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 26
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 26
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 26
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sister of S. J. Brown, a wealthy and noted citizen of that city. She was born in England, but came to America when quite young and grew to woman- hood in Cincinnati. After their marriage, they removed to Lebanon and afterward to Greene County, later purchasing a farm in Fayette County, in 1832. Until his death, in 1845, the father re- sided on his farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention. He was a man of great kindliness of heart and probity of life, and occu- pied a warm place in the confidence of his fel- low-men.
Among the family of ten children born to Will- iam and Charlotte Edwards was James M., who was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to Fayette County. He studied the usual text-books of the country and village schools, and later engaged as a teacher for eight years, meet- ing with success as an instructor of the young. With the earnings thus accumulated, he purchased a tract of land in Paint Township, near the vil- lage of Bloomingburgh, and handled stock quite extensively, although he never made his home on the place, but resided in Bloomingburgh. He has sold one estate, but still retains in his possession a well-cultivated and highly-improved place of one hundred and forty acres, the rental of which proves remunerative. In 1884, he removed to Washington C. II., where he bought a neat and attractive residence and expects to spend his re- maining years in that home.
With the public life of the county, Mr. Ed- wards has probably been as closely identified as any citizen thereof, and is the stalwart adherent of all measures that tend to the general welfare of the people. For eighteen years, he served as Justice of the Peace in Paint Township. He has been Infirmary Director for three years; is serv- ing his third term as County Coroner; is now, and for the past three years has been, Health Officer, and was Assistant Revenue Assessor for three years. During the Civil War, he was one of the Ohio State Messengers to the army, mak- ing one trip to New Orleans and two to Richmond. He was mustered into the I'nited States service as Second Lieutenant, and resigned after recruiting a company. He went on the Morgan raid with
his horse and buggy, and was never idle in the defense of the Union. His interest in educational matters has been unflagging and deep, and for many years he worked effectively as a member of the School Board at Bloomingburgh and also as School Examiner for the county. His mathematical abil- ity rendered his work for forty years as a sur- veyor peculiarly successful and accurate.
The first marriage of Mr. Edwards united him with Miss Sarah Stewart, who at her death left a daughter, Mary, now a resident of Washington C. II. with her father. March 25, 1852, Mr. Ed- wards and Miss Jane Amerman were united in marriage. She was born in Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., and came to Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, with her parents at an early day. Mrs. Edwards died April 9, 1892, leaving two sur- viving children: Erskine S., who is engaged in the mercantile business at Washington C. H .; and Frank E., who is an Episcopalian elergyman of New York City.
For forty-five years or more, Mr. Edwards has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an Elder. As a Sunday-school worker, he is especially successful and popular. For thirty- six years, he taught the same class in the Bloom- ingburgh Sunday-school, and in Washington C. H. he now has two classes of sixty members, rang- ing in age from eighteen to seventy years. He is also interested in mission work and attends a mission Sunday-school every Sunday afternoon. The only two organizations with which he has ever been identified are the Presbyterian Church and the Republican party, and both in religion and politics he has labored effectively for the ad- vancement of others and the common good of all mankind.
ERRY C. THOMAS is one of the native- born sons of Pickaway County, born in Monroe Township, March 12, 1838, com- ing of one of the carly families of this region, and he is numbered among its farmers and stockmen who form such an important part of the
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population and are so essential to the continued progress and prosperity of the county. Ile is a resident of Muhlenberg Township, where he has a large and finely improved farm.
William Thomas, the father of our subject, was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., January 22, 1801. His father brought him and other members of his family to Ohio in 1810, making the journey with a team, and at first settled near Chillicothe. A year later he removed to this county and took up his abode near Clarkston. The following year he located in Monroe Township, and there his earthly pilgrimage was brought to a close by his death.
