USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 65
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 65
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Sarah (Butterfield) Graham, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was one of six children, having two brothers and three sis- ters. One brother died in Carroll county, Ohio, at the age of fourteen years. The other brother, Thomas Butterfield, as has already been stated, came with his mother to Union county, in 1834, and settled on a farm near Summersville, where he died in 1845.
Nancy Butterfield married Benjamin Hudson; in Carroll county. About 1848 or 1849 they moved to Union county, and set- tled near Pharisburg, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their son, Jack Hudson, a well-known citizen of Leesburg township, and father of Samuel Hudson, son of the present County Auditor, resides on the home place, near Pharisburg. Lydia Butterfield married William McGiffin, in Coshocton county. They lived to a good old age, and left a numerous family. Maria Butterfield never married. She lived to a venerable age, and died near San Pierre, in northwestern Indiana. Ruth But- terfield died when a young woman. She was unmarried.
When Samuel Graham, the father of the subject of this sketch, was twenty-one years of age, he went from Coshocton to Carroll county, and married Sarah Butterfield, the date of their marriage being October 16, 1821. After his marriage he and his wife took up their residence in Coshocton county. In June, 1836, Mr. Graham came by him- self to Claibourne township, Union county, and bought the land on which the subject of this sketch now resides. After making
476
MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
this purchase he returned to Coshocton county, and in the following September moved his family to their new home. He then proceeded, with the aid of his sons, to clear and cultivate his farm. On April 14, 1864, while absent from home on a journey, he was killed in a railroad accident, near Marion, Ohio. He was in the sixty-fourth year of his age at the time. His widow survived him eleven years, dying July 4, 1875, at the age of seventy-two years.
Samuel and Sarah Graham were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are deceased.
IRAM S. INSKEEP is conspicu- ously identified with the agricul- tural enterprises of Allen town- ship, Union county, and is recog- nized as one of the solid and progressive farmers of the community, -one whose family history traces back to the early pio- neer days.
He was born, on the farm where he now abides, May 1, 1835, the son of William Inskeep, who was also a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Logan county, March 4, 1808. He was a son of Job Inskeep, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, with whose history that of his family had been linked from the earliest Colonial days. William Inskeep was mar- ried, December 27, 1832, to Miss Mary Stokes, who was born August 26, 1812, the daughter of Joseph Stokes, a native of Cul- peper county, Virginia. In 1831 the farm now owned by our subject became the resi- dence place of his honored father, who set- tled there at that time, the place compris- ing 100 acres, which he cleared and devel- oped to a high state of productiveness. He
was a man of marked intellectual power, and became one of the most prominent citizens of the township, having held pre- ferment as Township Trustee, Treasurer, Postmaster, etc. His death occurred in September, 1843, but his widow survived to attain the venerable age of eighty years, her death occurring January 20, 1892.
Of their children only two are living at the present time, -Olive, wife of William Crary, of Vigo, Ross county, Ohio; and Hiram, subject of this sketch. The follow- ing record gives the names of the children in the order of birth: Louisa; Hiram S .; Matilda A .; Olive; Olive A .; William E., who was a soldier in the late war, and a prominent resident of Allen township until the time of his death; Victoria; and Bates. On account of the prominent position which William E. held in the community, it will be apropos to offer the following brief rec- ord concerning his life: He was born in Allen township, May 16, 1843, and was here reared and educated. In September, 1861, he enlisted for service in the late war as a member of Company C, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in the fol- lowing named battles: Stone River, Perry- ville, Wildcat Mountain, Hoover's Gap and Corinth. He was in battle for fifteen days at the last named point. He proved a gal- lant soldier, and was honorably discharged at the completion of his term of service. He was Commander of Company D, Sev- enth Ohio National Guard, at Lewisburg, for a period of seven years. William E. Inskeep died January 22, 1892.
