History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 89

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 89

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Michael Alkire was born in Kentucky in 1771 and was there married on January 6, 1793, to Dorothy Phebus, a lady of Scotch descent but of Kentucky birth. They had three children born to them during their residence near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, namely : John M., born November 16, 1793; Nimrod, born March 27, 1796; and Sarah, born July 18, 1798. In 1800 Michael Alkire with his family and some of his brothers moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, settling on Deer Creek near Williamsport. Here he built the old log cabin of two rooms which continued to be the family home for many years, and stood until 1906. Mr. Alkire lived here until his death, February II, 1843, and was buried on the home farm. At the time of his decease he owned large tracts of land. His wife died May 11, 1854. Seven children were born to Michael Alkire and his wife after they came to Ohio, namely : Nancy, William M., Katharine, Ruan, James, Alexander and Benjamin Franklin. Of the 10 children born to Michael Alkire and wife, John M. married Katharine Halstead; Nimrod married a Miss Baggs; Sarah married James Hearst; Nancy married Capt. Elliot Halstead ; William M. married his cousin, Mary Alkire; Katharine married Phineas Cade; Ruan mar- ried Alabartis Halstead, son of Dr. Abraham Halstead; Benjamin Franklin married Han- nah Halstead, a sister of Alabartis Halstead.

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John M. Alkire's wife was a sister of Capt. Elliot Halstead and Dr. Abraham Hal- stead. Their parents were Captain John and Sarah Halstead, who were born in New Jersey in 1750 and who moved to Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1817, dying on their farm near Yellow Bud, three miles east of Williamsport. Dr. Abra- ham Halstead was born in New York in 1782; his wife was a Schryver.

Benjamin Franklin Alkire, father of Harry F. Alkire, was born in the little log cabin in Deer Creek township, mentioned above, in 1818, and lived on this place practically all his life, having passed a few years on the John P. Bennett farm. He was a member of a light horse company that was organized to pursue Morgan, the raider, during the Civil War. By profession he was a surveyor and in addition he had large farming interests.

The first marriage of Benjamin F. Alkire was to Hannah Halstead, daughter of Dr. Abraham Halstead, and they had one daugh- ter, Elizabeth E., who became Mrs. Madison Loofbourrow and is now a resident of Mount Sterling, Ohio. Mr. Alkire married (second) Mary Darr, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of David and Mary (Probst) Darr. They had the following chil- dren : Mai, wife of William A. Bazore, who lives on the Judas road in Deer Creek town- ship, where he conducts a mill; Frank D., who lives in Deer Creek township on the Chillicothe turnpike; and Harry Fremont, the subject of this sketch.

Harry Fremont Alkire first attended the Mount Pleasant school and later the district school conducted in a schoolhouse standing on his father's land. This schoolhouse had been built by Benjamin F. Alkire without outside assistance, mainly with the idea of providing school advantages for his own children, but it was open to all those in the neighborhood. Mr. Alkire learned the profession of survey- ing by assisting his father and this practical experience proved far more valuable than any book knowledge of the subject that he secured. From the age of 10 years he accompanied his father on his many surveys, and by the time

he attained the age of 18 years, when his father no longer engaged in surveying, he was able to fill the contracts and has continued in the profession ever since. For some three years he has served as deputy county surveyor and is the logical candidate of his party for county sur- veyor at the next convention. In addition to his work in this line, Mr. Alkire has proven himself an admirable farmer, his 175-acre farm being under a fine state of cultivation. He is one of the best known men in Deer Creek township, having lived here since he was two years old.

On July 24, 1887, Mr. Alkire was mar- ried to Melissa Ater, who was born in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jackson and Drusilla (Boots) Ater. They have one daughter, Olive, who was born April 17, 1888, and was graduated from the Williamsport High School in the class of 1906. She is an accomplished, engaging young lady, very popular in social circles.

Politically Mr. Alkire is a Democrat. He has served in many of the local offices, includ- ing those of assesssor, deputy county surveyor and land appraiser. Since he was 21 years of age, Mr. Alkire has been identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and is an active member of Lodge No. 721, at Clarks- burg, being also a member of the Rebekahs. He also belongs to Lodge No. 478, Knights of Pythias, at Williamsport. Formerly he was a member of the Grange.

