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 21

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 21
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 21
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 21

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When our subject was about two years old, his parents removed to Madison Mills, where he grew to manhood. In his boyhood, he aided his father in the blacksmith shop and attended school. Be- tween the ages of thirteen and twenty years, he worked by the month upon a farm, and on attain- ing his majority found himself with a couple of horses, which he sold. He then began the study of medicine with his brother, in whose office he re- mained for two years, when he came to Mt. Ster-

ling and was employed as a salesman for Dr. Mc- Clintock, with whom he remained for five years.

On the 1st of June, 1887, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Willie E. Larey, of Mt. Ster- ling, daughter of John and Julia Larey, and a na- tive of Pickaway County, Ohio. Their union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, Cleo Belle, born May 18, 1888.

Having passed the examination for a pharma- cist's certificate about a year after his marriage, Mr. Clark bought a half interest in the drug store of Dr. McClintock. Two years later, he bought out the drug store of P. II. Mandabach, and still continued to hold the half interest in the other store. A year later, he bought out Dr. McClintock and combined the two stocks in 1890. Mr. Clark has a full and complete stock of drugs and has a well-appointed store. He is doing a good business and well deserves his liberal patronage. In politics, he is a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for W. S. Hancock. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows' society. Himself and wife hold membership with the Methodist Church and are prominent people of Mt. Sterling.

AVID C. THROCKMORTON, proprietor of the American Furniture Store, and one of the leading citizens of Circleville, was born in Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, on the 18th of October, 1846, and is of Welsh descent. His grandfather, Ezekiel Throck- morton was a native of Wales. After his mar- riage, he emigrated to America and made a loca- tion in Ross County, Ohio, where he was engaged in broom making. He afterward removed to Missouri, settling near St. Louis, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming until his death. The father of our subject, Thomas Throckmorton, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and learned the trade of broom making with his father. He after- ward carried on that business at Jeffersonville, and established the first broom factory at that place. While on his way West in 1847, his death

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occurred in Waterloo, Fayette County, Ohio. His wife bore the maiden name of Jale Jones, and is a daughter of John D. Jones, a native of Scot- land. Her father was a school teacher, and fol- lowed that profession first in Virginia, and after- ward at Pickaway, Ohio. In 1837, he became a teacher in Jefferson, after which he became a stock dealer, buying and shipping stock. His last days were spent in Washington C. H. where he died in 1860, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a soldier in the Mexican War and served as a Ser- geant under Gen. Taylor. The mother of our subject has, since her husband's death, become Mrs. Hiekman, and resides in Circleville.

D. C. was the only child born unto Thomas Throckmorton and his wife. He was reared in his native county until ten years of age, when he re- moved with his mother to Lexington, Ky., and in 1859, went to Richmond, Ky., where he attended school. The year 1862 witnessed his return to Ohio. He was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade under John Lisinger, and worked in that line until February, 1864, when he responded to the country's call for troops. He was then only seventeen years of age, but he became one of the boys in blue of Company K, Ninetieth Ohio In- fantry. He was mustered in at Camp Douglas, be- came a musician and was sent South, joining Sher- man's Army. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, Snake Gap, Dal- ton, Kenesaw Mountain, and all the engagements in which his regiment bore a part in the Atlanta campaign. Ile also fought in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, Columbia and Nashville. His regi- ment then returned home, but Mr. Throckmorton and a few recruits were sent to Texas with Gen. D). Stanley. Our subject served as his Orderly un- til discharged at Victoria on the 3d of October, 1865, being mustered out at Columbus in No- vember following. He was one of the youngest soldiers in the service, but was none the less true and loyal, and may well be proud of his army record.

On his return to Circleville, Mr. Throckmorton was apprenticed to J. M. Duffy, a carriage maker. with whom he remained nine years. Ile became foreman of the factory, and during the last three

years had almost control of the entire business. In 1883, began his connection with the furniture busi- ness. Ile worked with B. Kath for three years, during which time he did some fine cabinet-work, and for eighteen months was with Mr. Kath's suc- cessors, Maddy & Probst. In May, 1887, he be- gan business for himself, establishing the American Furniture Store in the American House Block. His sale-room is 22x78 feet, and is well filled with a good stock of furniture of excellent designs. In connection with this he also does an extensive business in the manufacture of picture frames.

