History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 92

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 92

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Mr. Lathouse belongs to the Reformed Church at Stoutsville, but Mrs. Lathouse is a member of the German Lutheran Church at Tarlton. In politics Mr. Lathouse is a strong Democrat and exerts considerable influence in his community in favor of his party. He is serving his second term as a trustee of Salt Creek township and enjoys the honor of being president of the board. He is intelligently in- terested in the general 'welfare of his locality, supports the schools and churches and is a hearty worker for the maintenance of good roads. He has the respect and confidence of the mass of his fellow-citizens.

OSEPH AUTERBACK McCRAY, deceased, who was a well-known agri- culturist and highly esteemed citizen of Madison township, was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, September 14. 1856. He was a son of Joseph and Margaret (Rarey) McCray. His death took place De- cember 25, 1905.

Joseph Auterback McCray was reared in

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Fairfield County until 14 years of age and then accompanied his parents to Franklin County, where he grew to manhood. He ob- tained a fair education in the local schools and, as he was a great reader all his life, became a well-informed man. From his youth up he pursued agricultural avocations and acquired excellent farming lands in Madison township, settling with his family in 1893 on the farm where he died.

On January 1, 1880, Mr. McCray was mar- ried to Mary F. Millar, who was born in Mad- ison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Florentine (Kauff- man) Millar. Jacob Millar was born in Pick- away County and was a son of Isaac Millar, an early settler of Madison township. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Cray, these survive: Arthur H., Mabel F., wife of Harry O. Snyder; Homer D., Page H., Joseph P. and Clarence B. Frederick M. is deceased. The family still reside on the home farm of 100 acres on which they settled, as noted above, in 1893, which is the property of Mrs. McCray.

In politics, Mr. McCray was identified with the Republican party. For many years he was a worthy member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and was a liberal contributor to its benevolent work. He was always in- terested in Madison township, did his full part in promoting its importance, gave attention to its educational progress and thought favor- ably of all judicious public improvements. He was a good neighbor and was always ready to extend friendly help. In his family he was a kind husband and a loving father.

L EWIS IRVING MORRIS, a represen- tative of a prominent pioneer family of Pickaway County, now lives re- tired at Circleville but still retains his valuable farm of 190 acres in Walnut township. He was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1853, and is a son of John and Delilah (Bowman) Morris.

The Morris family was a very early and prominent one in New Jersey and the name is

preserved in the city of Morristown. The founder of the family in Pickaway County was Ezekiel Morris, who moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and then to Ohio and settled in Pickaway township, Pickaway Coun- ty, where he entered land from the government, also entering some in Walnut township. Lewis I. Morris still owns the original papers, which bear the signature of President Thomas Jef- ferson.

John Morris, father of Lewis I., was born in Walnut township in 1806. He became an extensive farmer and stock-raiser and was very prominent in county affairs, serving as county commissioner, as township trustee and for 25 years was a justice of the peace.

Lewis I. Morris continued to reside on the old homestead, where he was born and reared, until he removed to Circleville. He was a successful farmer and for a time raised much stock and cattle, being interested in breeding Polled Angus cattle.

Mr. Morris has never married but has al- ways taken care of his sisters and has been a devoted son to his mother. This . venerable lady, who was born May II, 1814, passed away March 12, 1905. She was a daughter of John Bowman, of Licking County, Ohio, who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Vir- ginia.

Mr. Morris has never been much interested in politics but has served as township trustee when the office was almost forced on him. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Foresters.

ILSON J. ETT, who combines farming and jewelry, watch and clock repairing, owns 63 acres of fine, arable land in Walnut town- ship. He was born on an adjoin- ing farm, August 30, 1865, and is a son of Conrad and Abigail (Dunkel) Ett.

The late Conrad Ett was born at Hatten- gesass, Kurhessen, Germany, January 30, 1817, and died at his home in Walnut town- ship, Pickaway County, July 1, 1898. He was a son of Frederick and Angelika Ett. In his native land he learned the trade of shoe-

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making and also worked as a farmer but was much handicapped by an inclination toward rheumatism. His physician recommending a sea 'voyage and change of climate, Mr. Ett, on June 14, 1837, set sail for America, in the hope of bettering his physical condition. Evidently he was much benefited by the change, for he lived a long and useful life which extended to 81 years. The larger portion of this time was passed in Pickaway County and for many years he owned a good farm in Walnut town- hip, which he had earned through his own in- dustry.

