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 11
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 11
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 11
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then returned to settle in the woods in Scioto Township, and made his home in a log cabin. He first bought one hundred and fifteen acres, and at his death owned an estate of four hundred and fourteen acres. He was a hard worker and a good business man, and did an immense amount of clearing. IIc was a Methodist in his religious views, and a Democrat in politics. His wife, whose maiden name was Sydney Brown, was born in Albemarle County, Va., in March, 1807. Her seven children were: Horace, Isabel, William (who died at the age of eight), John, Andrew (who died in his second year), Mary (Mrs. Brown), and James A. The father of this household died in February, 1875, and the mother lived until July, 1884. They were Methodists in their religious belief.
The subject of this sketch was nine years old when he came to Ohio, and well recollects the long and tedious journey. He had attended school only some six months while in Virginia, and here he entered the log schoolhouse, and out of school worked on the farm, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He then engaged to work for a neighboring farmer, and earned his first money by cutting corn at two cents a shock, a shock comprising an area twelve hills square. After this, he worked for five sea- sons, at $10 a month, for his father, and was mar- ried March 26, 1857, to Mary Callahan, who was born in this township, and who died March 8, 1867, leaving no children.
Mr. McCord was again married, January 21, 1871, this time to Elizabeth (Wade) Denheen, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 13, 1839. Their five children are Harry L., Laura, Channey, Miner and Daisey. Harry died when eleven months old. Laura is now from home studying at the Cen- tral Academy. The parents of Mrs. McCord were Abner and Anna (Terrell) Wade, who were na- tives of Knox County, Ohio, and Greene County, Pa., respectively, and who came to Ohio in their early childhood. The father was a farmer and still lives with his children on the farm in Frank- lin County, where he settled during the days of the Civil War. He is now seventy-eight years old, and in early times was noted as a great hunter
C.E.SEARS & CO
CANNING & DRYING FACTORY OF C. E. SEARS & CO. WASHINGTON ST., CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO.
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OFFICE
RESIDENCE OF MR.& MRS. C. E. SEARS, WASHINGTON ST. CIRCLEVILLE , OHIO.
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as well as a worker, and he did much to clear up the country. He reared fourteen children: Elzy, Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary, James, Emeline Tillie, Anthony, William, Josephine and Joseph; three died in infancy.
Our subject first bought fifty acres of land north of his present farm in 1856, and, having bought and sold several times, finally purchased one hun- dred and twenty-four acres across the line in Franklin County, in 1864. After living there for three years, lie sold that property in 1871, and bought two hundred and seven acres, after which he sold fifty acres of that land and bought his present farm. He has two hundred and fifteen and a half acres of well-improved land, and car- ries on mixed farming, raising grain and stock, and fattening some cattle and a large number of logs. Ile built his commodious and comfortable brick residence in 1883, moving into it in August, 1884, and his large frame barn was erected in 1883. Mrs. McCord is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and Mr. McCord is, in his political views, a Democrat, although he pays little atten- tion to politics, and has never aspired to office. He has seen most of the development of this country, and has been remarkably successful in his business.
H
C ONRAD RICHARDS. Among the standard and leading establishments of Circleville, Ohio, the Cooperage Manufactory, con- ducted by Conrad Richards, stands among the foremost. This is the largest enterprise of the kind in the Scioto Valley, and an immense amount of business is done. Twenty skilled employes are kept at work and turn out first-class articles. The machinery is of the finest and most modern make and no works are fitted with more modern appli- ances. The goods are all guaranteed and are stand- ard with the trade, and those dealing with Mr. Richards will get advantages not obtainable else- where.
