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 106
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 106
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 106
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LBERT T. CORDRAY. London Village counts among its most prominent and able citizens the gentleman whose name appears above. Many are the legal frays in which he is engaged, for he is an Attorney-at- law and Notary Public, and has the bulk of such business done in this place. Our subject was born at Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County. this State, July 26, 1861. He is of most worthy parentage, being the son of Thornton and Hannah (Scott) Cordray, both natives of Tuscarawas County.
Our subject's father was for many years engaged as a bridge-builder for the public roads, and was the owner of a portable sawmill. The first break which came in his employment of this character was when he enlisted in the Civil War. IIe joined the Fifty-first Ohio Infantry in the month of Sep- tember, 1861, and faithfully served until he yielded up his life a willing sacrifice to the principles of
freedom and union. His death occurred at the battle of Chickamauga, where he was shot Septem- ber 19, 1863. He served for some time in his regi- ment as Orderly-Sergeant, and it is recorded of him that until the time of his death he missed no battle in which his regiment was engaged. The Republican principles were dear to him.
Our subject's mother is now a resident of New Philadelphia, this State. Albert Cordray is the only child given to the care of this worthy couple, and he was reared as tenderly as circumstances would permit. The first of the Cordray family to settle in the Buckeye State was Isaac Cordray, grandfather of our subject, who. with his wife, Elizabeth (Young) Cordray, came hither from Maryland at an early day, and, taking up a section of land in Tuscarawas County, devoted himself to farming. He had a family of five children. He is deceased, but his wife still survives at the age of eighty-eight. Our subject's maternal grandpar- ents were Samnel and Margaret McGuire, also na- tives of Tuscarawas County. They were all work- ers of the soil, and the family numbered, as did that of his father's father, five children.
Albert Cordray received the greater part of his education at New Philadelphia, where he remained until fifteen years of age. After that, he spent two winter terms of school in Union Township, and then attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, from which he graduated in the scienti- fic course in 1883. After completing his univer- sity course, our subject went to Mt. Sterling and spent two years there as Principal of the grammar department of the school, and was Superintendent of the same school for two years. The following seven months were diversified by an experience as commercial traveler. It was a rest and change. but our subject had other, ambitions. His spare time during this period was taken up in reading law, and he was admitted to the Bar March 5, 1891. Soon after he opened an office at London Village, and has been successful in his practice to a gratify- ing degree since that time.
Our subject's marriage took place in 1883, when he was united to Miss Emma Kennedy, of Urichs- ville. They are both enterprising, ambitious young people, who are satisfied only with the best ele-
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ments of social enjoyment. They have one son, whose name is George. Mr. Cordray is in his po- litical preference a Republican. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and is also numbered among the Knights of Pythias. Already well known as a lawyer of ability in his county, one is justified in expecting of him a prominent success.
ICHAEL HERBERT, Teller of the People's and Drovers' Bank of Washington C. H., was born near the city of Limerick, Ire- land, September 25, 1829. llis parents were James and Ann (Massie) Herbert. He re- ceived his education in Ireland, whence, with his father's family, he emigrated to Canada, in 1840. Two years later, at London, in the now Province of Ontario, but then Canada West, where the family had located, he began the study of the printing business, in the office of the Times, then published by llenry C. Grant, its founder, as the Conservative, or Tory, organ at that point. After having acquired a practical knowledge of "the art preservative," he migrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in May, 1850, and there remained, engaged in busi- ness pursuits, until the autumn of 1855, when he became a resident of Washington C. H., accepting at the time the foremanship of the office of the Register. While thus employed, he performed much editorial work on that journal.
During the sojourn of Mr. Herbert in the Queen City, he became acquainted with Elgar Brown Pearce, editor and founder of the Washington Reg- ister, and to the intimacy thereby formed may be attributed the direct cause of his change of resi- dence and location, as mentioned, at the county seat of Fayette.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Herbert became a member of the first military company recruited in Fayette County by Capt. John M. Bell, an uncle of his wife, in response to the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers to aid in suppressing the great rebellion. The company was mustered into service at Camp
Jackson, near Columbus, as Company F of the Twenty-second Ohio Infantry. It served for four months, the scene of its campaigning being chiefly on "the sacred soil of the Old Dominion." After he was mnstered out, Mr. Herbert did not again enter the service, but resumed his labors in the office of the Register, and there continued until about the time of the death of its publisher, his old-time friend, Elgar B. Pearce.