In Circleville, in 1877, Mr. Throckmorton mar- ried Miss Martha Forquer, a native of Perry County, Ohio, and a daughter of John Forquer of this place. Six children have been born of their union, five of whom are yet living: John, Martha, James, Thomas and Florence. Arthur, the first child, died at the age of two and a half years.

In April, 1891, Mr. Throckmorton was elected a member of the City Council on the Democratic ticket, and is still filling that office. He has proved himself a capable officer and well merits the honor conferred upon him. Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is the youngest member of Groce Post, G. A. R. He also belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and is a member of the Knights of St. John, and a stanch advocate of Democracy. He is recognized as one of the leading business men of Cireleville and is now enjoying a liberal patronage, of which he is well deserving, and his courteous treatment and upright dealings have won the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

S COTT CHENOWETHI. Among the promi- nent and leading agrieulturists of Madison County who are selected for representation in this biographical work, we take pleasure in presenting the worthy subject of this sketch. Mr. Chenoweth, who is a resident of Range Town- ship, is a native of this place, having been born here December 11, 1855. Ile is a son of Jeremiah

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B. and Elizabeth ( Bostwick) Chenoweth, for a fur- ther history of whom the reader is referred to their sketch on another page in this volume.

He of whom we write was given a fair education in the common schools and began to do for him- self after attaining his eighteenth year. He re- mained under the parental roof until his marriage, December 28, 1876, to Miss Anna Rowlen, of Range Township, Madison County. She was born in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, August 10, 1855, and is the daughter of Josiah and Harriet Hill Rowlen, who are residing at the present time in London, this State. Mrs. Chenoweth received an excellent education, and by her union with our subject became the mother of four children, viz: Edgar, who was born December 4, 1878; Ersel and Mabel (twins), born March 21, 1884, and Homer R., August 19, 1888.

Mrs. Chenoweth was accidentally killed by being struck by the morning train from Cincinnati, on April 1, 1890. She had just left her home and was driving along in a buggy, when the 9:15 train rushed along much faster than usual, sounding neither whistle nor bell. Mrs. Chenoweth was thirty-four years of age at the time of her death, and was the daughter of Josiah Rowlen, of London, to whose home her remains were removed. She was a woman of remarkable character, and was dearly beloved by all with whom she came in con- tact, her friends being as numerous as her acquaint- ances. Her pleasant home, which was located six miles from Mt. Sterling, was characterized by all the comforts of rural life, and was one of the most hospitable in this locality. Mr. Chenoweth was tendered the sympathy of the entire community in this most sad bereavement, and the immense concourse of people which was present at the funeral testified to the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

In his political relations, our subject is a true- blue Republican, and was a candidate before the convention for the nomination of Sheriff, but was defeated by a small majority. lle has served his party as a delegate to various conventions and is active in all measures which tend to the devel- opment and upbuilding of this community. In the division of his father's property, he fell heir

to two hundred and fifty acres of the estate, which he has placed under excellent cultivation, and erected thercon two substantial dwellings and a barn. He has laid five thousand rods of tile on the place, and by his industry and good judgment, has caused it to be ranked among the very best in the township.

E DWIN N. GUNSAULUS, editor and pro- prietor of the London Times, a Republican organ, and the oldest paper published in Madison County, is a young man whose strong individuality, cultured mind and executive ability of a high order, place him among the leaders of his profession in this part of the State. He is a native of Mt. Liberty, Knox County, Ohio, his birthplace, and December 13, 1859, the date of his advent into the family of Dr. C. and Eliza Gun- saulus, who are now residents of Centreburgh, that county, he being the second of their three chil- dren.

During his boyhood, his parents removed to Mt. Vernon, whence, a short time after, they went, in 1875, to Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, where his education was continued, and in 1878 he was graduated from school with the highest honors. Soon after, he began his journalistic career by en- tering the office of the Morrow County Sentinel, the Republican organ of that county, and besides mastering all the details of the printer's art, he did local and editorial work on the paper, thereby acquiring invaluable experience.

