History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 96

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 96

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Ross County, Ohio, on a farm on the Pickaway County line.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. McDill are: Russell, born April 25, 1896; Laura, born February 19, 1899, and Florence, born February 4, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Dill are prominent members of the Church of the Evangelical Association at Yellow Bud. Mr. McDill has long been connected with the schools of the township, has served as a mem- ber of the School Board and is now one of the school directors of District No. 5. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

A DAM RUEB, who has been settled on an excellent farm of 120 acres, sit- uated near Salem, in Pickaway town- ship, since 1901, belongs to that large class of excellent agriculturists who have made this part of the county famous. Mr. Rueb was born in Ross County, Ohio, Decem- ber 14, 1868, and is a son of John B. and Cath- erine (Uhrig) Rueb.

The father and mother of Mr. Rueb were both born in Germany, and both were brought to America in childhood by their respective parents. They were early setatlers in Ross County, John B. Rueb and wife now reside near Kingston. For a few years they lived in Vermilion County, Illinois. John B. Rueb fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Adam Rueb was about five years old when his parents returned to Ross County from Illi- nois, and he was reared on a farm some eight miles from Chillicothe. He attended the local schools and prepared, under his father, to adopt farming as his business in life. His farm in Pickaway township shows the effects of careful cultivation and demonstrates his abil- ity as a first-class farmer.

Mr. Rueb was married February 10, 1895, to Estella Mahr, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 28, 1872, and is a daughter of the late Joseph Mahr, of Ross County. Mr. and Mrs. Rueb have two children, viz .: May A., born January 4, 1897, and Floyd M., born February 18, 1899.

In politics Mr. Rueb is a stanch Democrat.

He is a liberal supporter of the public schools and takes an interest in improving the roads and advancing the farming interests of his lo- cality. He is one of the respected and highly esteemed citizens of Pickaway township.

LI REICHELDERFER, a well-known agriculturist of Salt Creek township, where he is the fortunate owner of 161 acres of valuable farming land, was born November 26, 1858, in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah ( Mowery) Reich- elderfer, extended mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Harvey Reichelderfer, appearing in another part of this work. The family is an old pioneer one of the county and has many well-known and most highly es- teemed members in Salt Creek and adjacent townships.

Eli Reichelderfer was reared in Salt Creek township and attended the district schools. The family has always been an agricultural one, turning out many good farmers and our subject can lay claim to being one of the best. His well-cultivated land, his herds of cattle and fine stock and his well cared for machinery, testify both to his excellence as a farmer and his good business judgment.

In political sentiment Mr. Reichelderfer is one of the sound Democrats of Salt Creek township and takes much interest in the success of his party. He is a worthy member of the Lutheran Church at Tarlton and is a member of its board of trustees. In his business rela- tions Mr. Reichelderfer is known to be an hon- orable and upright man.

E DWARD E. SMITH, one of the prom- inent men and valued citizens of Cir- cleville, president of the Citizens' Telephone Company, treasurer of the Ohio Cereal Company and treasurer of the Esmeralda Canning Company, was born at Circleville in 1866 and is a son of Edward Smith.

Mr. Smith was reared in this city and here

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completed the common sche !! course and then spent four years at the University of Notre Dame. After leaving school, he was interested with his father, for some seven years, in the broom corn industry, and later engaged in farming and milling. He became a member of the firm of J. S. Smith & Brothers and later was interested in the firm's successor-the Smith Mill Company. When the Ohio Cereal Company was organized in 1900 and took over the interests of the Smith Mill Company and Crites Brothers & Company, he became treas- urer of the new organization. Noted above are the large industries in which he is inter- ested, these being very important ones in Pick- away County. He is a business man of broad- ened view and his co-operation is sought in many of the commercial enterprises of this lo- cality.

In 1902 Mr. Smith was married to Julia Corcoran, a daughter of Thomas Corcoran, who during life was extensively interested in coal mining, being superintendent of the Sun- day Creek and Congo coal companies. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Circleville.

B F. BENFORD, president of the First National Bank of Circleville, and senior member of the large hard- ware firm of C. Benford & Son, of this city, was born February 21, 1851, in Pennsylvania, and is a son of Cyrus and Har- riet (Walker) Benford.

