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 107
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 107
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 107
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
On returning from school, our subject engaged in teaching at Clear Creek but did not much like the work. Ile then entered the employ of Mr. War- dell, of ('ireleville, occupying the position of book- keeper in the implement house. Ile was also en- gaged in canvassing for three years, er until his employer died in 1884. Our subject was instrumen- tal in settling Mr. Wardell's estate, having been ap- pointed assistant administrator. He remained in the employ of Mr. Wardell's successor, Mr. Reiche, for two years. In the fall of 1888, he started in business for himself. He purchased the old coli- seum and converted it into a storeroom. Although he began with but little means. he has been emi- nently successful in his endeavors and his business has been constantly increasing in proportion. Especially has he been pursuing the sale of thresh-
ers and steam-engines in Pickaway, Fairfield, Lick- ing, Franklin. Hocking and Ross Counties, and. in fact, has the control of the steam-engine business of the county. He also handles bicycles in his estab- lishment. the dimensions of which are 58x97 feet. He is a strong fraternity man. In his political be- lief, he is a true-blue Republican. In his church preference, he is a Trinity Lutheran.
6 THOMAS UCKER. If there is any high road to success, it is only found through the paths of energy and industry, and these paths our subject, who is a brilliant business man of Circleville, is treading constantly. He is a substantial and self-made man. Mr. Ucker is the proprietor of the largest grocery business in the town, and has brought to its management all his common sense and ability. He was born in Amanda Township. Fairfield County, June 18, 1838. and is a son of Andrew Leker, who came to this country from Germany with his parents when but thirteen years of age. They first located in Berks County, Pa., and about 1833 or 1834, came to Ohio and located in Amanda Township.
Our subject's father was a saddler and harness- maker by trade. and although he lived on a farm, he was engaged in manufacturing harness, having the active management of the farm to his sons. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty-five acres at this place and two hundred acres more elsewhere. In 1864, he removed to Walnut Town- ship, and there died in 1880. at the age of seventy- tive years. He was a Catholic in his religious views.
Our subject's mother was born in Berks County. Pa .. and, like her husband's family. made an early settlement in Ohio. The mother still survives at the age of eighty years. She reared ten boys and four girls, two of whom are now dead. The fam- ily is scattered. Our subject was the sixth child in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm, where he remained until 1864. During the winters he attended the district school. his first experience in this direction being in a log
864
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
schoolhouse with slab seats at Cedar Hill. When twenty-two years of age, he, with a brother, began farming for himself. After two years' experience of this kind, he went with his youngest brother, Joseph, to Wayne Township, and there operated four hundred and twenty acres of land. Ile was thus employed for some time, and then assumed charge of his father's farm, finally coming to Wal- nut Township. He has been very successful in his agricultural experiments and accumulated a com- fortable sum of money, but was obliged to give up his farming on the death of his wife, who left him with three little children to care for.
For six years Mr. Ucker was employed in differ- ent places. In 1877, he served as partner in the grocery business with a cousin in Columbus. On a second time marrying, he located where he now resides. He started in business January 23, 1878. Although he began in a humble way, he purchased a valuable location, built a fine block, and subse- quently added here until his block now has a frontage of forty-seven feet and is fifty feet deep. It is occupied by two stores. Here Mr. Ucker car- ries on a general grocery and produce business, his stock being first-class in every respect.
Our subject's first wife was Miss Catherine IIutchinson, a native of Amanda Township. Their union was solemnized in 1864. She was the mother of three children, who were bereft of her care in 1872. The children are as follows: Olive, now Mrs. Stockland; Henrietta and Catherine. In his second marriage, Mr. Ucker was allied to Miss Mary Wear, their wedding occurring in 1878. Politically our subject is a Democrat. In his re- ligious views he is a Catholic. He has served as Township Treasurer for seven years.
C HARLES G. DUFFY. Among the success- ful young attorneys of Circleville, there is probably no one more in touch with that wide-awake public spirit which is promoting the welfare of the city along the lines of general cul- ture and philanthropy, than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Undoubtedly, there
is no one so young as he who has achieved greater success in his chosen profession, and his friends entertain great hopes for the future of one so en- dowed in intellect and gifted in mind.
