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 32
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 32
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 32
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Our subject is a son of the late Adam and Nancy R. (Howell) Millar, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. He is a descendant in the second generation of William Millar, one of the original pioneers of this county. He came to Ohio from Virginia, his native State, one year previous to 1800, and first resided in Ross County for a time. Hle subsequently came to Pickaway County and took up his abode in a log cabin in the woods on section 22, Harrison Township, of which he was
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one of the very first settlers, and here he rounded out a long and busy life of eighty-seven years, in 1863.
Adam Millar was born and reared in Pickaway County, and adopted farming as his life work. He gave considerable attention to raising cattle, and finally made fine stock a specialty, keeping cattle, horses and sheep of the best grades. He was an extensive land-owner, and one of the wealthy men of the county. After his marriage, he had a half- interest in seven hundred and one acres of land with his brother George, and on this he started in life, accumulating the remainder of his property by persistent and wisely-directed industry. IIe departed this life, November 1, 1891, and the county lost one of its prominent citizens, and the Democratie party one of its stanchest supporters in this vicinity. His wife survives him at the ven- erable age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this biographical record passed his boyhood days on his father's farm, very much as all farmers' boys have done from time imme- morial, helping in the work of the farm and attend- ing the public schools. Ile has given his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits since he arrived at years of discretion, and has engaged principally in raising high-grade stock, including trotting horses of the best breeds. He is a stirring, wide-awake man, well gifted with those traits that command success, and that have also made him an important figure in the public life of his native township, his fellow citizens appreciating his fitness for places of trust, and his capability in managing affairs. He has officiated as Township Trustee for several years, and has always been thoroughly alive to the interests of the community where he has always dwelt. Ilis polities are of the Democratic order. Religiously, he is of the Methodist Episcopal faith, and he and his amiable wife are among the most earnest members of the church of that denomina- tion, which he is serving as Treasurer and Steward. Socially, he is identified with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Millar was married October 29, 1874, to Miss Sarah Hickman, who was born in Franklin "County, May 19, 1849. She is a daughter of Dan- iel and Jane (Blauvlet) Hickman. Her mother is
now deceased. IIer paternal grandfather came to Ohio from Maryland, and was one of the original settlers of Fairfield County. To Mr. and Mrs. Millar have come three children, of whom the fol- lowing is the record: Anne E. was born January 14, 1876; Michael S., September 3, 1878; and Laura T., June 13, 1881.
OHN B. LAUCK was a prominent farmer of Summerford Township, Madison County, not only because his estate was larger than that of the majority of residents there, but by reason of his deep and abiding interest in his calling and in matters pertaining to the welfare of others of his class. He was the proprietor of a bean- tiful estate of two hundred and seventy-six aeres of well-tilled land, bearing good buildings of var- ous kinds, and stocked with machinery and do- mestic animals suited to the extent of the work carried on.
The parents of our subject, Simon and Mary (Beck) Lauek, natives respectively of Winchester and Ohio Counties, Va., were married in that State, where they resided until their decease. The parental family included eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest but one. He was also born in Ohio County, January 17th, 1814, and grew to man's estate on his father's farm. About 1845. desiring to see something of the Western country, Mr. Lauck came to Madison County and made settlement in Summerford Township, which was his place of residence until his death, which occurred June 16, 1892.
The lady to whom our subject was married, in 1846, was Miss Louisa Morris, whose birth occurred in Adams County, this State, in 1826. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lauck located on the farm where the latter is at present residing. The former never lived to note the many wonderful changes in the country, whose present condition they never dreamed of beholding, although they had faith in the resources of the land. They rejoiced greatly in what they realized of the progress of the world,
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and were glad that they have been able to aid in promoting the good of the locality.
The six children comprising the family of Mrs. Lauck bear the names of John F., Kate S., Reason G., Simon T., Sallie R. and Corwin, respectively. Samuel T. departed this life in Summerford Town- ship when thirty-six years of age, being accident- ally shot by the discharge of a gun, while climbing over a fence. Our subject was prominent in local affairs, and for several years held the position of Township Trustee. In politics, he deposited a Republican vote. Religiously, with his wife, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomination they were active and influen- tial members.