The late Cyrus Benford was one of Circle- ville's most successful business men and valued citizens. For a number of years he conducted an extensive hardware business here, and for the last five years of his life was president of the Third National Bank of Circleville, of which he was one of the incorporators. He was a man of the highest integrity and both in his home and abroad was honored and re- spected. 'He had 10 children.

B. F. Benford was reared and educated in his native State until 18 years of age, when

he came to Pickaway County, and in the fol- lowing year entered into the hardware busi- ness. He still owns and operates what is the most extensive establishment of the kind in the city, which is still conducted under the old firm name of C. Benford & Son. Since 1898 he has been president of the First National Bank of Circleville.

Mr. Benford was united in marriage with Florence Fickardt, a daughter of George H. Fickardt, and they have one daughter-Caro- line. Politically Mr. Benford is a Republi- can. Fraternally he is an Elk.

ILLIAM J. BINKLEY, a well- known citizen and representative agriculturist of Salt Creek town- ship, is also an honored survivor of the Civil War, in which he served from 1861 until 1863. Mr. Binkley was born July 5, 1842, at Adelphi, Ohio, and is a son of William and Margaret (Strawser) Binkley.

The father of Mr. Binkley was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and the mother in Ross County, Ohio. William Binkley settled at a very early day at Adelphi, where he car- ried on a mercantile business. He was 18 years old when he accompanied his parents to that village from Fairfield County, and there he spent his life. His father had been a mer- chant before him, a pioneer in the business at Adelphi, and William Binkley continued and expanded it.

William J. Binkley was reared at Adelphi and was educated in the public schools of the town and after reaching a business age he was engaged for a time in a grocery enterprise there. The larger part of his life, however, has, been devoted to farming and raising fine horses, and both he and his wife have valu- able farming interests both in Pickaway and Salt Creek townships.

On July 17, 1861, Mr. Binkley offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company A, 27th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., his regiment being assigned to the 17th Army Corps and

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attached to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Binkley participated in many great battles, in- cluding Shiloh, Corinth and Iuka, and in num- berless skirmishes and long and wearying marches before he secured his honorable dis- charge, on January 23, 1863. For some years he was active in the Grand Army of the Re- public post at Adelphi, of which he was quartermaster.

On September 27, 1888, Mr. Binkley was married to Mrs. Jane (Dunkel) Rush, who was the widow of the late Samuel W. Rush, of Pickaway County. She is a daughter of George and Sarah A. (Mounts) Dunkel, and was born April 28, 1856. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of George Dunkel, who was an early settler in Salt Creek township. Mrs. Binkley's father died when she was five years old, but her mother survived many years, dying subsequently at Circleville. By her first marriage, Mrs. Binkley has one daughter, Laura D., who resides at home. Of the old and prominent family of Dunkel, Mrs. Binkley is the only survivor in Salt Creek township.

Politically, Mr. Binkley is a Republican and while a resident of Ross County served as treasurer of Colerain township. He has al- ways been a good citizen but has not been anxious to take upon himself the cares of office-holding. He and his wife have one of the most commodious and beautiful homes in their section of Pickaway County and it is so located that it is seen by those passing on the public highway. Mr. and Mrs. Binkley have learned the secret of enjoying life to its full and to this beautiful home they frequently of- fer a hearty welcome to their many friends.

EONARD MILLAR, who resides on his valuable farm three-quarters of a mile west of South Bloomfield, in Har- rison township, has lived continuously on his present homestead for a period of 26 years. His place is a part of the estate of William Millar, his maternal grandfather, and is cultivated on thorough and scientific.

principles, being therefore both attractive and productive. Mr. Millar was born in Harrison township, Pickaway County, Ohio, April 1, 1854, and is a son of Isaac D. and Sarah Ann (Millar) Millar.

The branch of the Millar family to which our subject belongs is of old Virginia stock, and the early ancestors held various grants from the British crown. Members of the fam- ily commenced to migrate to Ohio about 1803, soon after its admission to the Union.

