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 34

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894


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 34
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 34
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 34


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Our subject, who was the seventh in order of birth of the parental family of ten children, was born in Union Township, this county, April 29, 1824. He was reared to farm pursuits and has al- ways resided upon the home place, with the excep- tion of ten months which he spent in the West. Mr. Rankin and Miss Sarah Evans were united in marriage in London, this State. The lady, who was a native of Indiana, died at her home in Union Township. Our subject chose for his second wife Miss Olie C. Bell, the date of their marriage being


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March 26, 1885. She was born in this township, and became the mother of one child. a daughter, India, whose birth occurred May 23, 1886.


He of whom we write has always been actively interested in local affairs, and during elections casts a straight Republican vote. By industry and economy, he has accumulated a competence, and is one of the well-to-do citizens of Union Township and as such deserves a place in this biographical work. In connection with this sketch of his life, his portrait is presented to our readers.


P ERRY G. BOSTWICK, attorney-at-law at Circleville, was born in Hart's Grove, Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 25, 1839. For complete account of his ancestry, the reader is referred to the sketch of his brother, Capt. B. H. IIe was reared in his native village and re- ceived a good common-school education in the schools there, which was supplemented by attend- ance at the academy at Anstinburg. After gradu- ating, he came to Pickaway County and taught a six-months' term of school two miles from the city. He was a successful teacher, and under his tuition the pupils made rapid and com- mendable progress. Another term of attendance at school, and a second term of teaching, were followed by work for the Government in buying horses.


During the war, Mr. Bostwick was in the employ of the Government as Post Sutler, at Chattanooga, Tenn., after which he returned North, and took a course in Eastman's Commercial College at Pough- keepsie, N. Y. He embarked in business for him- self afterward as agent for a life insurance company, representing the Mutual for eighteen months. For about the same length of time he resided on a farm, and then, in the spring of 1869, located in Circleville, and began reading law, while at the same time he was book-keeper for one of the estab- lished firms of the city.


After prosecuting his legal studies under Jere- miah HIall & Brother, Mr. Bostwick was admitted to practice at the Bar of Ohio, in the spring of


1874, and at once located in Circleville, where he has since followed his profession, his office being in Peek's Block. Ile is a criminal lawyer of note, and his legal erudition and professional ability are everywhere conceded. He is a member of the Bar Association, and in his political affiliations has always adhered to the platform of the Republican party. He has served as delegate to State con- ventions, and, socially, is identified with the Knights of Pythias.


The marriage of Mr. Bostwick, in 1867, united him with Miss Mary A. Wheeler, who was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and is the daughter of a prominent merchant of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick are the parents of three children, namely: George E., who is at home; Harry W., who is in the clothing business at Newark, Ohio; and Charles A., who is also at Newark. The family residence is a pleasant house on Pickaway Street, and is often visited by the many friends of the family. Mrs. Bostwick is a faithful member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and a lady of great worth and kindliness of heart. enjoying the esteem of all who meet her.


ETER TEEGARDIN. We are pleased to represent here another member of one of the prominent families of Madison Town- ship, Pickaway County, and a well-known pioneer farmer, who resides on section 28 of the township in which le was born, September 28, 1817. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Shook) Teegardin, the father being a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the mother a na- tive of Lehigh County, the same State. His great- grandfather was German by birth, the wife of that ancestor having been born in the Green Isle of Erin.


Wilham Teegardin, the father of our subject, migrated to Pickaway County, this State, in 1811, coming through with a team, and making his set- tlement in Madison Township, upon section 23. This part of the country was then a complete wil-


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derness, through which roamed wolves and deer. He struggled hard with the practical problem of reducing this wild country to civilization, and did his full share of pioneer work. Ile took part in the War of 1812, but aside from that he spent the remainder of his life in Madison Township. Ile


was the father of twelve children, and six of that number are still living: Margaret is now the widow of Jackson Miller, of Allen County, this State; Aaron and Daniel reside in Indiana; Catherine married Harrison Darst, but is now a widow, and is making her home in Kansas, while Abraham and our subject live near the old home in Pickaway County. The father served his township as Jus- tice of the Peace, and in his death this part of the county lost one of its most efficient and highly re- spected pioneers.


