History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 86

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 86

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W. B. Haswell was reared at Circleville and educated in the home schools. Then enter- ing his father's employ, he worked his way from the ground up, in order to gain a practi- cal knowledge of the business. In 1885 he be- came a member of the firm of W. B. Haswell & Company, which continued for a few years and was then succeeded by the Haswell Steel Range & Furnace Company. Mr. Haswell does a good business in the manufacture of steel ranges, hot air furnaces and steel tanks, the specialty being the hot air furnace. He has well-equipped quarters with good transporta-

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tion facilities and this is fortunate as he ships fully three-fourths of his product ..

Mr. Haswell was married in 1885 to Lucy Miller, who is a daughter of the late Jacob Y. Miller.

As a business man Mr. Haswell is very highly regarded in commercial circles, the re- liability of his goods never being questioned and his methods being those of a progressive, honest and honorable man.

F. WEGERLY, attorney-at-law, Cir- cleville, a member of the law firm of Lindsay & Wegerly, was born in Circleville township, Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1880.

His father, Adam Wegerly, was born in Germany. He emigrated to the United States in 1832, and settled in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. He was an early settler in Pickaway County, and is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Circleville township. He is in his 80th year.

L. F. Wegerly was reared in his native township, and obtained his early education in the local schools, subsequently becoming a student in the Ohio Northern University, where he was graduated in the scientific course in 1903. In the following year he graduated in the same institution in the law course, and was admitted to the bar on June 22, 1904. In 1900 and 1901 he took a course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, graduating in bookkeeping and stenography, after which he was employed by the firm of Oscar Smith & Son, New York City, as sten- ographer, later as head bookkeeper.

He is thus pretty fairly equipped for almost any situation into which his professional life may bring him, and outside of his profession is able to compete with the general run of young business men.

Politically, Mr. Wegerly is a Democrat. He is an able, enterprising young man, with modern ideas and firm convictions of right and wrong. He is one of the young Americans for whom it is safe to predict professional and, probably, political success.

ILSON H. PONTIUS, one of the most prominent farmers and sub- stantial citizens of Washington township, the owner of 250 acres of valuable farm land, was born in the house which he now occupies and where he has lived all his life. He is a son of David G. and Susan (Stout) Pontius.

David G. Pontius, who was also born in . Washington township, and whose death oc- curred in 1887, was one of the representative farmers of the county. His widow, the mother of our subject, is still living at the age of 76 and resides on the home farm near the home of the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Pontius has always lived in his native county and been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His 250 acres of farm land are divided into two farms. The farm upon which he re- sides consists of 108 acres; the largebrick house in which he lives was built by his father in 1857. The other farm, which contains 142 acres, lies just one and a half miles northeast of the home farm and is known as the Reuben Shellhammer farm; it was purchased by Mr. Pontius in 1905.

Mr. Pontius was married in June, 1886, to Mary E. Snyder, a daughter of Emanuel Snyder. They have two children-Blanch and Leland E., both living at home. Mr. Pon- tius is a member of the German Reformed Church. Politically he is a Democrat and has served several years as township treasurer. Mr. Pontius is a member of the Masonic order.

LOYD EDWIN GINDER, M. D., who has been established as one of Darby- ville's successful physicans since July, 1904, was born near Lancaster, Ohio, January 26, 1877, and is a son of Adam H. and Sarah (Baugher) Ginder.

The parents of Dr. Ginder were natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, where the father was born June 4, 1850. He was a farmer by vo- cation and took a deep interest in politics. He was a stanch Democrat and served for 10 years as township assessor in a Republican town- ship, and served also as land appraiser. For

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six years he served as deputy county auditor and then was elected and served six years as auditor. For 12 years he had an office in the Court House.

Floyd Edwin Ginder remained on his father's farm in Fairfield County until the lat- ter was appointed deputy county auditor, and in 1889 removed his family to Lancaster. Our subject was the eldest of three children, his two sisters being: Viola, wife of William Gray, of Lancaster, Ohio; and Myrtle, still living at home. All were educated in the schools. at Lancaster. After our subject had graduated at the Lancaster High School, he went to the Ohio State University, where he took the scientific course and was subsequent- ly graduated in medicine at Starling Medical College. For two and a half years he was as- sistant physician and surgeon at St. Anthony's Hospital at Columbus. On July 16, 1904, he located permanently at Darbyville.