On February 24, 1844, Conrad Ett was married (first) to Polly Freese, of Pickaway County. After her death, he married Elizabeth Bowman, of Walnut township, on July 27, 1852. Her death left him again alone, and he married (third). on October 19, 1856, Mrs. Abigail (Dunkel) Delong, who was a daughter of the late George Dunkel, of Salt Creek town- ship. She died March 27, 1893, at the age of 72 years. One son, Jonas C., died in 1886; the surviving children are: Conrad H .; Mag- gie A .; Edson B. O .; and Wilson J.

Wilson J. Ett was reared in Walnut town- ship and was educated in the public schools. He has always been engaged in farming and owns a very valuable property, where he carries on general agriculture. Mr. Ett is also of a mechanical turn of mind and, through his own efforts, has become a skilled jeweler, in which business he has found both profit and pleasure for the past 20 years. He finds his recreation from farm labor in mending watches, clocks and all kinds of jewelry, the most delicate work- manship and accurate balancing being thor- oughly comprehended. He has quite a large trade, enough to warrant him in setting aside a portion of his home as a work room, where he has his tools and sells a fine line of watches and jewelry.

On January 1. 1896, Mr. Ett was mar- ried to Bertha E. Heffner, who was born Au- gust 29, 1876, and is a daughter of John and Diantha (Imler) Heffner, who are residents of Salt Creek township. They have one son, Howard, who was born February 27, 1900.

Mr. Ett is a past grand in Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., at Ashville.

HOMAS BRUNDIGE. In the death of Thomas Brundige, of Pickaway township, which occurred on May 28. 1903, Pickaway County lost a valued and useful citizen and an honorable man. He was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on April 9, 1836, and was a son of William and Emily ( Palmer ) Brundige.

The Brundige family may lay just claim to pioneer ancestry. Col. Thomas Brundige, the grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, where as- sisted by his son, William Brundige, he de- veloped a fine farm out of the forest. Wil- liam Brundige married Emily Palmer and the" became the parents of a large and universally respected family.

Thomas Brundige, the subject of this record, was reared through boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and while he laid the foundation of his education in the primitive schools of the time and locality, he was also acquiring the practical knowlege which served to make him a successful farmer through the rest of his life.

When 22 years of age, on April. 6, 1858, Mr. Brundige was united in marriage with Rachel Famulener, who was born October I, 1837, in Pickaway township, Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio. She is a daughter of Jonathan and Anna (Long) Famulener, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, and the latter in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Ja- cob Famulener, was a very early settler in Ross County, Ohio.

The children born to Thomas Brundige and wife were: James W., of Adair, Illinois; Sarah A., wife of R. W. Hinton, of Whisler ; John N., deceased; George E., of Columbus; Arthur U., of Kingston; Charles C., of Picka- way township; Frederick, of London, Ohio; Ida J., wife of Oscar McCorkle, of Chillicothe ; William, of Pickaway township; Minnie E., wife of David McCorkle, of Chillicothe ; Laura D., of Columbus, and Catherine L., of Picka- way township.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brundige settled on the farm in Pickaway township which Mrs. Brundige still occupies

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and on which Mr. Brundige diedl. For many years he successfully carried on farming and stock-raising and accumulated considerable means. He was one of the leading members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Whisler, in which he was a deacon and where his influence as a worthy, active Christian was recognized. Although not in any sense a poli- tician, he was interested in maintaining law and order and in political sentiment he was a Republican. He is remembered as a kind hus- band and father, an obliging neighbor and a good citizen in every sense of the word.

VERNOR GRANT, a large farmer and extensive stock-raiser of Jack- son township, residing in Circle- ville, was born in 1851 in Kenton County, Kentucky.

Mr. Grant was reared in his native locality and attended the local schools until ready for college and then completed his education in Cincinnati. For some years he was connected with the firm of Wilson Brothers, of that city, in the capacity of bookkeeper. but his life has been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits. Prior to 1887 he was so engaged in Kenton County, and then he located in Jackson town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, where he con- tinued farming and stock-raising on his farm of 180 acres.

