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 25
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 25
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 25
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The death of Mr. Crouse, which took place in 1838, removed from the scenes of his usefulness one who had been actively connected with the growth of the county. He was a firm Democrat and a member of the Legislature at the time of his death, always taking an active interest in politics. So successful was he, that at the time he was called hence he was one of the wealthiest citizens of Ross County, owning large tracts of land in various lo- calities and being interested in the banks of Chilli- cothe, as well as in other places. He was a man of note, wielded an extensive influence and possessed excellent judgment and splendid business qualifi- cations.
The mother of Mrs. Hoffman was known in maidenhood as Elizabeth Boggs and was the daugh- ter of John, and a half-sister of Capt. John Boggs, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Crouse became the parents of eight chil- dren who grew to maturity, but only two are now living: Mrs. Iloffman and D. J. Crouse, a very prominent retired citizen of Chillicothe, who has established a national reputation as a breeder of thoroughbred horses, in which he has been very successful.
The early education of Mrs. Hoffman was re- ceived in the schools of Hillsborough, Ohio, and she subsequently attended Dr. Beaty's Seminary, at Steubenville, Ohio, graduating from there in 1849. She spent about four years in travel, visiting many places of interest in the East and South, and in 1854 was married to our subject. They became the parents of three children: Wood, Crouse and Georgia, the latter being the wife of Will C. Tomp- kins, a lithographer of New York City.
Mrs. Hoffman is the owner of about five hundred acres of choice land bordering on the Scioto River,
where Westfall, one of the first villages of Picka- way County, was located. The house of Logan, Chief of the Mingoes, was situated on that farm, the fort being on an adjoining estate. Much of the time since the death of her husband, Mrs Hoff- man has resided in Circleville, where she has an attractive residence. She is a member of the Epis- copal Church and has helped the city along in the line of religion and education, philanthropy and general culture.
C APT. CHARLES WARREN GUY is a fine representative of Ohio's gallant sons who won distinction as officers during the Civil War, and he has since become no less promi- nent as one of the foremost farmers and stockmen of his native county (Madison), and one who has done much to elevate the standard of the cattle and horses bred within its bounds. His home is on the farm which is his birthplace, in Pike Township, a mile and a half west of Rosedale, where he carries on a large business as a stock dealer.
Captain Guy was born in a typical pioneer home, a little log house built by his father in the early settlement of the county. November 8, 1843, was the date of his birth, and he was the sixth child and fifth son of William and Adelaide (Fullington) Guy, an account of whom appears in the biography of their son, William H. Guy. Our subject's first experience at school was in the local district schools, whence he went to the Mechanicsburg High School, where he was prepared for college, and he then entered the Ohio University at Dela- ware.
He was a student in that institution when the war broke out, and in 1862 he laid aside his books for the sword, full of youthful ardor in his patri- otic desire to help defend the honor of his country at the front. He enlisted in Company D, Sixty- sixth Ohio Infantry, as a private, but he gave such evidence of his courage, fortitude, and efficiency in battle, that he was raised from the ranks to the position of Sergeant, then to that of First Lieuten- ant, and he finally was promoted to be Captain of
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Company K of the regiment in which he enlisted, which was one of the first that was veteranized. He was in the battles of Dumfries (Va.), Chancel- lorsville (Va.) and Gettysburg (Pa.) He was then dispatched with his regiment to New York City at the time of the big riot, and for a while was en- encamped on Governor's Island in the harbor of that city, being under command of Gen. Hooker.
The Captain was subsequently transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and his company was sent to Chattanooga with other forces, about twelve thousand strong. He helped win the day in the celebrated battle "above the clouds" on Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, and the day after, that of Mission Ridge, and subse- quently he did good service at Ringgold, Ga. That same year he re-enlisted as a veteran for three years, or as long as the rebellion should last. He fought with his usual valor and coolness at Rockface Ridge, Ga., and in the hotly-contested engagement at Resaca. At Peach Tree Creek he saw Gen. Joseph W. Ilitt shot from his horse and killed in the midst of the battle. The Captain accompanied Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and he was present and in vigorous action in the battles of Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, and Peach Tree Creek, and helped to lay siege to Atlanta. Our subject fol- lowed the fortunes of war until after peace was declared, and he was mustered out of the army under General Order No. 24, June 28, 1865, hav- ing served with his regiment in twelve different States, traveled eleven thousand miles, and done his share of the fighting in eighteen hard-fought battles. During all that time he never received a scratch, although he was often in the hottest of the fray, and he was off duty only one week, and that on account of sickness.
