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 105
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 105
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 105
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S W. BOWERS. Prominent among the citizens of that part of Madison County embraced in Darby Township who were born here in the early years of its settlement, is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this biographical review. His farm lies three miles west of Plain City, some of his land being in Union County, and his residence is near the county line.
Our subject was born .lume 10, 1826, a son of Daniel Bowers, of whom a sketch appears else- where. He is the third child and second son of his parents. When he first went to school, the school was taught in the primitive log house of pioneer days. When he was thirteen years old, he went to live with Albert Newton, of Darby Township, and remained with him until he was eighteen years old. At that age, he started in life for himself and found plenty of work on farms, receiving fair wages for the times, his services being in constant demand as he was both a skillful and faithful worker. He was thus engaged until he was twenty-
seven years of age, when he was married, and afterward located on his present farm in Darby Township. A log house stood on the place, which he repaired and fitted up for occupancy. He has ninety-five acres of land, lying partly in Union County, and all well improved and supphed with all the conveniences for carrying on agriculture. Mr. Bowers devotes it to general farming, has some fine stock and is doing a profitable business. Ilis farm has been developed almost entirely by his own hard pioneer labors, and he has brought it to a fine condition, having the land under thorough cultivation. It is provided with necessary build- ings, and the whole place is orderly and well ar ranged.
Mr. Bowers was married, in 1853, to Miss Lo- vina, a danghter of Samuel and Lucinda Smith, who were pioneers of Madison County. She, too, was a native of Darby Township, born September 24, 1825, and reared in the same neighborhood with her husband. Her paternal grandparents came to Ohio in 1816, her father accompany- ing them. Both he and his wife are dead, the latter dying when Mrs. Bowers was but five years old. Mrs. Bowers herself died September 10, 1880, and her mortal remains were placed in the Smith Cemetery in Darby Township. Her death was a sad loss to those of her own household, to whom she had so long and faithfully ministered. and the entire community mourned for her with her loved ones, as she had always been a true friend to her neighbors, gladly helping them when in trouble and sympathizing with them in their sorrows. She was the mother of three children, two sons and a daughter: Samuel S., who died in 1861, at the age of five years and ten months; Mary L., who died December 28. 1877. aged twenty years, four months and nineteen days; and James W., who resides on the farm with our subject. The latter was born April 27, 1862. and was married October 10, 1883, to Elma Harper. He is a bright and active young farmer and is making his mark among the men of his class in his native county.
Our subject has long been prominently identi- fied with the public life of this part of Madison County, his fellow-citizens holding him in the utmost confidence, having a just appreciation of
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his merits and capability. He has been Trustee of the Township of Darby since 1881, with the ex- ception of two years, and has always encouraged all plans that were calculated to enhance its well- being. In politics, he is a sound Republican. So- cially, he is a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, 1. O. O. F., at Plain City, and also of the Daughters of Rebekah Lodge.
S AMUEL S. ROBISON is a leading agri- culturist of Pleasant Township, Madison County. He owns and operates three hun- dred and sixty-three acres of valuable land sitnated on the London Pike, five and a half miles from Mt. Sterling. It is all under a high state of cultivation, and the well-tilled fields yield a golden tribute to the owner, while the many improvements indicate his thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Robison was born in Clarke County, Ohio, about eleven miles from Springfield, November 9, 1826. He is the seventh in a family of nine chil- dren, whose parents were John R. and Mary (Ed- miston) Robison. His father was born in South Carolina, and with his parents came to the Buckeye State at the age of twelve years. The mother was born in Tennessee and their wedding was celebrated in Champaign County. In the spring of 1827, they removed to Pleasant Township, Madison County, and our subject was early inured to all kinds of farm labor. His school privileges were very limited, but he loved books, and throughout his busy life has made the most of his opportuni- ties and has become a well-informed man. He reads much and keeps well posted on all questions of the day.
