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 33
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 33
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 33
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he was taken prisoner, was carried out on the ocean, and for fourteen months did not see land. He was nearly starved, a half pint of rice serving for his daily rations. Once, while in battle, he was pinned to the ground with a sword thrust through his side, and at the battle of Brandywine he had five bullet holes in his hunting-shirt when the fight was over. The river was red with blood, and he could have walked over it on the dead bodies of the slain. He was taken prisoner a number of times, but was generally promptly ex- changed. His regiment was once surrounded by the Indians, but he and his comrades took the horses and equipments from their savage foes, and courageously drove them back.
While living in Madison County, he was a con- spicuous figure in its public life, acting in various official capacities. He was a Democrat, and the first man he ever voted for was Gen. Washing- ton, his old leader, as the first President of the United States. He and his wife helped organize the first Baptist Church in the neighborhood, and were among its most zealous members. They had a family of eleven children, of whom three are living: Jacob, Lawrence W. and Michael. By a former wife the father had a family of nine chil- dren, all of whom are dead. The paternal grand- father of our subject was Michael Sifrit, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America during the last century and settled in Virginia. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Jacob and Hannah (Reader) Marrel, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio in the early days of its settlement, and lived in Paint Township until death removed them. The grandfather was a shoemaker by trade, and was the father of three children, all of whom are dead. He was of German descent, a Democrat in politics, and a Free- will Baptist in religion.
Our subject passed his younger days on a farm, and in his boyhood went to school, a mile and a half distant, to a log schoolhouse, that was rudely constructed and furnished, and had greased paper instead of glass for windows. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, affording his father material assist- anee in his farm labors, and at the age of twenty
taking the farm to work on shares. At the end of five years, he purchased a farm in Franklin Coun- ty, which was all timber, and he devoted his ener- gies to its development, building a log house, cov- ered with clapboards, for shelter, and in five years time he had his land cleared and fairly well culti- vated. But his incessant toil told on his health, which failed, and so he rented his farm, and, going to Harrisburgh, was engaged in the mercantile business there eight and one-half years. Selling out his property at that point, he returned to Madison County and invested in a farm in Paint Township, where he lived eight years. Coming then to London, he resumed business as a grocer and provision dealer, but at the expiration of two years he was again obliged to abandon work on account of ill-health, and he spent the ensuing four years in retirement. After that he again went into business, and for ten years was engaged in the sale of groceries and queensware, in connection with a bakery. Ten years later his health failed him once more, and he sold out, and for some four years interested himself in dealing in stock, but since then he has lived retired, buying a home in a pleasant residence quarter of London. Notwith- standing the fact that he has had much to contend with in the way of physical disability, he has ac- cumulated a valuable property, including some five hundred acres of land in the county, and is one of our solid monied men. Ile has held various township offices, and has always encouraged public improvements. During the war, he took a deep interest in its course, and with true patriotism offered his services to help fight his country's bat- tles, enlisting for a term of one hundred days, but he was dismissed on account of his age. Politic- ally, he is a Republican, who has stood by his party when disaster overtook it as well as when victory perched on its banners. In his religious relations, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his amiable wife also belongs, and he has been Steward and Trustee of the church. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Sifrit and his wife have passed a true wedded life of more than half a century's dura- tion, having been united in marriage March 29, 1838. Mrs. Sifrit, whose maiden name was Emily
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Hall, is a daughter of William and Rachel (Emery) Ilall, who were natives of Virginia, but were mar- ried in Chillicothe in 1802. They first settled among the pioneers of Ross County, and remained there until 1809, when they came to Madison Coun- ty, and settled in Ring Township, where the father engaged in his business as a farmer and a stock merchant, living there many years. In 1845, he went in his old age to Iowa, but subsequently re- turned eastward as far as New Boston, III., where he died. Of his nine children, but one is living besides Mrs. Sifrit, Felicity, widow of William Jolinston, who was a farmer, native of this county, and died in 1888, leaving these six children: Albert A., Isaac M., Arthur T., Myron B., Willis B. and Clarence E.
