History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 87

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

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The parents of Mr. Brown were natives of Germany and Ross County, Ohio, respect- ively. The father, who came to Pickaway County in young manhood, served two years in the Civil War, in which he was so seriously wounded that he was discharged on account of disability. His children were: Kate, de- ceased, who was the wife of Joseph Atherton ; Samuel E .; Sarah Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of David Sheers; Mary, wife of Isaiah Tatman, of Circleville; John; Nelson, deceased ; and Martha, of Athens, Ohio.

With the exception of 12 years spent on a rented farm in Madison County, Ohio, Samuel E. Brown spent his whole life in Pickaway County. He remained on the home farm in Scioto township during his boyhood and young manhood and as his father was away from home serving as a soldier in the army, he con- tinued to reside on his native place for two years after his marriage. Upon the return of his father, Mr. Brown rented a 100-acre farm in Madison County and resided there for 12 years. This farm he operated without assist- ance. He became the owner of 40 acres in Madison County but never resided on that farm and subsequently sold it. In 1873 he came to the farm on which the rest of his life was spent, his first purchase being one of 40 acres. To this he added until the home farm contained 202 acres and he also owned, at the time of his death, 68 acres in Jackson township, on which his eldest son is settled. Almost all of this land Mr. Brown cleared himself. He always took the deepest interest in improving his property, and as long as health permitted he continued to add to its

value. His love for his home and family was his great interest in life and he left his dear ones well provided for, his estate aggregating some $20,000 in property and $10,000 in cash.

On June 14, 1863, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Elizabeth Morris, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 16, 1844, and is a daughter of Isaac and Aberillah (Botts) Morris, natives of Guernsey County, who moved from that county to Hocking County and later to Pickaway County. Mr and Mrs. Brown had four children, namely : William, of Jackson township; Sarah Ellen, wife of Henry Hill; Emma Alice, wife of Frank Hubbard, of Columbus; and George M., who lives at home.

Although Mr. Brown had few educational advantages and was obliged to make his own way in the world without any outside assist- ance, he was a very successful man. His in- dustry was remarkable and his judgment sel- com at fault. In his political views he was a Democrat but he was never active in politics.

EORGE ROLLAND GARDNER, M. D., a prominent physician of Ash- ville, was born August 3, 1873, in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac N. and Sarah Ann (Hummell) Gardner.

The father of . Dr. Gardner was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and was a member of an old Ohio family. For 20 years he was a prosperous merchant. His present residence is Columbus, where he lives retired. On the maternal side the grandparents were from Pennsylvania, members of old Pennsylvania Dutch families.

. The subject of this sketch attended the lo- cal schools in his native place and was about 19 years old when he began to read medicine with Dr. J. W. Barnes, of Columbus, under whose preceptorship he prepared for the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. He re- mained in this institution three years and was graduated in the class of 1897. Dr. Gardner settled first at South Bloomfield, Ohio, where

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he practiced for one year and eight months, and then was located at Commercial Point for two and a half years, after which he practiced in Youngstown for a short period and then re- moved to Ashville, in November, 1901. Here he met with a hearty welcome and has built up a large and satisfactory practice. His pro- fessional ability has been so frequently shown that he now commands the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is connected as examiner, with the Prudential Life Insurance Company, the Equitable Insurance Company, of Iowa, and the Continental Life Insurance Company.

Dr. Gardner was married on April 10, 1898, to Kittie Welch, a daughter of J. C. and Flora (Hott) Welch. The family has long been identified with the interests of Pickaway County.

Dr. Gardner, in addition to professional connections, belongs to Ashville Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Circleville Lodge, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of the Maccabees at Ashville.

I RVIN F. SNYDER, a prominent at- torney at Circleville, who was elected prosecuting attorney for Pickaway County in 1896, and served two terms, was born in Walnut township, Pick- away County, Ohio, in 1869, and is a son of the late Emanuel Snyder.

Emanuel Snyder. father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. He came to Pickaway County in childhood, with his parents, and resided here during the remainder of his life. He was a prominent citizen of Walnut township and served a number of years as trustee of Walnut township. He was always a Democrat. His death occurred in 1885.

