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 24

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 24
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 24
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 24

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Every measure which has in view the promoting of the welfare of the citizens and the interests of the county, finds in Mr. Reichelderfer a hearty and enthusiastic support. He is admirably adapted for public positions of trust and has served his fellow- citizens in various capacities, among them filling the office of Township Clerk to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has also been delegate to several conventions and his name is now prominently mentioned for an important and responsible posi- tion. As he is still young, undoubtedly the fu- ture years will bring to him public honors and suc- cesses.

OHN KNIGHT is a good type of our self- made men, who have also afforded valuable assistance in the making of their native county, Pickaway, while industriously ac- cumulating the property that places them among its substantial, well-to-do citizens. Our subject has one of the best-managed and improved farms in all Washington Township, where he carries on a profitable business as a tiller of the soil and stock- raiser.

Mr. Knight was born in Washington Township, Pickaway County, September 4, 1835. His father, Thomas Knight, who came of the old pioneer stock of Ohio, and was a native of the State, died

in 1838, when our subject was a small boy, and he was only a little child when his mother died. He is the sixth of seven children, five of whom are still living. Being thus early sadly bereft of his parents when he most needed their care, he was bound out to Samuel Fedderoff, a farmer in Salt Creek Township, with whom he lived until he was eighteen years old. Ile was naturally a bright, in- telligent lad, of good parts, but an education was denied him, as he was forced to work when his time should have been given to learning, and his schooling was confined to a brief attendance at a pioneer log schoolhouse. However, his time was not wholly lost, as he learned to work well and to make good use of his faculties, and he has in a measure made up for his early deficiencies in learn- ing by acquiring a goodly fund of information by observation, experience and reading.

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Knight began to work out by the month, receiving $13 a month during the first part of the six years that he was so engaged, his wages gradually increasing until he obtained $22 a month. He wisely saved his money and in due time became independent and was able to establish a home for the wife of his choice. After his marriage, he located on a farm that he bought in Washington Township, and farmed that some years. In 1867, he purchased the farm upon which he has since lived on section 15, of the same township, which, under his careful system of cultivation, is very fruitful, yielding abundant harvests and a comfortable income. Its one hundred and sixty-six acres are well drained and fenced, and our subject has made extensive improvements since the farm came into his posses- sion, repairing and remodeling the buildings, which are commodious and well fitted up, and everything about the place shows the guidance of a master hand and the presence of one who thor- oughly understands his calling. Mr. Knight has a well-balanced mind, is sensible and shrewd, carry- ing on his affairs in a business-like manner, fairness and justice characterizing all his dealings, and he bears a high reputation among his fellow-citizens, who know him well and esteem him accordingly. In his political views, he is a decided Democrat and is unswerving in his allegiance to his party.

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Our subject was married in 1859 to Miss Rebecca Leist, who was an important factor in his pros- perity. Mrs. Knight was also a native of Picka- way County, her birthplace in Washington Town- ship, and she was a daughter of one of its early pio- neer families. ller parents, Jacob and Julia Leist, were natives of this State, and have long since passed away. Mrs. Knight was a valued member of the Evangelical Association and was a true Chris- tian in every sense of the word. Her otherwise happy wedded life with our subject was overshad- owed by the death of four of their nine children, Charles, Georgia, Emma and Ida. These are spared: Lizzie, Rose, Laura, John and Minnie. Our sub- ject's wife departed this life at her home April 20, 1892.

ON. MANFRED WILLARD. The Fayette County Bar has a number of able represen- tatives at Washington C. II., prominent among whom is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who, for a quarter of a century or more, has been actively identified with the legal fraternity of the city. His office is loca- ted in the Yeoman Block, where he occupies a pleasant suite of rooms. Eminent for his close and careful study of every technicality of the law, his knowledge alike of State and general laws and his ability as a pleader, he is worthy of special men- tion in a volume dedicated to the leading citizens of the county.