Our subject and his wife have five children: Alpheus C., who married Marion Jones; Hannah, who is the wife of William II. Tyler; William A., who married Miss Clara Cappel for his first wife, who died in 1883, leaving five children: Ed- ward E., Franklin, William H., Alpheus C. and Bessie, and for his second wife married Miss Alice Stingley; Rachel M., who married Ezra Beathard, and has four 'children: Mary E., Jacob S., Lawrence W. and Howard II .; and Mary E., who married Walter Grafton, and has two chil- dren: Jacob L. and Wellington. Mrs. Tyler has four children: Minnie G., Daniel O., William H. and Mary E. Minnie G. married a Mr. Shouh, and has three children: Homer, William T. and Herbert.
R HARRISON ANDREW. We are pleased to present among the prominent residents of Plain City the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph, a prosperous grain-dealer, who has charge of an ele- vator in this city. He was born in Washington County, Pa., on the 8th of April, 1837. His father, Cyrus Andrew, was born in 1802, eight miles south of the county seat, in Washington County, Pa., where he carried on the occupation of a farmer and resided through life, dying at the
age of sixty-six years. In his political views, he was a Democrat, and as a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, he took an active part in religious work and was highly esteemed for both character and intelligence. His father, Charles Andrew, was, it is supposed, of New York birth, and he took an active part in the Revolutionary War.
The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Dille, was a native of Pennsylvania, her father, Stephen Dille, being also a native of the Keystone State. She was born in 1806, in Wash- ington County, and died near her native place at the age of eighty-three. She was united in marri- age to the father of our subject in Pennsylvania in 1836, and there they made their home through life. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity. The eldest son, Stephen D., died in Madison County, Ohio, at the age of fifty-six; Colin R., who is a farmer, resides in Washington County, Pa .; Rachel, who is the wife of A. J. Dick- erson, lives in Plain City. Our subject is the next in order of age, and following him is Lucetta L., who resides in Washington County, Pa., while Ilolmes is married and resides on the old home- stead in Pennsylvania.
The youth of Mr. Andrew was passed in his na- tive place and he remained with his father, assist- ing him upon the farm until 1860, when he came to Ohio and located in Canaan Township, Madison County. There he was married in 1862 to Miss Mary J., daughter of Elihu and Polly Knapp. Mr. Knapp lived to be nearly ninety years old, lacking only nineteen days of that period at the time of his decease. Mrs. Andrew was born in Canaan Township, December 22, 1837.
Immediately after marriage, this young couple located on a farm which remained the family home for fourteen years, and there the wife died July 4, 1876. Mr. Andrew then removed to Plain City and engaged in the grain business, handling also . salt, wood and coal, and carrying on a general warehouse business, as well as becoming proprietor of the elevator. The first marriage of Mr. Andrew was blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom died in infancy and one, the daughter Lillie, is now residing in Washington County, Pa.
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Mr. Andrew has been prosperous in his business and has accumulated real estate in the city, which he rents. Upon the 6th of October, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann, daughter of A. H. and Irene Sherwood. Mr. An- drew is a prominent member of the Universalist Church, of which he is an honored Trustee. His political views bring him into union with the Democratic party, but he devotes only scant time and attention to public matters, as he is largely de- voted to his business interests. He is an active member of the Junior Order of American Me- chanics, and has an excellent standing in the community.
