USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Madison County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
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A native of Madison County, Mr. Watson was born in Paint Township, June 4, 1827. His par- ents were David and Mary (Helpshenstine) Wat-
son, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia. They were married in this county in 1807, and their wedding was an occasion of merry-making among the pioneers, who were, how- ever, few in number, only twelve persons being present, although invitations had been sent throughout the county, but there were only a few inhabitants in all this region at that early day. Mr. and Mrs. Watson had to begin their married life as pioneers, sacrificing many comforts, braving many hardships and even dangers to upbuild a home, but working together with a hearty good- will to accomplish their purpose, and their labors were erowned with a rich reward. Mr. Watson obtained land in that part of Union Township sinee known as Paint Township, and in time he became one of its most important farmers and most extensive stock dealers, and was well known all over this part of the county. He and his good wife had a family of twelve children, of whom only two are now living.
Our subject was reared on the home farm, and received his education in a log schoolhouse that stood thereon. When he was twenty-two years old, he and his brother Samuel purchased two hun- dred and fifty-eight acres of land, which they sold three years later, receiving a fine margin on the cost price. With his share of the money made by the sale, Mr. Watson bought one hundred and forty-five acres of land, and has often since in- vested in realty, until he has become one of the large land-owners of Madison County. He was engaged in farming and stoek-raising until 1870. In 1868, he purchased a fine residence in London, and with Charles R. Cover entered into the business of broker, November 9, 1869. July 1, 1870, a stock company was formed, which bought the Madison County Bank, and Mr. Watson was appointed Vice-president, the name of the bank being changed to Exchange Bank. In June, 1880, he was further honored by being elected President of the Madison National Bank.
In the management of the above responsible offices, Mr. Watson brings to bear a wide experience in business affairs, a keen insight into money mat- ters, and personal integrity that is beyond ques- tion, all of which have contributed to raise the
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standard of the banks with which he is connected to the first rank among the monetary institutions of the State. In their management, our subject and his fellow-officers pursue a wise, liberal and safe policy that has increased the businesss of the banks, and while greatly benefiting the stock- holders, gives them the reputation of being per- fectly sound and stable. It is to such men as Mr. Watson and his associates in business circles that Madison County owes its steady rise and highly prosperous condition. His name is also associated with many good works that have contributed to its moral and religious advancement, and in him the Methodist Episcopal Church finds an exemplary member.
Mr. Watson was married in 1852 to Miss El- mira, daughter of John Dungan, who is a woman of rare character, and in her devotion to her hus- band's interests has helped him to make life a success.
W ILSON ASBURY KOONTZ, a prominent and influential citizen of Madison County, now living a retired life in Midway, was born on the 13th of November, 1821, in Rocking- ham County, Va., and is one of two children born unto Philip and Mary (Crumley) Koontz. His fa- ther was a native of Virginia and the grandfather, Peter Koontz, was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The former was a prominent man. He served as Judge, Surveyor, and Justice of the Peace and rep- resented his district in the Legislature. He was twice married, and by the second union two chil- dren were born. With the exception of our sub- ject and his cousin John, of Washington C. H., all have changed the spelling of their names to Counts.
