, 1890, Mr. Swearingen was married to Minerva Anderson, who was born October 15, 1861, in Wayne township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and she is a daughter of James H. and Elizabeth (Fleming ) Ander- son. The children born to the above union are: Henry B., named for his grandfather, born August 31, 1894; William F., born Sep- tember 13, 1895 ; and Sarah, born February 10, 1897. Mr. Swearingen, with his family, be- long to St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church at Circleville.

For a number of years Mr. Swearingen has been prominently identified with the Republi- can party in Pickaway County and has served many times as a delegate to important conven-

tions. He belongs to the Foresters lodge at Circleville, and for a long time was active in the local Grange.

As a closing paragraph to the record of a notable family of Pickaway County, Ohio, we add an extract from a daily newspaper pub- lished in Chicago, Illinois, under date of Sep- tember 20, 1903 :

"In 1803, Capt. John Whistler and Lieut. James S. Swearingen, with a company of United States Regulars, infantry, built and es- tablished Fort Dearborn." On account of this fact, our subject and his cousin, Edward Strode Thatcher, were made honorary members of the Chicago Historical Society.

J A. McLAUGHLIN, of the firm of J. A. Mclaughlin & Brother, proprietors of the Mclaughlin buggy, carriage and wagon works at Circleville, was born in this city, May 1, 1862, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Kramer) McLaughlin.

William McLaughlin was the founder of the present extensive business carried on by his sons. He was born in Pennsylvania and came in 1842, to Circleville, where his death occurred in 1892. In 1866 he embarked in a general blacksmithing business and also in the manu- facture of wagons and carriages, being one of the pioneers in this line in Circleville. He be- came a man of substance and prominence, took an active interest in civic affairs and served two terms as a member of the City Council. He married Elizabeth Kramer and they had two sons-J. A. and W. G.

J. A. Mclaughlin was educated in the pub- lic schools and was graduated at the Circleville High School in 1880. He at once became an employee under his father and in 1888 he be- came a member of the firm, the style then as- assumed being William McLaughlin & Son. This continued until the death of the older member in 1892, when the second son entered the business and the firm name became J. A. Mclaughlin & Brother. Their output covers all kinds of vehicles; they build carriages, bug-

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gies, and delivery and transfer wagons and stand at the head of this line of business in Circleville. Both are practical workmen, understanding every detail themselves. They employ a large amount of skilled help.

J. A. Mclaughlin is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows.

W. G. MCLAUGHLIN, the second member of the above mentioned firm, was born in 1868, in Circleville, where he was educated. He was trained in his father's carriage works and is a capable mechanic. He was married in February, 1897, to Ora Valentine, who is a daughter of Noah Valentine, of Fairfield County, Ohio.

ENRY GREEN, who resides on a well-cultivated farm of 4014 acres in Scioto township and who is well known as a Prohibitionist and an up- holder of public education, is a son of John Mordecai and Mary (Conrad) Green. He was born in Goodhope township, Hocking County, Ohio, February 17, 1847, and ob- tained his early education in the district schools of that county. In 1865, with his parents, he removed to Pickaway County, locating in Muhlenberg township, on what was then known as the Renick farm, now owned by Scott Carpenter. There he resided for three years, after which he settled on the Gantz es- tate, an adjoining farm, where he remained for two years. His father at that time was en- gaged in teaching, which vocation he followed both in Pickaway and in Hocking County, farming often in the summer months. In his earlier years, the subject of this sketch himself taught eight winter terms, being engaged in agricultural labors in the summer season.

John M. Green, the father of our subject, served for two terms as justice of the peace in Scioto township, was a very intelligent and highly respected citizen and died more than 25 years ago at the age of upward of 60 years; his widow survived him until January 12, 1905, when she passed away at the age of 84.years, having spent her last years in Lancaster, Fair- field County, Ohio. In the family of John M.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 75

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