USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 14
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 14
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 14
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eral farming the proprietor devotes no little attention to the raising of fine stock, an abundant supply of water being furnished by the Big Darby creek, which traverses the farm. The family residence, which was erected in 1882, at a cost of $2,300, is eli- gibly located, and is commodious, with mod- ern appointments and furnishings.
At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Snuffin was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Nancy Smith, a woman of marked intelligence and noble character,-one who has been her husband's true and sympathiz- ing helpmeet, and one to whom must be as- cribed a due share of the credit for the at- tainment of the success which has been theirs in life. Mrs. Snuffin's parents were Edward and Hannah (Elliott) Smith, the latter having been a sister of Samuel Elliott, who was one of the prominent early settlers of the county. Edward Smith was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1812, and died at the age of seventy-one years. His widow, who was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, died at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Nancy, Mercy, George, John, Mary, Jane, William and Allie.
Mr. and Mrs. Snuffin have had six chil- dren, five of whom are living at the present time. Of them we offer the following rec- ord: Ellis J. is at home; Lora is the wife of Ellis Seigler, of Champaign county; Levi married Sara Allbright, and is a resident of Allen township; Sarah is the wife of Alpha Wilber, of this township; Thompson mar- ried Hannah Spain, and is at home; and William died at the age of five years.
In politics Mr. Snuffin does not render a supine allegiance to any party, but main- tains an independent attitude, preferring to cast his vote for the best men, regardless of
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party affiliations. He has been a member of the School Board, but has never sought anything in the line of public preferment or political office. Mrs. Snuffin is a devoted member of the United Brethren Church
Our subject is a man of honest and un- pretentious character, is kindly and sympa- thetic in nature, and has attained an inde- pendent position as the result of his own efforts. To him and to his estimable wife are accorded the respect and esteem of all who know them.
ILLIAM DENMAN, a farmer of Chester township, Morrow coun- ty, is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Rose) Denman. The father was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1777, a son of William Denman. The maternal grandfather of our subject, James Butler, was born in the State of New York, and served three years in the Revolu- tionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Den- man came to Ohio in 1838, locating on an unimproved farm two miles west of Chester- ville. The mother departed this life March 24, 1862, and the father July 17, 1859. During the later years of their lives they made their home with our subject. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, and three are now living,-Caroline Quick, of Pennsylvania; William, the subject of this sketch, and James B., of Harmony township, Morrow county. Mr. and Mrs. Denman were mem- bers of the old-school Baptist Church, in which the former held the position of deacon.
William Denman was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, July 27, 1812, where he was also reared and educated. In 1837
he came to Ohio, remaining nine years on a rented farm in Knox county, and then locat- ed on land near his present place. His farm now contains 240 acres of well-im- proved land. In political matters, Mr. Den- man affiliates with the Republican party.
He was married in 1841 to Sarah Ann Davidson, born in Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio, January 7, 1822, a daughter of William Davidson, a pioneer settler of that county. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Mary William- son, John, Lucetta Ulmon, William Eliot, Cressy Blaise, Joel, Elnora, Belle Gardiner, Ida Chipps, and two deceased in infancy. Belle Gardiner is a teacher of vocal and in- strumental music. The wife and mother died April 16, 1894. Mr. Denman has served as School Director for many years. While living in Knox county he served four years as assessor. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife.
ELSON FLEMING, a prominent farmer of Brown township, was born in Delaware county, Septem- ber 19, 1832, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Wyan) Fleming. The father was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1794, and the mother was born in that State May 10, 1796. They were married November 7, 1816, by Rev. James Johnson, and had seven children-Sarah Ann, Ben- jamin, James, Washington, Lydia, Nelson, and Sidney. The parents died on the old home farm in Brown township, Delaware county, the mother dying March 5, 1871, at the age of seventy-four years, and the father May 25, 1872, aged seventy-eight years. He was a farmer all his life, a Democrat in his
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political views, and a member of the Pres- byterian Church.
Nelson Fleming, our subject, was early inured to farm labor, and received his edu- cation in a log school house. He now owns one of the best farms in his locality, has a good residence, and a barn 42x68 feet. He ยท is engaged in raising Norman horses, and the best grade of cattle, sheep and hogs.
In Delaware county, August 9, 1854, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage with Elizabeth Barton, who was born near Zanes- ville, Muskingum county, Ohio, September 27, 1829. She is a daughter of Kimber A. and Rachel (Barkes) Barton, the former a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and the latter of Meigs county, Ohio. The father died in Oxford township, this county, at the age of sixty years, and the mother, in Illinois, at the age of seventy years. They had eleven children, namely: Elizabeth, Mary, Ebe- nezer, Eliza, Sarah, James, Nancy, Kimber, Etherline, Edward and Rebecca Jane. Ebe- nezer and James were soldiers in the late war, and the former is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have one son, Ed. James, born September 27, 1858. He was married in 1881 to Jessie Kirk, a native of Ohio, and they have two children, -Wesley Lee and Frank Arthur. Mr. Fleming affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Wesley Methodist Church.
