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 18
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 18
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 18
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S. O. Wilson was educated in the district schools of his native township, and when his school days
were over, he commenced life in earnest as a farmer, in which occupation he has always been interested. After his marriage in the spring of 1865, he continued his occupation in Wayne Township for eleven years. March 1, 1886, he was appointed Superintendent of the Fayette County Infirmary, and has been re-appointed every year since. When he entered upon the duties of his office, he had a hard task before him, as the place was in a very bad condition, the buildings were in bad order, the fences were poor and the farm had run down. But he has wrought a great change by his vigorous management, bringing to his work a clear and comprehensive mind, untiring diligence and unceasing vigilance in looking after matters under his jurisdiction, and the institution and the farm connected with it are now all that can be de- sired, the buildings kept in good repair and always neat and orderly; and the land by judicious culti- vation raised to the highest state of productiveness. Formerly the amount of money turned into the county treasury from the infirmary was very small. The proceeds of the farm placed in the county treasury from that institution average from $3,000 to $4,000 per year. The cost per capita for keeping the inmates in the infirmary was $42.20, which, by the wise economy exercised by the Superintendent, was reduced for the year ending September 1, 1891, to $25.12, the second lowest rate in the State, and at the same time the inmates were just as well fed and cared for as heretofore.
Our subject is genial, polite, gentlemanly and hospitable, and is eminently humane and thought- ful in his conduct toward the people under his charge. He is ably assisted by his wife, who acts as matron, a position for which she has a peculiar gift, as she has an amiable, cheerful disposition, is invariably patient, kind and sympathetic, and has the ready tact so requisite in dealing with others. Both she and her husband have the full confidence of all concerned, and under their care the Fayette County Infirmary is said to be undoubtedly the best in the State.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah C. Pavey was solemnized May 18, 1865, and has re- sulted in the birth of five children, viz: Mattie,
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Harvey, Maggie, Fannie and Fred. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Jesse Pavey, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and at the time of his daughter's marriage a prominent farmer of this county. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in polities; in his social re- lations, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and religiously, he and his wife are members in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S HERMAN LEACH, M. D., a practicing phy- sician and surgeon of Mt. Sterling, was born in this city May 30, 1864. ITis boy- hood days were spent under the parental roof, and his literary edneation was acquired in the public schools. At the age of sixteen, he be- gan clerking in a drug store, and three years later began the study of medicine. He entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus, pursuing a three-years' course and was graduated in March, 1887. While in college, he was also managing a drug store. He became an expert druggist and was paid a salary of $65 per month, and was al- lowed to attend the medical college six hours per day. After leaving school, he formed a partner- ship with Dr. W. H. Emery, of Mt. Sterling, Madi- son County, the connection continuing until his death.
On the 9th of May, 1889, Dr. Leach wedded Florence M. Hornbeck, of Williamsport, Pickaway County, who was born in South Solon, September 3, 1869, and is a daughter of Marvin and Mary (Keyes) Hornbeck, both natives of Pickaway County. They are highly respected young people of this community, who hold an enviable position in social cireles.
The Doctor is local surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, and is a member of the Madison County and Ohio State Medical Societies. He has been elected Professor of Rectal Diseases in the Ohio Medical University in Columbus, which was organized in 1892. He has prepared and read several papers before the medical societies and ranks high among his professional brethren. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of
the City Council and Treasurer of the village of Mt. Sterling. He is a Director of the Mt. Sterling Building and Loan Association, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has taken seven degrees in the Masonic lodge. He has the distinction of being the youngest Worshipful Master that has ever served in Mt. Sterling.
Dr. Leach is emphatically a self-made man. Ile has made the most of his opportunities and has now the largest practice of any physician in Mt. Sterling, his income amounting to about $6,000 per year.
W ILLIAM T. LEACII, a prominent con- tractor and builder of Mt. Sterling, who is also engaged in the manufacture of artifi- cial stone pavement, was born in Madison Town- ship, Fayette County, Ohio, January 18, 1829. His parents, Robert and Eliza (Thomas) Leach, were both natives of Virginia, and came to Ohio with their parents when young. The father was a farmer and merchant and removed to Madison County when our subject was a lad of ten years.