Wilson lost his father when he was only four years old. Ile continued to reside in Virginia until eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to Gallia County, Ohio. The next year, he came to Madison County and engaged in teaching the dis- trict school near Danville. For ten years, he fol- lowed that profession with good success. He mar-
ried, April 5, 1848, Miss Louisa C. Counts, who was born in Range Township, May 28, 1822, and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Walker) Counts. Her father, D. Counts, came from Rockingham County, Va., and her mother was of English birth. Mr. Koontz continued to engage in teaching for a few years after his marriage and then began clerk- ing in a store in Danville, where he was employed for two and a half years. At the expiration of that time, he inherited some property, which he added to that he had carned, and began to loan money and change notes. In 1853, he came to Midway and soon bought the farm on which he now resides, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1866, his present residence was erected. It was built of brick burned on his place in the first kiln erected in the vicinity of Midway.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koontz were born two chil- dren. The elder, Philip D., was born in Danville, April 21, 1849. IIe acquired his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware and in Yellow Springs, and began teaching at the age of twenty-three. He afterward went as a teacher to Texas, where he married Emmen Marrs, December 24, 1872. Two children graced their union: Osa W., born in Midway, January 30, 1874, and Enola Glenn, born in Midway, May 2, 1875. Their mother died October 18, 1876, and Philip Koontz was again married, May 2, 1881, his second union being with Miss Fannie L. Orebaugh, of Washington C. H., a native of Greenfield, Ohio. They have three chil- dren, all born in Texas: Texie Belle, born in Will- iamson County, March 23, 1882; Carla Serena, born February 14, 1884, and Ernest Samuel, born January 16, 1886. Philip Koontz is a stock-dealer and farmer, having eighteen hundred aeres of land which was given him by his father. He is a prominent citizen of this community and favora- bly known. Alice Virginia, the only daughter of our subject, was born in Danville, September 8, 1851, acquired a good education in the Female Seminary of Hillsboro and engaged in teaching one term. She is now the wife of John M. Stroupe, a merchant of Midway; they have one son, Ogan K., born February 5, 1882.
Since casting his Presidential vote in 1848, Mr Koontz has supported the Democratic party. He
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served as Township Clerk for a number of years, was Justice of the Peace for nine consecutive years, and of the eases which he tried none of his decisions were ever reversed. Mr. Koontz is now living re- tired, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his toil. His life has been very successful, and as the result of his industry he has acquired a handsome property.
AMES E. HAINES. The subject of this sketch is the senior member of the firm of HIaines & Pinkerton, who do an immense business in retailing staple and faney gro- ceries at Washington C. H. He is the son of Samuel Haines, who was born in Perry Township, Fayette County, in 1823. His paternal grand- father, Ebenezer Ilaines, came from the Willain- ette Valley, Va., to the above-named township, locating here when the land was mostly in its primitive condition, making this locality his home until his death, when sixty-five years of age.
The father of our subject was the youngest of the paternal family, and was reared to man's estate amid the pioneer scenes of Perry Town- ship, attending the log schoolhouse and aiding his father in the duties upon the farm. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Maria Smith, the daughter of Frank and Charlotte Smith, early set- tlers in this county. By her union with Mr. Haines were born nine children, all of whom grew to ma- ture years and of whom eight are living. They are Albert, who is a farmer in Perry Township, Fayette County; Ella, who is engaged in teaching school in this county; Lewis, who is a well-known apiarist of this section; Frank, who cultivates a farm in Perry Township; our subject, who is the next in order of birth; William, who is deceased; Belle, Mrs. Henry Todhunter; Charles, also a farmer in the above-named township, and Eva. Mr. Haines votes the Republican ticket and is very prominent in his locality. Both the parents are still living.
James E. Haines of this sketch was born June 20, 1860, in Perry Township, Fayette County. He was educated in the public schools of his native
place, and when choosing an occupation in life be- gan farming. He was married August 10, 1882, to Nannie Worthington, the daughter of E. T. Worthington, who was a prominent farmer of Green Township, Fayette County. Mr. Haines abandoned farming and embarked in business in September, 1888, at Moons, this State, doing a gen- eral mercantile business. He also held the posi- tion of Postmaster there for about a twelvemonth, when he resigned, preferring to devote his time and attention to his private interests.
February 15, 1891, he of whom we write pur- chased a grocery of H. M. Roach, of Washington C. H., and, removing hither, formed a partnership with Mr. Pinkerton. By their courteous and gen- tlemanly treatment of customers, they have suc- ceeded in building up a lucrative trade and now rank among the leading grocers in the city. They carry a full line of staple and faney goods, keep- ing on hand a fine assortment of goods suited either for the country or city household.
In his political relations, Mr. Haines votes the Republican ticket. He is identified with Lodge No. 165, K. P., and is a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Moons.