Portraits of Benjamin F. Alkire and Mr. and Mrs. Harry F. Alkire accompany this sketch, being shown on preceding pages. Else- where in this work is shown a view of the Alkire home.

C HOMAS B. BETTS, a prominent young farmer and stock-raiser of Deer Creek township, was born on the old Betts homestead in this town- ship on June 4, 1871, and is a son of George and Mary (Phillips) Betts and grand- son of John W. and Harriet (Gordy) Betts. Mr. Betts was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of the lo-

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cality and the Williamsport High School, sub- sequently attending the McCafferty Business College at Columbus, after which he returned home and took up farming. He remained at home until 1893 when he was married and located in Perry township, making that his home for the next six or seven years. He afterward moved to the Dunlap farm and finally located on his present farm, the Henry Corkwell place, situated in the northwest cor- ner of Deer Creek township, which he pur- chased in 1901. He has since made this his home and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising.

In 1893 Mr. Betts was married to Gettie May Jolley, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Allen and Lucy (Marsh) Jolley, residents of Deer Creek township, now living in the village of Wil- liamsport. Mr. and Mrs. Betts have three children : Ethel, born February 19, 1894; Es- sie, born September 9, 1896; and Charles Cher- rington, born August 28, 1900. Politically Mr. Betts is a Democrat. Both Mr. and Mrs. Betts are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Williamsport.

S COTT DRESBACH, a well-known citizen of Pickaway County, and a prominent agriculturist of Salt Creek township, where he owns a well-cul- tivated farm of 120 acres, was born in Salt Creek township, December 6, 1860, and is a son of William and Margaret ( Earn- hart) Dresbach.

Mr. Dresbach belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this part of the State, his grandfather, George Dresbach, having lo- cated in Salt Creek township prior to 1828, probably just after the close of his service in the War of 1812. Both parents of Mr. Dres- bach were born in Salt Creek township and passed their lives there. Eight of their chil- dren still survive, namely : James A., Mary (Coombs), George E., Harriet (Julian), Mil- ton, Catherine (Reichelderfer), Amanda (Shride) and Scott.

Scott Dresbach was reared in his native township and obtained his education in the township schools. He has always been a farmer and stock-raiser and resides on a part of the old homestead farm. The residence is one of the oldest in this neighborhood, having been constructed by his grandfather, George Dresbach, in 1828. It has been much changed, improvements having been made and comforts added, but the old brick walls still stand with- out a break. Thorough construction and hon- est building was done in the days when this house was built, which, at that time, was con- sidered one of the finest homes in the town- ship.

On March 13, 1885, Mr. Dresbach was married to Caroline Brady, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Philip Brady, of Circleville. Five children have been born to this marriage, as follows: Frederick S., Mary C., Fannie, Wayne W. and Howard.

Politically Mr. Dresbach is a Republican. He has always been a liberal supporter of pub- lic-spirited movements for the common good in his township, and is justly considered a most worthy citizen. While not identified with any religious body, all moral and educational enterprises may be sure of his approval, and his hand is open to assist those who have been subjected to unjust misfortune, and his sympathy is extended to those in sorrow. He has a wide circle of friends in Salt Creek township.

EORGE W. STOKER, a successful farmer of Harrison township, who is now operating the Stevenson farm of 160 acres, was born in Washington township, Pickaway County, Ohio, June 12, 1859, and is a son of George and Minerva (Cox) Stoker.

The Stoker family has been identified with Pickaway County for a great many years. It was founded here by Lewis Stoker, the grand- father of George W., who came from Ger- many and settled near Circleville in Circleville township. He lost his life through an acci-

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dent while assisting in raising a barn. His family consisted of seven daughters and two sons, viz .: Maria (Brotherin), who still sur- vives, at the age of 86 years; Susan, wife of William Grenow, of Nashville, Tennessee; Eliza, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Rush, of South Bloomfield; Charlotte, living in Kansas, who is the widow of George Bach- tell, formerly of Circleville; Emma, deceased; Kate, who died in Tennessee in 1903; a daugh- ter that died in infancy; George; and William, who resides at Mount Blanchard, Ohio.