DWIN B. TURNER has for the past ten years been superintendent of the Children's Home of Union county, Ohio, located near Marys- ville. This is his native city and has always been his place of residence. He was born on the 25th of November, 185 1, and is a son of the late Judge Turner, a well known and
prominent citizen of Union county, who died in 1859. His mother, who bore the name of Elizabeth Gibson, was a native of Virginia.
In his parent's home our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools of his native city acquired his education. About 1884 he received an appointment as superintendent of the Child- ren's Home, and has served in that capacity continuously since in a most creditable and acceptable manner. The Home is well kept up, and his efficient administration of the affairs connected therewith reflects honor upon himself and shows the wisdom of the selection of those who chose him for office.
In 1874, Mr. Turner was united in mar- riage, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary C. Sevirn, daughter of James Sevirn, of New Dover, Ohio. She is a lady of culture, re- finement and high education, and before her marriage was a most popular teacher. By the union of our subject and his wife has been born one child, a daughter-Allie B., who is a young lady of rare musical ability. At the time of this writing, in the fall of 1894, she is a student in Delaware College.
Mr. Turner has followed in the political footsteps of his father, the Judge, who was a starlwart Republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since attaining his majority. He keeps well in- formed on the issues of the day and takes great interest in the growth and success of his party, but has never been an active poli- tician in the sense of office-seeking. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Society and Encampment, and he and his wife and daughter hold membership with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. The family is one of prominence in the community, and the household is noted for its hospitality. Mr. Turner is ever alive to the best interests of
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
Marysville and Union county, and is a loyal citizen. His entire life has been passed in Marysville, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which indicates an honorable and upright career.
OBERT A. BEATTY .- One of the most alert and progressive ele- ments that has entered into the makeup of our nation is that derived from stanch old Irish stock, and from such stock is descended the subject of this review, who is one of the prosperous and honored farmers of Cardington township, Morrow county. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, September 24, 1847, being the son of Samuel Beatty, who was born at Belfast, Ireland, in 1811. The latter left his native land at the age of eighteen years, and went to the West Indies, where he was employed on a sugar plantation for a period of one year. He then came to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and thence to Fallsburg township, Licking county, Ohio, where he worked in a chair factory for two years. Here his mar- riage occurred, and some little time later he removed to Knox county, where he located on a farm, which he cultivated for a time, after which he removed to a farm in West- field township, Morrow county, where he remained until the time of his death, being seventy-five years of age. In religion he was a Protestant, but was identified with no church organization. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order, being con- nected with the several bodies of that order at Mt. Gilead. In politics he was originally a Whig, but on the organization of the Re- publican party, he transferred his allegiance
to the same. He held preferment as Trustee of Westfield township for a number of years, and was a man well known and highly hon- ored in the county.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Sarah Nichols, and it is supposed that she was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio. Her father, Amos Nichols, was a native of Virginia, and was one of the early settlers of Knox county. The mother is still living, at the advanced age of seventy- three years. She and her eldest daughter reside on the old homestead in Westfield township.
Samuel and Sarah Beatty became the parents of two daughters and four sons, of whom we offer the following brief record: Robert A. is the subject of this review; Wil- liam J. is a farmer of Delaware county, this State; Franklin L. died at the age of twenty-two years; Anna E. is unmarried and remains with her mother on the old home- stead; Amos M. is a farmer of Westfield township, this county; Eva is the wife of Otto Curl, of Cardington township.
Our subject is the eldest of the children, and he was in his fourth year when the family moved to Morrow county, and took up their abode in Westfield township. His scholastic discipline as a boy was that which was afforded in the little log school-houses of Cardington township, and he completed his educational training in the high school at Cardington. He remained on the old home- stead, assisting in the operation of the same until the time of his marriage, which event occurred January 1, 1871, when he was united to Miss Mary J. Shaw, a native of Marion county, Ohio, her paternal home- stead having been located on the line be- tween that and Morrow county. Her par- ents were Sylvester and Emily (Curl) Shaw,
2
AB Robinson.
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
who were among the early settlers in this section of the Buckeye State.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Beatty located on the farm where he now re- sides. Our subject and his wife have three sons, namely: R. Jay, born March 13, 1879; Samuel Ray, born July 1, 1883; and Clifard Guy, born March 13, 1886.
Mr. Beatty has a fine farmstead, com- prising 144 acres, and the same is under most effective cultivation, being devoted to general farming and stock-raising. The pro- prietor has been an indefatigable worker, and his pronounced success is due to his own well-directed efforts.