Henry Richards, father of our subject, was born near Cologne, Germany, in February, 1802, was a
tailor by trade, and conducted a shop in his native city. He also owned a vineyard and manufactured wine there. About 1853, he became desirous of settling in the "land of the free," and he emigrated to America, locating in Cireleville, Ohio, where he carried on his trade for three years, or until 1856. Ile then returned to his native country, and in 1859 came back to America with his family. He settled in Circleville again, followed his trade, but in addition was engaged in the real-estate busi- ness. Ile died in October, 1891. In religion, he was a Catholic, and in polities affiliated with the Demo- cratie party. His wife, who was formerly Eliza Brungs, was also a native of Germany, and the daughter of Conrad Brungs, who was a carpenter in that country. Mrs. Richards died at the age of sev- enty-six years. Six of their eight children came to America and five are now living. One son, Henry, was a soldier in the Civil War and first enlisted for three months. After his term had expired, he re-en- listed in the Forty-third Ohio Regiment and was in active duty until cessation of hostilities. After the war, he returned to the Buckeye State and died in Cincinnati shortly afterwards. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Another son. Jolm, was in the Morgan raid, was captured at Peters- burgh, Va., and was in Andersonville Prison for a year. He suffered untold horrors and after being released, came home more dead than alive. He is now the owner of a steamboat on the Ohio River.
Conrad Richards was born near Cologne, Ger- many, on the 27th of March, 1836, and was reared near Lenz, on the River Rhine. He attended the common schools from the age of six until four- teen, and when fifteen years of age he began work- ing in the copper mines, and was also in the silver mines in West Phalen for about three years. He became a practical miner, driller and blaster. In June, 1856, he left Antwerp, Belgium, and as he could not get a passport, he and his brother were smuggled aboard. They were on the ocean forty- seven days, and after landing in New York City went up the Hudson River to Albany, thence by rail to Columbus and from there by packet to Circleville, Ohio. He has picked up the English language since coming to this country and is quite a fluent speaker. After reaching the Buckeye State, he worked on a
6
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farm for a year but did not like it, and then em- barked in gardening, which he continued until the fall of 1862, when he began serving as apprentice at the cooper trade. A year later, he began busi- ness here and in Chillicothe, but in 1874 he started his present business on the Scioto Valley Railroad between Maine and Mound Streets. Ilis building is two stories in height and is 80x60 feet in di- mensions. The capacity of his manufactory is three hundred barrels, and Mr. Richards superin- tends the business himself.
Our subject chose for his life companion Miss Theressa Kelhofer, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and their marriage was solemnized in Chillicothe in 1865. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children who are as follows: Lizzie, married John Ryan; Henry, a cooper by trade, mar- ried Mary Schweizer; Annie married Frank Stein; Maggie, Mary, and Birdie, all at home. Mr. Rich- ards is a Democrat in politics, but is not radical in his views. He is a clever, shrewd business man, has been unusually suecessful, and by his pleasant, genial disposition has won many friends.
HOMAS HORN, whose home is in Fairfield Township, Madison County, is an intelli- gent and progressive farmer and a man of unbounded energy and zeal in whatever project he undertakes. He is the son of John M. Horn, who was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Recob, was a native either of Pennsylvania or Maryland.
After their marriage, the parents of our subject located in Ross County, this State, where they re- sided until 1851, and then came to Madison County, where the father's deeease occurred March 4, 1861, in Fairfield Township. The mother, who survived him many years. departed this life at the home of her daughter in McLean County, Ill., in the fall of 1872.
Our subject was the youngest child in the par- ental family of seven children, his birth occurring in Ross County January 26, 1836. IIe was a lad
of fifteen years at the time of his parents' removal to this county, and on the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in March, 1862, becoming a member of Company HI, Second Battalion, Eighteenth United States Infantry. He participated in many of the important engagements in this struggle, among which were Mumfordsville, Ky., Hoover's Gap, and Chickamauga. In the first-named battle, Mr. Horn was taken prisoner, but was paroled the following day and exchanged. He was mustered out of service at the close of the war at Lookout Moun- tain, Tenn. While in the army, he met with a serious accident by being run over by a horse and for six months was unfit for duty.
Returning home when his services were no longer needed on the field of battle, our subject engaged in the mercantile business in Georgesville until 1872, when he disposed of his interest in that line, and coming to Lilly Chapel, this county, purchased a farm which he operated, and at the same time conducted a good mercantile trade. He had the honor of building the first house in Lilly Chapel after the town was laid out, and continued in business there until 1878, since which time he has given his entire time to farming pursuits. His estate, which includes eighty-six acres, is pleasantly located just north of the village, and by being properly cultivated, brings its owner handsome returns.
