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 14
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 14
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 14
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four hundred acres. His wife died about 1827, and his second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Bowers, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. Of the eight children born to the first union, only one besides our subject is now living, Jacob, of Circle- ville. Eight children were also born to the second union.
Reared on his father's farm, our subject became familiar with the arduous duties of the same at an early age, and he had fairly good educational ad- vantages. He attended the old academy of Circle- ville and remembers the old mounds in the vicin- ity. Until twenty-two years of age, he remained with his parents, and then bought eighty-three acres of land in the same part of the township. In 1841, in Circleville, he married Miss Caroline Stout, a native of Washington Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and the daughter of John Stout, who was originally from the Keystone State. The latter settled in Washington Township, this county, at an early date, and became a very extensive farmer. He passed the closing scenes of his life here, as did his wife, whose maiden name was Ann Myers, also of Pennsylvania.
Our subject and wife started out for themselves in one room of a two-story house, and the former bent all his energies towards clearing and improv- ing his farm. Later, he added eighty-six acres to his former purchase, operated both, and as success crowned his efforts on all sides, he purchased the old Stout Farm of two hundred aeres. This was in Washington Township, about four miles from Cir- cleville, and he rented it to his sons. He also purchased the Markle Farm of one hundred and five acres in Circleville Township, on which were many improvements, and the old Zearing place of over eighty acres, in Fairfield County. Since then he has purchased the Ruby Farm of two hundred aeres in Washington Township, and is now the owner of over seven hundred and sixty acres of good land. For the most of this he paid $55, $70 and $100, per acre, all being well-improved farms. Since 1887, he has given much of his land to his children, but he retains one hundred acres of the Stout Farm and the two home places. He has been very successful in farming and the buildings and other improvements on his farms are
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substantial and of the latest designs. Fine groves and large orchards are on all his farms and run- ning streams furnish plenty of water for the stock.
Mr. Valentine's estimable wife, the sharer of his joys and sorrows, died on the 11th of August, 1887, when sixty-five years of age. Although well along in years, our subject is still hale and hearty, and is a most pleasant and agreeable gen- tleman to meet. His marriage resulted in the birth of seven sons and four daughters: William, a farmer in Washington Township, this county; Lydia A., who died here when thirty-seven years of age; Lizzie, at home; John, who died in Fair- field County, Ohio, when forty-one years of age; George, a farmer, who resides in Washington Town- ship; James, a farmer residing in Harrison Town- ship, this county; Mary, now Mrs. Metzgar, residing in Circleville Township; Emanuel, who farms in Washingtown Township, this county; Sarah E., who died when four years of age; and Edward and Israel, Jr., twins, who are engaged in farming in Washington Township. Mr. Valentine is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Circleville and assisted with his means to build a church. In pol- ities, he is a Democrat.
OHN C. CAPPS. One of the pleasant homes in Perry Township, Fayette County, is that of Mr. Capps, which is jointly presided over by Mr. Capps and his daughter, Mrs. Tod- hunter. Our subject is the son of William Capps, who was born in Virginia in 1792, and was a son of Humphrey Capps, who hailed from North Caro- lina and served seven years in the Revolutionary War. William Capps was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Margaret Pope. She was born in Virginia in 1799 and was the daughter of William Pope. Both par- ents came to the Buckeye State with their respective families when quite young, Mr. Capps coming as early as 1800. They were married in Highland County, where they made their home for a number
of years, removing to Indiana in 1826. They made Morgan County, that State, their home for a period and then tried their fortunes in Vermillion County. Later they settled on a farm in Fulton Comty, Ill., removing thence to Knox County, the same State, where they passed their last days, the father dying in June, 1875, and the mother passing away a year of two before.
The parental family of our subject included thirteen children, five of whom are living. One son, Curtis II., enlisted during the Civil War in the Union army and died soon after in Knox County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. William Capps were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in politics, the father was first a Democrat, later a Whig and, finally, a Republican.
