USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 49
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 49
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 49
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was ordered to Murfreesboro he went to General Rosseau and asked to be relieved, in order to join his regiment. The General refused, but the court temporarily adjourned, and Mr. Mathews served with his company through all their engagements. The regi- ment was next ordered to Clifton, Tennes- see, and the General disbanded the court, but not in time for our subject to join his command, but, traveling by water, he met it at Clifton.
After rejoining his regiment he went with them to Washington, District of Columbia, passing through Ohio in freight cars during the cold winter of 1864-5. They camped on the ice at that city, a part of the time without shelter. They were ordered to join Schofield in North Carolina, arriving at Fort Fisher immediately after the surrender of that place. Returning to Beaufort, North Carolina, they became a part of the Twenty- third Army Corps, which joined Sherman at Goldsborough, North Carolina, and partici- pated in the battle of Kingston. Mr. Ma_ thews had charge of a part of the skir- mishers the night before the battle, March 7, 1865. He remained on picket duty all night and was relieved the next morning. The little squad under command of our sub- ject opened fire on the advancing rebels; the other troops joining, the battle became general. The regiment, after the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, did garrison duty at Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Mathews was discharged July 8, 1865. He was then transferred to a regiment which was to remain in the service. An order was sent to the Colonel to grade his officers into three classes, also to ascertain which of them desired to remain in the service. Two out of nine were selected, and Mr. Mathews was one of the former, the other being
Lieutenant W. P. Shrome, who is now a Presbyterian minister near Zanesville, Ohio. He was ordered to report to the One Hun- dred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after due consideration he was mustered out with the regiment.
Returning home, he again attended the seminary, after which he taught school three terms, and then began farming in Troy township. He next began the study of law. Mr. Mathews is a stanch Republican, hav- ing always taken an active part in the work of his party. In 1878 he was elected Pro- bate Judge of Morrow county, serving in that capacity six years. In his first race he was two votes behind the State ticket, but his own townships, although both Demo- cratic, gave him 150 majority over his op- ponent. His last majority was 600 votes. The Judge was nominated for the Legisla- ture in 1886, but was defeated by reason of a dissension in the party as to whom his vote should be cast for for United States Senator. He was appointed by Governor Steele of Oklahoma as County Judge of Beaver county, in that Territory, and held that position six months, after which he was re-elected by the people, resigning in 1892. The Judge then practiced law there until May, 1893. While serving as County Judge he received a telegram from Governor Steele, stating that he had recommended our sub- ject for appointment as United States Mar- shal of Oklahoma Territory, General Sher- man having endorsed the recommendation, but Mr. Mathews requested the Governor to withdraw his name. He had contracted asthma while in the military service, and at the expiration of his two terms as Probate Judge of Morrow county change of climate became absolutely necessary, and he accord- ingly spent eighteen months in Colorado.
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
He then returned to Ohio, and afterward to Oklahoma.
Judge Mathews was married in 1867 to Miss Marietta C. Dean, a native of Wash- ington township, Richland county, Ohio, and who was a schoolmate of her husband at the seminary. She is a daughter of Ben- jamin F. Dean, a farmer by occupation, and also an active politician. Mr. Mathews and wife have eight living children: Gertrude D., Grace A,, Lora R., Mary Edith, Lucy D., William D., Edwin M. and Herbert D. They have one daughter deceased, a bright little child named Anna, who died at the age of eighteen months with croup. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. The Judge is a member of the Grand Army Post, and was its first Con- mander.