ETER DORN is engaged in farming and stock-raising about two and a half miles east of Sedalia, in Range Township, Mad- ison County. He was born in Baden, Ger- many, October 13, 1838, and is the second in a family of five children. The parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Harwick) Dorn, removed to Hessen in 1844, and in 1853 crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York after a voyage of forty-two days. They came at once to Chillicothe, Ohio. The town had just been burned, and, in consequence, there was much work to do. The father of our subject be- gan work by the day, and in October he purchased one hundred acres of land in Union Township, Ross County. His death occurred in August, 1854. He left his family comfortably situated.
Mr. Dorn, of this sketch, remained with his mother on the home farm, when, on the 1st of January, 1862, he wedded Miss Mary Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hartmann) Urigh. Her mother died in Germany, but her father, who was born November 11, 1811, is still living. The daughter was born in Germany, March 10, 1843. After his marriage, Mr. Dorn continued to reside on the home farm for a year, and then removed to Yellow Bud, in the same township, where he rented land and resided for seven years.
He then removed to Deer Creek Township, Picka- way County, where he bought two hundred and eight acres of land, and made his home for nine years, in the meantime purchasing an additional tract of one hundred and twenty acres. In 1883, he purchased his present farm, which now com- prises five hundred acres, and he also owns one hundred and twenty acres in Pickaway County. He has his land under a high state of cultivation and well improved, which is evidence of the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dorn were born the following children, twelve of whom are yet living: William, born September 1, 1862, was married October 17, 1887, to Laura Counts, and they have two chil- dren; Edward, born January 1, 1864, was married in London, March 10, 1887, to Carrie Snyder, and resides on his father's farm in Pickaway County; Lizzie, born August 8, 1865, died on the 8th of October following; Annie B., born November 20, 1866, became the wife of Clinton A. Bragg Sep- tember 2, 1884, and died February 5, 1888, leav- ing one child; Chester. whose home is now with John K. Bragg; Charles, born February 8, 1868, 1s at home; Lucy, born April 29, 1869, became the wife of Samuel Il. Blessing February 27, 1890, and they have one child; Henry, born July 8, 1870; Philip J., March 7, 1872; George, January 30, 1874; Frederick, August 3, 1875; Lina May, January 18, 1878; Jessie F., December 25, 1879; Peter F., De- cember 20, 1881, and Walter II., February, 1885, are still at home.
In 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Dorn spent three months in their native land and visited all the principal cities along the Rhine. They also took a trip to the West in 1887, the lady visiting her people, while Mr. Dorn went to Kansas. He is a self-made man, who may attribute his success in life to his own industry, perseverance and good management and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has proved to him a true helpmate. His first vote was cast in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln. Ile has since been a Republican, and has served as a dele- gate to the conventions of his party. Himself and wife were formerly Lutherans, but as there was no church of their choice in this locality, they have become members of the Presbyterian Church.
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Among the best citizens of this community they are numbered, and they well deserve representa- tion in the history of their adopted county.
EMUEL D. CONVERSE. This well-known and highly-esteemed agriculturist of Darby Township, Madison County, has a fine farm two miles southwest of Plain City, upon which may be seen an excellent brick farm house and good buildings, conveniently arranged and very commodious. This valued citizen was born in the same township, January 31,, 1826, and his father, Jeremiah Converse, Jr., who was born November 11, 1790, in Vermont, was a son of Jeremiah Con- verse, Sr., who was also born and reared in Vermont. He married Rhoda Converse, of the same name as his own, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, suffering wounds therein in the cause of in- dependence. He followed the double vocation of farming and the ministry of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
This veteran came to Ohio in 1814, and passed the first winter at Sunbury. Delaware County. In 1815, he came to Madison County and located in Darby Township, bringing with him his three sons, Jeremiah, Jr., Silas and Charles, the two last being then unmarried. The grandfather of our subject remained upon the place where he had thus made his home until his death in 1837, and his wife also died there, at the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of the following children, who, with one exception, all came to Ohio eventually: San- ford, Parley, Squire, Lothrop, Jeremiah, Jr., Silas, Charles, Sophia, and Orinda.