ACOB HEDGES. The results of industry and unflagging perseverance are shown in the life of the above-named gentleman, who owns and occupies one of the most beauti- ful homes in Walnut Township, Pickaway County. He is one of the honored pioneers of this county, and is thus held in high esteem and respect by all his wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Hedges was born in Fairfield County, this State, June 29, 1828, and is the son of Absalom and Margaret (Ileren) Hedges, natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. Absalom Hedges emi- grated to Fairfield County in an early day, when this now wealthy and prosperous State was in its primitive condition and infested with Indians. In 1840, he removed to Ross County, where he passed his last days, dying in 1850. The elder Mr. Hedges was twice married, and the brothers and sisters of our subject who survive are Catherine, Mrs. Stur- geon, residing in Logan County, Ill .; Thomas, who makes his home in Nebraska; and Caroline, also Mrs. Sturgeon.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was reared to man's estate amid the pioneer scenes of this section, assisting his father in developing the land, and attending the district school during the winter months. The temple of learning bore
little resemblance to the commodious and conven- ient structures in which the youth of to-day are educated, for it was built of logs and, instead of be- ing heated by steam, had built in one end a large fireplace, six feet wide. The seats were made of slabs with pin legs, and boards placed around the room and supported in a similar manner served as writing desks for the scholars. The school was carried on under the subscription plan, the teacher boarding around.
July 14, 1853, Miss Sarah E. Brink became the wife of our subject. She was born March 7, 1835, in Ross County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Thomas R. and Margaret (Smock) Brink. The father, who is now deceased, was a native of the Keystone State, and came with his parents to Ross County in 1800, being at that time only four years of age. Mrs. Brink was a native of this State, her father being a soldier in the War of 1812. Of the eight children born to the parents of Mrs. HIedges we make mention of the following who survive: Mrs. Iledges. Mary, Mrs. David Layton, residing in Illinois, and Albert, who makes his home in Circleville.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been born a large family of eleven children, eight of whom are living at the present time. Jacob W .; Alice, Mrs. Otis Lutz; Lizzie, Mrs. W. E. Markel; Thomas B., Eflie, Sciota, Josiah and Edgar. After his marriage, Mr. Hedges made his home for sev- eral years in Ross County, when he removed to Wayne Township, Pickaway County, locating on his present farm in 1881. Ilis estate comprises three hundred and thirty-five acres, which his in- dustry and good management have placed under excellent cultivation. Mr. Hedges has been more than ordinarily successful in his life calling, and now ranks among the prosperous and well-to-do agriculturists of the county. He is self-made in all that that word implies, as he has made his own way in the world.
In his political affiliations, our subject votes the Republican ticket. In carly life, he was a strong Abolitionist, and while residing in the south- western portion of Ross County, which was on the line of the underground railroad during the war, assisted many slaves in effecting their escape.
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While not a member of any religious body, Mr. Hedges contributes liberally to the support of va- rious denominations, and is active in all good works. He and his wife are now enjoying the fruits of a life well spent, and their friends are as numerous as their acquaintances. Socially, our subjeet is a member of the Masonic fraternity, be- ing identified with Pickaway Lodge No. 23, at Circleville.
0
OHIN Mc CARTNEY, Justice of the Peace of London, is an old resident of Madison County, and though his life is approaching the eightieth milestone of the long journey, he is still actively identified with its interests, and administers the duties of his office with a vigor and despatch that would do credit to his juniors in the legal profession. He was born in one of the pioneer homes of Ross County, near Chillicothe, July 7, 1813. His father, who bore the same name as himself, was a well-to-do farmer of that region, owning three hundred acres of land, on which he carried on general farming for many years, until death closed his life. He was a native of Ohio, and was married in this State to Margaret Wells, who was born in Kentucky. Of their twelve children, four are living besides our subject, namely : Francis, Elizabeth, Harriet and Jesse.
He of whom this biographical sketch is princi- pally written spent his younger days on his father's farm and in attendance at the district school. He remained at home with his parents until he was eighteen years old, and he was then engaged by John Bush to work on his farm when required, but chiefly to handle stock, for which purpose he sent him to Pennsylvania, where he remained some time. His next employment was with John Eckerman, of Greenfield, who sent him travel- ing throughout the State to sell common man- tel clocks. That was his business for two years, and after that he worked on farms for differ- ent farmers until his marriage. He then rented land for some years and devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits. On receiving his appointment
to the office of Deputy Sheriff of Madison County, he abandoned farming and took up his residence in London, where he has since lived. He was Deputy Sheriff eight years, such a long term of office denoting faithful and efficient service, and during that time he was elected to his present posi- tion as Justice of the Peace. While he is one of the stanchest of Democrats, although the village and township are strongly Republican, he has held this office continuously since. There has never been a more popular justice here, or one with a better record. He has never had but one of his decisions reversed by a higher court, and in the many cases tried before him has shown a clear and comprehen- sive knowledge of the law as applicable to each one. His whole course in whatever position he has been shows him to be fair-minded, scrupulously honest and a Christian gentleman, whom his friends and associates of many years' standing hold in high regard.