DWIN M. CONKLIN, a farmer of Westfield township, was born 'on the farm where he now resides, Sep- tember 6, 1835. His father, Jacob Conklin, was born in Grand Isle county, Vermont, June 10, 1787, a son of Abram Conklin The latter married Anna Hilliker when she was only sixteen years of age, and immediately afterward he went into the Rev- olutionary war. She had three brothers in the war, and on the return home the friends and neighbors gathered to have a joyful cel- ebration, and Mr. Conklin was introduced to his wife, but she had changed so greatly during his absence that for some time he did not recognize her, much to the enjoy- ment of all their friends present. The cele- bration was held at the hotel in Grand Isle, and Abram Conklin afterward purchased the place, the father of our subject having been born there. He was the second son of ten
children, five sons and five daughters. Three brothers, John, Abram and Jacob, came to Ohio. Abram came from Vermont to Del- aware county on foot in 1817. He reared a large family of children, some of whom are still living in that county. John engaged in merchandising at Cleveland, and while on his way to New York for goods was waylaid and robbed. James located in Morrow county. Another brother, Jerry, moved to Illinois, where he reared a large family, and died there.
Jacob Conklin, father of our subject, came on foot from Vermont to Delaware county, Ohio, in 1813. He joined the Light Horse Cavalry, under Captain Murray, and served under General McArthur in the war of 1812. While a soldier he frequently went without food for three days, and suf- fered many other severe privations. Mus- tered out of service at Chillicothe, Ohio, he located in Liberty township, Delaware county, near where the paper mill now stands, south of the city of Delaware. April 3, 1821, he removed to the farm where our subject now resides. Mr. Conklin cut logs and built a cabin, blankets having been used for doors and windows, and remained here until his death, March 12, 1875. He was first a Whig and afterward a Republi- can. For seventy-two years he was a mem- bea of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his home having been the first place where re- ligious meetings were held in the neighbor- hood. He frequently attended quarterly meetings in a log house at Columbus. Hav- ing no money, he worked one week with his ox team to assist in building the first Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Delaware.
September 17, 1818, Mr. Conklin was united in marriage with Orra Payne, who was born in New Hartford, Litchfield coun-
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ty, Connecticut, July 6, 1798, a daughter of Ezra Payne, born in that State Septem- ber 17, 1765. He came to Liberty town- ship, Delaware county, Ohio, in 1817. His wife, formerly Amy Mattison, was born November 26, 1769, and they had thirteen children, namely: Amy, Ezra, Austin, Anson, Betsey, Orra, Alvah, Phebe, Hiram, Ed- mond, Elvira, Miles and William. Two of the sons were soldiers in the war of 1812. Mrs. Conklin died October 20, 1880, having been a hard working woman all her life, having spun and wove and made the clothes worn by her family. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin had seven children: Clarissa, the only daugh- ter, was born in Liberty township; she first married E. White, and their three children are all now deceased: after his death she became the wife of Forester Armstrong and they had three sons, two yet living, Phile- mon and Mathew; Lyman B., deceased at the age of twenty-one years; Ezra M., of Waldo township, Marion county, Ohio; William A., deceased ; Philemon J. died April 13, 1879; Dr. Abram V., residing in Delaware county, Ohio; and Edwin N.
Edwin N. Conklin, the youngest in the above family, and the subject of this sketch, has remained on the home farm since his birth. He owns 100 acres of fine farming land. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party, and in 1892 was elected Justice of the Peace, his commission having been signed by Governor McKinley. He has also served as Township Trustee two years, as member and president of the School Board the same length of time, and has held other minor offices. Mr. Conklin was the first to take hold of the Grange movement in this locality, and was the first delegate to the State Grange at Xenia, Ohio, in 1874. He organized the lodges in Cardington, Lin-
coln, Harmony, Canaan, Johnsville, Peru and Marengo townships. He also served as Master of the Farmers' Alliance, and attend- ed the State Alliance at Galion, Ohio, in 1891. Mr. Conklin is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having served as Deputy Grand Master of this district for six years, was a Representa- tive in the Grand Lodge for two years, 1874-5, passed all the chairs in both branches, joined the encampment at Dela- ware, and was a charter member both at Cardington and Ashley. He was also a charter member of Myrtle Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, at Westfield. He was made a Free and Accepted Mason at old Hiram Lodge, Delaware, Ohio, in 1868 and was a charter member of Ashley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Ashley, Ohio.