The father of our subject, who had been married in Vermont to Melinda Derby, a native of the same State, was one of the three who came to Ohio in 1814. Melinda Derby was born May 1, 1793, and had her early training and education in Vermont. She became the mother of ten children: Cyrus D. was born in Vermont, in September, 1814; Rhoda was born in Ohio, January 31, 1817; Eras-
tus, born December 23, 1818; Elias was born April 10, 1821, and died in infancy; Jeremiah, born June 11, 1822; Lemuel D., our subject; Zelotus, born June 8, 1828; Melinda, July 12, 1830; Lois D., January 15, 1833; and Rosanna, May 12, 1835.
The second marriage of the father of Mr. Con- verse united him with Elizabeth Burdock, a native of Rhode Island, who was born April 24, 1800, and by this union there was one child, Samantha E., who was born July 10, 1838, and is now the widow of Henry James and resides in Colorado. Mrs. Elizabeth Converse died in Missouri, in March, 1888. When the parents of our subject came to Ohio, they traveled with a team in a moving wa- gon and were some six weeks on the road. They located upon a farm in Darby Township, and pro- ceeded to clear and otherwise improve the prop- erty, fencing it and putting it in condition for crops. They remained there until the father's death, which took place July 18, 1849. The mother of om subject had died April 12, 1836, and they were both buried in the Plain City Cemetery. The fa- ther was a Whig, politically, and for many years was Trustee of Darby Township and Drum Major in the old State militia. In early manhood, lie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in his last years belonged to the Protestant Methodist Church and took great interest in all religious efforts. He was well known and highly esteemed in the community and was a liberal con- tributor to all good causes.
The early education of Lemuel Converse was obtained in the old log schoolhouse, which was floored and seated with puncheons, and later, he studied in a select school in Union County, Ohio. He taught the district school in Union County, and afterward returned home, remaining with his fa- ther until the latter's death, afterward contin- uing with his stepmother. He was married, March 12, 1851, in Darby Township, to Laura A. Thomas, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, June 22, 1833. and whose life had been so far spent in the counties of Union, Logan and Champaign. The young couple located upon one of the father's old homesteads, and after remaining there for a short time, bought a farm in Darby Township, about two and a half miles from Plain.
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John Caldwell
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City, and there remained from June, 1851, to June, 1868, when they removed to the place where they now reside.
Mr. and Mrs. Converse are the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Marcia L., who was born January 24, 1852; Jere- miah L. H., born April 21, 1854, died February 14, 1855; Carrie C., born May 4, 1856; Pearl D., February 21, 1868; and Ruby N., December 26, 1873. Our subject has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-four and a half acres, which are mostly under cultivation. His first ballot was cast for Zachary Taylor, upon the Whig ticket. In 1856, he became a member of the Republican party, vot- ing for John C. Fremont, and in 1860 and 1864 casting his vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1876, he voted for R. B. Hayes, and in 1872 for Horace Greeley. In 1880, he voted for James B. Weaver, in 1884 for Benjamin Butler, and in 1888, voted the Union Labor ticket, for A. J. Streeter. Mr. Converse was on the ticket of the Greenback party in 1880 for Representative, and on the Peo- ple's ticket for County Commissioner in 1891. Under the old military laws, he was Second Lieu- tenant of Dragoons, holding his commission under Gov. Bartlette, of Ohio. Only seven of the large family of his father now survive, and our subject is one of the most influential of this number.
OHIN CALDWELL. Although a number of years have passed since this honored citi- zen of Pickaway County closed his eyes upon the scenes familiar to him during the long years of his residence here, he is still re- membered with affection. lle was born February 5, 1800, and died August 24, 1884, having at- tained the venerable age of four-score years. In the development of Pickaway Township, he was especially helpful, and at the time of his death was the owner of three hundred and thirty acres, which through his labors had been finely im- proved. His portrait and biographical sketch will possess an especial value to the reader, in view of his pioneer experience and honorable career.
The name Caldwell, as it is brought down to us in legend, comes from a knightly ancestor who, during those early wars, was an officer. Ile used no horn or trumpet, as others did, nothing but his loud, clear, resonant and powerful voice, which universally attracted attention. They said of him that he "called well." The two words at a later date were merged into one, and his posterity took the name Caldwell. Most of that name through- out the United States trace their parentage back to the North of Ireland, whence they came at an early day. They were Protestants, belonged to the landed nobility, had their coat of arms, good financiar standing and seemed to make much of every opportunity.