Mr. Mc Cartney was greatly blessed in his wife, Elda Stingley, a native of Greene County, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Bush) Stingley, and her death was a sad blow to him. She left four children to mourn with him her loss, three sons and one daughter, namely: Austin E., who mar- ried Miss Roberts, and has three children: Edna, Mary and Beulah; Mrs. Mary Oglesby; Jacob II., who married Miss Bedenbach, and has one child, Myrtle M .; and William A., who married Miss Eu- bank, and has two daughters: Ethel and Ida.
G EORGE SEALL is one of the clever, genial and open-hearted men of this section, and is a descendant of one of the very earliest families of Pickaway County, Ohio. Ile is a na- tive-born resident of this county, born in Pump- kin Run, Pickaway Township, October 31, 1833, and is a son of George Samnel Seall, who was born at Red Bank, Ohio, in 1799, about forty-five miles above Cincinnati. The grandfather, Samuel Seall, was born at Waynesburg, Pa., and was there married. He served in the Revolution- ary War for about seven years, and afterwards re-
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moved to Kentucky, where he followed his trade of blacksmith, gunsmith, etc. From there he re- moved to Red Bank, Ohio, following his trade there until 1799, when he came to Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and settled on Pumpkin Run. In 1805, he entered land in Wal- nut Township, and in connection with his trade he carried on agricultural pursuits. There his death occurred, in 1812. Two of his sons served in the War of 1812, and one was first made Cap- tain and then Major.
The father of our subject, Samuel Seall, was early taught the trade of blacksmith, and followed this for about thirty years, after which he engaged in farming on the farm near Pumpkin Run. In April, 1815, he located in Washington Township, Picka- way County, on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and there died in 1870. He was a man well respected in the community, and was among the representative citizens, having served as Justice of the Peace in Washington and Pickaway Townships for many years. He married Miss Mary Gangar, a native of Berks County, Pa., and the daughter of Nicholas Gangar, also of the Key- stone State. Nicholas Gangar came to Ohio about 1806, with a team and wagon, and located in Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, where he engaged in farming. He married Miss Christina Ludwig, a half-sister of Jacob Ludwig (see sketch of Daniel Ludwig). Mr. Gangar died in Pickaway County, Ohio, but his wife passed away in Ind- iana. Mrs. Seall, the mother of our subject, died in 1868. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Seall, two reached mature years, and one, John, died in this county in 1885.
The original of this notice remained on the farm in Pickaway Township, this county, until eleven years of age, and then went on a farm in Wash- ington Township. He received a fair edneation in the district schools, first in Pickaway Township, where he received instruction in the log school- house with slab seats, etc. Ile worked with his father on the farm until 1862, when he went to West Coyington, Ind., and was engaged with a man who was buying horses for the army. Three years later, he returned to the farm, and in 1870
he and a brother took charge of the farm until 1874, when our subject was married. In 1876, his brother was elected County Treasurer, held this position in an able and efficient manner for two terms, and then returned to the farm, which he carried on until his death.
Our subject continued to till the soil until the spring of 1882, when he located here and engaged in the retail boot and shoe business, under the firm title of Seall & Judy. In 1886, he sold out to his partner, and is now retired from the active duties of life. He owns a comfortable home on Pickaway Street, near Union Street, and owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Washington Township, this county, this being well improved with fine buildings, etc. He rents this farm. Mr. Seall was married on the 21st of January, 1874, to Miss Mary Pontins, a native of Pickaway County, and the daughter of Amos (see sketch of George H.) Pontins. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Mary C. and Lucy E. Our subject was Clerk of Washington Township for two years, and his brother held the same position for twenty-two years. Socially, Mr. Seall is a member of the Knights of Honor. In politics, he has always advocated the principles of the Demo- cratic party. Mrs. Seall is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a refined and cultured lady.
