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 17

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894


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 17
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 17
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 17


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OHN FRY is an intelligent and progressive agriculturist, with a comprehensive knowl- edge of farming in all its branches, and he keeps his farm in Pickaway Township up to a high standard of cultivation, so that it compares favorably with the most productive in its vicinity. Although long a resident of Pickaway County, Mr. Fry is a native of Hocking County, born October 18, 1837, and he is a descendant of some of the original pioneer families of the State.


The father of our subject, who was also named John Fry. was born in Virginia, September 17, 1796. He came to Ohio at a very early day in its settlement, and located at Lancaster in Fairfield County, when that city had but one house within its borders. Ile had come there with his father, a Virginian, who bore the same name as himself, and was a soldier in the Revolution. He died near Lancaster. The father of our subject became one


of the pioneer farmers of the State, and for several years carried on his oceupation in Hocking County. In 1852, he came to Pickaway County and passed his remaining years in Pickaway Township, dying here April 29, 1870. He acquired a goodly amount of property while a resident of Hoeking County, and was quite an extensive land-holder there. He was also prominent in public life in that seetion, and for many years held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was an active member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married December 25, 1822, to Miss Malinda Friend. She was born in Fairfield County, November 22, 1802, and was a daughter of a pioneer family who had come from Kentucky to Ohio in the early years of its settlement. She died April 30, 1878, and in her death the Method- ist Episcopal Church lost one of its most faithful members.


Our subject was the seventh of the nine children of his parents, of whom five are still living. His early education was obtained with some difficulty, as school facilities were limited, and sometimes he had to go four miles from home to attend the nearest school, which was taught in a log house. He came to this county with his parents, and al- ways made his home with them while they lived, caring for them tenderly in their declining years, and since their death he has continued to reside on the old homestead. It is a valuable, well-or- dered farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, pleasantly situated on section 10, Pickaway Town- ship, and the headwaters of Pumpkin Creek flow aeross one corner of it. Mr. Fry is in easy circum- stanees, and makes good use of his money, getting some enjoyment out of life with it instead of hoarding it. He has broadened his mind, not only by reading and careful observation, but by travel- ing to some extent. In 1881, he went to Europe, partly for pleasure, and partly for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired by too close application to his business. He embarked at New York on a North German Lloyd steamer, bound for England, and he visited London, Liverpool and other points of interest, making good use of every minute of the two months that he was away, and experiencing great pleasure and profit from his trip.


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Mr. Fry was happily married October 26, 1879, to Miss Ida M. Cook, a native of Bloomfield, this county. When she was a child, her parents, Amos and Elizabeth (Nigh) Cook, removed to Circleville, where she was educated. IIer father was the son of a Pennsylvania farmer, and was born and reared in that State. Her mother was the daughter of early pioneers of Ohio, and her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and lost his life during that conflict. The greatest grief in the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Fry has been in the death of their little son John, who was born July 12, 1881, and passed out of life two months later.


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G EORGE J. MAY is numbered among the intelligent and thrifty farmers of Pickaway County, of which his father was a pioneer, and he has a well-managed and highly productive farm on section 21, Walnut Township. IIe is a native of Frederick County, Md., and was born June 1, 1832, a son of John A. and Magdalena (Rohrer) May. His father was a native of Lon- doun County, Va., and was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. His ancestors are said to have originated in France, while his wife's were Ger- mans, and early settlers of Maryland, where she was born. In 1836, John May brought his family from Maryland to Ohio, and cast in his lot with the pioneers of Pickaway County, settling in Wal- nut Township, and proving a valuable addition to their working force. He did well his part in re- deeming the country from the forces of nature, and when he died, April 5, 1887, he left behind him a golden memory as a good citizen. He was father of a number of children, of whom these five are living: Christian, John J., Frederick, George J., and Melinda, wife of Solomon Burget.