Dr. Ginder was cradled in the Democratic party and it is not remarkable that he has al- ways taken an active interest in the well being of that organization. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Wil- liamsport. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Derby and has membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. He keeps closely in touch with matters concerning his profession and belongs to the Ohio State Med- ical Society. He also retains his college fra- ternity connection, with the Phi Sigma Psi.

R ICHARD N. DICK, an old and hon- ored resident of Pickaway County, owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, situated in Darby township, on the Circleville and London turnpike. He was born in Perry township, Pickaway County, Ohio, June 11, 1836, and is the young- est son of Nicholas and Mary (Johnson) Dick.

The Dick family came to Ohio from Vir- ginia, the first one to settle in Perry township being a brother of Nicholas Dick. As he gave good accounts of the country, Nicholas, his wife Mary and his son Aaron came over the

mountains on horse back and reached New Holland during the period when the hamlet was being laid out and the first lots sold. Dur- ing the family's residence in Perry township, the other nine members were born, namely: Johnson, William, Mary, Rosanna, Jackson, Henry, Barbara (deceased in infancy), Sarah (widow of Martin Thomas), and Richard. The two last named are the only survivors. After some years in Perry township, Mr. Dick sold his farm, and in 1840 bought the farm in Darby township which is occupied by Oscar M. Dick, and on that farm Nicholas Dick and wife both died.

Richard Dick accompanied his parents in their removal from Perry to Darby township and resided on the home farm until his mar- riage to Editha M. Smith, who was one of a large family born to Sampson B. and Marga- ret (Hill) Smith, who came to Ohio from Maryland at an early day. The following were the children born to Sampson B. Smith : Rebecca A., who married Thomas D. Ridgway, of Darby township; Martha, who married Woodson J. Shockly; Elizabeth, who married (first) Lewis Ballah and (second) Martin Bailey; Editha M., wife of our subject; Polly, who died in young womanhood; George, who married Ellen McGillen; William, who mar- ried Nancy Polson; Isaac, deceased; and Sam- uel, who married Martha M. Dick and now re- sides. in Darby township near Derby. Mrs. Dick died February 24, 1905, leaving one daughter, Mary, wife of Miles Green, to whom she was married August 18, 1880. Miles Green is a son of Joseph Green, one of the old citizens of the section. To Mr. and Mrs. Green was born a daughter, Elta Florence, who was married September 18, 1901, to Charles N. Mantle, a son of John Mantle. This marriage has resulted in making our esteemed subject the proud great-grandfather of two very attractive little grandchildren, Annette and Raymond Mantle. The Mantles are resi- dents of Darby township.

Mr. Dick purchased his farm from the heirs of Sampson B. Smith, his father-in-law, and it is now managed by Joseph Smith. The comfortable farm residence was erected by

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MR. AND MRS. ROBERT W. PETERS.

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Mr. Dick himself. Since the death of his wife, as above noted, Mr. Dick has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Green, in Derby village, having given this home as a present to his daughter and her husband, for whom he entertains a high regard. Mr. Green is a well-educated, studious man, and is a teacher in the district schools in Darby township, hav- ing followed the profession of teacher for the past 30 years. He graduated at the Worthing- ton Normal School in 1876, having completed the scientific course. He then taught in the Model School at Worthington, Franklin Coun- ty, Ohio; was superintendent of the Union High School in Waterford, Knox County, Ohio; and taught the grammar department of the. Darby township High School. He was one of the organizers of the Disciples Church at Derby in 1887. Mr. Green was the first to purchase and make use of a motor-cycle in his neighborhood.

Although Mr. Dick has reached his three score and ten years he is a man still vigorous and well preserved, reading without the aid of glasses and keeping himself pleasantly busy all the time. He is a worthy member of the Disciples' Church, from which his beloved wife was buried. The family is very well known all over the township.