Jolm C. Capps was born April 23, 1820, in High- land County, this State. He received a limited education in the district schools and began for him- self when attaining twenty years of age. He was married May 27, 1847, to Jane, daughter of Rob- ert and Sarah (Rowe) Anderson, early settlers of the Buckeye State and natives of Virginia. Robert Anderson, who was a very zealous Christian and exhorter, established the first Methodist Episcopal Church in this section. Mrs. Capps was one of a family of six children, and was born in 1824, in Fayette County, where she received a fair eduea- tion.
After marriage, our subject located upon the farm given him by his father-in-law, in Green Township, this county, which he cleared and placed under good cultivation. Thirty-three years ago, he moved to his present farm, which ranks among the best in the township. Mrs. Jane Capps died August 12, 1885, after having borne her hus- band four children, one of whom is deceased. Sallie is the wife of Robert Todhunter and has had three children, one of whom is deceased. Mar- garet married Levi Bryan, who is deceased, and also has had three children, one of whom is deceased. She later married William Eyre and resides in this township. Mary Jane married Henry Johnson, has had nine children, of whom one is deceased, and makes her home in Green Township. Robert be- came the husband of Anna White and died Febru- ary 24, 1881. They had one child.
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Mr. Capps of this sketch is a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which society he is Steward and Trustee. Ile is very liberal in contributing of his means to its support and, indeed, is interested in all measures that elevate the standard of society in his com- munity. In politics, he is a Republican and his interest in school matters has placed him on the Board. He did very effective work for his town- ship as Supervisor, and is highly esteemed for his honest and upright character by all who know him. Mr. Johnson began in life empty-handed and at the present time is the owner of one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, which his industry has placed in a very productive condition. His pres- ent position in the farming community has been attained largely through the good advice and economy of his late wife, to whom he accords all due praise.
C HARLES A. PALMER, attorney-at-law, has been an active practitioner of Washing- ton C. H. since the date of his admission to the Bar, April 15, 1860. During the more than thirty years that have come and gone, he has es- tablished an enviable reputation as an able law- yer and honorable man, while his profound and varied knowledge of jurisprudence entitles him to be ranked among the eminent men of Ohio.
In what is now Jasper Township, Fayette County, Mr. Palmer was born, January 28, 1839, the son of William and Margaret ( Whiteside) Palmer, natives of Virginia, who settled in this county as early as 1805 or 1807. William Palmer was prominently connected with the early history of Southern Ohio, and during the War of 1812 raised a company, of which he was Captain, and which was called out and served thirteen days, but was not mustered into service. In 1840-41, he was the representative of Fayette County in the State Legislature, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket by a majority of twelve votes, his opponent being Gen. B. Harrison, in a strong Whig county.
In addition to his service in the Legislature,
William Palmer accomplished much for the ad- vancement of Fayette County by introducing thorough-bred Short-horn cattle, and fine horses. He was a pioneer in raising fine stock, the value of which he proved so conclusively as to create a sen- timent in their favor. His farming operations were so successful that he became the owner of one thousand acres, most of which he cleared and cul- tivated. He was especially interested in the Ag- ricultural Society of the county, and officiated for a time as its President. Having served his fellow- men both in public and private capacities for a long period, he passed to his rest at the age of four-score, and his mortal remains were buried January 1, 1867.
The family of which our subject is a member consists of the following children: Emily W. Tur- rell, Evaline M. Ilankins, Granville C., Mary J. Houston, Margaret M. Smith, William H., Rebecca A. Cox and Charles A. The mother of the family died in 1865. She was a member of the Universal- ist Church, which was likewise the faith of her husband. After gleaning a common-school educa- tion in Jasper Township, our subject was a student successively at Antioch and Marietta Colleges, and Miami University at Oxford, where his literary education was completed.
Having resolved to commence the study of law, Mr. Palmer entered the office of Judge Robert M. Briggs, of Washington C. H., and after remaining there for a time, continued his studies in the Cin- cinati Law School, graduating in 1860. He was admitted to practice in all courts of the State of Ohio, and shortly afterward in the Federal Courts. Upon commencing the practice of his profession, he was alone until Judge Briggs left the Bench, when a partnership was formed, which existed until the death of the latter in 1871, since which year Mr. Palmer has practiced alone. His practice is extensive and lucrative, and he is the acknowl- edged peer of the best attorneys of the city. IIis political belief brings him into affiliation with the Democrats, which is not the popular faith in this section of Ohio. llis party has twice nominated him for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, but, being in the minority, failed to elect him.