Our subject's father was bred to the life of a farmer amid pioncer surroundings. Ile was mar- ried March 12, 1822, to Miss Elizabeth Norris, who was born near Harper's Ferry, May 22, 1802. She came here with her parents in 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas began their wedded life in the most prim- itive manner, as was the custom in those days for young couples. All the furniture that he bought cost him but $3 in money. Poles were placed with one end in the wall of the log house and the other supported by posts so as to form a bedstead, and Mrs. Thomas cooked before an open fire in a rude fireplace. Notwithstanding this humble beginning, prosperity smiled upon them, as they were dili- gent, persevering and prudent, and at the time of his death, Mr. Thomas owned thirteen hundred acres of land, of which he developed a large tract into a good farm. Ile was widely known and universally respected and liked, and when he died, at scarcely fifty years of age, his death was greatly lamented and considered a public loss. He was a leader among the Methodists, being a man of earnest Christian spirit, and he was one of the organizers of the old Hebron Church in Monroe Township. His good wife was also a zealous work- ing member of that church, and at her death, April 21, 1873, a true Christian passed to her reward. Uncle Billy and Aunt Betsy, as they were affec- tionately called, held a warm place in the hearts of their many friends and their memory is still cherished by all who knew and loved them.
The following is the record of their children: Elizabeth, born January 23, 1823, died in infancy; George W., born May 20, 1824, died at the age of
twenty-two years; Milton M., born October 25, 1825, died in 1879; Benjamin, born May 26, 1827, died young; Thornton, born February 22, 1829, died young; Jane, born August 12, 1830, died young; Jackson, born December 8, 1831, lives on a farm in Monroe Township; Mary A., born Decem- ber 19, 1833, married Mr. King, a farmer of Mon- roe Township; William H., born May 15, 1835, is a farmer in Monroe Township; Perry C., our sub- ject, is the next in order of birth; Margaret, born September 18, 1839, married Mr. Henderson, and lives in Missouri; Sarah W., now Mrs. Maddox, of Waterloo, Fayette County, was born July 10, 1841; Elizabeth J. H. (second) now Mrs. Henderson, was born February 7, 1845.
Our subject was reared on a farm in Monroe Township. He laid the foundation of a solid edu- cation in the district schools which was supple- mented by a course of study at Dublin Hill, and by a year's study in school at Mt. Sterling. The first school that he attended was a typical pioneer institution of learning, the house being made of logs, heated by an open fireplace with a mud and stick chimney, and the seats were slab benches with pin legs. The school was conducted under the rate-bill system. .
At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Thomas began life on his own account. His father had died when he was nine years old, and he continued to live with his mother, managing the home farm until her death in 1873. Hle at one time owned three hundred acres of land in Monroe Township, but he sold it, and coming to this township, farmed his brother's farm until 1879. In that year he bought his present farm of three hundred and thirty-eight acres, all highly cultivated, and carries on a good business as a general farmer, raising wheat, corn, clover and timothy grass, besides fat- tening cattle, and having his farm well stocked with a good grade of Durhams, and some draft horses of his own breeding.
Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Donesife, February 13, 1879. She was born in 1844, and came to this township with her par- ents, who settled in Darbyville in 1845. She un- derstands well how to make a cheerful and com- fortable home, and cordially unites with her
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husband in making theirs one of the most hospita- ble abodes known to their hosts of friends. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a great helper in whatsoever of good it accomplishes.
Mr. Thomas is a man of fine parts, has a clear, active, well-trained intellect, a firm character, and his reputation as a practical farmer is of the high- est. He is a loyal Democrat in politics, and his popularity is attested by the fact that he was elected Justice of the Peace for a term of three years, carrying the township, which is largely Re- publican, by fourteen votes. He has also served as a member of the School Board.