Thus well equipped for the profession, he pur- chased the Centreburgh Gazette, in 1882, and became a full-fledged editor, with promises of a successful career that have been amply fulfilled. IIc con- ducted that paper until December, 1887, when he disposed of his interests in it to become half owner of the London Times, and at the same time he re- signed the office of Mayor of Centreburgh, to which he had been elected in the spring of that year as a Republican. In September, 1890, Mr. Gunsaulus purchased his partner's interest in the

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Times, and is at present sole editor and proprietor of the same. This paper, as before mentioned, is the oldest published in Madison County, and is re- cognized as the mouthipiece of the local Republican party, whose every utterance anent politics carries with it weight and influence. Before the paper came into the hands of Mr. Gunsaulus, it had passed through many vicissitudes, and had suffered of late years by reason of frequent changes of pro- prietors and loose management. When our sub- ject gained control of it, with characteristic energy and resolution, he set about bringing it back to its old-time vigor, and in this he has been more than successful.

In July, 1891, a complete new outfit of type was purchased as well as a gas engine and all the accessories necessary to the equipment of a first- class, modern paper and job office. The Times was enlarged from a nine-column folio to an eight-page, seven-column paper, and now ranks as one of the leading newspapers of the State, with an appear- ance second to none, and with a large and con- stantly increasing circulation.

Our subject is very happily situated in regard to his domestic relations. He was married March 28, 1889, to Miss Harriet N. Mitchell, who is also a native of Knox County, and is a daughter of Spencer and Harriet Mitchell. To Mr. and Mrs. Gunsaulus a son was born February 28, 1890, whom they have named Paul Mitchell.

R OTH BROS., the individual members of the firm being George E. and William Roth, are live, energetic business men, and have been engaged in the tannery business since September, 1872. They are wealthy citizens of Circleville and are truly self-made men, for they had very little to start with. They have all the thrift and energy of their German ancestors and are possessed of all those qualities that make use- ful and influential citizens.

The father, George Roth, was born in Prussia, Germany, near Mecklenburg, and, like the majority of his native countrymen, learned a trade. He

became a tanner and operated a tannery at Wis- mar, that country, for many years. He was in the Home Guards while in his native country. In 1855, he took passage for America with his son and after residing at Harmony, Ohio, for a short time, in 1856 removed to Jeffersonville, Fayette County, and there remained for a number of years. In 1872, he came to Circleville, Ohio, and bought a tannery owned by a Mr. Jackson. This he re- modeled and improved in every way, and carried on until his death, in 1876. Afterward, the two sons, George E. and William, took charge of the business. Aside from the tannery, the father owned four hundred acres of improved land near Jeffer- sonville, and was a wide-awake, industrious citi- zen. He was a Republican in politics, and in re- ligion was of the Baptist persuasion. To his mar- riage were born seven children, as follows: George E .; Fredrick, who resides in New Mexico, and is a big ranchman; Albert, is a farmer of Madison County, Ohio; Joannah, is Mrs. Henry Clausing, and resides in Fayette County, Ohio; William; Adolph died at the age of nineteen; and Lewis who died when fifteen years of age.

George E. Roth, the eldest of this family, was born in Wismar, Germany, on the 15th of Septem- ber, 1839, and remained there until fourteen years of age. His greatest desire at that time was to become a sailor, and he became a cabin-boy on a merchantman, with which he remained three years. Ile was on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea during this time, and weathered many severe storms and gales. When he returned home, he was a boy of seventeen, and he came with his parents and brothers and sister to America. They were twenty-six days on the ocean, and after reaching American soil they came immediately to Jefferson- ville, Fayette County, Ohio, where the father fol- lowed his trade as mentioned before. After the death of the father, George E. and William bought the tannery in Circleville from the other heirs and immediately commenced making improvements. This is the largest enterprise of the kind in the county and reflects much credit upon its owners. They built a brick addition, and the building is now one hundred and twenty feet square and is two stories in height. It is on one and three-

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quarter acres, situated at the foot of Main Street, on the canal, and they work one hundred and fifty hides per week. This enterprise is operated with steam power, there are one hundred vats, and one thousand cords of oak bark are used yearly. Eighteen hands are employed and everything is superintended by these thorough-going business men themselves. George E. Roth owns five hun- dred and two acres in Fayette County, Ohio, near Holland, and is engaged quite extensively in stock- raising.

