History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 115

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 115

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His father was a self educated but thoroughly educated man. He died at the age of seventy-six. His mother died in 1845, while he was a mere infant. His father's family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters.

After the war Col. Wilson settled in Sidney, and studied law with Gen. James Murray. Since his admission to the bar he has pursued the practice of law with that energy and zeal which have placed him at the head of his profession. Aside from the law profession he is an active, public-spirited citizen, ever taking an active interest in all enter- prises and institutions of a praiseworthy character. He is also one of the leading Republican workers in the county, and in all departments of life he sustains the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He married Mary C., daughter of J. T. Fry, of Sidney, on the Ist of January, 1867.

JOSEPH E. WILKINSON,

a son of Isaac A. and Ruth R. (nee Persinger) Wilkinson, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, and is the youngest of six brothers. He was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in the 99th O. V. I., Company C, the regiment being organized at Lima. The date of his enlistment was August 1, 1862. He was with his regiment in the Kentucky, Tennessee, anci Georgia campaigns, participated in the battles of Stone River ancl Chickamauga, one of his brothers being killed at the latter engagement. On Sunday after the battle he was with a wounded comrade, rendering him such assistance as he could, when he was captured by the rebels. After serving a long period of imprisonment he was finally released, and returned home in March, 1865. He then attended school for a time, and prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed about eight years. In 1875 he married Mary A. McKee, of Piqua, Ohio, and soon afterward located at Sidney, and engaged in the lumber and planing mill business. In 1881 he sold his interest in this industry to accept the appointment of postmaster of Sidney, a position he still retains. Mr. Wilkinson's family consists of his wife and two children, Kate S. and John A.

Having spoken of his long imprisonment during the war, it is fitting that we speak more fully of this subject as one illustrating some of the horrors and barbarities inflicted by a people of pretended civilization and culture upon the helpless prisoners of war. We will present a sketch of Mr. Wilkinson's life in Southern prisons just as he narrated it to us: -

" I was captured at Chickamauga September 20, 1863, and conveyed to Belle Island, Virginia, where I was confined a few days. . I was then taken to the city of Richmond, and confined there until in December, at which time it became understood there would be no further exchange of prisoners, and about five thousand of us were transported to Dan- ville, Va., and confined in tobacco houses until the following April. During our confinement at this place smallpox broke out among the

prisoners, and

prostrated by

proved very malignant in type. Unfortunately, I was

the disease, but passed through it, and acted as nurse for several weeks

the name, for

in what they called the 'hospital.' It did not deserve

we had no medicines whatever except red pepper pods, which we boiled and administered the tea to the sick with apparent beneficial resulte as it seemed to hasten the striking out of the disease. At this time there were twenty-three of my regiment with me, but, alas! nineteen of the number died in the prison pen, and only four ever saw the old flag again- In April, 1864, we were removed to Andersonville, Ga., a distance of about seven hundred miles. We were transported over this distance in close box cars, there being from sixty to ninety of us in each car. "The trip occupied seven days, and during that time none of us were permitted to leave the cars for any purpose whatever. When we reached Andersonville a number of dead men were found in

each car. The sight of this new prison made many of the boys look down-hearted, as tiney contemplated the evidences of horrid cruelty, and thought of thegovernmental policy which refused exchange of prisoners. The question, Can we endure another eight months of this torture? was staring us in the face, and demanding an answer we could not give. Ar- riving April 19, 1 & € 4, we found but few prisoners on our arrival, but each day broughtinol<1 Prisoners from other places of confinement. Anderson- ville is situated about 160 miles south of Atlanta, and is quite an obscure place scarcely worthy of a village name. The prison pen was out in the open field, in which a number of trees and stumps were yet standing. We made good buried in the gro u Lid, and then slept over it to prevent its being stolen. All the time our use of the time, laying in a supply of wood, which we in August the nit per reached 35,000. We remained until September, 1864, when the act Chance of Sherman after the capture of Atlanta alarmed the rebel govern ixsent number increased by the arrivals of each week, until

touching our safety, and it was determined to remove us. We votre then transported to various points in the South, about one-third being sent to Florence, S. C. a similar prison, but ou which proved even more destructive to life than Andersonville.

many others I was sent to Charleston, S. C., and put in such position as to defy our Government, and prevent our army from further shelling the city. After being kept in this position about thirty days, we, tox My experience at Andersonville is too horrid were sent to Florence. to relate, and alismost beyond belief. It is sufficient to say, the rebel history makes this statement touching the fatality in the prison:

'April, 1864, one in every sixteen died. May, one in every twenty- six. June, one in every twenty-two. August, one in every cleven. in two; and November, one in every three.' September, one in three. October, one July, one in every eighteen.