George Stoker, father of George W., was born in Pickaway County and died February 8, 1893, at the age of 68 years. His widow resides on a farm at New Holland, having reached her 72nd year. Mr. Stoker was a Democrat in political sentiment. For many years he was a large farmer in Pickaway Coun- ty. His family consisted of six sons and two daughters, as follows: Jacob, deceased; Alice; Emma; George W., of this sketch; William, who is engaged in a livery business at Chilli- cothe; Samuel, who is in the livery business at New Holland; and Charles and Thurman, who are engaged in farming near New Holland.

George W. Stoker was educated in the district schools and then assisted his father on the farm until he was 26 years of age. After his marriage, he resided in Muhlenberg township for eight years, following farming.

On March 1, 1899, he moved on the Stev- enson farm and on the 160 acres he grows all kinds of grain-wheat, corn and oats and also many fine potatoes. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising also and owns a large number of excellent horses, cattle and swine. His methods are practical and thorough and he sustains the reputation of being one of the best farmers of his section.

In April, 1886, Mr. Stoker was married to Amy V. Pomeroy, a daughter of Frank and Lucetta (Duvall) Pomeroy, the latter of whom was a descendant of General Duvall, of Marietta, Ohio. Mrs. Stoker's grand- father, Justin Pomeroy, was an early settler and was the first man to successfully raise broom corn in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Stoker have four sons, viz. : Howard F., Roy E., Harry and George Bryan.

Mr. Stoker has been very prominently identified with the county politics and has served on many important committees of the Democratic party and for years has been a delegate to various conventions. His fra- ternal relations are with Palmetto Lodge, No. 514, Knights of Pythias.

A D. SCHUMM, one of the early busi- ness men of Circleville, who has been identified with this city for the past 30 years, conducts a large shoe house here. He was born in 1854 in Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Thomas Schumm, whose life was spent in that State.

A. D. Schumm was reared and educated in his native State, which he left at the age of 20 years. In 1876 he opened up a shoe busi- ness at Circleville and this he has continued to the present time. He is one of the old and reliable business men and is known to a large number of the residents of this city.

In 1878 Mr. Schumm was married to Lydia Palm, who is a daughter of Lewis Palm and a member of one of the old pioneer families of the county. Their children are : Nellie, wife of J. F. Mader, a shoe merchant at Circleville; Martha, Ralph and Lucile. The family be- long to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schumm is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

ILLIAM A. BEOUGHER, who owns a fine farm of 118 acres in Washington township, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Decem- ber 12, 1853, and is a son of. Ben- jamin C. and Katherine (Cook) Beougher. The parents of Mr. Beougher were born in Ohio and his grandparents in Pennsylvania. The father died in Ohio and the mother in Kansas. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters, namely : William A .; Joel A .; Harvey; Susan, wife of M. A. Lohr; and Christina, who married Samuel McFadden.

Mr. Beougher was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. On

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February 22, 1882, he married Eliza J. Ball, who is a daughter of John W. Ball, of Hock- ing County, and they have three children, Cora B., Pearl E. and Ethel M. Pearl E. is a bright and promising student at Otterbein University. Mrs. Beougher has two sisters- Priscilla, who is the wife of George W. Trim- mer, and Isabella, who married W. W. Mc- Donald; and one brother-John H., who mar- ried Margaret Hash and has two children- Emma and Henry.

Mr. Beougher and family belong to the United Brethren Church. For many years he has been an active worker in the Sunday-school and is its very capable superintendent. He is a very highly respected man and is well known all through Washington township.

m ILTON B. ATER, a prosperous farmer, residing on the Clarks- burg turnpike, in Deer Creek town- ship, was born in this township, August 6, 1850, and is a son of David and Maria (Ater) Ater, and a grand- son of William and Margaret (Colston) Ater, early residents of the county.

David Ater was born in Deer Creek town- ship, where his life was spent as a farmer. He married Maria Ater, a daughter of John Ater and a granddaughter of Abraham Ater, who was a pioneer in Ross County. John Ater was the first of his branch of the Ater family to come to Pickaway County. He married Elizabeth Bethard and among their children was Maria, the mother of our subject. The children of David and Maria Ater were : John, who occupies a farm adjoining that of our subject; Milton B .; and Catherine, who died aged eight months.

Milton B. Ater was reared in his native township, attended the local schools and has always been a farmer. He was a child when his father died and was reared on the old John Ater farm. In. 1891 he purchased the farm he now successfully operates, which con- tains 113 acres of fine land, which he devotes to farming and stock-raising.