On the 18th of October, 1849, Mr. Robison was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret E. Fitzgerald of Madison County. Unto them were born three children but only one is now living, Mrs. Mary E. Bolles, a resident of Pleasant Township. One died in infancy and Edward J., who was married, died April 27, 1891, leaving three children. The mother of the family died December 9, 1878. Mr.
Robison was again married, February 19, 1880, his second union being with Mrs. Mary A. Clark, nee Beale. She had two children by her first mar- riage.
Mr. Robison resided upon his father's farm in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, for two years after his first marriage and then with two brothers purchased two hundred and sixty-three acres of land, to which he removed in 1851. He afterward became sole owner of this tract and has extended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of an additional one hundred acres. This farm is one of the best in the community. It is well tilled and the home is a pleasant residence.
In 1848, Mr. Robison cast his vote with the Whig party. IIc joined the Republican party on its organization and voted for John C. Fremont in 1856. He was an uncompromising Union man, and though he could not himself enter the service, sent a substitute to the war. The cause of educa- tion finds in him a warm friend, and while serving as School Director for the long term of twenty years, has done effective service in its interest. In 1851, he became a member of the Methodist Church and has served as its Steward. He is a well-known and prominent citizen of the community and well deserves representation in this volume.
2 ECUMSEH MILLAR is a native of Harri- son Township, and one of its leading citi- zens. He has here, on section 22, one of the finest and best-equipped stock farms in Picka- way Township, which he devotes principally to breeding trotting and running horses, and he has already acquired a high reputation for his fine stock. Our subject was born July 23, 1851, and is a son of the late Adam Millar, a former well-known citizen of Harrison 'Township, who is represented elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Millar grew to man's estate in Harrison Township, and its public schools laid the foundation of a liberal education. Ile was a bright scholar and had every advantage for training his mind. For two years he was a pupil in the academy at
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Bloomingburgh, in Fayette County, and he subse- quently attended the Normal School at Lebanon, where he pursued a fine course of studies. He had been reared to the life of a farmer, and after he left school his tastes for that calling led him to adopt it for his life work. He is principally en- gaged in breeding high-grade trotters and run- ning horses, and is conducting a successful and ex- tensive business in that line, making it a point to breed none but the best, and he is already widely known for the superiority of his stock for speed, endurance and other good qualities required in a standard horse. His farm is admirably adapted to stock purposes, having all the requisites for such a farm, and it is a model of its kind.
Mr. Millar was first married November 26, 1874, to Miss Jennie Weigand, a daughter of Dill Weigand, formerly of this township, but now de- ceased. The present wife of our subjeet bore the maiden name of Lucy M. Stage, and is a daughter of Samuel W. and Jane B. (Bell) Stage. By this marriage there are two children, Adam T. and Hat- tie V.
Our subjeet is a man of brain, steady nerve and decided character, who is quick to think and prompt to aet, and enjoys a high reputation as an exceedingly sagacious man of business. He takes a patriotie interest in his native county, and all feasible plans for its advancement are sure of his approval and material assistance in putting them into execution. His political affiliations are with the Democrats, and that party has no truer adher- ent in this section than he.
AVID K. WILSON. Among the prominent citizens of Pickaway County, who have passed their entire lives within its limits, is this gentleman, who was born in Salt Creek Town- ship, November 6, 1843, and is prominently iden- tified with the farming interests of his native place. His estate is splendidly located in the Salt Creek Valley, and adjoins the corporation of Tarlton. It is watered by Salt Creek, which makes it excellently adapted for stock-raising purposes,
as well as general farming. Two hundred and seventy-five acres are included in the farm, which is embellished with first-class improvements in the way of buildings and agricultural implements.
Hugh Wilson, father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1813, and shortly after the death of his mother accompanied his father and remaining members of the family to the United States, being about twelve years old at the time. His father, John, settled in Washington County, Pa., and re- mained there until 1835. About that year, John Wilson and family removed to Ohio, and settled in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, on a farm which was yet a wilderness, remaining there until he died in 1836. Hugh Wilson was one of four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are now deceased. For several years he was Captain of a local company of militia, which he drilled regularly. He held various political of- fiees. as well as positions of responsibility in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member for many years. He was an active and zealous Christian, and was a pillar in the church with which he was connected. On all the current events of the day, he was well posted, and his opinion was influential in favor of publie meas- ures.