October 15, 1872, our subject was united in marriage with Charlotte Shoemaker, who was born September 19, 1844, a daughter of Jacob Shoemaker, of Westfield township. Their son, Edwin Jacob, born July 1, 1874, is now living in Galion, Ohio. The wife and mother departed this life January 12, 1876. February 11, 1880, Mr. Conklin married Martha Van Brimmer, born in Napoleon, Indiana, May 15, 1846, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Almira (Birch) Van Brim- mer. She was the youngest of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have had three chil- dren: Ason, born October 19, 1880, died November 5, 1880; a daughter, born March 9, 1883, died March 18, 1883; Virgil Lavan, born October 9, 1885. Mr. Conklin has kept a diary of where he has been and what he has done, every day for over twenty-five years, and has kept a thermometrical record of the weather for the same length of time, making three observations a day,-at 6 A. M., 12 M. and 8 P. M.
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He has also kept a cash account for over twenty-five years, noting every cent he has received and every cent paid out and what for.
S HELTON & FORD is the name of one of the well-known mercantile firms of Broadway. Under this style, business has been conducted since September, 1890, at which time the present firm succeeded to the business of Shelton Brothers, who established the store in January, 1888. They carry a full line of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, cloth- ing, groceries, hardware and farm imple- ments. The firm is composed of C. D. Shelton and L. C. Ford, who are numbered among the leading business men of Union county. In 1892, in company with P. V. Burson, they began dealing in baled hay and straw, of which they now handle a large amount, having built up an extensive busi- ness. They have secured suitable barns and storage room, and the combined mercantile and hay and straw sales amount to $45,000 annually. In the store alone the sales reach $20,000 annually. In 1888 C. D. and J. E. Shelton bought out the mercantile es- tablishment of J. W. Smith, and began busi- ness with a small stock. They borrowed the inoney for the purchase, but within a year the indebtedness was paid off and a large and constantly increasing trade was secured. The success has continued with the establishment, and Shelton & Ford are now among the leading merchants of Broad- way.
Mr. Shelton, the senior member, was born in Bourneville, Ross county, Ohio, Oc- tober 2, 1859, and is a son of W. T. and Jane A. (Flora) Shelton, the former a native
of Pike county, and the latter of Ross county, Ohio. They were, however, de- scended from old families of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pur- suit throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For a time they re- sided in Fayette county, Ohio, and in April, 1876, they came to Broadway, where the father's death occurred on the 17th of Jan- uary, 1888, at the age of forty-four years. The mother is still living in Broadway. Their family numbered ten children, eight of whom are yet living, namely: Charles D .; John E., a furniture dealer and under- taker of this place; Hannah, wife of D. J. Sanderson, a resident farmer of Union county; Mary F., wife of Frank Stevens, an agriculturist of Champaign county, Ohio; Grant T., who is living in Broadway; Jennie; William T., and Bert J., all of whom are yet at home.
Charles D. Shelton spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He entered upon his business career in the winter of 1880, as a salesman in the general mercan- tile store owned by J. J. Watts, of Broad- way. That gentleman was his employer during the four succeeding years, and when Mr. Watts sold out to Fisher & Son, he continued with the new firm for one year, then moved to Marysville, but after six months came to Broadway, where our sub- ject has since carried on business.
On the 7th of April, 1885, Mr. Shelton led to the marriage altar Miss Freelove Bault, a native of Union county, and a daughter of John and Susan Bault. They now have two daughters, Clara and Flora.
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When twenty-two years of age, Mr. Shelton was elected Township Treasurer, a position which he held for two years. He was then called to the office of Township Clerk and is still serving in that capacity in a most creditable and acceptable manner. He is one of the founders of the first Methodist Episcopal Church erected at Broadway and is very prominent in religious work. At this writ- ing he is serving as Trustee of the church and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and the cause of Christianity finds in him an able supporter. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows' society. He is a charter member of the lodge in Broadway, belongs to Richwood Encampment, No. 185, in which he has filled all the offices, and for two years he has served as District Deputy Grand Master. In his political views he is a Republican. Mr. Shelton is emphatically one of the most progressive young business men of Union county, and in the history of this community he well de- serves representation.