Peter Teegardin grew to man's estate in Madi- son Township, amid scenes of pioneer life, and has done much hard work in clearing the forest and subduing the land. Ile received his education in the log cabin schoolhouse of the early days, and gained much practical preparation for the duties of life in that primitive school. That the edifice was rudely constructed, and the furnishings scant and unshapely, did not prevent this boy from ac- quiring those elements of an education which are needed for attaining a worthy citizenship.


The marriage of our subject took place August 2, 1846, and he was united to Iva A. Crum, daugh- ter of Thomas and Christina Crum. By this union was born a large family of children, and eleven of them are living, namely; William H., who re- sides in Missouri; Hannah, the wife of Samuel Murphy, whose home is in Franklin County, Ohio; John F., who lives in Allen County, Ohio; Thomas II .; George E. and Edwin O., who live in Madison Township, this county; Annie, who is at home; Clara, who married O. C. Peters, and resides in Walnut Township, this county; Peter lives in Canal Winchester, Ohio; Clinton B., who is still beneath the parental roof, and Cora A. also at home.


The devoted wife and helpmate of this promi- nent citizen was called from the activities of earth September 18, 1883, leaving behind her the mem- ory of her worthy life, the affection of her fam- ily, and the esteem of all who knew her. Her


many friends felt that hier loss was a great one to the community. She was a consistent and earnest member of the Lutheran Church, and her life rounded out well the ideal of a Christian wife and mother.


The farm of Mr. Teegardin now comprises two hundred and ninety-two acres, and at one time he owned fully one thousand acres, the greater por- tion of which he has now divided among his chil- dren. He began by receiving one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father, in the woods of Allen County. Ohio, and all that he has since gained has been by his own efforts, aided by the wise counsel and co-operation of his wife.


OHN P. TODIIUNTER is perhaps as well known as any man in Fayette County, as he has made his home in Perry Township for nearly three-quarters of a century, being born here, March 21, 1817. IIe is at present resid- ing on the old homestead, where he has carried on the operations of a farm for fifty-four years. IIe has always been highly respected as a thorough-go- ing farmer and business man, his wife too sharing in the esteem which is accorded to him.


Isaac Todhunter, the ancestor of the Todhunters of Fayette and Highland Counties, Ohio, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was, from the best accounts available, born in Pennsyl- vania, about the year 1754. He married Elenor Jury, of Chester County, Pa. They were the par- ents of six sons, namely: Richard, Isaac, Jr., John, Abner, Jury and Jacob, and one daughter, Mar- garet. They lived for several years in Frederick County, Va., and removed thence to Lost Creek, Tenn. In 1804, they moved to Highland County, Ohio, stopping at, or near, the site of Leesburgh, with their sons, Richard and Isaac, Jr., who pre- ceded them the year previous. In the following year (1805), he purchased the Massie Survey, contain- ing twelve hundred acres situated on the banks of Walnut Creek, in the southern limits of Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio, but at that time, and for several years subsequent. was a part of


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Highland County. In the year 1806, he was elected one of the Trustees at the first election held in Fairfield Township. Ile was a member of the Society of Friends, donated a lot on which to build a meeting-house, and was the principal one in organizing a church, which continues to be known as Walnut Creek Friends' Church. He was a useful and influential man in his community, and in the church. He died in the year 1821, aged about sixty-seven years. Ilis wife, Elenor, sur- vived him eighteen years, and died in 1839, aged upward of eighty years.


Richard Todhunter, the eldest son of Isaac Tod- hunter, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia about the year 1779 01 1780. Ile married Rebecca Llewellyn; they had three sons and four daughters, namely: Whalen. Mary, Jane, Elenor, John P., Alfred and Emily. Elenor, John P. and Alfred are still living.


Mr. Todhunter lived almost continuously within the limits of Perry Township for more than sixty years. He was a man of excellent judgment, and was very firm in the support of what he believed to be right and proper. He was much used as a jury- man, having served on the jury very soon after the organization of Fayette County. Ile lived to the age of ninety years, and died in the year 1867, much honored and respected, leaving behind the untarnished reputation of an honest man.