C LIFTON R. DRESBACH is a talented and enterprising young man, who is ably con- dueting extensive farming and stock inter- ests in Pickaway, his native county. He is descended from an honored pioneer of this part of Ohio, and he still occupies the old homestead, which is a large and valuable farm on section 10, Pickaway Town- ship, on which he was born, August 14, 1855. His father, John E. Dresbach, was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1830, and was a son of the Rev. John Dresbach, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
John E. Dresbach was a year old when his par- ents removed to Ohio and settled in the town- ship of Pickaway, on the farm on which his son of whom we write now resides, and here his re- maining years were spent, his death occurring in November, 1864, while yet in life's prime. Pioneer influences helped to mould his character, and he became a valued citizen of the township of his adoption. He was educated in a district school that was kept on one corner of his father's farm. He was trained to the life of a farmer, and carried on that occupation on the old homestead as long as he lived. Both he and his wife were members of the Evangelical Church, and were liberal sup- porters of that and of whatsoever else would in any way promote the highest interests of the community. They were married in 1852, and she survived him nearly five years, dying in May,
1869. Her maiden name was Mary Reedy, and she was a native of Greene Township, Ross County. IIer father, John Reedy, was a pioneer of Ross County, going there from Pennsylvania in 1821. The parents of our subject had two other children beside himself: Clara, who died in infancy; and Mina, who died in March, 1864, at the age of one year.
Our subject is the second child of the family and the sole survivor. After his mother's death, when he was fourteen years old, he went to live with his uncle, Martin Dresbach, with whom he remained until he was twenty years old. He was given fine educational advantages, and after attending the district schools, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in 1873. He was a elose student at that institution of learning two years, and brought a well-trained mind to his work, when, in the spring of 1875, he returned to the old Dresbach homestead to take charge of it, and en- ter upon his career as a farmer, in which he has met with marked success. This farm, which his grandfather purchased of a Mr. Bishop in 1830 in all its original wildness, comprises four hundred acres of choice land, all lying in a body, the soil being red sandy clay, or of limestone constituents, and very highly cultivated. It is finely situated, the land is beautifully rolling and diversified, and is well watered by Pumpkin Run, which is fed by springs and was never known to be dry. The drainage is also first-class, as Mr. Dresbach has paid great attention to that, sparing no money to per- feet the system, and he has as much as eight miles of tiling, which was put in at a cost of $3,000. The farm is a model of its kind, and many of the fine improvements which greatly enhance its at- tractiveness and value have been placed here by himself. The buildings are substantially built, conveniently arranged, and roomy; the residence is a large, square frame house, of a handsome and appropriate style of architecture. Mr. Dresbach has engaged largely in feeding cattle the last fif- teen years, and also in raising cattle of high grades. He does a large general farming business, and in his methods shows himself to be an en- lightened and progressive agriculturist, who al- ready stands among the first men of his calling in
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his native county. He is brainy and well-informed, has decided and clear opinions of his own on all subjects with which he is con versant, and is manly and honorable in character. In politics, he is un- swerving in his allegiance to the Republican party.
Our subject and Miss Pauline Hitler were united in marriage February 7, 1878, and they have one of the most charming and hospitable homes in the community. Four children complete their house- hold circle: Marvin, John, Harry and Shirley. Mrs. Dresbach is a native of Pickaway County, and a daughter of Abraham Hitler. Her father was born in Pennsylvania. and came to Ohio in an early day of its settlement. He became a prosperous farmer in Washington Township, and there his life was brought to a close in 1869. His wife survived him until 1887, when she too passed away. They had two children, of whom our subject's wife is one, and the other is Mary, who married Frank Dreis- bach, and lives in Circleville Township.
AMES H. Mc CLIMANS, who is practically living a retired life in Mt. Sterling, has the honor of being a native of Madison County. He was born in Range Township, October 10, 1854, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families. His father, Isaac McClimans, was born in the Scioto Valley, in 1805, and in 1812, when a lad of seven years, came to Range Township with his father. He was twice married, and had eight children. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Claridge, and was a native of Fayette County, was the mo- ther of our subject. Mr. McClimans became an extensive land-owner, his possessions aggregating seven hundred acres, and was one of the well-to-do farmers of the township. His death occurred in June, 1880, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Range Township and re- ceived a good education in the common schools of the neighborhood. When a boy, he began buying
calves, which he would raise upon his father's farm and then sell. In this way. he got a start in life. Subsequently, he turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits and was engaged in farming in Range Township one year, and for two years in Pickaway County, on land belonging to his wife. In 1884, he purchased his present home and twenty acres of land on the London Road, which he laid out in town lots and named McClimansville. He has now sold over half of the lots and a num- ber of them have been built upon. As his financial resources have increased, Mr. McClimans also bought more land, until the income derived from his farm is now sufficient to enable him to live re- tired without performing any manual labor for his support.
