USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 90
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The father of our subject was reared in Fayette county, Ohio, and was by occupation a farmer. He served in Company H, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was taken prisoner at Harpers Ferry. He served throughout the war. It was on the farm that the sons and daughter of this family had their home in their youthful years, and it was here that the subject of our sketch found opportunity for industrial training and health- ful occupation, conducive to physical development and contributing influ- ences to successful achievement in any calling in life. The mother died in 1882 at the age of thirty-four years; the father died in 1896 at the age of fifty-five years. The father and mother were both members of the Pres- byterian church. Hugh Roebuck, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Virginia and came to Fayette county, Ohio, in 1798. He was a farmer by occupation and died at the age of about sixty years ; his wife survived him and died at the age of seventy-nine years. They had a large family, two
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of whom, John W., and Joseph F., left families. The latter is still living in Arkansas.
The maternal grandfather was John Conner; his wife was Martha (Popejoy) Conner, both natives of Ireland. They emigrated to America and were among the early settlers of fayette county, Ohio. He followed the occupation of farmer and stock raiser for several years and made quite a success of the business. In the midst of his activities he was taken with the typhoid fever which resulted fatally, his death occurring at the age of forty-eight years ; his wife died at the age of sixty-eight years. They had a family of four children, namely: Edward P., who had the distinction of teaching the first school in Seattle, Washington, the school being held in a log cabin at that place ; Ella, James and Martha.
As has already been stated, Dr. Linn L. Roebuck spent his early life on his father's farm in Fayette county, Ohio. His education was received in the Jeffersonville public schools, which he attended through the lower grades. He then attended the high school in Washington C. H., complet- ing the full course and graduating from that school in 1891. He had al- ready decided to enter the medical profession and had given some study to medical works previous to his graduation from the high school. He en- tered Starling Medical College, completed the course and graduated from that institution in 1894. He came to Richwood that year and began the practice of medicine which he has followed successfully ever since. In ad- dition to his regular practice, he is the surgeon for the Electric Railway at this place and pension examiner for this congressional district.
On June 10, 1896, he was united in marriage with Maude Collier, daughter of John and Emily H. (Cripps) Collier. They have three chil- dren, John Howe, James Thaddeus and Louis Augustus.
Mrs. Roebuck was born in Philadelphia, the birth place of her mother. Her father a native of Johnstown, Ohio. Her father died in 1905 at the age of sixty-five years; the mother is still living. Mrs. Roebuck has a brother, J. Howe Collier, older than herself, and these two are the only children of the family. Mrs. Roebuck's father was engaged in the grocer's business in Richwood for many years. Her paternal grandfather was John Collier; his wife was Mary ( Ford) Collier; both were born and reared in Johnstown, where they lived to an advanced age. Their children were V. T., Edward, John, Thomas J., Emily and a Mrs. Adams. The maternal grandfather was Samuel C. Cripps : his wife was Mary Hughes. Their children were Annie, Charles, William, Emily, Rebecca, Samuel, Jesse, and one who died in infancy.
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Dr. and Mrs. Roebuck are members of the Presbyterian church, and are interested in the welfare and promotion of every good cause in the com- munity. The doctor is also deeply interested in educational matters. He has served as a member of the school board for one term and has devoted much of his time to the administration and conduct of school affairs. He belongs to the county and state medical societies and takes an active interest in their meetings.
From this brief sketch of his various activities it is evident that Dr. Roebuck is a very busy man, but still he finds time to devote to fraternal affairs. He is a member of Mt. Carmel Lodge No. 303, Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he holds the honor of past master. He is also a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 76, Knights of Pythias. Politically, his affiliations are with the Republican party. He served two terms as a member of the city council.
CHANDLER G. JOHNSON.