June 6, 1867, Mr. Horn and Miss Sarah J. Court- right were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of the late Jesse and Mary (Brown) Courtright, natives of Franklin County, where the father held the office of County Surveyor, and at his death, in April, 1874, was one of the promi- nent citizens of his community. Mrs. Horn was born July 1, 1839, and was the eldest in a family of ten children. She has taken an active and prominent part in church work, holding member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and has been Class-leader and President of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the auxil- iary at Lilly Chapel. She is a lady of culture and education, and prior to her marriage taught school for seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Horn are the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Walter, Edward, Josephine, Samuel,
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Mary and Emma. Our subject has occupied a very high position in local affairs, and while residing in Georgesville was Postmaster for seven years. In politics, he votes with the Republican party, and by his good works has secured the unbounded confidence of his fellow-citizens.
C IIARLES DRESBACHI, B. S., LL. B., of Circleville, was born in Fairfield County, seven miles from this city, where he now makes his home, the date of his birth being August 15, 1859. Ile belongs to an old Penn- sylvania family of Saxon descent. Ilis grand- father, Jonathan Dresbach, was born in Berks County, Pa., and removed to Ohio in his young manhood, settling in Fairfield County, where he improved a large tract of Government land.
The father of our subject, Benjamin Dresbach, followed agricultural pursuits on the old home- stead, where he was born and where his entire life was passed. His marriage united him with Miss Emily Roby, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, who died in Circleville in 1889. Her father, who was born in Maryland, was a pioneer of Tarlton. this State, where he engaged in mercantile pur- suits. Later, he moved to Bainbridge, Ross County, where he followed merchandising until he retired from active business life. Benjamin Dresbach and his estimable wife became the parents of seven children, all of whom still sur- vive. The father died at the old homestead in 1883, when fifty-seven years old.
The fourth in the family is the subject of this sketch, and commenced his literary education in the district schools, and afterward entered the Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, from which he graduated in both the Business and Classical departments. In 1884, he was graduated from the scientific department of the University, re- ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Science, with the honor of being the Valedictorian and Com- mencement Orator of his class. In the fall of the same year, he entered the department of law in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
and was graduated in 1886, when the degree of Bachelor of Laws was conferred upon him. Dur- ing his University life, he was a member of, and filled all the offices in, the Phi Delta Phi, the only exclusively legal fraternity in the United States. Ile was also a prominent member of the Webster Literary Society, in which he was honored with various offices, including that of President.
Mr. Dresbach was admitted to practice at the Bar of the State of Michigan soon after going to Ann Arbor, and, while in that city, besides carry- ing on his university studies, spent three months in the office of Judge Thomas M. Cooley, who was at that time revising his work on "Taxation." While in the University of Michigan, he was ac- tively identified with the School of Political Sci- ence, and also devoted considerable attention to the studies of the regular medical department. In 1885, he was admitted to the Ohio Bar, and in June of the following year, opened an office in Circleville, where he has since carried on an ex- tensive practice.
Mr. Diesbach was united in marriage June 2, 1892, with Miss Maud N. Kerrick, of St. Louis, Mo.
In his social relations, Mr. Dresbach is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, and also a Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, belong- ing to the Ohio Consistory at Cincinnati. He is also a member of Syrian Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He is Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, and one of the founders of the Elk Lodge of Cirele- ville. Politically, he is an active member of the Republican party, the principles of which he con- siders best calculated to advance the interests of the people. He is conceded to be the best-posted and best-read man in Circleville, his knowledge covering a broad range of ancient, mediaval and modern history, and classical and general litera- ture. To the wisdom acquired from books, Mr. Dresbach has added the culture imparted by travel and observation of the customs of various peoples and nations. In 1891, he made a tour of Europe, visiting the principal points of interest in Eng- land. Ireland, France. the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and Italy, spending five
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months abroad. Having previously gained a thorough knowledge of the history of Great Britain and the Continent, he studied every ob- ject of interest with the eye of the student and the scholar, rather than the superficial glance of the ordinary tourist. His fine library is not only large, but contains many rare and valuable books upon a wide range of subjects, and in this he constantly keeps up his classic and literary studies.