After completing his common-school edu- cation, Irvin F. Snyder entered Capital Uni- versity at Columbus and subsequently Heidel- berg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1890, with the degree of B. S. Following this he entered the law department of the Ohio State University and was gradu- ated in the class of 1892. In the same year he

was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession at Circleville in the same year. His ability was quickly recognizeil and he soon became an important political factor. In 1896 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Pickaway County and in 1899 was re-elected to the same office, giving the county most satisfactory service. He has also been a member of the City Council of Circleville and is one of the public-spirited, enterprising citi- zens. Politically he is a Democrat.

In 1900 Mr. Snyder was married at Lan- caster, Ohio, to Blanche C. Ward, who was born at Somerset, Chio. They have one little daughter-Mary E. Mr. Snyder was brought up a Lutheran. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church.

Fraternally Mr. Snyder is a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow, an Elk and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

e HARLES GERHARDT, prosecuting attorney of Pickaway County, is one of the prominent and enterpris- ing young professional men of this section and is a representative citi- zen of Circleville. He was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 28, 1870, and is a son of George and Caroline (Blum) Gerhardt, natives of Germany, but married in this country, who came to Pick- away County from Ross County, Ohio, in August, 1864.

Mr. Gerhardt's early education was secured in the district schools of Walnut township. In 1890 he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and was graduated in both the classical and law courses and also spent a year in the Ohio State University Law School, after being admitted to the bar in June, 1895. In February, 1896, Mr. Gerhardt formed a partnership with ex-Prosecuting Attorney John Schleyer, and they continued together in busi- ness at Circleville, until June 1, 1899, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Ger- hardt continued to practice alone. In the fall of 1902 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Pickaway County and was re-elected in the

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fall of 1905. His administration of this most important office has distinguished him as a man of far more than the ordinary ability and has attracted the attention of legal circles both in his own and adjoining counties. While, as a prosecutor he has been relentless and fear- less, he has also been just, and looking to the future, in the light of the past, his friends are ready to predict much higher honors for him.

On June 1, 1903, Mr. Gerhardt was mar- ried to Edith C. Gantt, who was born at Zanesville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Mrs. Czarina Gantt, of Columbus, Ohio, widow of the late John Henry Gantt, formerly a resident of Zanesville, Ohio.

Fraternally Mr. Gerhardt is a Mason, be- longing to the Royal Arch Chapter and to the Council at Circleville, and-is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at Circleville.

m ILTON K. DRESSBACK, who has been identified with the affairs of both Salt Creek and Walnut town- ships, is a prosperous farmer and the owner of 1981/2 acres of thor- oughly cultivated land. His homestead resi- dence is a commodious and comfortable brick house, and his entire place bears the impress not only of a master farmer but of a man of good judgment and taste.

Mr. Dressback was born near Kingston, Ross County, Ohio, on the 14th of November, 1859, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Fryback) Dressback, the maiden name of the latter being Hoover. His father was also a native of that county, where he was reared, educated, married and died, his death occurring in 1888. After receiving the usual education of a boy in an agricultural community, composed of varying portions of schooling and farm dis- cipline, our subject was married in December, 1881, to Alice Ross, daughter of James Ross, of Pickaway township.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Dressback have had five children, of whom three are living-

Fred, Grace and Ross, who live at home. The other two children died unnamed.

For three years after his marriage, Milton K. Dressback lived in Ross County, and then removed to Pickaway township, Pickaway County, where he resided two years. His next change of location was to Salt Creek town- ship of which he remained a resident for 15 years, when, on February 28, 1906. he lo- cated on his present homestead in Walnut township, having bought the place in the Sep- tember preceding. While living in Salt Creek township, Mr. Dressback was a member of its School Board, and was also elected a trustee on the Democratic ticket. The latter office he resigned when he removed to Walnut town- ship. He is well known and highly honored throughout the county, not only because of his own enviable character but because of his relationship to Judge Dressback, of Circle- ville, of whom his father was a half brother.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Dressback is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in re- ligion is a Presbyterian, being connected with the Cumberland Church.