William grew to manhood in Pleasant Township, and acquired his education in the common schools. After attaining to man's estate, he was married on the 28th of January, 1851, to Miss Jane Bostwick, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Fred C. Bostwick, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. By their union have been born five chil- dren: Mrs. May Newman, of Columbus, Ohio, who has two children: Frederick, a railroad employe in the West; Mrs. Eliza Hodges, who, with her three children, resides in Sterling; Sherman, the subject of the preceding sketch in this volume; and Robert, a resident of Chicago. The mother of this family died in October, 1876. and was laid to rest in Pleasant Cemetery.
Mr. Leach continued to engage in farming for a number of years. Removing to MeLean County, Ill., in 1854, he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he made his home until 1859. In that year, he sold out and returned to Mt. Sterling. where he has since re-
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sided. He is a natural mechanic, and while en- gaged in farming also worked at the carpenter's trade. For many years he has been connected with the building interests of Mt. Sterling and has erected many important buildings, including the residence and office of Dr. Sherman Leach.
On the 17th of May, 1881, our subject was again married, his second union being with Maggie Baughman, who was born in New Holland, Ohio, October 2, 1854, and is a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Baughman. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Virginia. By this union has been born one son: Herbert B., who was born in Mt. Sterling, August 2, 1885.
Mr. Leach cast his first Presidential vote with the Whig party in 1852, but joined the Republican party on its organization, and supported John C. Fremont in 1856. Since that time he has been a stal wart Republican and keeps himself well in- formed on the questions of the day. He has served as Marshal for three years, was a member of the City Council for three years, was Clerk of the School Board six years, and the various duties of these offices he promptly and faithfully performed. With the Presbyterian Church he holds member- ship, while Mrs. Leach belongs to the Methodist Church.
W ALTER W. SHOOP. Upon a beautiful elevation on Cirele Avenue, surrounded by grounds one acre in extent and finely laid out in lawns, will be noticed a commodious residence, which is undoubtedly one of the most attractive homes in Washington C. II. Not only is its exterior appearance pleasing to the eye, but the interior arrangements are in harmony with the laws of beauty, and on every hand the good taste of the inmates is apparent. This is the home of Mr. Shoop and his family, who are well and favor- ably known throughout the community.
The son of a farmer, Mr. Shoop was born in Bain- bridge, Ross County, this State, March 16, 1846, his parents being J. M. and Mary E. (Snyder) Shoop. He commenced his education in the district schools
of Clinton County, whither he was taken by his parents when about three years old. In 1856, when a lad of ten years, he came to this county and located on a farm near Jasper Mills, where he remained until after the death of his father in 1864, at the age of forty-six years.
The parental family comprised nine children, of whom the following is noted: William H. died in 1865: James is now a minister in the Method- ist Episcopal Church and resides in Washington County, this State; Laura H. is the wife of Will- iam B. Hukill, of Missouri; our subject is the next in order of birth; Martha E. is the widow of Jacob Sollars, of Fayette County; Henry C. is engaged in the harness and saddlery business at Washington C. H .; Obie is the wife of George Mouser, of Fayette County; and John D. is Super- intendent of the city schools at Gibson, Ill. The mother of this family passed from earth in 1860, four years prior to the demise of her husband.
Upon leaving the farm, in 1870, our subject first engaged in business at the Jasper Mills and was a grain dealer at that place for six years. About 1882, he removed to Washington C. H. and for several years was in the implement busi- ness, which he conducted with great success. After managing the business alone for a few years, he took into partnership J. II. Lawwill, the firm being Shoop & Lawwill. They continued to super- intend their extensive interests for several years, when Mr. Shoop's health failing, he sold out to Mr. Lawwill, December 16, 1891. Since that time, he has been retired from active business cares, al- though in looking after his real-estate interests and in other duties, he still finds sufficient to oc- cupy his time.