On the 1st of January 1866, Mr. Herbert was employed as book-keeper in the First National Bank of Washington C. H., and was appointed Teller thereof in 1868. When that institution left the National fold and entered the private banking field, he retained his position as Teller, and at this time (September, 1892) still continues to officiate in that capacity. He was Treasurer of the first, second and third building and loan asso- ciations organized in Washington-the Fayette, Enterprise and Homestead.
The residence of Mr. Herbert, which is pleasantly located on the southeast corner of North and Cherry Streets, is presided over by his accomplished wife, who was known in maidenhood as Virginia Bell Knight. She is a granddaughter of Col. Joseph Bell, who was a well-known pioneer of the Fayette and Highland section of Southern Ohio. She was born in Bellefontaine, this State, and in infancy was taken by her parents to New Orleans, where her father, Salathiel F. Knight, was for some time engaged in conducting a brokerage and com- mission business, and where, in 1840, yellow fever caused his death. Two of his infant children, James Austin and Joseph Rufus, also died in the South.
Mr. Knight and Jane Bell (mother of Mrs. Her- bert) were united in marriage on the 29th of July, 1828. Shortly after the death of Mr. Knight, the mother and three children, Joseph, Verrelle S. and Virginia B., returned to the old Col. Bell home- stead at Washington C. II., and since that time this city has been the permanent home of Mrs. Herbert. Virginia B. Knight and Elgar B. Pearce were mar- ried in 1857, and to them were born two children: Elizabeth B., wife of John Logan, an attorney of Washington C. H .; and Fannie A., wife of Alex. S. Ballard, Teller of the Commercial Bank. Mr.
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and Mrs. Ballard have one child, a son, Charles Pearce, who has just entered school. He was born October 12, 1886.
Mrs. Pearce became the wife of Mr. Herbert on the 20th of January, 1870. She has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church about twenty-five years. They have one son, Willard Robinson, who was born August 30, 1874. He is a graduate of the Washington High School, and is now (July, 1892) one of the clerical force of the bank wherein his father has so long been engaged in business con- duct.
The mother of Mrs. Herbert was twice married, her second husband being James Madison Jenkins, now deceased. Mrs. Jenkins died at her residence, now the home of Mrs. Herbert, June 6, 1888. The parents of Mr. Herbert are both dead.
OHN WESLEY CHENOWETH. The gen- tleman whose name figures above may be counted among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Madison County, where his home is pleasantly located in Range Township. He is a native of this county, having been born in Pleasant Township, September 9, 1846, to J. B. and Eliza (Foster) Chenoweth, for a further history of whom the reader is referred to their sketch in an- other portion of this work.
He of whom we write is the third in order of birth in a family of nine children. He has been a resident of Range Township since two years of age, and remained at home aiding in carrying on the farm until twenty-five years old, when he began life on his own account. Mr. Chenoweth was mar- ried October 22, 1872. to Miss Amanda Aletha Henry, of Bloomingburgh, Fayette County. She departed this life December 18, 1874, and our sub- jeet, returning home, resided with his father one year and then went to his farm, where he remained three years prior to his second marriage, when he was married to Miss Sarah Caroline Creath, who was born in Mt. Sterling, February 23, 1852, and is the daughter of Owen M. and Harriet, E. ( Loof- bourrow) Creath. She received her early education
in the schools of her district and attended three months at London, this State. When eighteen years of age, she began teaching school, which oc- cupation she followed for nine years with signal success.