March 8, 1836, Hugh Wilson was married to Miss Anna Noble, who died October 1, 1839. The two children born of the union are also deceased. The second marriage of Mr. Wilson united him with Miss Margaret Kinnear, their wedding being solemnized October 5, 1842. February 17, 1850, death called from earth the wife. who left, beside her husband. three children to mourn her loss. They are David K .; Nelson II., who died in the army at Pilot Knob, Mo., in 1863; and JJosephine, Mrs. George R. Baker, of Mt. Vernon, Knox Coun- ty, Ohio. Mr. Wilson afterward married Mary Augusta, their wedding being celebrated October 1, 1851. The wife passed from earth January 8, 1855. April 15, 1856, Mr. Wilson and Miss Susan Lybrand were united in the holy bonds of wedlock at Philadelphia. Pa., and they lived together in mutual happiness until Mr. Wilson died, October 5, 1875. Mrs. Wilson died July 30, 1876.
In Salt Creek Township, where our subjcet was
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born, he has continued to make his home up to the present time. He remained under the parental roof in his boyhood, attending the district school, and aiding in the farm work until he was about twenty, when he formed a partnership with his father, and ever afterward managed the place. March 8, 1871, the marriage of our subject to Miss Jennie R. Williams took place. and the union thus formed was a happy one, until the wife died, Jan- uary 31, 1890, leaving to mourn her loss a be- reaved husband and five bright children: Frank K., Willie II., Leslie D., Charley, and Ross .J. Mrs. Wilson was born in Clear Creek Township, Fair- field County, this State, July 16, 1845, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Williams, worthy people who belonged to the farming com- munity of Ohio. She was an intelligent and worthy woman, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Wilson also belongs. In his political belief, he is a mem- ber of the Republican party, and, socially, is iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, his position among the popular and prom- inent farmers of Pickaway County being an established one.
n ELSON J. DUNLAP, of Pickaway Town- ship, stands among the foremost farmers and stockmen who have played such an im- portant part in the development of Pickaway County within the last quarter of a century. He is an extensive land-holder, has a large and well- conducted farm, that is a model in all respects, and he is greatly interested in raising horses and other stock of the finest breeds. He did gallant service in the navy during the late war, and has been a conspicuous figure in the political and civic life of this section since coming here.
Our subject is one of Ohio's native-born sons, Chillicothe his birthplace, and May 30, 1843, the date of his birth. His father, whose given name was John, was born in Virginia in 1811, and was a son of a Virginian farmer, who bore the same name
as himself. John Dunlap, Sr., came to Ohio as early as 1798, and took up land in Ross County, about six miles north of Chillicothe, and there he carried on farming until his deathi, at an advanced age, in 1856. The father of our subject was one of six children, and came to Ohio with the fam- ily in 1825, when he was a boy. After he attained manhood, he bought some land in Ross County, and became a very successful farmer, dying in 1878, at a ripe old age. He married Mary A. Manier, a native of Ross County, and a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Manier, who were born in Maryland, and were early settlers of Ross County. She is still living, at the age of seventy-three years, and is an honored member of the Method- dist Episcopal Church.
Of six sons, five of whom are living, our subject is the second in order of birth. He was carefully reared in the pleasant home of his childhood on his father's farm, and at the district school laid the foundation of his education, which was after- ward carried on at Mt. Pleasant Academy, which he attended a short time, and at a Commercial College at Chillicothe, where he pursued a regular business course, and subsequently taught two terms. But November 19, 1863, he threw aside all personal considerations to join the navy, be- coming a member of the Mississippi squadron, having previously had a little experience as a sol- dier at the time of Morgan's raid, traveling through Ross, Jackson and other counties, and all through Southern Ohio on a scouting expedition after that dashing rebel raider; he also took part in the Kirby Smith raid, those in pursuit be- ing known as the "squirrel hunters." About a month after he enlisted, he was detailed to the Paymaster's Department, and had charge of stores, clothing, etc., acting as purser-steward for the balance of his term. His term of enlistment expired January 1, 1865, and he was honorably discharged at Memphis, with a well-earned record for fine soldiership and general efficiency wher- ever he had been placed.