With the exception of the period during which he was in the service of the Union, Mr. Willard has passed his life principally in Washington C. II., where he was born September 18, 1839. His par- ents, Lochart D. and Mary J. (Doren ) Willard. were natives, respectively, of Franklin County, Mass., and Pennsylvania. The father came to the Buckeye State in 1830, and afterward commenced the study of law with Wade Loofborrow, one of the first practitioners of the county. He was ad- mitted to practice at the Bar of the State of Ohio, and carried on an extensive practice until 1853, when he was elected Probate Judge, being the sec- ond to fill that position in the county. When he

resigned from that office in February, 1861, he re- moved with his family to Illinois, and later to Alexander, Thayer County, Neb., where he still re- sides. Prior to 1856, he was a Democrat, but since that year has been a firm upholder of Repub- lican principles.

After completing his schooling in the common schools of Washington C. Il., our subject was en- gaged in farming, being for a time on his father's farm in Fayette County, and also engaging in the same way in Illinois. August 1, 1861, he enlisted in Illinois, and the first quota being complete, the Governor refused to allow others to leave the State. The company met August 1, at Moline, and, forming a cavalry company, proceeded to Ft. Leavenworth, where they were attached to the regi- ment. They were ordered to Lexington. Mo., where they remained until the Union forces sur- rendered to Gen. Price. On the day of the sur- render, they were paroled, and sent to Hannibal, Mo., where they re-organized as another regiment.

Mr. Willard returned to Illinois to recruit an- other company, and afterward went to his old home in Ohio, where he raised a company. Not desiring to go back to Missouri, and being a pa- roled prisoner, he recruited Company HI, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, of which he was commissioned Captain. In 1862, he participated in Fremont's campaign against Jackson, and engaged in skir- mishes all the way from Franklin, Va., through Strawsburg, to Port Royal and Cross Keys, thence to Winchester, where he remained until the latter part of August, 1862. Ile then proceeded to Harp- er's Ferry, where, for the second time, he was cap- tured. Being wounded, he remained in a private residence for thirty days, when his father suc- ceeded in getting him home. ITis sufferings and exposures had undermined his robust constitution, until he was reduced from his average weight of one hundred and eighty pounds to ninety-eight.

Soon after his return home, Mr. Willard was elected Probate Judge, and served in that capacity for one term. Meanwhile, he studied law in the office of Briggs & Palmer, and was admitted to the Bar in 1867. He at once commenced a general practice, which he has since continued. In con- nection with his legal work, he was Cashier of the

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Fayette County National Bank from 1872 until 1875. He is interested in all public measures that tend to promote the interest of the people, and po- litically, is a Republican. Ilis marriage, April 14, 1865, united him to Mrs. Worley, who, by a former marriage, was the mother of one child, Charles B., now a jeweler in St. Joseph, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Willard are the parents of three children: Jane B., Laura A. and Herbert M.

M ACK ARTHUR LANUM. County Coroner, Circleville, Ohio. Nowhere in Pickaway County can we find a man more popular or more highly esteemed than the subject of this sketch, who has won a host of friends by his many estimable qualities of mind and heart. At present, under the firm title of Albaugh & Lanum, he is engaged in the undertaking business, and, as all know, there are few branches of business, if any, that require more consideration or sympa- thetie feeling than that of undertaker. Mr. Lanum seems well adapted for this business, being well grounded by nature and experience, and his quiet tact, coupled with decision and perfect, unostenta- tious knowledge of the business required, has in- creased his patronage very materially.

Mr. Lanum comes of an old Virginia family and is of English descent. Ilis father, Vincent Lanum, was a Virginian, as was also the grandfather Lanum. Vincent Lanum followed agricultural pursuits in his native State until about 1832, when the fertile soil of the Buckeye State tempted him to make a set- tlement within its borders. He first went on horse- back, selected a suitable location near what subse- quently became the home place in Union Township, and was afterward married there. Ilis farm was six miles south of Washington C. II., in Fayette County, and he began making improvements. He had accumulated a handsome property, but by go- ing security for his friends lost it all. His wife died and he was the second time married, after which he located on the farm where he died, in 1867. At the time of Morgan's raid, he went to Washington C. H. and offered his services but was