Isaac Millar, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born February 9, 1749, married Elizabeth Sea. on October 28, 1777, and died January 23, 1815, in the 66th year of his age. His wife, who was born August 15, 1756, died April 14, 1794. Their children were as follows : William, born August 6, 1788; Cath- erine, born February 19, 1780; Rebecca, .born February 3, 1783; Michael, born March 30. 1785; Isaac, born December 6, 1787; Eliza- beth, born February 4, 1790: and Adam, our subject's grandfather. William, the oldest child, married Mary Sudduth and they had the following family : Elizabeth, born May 2, 1809: George Washington, born February 5, 1811; Isaac, born January 28. 1813: Adam, born March 15, 1815; Sarah Ann (mother of our subject), born April 24. 1817; Lucinda, born December 12, 1819; William A. P., born No- vember 17, 1824; and Mary Catherine, born April 23. 1830.

Adam Millar. the paternal grandfather of Leonard Millar. was born March 24, 1792, and died March 28. 1824. He married Rebecca Decker and to them were born two sons: Isaac D., our subject's father; and John, who died in young manhood.

Isaac D. Millar, the father. was born March 18, 1822, and on February 22. 1844. married Sarah, Ann Millar. daughter of William and Mary (Sudduth) Millar. The seven children born to their union were: John D., born De- cember 6. 1844. who died March 28, 1860: William, born April 28, 1847, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; Mary Rebecca. born September 6. 1850, wife of Hon. Thad- deus E. Cromley; Leonard, of this sketch;

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MR. AND MRS. HOMER V. RUSH AND DAUGHTERS.

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Isaac M. and Adam P. (twins), born March 21, 1857, the former deceased February 3, 1860, and the latter, March 26, 1886; and Annie L., who married F. S. Chryst, a lawyer of Warren, Ohio, and present probate judge of Trumbull County-Mrs. Chryst died March 25, 1901, leaving two daughters, Blanche E. and Sarah M. The death of Isaac D. Millar took place October 21, 1867; he was survived many years by his wife, who lived to the age of 83 years, dying on June 27, 1900.

Leonard Millar obtained what education he could in the South Bloomfield school, and after leaving school commenced his life work of farming upon the family homestead. On the 10th of October, 1888, he was united in marriage to Lida Grace Stimmel, daughter of Peter and Catherine Stimmel, of Franklin County, Ohio. Mrs. Millar's father died when she was about six years of age; her mother is now a resident of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Millar have two sons: Earle William, born August 8, 1889, who is a student at the Ash- ville High School; and Benford S., who is at- tending the district school at South Bloom- field.

Mrs. Leonard Millar, the wife of our sub- ject, is a capable, well-educated woman. After finishing the common-school work, she spent three years in the completion of a thorough business course, which was afterward supple- mented by a special training in stenography. She is of German ancestry, the first of her family to come to the United States being Yost Stimmel. This ancestor of the American branch was born in 1756, and his wife, Han- nah Magdalene Stocker, four years afterward. The family located in Frederick County, Mary- land, where Mr. Stimmel resided and culti- vated his farm, dying in 1805 and being buried on the family homestead.

Michael Stimmel, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Millar, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and died in 1859. On March 3, 1790, he was married to Catherine Plum, born in Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia), March 3, 1790, who. passed away in 1872, at the age of 82.

Peter Stimmel, the grandfather, was a na-

tive of Frederick County, Maryland, born in 1788. He married Elizabeth Landes, daugh- ter of Samuel Landes, of Hamilton township. Franklin County, Ohio, and resided on the Landes homestead, one mile north of Lock- bourne. Their family consisted of the following members : John. Jacob, Samuel, Mary, Peter, Hannah, Michael and Lydia. Peter Stimmel died in 1844, aged 55 years, and his widow survived him until 1855, when she died at the age of 63.

Peter Stimmel, the fifth child of this fam- ily, was the father of Mrs. Leonard Millar. He was born at Lockbourne, Franklin County, Ohio, July 17, 1824, but from the age of five years until his death, February 28, 1874, was a resident of Shadeville. Franklin County, en- gaged at various times as a merchant and a grain dealer. He was also the owner of a farm, and a man of good standing and circum- stances. His wife. Catherine Hulva, was born near Groveport. Franklin County, Ohio, Janu- ary 3. 1837, and, as stated, resides in Colum- bus, where she is a nurse. Besides Mrs. Leonard Millar, the children of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stimmel were Henry Landes. Carrie .A .. Arabella H., Effie G. and Earl H. Henry Landes Stimmel. the oldest brother of Mrs. Millar, is a traveling man, residing at Decatur, Illinois.