ILLIAM FRAZIER, a substantial farmer of Washington township, residing on a farm of 131 acres, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, near the Pickaway County line, on February, 23, 1846, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Lape) Frazier.

Mr. Frazier was reared and educated in Amanda township, Fairfield County, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, having a farm of 117 acres in Amanda township, which he still owns. In the fall of 1902 Mr. Frazier moved to Wash- ington township, Pickaway County, and lo- cated on his present farm. He was married to Hannah Eliza Ward, a daughter of William Ward, a resident of Walnut township. To Mr. and Mrs. Frazier were born nine children, seven of whom are still living. The record is as follows: Samuel, deceased at the age of one and a half years; Joseph, who married Bertha Wolf, lives on the homestead farm in Fairfield County and has two children-Tur-

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ney and Rosa ; Ida, who married Frank Husey. of Circleville, and has one child-Lloyd; Ed- ward, deceased at the age of ten: Oscar, who lives on the home place: Kate, who married Grover Boyer: Florence; Nettie and Bertha. Mr. Frazier is trustee and a member of the United Brethren Church. He is also a teacher in the Sunday-school.

J OSEPH W. ADKINS, a well-known member of the bar at. Circleville, was born in 1864 in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Hon. Barzillai Adkins, one of Circleville's most prom- inent men, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Adkins was reared in Pickaway Coun- ty and was educated at the Normal University at Lebanon after completing the common- school course. He then entered the law de- partment of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was graduated with the degree of B. L. in 1898. He was admitted to the bar in June of the same year. Following his ad- mission to the bar, Mr. Adkins located in his native county and for the two succeeding years taught school. but in 1900 he opened a law office at Circleville, where he has continued in active practice ever since. His standing in the profession is high and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Adkins belongs to one of the old and honorable families of this section. He is actively interested in the general welfare of Circleville and, aside from his profession, de- votes time and influence to promoting the growth and development of this city. While not a very active politician, he is a good citi- zen and gives his support to candidates and measures which promise good government.

7 ILLIAM D. WALKER, whose ex- cellent farm of 220 acres of val- uable land is situated on the Goose Pond turnpike, in Scioto township, was born in this township January 3, 1846, and is a son of James and Sarah A. (Fretwell) Walker.

The Walker family is of old Virginian stock, of English extraction. The great-grand- father was born in England and in young man- hood removed to Albemarle County. Virginia. where he was subsequently employed as a car- penter on the farm of Thomas Jefferson. He married a Miss Turner at Shadwell and they spent their lives there. rearing three children. Thomas, Sarah and John, the last named be- ing the grandfather of our subject. His widow resided with her mother. whose second husband. a Mr. Morgan. carried on a mill which belonged to Mr. Jefferson, at old Shadwell. It was there that John Walker, our subject's grandfather was reared to manhood. learned the millwright's trade and assisted in building the large mill at Charlottesville, which in its day was one of note. He learned the milling business and became head miller in 1816. hold- ing the position until 1822, when he purchased a mill which he operated until he came to Ohio in 1834.

John Walker was a soldier in the War of 1812, belonging to a corps of cavalry which was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. in order to protect the coast in that vicinity from Brit- ish invasion.

In June. 1816. John Walker was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wertenbaker, who was born in Albemarle County. Virginia, in 1800, and died in her 82nd year. in 1882. John Walker was born in June, 1786, and died in 1861, aged 77 years. The oldest brother of Mrs. Walker was William Wertenbaker. a brilliant young man, who attended the Uni- versity of Virginia, at Charlottesville, for two years. He was then made secretary of the faculty and librarian, through the influence of President Jefferson. He remained there 55 years, or until his death, a faithful admirer of Thomas Jefferson to the last. Mr. Jeffer- son reciprocated and there are many family stories of an interesting nature to testify to the esteem in which he held the Walkers and their connections.