In April, 1879, John W. Chenoweth moved to the place were he is at present residing, the estate, which includes two hundred and sixteen aeres, being his portion of the old home farm. He has erected splendid outbuildings on the place, not the least conspicuous among which is his commodious resi- dence. He has laid many rods of tiling and placed his farm under such excellent cultivation that it ranks among the very best in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth have two children: Mary Browning, who was born JJanuary 12, 1882, and Helen Bernice, who was born July 7, 1888. Our subject in his political relations is a Republican, casting his first vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant. He has represented his party at various times in the county and congressional conventions and is a most active worker in its ranks. With his wife, he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body he occupies the position of Trustee.
n ELSON P. CHENOWETH, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Range Township, was born April 26, 1851, in the township which is still his home. His parents were Jere- miah B. and Eliza (Foster) Chenoweth. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm and ac- quired a common-school education. lle began for himself when about twenty years of age, and as a companion and helpmate in life's journey, he chose Miss Louisa Daugher, of Worthington, Ohio. She was born in the city of Columbus, November 7, 1853, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Rentz) Daugher. Her parents were both natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantie in the same vessel and were married after reach- ing New York.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth was celebrated October 13, 1875, and by their union
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have been born two children, sons: John Howard, born in Range Township, July 6, 1876, and Walter Scott, born on the 16th of October, 1878.
Mr. Chenoweth is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and six acres of valuable land, forty of which he purchased himself, while the remain- der he inherited from his mother. It was a part of the farm owned by James Foster, the maternal grandfather of our subject. Mr. Chenoweth has made many excellent improvements thereon. In 1883, he built his present commodious and elegant residence, which is the abode of hospitality. He has his farm well tiled, and the neat appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
In politics, Mr. Chenoweth is a stalwart Repub- lican but is not a politician in the sense of office- seeking. Ile has served as a delegate to the county conventions of his party and has frequently served as a Judge of the elections. He is a man highly esteemed for his sterling worth and integ- rity. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Sedalia, being initiated into its mysteries in 1886, and has served as Junior Warden. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Church at Bethel Chapel. She is a faithful worker in the Sunday-school and takes an active interest in the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. This worthy couple, so widely and favorably known in the community, well deserve representation in this volume.
M ANFRED B. GRUBBS, who has been pro- prietor of the Register-Democrat at Wash- ington C. H. since January 1, 1888, is a native of this place, having been born February 21, 1838. His parents were Stephen and Diana (Holland) Grubbs, the father coming to this county from Frederick County, Va., in 1811, when a lad of twelve years.
The paternal grandparents of our subject, Daniel and Sarah Grubbs, located in Marion Township,
Fayette County, when the country was a wilder- ness, and built up for themselves a good home. In that early day, the country roundabout abounded in wild animals, and Daniel Grubbs, who was a good marksman, spent many a pleasant hour in that pastime, and in that way kept the family larder constantly supplied with fresh meat.
Stephen Grubbs was married when nineteen years of age, and in 1822 began farming on land, which he had purchased adjoining what was then the village of Washington C. H., and which now forms part of the site of that flourishing city. Ile died in 1872 at his home, which was only a short distance from the present abiding-place of our subject.
The original of this sketeh was given an excel- lent education, and when sixteen years of age commenced teaching school, and at odd times worked at his trade of a carpenter, which he had learned from his father. In 1860, he added con- traeting to his business, and there are now in this county no less than one hundred houses that are monuments to his labor.
In 1883, Mr. Grubbs launched out in the news- paper business, moving to North Vernon, Ind., where he purchased the Sun. After a period of four years spent in the Hoosier State, he returned to this place and started the Fayette County Demo- crat, which fourteen weeks later he consolidated with the Democratie organ of the county, the Ohio State Register, and the following fall bought the entire plant. Since that time, he has been de- voting his entire time and attention to editing the Register-Democrat, the consolidated papers.
Manfred B. Grubbs and Miss Ellen D., daughter of Moses Adams, of New Holland, Pickaway County, were united in marriage July 31, 1860. To them has been granted a family of five chil- dren: Werter B., Charles M., Stephen A., Bessie C. and Mayme. The eldest son married Miss Fan- nie Crosby, of Indianapolis, and now resides in Louisville, Ky., where he is State Agent of the Employers' Liability and Assurance Company, of London, England. Ile is the father of twin sons, Edwin and William, and an infant daughter. Charles M. Grubbs married Mrs. Bertie Bent, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., where he is now Cashier of the
.