OMER VIRGIL RUSH, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Pickaway County, who owns and operates a valuable farm of 173 acres in Scioto township, was born on his present farm, December 8, 1855. and is a son of Francis N. and Matilda ( Rayn) Rush.

The Rush family originated in Germany. Its movements as pioneers and early settlers are full of interest. The great-grandparents of our subject, who were of German birth, emi- grated to America and located in Pennsylva- nia. At a later date they removed to Virginia and there Francis Rush, the grandfather of Homer V. Rush, was born and reared. He married Nancy Greenwade, who was born in

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England and accompanied her parents when they settled in Virginia. They had eight chil- dren, all of whom have passed away, viz. : Thomas, deceased at the age of 45 years; Polly, deceased at the age of 30 years; Jacob, who was married four times; John, who mar- ried Ann Yocum-both now deceased; Sarah (twin sister of John), who married Cornelius Sharp; Nelson, who married Martha Cham- bers; Francis, father of our subject; and Wil- liam, who married Hester Hillery.

The grandparents of our subject started for what was then the wilderness of Pickaway County, Ohio, after the birth of three of their children, Thomas, Polly and Jacob. The old home in Virginia did not promise any substan- tial fortune for a growing family, and Francis Rush decided that it was the part of wisdom to seek a home in a new locality even if much hardship had to be endured in reaching the destination. It was an ingenious arrangement of a sort of saddle-bag, fastened on the back of a faithful old family horse, that enabled the tired mother and children to ease the long dis- tance by occasionally enjoying a ride. The little party was accompanied by the brother- in-law of Mr. Rush; both men carried their flint-lock rifles and thus provided the entire subsistence for the long journey.

Soon after reaching Ohio and establishing his family in a log cabin in the woods, Francis Rush answered the call for recruits and en- tered the army and fought through the War of 1812. While all due credit should be given Mr. Rush for his patriotism, a thought should be reserved for the courageous and capable wife who lived with her children through these times, almost unprotected in the dense woods of Ohio. Mr. Rush died in 1861, and was survived by his widow until 1870.

Francis N. Rush, son of Francis, and father of Homer V., was born in Ohio in 1820, and assisted in the developing of the pioneer farm. In 1849 he was united in marriage with Matilda Rayn, a daughter of John and Huldah Rayn, who came to Ohio from Maryland. She had four sisters and five brothers, as follows : Nancy, Elizabeth, Ellen, Levicy, Cyrus, Wil- liam, John, Edward and Joseph.

Mr. and Mrs. Rush had four children, as follows: Austin, who married Martha W. Mitchell; Homer Virgil; Alice, who married William Thrailkill, a farmer of Scioto town- ship; and Eugene B., who married Emma Mundell.

Homer Virgil Rush was reared on the farm where he now lives, which has been his home all his life. This land is his inheritance from his father and is a part of the famous old Buckley woods and was long known as the Buckley farm. It is a valuable piece of prop- erty, well adapted to general farming and, as it is traversed by a never-failing stream of water, known as Morris Run, is also well suited for stock-raising.

In 1880 Mr. Rush was married to Caro- line Maris, the only daughter of James and Elizabeth (Worrell ) Maris, who were well- known members of the Society of Friends. Three children have been born to this marriage -Leatha, Mary and Marvin M. The eldest daughter was graduated from the High School at McConnellsville, Ohio, and also from the Capitol College of Oratory, at Columbus, in 1903, and taught elocution for one year at Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio, and while there became acquainted with J. Otley Lehman, a student from Illinois, to whom she was mar- ried on September 7, 1905. He is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is sta- tioned at Moweaqua, Illinois. Mary, the sec- ond daughter, graduated at the Commercial Point High School, in the class of 1906. Her specialty is music and she is an accomplished performer on piano and violin. She married Ralph R. Thomas, who is a son of Newton N. Thomas, who farms his father's land in Darby township.

Marvin M. Rush, the only son of the fam- ily, was born May 7, 1890, and lived only until September, 1891. His death was a great blow to the family, as he was a beautiful, interesting child. His little casket was laid away in the Darbyville Cemetery, after comforting words were spoken by Rev. F. H. Smiley, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which relig- ious body the family belongs.

While Mr. Rush has never been prominent

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in politics, he votes with the Republican party and aims to keep good men in office. He has served as justice of the peace in Scioto town- ship and is a member of the township School Board. A group picture of the Rush family is shown on a preceding page in connection with this sketch.