On the 26th of November, 1880, Thanksgiving Day, our subject was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Bennett, of Mt. Sterling, who was born in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, February 26, 1861. Hler girlhood days were there passed and she came to Mt. Sterling with her father after her mother's death. Unto them have been born two children: Nellie, born in Range Township, Madison County, October 21, 1881, and Vona, born in McClimansville, June 3, 1884.
Mr. McClimans supports the Democratic party by his ballot, his first vote having been cast for Samuel J. Tilden. Hle is an enterprising and sagacious business man, who by industry and good management has acquired a sufficient capital to enable him to spend his remaining days in retire- ment from labor.
h ON. HORACE L. HADLEY. To applaud human achievements is a trait of character common to all mankind, and seems espe- cially appropriate when one has struggled against poverty and discouraging influences, and won a name and fame which is not limited by the arbitrary lines separating counties or States. Such has been the experience of Mr. Hadley, a promi- nent member of the Fayette County Bar, where lie has practiced since April 8, 1870.
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In the rural home of Winthrop and Sybil (Worthen) Hadley, in Sandwich, Carroll County, N. II., May 7, 1837, was born a son, who was named Horace L. The child was reared on his father's farm amid the picturesque scenery of his native State, and was given a good education in the com- mon schools of Sandwich and in Becde's Academy, which he attended for a number of terms. At the age of twenty-three, he went to Peabody, Mass., where he read law in the office of Sidney C. Ban- croft for one year, proceeding thence to Salem, the same State. In that city he prosecuted his legal studies in the office of Perry & Endicott, the former the author of the well-known law book, "Perry on Trusts and Trustees," and one of the finest insurance lawyers in the New England States; and the latter Secretary of War during the admin- istration of President Cleveland.
September 16, 1862, Mr. Hadley was admitted to practice at the Bar of the State of Massachusetts, and in August, 1862, following, enlisted in Com- pany C, Fifth Massachusetts Infantry. With his regiment in October, he proceeded to New Berne, N. C., and participated in the second attack on that place, and also in the engagements at Whitehall, Goldsboro and Trenton. At the expiration of nine months-his term of service-he sailed for Massa- chusetts, June 26, 1863. Although his term of service was short, he came near losing his life, having been dangerously ill for several weeks.
As soon as he was sufficiently recovered, Mr. Hadley returned to his old home in Sandwich, N. II., in August, 1863, and there spent two months. Returning to Massachusetts, he opened a law office at Danvers November 1, 1863, having bought out a lawyer in that city. Ile was actively engaged in practice there until April, 1870, when he came to Ohio and located in Washington C. II. For four and one-half years he practiced alone, and then formed a partnership with Col. II. B. Maynard, which continued from October 1, 1874, until May 1, 1885. During that time, the firm enjoyed a very large practice in both State and United States courts, it being probably the largest practice ever done in Southern Ohio in one year, outside of Cincinnati and Columbus. From January 1, 1877, until January 1. 1878, their legal transactions
were unprecedented for a place the size of Wash- ington C. H.
When the new court house was erected, the old office of the firm was torn down and the partner- ship was dissolved, since which time Mr. Hadley has practiced alone. When the Midland Block was built, he was one of its chief projectors and one of the three who erected it in 1885. He has since sold his interest, although he retains his office in the block. While his practice has demanded an enormous amount of close and arduous work, Mr. Hadley has also served in various public capacities. Ile has filled the position of Councilman from the Third Ward. In 1881, he was elected to the Legis- lature, and re-elected two years later, serving for four years. During the first two years he was Chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, also a member of the Committee on Rail- roads and Telegraphs, the Committee on Ditches, Drains and Watercourses, and the special com- mittee of twenty who were appointed to re-dis- trict the State.
During his last term as Representative, Mr. Had- ley served on the Railroad and Telegraph Commit- tee as well as on the Committee on Ditches, Drains and Watercourses. During his entire service in the Legislature, he probably introduced twenty bills of a general character, of which doubtless one-half passed. He introduced the bill requiring the doing away with seals on deeds and mort- gages, which passed the Senate in the form of the Walker Bill.
