History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 78

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

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John P. Noecker was reared in Walnut township and obtained his education in the. public schools. His life has been mainly de- voted to farming and stock-raising. He owns a large amount of valuable property consisting of two farms, one of these being the home place and the other-143 acres of fine land in Walnut township-on which his eldest son resides. Mr. Noecker is a successful agri- culturist and the pride he takes in his prop- erty is shown in its fine appearance. Madison

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township has few more productive farms than his.

On October 16, 1874, Mr. Noecker was married to Sarah C. Baum, who was born in Madison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 30, 1851, and is a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Roof) Baum, the former a native of Pickaway County and the latter, of Maryland. Mrs. Baum died in 1900, but Mr. Baum still survives, being one of the most venerable of the early citizens of Madi- son township. His father, Christian Baum, came here as a pioneer from Pennsylvania, when savage beasts and Indians still roamed through the forests. Mr. Baum is one of the oldest members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Noecker have two sons- Clarence B., of . Walnut township, and How- ard H., who manages the home farm. The family lived in Walnut township until 1896, having prior to that lived in Harrison town- ship. Since 1896 the home has been in Madi- son township. They are well known over a large part of the county and their friends are legion. Both are consistent members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Noecker is a deacon, an office he has faithfully filled for years. In politics he is a Republican.

S AMUEL H. HOLLIDAY, one of Muhlenberg township's successful agriculturists, who operates a farm of 204 acres in one of the best portions of the township, was born in Jack- son township, Pickaway County, Ohio, July II, 1855, and is a son of George P. and Alice (Hudson) Holliday.

George P. Holliday was born in West- moreland County, Virginia, and came to Pick- away County in 1849, accompanied by his wife and three children. This was his second trip here as he had made a prospecting one at an earlier date, covering the whole distance on foot with the exception of a short distance when he rode on a canal boat., After work- ing as a farm hand for one year, he went back for his family and returned, this time in a comfortable wagon. The remainder of his life was passed here, his death taking place

on October 17, 1891, at the age of 78 years. He married Alice Hudson, who was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, January 6, 1816, and died in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 25, 1896. They had these children : William and Louis, both deceased; Betsey, re- siding with our subject; Joseph, of Indiana; George, of Circleville; Richard, of Ashville; Nancy (Dornsife), of Circleville; Mathew, deceased; Samuel H., of this sketch; and two babes that died in infancy.

Samuel H. Holliday remained with his parents until his marriage and they spent their last years with him. Mr. Holliday has de- voted his whole life to farming and enjoys the reputation of being a thorough-going, practical and successful agriculturist. He rents the 204- acre farm of Stephen Miller, paying. the rent in grain and stocking the land himself. Every evidence in sight goes to show that the land is carefully cultivated and made to produce to the limit of its capacity.

On June 17, 1879, Mr. Holliday was mar- ried to Ada Bethard, who was born at Darby- ville, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 30, 1861, and is a daughter of Joseph and Caro- line (Plumber) Bethard, the former of whom was born at Darbyville and the latter at Yel- low Bud, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Holliday have had seven children, as follows: Alice Edna, Della Caroline, William Hadley, Elizabeth Leona, Arthur Stephen (who died aged 10 years and 10 months), Thomas Miesse and Noah Ned.

In politics Mr. Holliday has been a life- long Democrat but he does not seek office, his preference being the cultivation of the soil, the raising of stock, the education of his children and the careful promotion of their best wel- fare. He votes as becomes a good citizen, but leaves the cares of office to others.

77 ILLIAM THRAILKILL, who owns 258 acres of fertile farming land, situated in what is now known as Scioto township, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, and is a son of Toliver and Elizabeth (Kios) Thrail- kill.

