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 15
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 15
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 15
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Mr. Renick was born on the old Renick home- stead in Jackson Township, where he always lived, February 9, 1820. He obtained his early school- ing in the log schoolhouses that were among the first established in the county, and later attended the Blendon and Athens academies. His father was an invalid for six years prior to his death, and our subject and his brother, Thomas T., farmed the home place on shares until his death, and then they bought it, thus aggregating nearly twelve hundred aeres of land. At his death, Thomas willed his in-
terest in the farm to our subject. The latter once farmed very extensively, but subsequently went into the stock business largely, making a specialty of fine Durham and Rose of Sharon cattle, and of draft horses and roadsters of the best breeds, be- side raising sheep. He was a first-class farmer, and he showed good judgment and wise economy in feeding all the corn that he raised, never sell- ing but one load in his life. He was a man of splendid business endowments, and under his care his property increased greatly in value, and he also added to his landed estate, so that at the time of his death he owned seventeen hundred acres of choice real estate. The commodious frame resi- dence, the finest and largest in Jackson Township, ocenpied by his wife and children, was built by him in 1890, but he was never to live in it, as he died February 19, 1891, just before the family moved into it.
June 8, 1875, Mr. Renick was married to Miss Ella Rutter, a native of Circleville, and her devo- tion and companionship, with that of the children, made his last years his best and happiest. Mrs. Renick is a daughter of Jacob and Deborah ( Me- Clelland) Rutter, who are natives, respectively, of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Her father came to this county in 1831, and established himself in the tailoring business under the firm name of Rock & Rutter. He was engaged at that eleven or twelve years, and then turned his attention to farming, buying a place in Washington Township, upon which he lived a year. He stocked the farm, and though he returned to the city, continued to man- age it for some years, and also bought another farm in Monroe Township. Subsequently, he en- tered into the hardware business at Circleville, car- rying it on for some twenty-five years with two other gentlemen, under the firm name of Rutter, Wolfley & Rains, the latter part of the time as Rut- ter & Wolfley. He now lives retired from active business in Circleville, but still retains a farm of two hundred and forty-one acres in Muhlenberg Township, which he rents. He and his wife have reared three children: Anna M., who died in 1864, aged twenty-one; Edward T., who died in 1887, at the age of thirty-two years, and Mrs. Renick. The latter became the mother of four children, but one,
RESIDENCE OF ELLA R. RENICK, JACKSON TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
RESIDENCE OF A. C. BELL, SEC. G , CIRCLEVILLE TP, PICKAWAY CO.,O.
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Nellie, died in infancy. The others are Harry R., Job E. and John J. Mrs. Renick is in every way a most admirable woman, of pronounced ability and remarkable business qualifications, as is mani- fested by the skillful way in which she manages her large farm of sixteen hundred acres, and at the same time has a well-ordered household. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and her name is associated with its every good work.
Mr. Renick was a man of much strength of charac- ter, of a kind and loving disposition, who, although he saw much trouble in his life, bore it cheerfully, and was never disposed to make others help him bear his burdens, or to sadden others with them. He was not a member of the church, but was a true believer in religion, and gave liberally of his means in support of the church and all good objects. One of his last public acts was to give a lot on which to build a Methodist Church. His fellow-men al- ways found him kind and sympathizing, and gen- erons where charity was needed, and in his family he was a devoted husband and an indulgent fa- ther. A strong Republican, he took a great inter- est in national affairs, and was influential in local politics. He was urged to accept the nomination for Representative to the State Legislature, but de- clined the honor.
On another page of this volume appears a view of the Renick homestead.
LEXANDER C. BELL. This gentleman, who has the honor of being one of the three Commissioners of Pickaway County, occupies a prominent position in the ag- ricultural community, owning eight hundred and ninety-one acres of land in Circleville, Walnut and Jackson Townships, which has been accumu- lated through his own persistent efforts and good judgment. In business circles he is influential, his word being considered as good as his bond.