On his return home to Pike Township, Capt. Guy was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism from the effects of exposure while in the South, and for five long and weary months he was help- less and confined to his bed. He was finally taken to a Cleveland institution and was cured of that terrible malady. Since his recovery he has devoted himself to the management of his extensive inter- ests. The fine farm upon which he lives comprises
six hundred acres of land belonging to himself and his wife, being the combined homesteads that once were the property of their fathers. Beside this estate, the Captain has seven hundred acres of land which he has leased for fifteen years. Ile is largely engaged in handling imported horses, and in 1870 went to England to purchase some very fine draft horses. As a member of the Darby Plains Importing Co., he is doing much to encour- age the breeding of blooded horses.
April 15, 1879, Capt. Guy was united in mar- riage to Miss Flora E., daughter of John and Abi- gail Kennedy. She too is a native of Pike Town- ship. She was educated at the Western University at Delaware, and is a lady of much culture, of su- perior tact, and understands full well the art of making home a cheerful, pleasant and hospitable abode. Two children complete the household of our subject and his wife: Earl W., born September 26, 1880; and Erma Belle, born July 29, 1882.
A man of great force of character, with a strong, evenly-balanced mind, the Captain is a leader in public and political affairs in his community. Hle is a firm Republican, and has never faltered in his allegiance to his party since the days that he fought so nobly for its principles on Southern battlefields. He is Trustee of Pike Township, and for twelve years has looked faithfully after the interests of the township in that capacity. For four years he was Justice of the Peace. Hle is a stockholder in the Central Bank of Mechanicsburg, and one of the Directors of that institution. He is prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Republic as Commander of the Stephen A. Baxter Post No. 88, of Mechanicsburg.
OHN T. WALTERS, owner of the Mt. Ster- ling Roller Mills, is a native of Jasper, Ohio. Hle was born on the 18th of February, 1841, and is a son of Levi and Sarah A. (Riley) Walters. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Ohio, locating in Ross County, where he met and married Miss Sarah A. Riley, and died when our subject was only four
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years old. His mother was afterward married again and he remained at home until thirteen years of age, when he hired out by the month to Thomas R. Robinson, in Pickaway County. Being pleased with the place, he made a contract to remain with Mr. Robinson until he attained his majority and was to be allowed to attend school three months each year. On reaching the age of twenty-one, he was to have a new suit of clothes and $100. Mr. Wal- ters then worked as a farm hand until the late war broke out, when, on the 26th of May, having ob- tained permission from his benefactor, he enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, in the first call for three-years' men. Ile participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Shiloh, and in many others. He was very fortunate, in that he was never wounded or taken prisoner, but was in the hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio, with camp fever, and at Elizabethtown, Ky., for six weeks with the smallpox. When his term of ser- vice had expired, he received his discharge in Louisville, in June, 1864.
Mr. Walters then returned to the North and be- gan to work by the month as a farm hand, which occupation he followed for about two years. He then was united in marriage with Mary E. Robin- son, daughter of his former employer, their union being celebrated October 7, 1866. They began their domestic life upon a rented farm and Mr. Walters continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits for twenty-two years. With the capital he saved during that time, he purchased his present property in May, 1889. He has since improved his mills by putting in steam machinery and has built an addition, thus enlarging his room and capacity. The daily output is about thirty-five barrels, and he has a large and constantly increasing business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walters have been born eight children : Effie Florence, who was born in Pickaway County, February 13. 1868, is the wife of B. B. Musselman, a farmer of Madison County, and to them have been born four children; Thomas Fil- more, who was born in Pickaway County, Febru- ary 15, 1871, is married and has two children; Carrie May, who was born in Madison County, August 3, 1874; Sarah A., who was born in Picka- way County in April, 1878; Daisy E. was born in
Madison County, March 5, 1882; John S. was born in the same county, April 1, 1884; May was born in Madison County, August 5, 1887; and Foster Clayton was born July 28, 1891.