These brothers own two stores in the old Weld- ing Block on Main Street, and George E. owns a fine residence on the corner of Sciota and Watt Streets. This was built by himself and is two stories in height, made of the finest pressed brick, and is valued at $10,000. He and his brother built another house in 1882, but he sold his interest to his brother in 1891. Mr. Roth is a stockholder in the First National Bank, and is one of the sub- stantial men of the county. He was married in Jefferson ville, Fayette County, to Miss Lizzie Millenpaulen, a native of Prussia, who came to this country with an uncle when sixteen years of age. Two children have been born to this union: Adolphus F., now book-keeper at the Straw Board Works, which position he has held for the past seven years, since the age of sixteen years, and George E., who is attending the High School of Circleville. Mr. Roth is a member of the Baptist Church, and was Trustee of the same for some time. In politics, he is an advocate of Republican principles.

William Roth was born in Wismar, Germany, on the 18th of July, 1849, and was but six years of age when he came to America with his parents. He was carly trained to the tanner's trade, but in connection is also engaged in farming, and has been very successful in both occupations. He re- ceived a very limited education, and was hired out when but a lad for the modest sum of $5 per month. Later, he received $10 per month, and subsequently assisted his father in the tannery and on the farm, being on the farm principally. In 1872, he came to Circleville, where he worked in the tannery, and in 1876 he and his brother George E. purchased it. In 1882, he and his

brother built the American House, one of the pop- ular hotels in the city. William Roth subsequently bought his brother's interest and is sole proprietor of the building and grounds, and is also the owner of two hundred and two acres in Fayette County, Ohio. He also owns two business buildings, with his brother, in the city, three stories and basement in height, and he also owns one-half interest in a large three-story building on Main Street, and has a fine residence on Sciota Street, which cost $6,000. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Carrie Mills, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, who was educated in Zanesville, Ohio. They have two daughters, Anna and Lulu, both taking music les- sons, the former on the piano and the latter on the violin, and both showing considerable talent. Like his brother, our subject is a stanch Republican in his political views.

S TERLING W. PRICE. This well-known merchant of Range Township, Madison County, is everywhere respected for his sterling worth and excellent business quali- fications. His store is well stocked with a full line of general merchandise and attracts attention be- canse of the nicety in which it is kept. Our sub- ject was born in El Paso, Ill., June 14, 1862, and is a son of William and Hannah (Duff) Price.

The parents of our subject came to Range Township, Madison County, when Sterling W. was three years of age. The father, who is still living, is a retired farmer, and our subject was also reared to agricultural pursuits and received a good education in the common schools. He was an apt pupil, made the best of his opportunities, and when nineteen years of age was enabled to teach school, which occupation he followed for four years. During vacations he clerked for Hewitt Bros., at Sedalia, and March 1, 1887, opened up his present business, being enabled to put in only a small stock of goods. He is a man with a clear, sound judgment, and as the years passed by enlarged his store, until now he does a thriving and prosperous business.

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Mr. Price has never married and is the fifth in a family of seven children born to his parents, all of whom are living. Politically, he is a Democrat, casting his first Presidential vote in 1884 for Cleveland. He joined the ranks of the Masons in 1891, and is classed among the public-spirited, progressive and enterprising citizens of Range Township, and enjoys to the fullest the confidenee of the best in the community.

Le EMUEL BOGGS. No name is more worthy of honor and distinction in the annals of Pickaway County than that of Boggs, which is inseparably linked with its rise and growth from the very first days of its settlement to the present time. It is one of the members of this family whose portrait and life sketch are here pre- sented, Lemuel Boggs being one of the fourth gen- eration of its representatives that have had their homes in this beautiful and highly favored region. He is a native of the county, born in Piekaway Township January 16, 1845; is a leader in its business and financial circles, is one of its most successful farmers, and is a conspicuous figure in its public and political life.

