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 103
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 103
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 103
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fine farming land, nearly all of which is improved, and nearly all the improvements are the work of his own hand; neat fences have been put up to divide the land into convenient fields, which are well drained and highly cultivated, and substan- tial buildings for every needed purpose adorn the place, including a handsome and commodious brick residence that was built in 1867-68.
Our subject has raised a great deal of grain, and also of stock, making somewhat of a specialty of thorough-bred Short-horn cattle. He sold a steer for 8350, and it was taken to Trenton, N. J., to be slaughtered at a barbecue given in honor of the inauguration of Gov. Beadle, the first Demo- cratie Governor of that State after the war. Mr. Work still has some fine Short-horns, but finds that the demand for this breed has decreased. HIe has raised some choice high-bred Norman and llambletonians, as fine draft horses and road- sters as can be found in this vicinity. He had a young Norman gelding that weighed sixteen hun- dred and ninety pounds when it was only two years and two months old, and now at three years old weighs nineteen hundred and twenty-five pounds and is sixteen and three-quarter hands high, and took first premium at the State Fair, September 13, 1892. In sheep, he raises the Cots- wold, crossed with the Shropshires.
Mr. Work was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Grove September 8, 1859, and she has been to him all that the word wife implies. She is a woman of noble character, of intelligent mind, and possesses a warm, generous heart, that makes her a true friend to all who come under her influ- ence. Mrs. Work is a native of Pennsylvania, born January 26, 1836, and she was but two years old when her parents. Henry and Rachel (Betz) Grove, brought her to this county in 1838. Six of the seven children born of her marriage with our subject are living: Joseph S., Mary S .. Pliney G., Jessie F .. Claud W. and Taswell B. Rose M. died March 15. 1875, in the fifteenth year of her age.
Our subject is one of the leaders of the Demo- cratic party in this section, and was selected by his fellow-citizens to represent this district in the State Legislature in the fall of 1883. Ile served
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with honor four years, and his career as a legis- lator was marked with the same tact, accuracy, and far-seeing business policy that have always characterized his management of his private af- fairs. He was always found to be at his post during the sessions of the Legislature, and his public spirit and evident desire to help forward all plans devised for the improvement of county or State were an inspiration to his fellow-mem- bers. He was a member of the Committee on Public Buildings, and on Ditches, Drains, Water- courses and Public Ways; and he introduced the bill to authorize the building of the Soldiers' Monument at Circleville, also a bill to erect a schoolhouse at New Holland, besides some minor bills.
G EORGE V. REGGIN, of Monroe Township, a farmer of progressive ideas and good business qualifications, who occupies a posi- tion of some prominence in the social and political circles of Pickaway County, was born in Madison Township, Fayette County, May 21, 1850. Ilis father, Jeremiah Reggin, was born in Delaware December 1, 1816. Ile was a son of William C. Reggin, who was also a native of Delaware, born February 22, 1789, and of English descent. He was a shipman and owned a vessel, which plied on the Delaware River. He also owned and man- aged a farm of finely improved land at Cannon's Ferry. He finally disposed of his property in his native State, and, coming to this county in 1831, located at Williamsport, having made the journey thither with a team in eight weeks. lle subse- quently went to Ilinois and made investments, but continued his residence here for many years. Ilis wife died here in the prime of life and he never remarried. His last years were spent with his children in Moultrie County, Ill., where he died at the age of eighty-four. He reared a family of seven children, as fol- lows: Isaac C., who is living in Moultrie County, Ill., at the age of eighty-six years; Emeline, Mrs. Timmons, aged eighty-four years, who is also liv-
ing in that county; Deborah, deceased; Jeremiah J .; Ellen, Mrs. Huitt, deceased; Charles, deceased; and William.