An enterprising young business man of Richwood, Ohio, is Chandler G. Johnson, who has made his home in this county for the past eleven years. As a young man he taught school a few years and later engaged in the railroad business, but since 1911 has been connected with the Richwood Banking Company. He comes from excellent parentage, his father having been an exceptionally useful man during the active years of his life. The senior Johnson was a public school teacher for more than forty years, a minister of the Gospel, a public official and a citizen who always had the interest of his community at heart. Chandler G. Johnson has inherited those sterling characteristics which dominated his father's career and is a welcome addition to the citizenry of Union county.
Chandler G. Johnson was born in Logan county, Ohio, August 23, 1880. He is the son of Henry and Angeline ( Stanley ) Johnson, who were also natives of Ohio. Their family consisted of three children: Burlin, of West Liberty; Orlando, who died at the age of twenty-six years, and Chandler G., whose home is in Richwood.
Henry Johnson was reared in Logan county, Ohio, near Rushsylvania. As a boy and young man he applied himself to the commendable duty of getting an education, and availed himself of every opportunity afforded by the district schools of the neighborhood in which he lived. His am- bition was to prepare himself for a teacher, and in order to qualify himself
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better for that vocation, he attended more advanced schools in Adrian, Michigan. That his early ambition was realized and that his industrious efforts and close application to study had resulted in the desired qualification to teach, is evidenced by the fact that he followed that vocation for a num- ber of years. He has the remarkable record of having taught forty-one terms of school. During the time of his teaching he was also engaged in preaching, having been ordained to this work by the Friends church, of which he was an active and devoted member. For fourteen years he served as township treasurer of Monroe township. As a teacher, minister, public officer and private citizen, Mr. Johnson has been enlisted on the right side of every question of good living, and for the promotion and welfare of every- thing pertaining to the community in which he lived. Mr. Johnson met with a great bereavement in the death of his wife, which occurred in Rich- wood, November 20. 1912, at the age of sixty-three. He survives her and is now living at Kenton, Ohio.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Johnson was Nelson A. Johnson, who was a native of Ohio. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. That he was earnest and sincere in his profession and calling was evidenced not only in his preaching, but also in its exemplification. The family of the elder Johnson seems to have been a fertile field for the propa- gation of preachers. In the family there were eleven sons and three daugh- ters, and of the eleven sons, eight were engaged in the ministry. The chil- dren by the first marriage of Nelson A. Johnson were Henry R., George, Allison, Jane, Maggie and Henrietta. By his second marriage, Marietta, Gussie and Morton.
The maternal grandparents of Chandler. G. Johnson were Ira A. and Sarah (Paxson) Stanley. They were both natives of Ohio and were among the pioneers of Logan county. They both lived to a good old age; he died at the age of eighty-four years and his wife at the age of seventy-nine. Their family consisted of seven children, Alfred, Townsend, Newton, Jos- eph, Rachel, Ruth and Angeline.
Chandler G. Johnson enjoyed all the pleasures, the advantages and disadvantages of the ordinary boy on the farm where he spent his early years. The average boy on the farm is very much inclined to underesti- inate the advantages of his environments. It is in later life when the train- ing of the boy on the farm is estimated at its true value. It is from the boys on the farm who have been accustomed to the work of the farm, and have been trained to habits of industry, that our most successful business
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nien have come. Mr. Johnson had such training and experience and he has exemplified in his successful business life the value of his early training.
Mr. Johnson's education was obtained in the district schools which he attended with as much regularity as the work on his father's farm afforded opportunity. Later he took up more advanced studies and attended school at the Damascus Academy and the Glover Institute with a view of follow- ing his father's example and fitting himself for a teacher. He found op- portunity to engage in teaching and followed this vocation for two years. Then he entered the railroad service, first in the freight department, at Galion, Ohio. Later he was transferred to Akron, Ohio, and still later to Richwood, where he was the local agent for seven years. On March I, IgII, he became assistant cashier of the Richwood Banking Company, and on December 26, 1913, he was advanced to his present position of cashier.