OHN MILTON HAISLEY. This gentle- man, who is engaged in the business of hotel-keeping in New Holland, Perry Town- ship, Pickaway County, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., where he was born April 7, 1842. His parents bore the names of Ezekiel and Mary (Mendenhall) Haisley, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother a native of Vir- ginia. Mr. Haisley, Sr., moved to Indiana about the beginning of the present century, and there spent the remainder of his days on a farm. He was of German descent.
Our subject's parents both died when he was but a small lad, leaving a family of nine children, of whom John Milton was next to the youngest. Three of his elder brothers were married and he went to live with one of them. He remained with
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this brother until reaching his twenty-second year, when he commenced for himself in trading and speculating in Richland and Cincinnati, Ohio. He traveled for a number of years, and in the year 1882 engaged in the manufacture of drain tile. In this business, Mr. Haisley continued for six con- secutive years, when he sold out and engaged in the meat business at New Holland, giving this up in 1891. In the last year mentioned, the original of this biography engaged in the hotel business, in which he has been very successful and has made himself respected and well-liked by all his cus- tomers and friends.
The worthy gentleman of whom we write was united in the happy bonds of wedlock in October, 1872, to Miss Lorena Crosby. Mrs. Hlaisley is a daughter of Isaac and Clara Crosby, both natives of Ohio, in which State she herself was born. Our subject votes the Democratic ticket in politics, and socially he is one of the leading members of the Knights of Pythias.
S AMUEL WARD. No man with any pre- tensions to wisdom fails to insure his prop- erty against loss by fire. A name which renders the business of insuring one of the most popular in Circleville is that of Samuel Ward, who has been associated with the business for some time. He is noted for his straightfor- ward methods of conducting his affairs and is doing a heavy business in the city and surround- ing country. The number of fire insurance com- panies doing business in Ohio is a large one, but the solidity of an insurance company and its promptness in paying claims are most important points. In this respect, the companies represented by Mr. Ward are entitled to due prominence and recognition, from the high character and reputation they enjoy. Ile represents twelve companies, viz: Phoenix, of Brooklyn; Fire Association, of Phila- delphia; Milwaukee Mechanics', Ohio Farmers', and many others.
Our subject was born in Dudley, Worcester- shire, England, on the 4th of November, 1837, and
his father, Richard Ward, was also born there, as was also the grandfather, William Ward. The latter was a tradesman and died in his native country. Richard Ward was a hoop-iron roller in the early part of his life and later was Superin- tendent of coal mines. He first came to this coun- try in 1822, and afterward he returned, but came again in 1847 with his wife and children, set- tling in Connecticut, near New Britain, Hart- ford County, and was engaged in farming until his death, four years later. In politics, he was a Free-soil Whig, and in religion was a Regular Baptist. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Elwell, was a native of England. She was first married to a Mr. Brooks, by whom she had one child, who is still living. Her subsequent marriage to Mr. Ward resulted in the birth of six children, only four now living, two in England and two in this country. After the death of Mr. Ward, his widow continued to reside in Connecticut for some time and then returned to her native country, where she passed her last days.
Samuel Ward, the original of this notice, was the youngest of the above-mentioned children, and he remained in his native country until ten years of age. In December, 1847, he left Liverpool, England, on the sailing-vessel "Andrew Foster," and after a nine-weeks' voyage landed with his parents in New York. From there, he subsequently moved with them to Connecticut and worked on a farm until sixteen years of age, in the meantime acquiring a very limited education in the common schools, for he was obliged to spend most of his time in youth in labor on the farm. In 1853 or 1854, he went to Harrisburgh, Pa., and clerked for some time for the State Mutual Insurance Com- pany, in which his brother was Secretary. In 1855, he came to Ohio, staying in Pickaway and Fair- field Counties about one year. He then went to Champaign County, Ill., where, with his brother John, he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, and on this raw land they commenced mak- ing improvements. There our subject remained until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South. For the first few years on the farm, crops were very poor and they were obliged to pay eighty cents per bushel for corn to feed
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their stock In 1881, they raised the first good crop, but the freight in shipping it was so great that they realized but little from it. During that winter, Mr. Ward burned corn for fuel as he had to haul wood fourteen miles.