He of whom we write was born in Walnut Township, this county, August 22, 1830. Ile is therefore acquainted with the gradual evolution of this section from the original wild state of the
land to its present prosperous air of rural life. His father, William Bell, was born in Ireland, August 13, 1802, and emigrated to America with his father, James Bell, about 1807. The latter- named gentleman was also a native of the Emer- ald Isle, and on locating in Pennsylvania, followed the occupation of farmer for a few years. The family later came to this county, about 1812, where the grandparents died, leaving a family of three sons and five daughters.
The father of our subject was the eldest son of the parental family, and after reaching mature ycars was married to Catherine Caldwell, a native of this State, who was born March 24, 1802. The date of their marriage was November 29, 1825. Mr. Bell followed farming in Walnut Township, along the Columbus Turnpike, and was thus en- gaged until he died, April 30, 1851. Mrs. Bell passed from this life December 16, 1889, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which body her husband was also a member. She was the daughter of Alexander Caldwell, a native of Ireland, who came to the New World early in the nmeteenth century, and settled in this county, where he was one of the early pioneers. Mr. Bell was Captain of a company of militia in early times.
Mr. and Mrs. William Bell were the parents of the following-named eight children: James, Jane, our subject, Ruth, William, Catherine, Caroline S., and one who died in infancy. Caroline S., who makes her home with our subject, is the only mem- ber of the family beside Mr. Bell who is living. The educational advantages of our subject, like those of most pioneer youths, were limited, but he acquired enough to give him an impetus to go on, and to-day he ranks among the intelligent and pro- gressive citizens of the county. His father dying when he was nineteen years of age, the care of the family fell upon his shoulders, but he sturdily braved all the responsibilities, and started out to earn money to supply the necessities of life by working out on a farm in Walnut Township, Pickaway County.
The parental homestead included two hundred acres, one-fifth of which fell to the lot of our sub- ject. In company with two brothers, he purchased
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the interest of his two sisters, the three operat- ing the farm in partnership for a number of years. They later purchased two hundred and twenty acres additional, of which, when divided, our subject took the farm which he now occupies in Circle- ville Township, and upon which he moved a few years later.
* October 25, 1855, Miss Minerva R. Reber, who was born in Fairfield County, this State, March 5, 1834, became the wife of our subject. She was the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Allen) Reber, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents were farmers, and removed to Wyandot County about 1854, where the father still resides, being in his ninetieth year. Mrs. Reber died in 1891. Only five of their family of eight children are living. Mrs. Bell died October 15, 1875, after having be- come the mother of nine children, namely: Thomas R., Lucy K., Clara J., Charles, Flora, Rachel, Lyman A., Mettie M. and Annie O. The eldest son married Miss Ella Helvring, and is engaged in the grain business in Circleville; Lucy K. is Mrs. John D. Newton, whose husband is a farmer of Walnut Township; Clara J. is the wife of Benjamin Renick, a farmer in Harrison Township, Pickaway County; Charles married Annie Stine, and lives in Circleville Township; Flora became Mrs. Charles Van Meter, of Savannah, Tenn .; Rachel married Arthur Wiggins, also a farmer in Harrison Township; Lyman A., formerly a stenographer in the dry-goods house of Siegel, Cooper & Co., of Chicago, is now in Denver, Colo .; the two young- est children are at home. They have all been given excellent educations, and occupy good posi- tions in the community.
Mr. Bell was again married, September 17, 1885, this time to Mrs. Sally E. Valentine, who was born in Circleville, and was the daughter of Bentley Groce, who died in 1890. Mrs. Bell passed from this life in 1886, just six months after her mar- riage.
In politics, Mr. Bell is a Democrat. He was elected County Commissioner in the fall of 1887,and re-elected in the fall of 1890. ITis estate comprises the magnificent sum of eight hundred and ninety- one acres of land in Circleville, Walnut and Jack- son Townships. A view of his home is shown on
another page. His place is stocked with cattle, his favorite being Short-horns. His accumulations have been the result of his industry and good management, as he started out in life with but forty acres.
ONROE SCOTHORN. Occupying a high place among the pioneers of Pickaway County is the gentleman whose name we place at the head of this sketch. He is at present residing in Walnut Township, where he has a finely-improved farm and is living in the en- joyment of the fruits of his early toil. He is held in reverence by all who know him and his name will be long remembered when earth shall know him no more.