refused on account of his age. This did not please him at all, and after coming home, he molded bul- lets and the next morning, rifle in hand, saw him en route for Chillicothe. However, on the way he was induced to turn back. He was a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in religion. His wife. the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Lucinda McArthur, a native of Washington C. H., Ohio, and of Scotch descent. Her father, Arthur MeArthur, was a large land-owner and owned the site of the present city of Washington C. H. He was a cousin of ex-Gov. McArthur and was related to the MeDougals and Melves men- tioned in Scott's works. Grandfather MeArthur was one of the first Marshalls of Washington C. II., and was also Sheriff of the county. The stepm ther of our subject, after the death of her Imsband, kept the family together and reared them to mature years. She died at the home of our subject on the 26th of July, 1891, when sixty-six years of age. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mack Arthur Lanum was born in Union Town- ship, Fayette County, Ohio, on the 23d of January, 1860, and was the only child born of the father's second marriage. He assisted his father in farm work and thus continued until thirteen years of age. His parents then removed to Washingon C. Il. and he attended the High School there until just before graduating, when he was obliged to quit on account of ill health. He was subsequently apprenticed to learn the undertaker's trade and continued in this for five years, being most of the time head man. After this, with Thomas Cleve- land, he went to Frankfort, Ohio, and bought a drug-store but after one year's experience in this business he concluded that some other enterprise would suit him just as well. For one year after this, he was engaged in business in South and West Ohio, and in 1883 he located in Circleville, where he formed a partnership in the undertaking business with Mr. Albangh. . Mr. Lanum has the largest business of the kind in Circleville, occupies two floors, and is wide-awake and enterprising.

In the fall of 1888, he was elected County Cor- oner and has had several interesting cases, the King murder case being one of them. Mr. Lanum

Thomas Alkin

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was married in October, 1890,to Miss Kate A.Lynch, daughter of James II. Lynch, who was born in this State. Socially, Mr. Lanum is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Demo- crat. He has been a delegate to different conven- tions and is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Club of Pickaway County.

HOMAS ALKIRE, a retired farmer of Mt. Sterling, is a native of Madison County. He was born March 31, 1825, and is a son of John H. and Sarah (Schyles) Alkire. The father, who was born in Kentucky, came to Ohio with Grandfather Alkire when quite young, and was a farmer by occupation, He served in the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, the boyhood days of our subject were passed and he received very limited educational advantages. When he was fourteen years of age, his father went to Vigo County, Ind., but he remained in Ohio and began working by the day or month as a farm hand. Since that time, he has made his own way in the world, and his success in life is due entirely to his own efforts. Working in this way, he managed to lay by a little money, and on the 18th of January, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Damia Strain, of Pleasant Township, Madison County, where the lady was born in October, 1828.

Mr. Alkire had a span of horses but sold one in order to purchase furniture for his house. He con- tinued to work one season at $11 per month and boarded himself. The next spring, he managed to get another horse and, renting some land, began farming on his own account. Some years after- ward, hoping to better his financial condition, he removed to Vigo County, Ind., but was not pleased with the place, and the following spring returned to Ohio. He again rented for some time and as soon as his financial resources had increased sufficiently, purchased fifty acres in Pleasant Town-

ship. The land was heavily covered with timber, but he cleared the entire track. He afterward bought and sold several farms in this part of the State. He now owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of land in Madison County, and fifty acres in Vigo County, Ind., which his father left him.

Mr. and Mrs. Alkire have never had any children of their own but have given homes to three. The poor and needy have found in our subject a friend, and as far as possible he has aided in all enterprises for the advancement of the public good. In pol- ities, he was first a Whig and on the organization of the Republican party, joined its ranks, voting for Fremont in 1856. Ile is a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. For twenty-five years, he has also been a Third Degree Mason. In 1887, he erected his pleasant home in Mt. Sterling and has since lived a retired life, the income derived from his farms being sufficient to keep him through- out his remaining years without any manual labor on his part. Mr. Alkire may truly be called a self- made man, for he began life as a poor boy, empty- handed, and has worked his way upward to a place among the substantial citizens of the community. His life has been well and worthily spent, and he has the high regard of many friends.