Our subject is descended from an old Virginia family. His grandfather, Maj. John Boggs, was a son of John and Jane (Irwin) Boggs, who lived on a small stream in Virginia that empties into the Ohio, and is called Boggs' Run. During the time of the Indian troubles, the family took refuge in the fort at Wheeling. Prior to that, the Indians had surprised and captured the eldest son, William, within sight of the other members of the terror- stricken family, whom the red-skins intended to capture too, or to massacre; but upon questioning the boy, whom they had conveyed to a place of security, he told them that there were seven or eight men at the house, and so saved his friends, as the Indians considered that too great a number for them to attack. They believed the lad's story, as they had seen several men about the farm engaged in harvesting, and supposed that they slept at the

house at night, which was by no means the case, the father being the only man there.

The capture of the Major's brother occurred in 1781 or 1782, when the Major was but six years old. The brave boy was taken to West Liberty, near the present site of Urbana, Ohio, where he was detained about nineteen months, and then ex- changed and sent home. His father did not recog- nize him in his Indian habiliments, even after an extended conversation with him. Another son of John and Jane Boggs was killed on Ohio soil, op- posite Wheeling, by the Indians. He was return- ing from a hunting expedition, with half a dozen comrades, and they were encamped for the night, when the savages stole upon them and fired into their midst as they slept. Young Boggs was wounded, but, sitting crippled on the ground, made a desperate fight before he was finally dispatched with a tomahawk, his companions escaping in the meantime.

Maj. John Boggs was born May 10, 1775, and came to Piekaway County in 1798. His party floated down the Ohio River on a keel-boat to the mouth of the Scioto, and from there went by barge up the latter stream to the station below Chillicothe. At that place, they left their boat, and proceeded towards the source of the stream on foot, to a point within the present limits of Greene Town- ship, Ross County, from which they could look far up the valley upon a scene of the richest and most peaceful loveliness. Little did they dream of the teeming life that that lovely and fertile valley would one day hold, or of the signs of industry, wealth, culture and happiness it was destined to display.

The Boggs family found that some pioneer had been before them in selecting land in that region, and as in the ethics of the early settlers it was con- sidered highly dishonorable to locate where an- other had made a beginning, however small, they continued their course up the stream to the Picka- way Plains, where John Boggs, Sr., selected a site, and subsequently entered six hundred and forty acres of land. His son, the Major, went up the Congo to the place where stands the Logan Elm, beneath whose boughs Logan, Chief of the Min- gos, made his famous speech, when Lord Dunmore,

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Royal Governor of Virginia, in 1774, coneluded the treaty of peace with the Indians, whereby the Northwest Territory was thrown open for settle- ment.

After selecting a suitable location for his future home, and preparing a rude dwelling, Maj. Boggs returned to Boggs' Run, Ohio County, Va., and was there married in the year 1800 to Sarah Mc- Mecken. He brought her back with him to the spot he had chosen for their habitation, and here they dwelt in peace and plenty for many years, and reared a large family of children, nine in number, namely: William, Jane, Lemuel, John. Nancy, Lydia, Moses, James, and Sydney, all of whom are deceased. The Major was a man of very industrious habits, who did with a will whatever he undertook, and toiled early and late in the work of clearing a farm, working patiently against many disadvantages to make improvements, but with ult- imate success. In time, he became one of the wealthiest men of the county, accumulating a val- nable property, including eighteen hundred acres of land in Pickaway Township, and two thousand acres in Indiana, beside his personal effects. The hnm- ble log cabin in which he and his wife first began their wedded life he replaced by a more commodi- ous residence, built probably in 1816, and still standing in a good state of preservation. Soon after settling here, he erected a flouring-mill near the mouth of Scipio Creek, which was the first gristmill in the Scioto Valley north of Chillicothe, and was known for many years as Boggs' Mill.

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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 21

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

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