In December, 1861, our subjeet enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, and was mustered in at Camp Butler. He was appointed Commissary Sergeant of the Second Battalion and was sent to Quincy, Ill. He remained there one month and then went to Benton Barracks and then to renew the forces of Curtis at Pea Ridge. From there, he went to Missouri, but was injured in the left leg by a kick from a horse and went home on a furlough. He later took part in the battle of Pine Bluff and afterward was at Fayetteville until the spring of 1863. General Order No. 126 from the War Depart- ment changed the organization from Battalion to Regimental and mustered out the supernumerary officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned. Our subject was mustered out in April, 1863, and returned to Champaign County, Ill., staying but a short time. The same year, he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and was foreman for Emmett Bros. until the summer of 1864, when he came to Circleville and clerked for Emmett Bros. in the grain house for five months. While in Chillicothe, he learned telegraphy on the private line owned by Emmett Bros. and in the fall of 1864 he was employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company at Wash- ington C. H. office. In the spring of 1865, he was appointed to the Lancaster city office, but, being offered better pay in Circleville, Ohio, he went there in the fall of that year, and was manager of the same for nineteen years. In 1884, he quit this business and opened an insurance office in the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows' building.
Mr. Ward organized the Edison Electric Light Company and was its Secretary for three years. Ile was married in Champaign County, Ill., on the 3d of January, 1860, to Miss Ellen Post, a native of Dane County, Wis., and they are the parents of six children, four living: Abbie, Mrs. F. A. Barr; Nellie, Mrs. T. A. Boyle; Lillie, Mrs. H. M. Rife. Samuel died at the age of three years; Charles died at the age of twenty-two months, and Ruby is at home. Mr. Ward is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Groce Post No. 156, G. A. R. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is Trustee in the same. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school until recently. In politics, he is a true-blue Re- publican.
P ETER HALL, a wealthy and representative citizen of Madison Township, Pickaway County, is a native of this county, as he was born in Walnut Township, January 24, 1832. His respected parents were David and Elizabeth Hall, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State.
David Hall when a young man emigrated with his father, Jolm II. Hall, from his father's home to Piekaway County, Ohio, settling in Madison Town- ship, becoming early pioneers of the county. They made their home in the dense woods and encoun- tered the ordinary difficulties of frontier life. David IIall became the father of seven children, of whom the following survive: John H., who makes his home in Kansas; Peter; Salina, now the wife of Henry Runkle; and Lydia, who married Levi Runkle. The father lived to reach the good old age of seventy-five years.
Peter Hall was reared to man's estate in Picka- way County and has seen and marked the develop- ment of this section of country, and has done his full share in changing it from a wilderness to a rich and cultivated community. ITis early recol- lections go back to a time when little was to be seen except dense forests and rough attempts at civilization. His first schooling was received in a log cabin, furnished with slab seats, and where the writing-desks were merely boards resting upon wooden pegs which projected from the wall. His opportunities were so scant that he has found it necessary to supplement them largely by subse- quent reading, but the drill which he received was so thorough as to stimulate his ambition and he has ever sought for self-improvement.
The marriage of our subject in November, 1857, brought to his home a wife in the person of Lavina
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Solt, by whom he has twelve children, eight of whom are living: Mary A., wife of Jackson Stein; Barbara J., now Mrs. Snider; David, William, Emma, Ella, John, and Ora B. The line property which is owned and carried on by our subject is a large tract of land and all of it is in fine condi- tion. He and his wife have together wrought out their own fortune, for this property is largely the result of their industry and economy.
Mr. Ilall is a Democrat in his political views, al- though he is in no sense prominent in party mat- ters. Religiously, he is attached to the doctrines and policy of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member. His interest in educational matters and general intelligence fit him abundantly for the position of School Director in which he has served. His efforts are always given cheerfully toward pro- moting . the best welfare of the county and towards the elevation of the community.