The children of John and Elizabeth (Wertenbaker ) Walker were as follows: Mary, who died unmarried; James, our sub- ject's father ; William, who died soon after the fainily came to Ohio; Susan, who married

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LEVI F. DUM.

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James May and resided in Hardin County, Ohio, until her death; Adeline, who married John Cartmell and lives in Madison County, Ohio: Benjamin F., who resides at Garnett, Kansas; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of A. L. Vittum; Charles, who died at an early age; Louise, deceased, who was the wife of William Gibson and lived in Scioto town- ship; Thomas Jefferson, who is engaged in rice planting at Jennings, Louisiana; Mildred, who married William Coontz and lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Meriwether Lewis, who lived and died at Circleville; Richard, de- ceased, who resided in Madison County, Ohio; and Melissa D., deceased, who was the wife of Edward Thomas, of Scioto township.

James Walker, father of our subject, was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1818, and was 16 years of age when he accompanied his parents when in 1834 they drove a team across the mountains, bound for Ohio. He located with them on the farm now owned by Preston Peters, in Scioto township, Pickaway County, two miles southeast of Commercial Point, which place was formerly known as Genoa. James Walker served from 1858 to 1864 as postmaster at Genoa. He held other important public positions. For nine years he served as justice of the peace in Scioto town- ship and also was one of the township trustees for a long period. From the age of 16 years until his death on September 9, 1904, he lived in Scioto township, with the exception of five years prior to the Civil War, which he passed at Georgesville, Franklin County. Later he returned to Scioto township where his long life closed as mentioned, being at that time aged 86 years and 3 days.

In 1843 James Walker was married to Sarah A. Fretwell, who was born May 3, 1822, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and was seven years of age when she accompanied her par- ents, John and Margaret Fretwell, to Scioto township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Fretwell lived in Pickaway County and reared their children here. After the death of his wife, Mr. Fretwell moved north of Columbus, where he lived until his death in the latter part of the '60's.

The children of James and Sarah A.

(Fretwell) Walker were: Margaret M., who married John M. Durrett and resides on the old home place; William D., who is the sub- ject of this sketch; Robert R., who died un- married, aged about 25 years; John Fretwell, who resides on a farm adjoining the old home place; and Mary L., deceased, who was the wife of T. N. Gray.

William D. Walker attended the district schools and was reared principally on the farm in Scioto township, where his father located in 1864. Until his marriage our subject re- mained at home and then located on the half of the 100 acres which his father gave to him and his brother, and later he purchased his brother's interest. In 1905 he bought an additional 120 acres, of the estate of A. E. Brown, which was formerly known as the J. D. Mundell farm. His land now aggre- gates 220 acres, on which he carries on gen- eral farming, raising corn, wheat, hay and oats and does considerable in the line of feed- ing cattle and hogs. He utilizes two teams. A considerable part of his farm Mr. Walker has devoted to grass and raises a fine quality of hay. This land is very favorably located and here Mr. Walker has a beautiful home.

On February 28, 1884, Mr. Walker was married to Sylvia Trimmer, who was born and reared in Scioto township. She is a daugh- ter of Aaron and Susan Elizabeth (O'Harra) Trimmer. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker, namely: Robert R., aged 21 years, who was educated in the local schools and now assists his father; Lena L., aged 18 years; and Mary B., who has also, with her sister, enjoyed good educational ad- vantages.

EVI F. DUM, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Madison town- ship, residing on his farm of 160 acres of excellent land, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1852, and is a son of Aaron and Hettie (Adams) Dum.

The father of Mr. Dum was born in Vir- ginia and the mother in Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio from Berks County, Pennsyl-

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vania, when Levi F. was a child, settling first in Fairfield County and removing, in 1869, to Madison township, Pickaway County, where the father died in 1870. The mother survived until August 6, 1905. Of their children, these survive: Elnora E., wife of H. S. Kiger, of Fairfield County; Levi F., of this sketch; Cy- rus, of Walnut township, Pickaway County ; and William, of Madison township. In polit- ical sentiment, Aaron Dum was a Republican.