R OBERT W. PETERS, owner of a fine homestead of 210 acres in Walnut township and a well-known lay preacher in the Baptist Church, was born in Perry township, Franklin County, Ohio, February 7, 1846. He is a son of Gershom M. and Ann (Walcutt) Peters, the former a native of Walnut township. The Peters family originated in Virginia and at an early day became settled in Fairfield County, Ohio. Mahlon Peters, the grandfather of Rob- ert W. Peters, settled in Walnut township, Pickaway County. Here Gershom Peters, the father, grew to manhood, and then moved to Franklin County, this State, where he married Ann Walcutt, daughter of Robert Walcutt.

Mr. and Mrs. Gershom Peters became the parents of six children, four of whom attained

maturity, viz. : Mahlon, who died at the age of 54, leaving a widow, who is a resident of Co- lumbus; Susanna H., wife of Edwin Newton, of Walnut township; Rachel L., wife of Rob- ert A. Vandervort, of Pickaway township; and Robert W.

Robert W. Peters was raised in Franklin County, with the exception of the period be- tween the ages of eight and 15 years, during which his parents lived in Iowa. In 1861 the family returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 1864, when Robert was 18 years old, he en- listed for service in Company E, First Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., his term being for three years. The young patriot served under Sherman and Thomas, and participated in the siege of At- lanta, being discharged at Hilton Head Island, about 70 miles off the South Carolina coast, opposite Charleston. He received his final pa- pers of honorable discharge from the service at Columbus.

One of the most signal services which Mr. Peters performed for the government was in connection with the capture of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. He is the only man in Pickaway County who is identified with that historic episode. He is one of 33 soldiers from Ohio who succeeded in entering the Rebel lines during the Civil War. Dressed as a Confederate soldier, he entered the lines of the enemy and spent 12 days getting infor- mation as a spy. Although he expected noth- ing for his services, beyond the valued thanks of his superiors, in consideration of the danger- ous character of his mission and its value in effecting the capture he received $293 as his share of the reward.

After the war, Mr. Peters returned to Wal- nut township and settled on the farm which his parents had bought while he was. at the front and which he still occupies. He was first mar- ried, October 28, 1868, to Emma Swope, of Fairfield County, by whom he had two chil- dren; Anna, who became the wife of Oliver Waddell and lives in Fayette County, this State; and Alice, who married George Barr, of Fairfield County, and has three children-Rob- ert, Albert and Anna. Mrs. Emma (Swope) Peters died in March, 1871.

Our subject's second marriage, April 2,

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1873, was to Martha C. Glasscock, daughter of John and Mary (Leach) Glasscock, of Darby township. They have had six children -four living-as follows: John. the oldest, deceased at the age of 18 months; Alvin, the second, who married Anna Hoppes and is the father of one child-John Robert: Mary, who died at eight years of age; Robert G., who married Della Brinker, daughter of Oliver P. Brinker, resides in Ashville and has one daugli- ter-Helen H .; and Lulu May and Mirtie A., who live at home. The family residence is a large, comfortable frame house built by Mr. Peters' father.

Aside from the faithful care of his house- hold and the operations of his farm, which he has managed with such enviable results, Mr. Peters' chief energies and abilities have been applied to matters religious. He is a member of the old-school Baptist Church, the pulpit of which he has repeatedly occupied within the past 20 years. A group picture of the Peters family accompanies this sketch.

e APT. MARCUS B. RADCLIFFE,

a representative agriculturist of Pickaway township, who is also an honored veteran of the Civil War, · owns a fine farm of 400 acres, which is most excellently improved. He was born in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, January 10, 1840, and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Florence) Radcliffe.

Benjamin Radcliffe, the father, was born in 1794, in Kentucky, and died in 1869, in Pick- away County, Ohio. He accompanied his wid- owed mother and the other members of the family to Ohio in 1806, a home being estab- lished in Muhlenberg township, Pickaway County. Later Mr. Radcliffe removed to Deer Creek township, where the rest of his long and useful life was spent. He married Sarah Flor- ence, who was born in Virginia, and their three surviving children are: John, who is a resident of Washington Court House, Ohio; Matilda B., who resides at Southwest City,

Missouri, the widow of the late Dr. B. F. Smith, of Southwest City, but formerly of Williamsport, Ohio; and Marcus B.