A portrait of Mr. Alkire accompanies this sketch of his life.

ALMER CONE SMITH, of Circleville, is one of the most prominent lawyers of the Buckeye State, and by his skill and ability has risen to the high position which he now occupies at the Ohio Bar. As he is widely and favorably known, his sketch will prove of in- terest to many of our readers.

Mr. Smith was born in Whitestown, Oneida County, N. Y., July 31, 1823. The great grand- father of our subject, Ignatius Smith, was a native of Wales, and in the early part of the eighteenth century settled in Massachusetts. The grandfather, Polycarpus Smith, was born at Cape Cod, and in an early day became a New York farmer. His death

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occurred in Whitestown in 1807. He had married Dorothy Otis, a native of the Bay State. Her father, Joseph Otis, was a brother of the celebrated James Otis, of Boston, a Revolutionary orator, and was descended from Joli Otis, who came from Norfolk County, England.

Joseph Otis Smith, father of our subject, was born in Whitestown, N. Y., and married Harriet Cone, a native of Westmoreland, Oneida County. Her father, Walter Cone, was a large land-owner of New York, who served in the Revolutionary War and died in the Empire State. He married Dorothy Palmer, who came of an old Connecticut family of Seoteh origin. Mrs. Smith died at the age of seventy-five years. In her family were three children: Mark, who followed farming, and died on the old homestead; Palmer, of this sketch; and Mrs. JJanet Smith, who died in London, Ohio.

Our subject acquired his education in the com- mon schools and at Ilampton Academy, and at the age of twenty began teaching. On attaining his majority, he emigrated to London, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching for four winters, and during that time began fitting himself for the legal pro- fession, studying under his brother-in-law, Hon. H. W. Smith. He was admitted to the Bar at Col- umbus in the old Supreme Court of Ohio, in December, 1846, and the following spring located in Circleville, where he has since engaged in prac- tice. In the fall of 1849, he formed a partnership with Judge JJones, now at Delaware, and the con- nection continued until 1856. Mr. Smith was elected City Solicitor for two terms, and has served as Prosecuting Attorney, being elected on the Re- publican ticket. Ile has never been an office-seeker, preferring to give his attention to private practice. He is the oldest attorney of Circleville, and has the largest library in the county. His office is situated in the Masonic Temple block and, since 1877, he has been the senior member of the prom- inent law firm of Smith & Morris. He practices in all the courts of the State and the United States, from the Supreme Court down.

In December, 1858, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Osborn, a native of Col- umbus, Ohio, and a daughter of Ralph Osborn, a native of Connecticut, and one of the early settlers

of Circleville. He served as Anditor for the State for nearly seventeen years, from 1815 until 1832, when his death occurred. Three children have been born of their union: JJanet, wife of Dr. Greve, a druggist of Chattanooga, Tenn .; Mary Osborn, who was graduated from the Wesleyan College of Cincinnati; and Harriet Otis, a graduate of Bar- tholomew College, of Cincinnati. ' The younger daughters have both been highly educated and have considerable musical talent. Mary is organ- ist in the Methodist Church and is court stenog- rapher of Pickaway County.

Mr. Smith is also an active member of the Methodist Church and serves as Trustee. In poli- tics, he is a stalwart Republican, was Chairman of the County Central Committee and has served as a delegate to the State conventions. Ile gives liberally to all public enterprises and has done much for the upbuilding of the community. He speaks fluently and with ease, has an excellent memory and great skill as a,lawyer, his arguments being logical and convincing. He is a genial, whole-souled man, who is liked by every one. His face will never grow old, for it is so often lighted up with a smile of rare sweetness and contagious gayety, while his eyes twinkle with good humor.

YMAN HAMMEL. Some of the most ener- getie and enterprising merchants of the go-ahead town of Circleville, Ohio, are identified with the grocery trade and prominent among those engaged in it is the firm of Hall & Ilammel, which not only handles a full and com- plete stock of the choicest groceries, but agricul- tural implements as well. The members of this firm are enterprising and ambitious gentlemen, full of that push and perseverance that secure suc- cess in whatever is undertaken.