Hiram S. Inskeep, the immmediate sub- ject of this review, grew to maturity on the old homestead farm, and received his theo- retical educational discipline in the schools of the district. March 26, 1876, he was united
477
DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
in marriage to Miss Margaret Spain, whose family had long been one of prominence in Allen township. Her father, Washington Spain, is still living, an honored patriarch of the township, while her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Shinnemon, died February 1, 1894, at the age of sixty- five years. They had six children, of whom four are living at the present time. The names of the children are as follows: John Q .; Margaret, wife of our subject; Henry Ellis; Sarah Agnes, wife of Luther Wood, is deceased; Algretta, deceased; and Del- mer W.
Mr. and Mrs. Inskeep have two interest- ing children, a son and a daughter: Omer W. and Ila May.
Our subject has a good farm of fifty-four acres, located on the rich bottom lands of Big Darby creek, and the same is under a most effective system of cultivation, with a fine residence and other excellent improve- ments in the way of buildings. In politics Mr. Inskeep voted with the Republican party for years, but becoming convinced that the People's party advocated the prin- ciples best intended to conserve national prosperity, he identified himself with that organization. As a man he is held in the highest esteem in the community, while his ability and progressive spirit are recognized.
ON. THOMAS C. JONES, deceased, was for years one of the most prominent citizens of Delaware county, and indeed of the whole State of Ohio, -a leader in professional, agricultural and social circles. At the meet- ing of the Delaware county bar held to take action upon the death of Judge Jones, the following address was delivered by General
J. S. Jones, and by courtesy of the Dela- ware Gazette, we copy it entire:
"It was in the year 1859, after Judge Jones' nomination for the State Senate that I first formed his acquaintance, About this time, I had commenced taking part in polit- ical discussions, and by reason of his tem- porary illness, he requested me to fill two political appointments for him in Licking county, (one at Hartford and one at Johns- ton) and from that time until his decease, a a period of thirty-three years, I enjoyed his friendship. I knew him well, socially, pro- fessionally and politically. During our long acquaintance, I was constantly indebted to him for wise counsel and judicious advice. His mind was omnivorous and his capacity enabled him to form valuable opinions on any subject that engaged his attentions. He was not given to flattery and could be re- lied upon for the expression of an honest and candid judgment. His fondness for society and love of intercourse with his fel- low men did not escape the observation of those who knew him in his younger years, and this trait of his character grew upon him with advancing years. He took de- light in the ordinary intercourse and enjoy- ment of general society, but it was the real and true friendship such as belonged to those of whom very few are recorded, that he most appreciated and the absence of which among men of prominence he par- ticularly lamented. He knew the pleasure and value of that more intimate relation of kindred spirits that can trust each other in the confidence of private friendship, and thus lessen their cares and heighten their pleasures by the unrestrained intercourse of sentiment and opinions. He was a law- yer of great ability and was a forcible and eloquent speaker, ranking with the
478
MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
ablest lawyers of the State. His meth- ods were earnest and direct and he sought the truth in every contest in which he engaged. He possessed the rare combi- nation of qualities that eminently fitted him for the discharge of judicial duties. Up- right, deliberate and resolute; a lover of justice, more solicitous to be right than to be popular, with a thorough knowledge of the law, and a mind capable of readily grasp- ing the facts in a case. For ten years, on our Common Pleas bench, he displayed his rare qualifications as a judge, by the correctness and impartiality of his decisions. He was an active participant in public affairs, and always took an active interest in politics. He was a good campaigner, always thor- oughly informed, logical in argument and sincere in his conviction: she never failed to instruct and was always heard with favor by popular audiences.