Of those who came over and settled in Penn- sylvania were the brothers, Joseph, James and Samuel. Sarah, the sister, afterward married a man by the name of Russell. Joseph had seven sons and daughters, his fifth son, William, being the father of John Caldwell, the subject of this sketch. William was a native of Huntingdon County, Pa., and was born in 1764. November 28, 1786, he was married to Jane Moore, a native of the same county as himself, but of Scotch ex- traction, her parents being natives of Scotland. The children of William and Jane Caldwell were born in Pennsylvania, and the dates of their births were as follows: James and David (twins), born August 28, 1787; Robert, January 25, 1790; Samuel, June 14, 1792; William, August 29, 1794; Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Elias Benton), June 12, 1797; Jolin, February 5, 1800; Daniel, July 9, 1802; Joseph, May 1, 1801, and Johnson, January 12, 1806. Several of these died in infancy.
In 1808, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, with their chil- dren, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in two canvas-covered wagons, arriving October 8 and locating about one mile west of Kingston, Ross County, on the old Lancaster road. During much of the journey hither, Mrs. Caldwell rode on a pacing pony. They were among the early mem- bers of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Ross County, of which Mr. Caldwell was elected a ruling Elder and ordained to that office August 7, 1811. After passing the winter in a cabin, which he erected west of Kingston, he came, in
14
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March, 1809, to Pickaway County and settled on three hundred and thirty acres on section 15, Pickaway Township, where he resided until his death, March 20, 1815, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him a few years, her death occurring September 1, 1823.
The seventh child in the family was John, the subject of this notice, who was born February 5, 1800, in Huntingdon County, Pa. Ile was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and here he ever afterward resided. January 24, 1828, his marriage took place, his bride being Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Eliza- beth Monnett. She was a devoted Christian woman, whose memory is still precious to those yet living who knew her. She died June 22, 1838.
Seven children were born of the union of our subject and his wife, as follows: Elizabeth J. mar- ried Dwight Calhoun, of Kenton, Ohio, and they are the parents of six daughters, all living but the eldest, Emma, of whom mention will be made later; Isaac M., who married Sophronia Morris and became the father of three children, died in camp near Memphis, Tenn., May 4, 1862, and his widow lives in Solomon City, Kan .; Robert, who lives in Sheldon, Ill., married Cynthia Pinneo, and they have three children; William L. married Alvina Tobias, and they became the parents of six chil- dren, three of whom are living. He died July 8, 1876, and his widow makes her home in Minnea- polis, Minn. Amos B. first married Margaret Pin- neo, who died near Sheldon, Ill., June 24, 1863, leaving one daughter. In 1866, he married Lov- inia, daughter of Rev. Jacob Holmes, of Marion, Ohio, an amiable woman whose death occurred in Pomona, Cal., June 1, 1887, where the family still reside. At her decease she left four children. John W. chose as his wife Miss Virilla Shoecraft, of Oneida County, N. Y. He was for eighteen years Superintendent of City Schools, serving at Carding- ton and Urbana, this State, and Attica, Seymour and Huntingdon, Ind. For years he has been engaged in writing for the Lewis Publishing Company, of Chicago, and other firms. Two of his children are yet living and two died in infancy. Sarah B., born June 22, 1837, died March 19, 1838.
November 12, 1839, JJohn Caldwell was a second
time married, his wife being Rebecca MeClellan, who was born February 13, 1810, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Kinnear) Mcclellan, of Centre County, Pa. Three children were born of that union, the eldest, who was born August 19, 1840, dying in infancy. Anna M. taught with her brother several years in the public schools of Sey- mour, Ind., and Sheldon, Ill., and is at present re- siding with her aged mother at the old home. Thomas M., the youngest child, was born June 20, 1843, and died September 23, 1852.