John P. Todhunter, the subject of this sketch, is the second son of Richard Todhunter, above men- tioned. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in the year 1817; in the year 1837, he married Martha .J. Binegar, the danghter of George and Mary Binegar. Ilis wife, Martha J., was born in 1820; she died in the year 1874, at the age of fifty-four years. She was an exemplary woman, faithfully sharing with her husband in the toils and vicissi- tudes incident to starting in life on a wooded farm of eighty acres, with but fifteen acres cleared, and commencing in a log cabin with the following out- fit: one horse, one cow, two beds, one skillet and lid, one oven and pot, two or three tin cups and a re- flector for baking bread. With the above outfit, Mr. Todhunter went to clearing land and improv- ing his farm, and by industry and economy he was enabled to make occasional additions to his


farm, until he became the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of well-improved land, with the modern conveniences as to dwelling houses, barns, etc.


Mr. Todhunter and his wife were blessed with seven children: James E., who was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in the Seventy- fourth Regiment of Infantry, was in the service for two years, and was discharged on acc unt of ill-health, having fought bravely in defense of his country; Margaret A., Alfred R., Mary E., Alonzo N., Alwilda C. (deceased), and Charles C. Mrs. Todhunter was a member of Cochran's Methodist Episcopal Church, and a faithful, earnest Chris- tian.


In the year 1879, Mr. Todhunter was married to Mrs. Mary Zimmerman, the widow of Eli Zimmer- man. They are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a church member for twenty-five years, and a member of Wilstach Lodge No. 368, I. O. O. F., for thirty years, and has occupied all the important offices in the lodge. He served twelve consecutive years as Township Trustee, and has discharged every duty conferred on him, official or otherwise, with promptness and fidelity. In his declining years, Mr. Todhunter en- joys the satisfaction of seeing his children all com- fortably situated in life, and commanding the re- spect of the community as honest, enterprising citizens.


OIIN JONES, retired merchant and capi- talist, was for many years one of the lead- ing business men of this, his native county, and is still closely identified with its inter- est as the proprietor of a fine farm, and as Bank Director, etc. The village of London, which is his birthplace, is still his home, and he has a fine brick residence on North Main Street, with extensive and beautiful grounds, adorned by shade and fruit trees.


Our subject was born October 31, 1818, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Droke) Jones, who were natives of Tennessee, descendants from the


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early settlers of the old Volunteer State, and they were there reared and married. His father was a blacksmith, and he was a pioneer in that trade in this village, whither he came in the fall of 1814. He rose to prominence in the business and public life of this section of Madison County, was known far and near, was a general favorite, and was fa- miliarly known as "Dad Jones." Ile sold goods often as an auctioneer, and he owned three hun- dred acres of farm lands near the village. In pol- itics, he was a sturdy Jackson man. He had a family of eleven children, of whom four are liv- ing: Mrs. Sarah Lotspeich, John, Mrs. Margaret Sidner, and Mrs. Lydia Sidner. The first that died was Mary E., and the others deceased are Job, Isaac, Mrs. Evans, William, Martha .J., Mrs. Rachel Clark, and James. The paternal grandpar- ents of our subject were Solomon and Lydia (Sill) Jones, who were natives respectively of Wales and Tennessee. They came here with the father of our subject, and remained here until death. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Peter and Margaret (Foust) Droke, who were life- long residents of Tennessee, where Mr. Droke was engaged as a farmer. They were married in 1786.


John Jones, who forms the principal subject of this biography, was educated in the village schools of London, and early gained an insight into the mercantile business, as a clerk in a store. He re- mained at home with his parents until his mar- riage, February 27, 1842, and then he and his bride went to keeping house half a mile from Lon- don, and he devoted himself to cultivating a tract of land. The same fall, the newly-elected County Sheriff, William Warner, for whom he had form- erly clerked three years, came to him, and said: " To-morrow I want you to move into the county jail." Ile did so, and for four years he was Dep- uty Sheriff. So well did he fill that office, that he was then elected Sheriff of the county, and served in that capacity one term of two years. After that, he assisted in the Deputy Sheriff's office. He was elected Justice, and held that position twelve years, with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He has been variously engaged in the commercial world as a dry- goods dealer, a grocer, and a dealer in furniture;


he has also handled harness and saddles, and has conducted the livery business, having had different partners in each new venture, and for two years he dealt in stock. In 1873, he retired from business, selling his interest to his sons, who are now con- ducting a fine wholesale and retail grocery in Lon- don, and have the reputation of being one of the best firms in the county. When in active business, our subject displayed marked enterprise, and his management of his interests was characterized by superior business methods, by unerring judgment, and a sound policy in money matters. He accu- mulated wealth, and besides a fine farm in the country, has a valuable estate in the city, upon which he resides, the grounds around his dwelling comprising ten acres of land, planted with fine fruit and shade trees. Mr. Jones is connected with the finances of the county as one of the organ- izers of the Central Bank of London, and as one of its Directors. In politics, he is a loyal Repub- lican. Ile cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. William H. Harrison. In his social relations, he has long been an Odd Fellow, he being the only surviving charter member of the lodge that was organized in this city in 1846.