Think of it for a moment. To realize it fully put yourself in our posi- tion and see the increase of the death-rate, until after risking a thousand chances you find in November that the chances are even, and then think of that mortality which carried off 13,000 of our boys, actually starved to death in a land of civilization and plenty! To add one more horror to the picture, recall the infamous and diabolical order of John H. Winder, commander of prisons, who, hearing of the capture of Atlanta, and fear- ing for our safety, issued the following notice, which he posted promi- nently before the prisoners :-

'Order No. 13.

" The officers on duty and in charge of the Battery of Florida Artil- lery at the time, will, upon receiving notice that the enemy has approached within seven miles of this post, open upon the stockade with grape-shot, without reference to the situation beyond these lines of defence.

(Signed) JOHN H. WINDER, Brig .- Gen'l Com'g.'

Think of a man issuing an order for forty guns to open a deadly fire upon 35,000 unarined, sick, and helpless prisoners ! It is a wonder God himself would permit such an order to be issued ! It is an infamy so diabolical that history need not be asked for a parallel. It has been said this man Winder 'died a peaceful death!' Perhaps so; in such case justice had not yet been meted ont to him, and stern must that justice be which will ever pay him back in currency of his own coinage. At Florence the prisoners numbered about 11,000. Most of us had already been imprisoned about twelve months, and were wearing the same clothing in which we were captured. That clothing had become so ragged and tattered that it scarcely covered our nakedness. Winter was approaching, and no prospect of release further than the advance of Sherman. Mortality was thinning our ranks, and our prison was a charnel house. Rations were reduced. For four months one pint of coarse corn meal was a daily ration, no salt meat of any kind, and half the time no wood to cook it. All we could do was to mix our meal in water, and drink it without boiling or otherwise cooking it. Such sur- roundings, such starvation and exposure told terribly against us, and. the monthly mortality footed up fifty per cent. In my eighteen months of prison life, none was more severe than that of Florence. From Flor- ence I arrived at Richmond March 10, 1865, about one year after leaving it. We were sworn to not take up arms again against the Confederate Government until duly exchanged. Six hundred of us were then taken

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

down the James River, and turned over to United States officers. Quite a number of these were old prisoners. For myself, it had been eighteen months since I had seen the old flag beneath which I had marched and fought. We were all sick and weak, but as we came in sight of the starry banner we yelled wildly and crazily at the top of our voices. The rebel authorities threatened to prevent our outbursts of cheers, but we were in sight of men, and could not be restrained. We told them we would yell, and every one of us kept our word. The happiest moment of my life was when I stepped ashore. Stepping from the boat we were met by Northern ladies, who had provided coffee and sandwiches for our reception. One of them, she seemed an angel, handed me a cup of coffee, which I gladly accepted and drank, but my stomach revolted at an article it had not known for a year and a half. The lady saw and appreciated my difficulty, and, as if I were her own child, she uttered the words 'poor fellow !' so sympathetically that they almost overcamne me. Those words were the first I had heard uttered by a woman from the time of my capture, and they came like an angel's benediction. This is all long since past, but while memory lasts I will not forget that the prisons of the South were conducted by heartless and murderous agents."

It is needless to add anything to this brief recital. The words convey horror enough, but a more revolting chapter may be read between the lines. We know the South, with all the dignity of insulted pride, has denied the charge of inhuman treatment of war prisoners, but the boys who suffered, as well as the thousands who died, attest the truth of the charge with an unanimity which cannot be challenged by a reasonable man.