EORGE H. ROOF, a well-known agri- culturist and valued citizen of Pick- away township, residing on the S. H. Evans estate, located on the Circle- ville and Kingston turnpike, about three and a half miles south of Circleville, was born September 14, 1872, in Pickaway township. He is a son of Frederick and Anna (Goeller ) Roof.

The father of Mr. Roof was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, and died in 1886, at the age of 38 years. The mother was born in Ger- many and resides at Circleville, Ohio. Of the seven children born to Frederick Roof and wife, four survive, these being : Charles E., of Cir- cleville; Rose, wife of Clinton Jenkins, of Cir- cleville; Amelia, wife of Edward Cook, cf Circleville; and George H., of this sketch. In political sentiment Frederick Roof was a Democrat. For many years he was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church.

George H. Roof was reared in Circleville township and was educated in the Circleville schools. From his youth he has been inter- ested and engaged in agricultural pursuits, a thorough training making him an experienced and successful farmer. The large estate which he so capably manages contains 320 acres of land, and here Mr. Roof carries on general farming and stock-raising.

On October 14, 1897, Mr. Roof was mar- ried to Maud E. Phillips, a daughter of Evan Phillips, of Pickaway township. In politics, Mr. Roof is identified with the Democratic party and has served as township assessor. He takes an active interest in public matters in the township, especially in those closely concern- ing agricultural advancement and deserves the reputation accorded him of being a public- spirited, reputable and useful citizen.

J OSEPH A. BAUM, a well-known citi- zen and representative agriculturist of Madison township, residing on his valuable and well-cultivated farm of 160 acres, was born in this township, September 25, 1854, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth ( Roof) Baum.

The Baum is an old and long-lived family of Madison township. The father of our sub- ject, now in his 83rd year, was born here and is one of the township's oldest residents. He was identified with much of its early develop- ment and can recall a large part of its pioneer history.

Joseph A. Baum has been a life-long resi- dent of Madison township and owes his edu- cation to her public schools. His entire busi- ness life has been concerned with the town- ship's agricultural interests and he bears the reputation of being an excellent farmer. His well-cultivated acres show the effect of careful methods and the whole appearance of his home indicates thrift and good management.

Mr. Baum was married to Sarah C. Sny- der, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Adam and Anna M. Sny- der. Mrs. Baum's father is deceased; her mother lives in Fairfield County. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have these children : Lena L., wife of John W. Hay, of Harrison township; Clara B., Chrissie C. and Clayton B .. all at home.

For 12 consecutive years Mr. Baum served as a trustee of Madison township and for four years as a member of the School Board. He is one of the stanch supporters of the Demo- cratic party in his section and wields consid- erable influence. He is one of the leading mem- bers of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and has always been one of the most active workers in the Sunday-school, for 20 years serving as its superintendent. He has also been a church trustee for many years. When the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in April, 1904, Mr. Baum was one of its promoters and is a member of its. board of directors. Mr. Baum is a director and stockholder in the Ashville Banking Company, of Ashville, which is capitalized at $50,000. In all that concerns the well-being of the com-

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munity, Mr. Baum takes a public-spirited in- terest and his fellow-citizens know that they may count on his hearty co-operation.

ENRY J. BENNETT, one of Circle- ville's esteemed retired citizens, has been prominently identified with large business enterprises both in Ohio and in other States for a quarter of a century. He was born in 1853, at Dover, Canada, and was five years old when he ac- companied his parents to Circleville, Ohio.

The city of Circleville, which he has as- sisted to develop, has been Mr. Bennett's chosen home all through his more than usual successful business career. He was educated here and was the pioneer in the ice business, in which he engaged first when a lad of 16 years. This business was continued by him under the business style of the Circleville Ice Company until 1903, when he disposed of it. He has numerous interests, owning valuable real estate in the cities of Circleville, Colum- bus and Chicago, Illinois ; gold mines in South Dakota, Idaho and Arizona, and is interested in a tract of 640 acres of coal land on the Elk River, West Virginia, where there is an out- crop of 16 feet of coal on the ledges above the railroad. He also has silver and lead inter- ests in other parts of the country and owns stock in many prospering industries. He is a man of remarkable business sagacity and still looks after many of his enterprises himself.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 96

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