The lady who, October 15, 1861, became the wife
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of Mr. Palmer, bore the maiden name of Jean M. Briggs, and is a sister of Judge Briggs, of whom mention has already been made. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, as fol- lows: Robert B., private stenographer to Gov. Campbell during his term of office, now Assistant Secretary to the Committee on Military Affairs in Congress, and also the owner and proprietor of the Ohio States Register; Margaret P., wife of II. B. Maynard, of Atlanta, Ga .; Paul, who is engaged in farming in Clinton County; Helen, who is a student in the college at Painesville; Luther S., William M., Alice and Harrison B., who are at home. The members of the family are attendants at the Episcopal Church, of which they are de- voted members. In his social affiliations, Mr. Palmer is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, Fayette Chapter, F. & A. M. He owns a splendid farm in the western part of Fayette County, where he has a fine line of trotters.
Judge Robert Moore Briggs, brother-in-law of Mr. Palmer, was so closely identified with him during the latter part of his life, that brief men- tion of his career will be of interest to the reader. He was born in Richmond, Va., about 1835, the son of Dr. Robert and Helen (Buckner) Briggs, and was named Robert Moore, after his father and the celebrated English poet, from whom he was descended. Ilis father, a very prominent phy- sieian of Richmond, died when he was young, and afterward he and his sister accompanied their mother to Ohio, to look after their landed inter- ests.
Although he read medicine for a short time, Mr. Briggs showed such an aptitude for the law that he turned his attention to legal studies, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. He commeneed to practice at Chillicothe, but some time in the 50's came to Fayette County, where he afterward resided. His aversion to slavery was so great that he and his mother and sister set free the slaves they had inherited from his father. Soon after locating in Washington C. H., he was elected Pros- eeuting Attorney of Fayette County, and later served two terms in the Legislature, where he was an active and prominent member. He was next elected to the Common Pleas Bench to supply an
extra Judgeship that had been provided for by the Legislature. In that position he was noted for his executive ability and dispatch of business, and attained eminence throughout the State. After filling the position for five years, he resumed his practice and continued thus occupied until his death in October, 1871. After the close of the Civil War, he followed the course of Chase, Greely and other eminent Republicans, and joined the ranks of Democracy. His wife was Catherine, daughter of Charles Robinson, and a nieee of Bishop Merrill, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the late Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, of Louis- ville, Ky.
G OTTLIEB F. WITTICH. Wittich was the name of the celebrated son of the black- smith Wieland in the old heroic tradition, who, on account of his origin, wore a hammer and tongs in his coat of arms and a serpent on his helmet. He was the hero of the King Ermenrich and Dietrichs Von Bern. The old heroie tradi- tions have contributed much to the diffusion of certain names, and there is no doubt that those who first adopted the name Wittich as a family name, did so in honor of the famous hero. The name is derived from "Wite"-the old High Ger- man "Witu"-meaning "woods, or forest." Hence, Wittich means man of the forest.
The oldest ancestor of our subject of whom we have any knowledge was Johannes Wittich, who was born in 1670. Ile was a Commissioner, or Sup- erintendent, of Forestry in the service of the Prus- sian Government, being stationed near the border of Bohemia. From there he was called to fill an engagement in the same capacity in the Duke- dom of Wurtemberg, where he served until his death, which occurred about 1730. Probably the family seal or escuteheon, which is still used by some of its members, was adopted by him, for it represents a deer leaping out of a shield, with the initials of the respective member of the family using it. There is little doubt but that Johannes Wittich was the first one of that name in Wurtem-
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berg, for even at this time the name is not repre- sented very numerously.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Jacob Wittich, was born in 1710 and was a Lu- theran minister and the son of Johannes Wittich, mentioned above. His first charge was in Durnau in the Dukedom of Wurtemberg. In 1743, he was married to Maria Dorothea, daughter of the Rev. V. L. Neuffer. To them six children were born, only one of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Maria Wittich died in 1754, and the succeeding year, the grandfather was married to Christiana Fred- ricks, daughter of the Rev. J. J. Neubich, of Wur- temberg. Six of the twelve children born of that union attained to old age. Of these, our subject's father died July 2, 1839, when sixty-eight years of age. Mrs. Wittich departed this life November 3, 1775. In 1757, George J. Wittich took charge of the Lutheran congregation in Liebenzell. In 1771, he was appointed to the charge of Witter- shausen, where he died about 1785, in the seventy- fifth year of his age.