Levi F. Dum was reared and educated part- ly in Fairfield and partly in Pickaway County. He has always devoted his main attention to farming and stock-raising and, in addition, for a number of years, has run a portable sawmill and a threshing machine, owning a full outfit. During the season of harvest he is kept very busy, calls for his services coming from all over this section.

Mr. Dum was united in marriage with Christena Nothstine, who was born in Madi- son township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Henry Nothstine, of Madison township, who was one of the old set- tlers. Mr. and Mrs. Dum have four children, viz. : John H., Anna B., Samuel J. and Bessie F. The family is one which is held in very high esteem in Madison township. Mr. and Mrs. Dum belong to the German Reformed Church near Lithopolis, where they are highly valued.

Politically Mr. Dum is a stanch Democrat. He shows his interest in the public schools by serving as school director and doing all in his power to increase their usefulness, Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to the lodge at Lith- opolis. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

R OBERT H. STONEROCK, a well- known agriculturist of Jackson town- ship, who owns a farm of 80 acres, near the Monroe township line, was born in Monroe township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on his father's farm about a mile distant from his present home, on July 29, 1836. His parents were John and Daisy (Johnson) Stonerock.

George Stonerock, the paternal grand- grandfather of our subject, was born in Penn- sylvania of German parents. Coming to Pick- away County at an early· date, he engaged in farming and in time became the owner of 200 acres of land. He reared six sons and two daughters.

John Stonerock, the eldest of the above family, died in Jackson township in 1874, aged 65 years. He was a farmer all his life and, with the exception of some eight years spent in Indiana, lived it all in Pick- away County. He married Daisy John- son, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and died in Adams County, Indiana, aged 26 years. She was a daughter of Robert Johnson, who was a native of Maryland and lived to the unusual age of 108 years. He never gave way to the usual failings of age and when 100 years old walked to cast his vote at Williamsport. The children of John Stonerock by his first marriage were: Robert H., of this sketch; David, of Kansas; Joseph, of Pickaway County : Hester Ann, widow of Robert Westbury, of Jackson township; and Mary (Smith), of Missouri. The second mar- riage of John Stonerock was to Mrs. Rhoda Fuller. She resides on the homestead at the age of 87 years. Her children were: Allen, of Wayne township; Fannie, deceased; Will- iam, who resides with his mother; and Man- nie (2), deceased.

Robert H. Stonerock was about three years old when his father moved to Adams County, Indiana, and was seven when his mother died. The father then returned to Jackson township and here Robert H. has lived ever since, with the exception of nine years in Muhlenberg township. Since his marriage, 25 years ago he has changed his residence but three times, and has spent 35 years on his present and a neighboring farm. He has made the most of the improvements on his place, all of these being of a substantial character, and carries on a general line of farming.

In September, 1881, Mr. Stonerock was married to Mrs. Rebecca Moore, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a daugh- ter of James Stitt. She died in 1898, at the

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age of 51 years. Their children were : Myrtle Alice, who married Adam List, of Jackson township; Grover, Otis and Edna.

Mr. Stonerock has been a lifelong Demo- crat and has been a trustee of Jackson town- ship for two terms and a school director for two years. He takes a great deal of interest in public affairs and has missed but one elec- tion since attaining his majority, being too ill at that time to reach the polls. He believes in every man doing his duty as a citizen.

J OHN STUMP was formerly one of the most highly respected citizens and well-known agriculturists of Madison township, where he died on April 6, 1901. He was born in Walnut town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, on October 3, 1840, and was a son of Jacob and Eliza (Bailey) Stump.

Jacob Stump, the father, was born at Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of Maryland. They came to Pick- away County and settled in Walnut township, removing from there to Madison township when their son John was one year old, and he therefore was reared and educated in this town- ship. He was a lifelong farmer and in con- nection with his farming interests he also.ran a portable sawmill and engaged in the thresh- ing of grain throughout the country in season. He was successful in business and was hon- ored and respected by all who knew him on account of his honesty, neighborliness and sterling qualities of all kinds.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 87

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