James Duffy, father of our subject, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and emigrated from his native village, Westport, to America when he was eleven years old, locating in Circleville about 1850. He was apprenticed to William Bauder to learn the trade of a carriage-maker, and in 1861 enlisted in the Civil War as a member of the Thir- tieth Ohio Infantry, serving with valor for three years and participating in more than twenty en- gagements. Ile was wounded in a skirmish, but with that exception escaped uninjured.
Returning to Circleville, Mr. Duffy was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Bayer, who was born in New York City, the daughter of Samuel Bayer. Her father emigrated from Bavaria, Ger- many, to America, settling first in New York and afterward coming West as far as Ohio. After his marriage, Mr. Duffy was for two years engaged as foreman in a carriage manufactory at Louisville, whence he returned to Circleville and embarked in that business on his own account. He was thus engaged until his death, which occurred in 1884, at the age of forty-five years. He was a Catholic and a member of Groce Post No. 156, G. A. R. Ilis widow still makes her home in Circleville and carries on business as a milliner on Main Street.
Our subject has passed the most of his life in Circleville, where he was born in 1869, the third among seven children. His education was com- menced in the excellent schools of this city, and he graduated from the High School in 1885, at the age of fifteen, and enjoys the distinction of hav- ing been the youngest graduate in Circleville. When his literary studies were terminated, he com- meneed to read law with A. R. Bolin, with whom he studied for two years. In 1888, he entered the law department of Yale College and graduated two years later with the degree of LL. B. While there, he won the Seymour prize of $60 for great- est improvement made in the two years' course.
Returning to Circleville, Mr. Duffy remained there until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to Columbus and was admitted to practice at
865
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the Bar of Ohio. Thence he proceeded to ('inein- nati, and until April, 1891, was in the office of the Hon. Job Stevenson, a promment attorney of that city. At the date above mentioned, he returned to Circleville and opened an office for the practice of law. He is prominently connected with the Democratic party and has served as delegate to county, congressional and senatorial conventions. He is identified with St. Joseph's Catholic Church, was formerly Secretary of the Knights of St. Jos- eph and is connected with the Sons of Veterans as a charter member, being A. M Sergeant of E. F. Scott Post No. 502.
OHN M. NICODEMUS. The genial Mayor of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, whose name appears above, was born in Greencastle Village, Franklin County, Pa., September 24, 1836. Ile is a son of John and Ilariette (Conley) Nico- demus, both parents being natives of the same county and State as our subject. The father was of German, and the mother of Irish, ancestry. The family removed to Circleville at an early day and when our subject was but one year old. They remained there until he had attained the age of eighteen. Prior to that time, he had re- ceived a fair common-school education.
After finishing his schooling, our subject began clerking in a hardware store. Indeed, he began this work at sixteen, and at the age of eighteen drove a team and wagon through to Monticello, III. IIe there worked on a farm for two years, it being his first and only experience in agricultural life. He then took a position as clerk in Monti- cello in a general store, and continued there until enlisting in the army. joining Company II. Ninth Illinois Infantry. During the three months that he was with his regiment, he saw some service and was in the battle of White River. Ile received his honorable discharge July 26, 1861, but re-en- listed October 26, 1861, in Company G, Sixty- sixth Illinois Infantry, serving with his regiment until his discharge December 22, 1863. IIe after- ward re-enlisted as Corporal in Company G, Six-
ty-sixth Ilinois Veterans, and was discharged July 7, 1865. at Louisville, Ky. He was in all the battles in which his regiment took part, but was never wounded, although m hospital at Rome, Ga., for two months after the battle of Kenesaw Mountain.