On December 28, 1875, Mr. Ater was married to Angeline Boots, who was born in Deer Creek township, and is a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Ater) Boots. Her grand- father, Joseph Boots, died in the military serv- ice of his country, in the War of 1812. Mrs. Ater's father and mother had 10 children, the nine survivors being: Martha, who is single; Drusilla, wife of Jackson Ater, of Williams- port; Amelia, wife of Daniel Ater, of Deer Creek township; Missouri, wife of David M. Ater, of Deer Creek township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Angeline (Mrs. Milton B. Ater) ; Clinton, of Washing- ton Court House, Ohio; Catherine (Pickle), of Deer Creek township; Stephen, of Williams- port; and Lizzie, living at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton B. Ater have had four children, namely: Harvey C., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Heber N., who lives on the home farm; Charles Turney, de- ceased; and Ward D., living at home.

Mr. Ater is a Democrat in his political views. He served some years as township supervisor, but has never taken a very active part in political life, having a preference for the quiet pursuits of agriculture, finding in these both pleasure and profit.

P. DEEDS, secretary of the Scioto Canning Company, an important in- S dustrial concern of Circleville, was born at Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, March 3, 1871, and is a son of Charles S. Deeds.

The father of Mr. Deeds was a traveling salesman, with headquarters at Columbus, rep- resenting the Wolfe Company, of Chambers- burg,' Pennsylvania. For a number of years he also traveled in the interests of the Case Company, of Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Deeds spent his boyhood and youth at Lancaster, Bremen and Wilmington, Ohio, and when 16 years of age learned telegraphy. For II years he was an operator in the traffic and transportation department of the Balti- more & Ohio and the Pennsylvania railroads.

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In 1898 he became accountant and bookkeeper for C. E. Sears & Company, of Circleville, continuing with the firm for one year. When the Scioto Canning Company was or- ganized, on January 30, 1899, Mr. Deeds be- came secretary and accountant, a position he still fills.

On October 6, 1891, Mr. Deeds was mar- ried to Frances I. Farrell, who is a daughter of Robert H. Farrell, of Philo, Muskingum County, Ohio. They have one son, Forrest Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Deeds are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fra- ternally Mr. Deeds is a Mason, being a mem- ber of blue lodge, council and chapter at Cir- cleville. He is worthy patron of the Circle- ville lodge of the order of the Eastern Star.

E ZRA SMITH, who for a number of years has been one of Muhlenberg township's most energetic and pro- gressive men, was born near Mount Sterling, Madison County, Ohio, June 8, 1857, and is a son of Thornton and Rebecca (Tripp) Smith. Thornton Smith was a native of Virginia and his wife was born in Logan County, Ohio. He died in Madison County on February 20, 1886, and his wife is now living in Wrightsville, Ohio, at the advanced age of 86 years. They had seven children : Henry, who lives in Madison County; Ara- bella, who married David Thorn, of Muhlen- berg township; Ezra, subject of this sketch; David, who lives in Wrightsville; Alice, wife of Lewis Brown, residing in Madison County ; Thornton, who lives in Harrisburg, Ohio; and Martha (Griffith), who is deceased.

Ezra Smith spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Madison County, moved with the family in 1870 to Pickaway County, where they remained for five years, and returned to Madison County with them in 1875. He was married in 1880 to Augusta Nickell, who was born in Monroe township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew and Isa- belle (Ramey) Nickell, who were born and married in Vinton County, Ohio. Mi. Nickell

enlisted from Circleville in the 114th Regi- ment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in 1862 and died while in the service. His widow subsequently mar- ried Isaac Brown and resides near Darbyville. Mr. Smith has one son, Pearl Emerson, who was born March 5, 1897, on the farm where the family now reside.

After his marriage, Mr. Smith rented a farm near Mount Sterling and worked by the day for about two years. He then rented 30 acres of timberland, and during the four vears he had possession of the property he cleared and put it under cultivation, each year raising a good crop of corn on the portion cleared. He then leased a 73-acre tract in the vicinity where he lived for 11 years. In 1897 he purchased a farm of 871/2 acres in Muhlenberg township on the Florence Chapel turnpike about eight miles from Circleville. At that time the place presented a rather wild apnear- ance, being mostly stumps and timberland. Mr. Smith has cleared all this and has it in a high state of cultivation. He has devoted his whole time to the development of the farm, has erected a fine home and also a barn and other necessary outbuildings and has put down over 1,100 rods of drain tile. He has now one of the best improved farms in the township. Mr. Smith is a Republican and served as school trustee for three years.