Mr. Walters cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has since been a stanch Republican. He has served as Township Trustee and Town Treasurer, but has never been a politician in the commonly accepted meaning of the term, as he prefers to devote his time and atten- tion to his business interests.
AJ. EMANUEL GEPHART, whose valor during the late war brought him official recognition, has resided in Circleville since February 28, 1836. He is descended from thrifty and worthy German ancestors and his grandfather was the first representative of the family in the United States, his home being in Pennsylvania for a time. Later, he removed to Martinsburgh, W. Va., where the closing years of his life were passed. Near that city, his son Ber- nard, who was born in the Keystone State, operated a large farm of three hundred acres. He was a man of strong determination of character and generous disposition, and in his religious views was a member of the German Reformed Church. His death occurred in 1829, in the prime of man- hood; his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Folk, died in Circleville, in 1872, at an advanced age.
The family to which Emanuel Gephart belongs comprised eleven children and he was the fifth in order of birth. Ile was born near Martinsburgh, Berkeley County, W. Va., April 21, 1814 and was a lad of fourteen years when his father died. Be- fore he was thus orphaned, he had attended the schools of Martinsburgh, but at the above-men- tioned age he was apprenticed to the trade of a car- penter under Mr. Hostler. In 1836, having decided to cast in his lot with the citizens of Ohio, he came with his family to Circleville, the removal being made with a six-horse team. In this city, he found constant employment at his trade and formed a
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partnership with his brother Abram, continuing in that connection for some years. It was the custom in those days for the contractors to take the job and the parties to furnish the material.
While engaged in the trade of a carpenter, the Civil War broke out and in 1862 Mr. Gephart raised a company in sixteen days. The company, which was mustered in at Camp Circleville, was known as Company B, One Hundred and Four- teenth Ohio Infantry, the date of their enlistment being August 22. With our subject as Captain, they marched South and participated in the severe engagement of Chickasaw Bluffs, in which they suffered defeat. They were present at Champion Hills and the siege of Vicksburg, marching thence to New Orleans and through the swamps of Loui- siana to Texas, engaging in numerous skirmishes while en route to the last-named State.
Returning from Texas in April, 1864, the regi- ment marched along the banks of the Red River and every day engaged in skirmishes with the Re- bels. At Mobile, they participated in the Farragut expedition, and when the war was brought to a close, they were ordered to Texas and there dis- charged in September, 1865. Our subject first commanded the company as Captain, remaining in that position until the spring of 1864, when he was promoted to Major of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. Upon his return home, he once more engaged at the carpenter's trade and was occupied in that way until he was appointed by the Government store-keeper at the Morris Steely & Co. Distillery, and afterward transferred to the same post in Fairfield County.
After occupying that position for some seven or eight years, Maj. Gephart resigned and came to Circleville, where he embarked in business as a wholesale liquor, oil and tobacco merchant, and is now proprietor of the principal wholesale house of the city. Maj. Gephart has been identified with the public affairs of Circleville for a long time and served as Alderman several terms before the late war. For thirteen years, he filled the position of Trustee of Circleville Township and has held other offices of responsibility. He is a charter member of Groce Post, G. A. R., and is prominent with the veterans of the war. In his political sympathies.
he is a firm Republican, and socially is identified with the Masonic order as a Royal Arch Mason.
In 1835, Maj. Gephart was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Shaffer, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who died in Circleville after ten years of wedded life. Of the six children born of the un- ion, four died in childhood and only one now sur- vives, Ellen, Mrs. Hoffman, of Circleville. Noah enlisted when eighteen years old as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry and served throughout the war, being mustered out as Quartermaster, with the rank of First Lieutenant. Eight years after the close of the war, he died of quick consumption.