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Toliver Thrailkill was born in Muskingum County, Ohio. He was one of a large family, some of the members being : Elijah, who mar- ried Susan Weekly-both now deceased; Cyrus, who died in young manhood; John, deceased; Elizabeth, who married Adam Hen- nis-both now deceased; Lucinda (Carnes) ; and Toliver, who was the second son. The father of this family died from injuries re- ceived in the construction of the first bridge built at Zanesville, Ohio. Toliver Thrailkill settled in Franklin County, Ohio, when 22 years of age. He married Elizabeth Kios, who was born on the Scioto River and was a daugh- ter of Henry Kios. She had two brothers- William and Miles, both of whom are de- ceased-and four sisters, namely: Mary, de- ceased; Christine, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Haughn; Catherine, wife of Samuel Morris, of Franklin County; and Nancy, who married Peter Lingby, of Illinois. The mother of our subject was the eldest of the family. The children of Toliver and Elizabeth (Kios) Thrailkill were: George H., who married Emma Burke; Marshall E., who married Laura Haughn; Frances, who married James V. Fuller; Clara, who married Frank Ditrick; Adam, who died in infancy; Oma, who mar- ried Britt Strader; and William, who was the second eldest in the family.

William Thrailkill accompanied his father from Franklin to Pickaway County and set- tled on his father's farm in 1882. On Novem- ber 12, 1884, he was united in marriage with Alice Rush, who was born in Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, April 20, 1858, and is a daughter of Francis N. and Matilda (Rayn) Rush. The father of Mrs. Thrailkill was a son of Francis and Nancy Rush, natives of Virginia. Her mother is a daughter of John and Huldah Rayn, of Maryland. Francis N. Rush died in 1886, and his wife in 1899. They had one daughter-Mrs. Thrailkill-and three sons, viz .: Austin, who married Martha W. Mitch- ell; Homer Virgil, who married Caroline Maris; and Eugene B., who married Emma Mundell.

The first year of their wedded life was passed by Mr. and Mrs. William Thrailkill

on the former's father's farm, following which Mr. Thrailkill rented a farm of E. W. Gibson, at Commercial Point. In the spring of 1887 they removed to the present home farm, of 176 acres, which was a part of Mrs. Thrail- kill's father's estate. Later Mr. Thrailkill pur- chased 82 acres, which farm is situated on the King's Church new road. This land, known as the Buckley farm, he bought from A. R. Brown. Mr. Thrailkill has made extensive improvements on both his properties. The family residence is a comfortable, seven-room dwelling, which is surrounded by a neat lawn, the whole enclosed by a fine iron fence and presenting a most attractive appearance. In the near distance can be seen the large barn, indicative of extensive agricultural operations, while a modern windmill provides an abund- ance of clear, cold water. In every respect this is an ideal rural home.

Mr. and Mrs. Thrailkill have one son, Frederick, who was born August 23, 1888, and is one of the promising students at the Commercial Point High School.

Mr. Thrailkill takes only a moderate inter- est in political matters. He is interested in local affairs, especially in educational matters and has served as school director. The greater part of his time is devoted to his farm. For some years he has made the breeding of choice poultry a feature and his collection of Plymouth Rocks,. Black Spanish and White Leghorn fowls is very valuable.

ALTER NEWTON McCOY, one of Williamsport's most successful business men, is head of the firm of W. N. McCoy & Company, which carries on an extensive fur- niture' and undertaking business. Occupying one of the most desirable business blocks in the town, they carry a complete line of furni- ture and make a good display of their goods. Mr. McCoy was born in New Holland, Pick- away County, Ohio, November 23, 1878, and is a son of Joseph D. and Irene (Haggard) McCoy.

Joseph D. McCoy was born in Blooms-

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burg, Ohio, and removed to Frankfort with his father, who had the distinction of making the first steel plow in this part of the country. Joseph D. McCoy, who is now located at Frankfort, is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and buggies and does a general black- smithing business. His vehicles have an es- tablished reputation in this part of Ohio. He married Irene Haggard, who was born in Frankfort in the house in which she now lives, which house was built by her father, Solomon Haggard. Three children were born to this union : Walter Newton, our subject; Lucy, who lives at home; and Mary, who died in infancy.

Walter N. McCoy was about six or eight months old when his parents returned to Frankfort, where they remained a year and a half. They then located at Washington Court House, Ohio, for about 12 years; after which they again returned to Frankfort, Ohio. He then worked in the establishment of his father, in manufacturing buggies and black- smithing. It was while thus engaged that he drifted into the undertaking business, assist- ing Thomas Irving. He continued at this business some four years prior to his removal to Williamsport. He came here in 1901, on January 4th of this year, becoming junior member of the firm of Murray & McCoy, fur- niture dealers and undertakers. In September of the same year he purchased Mr. Murray's interest and the business has since been con- ducted by W. N. McCoy & Company, the firm being composed of Mr. McCoy and his wife. Mr. McCoy has attended a number of institutions in order to perfect himself in his profession, among them being the Clarke Cin- cinnati College of Embalming; Eckel's Phila- delphia Training School of Embalming, and Myers' College of Embalming at Columbus. In 1902 he was granted a license by the State. He is a member of the Funeral Directors' and Embalmers' Association of Ohio.