"He served in the higher branch of the General Assembly at the beginning of the war. Judge Jones, James A. Garfield, Judge Key, ex-Governor J. D. Cox and R. A. Har- rison and other able men rendered that body famous. It was a 'crisis' that required strong men to provide for the approaching conflict, and Judge Jones' ability as a law- yer enabled him to render the people of the State invaluable services. By his sterling patriotism, resolute courage, unimpeachable integrity and never-failing powers of endur- ance, he was known by the sobriquet of the ' Iron Man of the Senate.' As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Agricul- tural College; as an active participant in the efforts to remove the restriction upon the trade in live stock between this country and England; as a member of the commis- sion, under the act of Congress, to examine and report upon the agricultural needs and
resources of the Pacific States; as an earnest and persistent advocate of the measures pending before the Congress of the United States to prevent the spread of pleuro pneu- monia among cattle, and as a member of the commission to prevent the spread of contagious diseases among farm stock in Ohio, Judge Jones has been of immense public service to his State and country. He possessed the ability and integrity to dis- charge successfully the duties of any position in the government. Full justice will be done to his inemory in all these particulars by oth- ers, and I trust I may be pardoned for call- ing special attention to his labors in the in- terests of farmers and to his love for the pursuits of agriculture. 'Fairholme,' the name of his country estate, was his pride and delight. What I say of Fairholme, I learned directly from Judge Jones himself, through intimate and close relations between us during his last sickness, and what I say is but the 'echo of the voice that is still.'
"Born and reared in the country, with a strong attachment to rural life, the work of establishing a farm adapted to mixed husbandry, in which a leading feature should be the raising of live stock, he set about the task of acquiring the title to Fairholme, and procured part of it in 1855, and imme- diately set about its improvement. The following year he arranged with C. Hills, his brother-in-law, for carrying on the farm in partnership, and they together estab- lished the first herd of thoroughbred Short- horn cattle, and the first flock of South- down sheep ever owned in Delaware county. Judge Jones moved into the residence on Crystal Spring farm, owned by C. Hills, and they carried on the business of farming and stock-growing with satisfactory results for a few years, until the balance of the
479
DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
land, known as the Francis Smith farm, was purchased by Judge Jones, its home- stead improved, and he then commenced its occupation as his family residence. He and Mr. Hills then divided their business, and Judge Jones found that the farm he oc- cupied was not large enough for the suc- cessful management of the business he had established, and he determined to acquire more land. His first purchase was ten acres from the northeast corner of the Crystal Spring farm, adjoining the south- east part of Fairholme, through which flows the Crystal Spring brook, thus furnishing stock water for that portion of his farm. He subsequently purchased what was orig- inally known as the Solomon Joy farm, ad- joining his former purchase on the east, thus extending his possessions to the Olen- tangy river, which bounds it on the east.
" Here at beautiful Fairholme, consist- ing of about 230 acres of land, situated on both sides of the old Columbus and San- dusky road, now known as the Marion pike, something less than two miles north of this city, with its large acreage of luxuriant bot- tom land, with its beautifully undulating upland of excellent quality, with its crystal brook of clear water, on the banks of which are situated the dwelling, barn, and other farm buildings, with its open-woods pasture consisting of velvety blue-grass, with its beautiful groves of the best and most orna- mental American forest trees, its beautiful valleys dotted with flowering shrubs, the crabapple, the dogwood and the native haw- thorn, this modern Cicero, our deceased friend, engaged for nearly forty years in the pleasing and delightful occupation of agriculture. To this occupation and the elevation and dignifying of this pursuit he devoted unceasingly the best energies of his
nature. His thoughts were constantly occu- pied in agricultural topics, and with voice and pen he was the champion of the toiling millions who labor on farms. As his highly bred herds of shorthorn cattle, with their beautiful symmetry of form and high excel- lence of quality and matchless brilliancy of color, and his thoroughbred Southdown sheep, the superior perfection of whose form and excellence of flesh is everywhere ac- knowledged, are the crowning glory of Fair- holme, so his labors for the elevation and dignity of agriculture are the crowning glory of his life. He sought by every means in his power, through legislation and other- wise, to protect the individual land owner from the abuse of corporate power. To a gentleman of the old school of whom it is said 'he never asked any man for his sup- port in a nominating convention or at an election,' it is not strange that modern methods in vogue in politics were distasteful to him. He was a strong Republican from conviction, but he believed it the duty of the moral elements in each of the two leading political parties to use their utmost endeav- ors to prevent the domination and control of nominations by the ' bilge-water element ' of the large cities. He at one time seriously discussed the plan for bringing about a union of the moral elements of society for the pur- pose of asserting their power, and compel- ling recognition in making nominations, and in the administration of public affairs. He was greatly rejoiced over the renomination by the Republican Convention of Minneap- olis, and considered the renomination of Cleveland in Chicago by the Democrats, as a signal triumph of the better elements in that organization. Judge Jones was per- fectly familiar with every phase of religious belief, and with the doctrine of Christianity
480
MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
as understood and interpreted by the most eminent divines. His religious faith was clear, unwavering and absolute. He loved to converse on religious subjects, and it was a pleasure and profit to hear him. While he understood and thoroughly comprehended the weakness of man, he had unbounded faith in humanity. He took great interest in works of public and private benevolence, and his memory will be cherished and his history preserved as an illustrious example of public and private virtue."