In politics, he was originally a Repub- lican, but he now lends a hearty support to the Prohibition party and its principles. For seven years he held the preferment as Trustee of Cardington township. He is a devoted member of the United Brethren Church, and fraternally is identified with Cardington Lodge, No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
OL. AARON B. ROBINSON .- Not all men order their lives to their liking; nor yet are all men true to themselves in living as nearly to their ideals as possible and attain- ing to such heights as their opportunities and talents render accessible. We now turn to one who has done much and has done it well,-"therein all honor lies." Not a pretentious or an exalted life has been his, but one that has been true to itself and its possibilities, and one to which the biog- raphist may revert with a feeling of respect and satisfaction.
Colonel Aaron B. Robinson, a man 7
whose identification with the history of that section of the Buckeye State touched upon in this connection has been one of ancestral and individual nature and one of conspicu- ous order, would on that score alone demand our consideration, but above this is imposed a higher obligation in the premises, for there has been rendered by him an illustrious ser- vice which has linked his life history with that of the nation, -a service which no loyal man will deny his country when its honor is threatened, but which not every man has been able to accord so faithfully as has our subject.
It is scarcely necessary to recapitulato at this point the ancestral history of Colonel Robinson, since the same is rendered in de- tail in connection with the biography of his brother, Hon. James W. Robinson, appear- ing elsewhere in this volume. Suffice it, then, to say that he was born, in Darby township, Union county, Ohio, November 10, 1833, the son of John W. and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Robinson, who passed the span of their entire lives in this county, their respective parents having been among the earliest pioneer settlers in this section of the State. Of the ten children of John and Elizabeth Robinson all are still living with three exceptions, and we are enabled to refer to them in order of birth as follows: David M. resides on the old homestead, in Darby township; James W. is one of the leading lawyers of the county, a resident of Marysville, and is accorded individual men- tion on another page of this work; John W. is a farmer, and resides near Marysville; Colonel Aaron B. is the immediate subject of this review; Robert N. resides on a farm in the vicinity of Marysville; Martha is the widow of William H. Robinson, late of Marysville; and Emily J. is the wife of Hon.
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
Beriah Wilkins, editor and publisher of the Washington Post, at the national capital.
Our subject passed his boyhood days on the paternal homestead where he remained until he attained the age of eighteen years, contributing his quota toward the operation of the farm, and securing such educational discipline of a preliminary sort as was af- forded by the district schools. So far had he advanced in scholastic cult, however, that in his seventeenth year, he was able to assume pedagogic work and dignity, teach- ing his first term of district school at a salary of ten dollars per month. During the next three winters he continued his labors in the educational field, and during the intervening summers looked to subjective advancement by attending the old Academy at Marysville, where he studied under the tutorage of his brother, James W. Robinson, and of Rev. James A. Sterrit.
In the spring of 1854 he entered the Freshman class of Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he con- tinued his studies until he had completed his Junior year, when he was compelled to abandon further application on account of failing health. His class graduated in 1857, with a membership of fifty-seven individuals. Our subject was a receptive and avidious student and his grades in college were above the average class standing, -especially in the mathematical group, where his record was unexcelled.
After leaving college, Colonel Robinson entered the law office of his brother, James W., at Marysville, and devoted himself to the study of law, as far as impaired health would permit, for two years. With a view to expediting the work of preparing himself for a professional career, he matriculated in the law college at Cincinnati, Ohio, where
he remained during the winters of 1858 and 1859, being admitted to the bar in the latter year, and forthwith associating himself in practice with his brother, in Marysville. This association maintained for a period of three years, and our subject's prospects for a successful professional career were flatter- ing, but a higher duty came to him as the thundering of rebel guns against Fort Sumpter struck a loyal and responsive pro- test in his heart. His courage was that of his conviction, and in July, 1862, he enlist- ed for service and was commissioned a re- cruiting officier, in which capacity he was employed until September of the same year, when he was elected Captain of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. He was mustered in on the eleventh day of September, and on the self- same day started with his regiment for the front. He served with the valiant old One Hundred and Twenty-first on the campaign from Louisville, Kentucky, to Chattanooga, - first under command of General Buell and later of General Rosecrans, -and was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, his consequent disabilities rendering it necessary for him to accept a three months' furlough, - this being the only time he was absent from his regiment during its long and meri- torious service.