The second marriage of the Major united him with Maria Shultz, a native of Pennsylvania, and an intelligent and worthy lady. They became the parents of four children, namely: Emma, who mar- ried Edward Olds and died in 1886; Adell, Mrs. Foresman, of Indiana; Kate, who is at home, and Josie, wife of George Stough, Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank at Circleville. The various members of the family find a religions home in the Presbyterian Church and occupy a high place in the esteem of the community.
E LMER JEFFERSON CHENOWETHL. Among all the residents of Oak Run Town- ship, Madison County, none show greater aptitude for business transactions, or better judg- ment in the conduct of affairs, than Mr. Jefferson Chenoweth, who was born on the place which he now occupies, October 3, 1861. He is a son of Elijah and Susan (Pringle) Chenoweth, also natives of this county, and who are residing at the present time in Fairfield Township.
The father of our subject was born March 15, 1831, and is the son of John F. and Margaret Chenoweth. Ile received but little aid in a monied way from his father, and at one time had in his possession fourteen hundred acres of land, which was the direct result of his industry and good management. Our subject supplemented the knowledge gained in the schools of his lo-
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cality by an attendance at Oberlin College, where he took a three-years' course in the literary department, and later was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Returning home when twenty-three years of age, he gave his atten- tion to handling stock, to which he was peculiarly adapted, and of which he has made a signal success.
The lady to whom our subject was married, December 2, 1885, was Miss Abbie M. Alexander. She was born in Clarksburg, this State, September 28, 1867, and is the daughter of the Rev. A. M. and Matilda (Armstrong) Alexander. She has been given a good education, and is a gradu- ate of the public schools of Westerville, this State, where her marriage occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth have been born three children: Mary, who was born March 16, 1887; Max, August 3, 1889; and Pringle, June 19, 1891. Our subject received four hundred acres of land from his father, which he has improved, and erected thereon all the buildings which are to be found on a first- class estate.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Chenoweth cast his first Presidential vote for James G. Blaine, in 1884. He is very popular in his community, and in 1891 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he is filling in a most satisfactory manner. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by his cordial and pleasing manners has gained the friendship of the best resi- dents of the county.
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ELSON HITLER is a wealthy farmer of Pickaway Township, where he has a large and finely equipped farm, lying mostly on the famous Pickaway Plains. Our subject is a na- tive of this section of Pickaway County, born on the old Hitler homestead June 24, 1833, and he rep- resents some of its very earliest settlers, his grand- parents on both sides of the house being among the very first to locate in this part of Ohio, and his father, Jacob Hitler, was one of the foremost farmers and most honored citizens during a residence here of more than eighty consecutive years.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were George and Susanna Hitler. His grandfather was born in Maryland May 15, 1763, and when a boy went with his parents to Franklin County, Pa., where he subsequently found a wife in the person of Susanna, daughter of John Gay, of London, Eng- land. In after years he removed with his family, which then consisted of his wife and two small children, to Somerset County, in the same State, and located in what was called the "Glades." In April, 1799, he came to Ohio with his family, which had been increased by the birth of two more children. He sent his family down the Ohio River on a flatboat to the mouth of the Scioto River, while he traveled by land with a large number of horses, and met them at that point. From Ports- mouth the journey was made with team to this county, the goods being sent up the Scioto in a keel- boat. Mr. Hitler first located on the Lower Plains in Pickaway Township, but in 1804 entered one hundred and sixty acres of land on the western part of section 33, Washington Township, erecting a house on the southwestern part, in which he dwelt until his demise April 2, 1818. His wife survived him thirty years, her death occurring September 16, 1848, at the age of nearly seventy- six years.
Jacob Hitler was the third child born to his par- ents, his birth taking place during their residence in Somerset County, Pa., December 5, 1796. His boyhood was spent much as that of other pioneers' sons, in the hard work of improving a farm in a new country. Shortly after his father's death, he and his brother George bought a quar- ter-section of land, for which they paid $23 an acre, and he then entered upon his busy and suc- cessful life, which was an honor not only to him- self, but to the community of which he was so long a member.