Mr. Grant was married (first) in 1882, to Eleanor V. Swearingen, who died September 26, 1890, leaving one son, Henry, who is a graduate of the Everts High School at Circle- ville. On February 7, 1898, Mr. Grant was married (second) to Elizabeth White. of Louisville, Kentucky. They have one son, John Crawford.

Mr. Grant is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in local politics. sup- porting the candidates for the various offices in whom he felt he could have confi lence. He has lent his influence at all times in this direc- tion. He has served six years as trustee in Jackson township and for six years was an infirmary director. Socially he is a Mason,

holding membership in the Blue Lodge at Cir- cleville. Religiously he belongs to the Presby- terian Church.

ICHAEL STOER. a prosperous farmer and exemplary citizen of Jackson township, where he owns a valuable farm of 125 acres, lo- cated on the Five Points turnpike. was born in Baden, Germany, July 1. 1852. His parents were Michael and Mary (Ottman) Stoer.

The father and mother of our subject were also natives of Baden, Germany, where the former, who was a farmer all his life, died when his son Michael was 14 years of age. The widowed mother came to America with her three children, settled at Circleville. Ohio, and died here in August, 1880, aged 62 years. The children of Michael and Mary ( Ottman) Stoer were: Mary, wife of Antony Drumm, now of Columbus, but formerly a resident of Circleville; Michael, deceased in infancy; Bar- bara, who died at Circleville, aged 22 years ; William, who died in 1880 at Circleville; and Michael.

Michael Stoer, the subject of this sketch. was 17 years old when he accompanied his mother across the Atlantic Ocean and settled with her at Circleville, in August, 1869. He had enjoyed the usual excellent schooling which all German boys receive, but after com- ing to America he had no further opportunity. He was industrious and willing and had no trouble in finding plenty of employment in and about Circleville, in which he continued for the next eight years. He then rented a farm of 65 acres in Harrison township, Pickaway County, which he worked for 19 years, in the meantime accumulating the means with which to purchase his present farm. the purchase being completed in 1894. Since residing here Mr. Stoer has made many improvements. in- cluding the erection of substantial buildings and the development of the best resources of his land. He raises grain and stock, giving his whole time to his farming operations. He has reason to feel gratified with the success which

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has attended his efforts for he has had years of hard work and economy in his life and has overcome many obstacles in the path of his progress. His farm ranks with the best in Jackson township.

On November 28, 1876, Mr. Stoer was married to Sarah Stoneburner, who was born in Morgan County, Ohio, November 10, 1854. Her parents, William and Margaret (Lefler) Stoneburner, died when she was a child. They were of German extraction and spoke the lan- guage, although born in Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Stoer have four children living, namely : Charles M., a farmer of Jack- son township, who married Mary Justus and has one child-Rhoda Bernardine; Emma Alice, who married Carl Trump, of Jackson township, and has one child-Mary Rosena; Hattie Belle, who is the wife of Meinart Trump, of Monroe township; and Della May, a school teacher, who is a graduate of the county schools under the Boxwell law. The eldest child of our subject, Mary Margaret, died when a babe of two years.

In politics Mr. Stoer has always been a Democrat, but he has never consented to serve in any but school offices. He is one of the leading members of the Lick Run Lutheran Church, of which he is a deacon.

ILLIAM JACOB SLAGER, one of Wayne township's representative men, township trustee, and for the past 14 years a successful farmer in Pickaway County, was born Oc- tober 12, 1864, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Pendleton) Slager.

The parents of Mr. Slager were residents of Ross County, Ohio. They reared a family of three sons and four daughters, viz. : Milton, Schuyler, William Jacob, Alice, Nora, Flor- ence Della and Jane. The last named is de- ceased.

Mr. Slager was reared to the life of a farmer and obtained his education in the coun- try schools. In Indiana, he married Sylvia Talbott, a daughter of Daniel Talbott, of In-

diana, and they have these children : Ethel, Fred, Glen, Opal, Harold, Foreman and Wil- liam, who is named for his father. Mrs. Slager has two brothers-Oliver, who married Susan Bell and Willard, who married Anna Largent, and two sisters-Lillie, who married William Cottingham, and Eva.

