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 31
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 31
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 31
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January 25, 1861, Mr. Cissna was married to Miss Mary Eliza, daughter of Daniel Bush, a pioneer of Fayette County. Three children have been born of the union: Attei, who is the wife of
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Parker C. Tanzey; Emma, who is now attending school in Cincinnati; and John F., who is with his parents. Mrs. Cissna is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and prominent in the good works of the church. Socially, Mr. Cissna is a member of Temple Lodge, Temple En- campment, I. O. O. F., with which he has been identified for twenty-nine years. In politics, our subject is a Democrat.
ILLIAM E. COOK, who has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1885, by his cordial and genial manner makes friends wherever he goes. He is one of the leading and public-spirited citizens of Fayette County, and is following the life of an agriculturist, in which pursuit he has been very fortunate. Hle is the owner of as good a farm as can be found within the limits of Fayette Township, and the view of his place on another page is a valuable addition to this volume.
The original of this sketch was born in Western Union Township, Ross County, this State, June 4, 1856, and is the son of Mathew Scott and Eleanor (Tiffin) Cook, also natives of that county. The father, who was born April 9, 1803, became a very wealthy man, having extensive landed interests in various parts of the Buckeye State and also in Ne- braska. He was one of the promoters and stock- holders of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, now known as the Baltimore, Ohio & Southwestern. He lost considerable money in that project, which crippled him financially for a number of years.
The nine children comprised in the parental fam- ily grew to mature years, and with one exception are all living. Mary is the widow of Robert W. Manly and resides in Chillicothe; Margaret mar- ried Capt. Frank T. Gilmore, and they make their home on the old farm in Ross County; Edward is en- gaged in stock-raising in Elba, Neb. During the late war the latter was a member of the Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and by the hardships and exposures endured his health was greatly impaired. Diathea makes her home with her mother in Chillicothe;
Scott departed this life in his twenty-eighth year; Lucy, Mrs. Edward McCanless, is residing in Pitts- burg, Pa .; Maria and Eleanor are twins, the former the wife of Dr. G. W. Tower, of Detroit, and the latter residing at home; William E. was the youngest of the family.
Politically, the father of our subject was an old- line Whig, and cast his first Presidential ballot for John Quincy Adams. On the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks, and, being a strong anti-slavery man, took part in the Morgan raid, and assisted in the defense of Chillicothe during that period. In an early day he was a surveyor, and located most of the land between Mt. Sterling and the estate of our subject. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For two years he represented Ross County in the Ohio Legislature. He departed this life No- vember 28, 1882, at Chillicothe, and lies buried in Grand View Cemetery of that place.
William E. Cook grew to manhood on the home farm, and received an excellent education in the High School of Chillicothe and Cornell University. October 26, 1878, he was married to Annie, daugh- ter of William E. and Annie (Christopher) Floyd, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 31, 1856. After his marriage, Mr. Cook removed to Howard County, Neb., where he operated his brotli- er's estate, but later returned to Ohio and has since resided upon his present farm. He is the proprietor of three hundred and twenty-six acres, upon which he has placed excellent improve- ments, among the most noticeable of which is his comfortable residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Cook have a family of six chil- dren, viz .: Mathew Scott, who was born July 13, 1879; William Floyd, March 27, 1881; Edward Tiffin, June 24, 1883; Annie Floyd, September 11, 1885; Martha Christopher, April 6, 1887, and Kate Floyd, September 8, 1890. In his political relations, our subject is a Republican, casting his first vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He has served as delegate to county, State and congressional conventions, and, as be- fore stated, has been Justice of the Peace since 1885, and exerts a wide power for good in his community. His wife is a member of the Pres-
RESIDENCE OF JOHN WARDELL, WAYNE TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
RESIDENCE & ELEVATOR OF W. E. COOK, COOK STATION, 0.
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byterian Church, which organization he also at- tends. He is a member of the Patriotie Order of Sons of America and Knights of Pythias, and by his integrity and unimpeachable character has won the full confidence of all who know him.