Marcus B. Radcliffe was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of Deer Creek township. The open- ing of the Civil War brought a new element into the life of this farmer boy as it did to others and the second year of the war found him a private in Company A. 114th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., ready to risk his life in the service of his country. His promotion was rapid, won by valorous deeds and personal bravery through the Vicksburg campaign, the Red River campaign and through Texas and Western Louisiana. He first served as ser- geant, then as 2nd lieutenant, next as Ist lieu- tenant and finally, in December, 1864, shortly before he was honorably discharged, was com- missioned captain of Company A by Governor David Tod. All of his service was in this company. Although exposed to dangers of every kind and taking part in all the most haz- ardous undertakings of his regiment, as shown by his promotions, he was able to return to his home, practically uninjured.

After his return to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Radcliffe resumed farming in Pickaway Coun- ty. On July 29, 1869, he was united in mar- riage with Lizzie Crouse, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1840, and is a daughter of Nelson and Sophia ( Wilson) Crouse.

Nelson Crouse was born November 14, 1808, in Ross County, Ohio, where the family had settled at an early day. His father, Hon. David Crouse, represented Ross County in the State Legislature for two terms and was also a man of business prominence. It was David Crouse who established the first paper manu- facturing mill in this section, locating it six miles north of Chillicothe. Nelson Crouse died September 4, 1848. He had served as county commissioner of Pickaway County and it was during his service that the old Court House was built. Mrs. Crouse was born in Pennsylvania and died in Pickaway County, August 26, 1886. Mrs. Radcliffe was three months old when she was brought to Picka-

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way County and her father settled on the farm which is now her home.

Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe have two children, viz. : Eva T., who is the wife of Frank R. Cox, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Frank C., of Picka- way township. The latter served in the Span- ish-American War, with the rank of sergeant- major in the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, in Puerto Rico, adding to the family's military laurels.

For many years Mr. Radcliffe has com- manded the respect and enjoyed the esteem of the veterans making up John H. Groce Post, No. 156, G. A. R., at Circleville and he has been a most useful member. He is the only surviving member of the Loyal Legion, in Pickaway County, and he belongs also to the soldiers' relief committee. Another philan- thropic object has long claimed his attention, the Children's Home, of Pickaway County, of which he is a trustee. He belongs to the fra- ternal orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ILLIAM GILL, who resides on the fine old farm in Salt Creek town- ship, on which he was born, on November 8, 1832, has been iden- tified with the agricultural inter- ests of this section all his life. His parents were Hon. William and Nancy (Winship) Gill.

The Gill family is of old Virginia stock and Scotch-Irish extraction. H. William Gill, our subject's father, was born in Virginia, pos- sibly about 1798. He was an officer in the War of 1812 and was captain of a company which was entrusted with the escort of a party of British prisoners to Chillicothe, from the frontier. It was during this trip that he first met the lady who later became his wife- Nancy Winship. She was a daughter of Winn Winship, who entered a large body of land from the government, and embodied in this tract was the farm on which our subject was born and which he still occupies. After mar- riage, about 1817, William Gill settled in what

is now Salt Creek township and here the larger portion of his subsequent life was passed. He became a very prominent man in both township and county, and served for many years in the office of justice of the peace and for a pro- tracted period was associate judge of Picka- way County and was always given the title of "Judge." A few years before his demise, he moved to Circleville, where his long and use- ful life came to a close on January 29, 1861. He was a stanch Democrat of the old school and on many occasions was proffered the sup- port of his party for offices of great responsi- bility. His three children were: William, of this sketch; Winn W., deceased; and Martha, deceased, who was the wife of John T. Jacobs.

William Gill was reared on the old home- stead and his education was secured in the public schools of Salt Creek township and at an academy at Kingston. His choice of oc- cupation being farming, he remained on the family estate, which contains 295 acres. It is all under an excellent state of cultivation and he is classed among the best farmers of the southeastern section of the county.

Mr. Gill was married March 23, 1854, to Lucy Cushing, who was born in Kentucky, and is a daughter of Henry Cushing, who was a native of Massachusetts. The Cushing fam- ily is one of age and distinction in New Eng- land. A branch settled very early in Ohio and. there is reason to believe that Varnum Cushing, an uncle of Mrs. Gill, was the second white child born in the State. Varnum Cush- ing long resided in Zanesville. Henry Cush- ing was an early settler in Pickaway County, but died in Clermont County.