Mr. Slager has always been an active poli- tician in his township and has frequently been selected for office. He is one of the township board of trustees and has filled the offices of school director and supervisor. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

ONATHAN RENICK GULICK, a · representative farmer of Pickaway County, the owner of considerable val- uable land in Darby township, resides on his home farm of 491/2 acres, which is admirably situated not far distant from Derby, on the Darbyville, Circleville and London turnpike, a very important highway in this locality. Mr. Gulick was born July I, 1856, in Muhlenberg township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Jesse and Eliz- abeth (Seymour) Gulick.

The Gulick family is of Welsh descent and was established in Virginia, from which State in 1818 the grandfather of our subject, Wil- liam Gulick, came to Pickaway County wlien his son Jesse was about three years old. The latter became a farmer and a respected citizen of Muhlenberg township. His death occurred in 1878 at the age of 63 years, and his burial took place on Decoration Day. During some years of his early manhood he was in the em- ploy of Abel Seymour, at whose home he met his employer's cousin, Elizabeth Seymour, whom he subsequently married, the ceremony taking place on the Seymour farm. To this union were born seven daughters and three sons, the record being as follows: Mary, who married Peter Merrill and died at Florence, Alabama, in 1892; Minerva, who is the wife of William C. Hill, of Jackson township; Eliz- abeth Sidney, who married Elmer Strader; Margaret, widow of Alexander McCord, of Grove City, Ohio; Rachel, who. married Levi

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STUART ROBINSON BOLIN.

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Closan, of Mount Sterling; Fannie, who mar- ried Nelson Mckinley and resides near Derby ; Josephine, unmarried, who resides at Colum- bus; Abel Seymour, living on the old Seymour place in Muhlenberg township, who married (first) Anna B. Carpenter, of Kentucky, and married (second) Mrs. Matilda Strader; Au- gustus P., a resident of Darby township, who married Elmira Hoover, daughter of Henry Hoover, of Robtown; and Jonathan Renick, of this sketch.

Jonathan R. Gulick was reared to agri- cultural pursuits. His education was obtained in the district schools in his native locality. He remained on the home farm for one year after the death of his father, then married and still remained for another year on the home- stead in Muhlenberg township. He then rented a farm from his mother-in-law, Mrs. Susan A. Bell, following which he bought his 76-acre farm, taking immediate possession. After liv- ing there for II years, he purchased his pres- ent home farm and has continued here until the present. The former farm is located south- east of his present home and was formerly known as the John W. Bell farm. The home farm, before it came into possession of Mr. Gulick, was known locally as the Dave Deyo farm. Owing to the care and good manage- ment of Mr. Gulick and to his many substantial improvements and his thorough methods of farming, all his property, in the past decade, has doubled in value. Time was when the land, all raw prairie and swamp, could be bought for $2.50 an acre. Now it is not for sale at $150 an acre.

Mr. Gulick carries on general fatming and stock-raising, giving especial attention to corn.' He has developed a fine strain of Norman horses on his farm and now owns 14 head of these fine animals. He gives the preference to Delaine Merino sheep, having 225 head and also has 50 head of hogs. He has provided for the care of his stock by erecting a fine wind- mill which connects with a notable well situ- ated on his farm, bringing up the finest water in the county from a depth of 104 feet. The mill is so constructed that it furnishes power to saw his wood and do all his grinding. In

1900 Mr. Gulick built his handsome residence, a commodious, well planned frame dwelling of 13 rooms, so arranged as to give convenience and comfort to its inmates and to also present an attractive aspect to the stranger or visitor. For many reasons, one of these being the genial hospitality offered, the Gulick farm is one of note in the neighborhood.

In December, 1880, Mr. Gulick was mar- ried, a coincidence of interest being that the ceremony took place on the last day of the last month in the year, uniting the last son of one family with the last daughter of another. Mr. Gulick married Laura Virginia Bell, who is a daughter of John W. Bell, who was a slave- holder prior to the Civil War. He died in Pickaway County when his daughter was four years old. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Bell contained seven daughters and two sons, viz. : Agatha, Mollie, Elizabeth, Elawisa, Rebecca, Sally, Laura Virginia, Charles and James. Charles went to the West and was never heard from. James married a daughter of Alfred Taylor. Mrs. Bell and her sister met death while driving across the railroad tracks near Harrisburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Gulick have had two chil- dren, viz .: Agatha Rebecca and James Earl. The former died aged five years. James Earl Gulick, who is a rural mail clerk, married Anna Griffin and they reside on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Gulick are well known all through the neighborhood. Mrs. Gulick is well posted on county history in this section and has many entertaining reminiscences of people and events which would add interest to any pub= lished record of the northwestern section of Pickaway County.