B. M. SHARP, M.D.

Dr. B. M. Sharp, a grandson of Robert Sharp and son of Joseph Sharp, is of Scotch descent, his father having emigrated to this county in 1832, when he settled in Turtle Creek Township. Here he found a few scat- tered neighbors in what was only an inhospitable wilderness. He at once applied himself to the improvement of a piece of land, and soon found himself alone, his last neighbor having moved away. Dr. Sharp was born on the old homestead of his father in Turtle Creek Township in 1844. His mother died when he was but eight years old, thus rele- gating him to the care of others, and placing him under the necessity of attending school with limited opportunities as best he could. When the first wild tocsin of war was sounded at Fort Sumter he was but about sixteen years of age, yet his enthusiasm would give him no rest until he had enlisted in his country's service. He was enrolled in the 15th Ohio, April 17, 1861, at Camp Jackson, where the regiment was organized, and proceeded at once to Virginia. After participating in the battle of Phillippi, the regiment went into camp for the remainder of the period of enlistment. Young Sharp then returned home and at- tended school until the summer of 1862, when he re-enlisted in the 99th Ohio, and was with his regiment at the battles of Nashville, Chatta- nooga, Kenesaw Mountain, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and Atlanta. During these campaigns he rose to the rank of corporal and orderly sergeant. From Nashville he participated in the pursuit of Hood, until the forces of that troublesome general were scattered and his strength destroyed. After the battle of Nashville the regiment was so badly cut up that it was consolidated with the 50th Ohio. At Kene- saw Mountain Mr. Sharp was knocked down by a spent ball but soon recovered, and during his whole service was never disabled enough to be unfit for duty. He was finally discharged at Raleigh, N. C., and mus- tered out of service at Camp Dennison, when he returned home and again attended school in the spring of 1865. The next year he married Miss M. J. Moreland, of Turtle Creek Township, and moved to Logan County, where he lived on a farm eleven years, during four of which he was superintendent of the Union Schools. He also taught about five years in other schools. In 1874 he began the study of medicine, and, after a reading course of three years, he attended the Columbus Medical College, from which he graduated with honor. After looking about for a time he finally located at Sidney, and began the practice of medicine May 1, 1879. Since that time he has built up a growing and lucrative practice. After marriage he united with the M. E. Church, and has held important positions in that organization during the past ten years. His family consists of four children, named Frank M., Mary, Carl N , and Earl B.

D. R. SILVER, M.D.

Dr. Silver was born near Wooster, Ohio, April 1, 1844, and was reared on a farm. When eighteen years of age he entered upon an academic course at Vermillion Institute, Haysville, Ohio. At the completion of this course he entered upon the study of medicine with Drs. Robinson and Weaver of Wooster, and was finally graduated from the Jefferson Medi- cal College of Philadelphia in March, 1868. Returning to Wayne County, O., he practised medicine three years at Apple Creek, and then removed to Sidney, Ohio. During the war he enlisted in Captain Robin- son's company 102d O V. I., but was rejected on account of disabilities. About the close of the war he taught school two terms in Wayne Co. On the 7th of June, 1872, he married Miss Jennie E. Fry, of Sidney. They have two children, Bertha, aged ten, and Arthur, aged three years.

Dr. Silver is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, and also of the Ohio State Medical Society. In 1873 he was elected elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Sidney, and is at present a member of the school board and board of health of the city.

CHAS. W. CARROLL, M.D.

Dr. Carroll was born in' Sidney, March 5, 1860. He attended the public schools and assisted his father in the mercantile business until he was about fifteen years old. He then taught school in the county about two years, and entered the Homoeopathic College of Medicine at Cleve- land, Ohio, where he attended two successive courses of instruction, and was graduated with a class of fifty members. During his college life he was a member of the Cleveland Humane Society and the College Society, of which he was librarian one year. Finishing his studies, he returned to Sidney and began the practice of his profession, in which he is achieving that success which comes only at the bidding of persistent application.

Prof. J. N. BEARNES.

Professor Bearnes was born in Licking County, O., and worked on his father's farm; attended public school, and devoted some time to teaching during his minority. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, and in 1878 was graduated from that institution with a class of thirty-two. He was editor of his college society's paper, class historian, and valedictorian of his society. He acted also as tutor of mathematics during a portion of his course, and was one of fifteen students selected to deliver orations on commencement day. After devoting two years to the study of law and completing the legal course, he accepted the superintendency of schools at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, but a year later resigned to accept the same position in the Sidney schools. In June, 1883, he abandoned the profession of teaching to embrace that of law, for which he had already prepared himself.