Our subject was a small boy of four years when his parents sought a new home in the wilds of this county, and his boyhood was passed in a log cabin amid the privations of pioneer life. He attended the early schools of Walnut, but the educational advantages in those pioneer institutions of learn- ing were meagre. Ile was early inured to hard


work, having to perform the pioneer labor of fell- ing trees to clear the land and prepare it for cul- tivation, and the experience he then gained in farming has been helpful to him since he became a farmer on his own responsibility. Ile has control of one hundred and sixty-four acres of excellent land, of which seventy-six acres belong to himself. and the remainder to his wife. He is a prudent and capable manager, and keeps his farm up to a high state of cultivation, and has it amply supplied with a good class of improvements. He and his wife stand high in social circles, and are among the most prominent members of the United Breth- ren Church, which he at one time served as Class- leader, and he is now Trustee of the church. In politics, he is a straight Republican, and whatso- ever will benefit the county meets with his hearty approval.


March 21, 1858, is the date of the marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Heim, a native of Pickaway County, born July 31, 1840, and a daughter of John and Susanna Heim. Her parents were early settlers of Walnut Township. They had three children, of whom she and her brother William are the survivors. Her marriage with our subject has been productive of mutual happiness and has been blessed with six children, named as follows: William, John L. (Postmaster at East Ringgold), Nelson H., Milton F., Calvin M. and Lyman.


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G EORGE W. PATTON. Among the promi- nent and enterprising citizens of Wash- ington Court House, none is more worthy of note than he whom we here name, who occu- pies the responsible position of Sheriff of Fayette County. He was elected to that position in 1888 and so efficiently did he perform the duties im- posed upon him that he was re-elected in 1890. He is a genial and friendly gentleman and exhibits rare ability in his special department.


The original of this sketch was born in Greene Township, Fayette County, January 7, 1840, and is the son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Wood) Patton.


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


The father in early life was a farmer in Virginia and became identified with the interests of the Buckeye State in 1832. Our subject was given a good education in the common schools, and his father dying when he was a lad of ten years, he remained at home with his mother until his mar- riage, after which she lived with him until her decease.


George W. of this sketch operated the old farm in Greene Township, which contained two hun- dred and fifty well-improved acres. IIe had not been interested in politics previous to his election to the office of Sheriff until being made the incum- bent of that position. January 7, 1889, he moved into the city, which has since been his home and where his friends are as numerous as his acquaint- ances.


The lady whom our subject chose as his wife October 4, 1861, was Miss Mary D. Rowe, of Greene Township, this county, her birth occur- ring March 2, 1845. To them have been born a family of five children, viz: Elmer E., who is now the Deputy of his father; Minnie A., the wife of M. S. Merchant, of Dayton, this State; M. J., Zella V. and Ollie, at home with their parents. In social matters, our subject is a member of Fayette Lodge, A. F. & A. M.


OSEPH BELL. This name is not unknown to the people of Madison County, as he who bears it was born in Fairfield Township April 31, 1831. Although receiving only a common-school education, his natural mental abil- ity caused him to advance in whatever field of labor he entered. He has held the office of Trustee of his township for three or four terms, was As- sessor two terms, Clerk for one year, and was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to qualify. He has represented the Democratic party as delegate to various conventions and has always been closely identified with the progress of the county.


Our subject is at present engaged in farming and stock-raising in Oak Run Township, and is the


son of James D. and Elizabeth (Dewey) Bell. The father was a native of Virginia, having been born near Richmond, and was brought to this State by his father, William Bell, who located in Ross County, where he resided for ten or twelve years and then made his home in Madison County, in what is now Oak Run Township. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and while residing in Ross County was married to Miss Dewey, who was born near Carlisle, Pa., and accompanied her parents on their re- moval to the Buckeye State when a child. The elder Mr. Bell was a farmer, and, like his father before him, voted the Democratic ticket. He was born October 6, 1802, while the mother of our subject was born June 15, 1804. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was active in all the workings of that body.


Joseph Bell, of this sketch, was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children. His eldest brother, William, is residing in Marshall County, Kan .; Jane A. married George Clouser and makes her home in Greenfield, this State; Ben- jamin is a contractor and builder of Columbus; Ann J. became Mrs. Leven Trout and lives in Sul- livan County, Ind .; George resides at Sabina, this State, and while serving in the Union army lost one leg; James is residing in Allendale, this State. The parents of these children died in 1843, the father passing away January 1, and the mother two months later.