Emanuel Frederick Wittich, the father of our subject, was born in Liebenzell. After finishing his studies in the public schools, his father in- tended to have him enter one of the professions, but when out horseback riding, he was thrown from his horse, and, falling on a stone, received serious injury to his breast, which deprived him of speech for some time. On recovering from the accident, although regaining his speech, he was left with an impediment sufficient to prevent him from becoming a public speaker. He was then advised by his father to choose a trade, which he did by apprenticing himself to learn the business of a book-binder. In 1801, he established in busi- ness for himself in Ebingen, Wurtemberg, a man- ufacturing town of about four thousand or five thousand people.
November 18, 1802, the father of our subject married Miss Maria Catherina, daughter of Johan- nes Wolfer. She was born in 1782, and departed this life in Circleville in 1841. Mr. Wittich con- tinned in the book-binder's business, to which he added a stock of school and hymn books for sale, until 1836, at which time he set sail for the New World. Locating in Circleville, he engaged in his
trade, taking in as his partner his son, Ferdinand F., and continued thus until his death, in April, 1839. The three children born to him were Ferdinand F., who died in 1861; Sophia, Mrs. Hartmeyer, who departed this life in Circleville when in her seventy-eighth year; and our sub- ject.
The original of this sketch was born in Ebingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, November 28, 1819. He began going to school when in his sixth year, and four years later, having had some instruction in vocal music, was invited to sing in a choir. About that time, he entered the High School, which was then called the Latin School, where he studied Latin, drawing and French, in addition to his other general studies. He was confirmed in 1838, and at that time, his brother Ferdinand F. having come to America, he learned the book-binder's trade under his father, with whom he worked until receiving an urgent request from his brother to come to the New World. They left home June 20, 1836, going to Havre, France, via Strasburg and Paris, their party consisting of father, mother and sister's husband and child. They boarded the sailing-vessel, "Poland," which was commanded by Capt. Anthony, on the 1st of July, and after a tedi- ous voyage of thirty-five days, landed at Castle Gar- den. They immediately came by way of boat to Circleville, where they were met by Ferdinand F., he having secured a position as book-binder in the office of the Religious Telescope.
Gottlieb F. Wittich, on arriving at his new home, assisted his father and brother in binding seven thousand hymn books which they had con- tracted for. In May, 1837, as there was not enough work at their trade to keep them all busy, his brother secured him a position with Joseph P. Mayer, at Cincinnati, with whom he learned the confectionery business, receiving as remuneration for his services $4 per month for the first year and $6 per month the second year.
In August, 1839, our subject came to Circleville, and, in partnership with his brother, started in the confectionery business, which connection lasted for eight years, during which time they were very successful. Mr. Wittich has ever since been en- gaged in the manufacture and wholesaling of con-
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fectionery and ice-cream. In 1855, he erected the brick block where he carries on his business, and which contains two stores, with a frontage of forty- three feet of ground. It at that time was two stories in height, but in 1882 he added a story, which with the second story is used for offices. He ocen- pies one store and rents the adjoining room. He is the owner of a handsome residence, located on Court Street. Mr. Wittich also owns considerable other real estate in the city and in Port Townsend and Tacoma, Wash., and in Chicago. He has the finest confectionery store in the city, in addition to which business he has added a stock of toys. Ile is the oldest merchant in the place, and now ranks among the wealthy and progressive citizens of the county, having been the architect of his own fortune. He is a fine scholar, as well as draftsman and penman, and has in his possession the only original copy of a bird's-eye-view of Circleville as it was in 1836, when it was really in a circle.