NDREW J. CLINE. Among the self-made men of Fayette County, none deserve greater credit than the subject of our sketch, who is in possession of a comfort- able amount of this world's goods, obtained by hard labor and good management. At the begin- ning, when starting out in life for himself, he made it a rule to live within his income, and this resolve, closely followed, has given him an inde- pendence, than which there is no more pleasant thing in the world. He is at present residing on his farm in Jasper Township, Fayette County.
Our subject is the son of George and Catherine (Feagins) Cline, the father born in 1809, in Penn- sylvania, and the mother in this county, in 1813. The elder Mr. Cline was the son of Philip and Mary Jane (Turner) Cline, natives of the Old Do- minion, who came to Ohio in 1813, and made set- tlement on a raw tract of land in Clinton County. Mrs. Cline was the daughter of Edward and Eliza- beth (Bush) Feagins, natives, respectively, of Ken- tucky and Virginia. Her parents were married in this county over eighty years ago, at which time
they located on Rattlesnake Creek, Concord Town- ship, where Mr. Feagins cleared up a farm. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, and, with his good wife, was highly esteemed in the county. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living.
Mr. and Mrs. George Cline, on making this county their permanent home, located upon a tract of unimproved land, where the mother is still a resident, being the oldest settler now living in this section. She is hale and hearty, and has under cultivation three hundred and forty-five acres of valuable land. The father of our subject was School Director and Road Supervisor, during the incumbency of which latter office he rendered great service to the traveling public. He was a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for An- drew Jackson, and his last for Grover Cleveland. Four of their children are still living. Edward makes his home in Clinton County. During the late war he was Orderly Sergeant of Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and has been one of the Commissioners of Clinton County for six years. William S. Cline resides in Jasper Township; Mary E. is the wife of Simon Jamison, has three children, and resides in Living- ston County, Ill .; and Andrew J., of this sketch, was the youngest in order of birth. Mr. Cline died January 28, 1888.
Ile of whom we write was born July 4, 1841, in this township, growing to manhood on the old homestead. He was permitted to attend the com- mon schools but a few months during the winter season, but at such times acquired sufficient knowl- edge to give him an impetus to gain more. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he started out empty-handed to earn a name and fortune for himself.
In 1864, Elizabeth II. Nelson became the wife of our subject. She was the daughter of Samuel Nelson, of Ross County. Her parents dying when she was very young, she was then taken into the home and heart of her aunt, Hannah Shelton. Mrs. Cline was born July 3, 1843, in Ross County. Twelve years ago Mr. Cline located upon his pres- ent farm, which contains ninety acres. His estate is improved with substantial buildings, the most
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attractive among which is his comfortable resi- dence, which was erected three years ago. His large barn was built in the fall of 1891, and affords ample room for the storage of grain and shelter of stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Cline have been granted a family of three children: Mary Catherine, now Mrs. E. Weaver, has one child, and resides in Jasper Town- ship; Samuel N. and Philip P. They have all been given every advantage for obtaining good educa- tions, and Mary, previous to her marriage, taught school. Mrs. Cline is a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is active in all good works. Our subject is Director of his school district, and in politics, is a believer in Democratic principles. He has been the incumbent of the positions of Township Trustee and Super- visor, and is accorded the respect of all who know him.
12 ORACE B. McCORD. Among the old residents and prominent farmers of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, we are pleased to mention the esteemed citizen whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He was born in Albemarle County, Va., July 16, 1825, and his father, James McCord, was born in the same county, June 10, 1802. The grandfather, William McCord, was American-born, but his father was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, who became a true and loyal citizen of America, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War before he was eighteen years old, continuing in service through most of the war, and being in the battle of Brandywine. He was still living when the father of our subject was in his thirteenth year.
James McCord was both a farmer and carpenter, and when he came to Ohio in the fall of 1834, he sold his farm of forty-eight acres in Virginia, and made his way across the mountains with team and wagon, a journey of six hundred miles, being three weeks on the way. He settled first in this township, but a year later moved to Franklin County, where he remained for four years, and
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