Returning to Ross County after he left the army, our subject turned his attention to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture, which Horace Greeley so aptly termed "the noblest of profes-
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sions." In 1868, he came to Pickaway County. and purchased a part of the farm upon which he now resides. Hle has replaced an old log cabin with a fine. large and conveniently arranged house, and has otherwise greatly improved his homestead and farm, of which three hundred aeres lie around his home and the remaining six hun- dred acres near by, this property being among the most desirable estates in the county. It is well watered, the head waters of Congo Creek passing through it, besides several fine springs in different parts of the farm; extensive tiling has also been done, so that the drainage is perfect. It is very advantageously located on the Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike, which passes by the west end of the home farm.
Mr. Dunlap deals in stock very heavily, feeding several carloads of cattle each year, and raises many horses, his stock all being high grade. He is one of the wealthy men of Pickaway County, although he began life with limited means. He needed no other capital than his capacity for well-directed labor, his quick perceptive powers, his clear in- sight into business methods, and his systematic and judicions manner of conducting his affairs. Ile is one of the leaders in finances in this part of the State, being Vice-president and Director of the Scioto Valley Bank, at Kingston, which owes in part its high standing as an important factor in the business world to his connection with it, and he is also President of the Kingston Tile Company. He is prominently known in political circles as a representative Republican, whose counsel is valued at district, county and State conventions, which he has often attended as a delegate. Ile is dis- tinguished in the annals of the party in this re- gion as the first Republican elected to the office of Treasurer in this township, which position he held two terms. He is one of the charter members of the local grange, and has held all the offices therein from that of Master down. Both he and his wife are among the most active members of the Pres- byterian Church at Kingston.
Mr. Dimlap was married, December 11, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Bell, who presides graciously over their beautiful home, and pleasantly aids him in dispensing its abundant hospitalities to any friend
who may happen beneath their roof. Mrs. Dun- lap was born and reared near Chillicothe. and is a danghter of Hugh and Lavina (Renick) Beli. Her father is a prosperous farmer, living near Chillicothe. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have had five children: Mary, Renick, Nellie. Alice, and one who died in infancy. Mary is finely educated and quite accomplished, and a talented and trained artist. After attending Oxford Female College, two years were spent by her in an art school at Toledo, and one year in another art school at Co- lumbus. She has a fine collection of paintings that are the work of her hand, and wherever she has exhibited her pictures, she has been awarded premiums for her brilliant and artistic work. Renick is pursuing a course of studies at Colum- bus, and the two youngest children are in school at Kingston.
EFFERSON E. VALENTINE. who is a prominent and enterprising resident of Washington Township, Pickaway County, was born in Frederick County, Md .. Sep- tember 20, 1837. Ile is a son of Henry Valentine. also a native of that State, who emigrated to Ohio in 1851, and, after making his home for a few years in the above-named township, died in 1854. Ile was a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. to which society he was a lib- eral and cheerful contributor.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Sarah Eccard. She was a native of the same State as was her husband and passed away when in her seventy-eighth year, firm in the faith of the United Brethren Church. She became the mother of six children, only four of whom are liv- ing. Mr. Valentine by a previous marriage had born to him a family of four children. Our sub- jeet was the eldest of the parental family and was fourteen years of age when the removal was made to this State. He was reared on the home farm and was permitted to attend school only a few months in the winter. After the death of his fa- ther. the care of his mother and the rest of the
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family fell upon his young shoulders, and, bravely assuming the responsibility, he carried on the farm, thus providing them with the necessities of life.