Our subject was a participant in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Inka. Corinth, and, indeed, in all the battles from there to Kenesaw Mountain, which were in order as follows: Philip's Creek, Boonesville (Miss.), Hatchie River, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, Rome, Cross Roads, Dal- las. Howe's Ferry, Decatur ( Ala.), Bald Hill, Proc- tor's Creek. Atlanta from August 11 to 26, Eaton Cross Roads, the siege of Savannah and Bentonville (N. C.) After the war, he took part in the Grand Review at Washington, and after his discharge he returned to Mt. Sterling, Ohio, where his mo- ther had moved during the war.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in a family of seven, four of these being boys and all in the army. Of the four brothers who saw service, all are still living. They are by name, beside our subject, James W., Meredith and Winfield Scott. Mr. Nicodemus was reared a Whig and cast his first ballot, in 1868, for U. S. Grant. He has held various municipal offices and has served as Township Clerk for fourteen years, and Mayor of the city of Mt. Sterling twelve years. He has been a member of the School Board and has al- ways fought for and secured good schools. He has been a delegate to county conventions many times, and Chairman of such conventions thrice. Ile has also been a delegate to senatorial and State conventions.
Our subjeet was married December 29. 1865. to Miss Eliza L. Bostwick, of Mt. Sterling, She was born September 20. 1810. near Rutland, Vt., and is a daughter of Frederick and Eliza ( Leonard) Bostwick. With her parents she lived in Crown Point, N. Y., for a time, and finally came to Mt. Sterling. The father, who is a carpenter by trade, is still living in Pickaway County. Mrs. Nico- demus is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, three of whom are living.
Mr. Nicodemus and his wife have been the par- ents of three children. two of whom are still liv-
42
866
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
ing. They are Howard Logan, who was born De- cember 9, 1866, and Maude, June 27, 1871. They have both been well educated and have had every advantage that an abundant means could procure. Our subject is a Seventh-degree Mason and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active workers.
S. HOWLAND, M. D. Our subject has by strength of purpose and persistency placed himself in the enviable position which he now occupies, that of one of the best known and successful physicians in Plain City, Madison County. He is a self-made man, his father being a poor man who was unable to give his son the educational advantages desired. How- ever, when engaged as a teacher, the Doctor was considered the best educator in this part of the country.
Our subject was born in Brown County, this State, January 28, 1843. He is a son of Jonathan and Jane (Stewart) Howland, both natives of the same State and county as is our subject. They were farmers by occupation. Ichabod Howland, our subject's paternal grandsire, was a native of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Ohio in an early day. Jonathan Howland and his wife, after a residence of twelve years in Brown County, sub- sequent to their marriage, moved to Pendleton County, Ky., where they were engaged in farming for seven years. They then removed to Adams County, Ohio, loeating near Manchester, and for two years carried on a farm at that place. After this, they returned to Kentucky, settling in Lewis County, and spent two years there, after which they occupied a farm in Mason County, Ky., near the city of Maysville; they then returned to Ohio and located on a farm near Russellville, Brown County. After a number of other moves, our sub- ject's father died at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother still lives, her residence being in Plain City. They were the parents of ten children,
there being seven daughters and three sons, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and be- came the heads of families. Nine of these are still living.
Dr. Howland is the first son and third child in order of birth of his father's family. He con- tinued under the paternal roof until 1862, when he enlisted in the Civil War, joining Company F of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, with which he re- mained until the termination of the war. He served under the following distinguished generals: Gilmore, Burnside, Sherman, Thomas (at Nash- ville) and Gen. Wilson. Our subject was wounded at Dandridge, 'Tenn., and after a weary siege in hospital, was discharged with the rank of Ser- geant, July 11, 1865, receiving his discharge at Nashville, Tenn. During his service, he occupied successfully the following offices: Corporal, Quar- termaster, Duty Sergeant, Chief Clerk of Commis- sary Department, and was further advanced before his discharge.
On leaving the army, our subject returned to Ohio and took up his residence with his father and attended school at Bunker Hill. Later, he was a student at Lebanon, and finally finished his course in Adams County. He began to teach in 1868, giving his attention to scholastie work during the winter and to farming during the summer, and continued in this way until 1875. During this time, he made a reputation as a thorough and efficient master.