Mr. McCoy was married July 19, 1899, to Mary V. Cory, a native of Frankfort, Ohio, and a daughter of O. A. and Ella B. Cory. Her father is a prominent man of affairs. Mr. McCoy is a Republican in politics and is serv-

ing as councilman. Fraternally he is con- nected with Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M .; Williamsport Lodge, No. 478, K. of P .; Winifred Temple, No. 219, Rathbone Sisters, at Williamsport; and Camp No. 4475, M. W. of A., at Williamsport. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

ILTON FRANKLIN MAY, whose reputation as an excellent farmer and successful stock-raiser extends all over and beyond Muhlenberg township,. justifies this favorable opinion in his capable management of a farm of 426 acres. Mr. May belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Pickaway County and was born April 1, 1867, on the May homestead, in Walnut township, Pickaway County. His parents were George J. and Mary (Heim) May.

Mr. May comes of French and German ancestry. His grandparents were John A. and Magdalena (Rohrer) May, the former of whom was a native of Loudoun County, Vir- ginia, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. On the maternal side the great-grand- father was a native of Germany and an early settler in Maryland. The family was founded in Ohio in 1836 by John A. May, who settled in .Walnut township, Pickaway County, when the country was still a complete wilderness. Since then the May family has been intimately identified with the progress and development of Pickaway County. John A. May lived until 1887, leaving behind him a good name and a fine estate which he had wrested from the dense forest which surrounded his little log cabin for years after he had settled here.

George J. May, father of Milton Frank- lin May, was born in Frederick County, Mary- land, June 1, 1832, and still survives, residing on his farm near East Ringgold. He was four. years old when his parents came to Pickaway County, where he has spent his long and use- ful life. He was united in marriage with Mary Heim on March 21, 1858. She was born in

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Pickaway County, Ohio, July 31, 1840, a daughter of John and Susanna Heim. They were very early settlers in Walnut township and at death left a comfortable estate. Mrs. May died November 12, 1898, at East Ring- gold. The children of George J. May and wife were: William, John L., Nelson H., Mil- ton Franklin, Calvin M. and Lyman. Mr. May is a prominent member of the United Brethren Church and has long been one of the trustees. In politics he is a Republican.

Milton Franklin May was reared in Walnut township and attended the common schools. Until he reached his majority, he remained at home assisting his father, and then started into business in partnership with his brother, John L. May. They embarked in a grocery business at East Ringgold, which they con- tinued for four years under the firm name of May Brothers. John L. May then bought our subject's interest and the latter returned to the management of the homestead farm, where he remained for three years. Then he embarked on his own account in a grocery business at Circleville and continued there until he rented the large farm which he so ably manages. This property belongs to Mrs. Ida L. Rife. Mr. May operates it as a grain and stock farm, working it on shares. He has done his own stocking and owns some 40 head of cattle, 100 hogs and 50 head of sheep. He does not breed horses but uses some 14 in the operation of this large body of land.

On November 28, 1889, Mr. May was mar- ried to Carrie Rife, who was born July 9, 1868, in Pickaway County, and is a daughter of John and Miranda (Minshall) Rife. John Rife was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, while his wife was born in Ross County, Ohio. Jacob Rife, father of John, was from Pennsyl- vania and settled in Fairfield County at an early day. William Gilmore Minshall, grand- father of Mrs. May, was born in Virginia and came to Ross County, Ohio, with his parents when only one year old. He married Eliza- beth Jones, of Ross County, Ohio. John Rife and wife had seven children, as follows : Alice; John E., a contractor at Columbus; Charles M., a grain dealer at Circleville; Carrie, wife

of our subject; Cora, wife of W. L. Wells, of Columbus; Samuel Tilden, a farmer of Cir- cleville township; and Emanuel J., a resident of Ashville, Ohio. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. May, as follows : Tracy R., Clyde F., Ida A., Mary M., Grace C., Georgie M. and Kenneth M.