The original of this sketch operated a farm for several years in Circleville Township and about two years in Piekaway Township. He came to his present residence in Washington Township in 1873, and has thus made his abiding-place here for the past nineteen years. In January, 1865, Mr. Valentine was united in marriage to Miss Susannah, daughter of Daniel M. and Cath- erine Pontius, the father being born in this county. He was the son of Daniel Pontius, who emigrated from the Keystone State to Ohio in the pioneer days and died after reaching a ripe old age. The father of Mrs. Valentine was one of a family of eight children, three of whom are liv- ing. IIe followed the occupations of a farmer, and at his death had accumulated the magnificent sum of one thousand acres of land, all of which was the direct result of his industry and persever- ance, as he started out in life with limited means. Ile died April 19, 1888, when sixty-nine years of age. Religiously, he was a member of the United Brethren Church. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Valentine, was known in her maidenhood as Catherine Klar. She was born in Walnut Town- ship. Pickaway County, and is still living, being sixty-nine years of age. She is also identified with the United Brethren Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Valentine, of this sketch, have had thirteen children, namely: Clinton B., de- ceased; Gertrude, Arthur, Saddie, Victor, Harry, Jennie, Daisy, Cora, Bertha, Aliee. Edna and Monroe. Miss Gertrude married William Warner and is at present residing at Circleville. In poli- tics, our subject is a Democrat and has been a member of the School Board for six years. For eight years, he served as Trustee of his township, and during that long period gave perfect satis- faction to his fellow-townsmen. Mrs. Valentine is identified with the United Brethren Church and is a most estimable lady, active in all good works.
The original of this sketch is the possessor of three hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, situated on sections 15 and 16, where he carries
on farming in a most profitable manner. His place is supplied with all the needful farm build- ings, the most conspicuous of which is his hand- some brick residence, which was erected in 1882. He is engaged in general farming and in raising all kinds of good stock. Mr. Valentine began life by operating a thresher when sixteen years of age, which occupation he has continued more or less since, having threshed on his own account for twenty-five years. He is self-made in the truest sense of that term and ranks high among the progressive and well-to-do residents of Pick- away County.
h ON. HOMER S. QUINN, M. D. But few men have led a more active life than has our subject nor one that has yielded better fruits. Well-born and well-bred, his suc- cesses have been easy and assured. He is the son of the Rev. Isaac Quinn, who was born in Penn- sylvania in 1784. His mother was Cynthia Witten, and was born in Tazewell County, Va., in 1790. The former was a clergyman in the Episcopal Church, but during his ministry he fitted himself for the practice of medicine, which he began in Virginia, soon after the close of the War of 1812. He remained in that State until 1830, when, with his family, consisting of his wife and six children, he came to Ohio and settled in Highland County, where he continued in active practice until his death, which occurred in October, 1843, his wife having passed away before him in 1867. Of the nine children born to them, six were sons and three daughters.
Homer Quinn was the youngest of his father's family, and was born in Highland County, Feb- ruary 28, 1839. He received a common-school education and afterward attended the Greenfield Seminary. He was engaged in farming until about 1859, when he began the study of medicine in con- nection with his brother, the late Dr. Jehu H. Quinn, of New Vienna, Clinton County. Our subject at- tended lectures at the medical college in Cincin- nati, from which he was graduated in the spring of
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1862. In July of the same year. he settled in West Jefferson, where he has since been in constant practice.
In the fall of 1877, Dr. Quinn was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Sixty-third General Assembly of Ohio, and served for one term. He has filled the office of Township Clerk, also that of Treasurer, and has been a member of the Union School Board. He takes an active part in all local and political affairs and is a straight-forward Dem- ocrat in his political preference. Fraternally, our subject is a member of West Jefferson Lodge No. 412, I. O. O. F., and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Dr. Quinn was married in West Jefferson, April 27, 1870, to Miss Bettie B. Putnam, who is a native of that city. The lady is a daughter of the late Horace Putnam, who was filling the office of Treas- urer of Madison County at the time of his death. Her mother's maiden name was Narcissus Mantle. Dr. Quinn is one of the leading citizens of West Jefferson and is widely known throughout this portion of the State. Ile is a man who aims high, and seldom fails in what he undertakes.
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