Jeremiah J. Reggin was sixteen years old when he accompanied his parents to their new home in this State. He became one of the most prosperous farmers of this section, carrying on a good business as a mixed farmer, and he owned over two hundred acres of land in Fayette and Pickaway Counties. Ile was a driving, pushing, ambitious man, who knew just how to manage his affairs in the best manner. He was one of the truest and most loyal of men, with a deep and abiding patriotism, as was shown by his course in the late war, and no nobler or braver soldier went forth to help fight his country's battles than he. In August, 1862, he was busily stacking wheat when several of his neighbors called upon him, and said that if he would enlist they would. His immediate response as he descended from the rick was "Come on, boys," and he at onee went to Mt. Sterling and enrolled his name as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry. He served nearly three years, was always at the front in every battle in which his regiment took part, and at all times displayed a true soldierly spirit, which would have won him high honors had he not modestly declined promotion. At Chickamauga, he captured the rebel flag after three men had been shot in making the attempt, and for that gallant aet he was offered a commission, but he refused it, preferring to re- main in the ranks, and on two other occasions bravery would have received like reward if he would have accepted. He passed unscathed through the heat of many a battle, and endured the hard- ships of the long march with Sherman to the sea and other campaigns without his health giving way so seriously as to necessitate his going to a hospital. He was a Republican to the heart's core, and took a deep interest in politics, though he never cared for office. Religiously, he was a Methodist, and was one of three members to build the church at Waterloo.
Mr. Reggin was twice married. His first wife, a Miss Ritchie, of this county, died in 1846, a year after marriage, leaving no issue. His second mar- riage, which took place in 1847, was with Miss
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Mary Davis, who is still living on the old farm in Fayette County. She is a native of that county, born October 24, 1823, in the pioneer home of Jonathan and Mary (Van Doler) Davis, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The Van Dolers were among the earliest settlers of Ohio, coming to this State in 1796, as was also the Davis family which came at about the same time. Mrs. Reggin's father was a farmer, and owned considerable land in Fayette County, where he always lived after he came to Ohio, and there he died in 1834. Besides his property here, he had some real estate in Illinois. He had but one child by his second marriage, Mrs. Reggin, but he had three children by a former marriage. Mrs. Reggin has five children, all liv- ing, as follows: William, George V., John O., Law- son D., and Eber A.
George V. Reggin of this biographical review was given educational advantages in the vil- lage school at Waterloo, Ohio, and in, the Normal School at Lebanon, also in the Normal at Bloom- ington, Ill., which he attended in 1873. He entered the profession of teacher, and was engaged at it some twenty-five terms, teaching two terms in Macon County, Ill., one term in Douglas County, Kan .. and the remainder of the time in Fayette and Pickaway Counties. Ile was married August 29, 1876, to Miss Alice McCafferty, whose father is represented in this volume. Mrs. Reggin was born in this county October 24, 1851.
Mr. Reggin farmed in Fayette County for a year after marriage, but in 1877 he came to Pickaway County to live with his father-in-law, and he has ever since managed his farm, engaging in general farming. Ile tills about three hundred acres of land, and last year had one hundred acres in corn and sixty acres in wheat. Ile is also interested in stock, and has fifty head of fine cattle.
Our subject is one of the tried and true Repub lieans of this district, and is looked to by his fel- low-Republicans at the county seat to make poll of the votes cast in this township on election days, and to look after the political fences of the party in general. He was Assessor of the township two years, and was Township Clerk three years. In his social relations, he is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges at Mt. Sterling, being a mem-
ber of the Royal Arch and Knight Templar lodges at Washington C. II. Religiously, both he and his amiable wife are members in high standing of the Methodist Church, and take an active interest in its welfare. Ile is Steward and Trustee of the Church, and for three years he was Superintendent of the Sunday -school.
ANIEL A. COUNTS owns and operates three hundred and fifteen acres of valu- able land a mile and a half from Midway. He was born in his present home, Decem- ber 19, 1826, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Walker) Counts. His father was born November 30, 1780, in Rockingham County, Va., and, when a young man, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio. Ile afterward came to Range Township, Madison County, where, by his industry and good manage- ment, he became owner of over three thousand acres of land in Ohio, seven hundred in Vermillion County, Ill., and three hundred in Kansas. He died January 22, 1873. His family numbered thir- teen children, all of whom grew to mature years, while twelve of the children married.
Our subject grew to manhood in this locality, and, at the age of eighteen, started out in life for himself. Ile cleared land for his father for the use of it for several years, and in this way got a start in life. He was married, April 28, 1863, to Miss Rachel L. Tracey, of Range Township, who was born in Fayette County. August 12, 1838. Previously, he had purchased some land from the Government, and also had eighty aeres in Living- ston County, Ill., upon which was a sawmill, but he never made his home there. After his marriage, he removed to his present place of residence. .