In his social connections, Mr. Shoop is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs. He has also served successfully as District Deputy Grand Master for two terms; District Deputy Chief Pa- triarch and Captain of the Cantons; and, in addi- tion, is a Knight of Pythias. His wife, to whom he was married January 16, 1868, was known in her maidenhood as Laura Campbell, and is the daughter of Lenox Campbell, one of the early settlers of Fayette County, whose sketch
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will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Shoop are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith they have reared their two sons and two daughters: Werter, Ottie, Lenox and Bessie.
OHN T. KIRKENDALL, M. D., is a physi- cian of high standing, who has raised himself to the front ranks of his profession by carc- ful study and close attention to his business, and he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He is also prominent as one of the leading citizens of Darbyville, with whose public life he has been in- timately connected in various important official capacities since he returned to this, his native town, after he had completed his medical studies.
Dr. Kirkendall was born November 27, 1846, and is a descendant of one of the old pioneer fami- lies of Ohio. His father, William Kirkendall, was also a native of this State, born in one of the earli- est pioneer homes of Ross County, in 1797. His father, a Virginian by birth, was an early set- tler of that county, and the father of our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the primi- tive schools of his day, which were held in rudely- constructed log houses. He was one of the origi- nal settlers of Darbyville, helped to lay out the streets of the village, and his name was associated with the early improvements of the place. He erected a hotel, and was engaged in its manage- ment until his untimely death at the age of fifty, which deprived the village of one of its most pub- lic-spirited and valued citizens, and the Methodist Church of one of its most liberal and zealous mem- bers. The maiden name of his wife was Mary J. Crego, and she too was a native of Ohio. They had four children, of whom these three grew to ma- turity: William, John T., and Fanny, Mrs. Fissell. The mother remarried, becoming the wife of Isaac Calendine, and died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving one child by her second marriage, Lillie. She was a Christian and a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church.
Our subject passed his early life in his native
village, living with Dr. R. II. Tipton after the death of his parents until he was sixteen years old. He then went to Madison County and worked on the farm of Oliver Mitchell until he was twenty- one years of age. Ambitious to improve his edu- cation, he next went to school at Lancaster, where he pursued a seven-months' course of study, and after that he began teaching at East Lancaster, Fairfield County. He taught there one term, and the ensuing twelve years was engaged in teaching in Pickaway County, having charge of a school in Darby Township seven years, and the remainder of the time exercising his vocation in Darbyville, Muhlenburg Township. Five years of the time that he was teaching he was assiduously reading medicine every leisure moment that he could snatch from his duties, Dr. Tipton being his instructor. Abandoning the work of teaching, he turned his attention to the general mercantile business in partnership with Mr. Fissell, under the firm name of Fissell and Kirkendall, and for two years was thus engaged. Resuming his old calling, he taught school one year, and read medicine with Dr. F. M. Black. He subsequently attended lectures at Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, and was gradu- ated therefrom February 25, 1879. IIe entered upon the practice of his profession with a fine equipment for the life before him, years of care- ful study giving him an accurate knowledge of medicine in all its branches, and paving the way to the success that has followed, which makes him one of our most reputable and trusted physicians, with a large practice, covering miles of territory. After leaving college, he was in partnership with Dr. Black a year, but since then he has been by himself.
The Doctor has one of the most attractive homes in Darbyville, which is presided over with consum- mate tact by his amiable wife, formerly Miss Sally Rennick, to whom he was wedded September 29, 1880. Mrs. Kirkendall was born September 16, 1856, in Darby Township, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. Rennick, now a resident of that town- ship. Two children complete the household of our subject and his wife, Benjamin R. and Ed- ward T.