S TUART ROBINSON BOLIN, the only son of Hon. Andrew Robinson and Sophronia I. (Rector) Bolin, and with his father comprising the law firm of Bolin & Bolin, was born June 20, 1878, at Circleville, Ohio.

After completing the course in the graded schools of Circleville, he was graduated with

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honor from Everts High School on his 17th birthday in 1895, and has ever since taken a prominent and active interest in the develop- ment and advancement of the schools of Pick- away County and has inaugurated many plans to bring the work and worth of the schools before the public.

After completing his high school course, Mr. Bolin entered the Ohio State University to prepare for the study of the profession which he had already chosen, following in the foot- steps of his father, who has become a worthy example for his ambitions.

While at the Ohio State University Mr. Bolin was elected to membership in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which membership he still retains.

After completing his preparatory course, he entered the Law Department of Yale Col- lege. He enrolled in the "two years course," which required the successful completion of the whole three years course of studies in two years and was one of the very few who sus- tained the requirements. While at Yale Mr. Bolin was elected a member of the Yale Kent Club. He also enrolled in certain classes in the Sheffield Scientific School. On June 28, 1899, eight days after attaining his majority, he received his degree of LL. B. from Yale College and on June 20, 1900, he entered into partnership with his father. The firm of Bolin & Bolin has an extensive practice and stands very high.

In politics Mr. Bolin is an ardent and active Democrat, and while he has never sought po- litical preferment he has ever been active and zealous in the advancement of the interests of his party and the welfare of his friends.

He organized and was the first secretary of the Franklin County Democratic Club of former Pickaway County voters residing in Franklin County-a large and strong Demo- cratic organization. He is secretary of the Circleville Business Men's Association and one of the city's progressive and successful young men. Mr. Bolin is an Elk and a studious, en- thusiastic Mason of high degree.

In November, 1904, Mr. Bolin was united in marriage to Ada Rebekah Brown, a daugh-

ter of the late Ambrose W. and Flora (Cun- ningham) Brown and a granddaughter of the late Thomas W. Brown, who was one of the early settlers and largest landowners in Pick- away and Ross counties. A portrait of Mr. Bolin accompanies this sketch.

L. BOYER, superintendent of the schools of Circleville, and one of Pickaway County's leading educa- tors, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1864, and is a son of Da- vid Boyer, who was born in Fairfield County in 1830, his father having come there from Pennsylvania.

C. L. Boyer's education was commenced in his native county. He subsequently attended the Capital University at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1891, with the degree of A. B. He then took charge of the schools at Lithopolis, Ohio, where he remained for two years and then entered Lima College, at Lima, Ohio, as a member of the faculty, having the chair of mathematics. For four years he was also at the head of the normal department. During the succeeding two years he had charge of the schools of Logan, Ohio, and then came to Circleville, in 1899.

For the past seven years Mr. Boyer has been the head and front of the excellent school sys- tem of Circleville, and his careful, conscientious work has brought about remarkable results. The schools here have an enrollment of 1,300 pupils, who are distributed in four school build- ings, being under the instruction of 39 teachers. To see that all of the latter are capable and faithful like himself, is no slight task, but Mr. Boyer has insisted on the methods which his experience has taught him are the best and has gathered about him a very efficient corps of instructors. His services to the city in the educational field are thoroughly appreciated.

In July, 1889, Mr. Boyer was married to Clara Shade, who is a daughter of Daniel Shade, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and they have three daughters and one son.

Mr. Boyer is connected with the leading

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educational institutions of the State, is a mem- ber of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, the Central Ohio Teachers' Association, of which he has been vice-president, and of the Central Ohio Schoolmasters' Club, of which he has been secretary and treasurer.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 92

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