Mr. Hitler and his brother having but a few hundred dollars apiece, found it impossible to pay for their farm at the current prices of grain, wheat being then worth only seventy-five cents per bushel, afterward declining to twenty-five cents. They showed themselves to be men of expedience and large enterprise, as they conceived the plan of manufacturing their wheat into flour for the New
OAK GLEN" RESIDENCE OF NELSON HITLER, PICKAWAY TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
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Orleans market. For eleven years they conveyed their flour in a flatboat down the Ohio and Missis- sippi Rivers to the Crescent City, where they sold it for more than double what the grain would have brought them at home. The first trip was made by Jacob Hitler in 1819. The boats in which the flour was conveyed were built at a cost of $120 or thereabouts, having a capacity for carrying from four to five hundred barrels of flour, and were dis- posed of at New Orleans for whatever they would bring, sometimes only a few dollars. Mr. Ilitler made five trips to New Orleans, and after that al- ternated with his brother in going thither. At the end of the first voyage, he returned from that city to this county on foot, and was only twenty-two days on the way, which was the same time that it took a boat to come from New Orleans to Louis- ville, Ky.
The father of our subject acquired a fine prop- erty, owning at the time of his death nearly two thousand acres of land, all in Piekaway County. He possessed true nobility of character, was con- spicuous for unswerving rectitude of thought and act, was generous-hearted and sympathizing; and untiring industry, a fixedness of purpose, and unusual soundness of judgment, made him suc- eessful in everything he undertook, these traits also contributing largely to his potency as one of the builders of Pickaway County, who helped to lay the foundation of the prosperity that it enjoys to-day, and with whose rise and growth his name will ever be connected.
He was elected Commissioner of the county in October, 1858, and served three years, although he had but little inclination for public life.
In 1825, Mr. Hitler was married to Miss Sarah Gougar, with whom he lived long and happily. She came to Pickaway County with her parents in 1806 when she was a child, and the rest of her life was passed here, her death occurring several years ago. The following is the record of the brothers and sisters of our subject: George (now dead) was born September 28, 1825; Daniel, November 7, 1827; Susan, April, 1830; Caroline, June 19, 1836; Jacob died in infancy; and Ellen was born February 4, 1843.
Nelson Hitler received a district-school educa-
tion, and on the old homestead a thorough drilling in agricultural pursuits that has been of great ben- efit to him in his life as a practical farmer. Ile in- herited much of his father's ability in that line, and well understands how to conduct his extensive farming interests to the best advantage. He has a beautiful tract of nine hundred acres of land, lying mostly on the fertile plains of Pickaway County, which is highly improved. Mr. Hitler took up his residence on this farm in 1881, and in 1886 erected the fine, modern frame house, a view of which is shown on another page. It is com- modious and substantially built, and his barns and other buildings are of the same order. The farm is well kept, everything about the place always as it should be, and nothing is allowed to be out of
repair. It is devoted principally to raising corn and wheat, of which large harvests are gathered yearly, but in its rich pastures are found some cattle, horses, etc., of good grades. Mr. Hitler is of a retiring disposition, but frank and kindly withal, and his neighbors know him to be accom- modating and friendly, always willing to do an- other a favor. He is a stanch Democrat, but has never had aspirations for office.
AMES M. EDWARDS, Coroner of Fayette County, occupies a beautiful residence at No. 415 South Fayette Street, Washington C. H., where he has surrounded his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. A representative pioneer of the county and a man whose piety and honor entitle him to more than passing mention, he is probably as well known as any of the early settlers, and is respected wherever known. His life has been character- ized by ceaseless industry, both as surveyor, stock- dealer, real-estate owner and publie official.
Ohio is the native State of Mr. Edwards, and he was born at Bellbrook, Greene County, De- cember 21, 1821. His father, William Edwards, was born in South Carolina, but came North on account of the curse of slavery. He located first at Cincinnati, where he married Miss Charlotte, a
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