Dr. Kirkendall is in every way an honor to the
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citizenship of his native village, in whose welfare he is deeply concerned, and he has done much to promote its higher interests. Ilis fellow-citizens, knowing him so well, and appreciating his fine character, rare executive ability and progressive public spirit, have often called him to important civic positions. Thus he served as Mayor of the village four years, and as Councilman six years; has been School Director, and was School Exami- ner two years, appointed by Probate Judge Walk to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Cartright. He was Justice of the Peace for the township three years and Township Clerk one term in Darby Township. The Doctor is well informed on all political matters, and is a recog- zed leader among the Republicans of this section, his counsel being valued in the gatherings of the party, which he has faithfully served at various times as delegate to county, congressional and State conventions. Socially, his relations are with the Masonic order at Mt. Sterling, and he has taken the Royal Arch Degree at London. Religiously, both he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and he is Trustee of the church and the parsonage.
ILLIAM GILL, a son of one who was a prominent pioneer of Pickaway County, is himself one of its leading farmers, oc- cupying land in Salt Creek Township which has never been out of the family since the patent was obtained from the Government in the early days of the settlement of this part of the State. This pleasant old homestead is his birthplace, and here he first opened his eyes to its primitive surround- ings, November 8; 1832.
Capt. William Gill, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia July 8, 1792. Ile served with credit in the War of 1812, and at its close re- ceived a commission as Captain in the United States army, as he had shown especial ability as a leader, having enlisted as Captain of volunteers. He saw hard service in the Northwest, and was
sent in charge of prisoners to Chillicothe, which was established as a fort for captives; he was subsequently made Commander of that prison. That was his first introduction to this part of the country, and he was so favorably impressed with it that he determined to settle here, and in 1817 selected Pickaway County for his future home, locating on land in Salt Creek Township. He re- sided here to within six years of his death, and then went to live with a daughter in Circleville, where he died, January 29, 1861, and thus passed away one of the old landmarks of the county, one who had been honored and reverenced not only as one of the leading pioneers and citizens of his day, but was held in great regard for his spotless char- acter as a man. He was widely known and had many friends. The Captain was, at one time, one of the largest property holders of this section, own- ing nine hundred and twenty-seven acres of land in Salt Creek Township. Ile was Justice of the Peace for several years, and was also Associate Justice of the county for a number of years. The mother of our subject was Nancy Winship, and she was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., December 5, 1792, a daughter of the Hon. Win Winship, a na- tive of England, who came to this country soon after the Revolution, and became a prominent merchant in Martinsburg. Ile also owned a mill there and some land. In 1801, he came to Ohio, and was appointed to fill the office of Register of Lands in the general land office at Chillicothe, under President John Adams. Ile entered and owned a large tract of land in Ross, Pickaway, Champaign and Madison Counties, and finally located in Pickaway County, where he died in 1812. The mother of our subject died in 1876, in her eighty-fourth year. She was a Presbyterian in her religious views, and was firm in the faith until her death. There were three children in the fam- ily, of whom our subject is the youngest. The eldest is Win Winship, now living in Chicago. The second, Martha, who married John T. Jacobs, died in July, 1891.
William Gill was reared on the farm that has always been his own. He obtained the prelimi- naries of his education in the little brick school- house that was located in his district when he was
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a boy, and he subsequently attended Mt. Pleasant Academy at Kingston a short time. At the age of twenty-one, he entered upon his successful career as a farmer on the old homestead. He has three hundred acres of excellent land in Salt Creek Township, that is well watered by Scipio Creek, a good part of it being held by patent from the Gov- ernment and has never been bought or sold. It is historical ground, as here Lord Dunmore, in 1774, then Royal Governor of Virginia, camped on the north bank of Seipio Creek, at the time he was making his celebrated treaty with the Indians, whereby the Northwestern territory was thrown open to the whites for settlement. In plowing the land, silver buttons and bullets, relies of the English lord and his troops, have been uncovered and picked up from the soil in which they had been buried for more than a century.