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Counts were born eight chil- dren, seven yet living: Laura A .. born November 18, 1863, is the wife of William Dorn, and has two children; Jennie B., born November 28, 1864, is the wife of Charles Myers, and has two children; Frank L., born January 1. 1866, is at home; Charles W., born April 8, 1867, died November 2, 1886; Edward S., born August 10. 1869: Angie L .. Feb-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
842
ruary 3, 1872; Ilarry A., January 22, 1874; Ores- tes S., January 5, 1876; and Lewis, October 9. 1877. The mother died October 4, 1886.
For the benefit of the reader who may be un- familiar with the matter, we give a brief account of the trouble which arose in Range Township, and which resulted in law suits, and the stirring up of ill feelings and enmity which it will take a generation to wipe out of existence. About 1873, one Solomon Crittenham came into the township and called upon Mr. Counts, desiring to rent a place for the year. Mr. Counts told him that his land was all rented, but he could occupy one of his houses, which was at that time empty, and the man moved into that place. He was hired by Mr. Counts to cut a ditch, which he did, but the ditch having no fall, our subjeet graded it. When Mr. Crittenham finished the work, he presented a bill to Mr. Counts, which included the labor of the lat- ter gentleman, and demanded pay for the entire job. Mr. Counts naturally refused to pay for his own work, at which Mr. Crittenham sued him, be- ing advised by the "Squire" that it was a good chance to make some money.
Evidence of an immaterial nature, not at all connected with the case, was introduced, and the suit resulted in favor of Mr. Crittenham, and Mr. Counts was obliged to pay the costs and lose all his own work on the ditch besides. Then Critten- ham commenced throwing down fences, letting stock into the fields, destroying the grain, hauling off rails, and in every way trying to injure Mr. Counts. Daniel Counts, Sr., died January 22, 1873, and in dividing up the estate, which was done by the Commissioners and the Court, Joseph Counts, one of the heirs, was dissatisfied with the division because they awarded land to Daniel A. that he himself desired. Finding that the Judge, constable and lawyers were in favor of Crittenham, he came over to their side, and united with them in an effort to secure one hundred and ten acres of our subjeet.
In the spring of 1874, the Crittenham "ring" was formed, and when Mr. Counts gave Mr. Crit- tenham notice to leave the place, this ring made a plot among the tenants to change houses on the night previous, and when the constable came with
his writ, nothing could be done. For another year, Crittenham held forcible possession, continu- ing his underhand meanness, and one night Mr. Counts' mill, with everything in it, was burned to the ground. Believing this to be the work of his enemy, the owner had Crittenham arrested, but when the trial was held, the Judge wanted Mr. Counts to prove beyond doubt that Crittenham was the incendiary, which, of course, Mr. Counts could not do. The case was therefore gained by the defendant, and Mr. Counts had all the costs to pay.
Upon renting his share of the estate to James Lyons, Joseph Counts and Crittenham debarred the tenant and our subject from the land with in- junetions for two years. This made Mr. Lyons so indignant, that, meeting Crittenham at London, he struck the man, and was thereupon arrested, and would have been put in jail had not our subject gone on his bond and paid all costs. Some of the neighbors, disgusted with Crittenham, attempted to get him to leave the country, but he had them ar- rested, and in the trial it appeared that the matter was originated by two men named Timons and Thompson. Finding that the ease was going against them, they swore that D. A. Counts asked them to go to Crittenham's, and stated that the fact could be proved by a man in the court house. The man was put on the witness stand and gave his evidence that D. A. Counts did not get him to go to Crittenham's, whereupon the lawyer inquired why he went, and he replied that he went to see what the others were going to do. Other witnesses swore that Mr. Counts had a supper as a means of persuading them to go. This was done in order to get out of trouble themselves, and have Mr. Counts responsible for the costs, and they were successful in the attempt, for the costs, about $1,200, were put on our subject.