LOUIS HUDDLE.

Mr. Huddle was born in Crawford County, O., where he remained, assisting his father on the home farm until he had attained his twenty- eighth year. In 1859 he married Miss E. E. Harshbarger, and four years after his father's death moved to Tiffin, where he resided about seven years. In 1873 he came to Shelby County and worked on a farm nearly three years. He was appointed janitor of the Sidney schools and of the M. E. Church of Sidney, both of which positions he is filling acceptably at this time. .

H. S. CONKLIN, M.D.

Almost a half century ago Dr. Conklin came to Sidney, a town which then had a population of about one thousand. The country for miles about was wild and largely occupied by wild beasts. For the most part the roads were merely trails or paths through the almost interminable wilderness, and much travel was done by the guidance of the sun and north star. Sidney as yet was without manufactures and the county was without gravel roads. Great changes have been wrought during the past forty-seven years. So many years ago rudeness, labor, hard- ship, and hospitality joined hands, and as years rolled by development went on apace. Even a few Indians yet remained in this section, and found here hunting grounds as rich as they desired. A physician's prac- tice extended over a large area and carried with its lucrativeness a great deal of genuine exposure and hardship. Sleep was often found in the saddle, while the saddle-bags were capacious enough to carry both medi- cines and surgical instruments. In accouchement cases all the women and men of the whole community were invited, and whiskey was indis- pensable. Chickens, too, had to suffer, for a bounteous meal was to be provided. On such occasions the physician became the victim of all jokes, and of course bore the ordeal with fortitude if not enjoyment. Such were the general experiences of Dr. Conklin during his first years in this county. He was born in Champaign County, O., in 1814, and remained with his parents until he went to Springfield, where he read medicine with Dr. Robt. Rogers. He finally graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati in 1836, and at once located at Sidney, where he is still in the practice of his profession. He was surgeon of the State militia about fifteen years, and in visiting Cincinnati, a. dis- tance of about one hundred miles, he could only travel on horseback. lle has held the offices of Vice-President and President of the State Medical Society, and aided largely in securing the D. and M. and C. C. C. and I. (old B. and I.) railroads for Sidney. He was called to Column- bus as an examiner during the war, and was surgeon with Genl. Fremont. He is a great fancier of stock, and has a splendid collection of bees. In 1838 he married Miss Ann Blake, who was a native of London, England. After a long and useful medical career the doctor still devotes his whole energies to the practice of his profession, in which he has met decided success.

REV. DAVID BULLE.

Rev. Bulle was born in Barclay County, Virginia, to which county his father had removed from South Carolina prior to the Revolutionary war. His father saw the shadows of coming events, and, turning his property

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over to the care of his brother, left his southern home. That brother was murdered in his own house, and the property confiscated. Mr. Bulle after- ward went South to take measures toward reclaiming his property, but finding the old records were destroyed at the burning of Charleston, he abandoned all further efforts. He then went to Cincinnati, and went down the Ohio on a flatboat. David Bulle went from Hamilton to Greene County, and settled on a piece of wild land. Fourteen years later he moved to Sidney, and located on North Ohio Street, on the lot now occupied by the Crozier Carriage Factory. At that time there was little business in Sidney, as the town only contained two small stores, kept by Jesse Bryan and F. W. Ruckman. Here Mr. Bulle followed cabinet-making about fourteen years, during which time he was once burned out and lost everything. He afterward turned his attention to painting, and has in his luxurious home several specimens of his artistic skill, which indicate a high order of merit. In 1855 or 1856 he joined the Central Ohio Conference, and has since labored in the ministry, at times travelling over a circuit of three hundred and fifty miles in four weeks. During his long experience as a pioneer of Methodism, Mr. Bulle has undergone a great many privations and hardships. At times he was compelled to swim his horse through streams filled with floating ice, and then build his fire at the appointed place of services. He mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Bird February 14, 1826, the ceremony being per- formed by Rev. William Dixon. They have reared ten children, named Mary, Ann Amelia, Rachel Ann Maria, Wilbur, Fisk, Emeline, M. Zatilla, David H., Caroline, and Elizabeth Josephine. Of these four are now living, viz., Mrs. Mary Reede, Mrs. Ann Crockett, Emeline Mc.Nutt, and Caroline Robertson.