This is one of the oldest and most substantial financial institutions of the county, and by its safe and conservative business management and the cordial and accommodating policy of its managers, it has won the popular confidence of the community. It was organized in 1867, and its capital stock is now thirty-one thousand dollars, with a surplus and profits of twen- ty thousand dollars. To be given the important and responsible position of cashier of such an institution is sufficient evidence of the confidence of the directors in Mr. Johnson's ability and trustworthy character. In addi- tion to his banking interests, Mr. Johnson is connected with other business enterprises in Richwood. He is secretary and treasurer of the Richwood Clay Company and secretary and treasurer of the LaRue Tile Company.
On June 20, 1906, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Bessie Woolard, daughter of William C. Woolard. To this union three children have been born, Harold, William and Junita. Mr. and Mrs. . Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active interest in its affairs, contributing liberally to its support.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Union county, Ohio, near Pharisburg. Her parents were also natives of Ohio. Her mother died in 1891 and her father is still living. They were the parents of two children, Bessie and a son, Pearl. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Johnson were Jolin C. and Nancy (Zinn) Woolard, both natives of Ohio. Both died at an advanced age. Their children were Mary, Carrie and Nellie.
Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is a member of Mt. Carmel Lodge, No. 303, Free and Accepted Masons; the Junior Order of the United American Me- chanics, and Rising Sun Lodge. No. 71, Knights of Pythias. Politically,
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his affiliations are with the Republican party and he is a firm believer in the principles of that party, principles that have stood the test and marked the progress and development of the country for more than half a century. He is among the leading business men of his city and county and may be truly ranked among the representative citizens of his county.
ORA L. BONHAM.
There is no nobler profession than that of teaching, and the man who instructs the youth wields a greater influence in the community than that of any other man. For sixteen years Ora L. Bonham was a public school teacher in Union county, and during that time hundreds of young people came under his influence and were benefited thereby. At the present time he is devoting all of his time and attention to farming and owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres a quarter of a mile north of Byhalia in Washington township.
Ora L. Bonham was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 26, 1875, and is the son of John C. and Margaret (Ora) Bonham. His father was born in Perry county, Ohio, and died in Union county in 1913. His mother was a native of Licking county, Ohio, and her death occurred in Union county in 1899. John Bonham and family came to Union county in 1877, and after coming to this county, he followed his trade as a carpenter in addition to general farming. Six children were born to John Bonham and wife, five of whom are now living: C. E., a farmer of Washington township, and a teacher in the public schools; George O., of Newark, Ohio: Ora L., with whom this narrative deals: Etta D., the wife of Loy C. Jacobs, of Alberta, Canada : Frank J., a farmer of Washington township.
Ora L. Bonham was two years of age when his parents came from Licking county, Ohio, to Union county, and has spent his life in this county since that time. He was reared on a farm a mile north of Byhalia, and edu- cated in the common schools of this township. Before reaching his ma- jority he began to teach in the district schools of Washington township, and for sixteen consecutive winters taught in this same township. He was an excellent instructor and gave universal satisfaction during this long service. He invested his money in land and now owns a fine farm in this township where he is carrying on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Bonham was married in August, 1900. to Nellie L. Norris, the
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daughter of Benjamin F. and Nora (Ballard) Norris, both of whom are now living in Ashtabula county, Ohio. Mr. Bonham and his wife are the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living at home, Margaret, Winifred, Elmer, Sara, Louise, Elizabeth and Hazel.
Mr. Bonham is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Byhalia and has filled all of the chairs in his local lodge. He and his wife are both members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Bonham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Bonham is a Republi- can and is now serving as Justice of the Peace in his township. He is a wide-awake and progressive farmer, a publie-spirited citizen, and a man whose influence has always been cast for better things. He has a wide ac- quaintance throughout the county and is universally respected wherever known.
MILTON HAINES.
Milton Haines was born in Washington township, Union county, Ohio, September 24, 1874. He is the son of Caleb F. and Margaretta D. Miller Haines, who were both natives of Ohio. The family consisted of five chil- dren : Mondo, who died at the age of sixteen years; Milton, the subject of this sketch: George, who died at the age of eight years; Josephine, wife of Clarence O. Westlake, Trumbull county, Ohio, and Dounon, Akron, Ohio.