At the meeting of the bar, the following resolutions were also passed:
By the death of Thomas C. Jones we are called upon to record our appreciation of the services of a notable and distinguished citizen who was a member of the bar for more than half a century. He was born in the parish of Myfad, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, February 9, 1816, and died at his residence in this city August 13, 1892. He was admitted to the bar at Gallipolis, Ohio, in the spring of 1841. After prac- ticing two years in Delaware, he removed to Circleville, Pickaway county. Here he practiced successfully his chosen profession for thirteen years, when he returned to Delaware and became a member of the firm of Jones & Carper, one of the leading law firms of Delaware county. In 1859 he was elected to represent the Senatorial district, composed of Delaware and Licking counties in the Ohio Senate and served as a leading member of the judiciary committee of that body. In 1861 he was elected Judge of the first subdivision of the Sixth Judicial dis- trict, composed of the counties of dela- ware, Licking and Knox, and was re-elected in 1866, serving continuously for a period of ten years. He was an able advocate and a just judge. In the later years of his life, he filled with distinction many public posi- tions for which thorough legal training and general acquirements eminently fitted him. He was a member of the Republican con- vention, and Chairman of the Ohio Dele-
gation at Chicago in 1868. He was a member of the Republican National conven- tion at Cincinnati in 1876, and was one of the leading supporters of the nomination of his old friend and schoolmate, Rutherford B. Hayes, for the Presidency. He was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Ohio Agricultural College and chairman of its first executive committee. He was one of the jury to award the honors in the cattle department in the world's fair in Philadelphia. In the year 1881 he was appointed on a commission under a special act of Congress to examine and report upon the agricultural needs and resources of the Pacific States. He was twice appointed and served on commissions to inquire into the conduct and management of our Indian affairs. He was an official visitor to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was the first president of the Ohio As- sociation of Breeders of Shorthorn cattle, and was one of the leading spirits in the publication of the Ohio Herd-book and was a member of the Ohio commission for the prevention of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases among stock. He held many other political positions of honor and trust. Many of the last years of his life were largely devoted to agriculture and its interests, and in every relation of life, whether as lawyer, advocate, jurist, legis- lator, or as public and private citizen ren- dered distinguished services to society and to his State and to his country, therefore
Resolved, Ist: That we receive the death of Thomas C. Jones with profound sorrow and mourn his loss, as the loss of one who reflected the highest honor upon the legal profession, of which he was so distinguished an ornament, and that we will hold in grate- ful remembrance the example of his public and private virtues.
Resolved, 2d: That we tender to his family and kindred the assurance of our deep and heartfelt sympathy under their sad bereavement.
Resolved, 3d: That as a further token of respect, and in further memory of the de- ceased, we will attend his funeral in a body.
481
DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
Resolved, 4th: That the president of this meeting be and is hereby directed to com- municate a copy of these resolutions to the family of the deceased, and that he present the same to the judges of the Common Pleas and Circuit courts of this county with the request that they be spread upon the journals of these courts respectively at their next reg- ular meetings.