January 16, 1868, our subject took upon him- self the duties and obligations of married life, his life companion being Miss Louisa Edgington, a native of Brown County. After their mar- riage, the Doctor located in Union County on a farm, and divided his time and attention as before between farming and teaching. In 1875, the fam- ily moved to Union County, where our subject began his medical studies with Dr. A. J. Richard- son as preceptor. He remained with him until the fall of 1876, when he entered Miami Medical Col- lege, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and took the regular course.
After completing his studies, Mr. Howland went to Bellefontaine and procured a license from the Medical Society to practice medicine. After a
867
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
creditable examination, he procured his certificate and located, in 1877, at New California, spending nine years at that place. Dr. llowland, desiring to be familiar with the latest discoveries and methods, in 1886 took a course of medical study at the Starkey Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, and graduated with the Class of '87 with honor. He has a fine practice in Plain City, and his opin- ions in regard to professional matters are received withi due deference.
Mr. and Mrs. Howland are the parents of three children, one daughter and two sons: Orley is at home and is engaged as a teacher; Irene is the wife of William Kilgore, of Darbyville. The youngest daughter, Jessie, is still at home. Fra- ternally, our subject is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. IIe is also Past Com- mander of Post No. 222, G. A. R., which is named after Harry Scribner. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has iden- tified himself with a number of prominent insur- ance societies. Politically, he is a Democrat.
M ARTIN V. BEAVERS. The original of this sketch is a native of Commercial Point, Pickaway County, where he is at the present time a prominent business man, catering to the needs in the grocery line to the best class of people in the vicinity. March 21, 1839, was his natal day, and during the years that have passed between that date and the present time, the changes in the country have been many. Mr. Beavers is a son of Elisha B. and Jane (Dech- ert) Beavers. The former was a native of Pike County, this State, and his father was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a mere boy with his parents and settled in Pike County, later removing, however, to Ilighland County.
Our subject's grandfather reared a large family, and as he was the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of land, he was kept busy improv- ing the same. The family comprised six boys and five girls, all of whom grew to years of maturity and reared families of their own. Our subject's
father was educated in the pioneer schools of Highland County. He came to Pickaway County when nineteen years of age and worked for a time on the Ohio Canal. His wife's father was the owner of a tract of eleven hundred acres of land, of which our subject's father purchased a portion. Buikling a log cabin upon the place, it served as their first home. He was the owner at one time of six hundred acres of land but lost it all before his death going security for friends. Ile was a hard worker and a good manager and his losses were to be greatly deplored. Ile died in 1891, at the age of fifty- nine years. Although he was a loyal Democrat in politics, he never aspired to office.
The original of this sketch was one of seven children born to his parents. They were named as follows: Martin V., Margaret, John, Tabitha, Sa- rah, Elizabeth and Berry. These children were reared in the faith of the Methodist Church. When our subject's maternal grandparents came to this State from Virginia, of which they were natives, there were only five or six houses in the township. The grandfather acquired his property here by trading for it his Virginia land. Their cabin boasted a fireplace of heroic dimensions, being eight feet across, and the brick of which the chimney was made was hardened by the tramping of his horses and cattle. He was obliged to go to Chillicothe to mill.
Martin Beavers was reared on the home farm and educated in the log schoolhouse. He began for himself at the age of twenty-one years, working out six and a half months. Later, he was in a saw- mill and then launched into the grocery business, in which he has ever since continued. December 9, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hudson, a native of Circleville. Her parents were William and Ruth Hudson, natives of Virgina and West Virginia, respectively. The former was a mason by trade, and died at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother still survives, residing in Cir- cleville at the age of seventy-three. Mr. and Mrs. Beavers have five children, namely: Maud, Ches- ter, Cora, Gertrude and Ray. Owning two hun- dred and thirty acres of land a short distance from Circleville, our subject rents on shares. He deals more or less in cattle and hogs, shipping them in company with Van Meter to Pittsburg. He has
868
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a butcher-shop and deals in both beef and pork. He also owns a sawmill, and a portable mill which is in demand in various parts of the county. The home occupied by the Beavers family is a large and comfortable residence, which is well and taste- fully furnished.