N. CLARK, M. D., a physician of marked talent and ability, has been brought into close and kindly relations with residents in and about Madison Mills, Fayette County, in which place he resides. His warm heart and gen- erons sympathies add to the good feeling inspired by his professional enlture and practical skill, and he has a large following and many sincere friends. He was born in Mt. Sterling, Madison County, Oc- tober 6, 1843, and is a son of Alex and Lydia (Adkins) Clark, who are both still living.
He of whom we write lived in Mt. Sterling un- til sixteen years of age, where he attended the common schools, and then with his parents came to
yours Truly d. J. Kanku.
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Madison Mills, where he attended the temple of learning for three years more. When twenty years of age, he was engaged at work in his father's blacksmith shop. Three years previous to the time above mentioned, however, Mr. Clark enlisted, December 9, 1861, in the Union ranks, as a member of Company C, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry; but not be- ing able to stand the hardships imposed upon soldiers, he was honorably discharged July 19, 1862.
The original of this sketch, under the influence of Dr. W. T. Willeman, of Palestine, this State, determined to follow the profession of a physician and began studying medical books at night and working in a shop of his own during the day. Ile followed this plan for four years, when he felt himself competent to take a course of lectures, and entered the Starling Medical College at Col- umbus, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1872.
Dr. Clark located for the practice of medicine at Harrisburgh, where he remained for one year, and then moved to Buena Vista, Fayette County, where he made his home for a like period. At the expiration of that time, he came to Madison Mills, making his headquarters at his father's home un- til he could look up a suitable location. Finding a good opening in this place, he determined to make it his future home, and before he was well aware of the fact had built up a large and lucra- tive practice.
Miss Ella A., the daughter of George and Amelia (Bush) Parrett, became the wife of our subject, January 31, 1860. To them have been granted a family of seven children, viz: Mabel, who was born May 19, 1878; Lewis A., February 13, 1880; Lydia, January 16, 1882; Pauline, February 27, 1884; Zelma Lee, May 7, 1886; Ralph S., Decem- ber 22, 1888, and Minnie Belle, March 13, 1891. Dr. Clark became a Mason in 1877 and has taken the Royal Arch degree, holding membership at Bloomingburgh in the Blue Lodge, and at Washi- ington C. H. in the Royal Arch. He has been very successful in his chosen profession and has been enabled to lay by a handsome competency, in addi- tion to aiding his brothers in getting a start in the
world. He has only reached the top of the hill of life and has therefore before him, as far as human eyes can see, many years in which to continue the good work in which he is engaged and make fur- ther investigations in the interest of humanity.
OSHUA T. RANKIN. Among the men who are successful in tilling the soil in Madison County, Mr. Rankin has a prominent place. Ilis estate comprises fifty-two broad and fer- tile acres in Union Township, where a full line of substantial farm buildings stand, stock grazes, and skill and enterprise are shown in agricultural work. In connection with farming, Mr. Rankin loans con- siderable money, having disposed of most of his land. In all his dealings with his fellow-men, he has been honorable, and in his associations with those about him manifests a kindly spirit and public enterprise.
James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, the parents of our subject, were born in Maryland, the former May 20, 1786, and the latter January 1, 1788. They were married in their native State, February 10, 1808, and in the spring of 1817 left Maryland for Ohio, arriving in Madison County in the fall of that year. The following spring the parents located on the land which is now the site of the County Infirmary Farm. Mr. Rankin, who combined the trade of a carpenter with the occu- pation of farmer, was quite successful in life, and died at his home August 21, 1857; his good wife departed this life in South Charleston, this State, December 12, 1871.
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