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new Farmers' Bank in that city. Stephen A. mar- ried Miss Louise, daughter of Dr. E. C. Hamil- ton. of Washington C. H. She departed this life in September, 1889, leaving a little girl named Mil- licent. Stephen A. is an expert musician, and has traveled all over the United States in such capacity.
Our subject has always been an ardent Democrat, but has never sought political preferment.
W ILLIAM STUMPF. Throughout Pickaway County and, indeed, in many portions of the State, this gentleman is well known as the owner of a splendid farm on section 25, Salt Creek Township, and also as the fortunate possessor of a number of fine horses. Upon his farm may be noticed a number of imported English coach horses and two imported Percherons, one of which, eight years old, is among the best in the State. For three years he has made a specialty of breeding draft horses, in which he is very successful, and for some time was deeply interested in road horses. Ile is now in the prime of life and will undoubtedly attain fortune and fame in the pursuit of his chosen occupation.
On the old homestead in Salt Creek Township, Mr. Stumpf was born, October 22, 1856. He is the grandson of one William Stumpf, who was a native of Berks County, Pa., and removed thence to Ohio at a very early day, entering land from the Gov- ernment and clearing from the forests a pleasant home for his family. At that early time, the woods were dense and filled with bears, wolves and other game, and the surrounding country was sparsely settled. William Stumpf, Sr., built and operated a distillery on his farm and hauled the whiskey to Chillicothe with a six-horse team. It was his fre- quent custom to drive cattle over the mountains to Philadelphia, and he engaged in the pursuits of pio- neer life until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-eight years.
The father of our subject, Charles Stumpf, was born on the farm which his father pre-empted from the Government. June 27, 1833, and was one of six children, two of whom are deceased. His boy-
hood was passed in rural pursuits and he early gained a practical knowledge of agriculture, which he followed throughout his entire life. His death occurred in 1880, upon the old homestead where first his eyes opened to the light. He was prom- inent in the community and a faithful member of the German Lutheran Church. In connection with general farming, he engaged, to some extent in buy- ing and selling stock, an enterprise in which he was successful. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Swaget, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and died five years after the demise of her husband. In her religious belief, she was identi- fied with the German Lutheran Church and was a sincere Christian.
The only child of this family beside our subject is a daughter, Caroline, now Mrs. Simon P. Bald- azer, of Ross County. William is the younger child and the only son. Our subjeet's farm comprises two hundred and thirty-two acres and, as has been already stated, is devoted both to gen- eral farming and stock-raising. Mr. Stumpf has exhibited his stock at various State fairs and has been awarded the sweepstakes, which proves the high grade of his stock, for Ohio is justly noted for its fine stock. With the exception of a few years, during which he was engaged in the mer- cantile business in Laurelville, Mr. Stumpf has al- ways resided on the home farm, taking charge of it upon his father's death. Ilis character is irre- proachable, and his enterprise has justly gained for him a position among the substantial citizens of Pickaway County.
AMES T. WALLACE, the efficient Sheriff of Pickaway County, who is serving his second term in that office, was born in Nel- son County. Va .. on the 8th of June, 1831. Ilis grandfather was also a native of that State and came from an old Virginian family. He served in the War of 1812. and was a farmer by occupation. Andrew Wallace, father of our sub- jeet, was born in Nelson County, Va., and, like his father, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Hle fol-
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lowed farming near Livingston, and also engaged in school teaching. His death occurred at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics, and long served as Justice of the Peace. From his youth, he was an active member of the Methodist Church and served as its Class- leader. He married Elizabeth Erisman, a native of Virginia, and her death occurred at the age of sixty-five. They had a family of ten children, seven of whom are yet living.
Our subject was the eighth in order of birth. Ile spent his boyhood days upon the home farm un- til eighteen years of age, and acquired his education in a log schoolhouse, with its huge fireplace, slab seats and other primitive furniture. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, serving a term of four years, and was then journeyman for two years. Before leaving his native State, he was married, in 1851, to Miss Vir- ginia Pugh, who was born in Nelson County, and is a daughter of John Pugh, a farmer of that locality.