Monroe Scothorn was born March 20, 1830, in Walnut Township, and is the son of Joseph and Hannah (Crum) Scothorn, natives of Virginia. The paternal ancestors of our subject were of Scotch birth, while those on the maternal side are said to have been German. Joseph Scothorn was born March 4, 1796, and was nine years of age when his parents emigrated to Ohio, locating in the eastern portion of Walnut Township. There the elder Mr. Scothorn died, and Joseph made per- manent settlement on a portion of the farm which is the property of his son, our subject. It was then in a wild state, but Mr. Scothorn set himself industriously to work to prepare a home for his family and clear and cultivate his land. He en- dured all the hardships known to that early day, and has watched the gradual evolution from the original wild state of the land into its present prosperous condition.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Scothorn, of whom we name the following: Eliza- beth became the wife of Jackson Hoover; Monroe, Frank A. and Thornton. In the death of Mr. Scothorn, Pickaway County lost one of its pro- gressive, successful and wide-awake citizens. The original of this sketch was reared to man's estate in the neighborhood where he is at present resid- ing, and with which all his early associations are
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connected. The hardships which they were called upon to pass through in their early settlement here have made a lasting impression upon his mind.
Monroe Scothorn has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and that his persistent in- dustry and good judgment have been rewarded is assured by a view of the beautiful farm on section 8. His education, like that of most of the pioneer youths, was limited, he being permitted to attend the house of learning only a few months during the winter.
February 12, 1852, he of whom we write and Miss Margaret Morrison were united in marriage. Mrs. Scothorn was born in Lancaster County, Pa .. April 23, 1833, and was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Crawson) Morrison. She accom- panied her parents on their removal to Fairfield County, this State, being at that time only three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison resided in the above-named place for several years and then came to Walnut Township, this county, where they were numbered among the early residents, and where they passed their last days. They were the parents of a family of nine children, only five of whom survive, viz: Mrs. Scothorn; James; Rachel, Mrs. Wilson Newton; George and Samuel. Mr. Morrison was Justice of the Peace in his commun- ity, and was otherwise warmly interested in all township affairs.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been born six children, all of whom, with one excep- tion, are living, namely: Ollie, Mrs. P. E. Hoover; George; Emma, the wife of J. L. Hoover; Lida C., who married C. F. Brinker, and Ira M. Mr. Sco- thorn is the possessor of an estate which includes one hundred and forty-nine acres of valuable land. His progressiveness and enterprise have led him to place that entire amount under good cultivation, which not only makes a beautiful spot in the land- scape of Walnut Township, but is the source of a handsome income to its owner. He is practically self-made, as his accumulations are the result of his good judgment and industry. With his wife, he is a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church, in which body he is an active worker. In politics, Mr. Scothorn votes the Dem-
ocratie ticket, and is in favor of all measures tend- ing to upbuild and benefit his community. For eighteen years he held the responsible office of Justice of the Peace, and for three years was Town- ship Treasurer and Township Trustee for a period of two years. Ile is now in advanced years and is passing his last days surrounded by his children and friends, enjoying the confidence of all who know him.
THO W. LOOFBOURROW is one of the most active members of the farming com- munity of Madison County and, by his pro- gressive spirit, has succeeded in placing his farm in Pleasant Township under excellent cultivation. In addition to raising cereals, he gives consider- able time and attention to grazing stock, from which branch of agriculture he reaps a handsome income. Ilis estate is located one mile south of Mt. Sterling, in which place he was born August 30, 1844.
Our subject is the son of James and Jane (Greg- ory) Loofbourrow, the grandson of Thomas, great- grandson of John Wade Loofbourrow, and great- great-grandson of Wade Loofhourrow, who emi- grated from Scotland to America and settled near Amboy, N. J. The date of emigration we are un- able to ascertain. Ilis descendants removed from Amboy to Virginia about 1797, and from that State to Ohio in 1803. Our subject lost both parents, also one sister and brother, by cholera in July, 1852, and afterward made his home with Mrs. Elizabeth Williams until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to the home of M. M. Thomas, his unele and guardian.