J. S. JONES, 3 E. F. POPPLETON, - B. F. FRESHWATER.
These resolutions were unanimously adopted, and remarks upon the life and val- uable public services of the deceased were also made by Hon. J. S. Jones and Hon. H. M. Carper.
ILLIAM B. BLAYNEY was born in Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, October 13, 1829, and is a son of James and Rebecca Blayney. On the maternal side he is of Irish descent, his mother having been born in Ireland. His father was a native of Ohio county, West Virginia, and there upon a farm was reared to manhood. When about twenty-five years of age he began dealing in coal in the city of Wheeling, where he made his home until 1845, when he came to Ohio. A short time after, however, he pur- chased land in Iowa, and removed to the Hawkeye State, where' his last days were passed.
In the Blayney family were six children: Margaret Jane, now the widow of Robert Massingham; George, who resides in Iowa; John, who is also living in that State; Re- becca, wife of Jerome Merritt, a resident of Jones county, Iowa; and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Starry, who is living in the Hawkeye State. 31
William B. Blayney spent the first nine- teen years of his life in the city of his na- tivity, and acquired his education in schools which were conducted on a subscription plan. With his father he came to Ohio in 1848, and for nine years lived in Morrow county. On the expiration of that period he removed to Iowa, where he lived for two and a half years, during which time he pur -. chased 413 acres of land. He then returned to Ohio and bought his present farm.
In 1854 Mr. Blayney was joined in wed- lock with Miss Jemima J. McCammon, daughter of John and Jane McCammon, residents of Delaware county. They now have a family of four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: John C., Henry C., Fannie M. and Reuben McCammon. Finally Mr. Blayney removed to the city of Delaware in order to better educate his children, and there made his home for seven years. The children were thus fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life and have become useful members of society.
Mr. Blayney belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, his membership being with Porter Lodge, No. 640, and also holds membership with Big Walnut Lodge, No. 794, I. O. O. F. In religious belief he and his wife are Presbyterians and take an ac- tive interest in church work. Mr. Blayney gives his hearty support and co-operation to all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit, for he is a progressive and public- spirited man. For some years past he has resided upon his farm which comprises 224 acres of rich land in Kingston township. Possessed of good business and executive ability he has carefully managed his affairs and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the community.
482
MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
RS. W. M. and E. M. SEMANS are prominent young physicians of Delaware county, Ohio, success- fully engaged in the practice of their chosen profession, receiving a very lib- eral patronage which is well merited.
These gentlemen are sons of Professor W. O. Semans, well known in this city. Their grandfather, William Semans, was a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio at an early day and was widely known as an emi- nent lawyer. Professor Semans was born in the Buckeye State in 1835, and, having attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, was graduated from that institution in the class of 1857. His fine literary attainments and mental ability were recognized by his teachers and soon after he was engaged as a member of the faculty of the school in which he had so recently been a pupil. Later, he was for some time absent from Delaware, being engaged in business with his father elsewhere. Upon his return he became a professor in the Western Female College, which position he acceptably filled for two years. He was then tendered and accepted the professorship of chemistry and physics in the Ohio Wesleyan University, and is still a member of the college faculty. Through- out the State he is known as a most able educator, and his long service in connection with the educational institutions of Dela- ware shows the high regard which the citi- zens of this place have for his ability. Pro- fessor Semans married Abigail Merrick, who was born and reared in Massachusetts, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter, W. H. being the oldest and E. M. the second born.
W. M. Semans, the well-known physi- cian whose name appears at the head of this review, was born in Massachusetts, Decem-
ber 29, 1861, and received excellent educa- tional advantages, all of which he improved. and, taking up the study of medicine, he was graduated from the Medical College of Cincinnati in 1887. During the three suc- ceeding years he was assistant physician in the Toledo Insane Asylum. In December, 1890, he located in Delaware, where he and his brother have since conducted a paying and constantly increasing business. In 1891 he led to the marriage altar Miss Jessie Freeman, the accomplished daughter of Ed- ward Freeman, of Delaware.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.