G. F. YENNEY

was born November 8, 1835, in Germany, and came to America in 1854, landing at New York. Coming to Ohio he stopped at Piqua, but soon went into the neighborhood of Troy, where he worked in a brick-yard for five dollars per month. The following autumn he worked for a farmer at eight dollars, but left this situation to work at a saw-mill in town. The next year he returned to farm work at ten dollars per month, but after three months' service began working at fifty cents per day, wherever he could find anything to do. He afterward worked a farm two years, receiving one-third of the crops, and then tried farming on leased land. Again he sold out his farming utensils, and embarked in the mercantile trade as a clerk at one dollar a day. In 1863 he came to Sidney, and engaged in the grocery business with Mr. Piper, under firm name of Yenney & Piper. In 1870 he moved to Dayton, and embarked in the ice trade, but soon returned to Sidney with less capital than he took away. Again he entered the grocery business with his former partner, under firm style of Piper & Yenney. In 1878 he turned his attention to pork packing, and erected buildings at a cost of $9000. Three years later he was able to carry the business alone, and also opened a meat market. At this time his business employs a capital of about $45,000 per year. In 1864 he married Miss Elizabeth Piper, a daughter of his old partner. They have reared two children, named Katie Ella and Bertie Wilhelmina. Mr. Yenney also has a stock farm, which he manages in connection with his town industries.

B. D. WIKOFF, D.D.S.,

was born in Sidney August 20, 1859, and moved with his parents to Michigan, where his father died in 1870 or '71. The young man then returned to Sidney, where he attended school, and afterward entered the office of Dr. Stipp as a student of dentistry. Four years later he went to Cincinnati, and attended the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, and after graduation returned to Sidney, where he took charge of the dental office of Dr. Orbison for about one year. He then went to Bellefontaine, and entered the office of Dr. Loof bourrow, but subsequently returned to Sidney, and opened an office of his own. While in college he was a prize member of his class, and was presented a fine case of filling instru- ments by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. H. A. Smith, D.D.S., O.D.C. He was one of the youngest members of the class of 1879-'80, which consisted of thirty-one members, and has now a growing and lucrative practice.

DR. CHARLES B. ORBISON

was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 27, 1848, and is a son of Thomas J. Orbison, whose grandfather was one of the pioneers of Miami County. He remained with his parents, working on the home farm, until he was about twenty years old. He afterward moved to Sid- ney, and in 1876 was married to Miss Anna L. Fulton. He read den- tistry with Dr. B. F. Rasson for some time, but returned to farming. Again in 1879 he resumed the study of dentistry in the office of J. A. Stipp, and afterward purchased the office. He graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery March 3, 1881, having embraced the usual three years' course in one year. He has now a good practice, and besides has an interest in the old homestead and other pieces of property in different localities. He has held the office of trustee in the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member. His family consists of his wife and one child, the latter named Julia Inez.

DR. JOHN ALLEN THROCKMORTON

was born in Wenakoneta, Ohio, October 5, 1849. When six years of age he was taken to Virginia by his father, and there attended school and worked ona farm. Finally he began teaching, which profession he followed about five years. He then travelled for E. Buttrick & Co. through the States of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, but after two years resigned his position to study dentistry with Dr. Long, of Martinsbury, Va. He then attended a course of instruction in the Baltimore Dem'al College, and returned to Virginia. A little later his parents died, the old Virginia farm was sold, and he moved to Sidney, where he entered upon the practice of dentistry, having taken an addi- tional course of instruction at Ann Arbor, Michigan, University. He has since 1879 been an active member of the State Dental Society, and is quite an inventi ve genius in his profession, as is attested by some pro- fessional instruments of his device. One such instrument is for holding the teeth under the process of grinding. This was deemed so important an invention that the Dean of the College of Dental Surgery spoke of it in terms of high encomium, and recommended it to the profession.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 115

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427