When eighteen years old, Mr. Loofbourrow en- listed as a private in Company G. One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creck, Wilson's Creek, Bentonville, and was with Gen. Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. After taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., he returned home in July, 1865, and on November 19th of the same year was
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married to Miss Malvina Loofbourrow. This lady was born in Madison County, July 13, 1843, and is the daughter of L. P. and Elizabeth (Graham) Loofbourrow.
In addition to the farm above mentioned, Mr. Loofbourrow is the proprietor of a good tract of land in Fayette County, and one two miles north- west of Mt. Sterling. He has been the architect of his own fortune and enjoys an extended reputa- tion as an able financier. He was elected County Commissioner in 1889, and has been active in pro- tecting the interests of the people in the building of the court house, jail and sheriff's residence.
Three children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Loofbourrow: Rena Helen, who was born in Mt. Sterling, September 24, 1866, is a graduate of the Mt. Sterling schools and also attended the col- leges at Oberlin and Lebanon. October 7, 1890, she was married to Harry Fitzgerald and is the mother of one son, Lisle II. Milton Floyd was born in Fayette County, April 17, 1872, and was graduated from the Mt. Sterling schools in 1891. Two years before receiving his diploma he was engaged in the bank at Mt. Sterling and is now studying civil engineering at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Bessie was born in Fayette County, September 9, 1873, and was gradnated in 1892 from the Mt. Sterling schools.
G EORGE SPINDLER, a native-born citizen of Pickaway County, is one of the leading farmers of Walnut Township, where he has a good farm pleasantly located on section 10. Our subject was born in Harrison Township January 30, 1845, and is a son of John M. and Mary A. (Cummins) Spindler. His father was for many years, until his death, a prominent and greatly honored citizen of this county. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1818, and was a son of Mathias and Elizabeth Spindler, who were of Ger- man origin, and with whom he came to Ohio when he was a young man. The family settled in Frank- lin County, where he remained a short time, and then entered the teacher's profession, for he was
well educated, and he was engaged at that several terms, teaching mostly in Pickaway County. He subsequently owned and operated a sawmill and a gristmill on Walnut Creek, on section 5, Wal- nut Township, where his widow still resides. He was an active figure in local public life, and was one of the leaders among the Republicans. Al- though the majority of his fellow-townsmen did not agree with him in politics, they honored him as a man, and occasionally showed their confidence in him by electing him to some important office. He served as Justice of the Peace upwards of twenty years, and he also was Trustee of Walnut Town- ship at one time. He was once brought forward as candidate for Representative, but being on the Republican ticket, he was defeated on account of lis Republicanism. He was public-spirited and progressive, and earnestly in favor of whatever would elevate society or advance the interests of the county. He was identified with the Grange as an intelligent member, and he was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he held the office of Trustee for several years. In his death, September 9, 1880, the com- munity suffered a severe loss.
The mother of our subject was born in Harrison Township, in 1821, and is a daughter of William and Mary Cummins, early settlers of that town- ship. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom seven are living, namely: George, John W .; Mary J., wife of William Hummel; Ann E .; Emma, wife of George C. Morrison; Elizabethi, wife of C. S. Perry, and Lucy. John W., who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, is Superintendent of the Public Schools at Winfield, Kan.
George Spindler has passed the most of his life in Pickaway County, the family removing to Wal- nut Township when he was very young. His early education was obtained in the district school, and at the age of sixteen he entered Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware. He was a close student in that institution one year, winning a good reputa- tion for scholarship, and then the breaking out of the war caused a change in his plans, and he was obliged to give up his studies. In the summer of 1864, he enlisted in the one hundred days' service
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as a member of Company C, One hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and did guard duty, principally with the Army of the Potomac, and was at the front about four months. His mil- itary career is commemorated by his connec- tion with the Parsons' Post No. 670, G. A. R., at Nebraska, Ohio, as one of its prominent men- bers, he holding the position of Quartermaster.