OHN WARDELL. The prosperity of Pick- away County cannot be attributed entirely to the efforts of Americans, for much has been accomplished by those of foreign birth who have sought a home in the land of the free. England has contributed of its thrift; France of its economy; Germany of its vigor; Holland of its industry, and Norway and Sweden of their patient perseverance. Among the natives of England who have sought a home in this county, and have here attained independence and prosperity, may be mentioned Mr. Wardell, a prominent farmer of Wayne Township, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, April 3, 1831.
The father of our subject, who bore the same name as himself, was born in Yorkshire, in 1789, and pursued the vocation of a farmer until his death in 1849. He was a member of the Church of England, and a man of stanch integrity. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Ann Beelby, was born in the same shire as himself, and after the de- cease of her husband, emigrated to America, in 1856, and remained in Pickaway County until her death, April 26, 1886, at the age of eighty-two years. John was the eldest among her children, and is the only one now living.
The educational advantages which our subject received were somewhat limited, and he did not attend school after he was thirteen years old, but he is a man of broad culture and splendid informa- tion which he has acquired through reading and travel. At the age of fifteen, he commenced to work as a farm laborer, receiving 5£ the first year, 8£ the second, and continuing to receive increas- ing wages until his salary was 18£ a year. Ilaving concluded that he could better his condition in America, he left England in 1853, taking passage
on a merchant ship, and landingin New York City in Angust, after a voyage of seven weeks.
The first work which Mr. Wardell secured in America was in a sawmill at Elmira, N. Y., where he remained until November, 1853. At that time he removed to Ohio, and from Columbus came to Circleville on a canal boat, and thence by stage- coach to his present farm, which was then owned by a cousin, Joseph Wardell. For perhaps two years, he secured employment by the day or month, and by hoarding his earnings, secured enough to embark in farming for himself. Ile farmed land on shares until 1881, when he purchased his pres- ent cstate, and has resided here since, usually op- erating from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred aeres per year. A view of his homestead is shown on another page.
In 1853, Mr. Wardell and Miss Sarah Douglass were united in marriage in England. The young wife died the following year, and in 1857 Mr. Wardell was married to Miss Mary Clearwater, a native of New York, who died in 1881. Nine children were born of this union, namely: Peter, John, George, William, Robert, Thomas, Mary, Fan- nie and Cora (deceased). The lady who, on March 31, 1881, became the wife of Mr. Wardell, bore the maiden name of Lydia Clearwater; she was a sis- ter of the former wife, and was born in Piekaway County. They are the parents of one child, Mag- dalene. In his political belief, Mr. Wardell is a strong Republican, and has served for three years as Trustee of Wayne Township, which is a suthi- cient indication of his popularity, for the town- ship is strongly Democratic, and he was elected on the Republican ticket.
In religious views, Mr. and Mrs. Wardell are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Trustee and President of the Board. They are worthy people, may always be found on the right of justice, and favor all pro- gressive measures. Mr. Wardell owns two hun- dred and eighty-seven acres of finely-improved land, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising purposes. Ile has put in about three thousand five hundred rods of tile, and has the place perfectly drained. His success in life has resulted from his tireless industry and enter-
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prise, and he is mimbered among the most pros- perous farmers of the county. He has given his children every educational advantage possible, and feels amply repaid for every effort he has put forth in their behalf, for they are intelligent and well-informed young people, pleasant, social com- panions, and possess the industry and energy which have contributed so largely to the success of Mr. Wardell.
H
AMES MILLIKIN, who resides on his farm on the East Pike, in Canaan Township, six miles south of Plain City, and half-way between that and West Jefferson, is an old and honored citizen of Madison County, and has been an important figure in its public life, holding one of its most responsible offices for several years, besides assisting in the management of local affairs in various official capacities in the years gone by.