In political sentiment, Mr. May is a Re- publican. He has been a member of the School Board of Muhlenberg township for the past five years and for two years has been its presi- dent. He is a leading member of his party here and has served four years as a member of the Republican County Central Commit- tee. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of -America.

ILLIAM COLBOURM ADKINS, a prosperous farmer of Monroe township, who is operating the farm of W. M. Heath, of Mount Sterling, owns a farm of 105 acres, which is also located in Monroe township. Mr. Adkins was born January 3, 1873, in Fayette County, Ohio, and is a son of Leonard and Ellen (Clariadge) Adkins.

The Adkins family was established in Ohio in the time of the great-grandfather of our subject, Stanton Adkins, who came from Vir- ginia and died in Monroe township, Pickaway County, many years later. He purchased a farm in the vicinity of Mount Sterling and an- other large tract of land near Five Points. He was the father of 20. children, one of whom was Elijah, who became our subject's grand- father.

Elijah Adkins was born on his father's farm, in Monroe township. He married Nellie Adkins, who so far as known was not a rela- tive, and they had these children : Leonard, Amelia, Kendall M., Susan, Alice and Marion. Elijah Adkins was a well-known man through- out Pickaway County. He ran a livery stable at Mount Sterling and he also operated a mill. He was one of the pioneer mail carriers and made the trip from Mount Sterling to Circle- ville and Washington Court House and back

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to Mount Sterling and then to Columbus, on horseback. The greater part of his life was spent at Mount Sterling.

Leonard Adkins, father of William C. Ad- kins, was born at Mount Sterling and attended school there, assisting his father, as he grew older, in carrying the mails. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, and after three months of service returned to his father's farm in Monroe township. Later he re-enlisted and served with the rank of Ist lieutenant until the close of the war. He took part in many im- portant engagements but survived all dangers and returned safely to the old farm. He had married after his first return from the army, and now he and his wife took up their resi- dence on the home place and remained until after the birth of two children-Maggie and Flora. The former married Elmer Beal and they live in Madison County. The latter died in 1901.

Leonard Adkins then settled on the Will- iam Jones farm in Monroe township and while the family lived there, one daughter was born, Emma, who married Harvey Keller and lives in Fayette County. Later the family removed to the Isaac Moor farm in Fayette County, and there three children were born, namely : William C., of this sketch; Anna, who married Smith Dennis and lives at Detroit, Michigan; and Omer, who resides at Columbus. Leon- ard Adkins then settled on his farm of 1241/2 acres in Monroe township, which he had bought five years previously, where both he and wife still reside, most highly esteemed residents of the locality. Two children were born to them: Lora H., who married Johnnie Davis and lives in Darby township; and Ross, who lives at home with his parents.

William C. Adkins has been an agricultur- ist all his life. After reaching man's estate, he was united in marriage with Emma Owen, a daughter of Frederick and Mary A. (Davis) Owen, the former of whom is a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent citizen of Monroe township.

Frederick Owen was born on his father's farm in Marion County, Ohio, in May, 1843, and is a son of Jesse and Barbara (Hoffman)

Owen, who were early settlers in Ohio. The father of Mr. Owen was a farmer and also a carpenter. He died in Marion County, when Frederick was four years of age. In the fol- lowing year, with his mother and four broth- ers, Frederick Owen came to Pickaway Coun- ty, settling in Muhlenberg township, with his mother's parents. After their death, he and his mother lived at Darbyville and there she died and he became a member of the family of Joseph Merrill, for whom he continued to work for his board and clothing until he was 19 years of age, when he entered the army.

The date of Mr. Owen's enlistment was July 19, 1862. He served as a private in the 90th Regiment,. Ohio Vol. Inf., from that date until the close of the war, being discharged on June 16, 1865. Mr. Owen participated in many serious battles, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville and Atlanta, and be- ing so often at the post of danger he did not altogether escape injury. He suffered a bullet wound in his right leg which confined him to a hospital for three months.