As an orator, Mr. Dresbach ranks among the most brilliant and ready speakers of this part of the State. As a lawyer, he has met with phenom- enal success, and, in a few years after commencing practice, he had acquired not only a large and In- crative probate practice, but had obtained the rep- utation of being one of the best trial lawyers in the city. The friends of Mr. Dresbach know him to be more than a successful lawyer ; they know him to be one who is earnestly striving in all hon- orable ways to advance the material and social interests of the community in which he lives, and to conduct the practice of the law according to the strictest code of professional ethics.
There is probably no one of the public-spirited citizens of Circleville who is more in touch with that principle which has advanced the city along the lines of general culture than Charles Dresbach, and as such, he is honored wherever known.
AMES WARD, a prominent resident of Wal- nut Township, Pickaway County, is a mem- ber of the well-known grain firm of Ward & Miller, who carry on an extensive busi- ness at Ashville. Ile is a native of Fairfield County, this State, his birth occurring October 16, 1844. His parents, Peter and Mary A. (Greek) Ward, were natives of Ohio; the father is now de- ceased. Great-grandfather William Ward emi- grated from England to the United States previ- ous to the Revolutionary War, settling in Virginia. The family came to Ohio in 1802, and located in what is now known as Walnut Township, Picka- way County. Four years later, a log cabin was erected on the farm which is the property of our
subject, and this the family occupied until 1857. That rude structure is still standing and used by our subject as a tool-house.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ward six survive, namely: Catherine, Mrs. Sidney J. Ward; Jacob; Eliza, Mrs. Wood; James, David, and Mary E., Mrs. Milton Morral. The father of our subject was killed by a runaway team in Allen County, this State. The mother still survives and makes her home at Carey, this State.
James Ward was only four years of age when his parents came to Allen County, and had reached the age of twelve when he made this county his home. After the death of his father. our subject was taken into the home of his married sister, Mrs. S. J. Ward, with whom he resided until reach- ing his majority. Ilis primary studies were con- ducted in the common schools of his district, and were later supplemented by an attendance of two terms at the Normal School at Lebanon. He fitted himself to become a teacher, and followed that oc- cupation for some sixteen winters and two sum- mers, conducting the district school with signal success.
March 9, 1876, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Harriet Cromley, who was a native of Wal- nut Township, this county. She was a daughter of Stephen Cromley, an early settler of the above- named township, where he was a highly respected citizen. They have been granted a family of two children, Mettie and Myrtie, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Harriet Ward died December 6, 1882, sincerely mourned by all her friends and neighbors.
The original of this sketch is the proprietor of two hundred and fifty-eight acres of valuable land, located on section 17 and which bears all the improvements in the way of buildings and ma- chinery which are known to modern agriculture. Mr. Ward is very prominent in his community and was candidate two different times for Director of the Infirmary. His defeat was owing to the large Democratic majority in the county, he being a stanch Republican. Socially, our subject is a Mason, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange. During the late Civil War, he was a soldier in the one
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hundred days' service, joining Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry. His regi- ment operated with Grant in Virginia, and at the expiration of his term of service. our hero was honorably discharged, having earned the appella- tion of Corporal. Mr. Ward is public-spirited and enterprising and possesses those personal character- istics which make him warm friends and stanch adherents.
ON. TOLAND JONES, M. D., of Lon- don, is not only distinguished in his profession as a physician and surgeon of more than ordinary skill, but he has ac- quired a high reputation as a business man and as a public-spirited citizen, whose name is insepar- ably linked with much that has contributed to ad- vance the material interests of village and county and to promote their welfare in a higher sense.