The father of this family was a farmer. He lived on the old home farm in Washington township, and farmed until 1900, when he was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary. He held that position until the time of his death, in 1908, in the sixty-third year of his age. His wife still sur- vives him and is now living with her daughter in Trumbull county. The father and mother were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving as a private in Company D, Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In addition to the position of superintendent of the county infirmary, he held other official positions in his county and township. He was county infirmary director for two terms, and was township assessor for his township several terms.
The paternal grandfather of Milton Haines was Joshua B. Haines : his wife was Mary Wells Haines. They were of the pioneer stock. coming to Washington township in 1837. He was a farmer and contributed a large share in the development of the country in which he cast his lot. He also engaged in stock buying in addition to his farming interests, and by his in-
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dustry and close attention to business, accumulated a considerable body of fine land in Union county. In his later years, Mr. Haines and his wife moved to East Liberty, Logan county. After his death, which occurred at that place, the widow moved back to the old home in Union county, where she died a few years later. Both were well advanced in years at the time of their death. They had seven children, only three of whom lived to maturity, Caleb F., Margaret and Ann.
The great-grandfather of Milton Haines was Allen Haines, who was a native of Virginia and a pioneer settler in Champaign county, Ohio. He was a commissioned officer in the War of 1812, served in a Virginia regiment, and participated in some of the important engagements of that war. The maternal grandfather was Thomas Miller; his wife's maiden name was Delilah Wade. They came from Champaign county and were among the early settlers of Union county. They settled on Rush street, in Washington township, and engaged in farming. Here they lived and labored until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-two years; she survived him several years. She died in Byhalia, in the ninetieth year of her age. Their family consisted of eleven children, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jacob, David, John F., Ellis W., Margaretta, Elizabeth, Martha, Emma and Thomas.
Milton Haines was born and reared on a farm and was trained to habits of industry from his youth. He worked on his father's farm in Washington township and contributed a boy's part in the work incident to farm life. His elementary education was obtained in attendance at the country schools of the neighborhood. With a view to fitting himself for a professional occupa- tion, he entered the Ohio normal school and graduated in that institution in 1808. He had previously engaged in teaching. following that profession suc- cessfully for eight years, beginning when he was only fifteen years of age. Deciding on the legal profession as his life work, he began the study of law with a determination of becoming efficient and influential in the ranks of that profession. He took a course of study in George Washington Univer- sity in Washington, D. C., from which he graduated, and was later admitted to the bar in Washington in 1908. He took a post graduate course at .\da, Ohio, and was admitted to the practice in Union county in June, 1913. In March, 1914, he formed a partnership with A. B. Simons, the firm name being Simons & Haines.
During the years of his study and preparation for his life profession, Mr. Haines found occupation and several other official positions. In 1900 he was employed as clerk in the census bureau in Washington : he was after-
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ward clerk in the folding room of the United States senate; then he was employed as secretary to Hon. Ralph D. Cole, member of congress. From 1903 to 1904 he was deputy clerk of the courts of Union county.
In religious matters, Mr. Haines is of the Methodist faith and belief; in political matters, he holds to a firm faith in the principles of the Republi- can party. He was elected for prosecuting attorney in 1914. In fraternal matters, he is an active member of Palestine Lodge, No. 158, Free and Accepted Masons, of Marysville, and the Marysville Lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In this brief review it is not possible to do more than give a general outline sketch of a life replete with many incidents worthy of note, much less is it possible to give, in the limited space allowed, a detailed record of the lives and accomplishments of the worthy ancestors, in whom Mr. Haines may take just pride. It is sufficient to say that the life of Mr. Haines has been characterized by industry, endeavor and application to the study of those things that make for success. The success which he has achieved is the direct result of these salient points in his character.
CHARLES HENRY MONROE, SR.