Mr. Millikin was born on Ten Mile Creek, Wash- ington County, Pa., December 22, 1816, and is a son of Col. James Millikin, who was once a prom- inent citizen of that section of the country, where lus birth took place July 24, 1782. Ilis father bore the same name as himself, and was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1752. Ile came to America in 1771, and cast in his fortunes with the colonists of Washington County, Pa., locating on the banks of Ten Mile Creek. Ile was married March 31, 1778, to Miss Dolly McFarland, and located on a farm in his native county, and there both died at a ripe old age. The great-grandfather of our subject, who also bore the given name of James, was born in 1727 in Ireland, and there died in the fullness of time. His wife, Martha Hemp- hill, was born in 1729, and was also a life-long res- ident of Ireland. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cook, was born on the banks of Ten Mile Creek, March 4, 1777. Iler father, Stephen Cook, was a native of New Jersey, and was of German descent. January 20, 1801, is the date of the marriage of the parents of our subject in their native county. They estab- lished their home on Ten Mile Creek, and nearly
thirty years of their wedded life were also passed there. In 1830, they came to Ohio, and their remaining days were spent on a farm in Canaan Township, which the father developed from the wilderness ere he died in September, 1869, at a venerable age. His wife died February 26, 1853. They had six sons and three daughters, all of whom were born on Ten Mile Creek, lived to manhood and womanhood, and became residents of Madison County, the following being their names: Samuel, Martha, Daniel, John, Jacob, Elizabeth, Anna, James and Andrew. The father was a surveyor by occupation and became very familiar with the topography of this part of Ohio. He laid out the village of Amity, and also that of West Jeffer- son in 1831, and did surveying in every part of the county. Ile was a Democrat in politics, and at one time was a Trustee of the township. He and his wife were stanch members of the Presby- terian Church, and he was a strong anti-Mason man.
Ile of whom this sketch is written is the eighth child and fifth son of the family, and was a lad of fourteen years when he came to Madison County to live amid its primitive pioneer scenes. He had previously attended school in his native place, beginning when he was five years old, and he went to a school after he came here, the school being taught in a rude log house, roughly fur- nished, and lighted by greased paper windows. Ile staid with his father the most of the time until his marriage, late in the summer of 1840, and became well grounded in all that pertains to agriculture. He and his wife entered upon their wedded life on the farm which John Price now owns, whence they removed eight years later, in 1848, to his present farm, which he then bought. A log house was the only attempt that had been made at improvements, but in the busy years that followed his settlement upon it, Mr. Millikin has wrought a wondrous change, and now has a fine farm well fitted up with modern conveniences, and its two hundred acres under a good state of culti- vation.
Mr. Millikin was married August 20, 1840, to Miss Rachel Cary, daughter of Abijah and Cath- erine (Johnson) Cary. She was born January 6,
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1819, in Canaan Township, of which her parents were among the first settlers. Her happy mar- riage with our subject has brought to them three daughters and three sons, as follows: John S., who was born August 13, 1841, and is now a prosperous Kansas farmer; Abijah C., whose sketch appears on another page; Cassia, born November 8, 1846, and now the wife of D. H. Harrington, of Union County; Jane, the widow of O. E. Lamb, who was born December 3, 1848; Mary D., born August 27, 1856, who is a fine artist and a teacher in oil painting; and James, who was born August 25. 1860, was married December 31, 1890, to Miss Kittie Huddle, and resides on the home farm, which he assists his father in carrying on, they being engaged in a thriving general farming busi- ness and raising a good class of stock.
Our subject resided on his farm until 1879, and then removed to West Jefferson, where he could better attend to his duties as County Commissioner, returning to his farm in 1887. He had been elected to that important office for the first time in 1875, and so well did he look after the finances of Madison County that he was re-elected in 1878 to fill the position another term, his popularity being shown by the fact that he is an uncompromising Democrat, while his constituency in this part of the State is strongly Republican. He has been a Trustee of Canaan Township, Land Appraiser and School Director, and in various ways has proved his publie spirit and the worth of his citizenship.
OSIAH RENICK, formerly proprietor of the "Oakland Farm" in Pickaway Township and later a citizen of Circleville, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1807, and died April 9, 1887. Ile was the second son in the family of George Renick, a pioneer of this locality, who is represented elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of William Reniek.