Our subject was eleven years old at the time of the the death of his parents and was then taken into the home of an unele with whom he remained for five years, and then began to work for himself. When reaching his majority, he was the possessor of a horse and $100 in money. September 23, 1852, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Amos, who was born in London, January 18, 1833, to Robert C. and Mary (Wilson) Amos. The young couple resided for a year with the parents of Mrs. Bell, when our subject erected a log cabin, in which they resided for a time, and then, returning to the home of Mr. Amos, our subject worked his farm in partnership for three years. At the end of that time, he again located on his own property and there resided until the death of Mr. Amos, when they took up their abode on their present farm. Margaret, Mrs. Bell's


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


only sister, married our subject's brother William and resides in Kansas. Mr. Amos was born in Maryland September 22, 1801, and died July 12, 1859, while Mrs. Amos, who was born in Virginia, July 28, 1810, departed this life September 19, 1844. The present farm of our subject, which in- cludes two hundred and thirty-five acres, was in- herited by his wife from her father.


The following-named eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bell: Wesley H., who died Oe- tober 2, 1860; Mary E., who became the wife of R. N. Mowry, departed this life October 4, 1885, leav- ing one son, Joseph B., who was born September 12, 1885, and now resides with our subject; Emma J., who died March 22, 1866; Eva Ann, who mar- ried A. L. Fitzgerald, has one son, Freddie; Minnie F., who is the next in order of birth, is now Mrs. W. E. Talor; Sallie M. departed this life May 2, 1876; James F., who is successfully engaged as a school teacher, and Lee Amos, who is at home with his parents.


M. BALDWIN. A beautiful farm of three hundred and twenty aeres, pleasantly located in Madison Township, Fayette County, three miles from Cook, is the home of this well- known farmer and stock-raiser. He was born on this place August 20, 1815, the land having for- merly been owned by his grandfather, Capt. John Baldwin, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a native of Virginia. While residing there and during those troublous times, he raised a company, pledging his own means for their pay. He served through the entire war under Washing- ton, receiving his pay in Continental money and a land warrant. The money being valueless, Capt. Baldwin was obliged to sell his possessions in the Old Dominion in order to keep his promise to the soldiers. Thus left without resources, he came to Ohio and located in Fayette County, where he was obliged to part with half of his land in order to get his warrant placed. His advent into the county was made in the spring of 1812, and the succeeding fall he was followed by his large family of four-


teen children. Capt. Baldwin departed this life in 1820, his remains being buried on the ground laid off by himself on the farm which our subject occupies.


Jonah Baldwin, the direct progenitor of our sub- ject, was born in 1773, and is the twin brother of William. He grew to mature years in Virginia, and was there married, in 1803, to Mary Bland, by whom he became the father of eight children, viz: John, Catherine, Hannah, Margaret, J. M., Joseph, Susan and Nancy. The children were all given a good education, the sons aiding their father in clearing and improving the home farm. Mr. Jonah Baldwin served his fellow-townsmen as Constable, and his eldest son held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of terms.


The father of our subject, who was born March 7, 1773, died September 13, 1850, while his wife, who was born August 19, 1783, departed this life October 16, 1886. Mr. Baldwin of this sketch is the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land in Adams County, ind., and has purchased the interest of all the heirs of the old homestead, with the exception of his sister Margaret's share. Like his father and grandfather before him, he is a Democrat in politics, and during his incumbency of the office of Constable he performed the duties of that position in a most satisfactory manner.


RANK L. STUTSON. The most popular and extensive mercantile establishment in Washington Court House is located on Main Street, opposite the Court House, and is under the able management of the owner and proprietor, the subject of this sketch. The build- ing, which has a frontage of eighty-five feet and a depth of one hundred and sixty-five feet, is fur- nished with a complete stock of dry goods, the specialties being fine dress-goods, trimmings, ladies', misses' and children's shoes, millinery and ladies' cloaks. Employment is given to eighteen persons, . and cash carriers and all modern improvements for facilitating the work have been introduced. The store has occupied its present location for ten


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


years and is known for miles around as one of the most reliable establishments in Southern Ohio.