In October, 1841, Mr. Wittich was married to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Col. Valentine Keffer, of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in 1805, and located near Circleville, on a farm, where he became one of the prominent and wealthy farmers. The grandfather of Mrs. Wittich was Jacob Keffer, who was born in Zeselberg, Germany, in 1734. Col. Keffer owned a portion of the original site of the city of Circleville, and during the War of 1812 served as Major under Gen. Joseph Renick. At the close of hostilities, he was mustered out with the commission of Colonel. He was very prominent in this locality and for ten years was a member of the Ohio State Legislature, his popu- larity being such that he very seldom had an op- posing candidate. In 1840, he was Presidential Elector on Jackson's ticket. His wife was Cath- erina, daughter of Jacob Zieger, a pioneer of Cir- cleville, and he departed this life March 9, 1852.
Mrs. Wittich died in October, 1871, having be- come the mother of nine children, eight of whom grew to mature years. Albert is a fine musician and is located at St. Louis, Mo., where he is sole agent for the Estey & Camp Music Company; Me- lancthon is in business in Chicago; Theophilus is a Professor of Music at San Francisco, Cal .; Rosa
married S. C. Gamble, who is a prominent attor- ney in Circleville; Willis is a graduate of West Point and is Captain in the Twenty-first United States Infantry, stationed at Ft. Randall, S. Dak., and participated in the campaign against the Ind- ians in Dakota; Ella is the wife of Dr. E. A. Mearns, Surgeon in the United States army at Ft. Snelling, Minn .; Edward is in the employ of his father and is a fine musician; Frank is engaged in the boot and shoe business at St. Louis, Mo.
Our subject has been a Township Trustee for two years and a member of the School Board for a period of thirty years, being the oldest member on the Board. In religious matters, he is a Lutheran, and votes the Democratic ticket.
G EORGE W. VALENTINE, a native of Pickaway County, born in Circleville Oc- tober 6, 1844, is a farmer of much enter- prise and practical experience, and has a substan- tially improved, ably-managed farm in Washing- ton Township that is classed among the best in this region. Our subject is the fifth of the eleven children, eight of whom are living, of Israel and Caroline (Stont) Valentine, of whom mention is made in another part of this work. He was born and reared on a farm, and obtained his education in the district school. Ile remained at the home of his parents, within the corporate limits of Cir- eleville, until he attained his majority, and in 1865 began farming on his father's farm in Circle- ville Township.
In the fall of 1887, Mr. Valentine purchased the farm that he now occupies in Washington Town- ship. It comprises one hundred and six aeres of land of surpassing fertility, which is under the best of tillage, the methods best adapted to the soil being employed in its cultivation, and a fine set of buildings adorn the place, including a handsome and conveniently arranged frame resi- denee. The land is well drained, having over two miles of tile, and it is admirably adapted to gen- eral farming purposes, to which our subjeet de-
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votes it. He has it well stocked with all kinds of stock of good grades, and from that source has a good income. Mr. Valentine is a thoroughly good man, whom his neighbors trust and respect very highly for his many virtues of head and heart. He takes an intelligent interest in political affairs, and gives his fealty to the Democratic party. Religiously, both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, for whose support they do much.
Mr. Valentine was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah Jane Stout, a native of Washington Town- ship, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Caroline (Sitler) Stont. Her parents were Pennsylvanians, but they left their native State and came to Ohio prior to their marriage. He became a prosperous farmer, and is living in this county. His wife died May 15, 1890. Eight of their ten children are living. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have been blessed in their marriage, which is an example of a true wedded life, by the birth of three children, whom they have named Florence, Edson F. and Turney 'W., respectively.
OB R. RENICK. The late Job R. Renick, who belonged to one of the oldest and wealthiest families of Pickaway County, rose to prominence as one of its foremost farmers and stockmen, who controlled large landed and stock interests, centering in Jackson Town- ship. At his death the county lost one of the truest and best of her native-born sons, who had ever been an honor to her citizenship.
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