Mr. and Mrs. Gill have had six children, namely : Martha, wife of L. C. McPherson, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Anna B., at home; Mary W., wife of Lemuel C. Steely, of Pickaway township; William H., of Cincin- nati; Alice, of Columbus; and George, at home.

Mr. Gill has been a lifelong Democrat but has never been willing to accept the cares of office. In the management of the fine old es- tate, in the proper rearing of an interesting family, in the intelligent attention given to promoting the educational and religious enter-

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prises of this locality and in taking part in much of its pleasant, social life, Mr. Gill has found sufficient interests to engage his mind and body. He has witnessed many changes and has done his part in developing this sec- tion.

S L. GRIGSBY, a well-known member of the bar at Circleville, who has been identified with this city and its inter- ests for the past 24 years, was born at Zanesville, Ohio, February 8, 1841, and is a son of Epaminondus L. Grigsby, who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was brought to Muskingum County, Ohio, when a child of six years.

S. L. Grigsby was reared and educated at Zanesville, where he remained until April, 1865, when he came to Circleville, having been appointed deputy auditor of Pickaway County. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar and imme- diately entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. He was first associated with Judge I. N. Abernethy, the firm name being for some time Abernethy & Grigsby. For three years following, Mr. Grigsby practiced alone, and then he became a partner with A. R. Bolin, and the firm became Bolin & Grigsby and con- tinued as such until 1891, since which date he has been alone in practice. Mr. Grigsby's reputation is that of a wise counsellor and a faithful lawyer.

In 1864 Mr. Grigsby was married to Mary E. Wing, and they have two children-Emily F .. and Sarah J.

Fraternally Mr. Grigsby is a 32nd degree Mason and very prominent in Masonry, being past officer in Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery. He is also an Odd Fellow.

S COTT C. BOGGS, during many years one of the prominent agriculturists and leading citizens of Pickaway township, was born November 14, 1849, at Elmwood, Pickaway Coun- ty, and died in this township, February 7, 1904. He was the third son of Moses and

Margaret S. (Cook) Boggs, a grandson of Maj. John Boggs and a great-grandson of John Boggs.

The father of Mr. Boggs was born in Pickaway County, while the mother was a native of Ross County, Ohio. The family has long been one of distinction in Pickaway County, the great-grandfather of Scott C. hav- ing been John Boggs, who was born in Vir- ginia and was the early and original settler on the "Logan Elm Farm," which is mentioned at length in another portion of this work. His son, Maj. John Boggs, was also a native of Virginia. He served in the War of 1812, and was with Gen. Andrew Jackson at New Or- leans.

Scott C. Boggs began his education in the district schools of Pickaway township and completed it at Mount Pleasant Academy, at Kingston and the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. The development of his intellectual faculties better prepared him to successfully carry on agricultural work, in which he always took the greatest pride and interest. His fine farm of 200 acres in Pick- away township was developed to its finest ex- treme and it remained the family home until 1898, when Mr. Boggs removed with his family to Kingston, where he died.

On November 14, 1872, Mr. Boggs was married to Ada G. Shannon, who was born at Kingston, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Dr. R. W. Shannon, who was a very prom- inent physician there for many years. Five children were born to this marriage, the two survivors being: Lucy . C., wife of Frank C. Radcliffe, of Pickaway township; and How- ard S., of the same township. Mrs. Boggs continues to reside at Kingston and is a very highly esteemed resident and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church.

In political sentiment Mr. Boggs was a stanch Republican and was elected by that party township trustee. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a member of Scioto Commandery, No. 35, K. T., at Circle- ville. Personally he was a man of sterling traits of character which were generally rec- ognized and brought him the respect and es- teem of his fellow-citizens.

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5 AMUEL E. BROWN. The death of Samuel E. Brown, which took place December 6, 1904, at Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, removed from this section a man who was widely known for his many excellent traits of character and was esteemed by a large circle of friends. His home was in Muhlen- berg township, where he owned a farm of 202 acres. Mr. Brown was born December 18, 1841, and was a son of John and Amanda (Root) Brown.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 86

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