Dr. JJones is a representative of a well-known pioneer family of Madison County, and he was born in one of its early homes, January 10, 1820, a son of Thomas and Mary P. (Truitt) JJones, who were natives of Worcester County, Md. They came to Ohio in 1816, and after a year's residence in Ross County, removed to this county and township, and took their place among its promi- nent pioneers who were most active in laying the foundation of its future prosperity and substan- tantial growth. Mr. Jones entered upon his work of redeeming the soil from the wilderness with characteristic energy, first building a small log house to shelter his family. He brought a colony of twenty young men with him, the most of whom settled here and became useful citizens. He pur- chased a thousand acres of land, developed a fine farm, and continued to reside here until death closed his career. He was one of the foremost men of the county while he lived. He was Asso- ciate Judge of the Bench quite a number of terms, and was often Commissioner of the county. Though not a regular lawyer, he was well read in law, and was often called upon to do legal busi- ness for the people, such as drawing up mortgages,
deeds and wills. In politics, he was a Whig. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Sarah (Cropper) JJones. His grandmother was a daughter of Dr. Edward Cropper, of Maryland, of which State both she and her husband were na- tives, the latter a planter, who lived in Mary- land all his life. Both the Jones and the Croppers came from England originally.
Our subject is one of eight children, the names of the others being James .J., William G., Edward A., Eliza J., John E., Kendall P. and Edison S. In his younger days, the Doctor passed his life on a farm and in attendance at the common schools. where he laid the foundation of a liberal educa- tion. He later attended school at London and Springfield, and was subsequently a student at Grandville College. Deciding to fit himself for a physican, he read medicine with Dr. Aquila Tol- and, of London, and afterward attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. Hav- ing thus become thoroughly familiar with the principles of his chosen profession, he entered upon its practice in London with bright prom- ises for a brilliant career, as he had shown in his studies a special aptitude for his vocation. Ile soon acquired local fame as a sensible, practical physician, of progressive methods, and his success- ful amputation of a patient's limb at the hip joint brought him into wider notice, as up to that time there had been but one other case of the kind snc- cessfully treated, and he received an honorary di- ploma in acknowledgment of his surgical skill.
The Doctor continued busily engaged in his profession in London until 1862. when he laid aside his hopes and ambitions for a while to throw his energies into the great contest that was raging between the North and the South, and during the remainder of the war did invaluable service in defense of the Union. He took a company of soldiers to the front, was commissioned Lieuten- ant-Colonel, and was placed in command of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and was in command as Colonel until he retired from the army at the close of the war. Ile displayed admirable qualities as a leader, was always at his post, and his unfaltering patriotism, unflinching courage, and bold, resolute front in time of danger
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inspired his men to do their best in every situa- tion. He was first with Gen. Rosecrans, and later fought under Gen. Grant at Missionary Ridge. From Chattanooga, he went with Gen. Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and made a good record as a fighter in the various battles of that campaign. At Jonesboro, he was taken off his feet by a ball from the enemy's works, but he luckily escaped unhurt from various other dangers that he encountered in the heat of battle, and returned home to his friends un- scathed.
Our subject's military life extended over a period of two years and eleven months, and he then quietly resumed the practice of his profes- sion, in which he reaped new honors. He was Surgeon-General of Ohio during ex-Gov. For- aker's administration, and he was formerly Sur- geon for the Little Miami Railway. The Doctor has been exceedingly fortunate in money matters and is numbered among the wealthy men of the county. He has handled his finances with cool- ness and cantion, and at the same time, with far- seeing enterprise, has invested his funds so as to secure good returns. He owns the Toland Block, in the village of London, which contains a public hall, a bank, stores and offices, and Toland's Opera House. He has other valuable property at this point, and he laid out Jones' Addition and Tol- and's Addition to the village, and has given an impetus to its growth in various ways. He wields considerable influence in local politics as one of the foremost Republicans of this vicinity, who assisted in organizing the party, and in 1866 and 1867 he represented this district in the State Sen- ate, showing the same versatile talent as a states- man as in other departments of life. Mr. Jones was the Presidential Elector for his district and was chosen to make the report of the State Elec- tors of the State, at Washington, in favor of Benjamin Harrison. He belongs to the Loyal Legion of the United States, is a Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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