November 23, 1854, Mr. Gill was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucy Cushing, a lady of much intel- ligence and many pleasant attributes, who presides over their atttractive home with true grace, cor- dially seconding his genial hospitality whenever friend or stranger comes within their gates. Mrs. Gill is a native of Lawrence County, Ky., and, like her husband, she comes of a distinguished ancestry. Her parents were Henry and Margaret (Ferguson) Cushing, natives respectively of Bos- ton, Mass., and Pennsylvania. Her paternal grand- father, Nathaniel Cushing, was born in Boston, coming of the old New England stock, and he was a Colonel in the Continental army during the Revolution, his commission, signed by his old commander, Gen. Washington, being still in pos- session of his family. He was also one of the famous tea party that threw the tea overboard in Boston Harbor. After the war, Col. Cushing came to Ohio as a member of the Belpre party, and settled there on a farm, which is still in pos- session of his descendants. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the State, and his bones now rest in its soil. His son Nathaniel died in early life; Henry, father of Mrs. Gill, became a prosper- ous farmer, and died here in 1861, at the age of eighty-four years; James V. was the second white child born in Ohio, and Mrs. Gill has a fine por- trait of him; Thomas died in early life. James
was a miller in Zanesville for many years, being in partnership with Alfred Martin. In 1831 he sue- ceeded in cornering the wheat market in New York City. Ile died in Zanesville, where he had accu- mulated a fortune. The mother of Mrs. Gill died in 1882, at the age of eighty-four years. Both she and her husband were stanch Presbyterians and active in the church for many years. The lat- ter had served in the War of 1812. They were the parents of four children, and were both of long-lived races, his grandfather living to be nearly a hundred years old. Mr. and Mrs. Gill have six children: Martha, wife of L. C. MePherson, editor of the Massillonian, at Massillon; Annie B., at home with her parents; Mary W., also at home; William H., who is with the John Shelito Dry Goods Co., and is married; Alice, a teacher at Adelphi; and George, at home.
Mr. Gill is a man of much prominence and in- fluence in his native county, as he is clear brained, with an intellect steadily poised, possesses accurate judgment, and is sensible and well informed. He takes a deep interest in politics, and keeps himself thoroughly posted in all the ins and outs of polit- ical life, believes in the Third-party movement, and is strongly in favor of the Farmers' Alliance, which has in him one of its leaders in this section.
OIIN E. FERREL. This honored gentle- man, who makes his home in Perry Town- ship, Pickaway County, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, where he was born August 5, 1858, and is a son of William II. and Mary (Taylor) Ferrel, both natives of the Buck- eye State. The father was a merchant the most of his life but now is engaged in the real-estate business in Clinton County, Ohio.
Three children were born to the parents of our subject, he being the first-born. He is of Scotch- Irish descent and also comes of a long-lived race. Jolin E. was afforded the privileges of the com- mon schools until he reached the age of sixteen years, at which early age he left home and com- menced an active life on his own account. He
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secured his start by trading a horse which he pos- sessed for some hill land, and this he worked diligently for one year, when he was enabled to buy a team, and then engaged in teaming. This lat- ter occupation he followed for three years, when he learned telegraphy. He was very quick to learn and soon became an adept and was immedi- ately given an office, and is now one of the oldest operators and agents in the employ of the Pan Handle Company. He has been in the employ of this company since 1880, and has had charge of the office at New Holland since that time. He has also been agent for the Adams Express Com- pany at this place since 1884. Aside from his railroad duties, Mr. Ferrel is engaged in the coal business and controls all the trade in his town, and handles upwards of one hundred and twenty- five carloads a year.
The worthy subject of this life notice was mar- ried August 9, 1883, to Miss Carrie Davis, a daughter of Dr. B. R. Davis, of New Holland. One child has been born of this union, who bears the name of Nina. Mr. Ferrel is a thorough- going business man and has plenty of push, pluck and perseverance, which always insure success in any undertaking.
r ENRY LEASE, a well-known resident of Union Township, Fayette County, is a son of Joseph Lease, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 25, 1811. The latter's father, George Lease, was one of the first settlers in Ross County, and he and his wife came to that county on horseback from Virginia at an early day.
George Lease had a family of eight children, and all but one grew to mature years and settled in Hardin and Ross Counties. In Ross County, George Lease bought land and reared his family about two miles west of Frankfort. Ile served in the War of 1812, in the raid through Ohio, and all through those early years the Indians abounded all around them, and they had a hard struggle in their pioneer life in the wilderness.
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