Mr. Caldwell was a man of industrious and tem- perate habits, his manner of living being plain and comfortable. lle cleared up a farm which he bought of his father's administrator, and toiled patiently in the work of improvement, against many disadvantages but with ultimate success and satisfaction. Ile delighted in reading, purchased many useful books and provided himself and fam- ily with a good library. He was also a close ob- server and had a good knowledge of men and affairs. Until the day of his final sickness, his leisure moments were devoted to reading, and he retained a perfeet recollection of all he read. He filled the office of Township Clerk for Pickaway for a number of years and served nine years as Jus- tiee of the Peace, beginning in 1836. He was not disposed to hold office, would not thrust him- self forward and was not in any sense a politician, but was always a firm supporter of the principles that he believed best. He was formerly an old- line Whig, but after the organization of the Re- publican party supported its men and measures. During the time the old State militia was in force, he held the office of Captain in that organization, serving some years.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church organized in the township was at Salem; a log meeting-house was built a short distance from the present house in 1802 or 1803, and in that building Mr. Caldwell attended school in 1812. A new log meeting- house was built in 1816 near by, and he hauled stone for the foundation from the farm on which he lived and died. lle was one of the most prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Class-leader for more than thirty years, Steward and Trustee for a still longer term, and a
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liberal supporter of the church, contributing gen- erously to the erection of the present Salem Chapel in 1882. Ile loved the house of God, and in age and feebleness it was his delight to be at his place in the sanctuary. During his last illness, his mind often wandered and in reference to earthly things was much clouded, but in regard to the future all was clear. He always without hesi- tation expressed full confidence in the Savior. In his case there were no doubts, no fears, heaven- ward was all clear. On August 24, 188.4, he peace- fully passed away, aged eighty-four years, six months and nineteen days.
Emma Calhoun, referred to above, was the eld- est granddaughter of John Caldwell and was born March 27, 1850. She was unusually gentle, sweet and attractive, and almost as serious when a child as she was in the days of her maturity. Her favor- ite early books were those which told of the first missions to the Sandwich Islands, the South Seas and to the American Indians. With her conversion there came a desire to tell of Ilim to the heathen. She taught school when quite young and organ- ized a Sunday-school in one of the Kenton school districts, which is still a means of great good. In 1868, she entered the Western Female Seminary at Oxford, Ohio, graduating in two years, and after successfully teaching for one year at Evans- ville, Ind., the call came to the Dakota Mission, and in the summer of 1872, when twenty-two years of age, she became a helper to the Rev. J. P. Williamson, his wife and sister, at Yankton Agency, Dak.
In 1874, she returned to her home in Kenton. Ohio, with an Indian youth whom she had led to the Savior, hoping to find a home for him among her friends and to educate him for higher usefulness among his people. But the boy's health failed, and she was compelled to take him back to Dakota in a dying condition. February 15, 1876, she be- came the wife of Rev. Charles L. Hall, and with him went to Ft. Berthold, in Northern Dakota. to carry the Gospel to a people who had not yet re- ceived it. In the midst of home cares, she worked continually for the people around her, and with her child in her arms was accustomed to teach and preach. Five years of married life-five years of
constant longing to realize a higher ideal of home life and Christian activity-nine years of mission- ary life, and then the peaceful rest came on Easter, April 17, 1881. Iler trunk was packed that she might visit friends in Ohio, but pneumonia came first, and in ten days, with words of prayer on her lips, she went home to "sing His praise above."
ACOB SIFRIT, a wealthy retired merchant, whose attractive home is finely located on the corner of East High and Union Streets, London, has been one of the prominent promoters of the business interests of Madison County, of which he is a native. IIe was born in Paint Township, January 17, 1819, a son of An- drew and Hannah (Marrel) Sifrit. His parents were natives of Virginia, where they were mar- ried, and where the father was engaged as a farmer. In 1803, they came to Ohio, and for a time Mr. Sifrit was employed in farming on a large farm near Chillicothe. In 1804, he bought his family to Madison County, and they were among the first to settle in this section of the State. He secured land for his services as a Rev- olutionary soldier in Paint Township, built a hewn log house in a lonely spot, his nearest neighbor being four miles away. When he raised his house, he asked, as was the custom in those times, his fellow-pioneers to assist him, and there were only seven or eight men living within a radius of twelve miles to help him. Chillicothe, forty-five miles distant, was his nearest market, and he and his had to content themselves with such comforts as were procurable, and suffered many privations. Ile worked patiently. and in due time had evolved a good farm from the wilderness, and had erected a substantial set of buildings and made other extensive improvements. He lived to be very old, being in his ninety-eighth year when he died, in 1847. Ilis wife survived him until 1860, when she passed away, at the age of eighty years. Ile was one of the heroes of the Revolution, enlisting when he was only eighteen years old, and served through- j out the great struggle for freedom. At one time
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