OHN S. WILSON. Our subject has a bean- tiful home located five and one-half miles northwest of West Jefferson, in Canaan Township, of which he is a native, having been born here October 4, 1837. Ile is a son of James and Elenor (Smith) Wilson, both natives of Ohio. Our subject's paternal grandsire was born in Kentucky, and came to Ohio in 1806, locating in Greene County, where he improved a farm.
Our subject's parents met and married in Madi- son County and settled on a farm in Canaan Town- ship, where the head of the family died when in his seventy-eighth year. The mother still lives, being now seventy-three years old. They were the parents of four children, one daughter and three sons, all of whom are living. They are our subject; V. H., of Deer Creek Township; Thomas B. and Lucy E. The last-named is the wife of Dr. Will- iam Beach, of Deer Creek Township.
John S. Wilson is the eldest member of the fam- ily. His first schooling was in his native town- ship, and he finished in Deer Creek Township, remaining with his father until reaching his ma- jority, when his parents gave him the tract of land on which he now resides. It is a beautiful place and is thoroughly well cultivated. He devotes himself to general farming, paying, however, a good deal of attention to stock-raising.
The original of this sketch was united in mar- riage January 14, 1858, to Miss Sylvina McDon- ald, a native of the same place as he, where she was born December 6, 1838. She is the daughter of John and Sarah (Davidson ) McDonald. who were early settlers in Ohio, coming hither in 1810. They are now both deceased. Our subject's farm has passed through but few hands, having been first taken from the Government by Paul Elder, in 1805.
It comprises three hundred and seventy-five acres in the home place and an additional two hundred and twenty-five acres in the same township. Be- side this, Mrs. Wilson has two hundred acres, mak- ing in all nine hundred acres of fertile, well-im- proved property in Madison County.
Mr. Wilson buys cattle in Chicago, fattens them upon his own place and ships them back to the Chicago market. Ile has frequently shipped fifty car-loads in one year, and is well known in the county as a large stock-breeder. His dealings in the East are also quite extensive in this direction.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children, there being three daughters and three sons. They are James, Flora, Henry, Charles, Ella and Lucy. Fraternally, Mr. Wilson is a member of Lodge No. 222, A. F. & A. M., of West Jefferson.
BRAHAM TEEGARDIN. Age has set its seal of reverence upon the man whose name adorns this page. Nearly four-score years have passed since it could be said that one of the first white children born in Mad- ison Township, Pickaway County, had made his appearance in the Teegardin family. To-day he is a typical representative of the pioneer who has worked and sacrificed that the locality might be benefited by his labors. The aged patriarch now resides on section 28, of Madison Township. He was born October 14, 1815, his parents being Will- iam and Elizabeth (Shook) Teegardin, the first- named a native of the Quaker State, as was also the mother. The paternal grandsire was a Ger- man, and his wife a native of Ireland.
In 1811, William Teegardin, our subject's father, set out from Pennsylvania to penetrate the wilds of the then Great West. He got as far as Pickaway County, and decided that the locality was pro- pitious for a homestead for himself and family. He was one of the earliest settlers in the township, having come while the forests were unthreaded by roads, and when the wolves, in the winter time, attracted by the providence of civilization, col-
869
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lected around the cabin and made night hideous with their howls. In fact, they were deterred for a time from building their cabin through fear of the wolves. After a life full of usefulness, but char- acterized with hardships, the father died in 1871. In his death the locality lost one of her best pio- neers.
Our subject was reared to manhood's estate amid scenes of a life little comprehended by the youth of to-day. He has done his share of pioneer work, and many are the acres from which he has felled the trees and eut up the timber. llis education was acquired in the primitive log schoolhouse of the time, where in early attendance his little legs dangled helplessly from the slab benches which were held up on wooden pegs. On reaching man- hood's estate, he early selected a wife from among the maidens in the settlement, as is customary with pioneers. She was Elizabeth Crum, and ably seconded his efforts in making a livelihood. Of the seven children that she bore him, four still live. They are Catherine A., wife of Ezra Western- haver, of Shelby County, Ill .; Mary F., wife of John Blakely, of Indiana; Sarah M., wife of George Fridley, of Harrison Township, this county; and John W., who lives at home with his parents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.