At the close of the war, after receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Owen returned to Pickaway County and worked for William Davis, who had married his cousin, and made his home with Mr. Davis until his marriage, which took place on September 9, 1868, to Mary A. Davis, who was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Davis. A few years later, Mr. Owen purchased his first farm, a tract of 1021/2 acres, paying $55 per acre for the same, and with his family moved into the log house that stood on the property. Soon after, he added 50 acres more and still later bought the farm on which he now lives, which has been the family home since 1886. He owns 540 acres of land in all, the greater part of which is under a fine state of cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Owen have had eight chil- dren, namely: Amanda, who married Smiley Hughes and at her death left two children- Sylvia and Mabel; Sarah Jane, deceased, who was the wife of D. M. Hampsheer; George W., deceased; Millard F., a twin brother of George W., deceased in July, 1905; Roscoe, deceased at the age of three years; Emma, who

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is the wife of the subject of this sketch; John W., who married Theo Glasskell and lives in Monroe township; and Bessie, who married Roy McCoy, of Fayette County, and lives on a farm adjoining that of her father.

After marriage, our subject and wife started to keep house on the farm of William Wolfe, in Monroe township, where they re- mained for one year and then removed to the farm of Leo Evans. Mr. Adkins operated that farm for three years and then moved to the Van Buskirk farm, which he managed for 14 months. He then rented the farm on which he resides. It is a tract of 101 acres, on the Clark's Run road, which belongs to W. M. Heath, of Mount Sterling. Mr. Adkins also has a farm of 105 acres which he devotes to general farming and the grazing of cattle. This property was given Mr. and Mrs. Adkins by Mr. Owen, his father-in-law.

Mr. and Mrs. Adkins have had two chil- dren, Frederick and Leafa. The former was born November 25, 1894, and died July I, 1902. The latter was born May 29, 1896, and is a bright little maiden at school. Mr. Ad- kins has served in numerous township offices, has been supervisor for two terms and a mem- ber of the School Board for two years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. With his wife he is a member of the Christian Church at Five Points. The family and its connections are among the most highly esteemed citizens of Monroe township.

D AVID HALL, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Madison township, residing on his fine farm of 120 acres, was born in this town- ship on February 28, 1865, and is a son of Peter and Lavina (Solt) Hall.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, David Hall, was born in Pennsylvania and ac- companied his parents to Pickaway County, Ohio. He was reared in Madison township, but after his marriage removed to Walnut township and developed a fine farm. Both parents of our subject were born and reared in Pickaway County.

David Hall grew to manhood on his father's farm in Madison township, the fam- ily having settled here in his boyhood. He at- tended the public schools for some years and then enjoyed the advantages offered at the nor- mal school at Lebanon, Ohio, for a time, but ever since completing his education he has been engaged exclusively in agricultural ef- forts. He owns a large amount of excellent land, consisting of the farm above mentioned and another which contains 1211/2 acres. The latter he rents.

In 1889 Mr. Hall was married to Hattie Wilson, who is a daughter of the late John Wilson, of Madison township, and they have two sons, Clarence D., who was born June 16, 1896, and Robert R., who was born February 28, 1899.

Mr. Hall is a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party. He is one of the leading members of Trinity Lutheran Church, at Marcy. He is one of the township's reliable, honorable men and a thoroughly representative citizen.

J OSEPH W. SCHLEICH, who has a fine, well-improved farm of 182 acres, which is situated in Deer Creek town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 20, 1864, and is a son of William C. and Mar- garet (Work) Schleich.

The parents of Mr. Schleich removed from Fairfield to Pickaway County in 1876, locating in Monroe township, where the father pur- chased a farm. William C. Schleich died on this farm on October 8, 1879, leaving a family of five children.

Joseph W. Schleich remained on the home place in Monroe township until 1896, when he bought what was known as the Manley place, in Deer Creek township. This farm is well adapted to farming and stock-raising and, since Mr. Schleich has completed his many im- provements, is very valuable. One of these improvements was the erection of a substantial residence to take the place of the old Manley home, which was erected 90 years ago and is still standing. Mr. Schleich will utilize the

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CHRISTOPHER C. HANAWALT.

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old house for other purposes than a residence, having occupied the new one since 1903.

In 1893 Mr. Schleich was married to Nettie Tarbill, who was born in Deer Creek township, and is a daughter of Wesley and Nancy (Grimes) Tarbill, residents of Deer Creek township. One son has been born to this mar- riage, Charles Wesley.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 78

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