There are occasionally men born into this world whose mere presence on this circling globe serves to lighten the burdens of others and to aid them in their darkest hours. Geniality in itself is a virtue which it is hard to overestimate. Going hand in hand with charity it makes for optimism and as a result a renewed and firmer foothold upon the ladder of life. When this characteristic is combined with honesty, intelligence and perseverance the result is certain to be a character of rare and unusual brilliance. These elements are to be found to a surprising degree in Charles H. Monroe, Sr .. the affable proprietor of the Oakland Hotel, of Marysville, Ohio.
Charles Henry Monroe, Sr., was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 17. 1854. his parents being Charles Monroe, a native of Cincinnati, and Ann ( Virginia) Monroe. He was the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children, five of whom are still living.
Mr. Monroe's father had the unique honor of being the first man to run a train out of Indianapolis. This train ran to Madison, Indiana, on the Jefferson, Madison and Indianapolis line. That an aptness for the life of a railroader was inherited by his son is shown by the fact that two of
OAKLAND HOTEL, MARYSVILLE.
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CHARLES IL MONROE, SR., AND SON, CHARLES H., JR.
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them were conductors on railway trains and three of them became railway engineers.
Mr. Monroe was reared in Madison, Indiana, receiving a practical ed- ucation in the schools of that city. At the age of seventeen he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for a short time. The railroad offering greater opportunities he became a railway employee, and so con- tinued until 1897, in which year he moved to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the contracting business. He did general contracting and house building for more than fourteen years, and in 1911 bought the Park Hotel at Mag- netic Springs, in this county. It seems that Mr. Monroe had now entered the business for which he was most happily endowed. The record of his first venture as a hotel proprietor is that of remarkable success. The hotel at the time it came into his hands was in arrears and in a dilapidated con- dition. The purchase price was twenty thousand dollars. On January I, 1915. the hotel was sold for fifty thousand dollars, these figures speaking well of Mr. Monroe's ability to build up a hotel. After the Park Hotel was sold Mr. Monroe purchased the hotel which he now maintains at Marysville. This hotel. as was the case with the hotel at Magnetic Springs which he took in hand four years ago, was in poor condition and doing little busi- ness, but present indications are that Mr. Monroe will be just as successful, if not more so, with the Oakland Hotel in Marysville than he was with the Park. It is significant to note that his ideas of hotel management are thor- oughly up-to-date and his first consideration is always his patrons. Real- izing the utmost importance in a first class hotel of good table service, his table is always spread with the best obtainable. His employees are in- variably obliging and polite, with accommodation of the guests as their watchword, and his guests are unconsciously made to feel the comfortable, home-like atmosphere which pervades the hostelry. At the time of the pur- chase the hotel was doing very little business, few guests making it a stop- ping place. Three weeks after Mr. Monroe took charge the house was filled and doing a good business. Mr. Monroe maintains the hotel in part- nership with his son, C. H. Monroe, Jr.
Mr. Monroe was married on December 29, 1875. to Agnes Virginia Brasher, who was born and reared in Madison, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe have the unique distinction of having been born on the same day of the same year, March 17, 1854, and are probably the only married couple in the United States of whom this statement can be made. Irish societies, who have become interested in this odd coincidence, have endeavored with-
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out success to locate a similar instance. To this union have been born three children. Daisy B., C. H., Jr. and Joseph T. Daisy B. died at the age of sixteen years. C. H., Jr., as we have already stated, is interested with his father in the management of the Oakland Hotel. He is a resi- dent of Cincinnati and is a traveling salesman for a New York clothing establishment. Joseph T. died at the age of three months.
The Democratic party gratefully acknowledges the allegiance of Mr. Monroe, and he stands ready at all times to lend his influence to any move- ment which is intended to further the best interests of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe have not neglected the spiritual affairs of this life and are well known and loyal members of the Baptist church. Mr. Monroe has been an active Sunday school worker, a trustee in his church and is active in all church work. He is fraternally affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees, a member of the Home Guards, and also belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. His wife has the distinction of belonging to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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