Mr. Stutson was born in West Jefferson, Madi- son County, Ohio, January 29, 1851, the son of James and Mary J. (Wilson ) Stutson. His father, who was born and reared in Massachusetts, came to Zanesville, Ohio, when a young man, and there engaged in the mercantile business, being at one time the leading merchant in the city. About 1841, he came to Madison County, where he re- sided until his death.


Our subject received a good education in his native place, and in his boyhood clerked for his brother, T. J., then a merchant of West Jefferson, but now President of the Central Bank of Lon- don. Our subject remained with him until he attained his majority, when he embarked with another brother in the dry-goods business at Lan- caster, remaining in that connection for some years. In 1881, they opened the present store in Washington Court House, and upon the death of his brother in 1887, our subject succeeded him in the business, and has since continued at the head of the flourishing establishment.


At the time of the cyclone, September 8, 1885, the firm occupied a large brick store on Court Street, which was completely wrecked, together with the whole stock, including a full line of new fall goods, causing a loss of almost $8,000. No lives were lost by the disaster, although our sub- ject and eight others were in the building at the time of the storm. It fortunately happened that the present structure was in process of erection, and the firm transported their goods on wheelbarrows to the new store, doing business while the place was being plastered, shelved and finished. Since then, Mr. Stutson has enlarged the store to accom- modate the increasing demands of his customers, and it is conceded that he has now the largest business of the city. The secret of the success which has rewarded his efforts may be found in the fact that he has given his business his undi- vided and unceasing attention.


The marriage of Mr. Stutson and Miss Mary E. Stimson, of La Fayette, Ind., took place January. 3, 1884, and they have two bright and intelligent children, Clara Louise and Janet Lorain. In his


social affiliations, Mr. Stutson is identified with Fayette Lodge, F. & A. M. Throughout his career, he has displayed due caution and care in managing his affairs, and at the same time has been bold and resolute in financial matters, his good sense, accurate judgment and cool ealeula- tions rarely leading him astray in his transactions.


HRISTIAN VOLKA. Among the thriving business establishments of La Fayette, Mad- ison County, mention should certainly be made of that of which Mr. Volka is proprietor. It is devoted to the sale of general merchandise, is supplied with a good stoek in each department, ' and is the seat of a fine trade conducted according to the most improved business principles. He is well known in the country contiguous to La Fay- ette, as he has been engaged in trade here since 1865.


The parents of our subject, John and Catherine (Krouse) Volka, were natives respectively of Ger- many and France. They accompanied their parents to the New World when young and when reaching mature years were married in Columbus, this State. The father was a shoemaker by occupation, which trade he followed in that city, Cincinnati and St. Louis; he departed this life in the Queen City of smallpox. Only two members of the parental fam- ily lived to reach mature years, Catherine and Christian.


The original of this sketch was born in St. Louis, Mo., November 25, 1837, and after the death of his father returned with his mother to Columbus, where he attended school. When a lad of ten years, he accompanied his parents to Deer Creek Town- ship, which has since been his place of residence, and where, by the exercise of unflagging industry, indomitable energy and ceaseless perseverance, he has acquired a competence.


Mr. Volka and Miss Lucetta Bell, of Champaign County, this State, were united in marriage January 8, 1863. The lady, who was born May 12, 1844, was the daughter of Dr. Daniel and Rebecca (Wagoner)


-


Mm I Conklin


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Bell, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bell had a family of eleven children; the father died in December, 1868, in La Fayette, where also the mother's death occurred, November 29, 1858.


Of the five children born to our subject and his wife only two survive, viz: Nettie, now Mrs. Rob- ert Smith, and John C. Mr. Volka, when starting out for himself was employed as a clerk in London for several years and, being economical and industrious, he soon accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to launch out in business on his own account, and, as before stated, he has been connected with the mer- cantile interests of La Fayette since 1865. In pol- itics, he takes a goodly amount of interest and votes with the Democratic party. He served on the School Board in Deer Creek Township, and under his active co-operation much was accomplished to benefit the public schools which he regards as the surest means of improving the race. The mother of our subject was a second time married, her husband being Christian Bierbangh; she is now deceased, her death occurring in this township in 1887.