After leaving the army, our subject turned his attention to teaching, and won local distinction as an educator of no mean ability. He taught his first school in the winter of 1864-65, and taught continuously every winter until 1872, and one winter after that. He had a predilection for agri- cultural pursuits, and has since devoted himself to farming, doing a good business as a general farmer, and having an excellent farm of one hundred acres of land, which is well cultivated, and the im- provements are of a good class. Mr. Spindler stands high in social and religious circles, and in him the Republican party of this section finds one of its most devoted adherents. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he served as Trustee, and he has done much for the welfare of the church.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Alice A. Culp was celebrated May 11, 1869, and has been productive of mutual felicity. Among its bless- ings are the five children that have been born to them, to whom they have given these names: Charles E., Della, Mamie S., Emma A. and John L. Mrs. Spindler is a native of Walnut Town- ship, and a daughter of Lewis and Sophronia Culp.
B ENJAMIN HARRISON, a highly respected farmer residing in Range Township, Madi- son County, Ohio, was born in Ross County, this State, February 8, 1815, and is a son of Batteal and Elizabeth (Scott) Harrison. Our subject is a distant relative of President Har- rison. His grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, served in the Revolutionary War, and his father was a sol- dier in the War of 1812, under William Henry Harrison. He was born about 1780, and when he
was a young lad his parents moved from Virginia to Kentucky, but he remained with an uncle on ac- count of the Indians in the locality to which his father went. In 1797, he accompanied his uncle's family to Belmont County, Ohio, where he was reared. At one time he went to join his father, who had removed to Missouri, but hearing that his mother was dead gave up the trip. Ile then joined the army, as before stated, and served as re- cruiting officer at Chillicothe, Ohio. During that time he was married, February 3, 1811, to Eliza- beth Scott. During a portion of that time, he was Captain and commanded a company. Our subject was the eldest of their six children, all of whom grew to mature years, and had fam- ilies, while three are still living. Two sons, Mat- thew Scott and John Joseph, served in the War of the Rebellion. The latter was taken a prisoner and died in Georgia. Matthew was a Captain, and after the war removed to Saline County, Mo., where he died.
Benjamin Harrison was taken by his parents to Fayette County when less than a year old. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has since given his attention to farming and stock-raising. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Martha M. Reeves, of Range Town- ship. She was born October 30, 1815, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Howsman) Reeves, the former a native of Maryland and the lat- ter of Virginia. The union of our subject and his wife was celebrated March 9, 1837, and unto them have been born tive children, four yet living: Mary E., born April 12, 1838, is the wife of S. W. Brown, of Fayette County, by whom she has two children; Batteal, born November 6, 1839, was married and died January 19, 1890, leaving five children; Angeline, born October 30, 1841, is the wife of M. L. Yates, a farmer of Range Township, and they have eight children; Isabel, born March 5. 1847, is the wife of Hon. Joseph Martin, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Winnie Scott, born May 12, 1850, is the wife of S. HI. Far- rar, of Holden, Johnson County, Mo., by whom she has four children.
Mr. Harrison made his first purchase of land in 1843, a tract on Deer Creek, Madison Township,
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Fayette County, where he resided some thirteen years. In 1850, he removed to Paint Township, where he resided five years, and since that time has made his home upon his present farm, purchas- ing seven hundred acres of land. Ile is one of the extensive land-owners of the county, his pos- sessions aggregating fifteen hundred acres, all in one body and situated in Madison and Fayette Counties. By his own efforts, his success has been achieved, and from a humble position he has worked his way upward to one of affluence.
In 1836, Mr. Harrison cast his first vote for the Tippecanoe hero, and four years later again voted for him. In 1856, he supported Fillmore, and in 1860 voted for Bell and Everett. He has since followed the fortunes of the Democratic party, and has served as Township Trustee, was twice County Commissioner, and in 1870 was Land Appraiser.
ARIUS J. BURNHAM, a native of Madi- son County, is one of its foremost citizens, possessing more than ordinary energy, enterprise, business talent and public spirit. He is not only one of the most extensive farmers and stockmen of the county, but he is one of its leading civic officers, holding various impor- tant public positions, and he is widely and favor- ably known. His home is one mile south of Rose- dale, in Pike Township, on his large and finely appointed farm, where he carries on a big business in raising various kinds of stock.
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