By this time Mr. Counts had lost not only his money, but part of his stock, in law suits, and, be- ing unable to pay his indebtedness, the Squire is- sued a warrant to have him put in jail, but as there was no law permitting a man to be imprisoned for debt, he levied on some stock that was advertised for sale. Before the day of the sale, however, the amount was paid. The Commissioners of the
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estate of Daniel Counts, deceased, opened a country road across the land for the benefit of the heirs, but the Crittenham "ring" fenced the road up at night, hauled the rails away, and threw them in the creek. The judge, suspecting the perjury of witnesses, charged the jury, if they were doubtful of the evidence, to take it for what it was worth, but no attention was paid to the charge, and the case was decided in favor of Crittenham. Mr. Counts brought action before Squire McCormick at London, but his lawyer failed to appear at the trial until the lawyer employed by Crittenham had gained the case, and the costs, amounting to $35, had to be paid by our subject. Mr. Lyons and others getting into trouble with the same man, and losing the case, the costs, $226.94, were paid by Mr. Counts.
Our subject next brought action at Circleville before the Judge to dissolve the injunction, and gained the case. In the spring of 1875, he gave Crittenham notice to leave his place, but the man proved by his "ring" that he had rented of Mr. Counts, and so staid for another year, continuing his wicked deeds with the usual fine harvest for squires, constables and lawyers. Mr. Counts brought action before the Judge to try the rights of the land, and in the trial the "ring" produced a note against Daniel Counts, deceased, of $1,000 or $5.000 to cover the land in dispute, but the note was pronounced a forgery, and was laid on one side by the Judge. This suit was gained by Mr. Counts.
In the spring of 1876, Mr. Counts gave Critten- ham another notice to leave his place, and on the day of the trial, the man removed his goods from the house, which was immediately taken possession of by one of Mr. Counts' farm hands. The "ring" forthwith cut down timber on his land, with which they built Crittenham a house on land belonging to Joseph Counts, and again commenced cutting down timber, hauling off rails, etc. Mr. Counts had them arrested and brought action against them for two years' rent, but in the trial they proved the land was valueless, so the suit was de- cided against Mr. Counts, although he had proved that the land was worth $50 per acre.
Seeing that there was no more business for him
there, Crittenham left the neighborhood and re- moved to Fayette County, where he was soon in- jured in a fight. Having no friends there, he re- turned to Range Township, but his old partners had found that there was no money in him, but considerable danger of getting into trouble, so they would have nothing to do with him. He then packed his goods for the North, and the last heard of him was that he was killed in a smoke- house while in the act of stealing meat. Thus terminated the career of a scoundrel. We may mention that Daniel A. and Joseph Counts were good friends until the Commissioners and Court awarded a piece of land to the former that the lat- ter desired; also that not one of the heirs gave anything to our subject for his loss and trouble.
Politically, Mr. Counts was a stanch Democrat, until his friends in that party united with Critten- ham in the effort to swindle him, when he left the party and never expects to vote the Democratic ticket again. Ilis place is among the most pro- gressive farmers of his community, and his farm is in a high state of cultivation and well improved.
6 HOMAS S. WORTHINGTON. Among the representative and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Concord Township, Fayette County, the name of Mr. Worthington may well appear, as his magnificent estate of fourteen hun- dred aeres bears every mark of the hand of a pro- gressive and systematic farmer. He is the eldest son of Joseph C. Worthington, his birth occurring in Highland County, this State, August 18, 1829. He was reared on his father's farm and attended school in the log cabin of that early day. His advantages were very limited, however, but being an apt pupil, he gained sufficient knowledge to give him an impetus to go on by himself.
Thomas S. Worthington remained under the parental roof until reaching his twentieth year, at which time he formed a partnership with his father and brother Robert, and carried on farming for ten years in a partnership. He has given his entire
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time and attention to cultivating the soil, carrying on mixed husbandry. His possessions, as has already been stated, comprise fourteen hundred acres, four hundred of which are under the plow. His place is constantly stocked with the best grades of cattle, Mr. Worthington keeping on hand about two hundred and fifty head. He also deals extensively in horses, sheep and swine, of which he has some fine specimens.
The original of this sketch when starting out on his own responsibility had three hundred and thirty-two acres of land. The remainder of his land has been obtained by his persistent industry and good management. Ile is one of the largest land-holders and stock-raisers in Fayette County, and thus ranks among the wealthy and progress- ive business men of this section, where he is so widely and favorably known.