Subsequently he was with the regiment as it accompanied Sherman's forces from Chattanooga on the Atlanta campaign, and thence through Georgia on the ever memor- able march to the sea. The next service was through the Carolinas, leading to the surrender of Johnston. To give in detail the history of the various engagements in which our subject participated would neces- sitate practically a recapitulation of the his- tory of the entire war, but we must needs
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
take a cursory view of the successive prefer- ments which came to him as a result of his bravery and brilliant service. That Com- pany I was one which did not fear danger, but which was ever ready to throw itself into the thick of the fray is shown by its action at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, where more than one-half of its number were reported killed or wounded after the smoke of battle had raised from the scene. In this battle Colonel Robinson was slightly wounded. At the battle of Chickamauga the One Hundred and Twenty-first held the extreme right of General Stedman's division in the memorable charge of that division against the enemy at the critical moment when the latter were closing in upon the right of General Thomas. By desperate fighting the confederate forces were driven from their position of vantage, and the One Hundred and Twenty-first captured and bore away the flag of the Twenty-second Alabama.
August 29, 1864, our subject was pro- moted to the office of Major, his commission to take date from June 27, the day of the Kenesaw battle. In November Major Rob- inson assumed command of the regiment as it started on the march "from Atlanta to the sea," and he continued in command un- til the close of the war. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel January 28, 1865, and to a full Colonelcy on the eighteenth of May, same year. Gallant, unflinching and intrepid are terms which may most congru- ously be applied to our honored subject in referring to his notable military career.
After the close of the war Colonel Rob- inson returned to Marysville and once more turned his attention to the securing of the victories of peace, "no less renowned than war." He resumed his association with his
brother in the practice of law, and after a short time they effected the purchase of an half interest in the Marysville woolen mills, an enterprise of much importance at the time, the other half of the business being held by Rawson Welch, a practical manu- facturer, into whose charge the operation of the mills was to be entrusted. Soon, .how- ever, it became evident to the Messrs. Rob- inson that, in order to protect their original investment, they must purchase the remain- ing share, and give an individual attention to the practical details of the enterprise. This was done, and thus the Colonel aban- doned his law practice and turned his atten- tion solely to the manufacturing industry, the mills being enlarged and the enterprise continued with varying success until 1880, when it was sold and the business aban- doned.
About 1868 Colonel Robinson opened a retail dry goods store in connection with the factory, and in this line he continued until 1893, when, on account of his impaired health, the business was sold to J. Brubaker. This "Factory Store," as it has always been known, represented one of the most exten- sive mercantile and business enterprises in the county, and the stock carried was ex- ceptionally large and select, the business being finally broadened from its original line, so that boots and shoes were handled in the connection. In this, as in all other business enterprises, our subject had as his associate his brother, James W.
We now turn to the salient points in the career of Colonel Robinson as a legislator. He served two terms, 1879 to 1883, as a member of the State Legislature, and proved himself a wise and discriminating official, --- one whose service gave general satisfaction to his constitutents and the citi-
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MMEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
zens of the commonwealth, irrespective of political affiliations. Among the measures introduced and successfully carried through by our subject may be mentioned the act providing for the refunding of the State debt, reducing the rate of interest from six to three per cent .; the act providing for the redistricting of the State for Congressional purposes; and the law defining the province and regulating the operations of insurance companies doing business in the State. He also secured the necessary legislation author- izing the building of Union county's mag- nificent new court house.
Colonel Robinson was appointed a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of the State insane Asylum, at Columbus, in 1888, said appointment coming through Governor Foraker and being renewed in 1893 by Governor Mckinley. Of this board the Colonel has been president for the past two years.
Politically, he is stanchly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles, and religiously he and the mem- bers of his family are devoted adherents of the Presbyterian Church. The attractive family home is located on West Fifth street, Marysville. As a man, Colonel Robinson is whole-souled, genial, generous and sym- pathetic, and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. His face is one indicative of strength of purpose, but of utmost kind- liness, and his life has ever been as an open book from which all might read, and by reading learn of the noble character repre- sented.
May 12, 1868, Colonel Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Keziah Wilkins, daughter of A. F. and H. J. Wilkins, prom- inent and honored among the early pioneers of this county. Colonel and Mrs. Robinson
have four children, namely: Harriet E., wife of Dwight Edwards; E. Gertrude, wife of Mr. Harry E. Smith, of Marysville; Martha C .; and Alfred James.
S TEPHEN BURKAM, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Byhalia, claims West Virginia as the State of his nativity. He was born at Triadelphia, on the old national road, east of Wheeling, March 30, 1830, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Kiggin) Burkam. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Burkam, was a native of Ireland, but was reared in England, and came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war as a member of the English Cavalry. After the Colonies had achieved their independence he located in Virginia, where he reared a family and spent his remaining days. He served his adopted country as a soldier of the war of 1812, and was a close friend of Simon Gerty. On the maternal side the Doctor is of German descent. His grand- father, John Kiggin, was a native of Ger- many, and also came to this country with the English army to take part in the Revo- lutionary war. He located first in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to West Virginia, and subsequently to Virginia, where his death occurred. The parents of our subject both died in West Virginia. The father was a farmer.
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