J OHN L. BOERGER .- There is no one nation that has contributed to the complex composite make-up of our American social fabric an ele- ment of more sterling worth and of greater value in supporting and fostering our nation- al institutions than has Germany. From this source our republic has had nothing to lose and much to gain. Germany has given us men of sturdy integrity, indomita- ble perseverence, higher intelligence and much business sagacity, -the result being the incorporation of a strong and strength- giving fiber ramifying through warp and woof.
A man who may well look with pride upon his German-American origin is the subject of this review, who has long been identified with the mercantile life of Marys- ville, Ohio, and who stands conspicuous as one of the most active, enterprising and successful of her business men. Mr. Boer- ger is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born at Galion, Crawford county, Sep- tember 19, 1858. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were John L. and Mary (Denderline) Boerger, both being born in Bavaria, Germany, where they were reared. The father came to America when sixteen years of age and located in Colum- bus, this State, where he met and ultimately inarried Miss Mary Denderline, whose resi- dence in America dated from her seven- teenth year. They continued their residence in the city of Columbus for but a brief time after the consummation of their marriage, soon removing to Galion, where the father engaged quite extensively in the manufac- turing of brick, the family continuing to reside there for several years, after which they removed to Union county, locating in Darby township, where the father purchas- ed a farm, known as the Alex Robinson farm, and conducted the same successfully for a time, after which he exchanged the place for a fine farm located four miles east of Marysville. This continued to be his home for the remainder of his life, his demise occurring May 4, 1893, at which time he had attained the age of sixty- six years; the devoted wife and mother had preceded her husband into eternal rest, her death having occurred May 23, 1891, her age being sixty-five years. The father was distinctively a self-made man, was industri- ous, honorable in all his dealings, self-reliant and ever instinct with human sympathies, - .
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a man who gained and held the appreciative esteem of all. As indicative of the strides he made toward the goal of substantial suc- cess, we may recall the fact that when he first began operations upon his own respon- sibility he worked for a time for the dimin- utive stipend of sixteen cents per diem. He lived, however, to find his position assured as one of the prosperous and influential resi- dents of Union county. He and his wife were active and devoted members of the German Lutheran Church.
They had a family of seven children, concerning whom we are enabled to offer brief record as follows: Mary, deceased; Maggie, wife of L. C. Conrad, of this coun- ty; John K., a prosperous farmer in the State of Missouri; George A., who is also engaged in farming in Missouri; John L., subject of this review: John M., who resides on the old homestead, four miles east of Maryville; Elizabeth, wife of George Van- deran, a resident of Salisbury, Missouri.
, The career of our subject has been marked by no events of extraordinary order, and yet it has shown a record of accom- plishment which can but redound to his honor and credit, and which has event- uated in a pronounced success gained by personal effort and exemplifying what is possible of doing when one's ambitious desires are sufficiently potential to beget practical endeavors along the line where the desideratum may be realized. Having passed his boyhood days on the parental farm, he was enabled to secure excellent educational advantages in a preliminary way, attending the district and parochial schools until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he matriculated at the Capital University, in Columbus, where he took a partial course, subsequently entering the
Spencerian Business College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he completed a thorough busi- ness course.
In the fall of 1878 he came to Marys- ville and secured a position as bookkeeper for F. H. & W. Otte, clothiers, with whom he remained one year, after which he entered the employ of S. Stern & Son, who were en- gaged in the same line of enterprise in this city. He held a position as salesman with this firm until February 1, 1886, when he effected a purchase of the stock and busi- ness and commenced operations upon his own account. At the time this transfer was made the stock was given an inventory valuation of $10,000, and this very consid- erable representation has since been aug- mented until the capitalistic investment now reaches an aggregate of fully three times the amount named. By careful methods, keen business discernment and alert spirit of en- terprise Mr. Boerger has brought the business to a point of maximum importance in point of trade controlled and extent of stock car- ried. The headquarters of this representa- tive enterprise are located at the Fountain Corner of the public square, and the entire building of three stories is devoted to the accommodation of the business, -the aggre- gate floor space utilized being nearly 5,000 square feet. This is the most extensive in- dustry of the sort in the county, and the stock is one of the largest and most admir- ably selected in this section of the State, in- cluding a full assortment of clothing, hats, caps and men's furnishings, and offering a wide range for selection. The credit for having attained a position at the head of so magnificent an enterprise is due alone to our subject's personal efforts and ability and he may well hold in high estimation his marked success.