September 1, 1868, Mr. Hadley was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Emerson, of Danvers, Mass., and they have two children: Olive B. and Harry L. The religious home of the family is in the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Hadley is Deacon and Treasurer. For several years he has been President of the Business Men's Committee, and is actively interested in the building up of the city. Ilis social connections are with the Tem- ple Lodge, I. O. O. F., Fayette Encampment, and John M. Bell Post, G. A. R. In addition to his property in Washington C. II., he is the owner of three farms in Fayette County, which he rents.
There are many in this world who, like Long- fellow's Gabriel in search of Evangeline, let the
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golden opportunities to win success and renown glide swiftly away "like the shade of a cloud on the prairie." It has not been so in the life of Mr. Hadley. He has few equals as a clear-headed man of affairs and judge of human nature. He is keen to perceive and prompt to execute; his sympathies are quick and on the side of right and justice; his energy indomitable and his friendships warm. lle is now in the prime of his vigor and usefulness, and it is safe to say that the future will bring to him added honors in the world of action.
ERRY BRADLY. Among the early settlers of Madison County were the Bradlys and Bakers, of whom our subject is a lineal descendant in the third generation, the Bradlys having lived here for over eighty years. Our subject is a farmer and is the proprietor of a good farm, eight miles southwest of Plain City, in Canaan Township. He was a valiant soldier dur- ing the late war and has been for many years prom- inent in the public, social and religious life of the community.
Mr. Bradly was born November 9, 1841, in Monroe Township, Madison County, and is a son of William Bradly. His father was born in Vir- ginia, in 1804, and was in his fourth year when he came with his parents to Ohio. They located in what is now Monroe Township and were among the very first to settle there. The father of our subject grew to man's estate in that place and was there married to Anna Baker, a native of Pennsyl- vania and a daughter of William and Anna Baker, who settled in Little Darby, in Monroe Township, when she was a young girl. After marriage, the parents of our subject took up their home on a farm in Monroe Township, where they had been reared. They lived there until 1857, and then re- moved to Lynn Township, Hardin County, where the father died, June 1, 1862. His venerable widow is still living and is now eighty-one years old. They had eleven children, of whom nine grew to maturity and five are living, four sons and one daughter, as follows: Cassandra Booth, of Madison
County; Cornelius, a resident of London City; Jerry; Henry, a resident of Hardin County; and Martin L., also a resident of Hardin County.
lle of whom we write is the seventh child and third son of the family in order of birth. In his boyhood he went to school in a log house in his native township, and finished his education in Har- din County, after the family removed there. He remained with his father until the latter's death, and was well instructed in all that appertains to farm- ing. Ile watched the course of the Civil War with intense interest, and in 1863, in the opening years of a vigorous, seif-reliant manhood, he enlisted in defense of the Union, and it may well be his pride that he helped to give victory to Northern arms, and had a part in saving his country's honor. Ile went to the front as a member of Company I, Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and fought valiantly as long as his services were needed, remaining in the army until after the Rebellion closed, not receiving his discharge until October 7, 1865, at Victoria, Tex., and obtaining his pay at Columbus, the State capital. He accompanied his regiment on the At- lanta campaign, and he took an active part in the fight at Nashville, December 16, 1864, beside be- ing present at numerous other engagements. For two months he was sick at Knoxville, having suc- cumbed to the hardships and privations that he had to endure.
After his return from Southern battlefields, Mr. Bradly resumed his early occupation, that he had abandoned in order to become a soldier, and soon after his marriage, in 1867, he located on a rented farm, which he farmed one year and then bought a farm of his own west of his present homestead, which he purchased in 1875, having sold the other one at a good price. This contains fifty-nine acres of choice and exceedingly fertile land, which is in a fine condition and is well stocked with cattle, hogs, and other stock. The buildings are kept in good order, and our subject and his wife have established here a very pleasant, cozy home, the seat of an abiding hospitality, with the latch-string always out, and friend or stranger sure of a cordial welcome from the amiable hostess and genial host.
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