In 1854, Mr. Wallace brought his family to Ohio, locating in Williamsport, where he established a blacksmith, wagon and repair shop. He there en- gaged in business in that line for thirty-five years, with the exception of eighteen months spent in Shelby County, where he was also engaged in blacksmithing. At different times he purchased land and owned twenty-eight acres near Kinder- hook Station, where he carried on blacksmithing until 1888. In that year, he was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket as County Sheriff, and entered upon the duties of the office January 1, 1889. He was re-elected m 1890, and is now serving his fourth year. This is the best county jail in the State and is neatly and tastefully kept. Mr. Wallace has ever faithfully and promptly per- formed his duties, and has frequently displayed much bravery. On one occasion he arrested eighty Italians with the aid of only three men.
The death of Mrs. Wallace occurred in 1876. Eight children were born of that umon, six of whom are living: John A., a traveling salesman residing in Columbus; Charles T., a grocer of Kin- derhook; James F., a farmer of Kinderhook; Eliza- beth, wife of T. R. Carter of the same place; William
C., who for seven years has held a position in the Union Depot at Columbus, and Cary N., a painter of Columbus; George died, aged four years, and one in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Wallace chose Miss Julia A. Fox, a native of Nelson County, Va., who died in Kinderhook. He was then mar- ried in that place to Martha V. Counts, a native of Ross County, Ohio.
In politics, Mr. Wallace is a stalwart Democrat, and has served as a member of the County Central Committee, and as a delegate to the county and State conventions. He has served as School Di- rector and School Clerk, and the cause of educa- tion has ever found in him a warm friend. When about twenty-one years of age, he joined the Methodist Church, has since been a consistent member and has served as Trustee. The efficient manner in which he discharges his public duties has won him universal commendation.
G EORGE E. SMITH. In these days of agri- cultural improvements, when horse and steam have done away almost entirely with man power, the dealer in improved agricultural implements has everything in his favor, for machines will wear ont and every farmer must have them in order to maintain the balance of production. Our subject is one of the largest dealers in agricultural implements in the Scioto Valley and is greatly interested in threshers and steam-power machines. He is a man whose motto is, "Grit and gumption win where money fails."
Mr. Smith was born in Allen County, near Lima, June 20, 1861. His father, Samuel Smith, who was a farmer by occupation, was a native of Amanda Township, Fairfield County, while his grandfather, John M. Smith, was a native of Berks County, Pa. Having married when a young man in his native State, he and his wife set out for a new locality and fixed upon Amanda Township, where he died. After the marriage of our subject's father, he went to Allen County and was there engaged in farm- ing, and in 1863 he located at Clear Creek. Dur-
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ing the late war, he responded to the last draft and served until the close of the war. Later he pur- chased a comfortable little farm seven miles from Circleville. His wife was in her maiden days Miss Esther Conrade. Her father, George Conrade, was a native of Pennsylvania, and, like our subject's paternal grandparents, early settled in Clear Creek, where he was a farmer. He died at the age of eighty-eight years.
Our subject is one of six children that glad- dened the house of his parents. They are Ella, Mrs. Morgan, of Clearport; he of whom we write; Mary, residing in Lieking County; Eliza, who still lives at home; Daniel .J., who is in the employ of our subjeet, and Mollie M., who is Mrs. Trone and resides in Washington Township. Mr. Smith was reared in Clear Creek and Amanda Townships. Hle attended the district schools until seventeen years of age, when he was sent to the Union school at Delaware for one year. He learned to appreciate the advantages that he had, in that he was obliged to earn them himself, working during the summer that he might attend school during the winter. In the fall of 1879, he entered the Leba- non Normal School. remaining there three terms. In the fall of 1880, he entered the Normal Insti- tute at Danville, Ind., and there spent one year. In the spring of 1881, he was graduated, being proficient in book-keeping and the higher branches as taught there.
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