The boyhood years of our subject were passed upon a farm near Chillicothe, and his education was acquired in the common schools of the district. He early became interested in farming and stock-
raising and soon gave evidence of being a practical, sagacious and far-sighted business man. Until he was twenty-five years of age, he remained under the parental roof, but at that time located upon his farm in Pickaway Township, and became the possessor of a fine property. He was one of the most extensive stock dealers in this locality, and in 1834, in company with his uncle Felix, went to Europe and purchased the finest Short-horn cattle they could obtain in the Old Country. These they brought to Ohio with them and were the first to introduce this famous breed of cattle in the State.
In all his business dealings, Mr. Renick was very successful and became one of the wealthy citizens of the community. His estate, known as the "Oak- land Farm," was located on Kingston Pike, in Pickaway Township, and was finely improved, be- ing in fact one of the model farms of the com- munity. In 1856, Mr. Renick removed to Circle- ville and took up his residence in the home where his widow yet resides. However, he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits and purchased a farm of one thousand acres of highly-improved land in Muhlenberg Township, near Darbyville. He also continued to engage extensively in the raising of stock as well as grain, and to the close of his life maintained his activity, notwithstanding his advanced age.
Uprightness and honesty characterized the life of Mr. Renick and his word was as good as his bond. Ile was public-spirited and progressive, always having the interests of the community at heart. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, warmly advocating the principles of that party. In religious belief, he was a Presbyterian and took an active part in the work of the church. His death was mourned by all who knew him, for the com- munity thereby lost a valued citizen.
The lady who in South Bloomfield, Pickaway County, in 1837, became the wife of Josiah Renick was Miss Mary Osborn and she was born in the city of Columbus, Ohno. Her father, Ralph Osborn, was a native of the Empire State and served in the War of 1812. After his marriage, he removed to Cireleville, and in 1816 located in Columbus, this State. Soon afterward he became State Auditor and held that office for eighteen years, or until his
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death. He was a very influential man, an attorney by profession, and prominent throughout the State. He was noted for his benevolence, and his upright life won him high regard.
Mrs. Renick continues to reside at the old home in Circleville. She holds membership with the Presbyterian Church and has many friends through- out the community, where her excellencies of char- acter have won for her the esteem of all.
BIJAH C. MILLIKIN owns one of the fin- est pieces of property in Jefferson Town- ship, Madison County. The tract, which consists of four hundred broad acres, is pleasantly located, and the lay of the land, to- gether with the improvements which have been made upon it, entitle it to the reputation it bears. The farm is supplied with a well-built dwelling, ample barn and other conveniences, and Mr. Mil- hkin raises mixed crops, and the usual domestic animals. He occupies a high position in local affairs, and in the fall of 1890 was elected County Commissioner on the Democratic ticket.
James Millikin, the father of our subject, was born in Washington County, Pa., December 22, 1816, and in 1830 came to Madison County in company with his father, who also bore the name of James. He was reared to manhood in Canaan Township and in 1840 was married to Rachel Cary, a native of this county. The father of our subject was engaged in farming in that township until 1879, when he came to West Jefferson and established himself in the hardware business. He was looked upon as one of the progressive citizens of his community, and served two terms as County Commissioner.
Of the parental family of three sons and three daughters, our subject, who was born in Canaan Township, September 29, 1844, was the second in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm, and remained under the parental roof until reach- ing his majority. His father had an interest in a sawmill near their home, and also in various places in Canaan. of which Abijah C., when eighteen
years of age, took charge. He was thus engaged for some four or five years, and while in the south- ern part of Kansas had his right hand caught in a - saw and received such injuries that he was com- pelled to give up that line of work. Returning to Madison County, he followed farming for three years and then again going to Kansas, operated a farm for a twelvemonth, and the four years follow- ing made a specialty of handling stock. Mr. Mil- likin at the end of that time again returned to Madison County and in company with R. A. An- drew purchased a warehouse at Plain City, in. which place he was appointed Freight Agent for the Panhandle Railroad. After a residence of three years in that city, Mr. Millikin returned West and engaged in the stock business, but a year later came to this county, which has been his permanent home since that time.