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Mr. Beorger is a stanch Republican and has taken an active interest in the conduct of local political affairs, having held prefer- ment as Trustee and Corporation Clerk.
June 2, 1886, was consummated our subject's marriage to Miss Ollie, daughter of Waterman Hill, a prominent resident of Milford Centre, this county. They are the parents of two interesting children, namely: L. Fawn and Ralph W. Mr. and Mrs. Boerger are members of the Marysville Pres- byterian Church, in whose work they take an active interest. The pleasant family home is located on East Eighth street. As a member of the business circles of Marys- ville and in social relations as well Mr. Boerger occupies a high position in the es- teem of the community.
INGET HARRAMAN, who fol- lows farming in Jackson town- ship, Union county, served his country during the late war as a member of the Union army, and has ever been a loyal and valued citizen. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Bowling Green, Marion county, Ohio, on the 3rd of February, 1843, and is a son of David Harraman. His father was a native of Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and his death oc- curred in the year in which the civil war war broke out. In his political views he was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Baptist. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Clemens.
Mr. Harraman, of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead farm in Marion county, and received such educational privi- leges as the common schools of the neighbor-
hood afforded. He aided in the cultivation and improvement of the old farm until 1861, in which year he started Westward, locating in Iowa. In 1862, however, he re- sponded to the country's call for troops, en- listing for three years' service. He was assigned to Company C, of the Fortieth Iowa Infantry, went at once to the front, and with his regiment took part in some of the leading engagements of the war, includ- ing the battles of Pulaski and Yazoo City, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the battles of Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Red river expedition. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, he was honorably discharged in Davenport, Iowa. His brother, Jesse Harraman, was also a soldier. He enlisted in the spring of 1863, in the Fourth Regi- ment, Company C, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and died in the battle of the Wilder- ness. He was born in Marion county, Ohio, and was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted.
During the year succeeding his discharge Mr. Harraman continued in the Hawkeye State, but in 1866 returned to his native county, where he remained until 1868. He then came to Union county, where for twenty-six years he has now made his home. Here he owns a good farm com- prising 151 acres of arable land, under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He devotes the greater part of his attention to the raising of small grains and has won prosperity by his good management and careful attention to all business details.
ยท An important event in the life of Mr. Harraman occurred in 1867, when at the age of twenty-four years he was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha J. Baldwin, daugh- ter of Henry and Edith (Parinenter) Bald-
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
win, born and reared in Union county, Ohio. The father was born in Madison county, Ohio, and became one of the prominent pioneer settlers of Union county.
Seven children graced the union of our subject and his wife, of whom five are yet living, namely : William H., John, Alma Florence, Leroy and Carrie. Those now deceased are Jesse and Naomi. Mr. Harra- man exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the Democracy, but has never sought or desired office, prefering to give his time and attention to his business cares. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' society and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is the same loyal citizen as in days of yore when he donned the blue and went to the defense of the Union, following the old flag until it was placed in triumph in the capital of the Confederacy.
ON. E. F. POPPLETON is one of the most prominent representatives of the legal profession in Delaware county, and is also one of the lead- ing men of the State, influential both in pro- fessional and political circles. His name is therefore inseparably connected with the history of his adopted county, and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life. He claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, for his birth occurred in Richland county on the 29th of September, 1834. His father, Samuel Poppleton, comes of Revolutionary stock, his father and three uncles having fought for the independence of the colonies all through the war. He was born in Vermont, July 2, 1793, and in the usual manner of farmer lads was reared to manhood. He made the most of his school privileges in early life and thereby
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