OAH WEAVER, a substantial citizen and leading farmer of Pickaway County, who owns 550 acres of valu- able land in this county, was born in 1845 in Washington township, Pick- away County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Benheimer) Weaver.

Jacob Weaver was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and came as an early settler to this section of Pickaway County, where, at first, he followed shoemaking and later became a large farmer and extensive stock-raiser. He served in the Mexican War. He married Catherine Benheimer, who was born in Germany and came to Ohio with her parents, when three years of age. Jacob

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Weaver and wife had a family of seven sons and one daughter, of whom the following still survive : John C., of Circleville; Abraham L., of Washington township; Isaac, of St. Louis, Missouri; Philip, of Washington Court House; and Noah, of this sketch.

Noah Weaver was reared in Washington township and attended the local schools. He has been one of the largest and most success- ful farmers in the county and formerly was one of the leading stock-raisers, paying much attention to promoting the sheep industry. Apart from his agricultural interests, he has al- ways been more or less prominent in public affairs in his township, at all times performing the duties of a good, reliable citizen.

Mr. Weaver was married in October, 1889, to Minnie E. Mowery, who is a daughter of W. H. Mowery, who served two terms as a county commissioner of Pickaway County. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have two sons and one daughter, viz .: Frederick, Lloyd and Nellie May. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church at Circleville. Fraternally Mr. Weaver is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

C ALMAGE E. ROSS, a prominent farmer and well-known citizen of Pickaway township, was born in this township, November 22, 1862, and is a son of James G. and Elizabeth (Whisler) Ross.

The late James G. Ross, whose death oc- curred in 1888, was born in 1832 in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, Ohio, where he spent his entire life. It was mainly devoted to farming and stock-raising and he became prominent and wealthy in these lines. He was a son of Moses L. Ross, who was one of the early settlers of Pickaway County. In 1858 James G. Ross married Elizabeth Whisler, who still survives. She is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Morris) Whisler, one of a family of II children, which has eight survivors, name- ly: Jacob, of Nebraska; Anna, widow of John Hyme, of Kansas; Owen, of Columbus,

Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Hamilton, of Whisler, Ohio; Simon, of Indiana; John, of LaFayette, In- diana; Mary, at home; and Elizabeth, widow of James G. Ross.

James G. Ross was a Democrat in his polit- ical faith. He served as assessor and as trus- tee of Pickaway township. During the Civil War he answered the call for 100-day men and served out that period.

The surviving children of James G. Ross and wife are: John D., a resident of Kansas; Talmage, the subject of this sketch; Laura Alice, wife of Milton K. Dressback, of Walnut township; Sarah, wife of George W. Holder- man, of Pickaway township; and Mary, who resides with her mother, at Circleville. Mrs. Ross is one of the venerated members of the Baptist Church at Circleville.

Talmage E. Ross has always been a resi- dent of Pickaway township. He has charge of the homestead farm and is largely interested in farming and stock-raising. For a number of years he has been a prominent political fac- tor in the county and is a member of the Demo- cratic County Central Committee.

On January 18, 1893, Mr. Ross was mar- ried to Mattie Kibler, who was born in Picka- way County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Peter Kibler, of Circleville. Mr. Ross is one of the enterprising, public-spirited young men of his section, and enjoys the confidence of his fel- low-citizens and keeps friendships which he formed in childhood.

J H. SWEETMAN, county surveyor of Pickaway County, is a well-known citi- zen of Circleville, which is his native place. He is a son of M. A. Sweet- man, a leading attorney of Circleville, who has lived in Pickaway County since 1843.

J. H. Sweetman is following the line of work in which he has been more or less in- terested all his life. After graduating at the Circleville High School, in 1893, he took a course in civil engineering at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, having previously become interested in surveying from having served as

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an assistant to County Surveyor Abernethy. After graduation, Mr. Sweetman again be- came Mr. Abernethy's assistant; remaining as such until 1900, when he was elected county surveyor. He has efficiently filled the position and is now serving his second term. He is an enterprising young man of his native city, of which he is also the engineer, and his friends predict for him higher honors in his chosen profession.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 89

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