Mr. Hammel was born in the Buckeye State, Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, on the 4th of March, 1846, and his father, Eli Ham- mel, was also a native of Clear Creek Town- ship. The grandfather, George Hammel, was a native of Virginia, but an early settler of

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Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, where he was engaged in tilling the soil for many years. The father of our subject continued the same oc- cupation on the old homestead of eighty acres in that township for a number of years, after which he sold out and bought a farm of one hun- dred and seventeen aeres in Amanda Township, that county. He was an industrious, thorough-go- ing man, and by his industry and steady attention to business, acquired a handsome competency. Ile operated the farm until his death in 1888. He was a firm believer in the advantages of the platform held by the Democratic party, and was a public- spirited citizen. His wife was formerly Miss Ma- tilda Barr, whose father, Thomas Barr, was a native of the Old Dominion, and one of the pioneer set- tlers of the Buckeye State. She was reared on the old farm, and received her education in the primi- tive log schoolhouse of those days, and was a good and true woman, who had many friends.

Of the six children born to this worthy couple, our subject was second in order of birth. Until eighteen years of age, he remained in Clear Creek Township, and, like the majority of farmer lads, divided his time in youth in attending the district school and in assisting his father in the ardnous duties on the farm. At the above-mentioned age, he removed with his parents to Amanda Township, Fairfield County, and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. After this, he worked on different farms until twenty-six years of age, and then came to the thriving city of Circleville, Pickaway County, where he remained for a short time. Later, he went on a farm in Washington Township, Pickaway County, re- mained on the same for four years, and then came to Circleville again. Two years later, he engaged in the coal, lime and cement business on Canal Street, and continued this until March, 1882, when he embarked in the grocery business by himself. One year later, Mr. Hall became a partner with Mr. Ham- mel under the firm name of Hall & Hammel, and since then the firm has carried on a large and ex- tensive trade. Both gentlemen are capable, enter- prising and wide-awake business men, and merit the large trade they have seenred. In 1883, these push- ing, energetic business men erected their fine, large

store, 30x85 feet, and they have this tastily and nicely fitted up with a large stock of the best goods. This thriving business is situated on the corner of Court and High Streets.

Miss Samantha Heffner, whom our subject mar- ried in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, in 1873, is the daughter of Henry Heffner, who is a res- ident of this city. She was born in Circleville, and is a lady whose estimable qualities are well known. Mr. Hammel was a member of the City Council for two years, from 1884 until 1886, and was on dif- ferent committees. Both hold membership in the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Hammel is a strong sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party. Hle has been a delegate to the county conventions several times, and is active in all worthy enter- prises.

G EORGE W. HOFFMAN. Many years have passed away since this gentleman closed his eyes upon earthly scenes, but he is still re- membered with affection by the citizens of Circle- ville. It was in that city that he died, in 1864. By his upright and conscientious life, he built for himself a monument that will outlast shafts of granite or statues of bronze, and carved his name higher and in a more enduring manner than though written in brass.

The son of John and Susan Hoffman, natives of Kentucky, Mr. Hoffman was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, February 7, 1823, and received his education in the common schools of that place. In early manhood he spent several years in the mercantile business and also had charge of extensive farming interests. He served with valor through the Mex- ican War and then returned to his Ohio home. In 1855, he located in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, and for three years was occupied in farm- ing pursuits, removing thence to Circleville on ac- count of failing health.

In 1854, Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage with Miss Sallie J. Crouse, who was born near Chillicothe, Ross County, this State. Her grand- father, John Crouse, was a soldier during the War of 1812 and was a native of Pennsylvania, whither

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his ancestors had removed from North Carolina. At an early period in the history of this State, he removed hither and settled on a farm near Chilli- cothe. There his son David was born and reared, his youth being passed in rural pursuits and in assisting his father in the distillery. He built the first paper mill in the State of Ohio, which was lo- cated in Ross County, about seven miles from Chillicothe, and operated it during the remainder of his life, transacting an extensive business.

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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 24

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