Ile of whom we write served in the Morgan raid during the Civil War, and in his political belief is a strong Republican. He has made Concord Town- ship his home since eighteen years of age and through his own efforts has attained an enviable position in the agricultural community, where his word is considered as good as his bond.
ARTIN E. DREISBACH has been a resi- dent of Pickaway County since he came here, a boy of five years, in 1831. He is now engaged in the implement and seed business at Circleville, and also superintends the management of the valuable farming lands which he owns. lle was born near Lewisburg, Union County, Pa., September 8, 1826, and traces his an- cestry to the holders of the carldom of Witgen- stein, Germany, where his great-grandfather, Mar- tin Dreisbach, was born in 1717. That gentleman married Anna Eve Hoffman, and with her emi- grated to the United States in 1746, buying a farm in Lancaster County, Pa., and there engaging as a blacksmith and miller. In 1763, he removed to Berks County, Pa., and ten years later purchased a farm in Buffalo Valley, Union County.
The Valley was at that time a frontier settle-
ment, and three years after settling thicre, the great-grandparents of our subject were compelled to flee from the place, in order to escape the Ind- ians' tomahawk. When danger was past, they re- turned to their home, where the wife died in March, 1789, and the husband in February, 1799. Their sons were Jacob, Henry, John and Martin, and their daughters, Margaret and Catharine. Martin married Sabina F. Bucks, and their children were John, Anna Eve, Susannah, Leah, Elizabeth and Martin.
It is with the history of John, the father of our subject, that we are particularly interested. He was born in Berks County, Pa., June 5, 1789, the eldest of six children. He was the son of pious parents, both of whom were for many years mem- bers of the Evangelical Association, and it was therefore but natural that the son should inherit a deeply religious nature. He obtained a rudimentary education, and at an early age exhibited those traits of character which grew stronger as he grew older, and which made him one of the great forces in building up the Evangelical Association. Ile gave himself to his life work with enthusiasm and zeal, and every page of the history of the Associa- tion bears tribute to his influence and ability. He entered the ministry of the Association in Penn- sylvania when eighteen years old, as is asserted by some of his descendants, but according to the early records of the church in Pennsylvania, at the age of seventeen.
One year after entering the ministry, Rev. John Dreisbach went out as a traveling preacher, and thus began his career of widely-extended useful- ness. He was the fifth itinerant appointed, and during his first service in that capacity, was often accompanied by the famous founder of the Asso- ciation, the brave, zealous and much-maligned Rev. Jacob Albright. In his later years, Mr. Dreis- bach wrote of that co-laborer as follows: "I de- rived much benefit from his paternal instruction and pious example, as well as from his fervent prayers, childlike confidence in God and his humble resignation to His holy will. All this made deep impression on my mind, and was highly useful to me afterward in my calling as a Christian and minister of the Gospel."
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In 1807, Mr. Dreisbach was stationed with an- other minister, George Miller, upon a circuit which embraced about twenty appointments and ineluded parts of the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon, Lan- caster, Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Northampton, Lehigh and Schuylkill. The next year, he was transferred to the Northumberland circuit where his duties were difficult and attended with great disadvantages. About that time, there arose a powerful storm of opposition, persecution and calumny against the Association and those who labored in the cause. The storm was directed principally against the Methodists, who were in- creasing very rapidly at that time, but the people generally understood by the term Methodist the Evangelical Association also and all who held the same or similar views. Libels were uttered, vio- lence was often threatened, and some even de- clared their willingness to take up arms against the struggling church, if it were not contrary to law.
An incident in the life of the Rev. Mr. Dreisbach confirms what has been said of the bitterness against the preaching of the Association. The faets as here recorded are taken from Rev. W. W. Orwig's " History of the Evangelical Association." In the month of August, 1808, it appears that the preacher returned from a general meeting in order to fill an appointment at Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pa. As he had been disturbed while preaching there before, it was his intention to hold services on that occasion among his friends, with- out giving any public notice. " From fear, not of the Jews, but of the heathen-like Christians," the doors were locked and the window shutters fastened on the inside before the services com- menced. After singing and prayer, Mr. Dreisbach began his sermon, but the preliminary exercises had been heard by some of their enemies, who be- gan to gather outside the house, and, foreing the doors and shutters open, entered the room, making a great noise and giving utterance to violent im- precations.
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