September 15, 1881, the original of this sketch was married to Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Converse) Smith, the widow of Butler Smith and the daughter of James Converse. She was born in Canaan Township September 4, 1847, and after her mar- riage with our subject located on the East Pike in this township, where they have since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Millikin are the parents of three chil- dren, viz: Curdy, who died in infancy, Gracie and Robert C.
Our subject has taken a very prominent part in local affairs and has held the office of Township Trustee, of which position he is still the incum- bent. Socially, he is a Mason, and as an Odd Fel- low is connected with West Jefferson Lodge No. 412. Together with his wife, our subject is a mem- ber of the Universalist Church, in which denomi- nation they have high standing.
AMES J. EGAN is one of the foremost busi- ness men of Cireleville, Ohio, and his career bears evidence of his personal worth. He is at present engaged in the grocery business, wholesale and retail, is a produce dealer, and is pro- prietor of the Union House, one of the best-known hotels in the city. He was born in County Cork,
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Ireland, in the Barony of Duhallow, May 1st, 1842, and his father, John Egan, was also a native of that county and of Celtic stock. The latter followed the occupation of a farmer in his native country, and died there in 1889, when seventy-seven years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Cath- erine O'Sullivan, was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and came of a very old and prominent family. Iler father was a large farmer and a rep- resentative man of his county. Iler mother died in 1880. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Egan, two were sons and three daughters. and all are living.
James J. Egan, the eldest of the above-men- tioned family, was the only one who came to the United States. Ile has a sister, Ilannah, now Mrs. Murphey, in Austraha, but the other children are in the Emerald Isle. Our subject was reared in his native country and received his education in the schools of the same. On the 17th of May, 1873, he left Queenstown on the steamer " Smyr- na, " and landed in New York ten days and six- teen hours later. He was employed in a wholesale confectionery store until 1875, when, in April of that year, he came to Circleville. Eleven days after reaching that city, he engaged as clerk for Foresman & Bro., in the large mill, and continued with this firm for one year. He was subsequently employed as clerk by Mr. Fred Warner, in the grocery business, continued with him two years, and in 1879 he started out for himself in the grocery business in Circleville. This he has since carried on, and has met with well-merited success. He carries on his affairs on the soundest business principles, and his record lends to these pages, and to Circleville, credit and standing, Ile owns a one-half interest in the Union Hotel building with William Heffner, but conducts it alone, and he also owns a one-half interest in the Buck Block, where he has his store, with the same gentleman. Less than two years ago, Mr. Egan remodeled his hotel, and is as popular with his numerous patrons as he has been successful in his enterprise. He is the beau ideal of a hospitable landlord, attends to the wants of his guests most efficiently and with- out ostentation. Mr. Egan is also a stockholder in the Opera House Company, and is interested in
many other business enterprises, in all of which he has been more than ordinarily successful. Hle conduets his affairs on strict principles, and the success crowning his efforts is only a natural con- sequence.
Our subject was first married, in 1877, to Miss Eliza Sullivan, of New York, now deceased. In 1881 he selected his second wife in the person of Miss Mary J. Warke, of New York City, and they are the parents of five interesting children : John Parnell, Robert Emmett, Catherine Mary, Sarah and Lizzie. In politics, Mr. Egan has always adhered to the Democratic party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. He was treasurer of the Central Executive Committee for two years, and was Canal Collector under Gov. Iloadley for two years. He is on the building committee of the parochial school in Circleville, and is active in all worthy movements. Ile is a member of St. Joseph Church, and is a Knight of St. Joseph.
ICHAEL C. MILLAR, who comes of a well- known pioneer family, and was born in Pickaway County, February 15, 1847, is one of the foremost citizens of Harrison Township, his birthplace, and is very active in ad- vancing its interests both as a farmer of marked ability, and as one of its most valued civic officers. Ile is interested in raising fine stock, especially trotting horses of superior breeds, and has a farm well adapted to that branch of business, situated on section 15, of his native township.
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