ON. WILLIAM T. CONKLIN. Among the prominent, popular and influential citizens of Pickaway County selected for represen- tation in this work, we take pleasure in pre- senting to our readers the biography and portrait of the subject of this sketch, who is a well-known resident of Madison Township, making his home upon section 23. He is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was born, January 15, 1817, and is a son of Joseph and Annie (Caton) Conklin, both of whom were natives of Wash- ington County, Pa. His paternal ancestors are said to have been from Wales, and his maternal ancestors are supposed to have come from Ireland.


Joseph Conklin, the father of our subject, emi- grated from Pennsylvania with his family early in the present century and settled in the new country in Fairfield County, Ohio, there taking up pioneer life. Ile drove all the way a team of five horses and his wife journeyed on horseback, carry-


ing a small child in her arms all through that long journey. He died in 1822 and his widow afterward married James Lambert. In 1825, William T. Conklin, with his mother, his stepfather and the children of the family, came to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he settled on section 14, Madison Township and grew to man's estate amid scenes of pioneer life. He has seen the deer and wild turkeys around his home in great numbers, and has experienced the hardships of pioneer life. Only two of the children of his parents now sur- vive, his only sister living being Priscilla, wife of 'Thomas Black.


With the exception of two years spent in the mercantile business at Ashville, Ohio, our subject has throughout life engaged in agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising. Ilis education was re- ceived in the early schools of Madison Township, and for a short time he studied in Central College, Franklin County. During five winters he de- voted himself to teaching, in which he was very successful, and he has throughout life maintained a course of reading which has had a broadening and educative tendency.


Mr. Conklin was married in June, 1859, to Elizabeth Baum, who was born in Madison Town- ship, Pickaway County, March 9, 1825. Her parents, Christian and Sarah (Shook) Baum, were natives of Pennsylvania, and were early settlers in this county, making their home in the forest among the earliest pioneers. Six of their seven children are still living, namely: Joseph, George, Lewis, Mrs. Conklin, John, and Mary (the wife of Samuel Posey).


To Mr. and Mrs. Conklin were born three chil- dren, two of whom still survive, namely: Sarah A., wife of Dr. Charles R. Pontius, who is a prac- ticing physician at Fremont, Ohio, and Martha S., the wife of T. W. Baum, of Madison Township, this county. For many years Mr. Conklin served as Justice of the Peace, for sixteen years as Town- ship Treasurer, and for one year as Township Trustee.


The broader political career of the Hon. Mr. Conklin began with his election to the State Legislature, where he served as a member from Pickaway County to the Fifty-ninth and Sixty-


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first General Assembly, being a member of the House of Representatives. He was an earnest and successful advocate of the measure to secure an ad- ditional judge in his district. During his first term he served on the Committee on Military Af- fairs, also the Committee on Fees and Salaries, and was a most useful member of the House, serving his county with credit to himself and his con- stitnents.


A great affliction has fallen upon Mr. and Mrs. Conklin in the loss of sight experienced by that lovely and intelligent lady, so that she who was for so many years Mr. Conklin's most earnest and active helpmate, is now to a considerable extent set aside from the activities of life. She is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and one whose char- acter and life are warmly admired by all who know her. Mr. Conklin has over five hundred acres of land, which he has gained by his own ef- forts. Ile is identified with Lithopolis Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M., and has served as both Junior and Senior Warden of that body. He is a Democrat in his views and takes a keen interest in political movements.


S AMUEL O. WILSON is Superintendent of the Fayette County Infirmary and is well fitted by character and ability for this re- sponsible position. He is a native of Fay- ette County, born in Greene Township March 6, 1845, and is a son of Joel Wilson. His father was a Virginian by birth, and, when young, came to Ohio with his parents, who were among the early settlers of Greene Township. He married Eliza Waln, a daughter of Joseph Waln, who was a resi- dent of the southern part of the county, his farm joining that of Joel Wilson. The Walns were also from Virginia. Of the five children born to Joel Wilson and his wife, all grew to manhood and womanhood, and the three still living are Eliza- beth, wife of Lawrence Patton; Nancy, wife of J. N. Moon, of Madison County, Iowa, and our subject.




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