Mr. Jones' wife's maiden name was Jane Mel- vin, and she was born in Madison County, four miles east of London, in what is called the Lower Glade, February 2, 1819, a daughter of John and Sarah (Inger) Melvin. Her parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee, and were married in the latter State. Her father, who was a farmer, came to Ohio with his father's family, and they were among the early settlers of Union Township, this county, where they lived and died. The parents of Mr. Melvin were Joseph and Phebe (Van Vacter) Melvin. They had a family of eight children. Mrs. Jones's father and mother had ten children, of whom she, her brother Benjamin, and her sister Phebe (Mrs. Isaac Jones), are the only survivors. Mrs. Jones is a lady whose many wo- manly attributes piace her high in the estimation of all who know her. She has been a Methodist since childhood, has taken an active part in church matters, and belongs to the Woman's Christian Aid Society. IIer pleasant wedded life with our subject has brought to them six children, of whom


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these two are deceased: Mary E., who married Al- verd Stutson, and died, leaving one child, Harry, who married Jesse Allen, and they have one child, Donald. Lucien, who was a merchant in London at the time of his death, married Alice Ken- nie, and left three children: Kennie, Nora, and Lucien. The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are Frank, a merchant in London, who mar- ried Lizzie HI. Koogler, and has one daughter, Nina K. ; Dollie R., who married V. H. Wilson, a stock-dealer, and has two children, Mabel and Ilelen; Horace G., a merchant in London, who married Elizabeth Houston; and Emma, who mar- ried H. F. Chandler, a clerk in a book-store in London.


W ARNER TAYLOR. We have here one of the most progressive farmers in Darby Township, Pickaway County, and a good, shrewd business man, whose popularity is unques- tioned in the community. He is a member of a family which settled here in a very early day, and he was born here April 17, 1841. His father, War- ner T. Taylor, was born in West Virginia in 1809, and was a farmer and stock-dealer. His marriage in West Virginia was soon followed by his migra- tion to Ohio in 1830, and the journey was taken with horse and wagon. IIe located in the northern part of this township, on the Possum Run, on the farm which is now owned by Kinzie Gill. He rented this property for a while, but later pur- chased a portion of it.


The father of our subjeet had but scanty means when he came to this county, and he located here in a wilderness, living in a log house with clap- board roof, which was held on by "weight poles." After developing his farm, he pushed ahead and bought more property, and at one time owned two thousand acres, being very successful until he learned by experience the folly of going security for neighbors, in consequence of which he lost con- siderable of his property. At that time, he was dealing largely in fat stock, buying, feeding and


shipping, and used to drive stock through to the Eastern markets. For fifteen years he herded cat- tle in Illinois and Indiana, and drove them to the Eastern markets, and made much money in this way. He was a very energetic man, and was push- ing and persevering in his business methods, being also an excellent manager.


Warner T. Taylor, the father of our subject, died in January, 1882, leaving behind him a fair repu- tation as a business man and a neighbor. He was a Republican, in politics, after the formation of that party, and had previously been a Whig, but he never cared to hold office. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Blackburn, was born in Virginia, June 5, 1815, and to her were born twelve children, all of whom are living except the eldest, who died at the age of thirty-five. Their names are Louis, Mary, William, Alfred, Warner, Anna V., Seymour G., Elmira, Eliza, Amanda, Laura and Charley, respectively. The mother is still living, and makes her home among the children, and she is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Warner Taylor was born and reared on the farm where he now resides, and his education was gained in the district school, which was then run on the subscription plan. The first schoolhouse was a log building with large open fireplace, and the slab benches had pin legs, while the writing desk rested upon pegs which were inserted in the wall. At the age of twenty-four years, he was married, on the 22d of February, 1865, to Elizabeth Tanner, who was born near Derby, June 19, 1848. Their five children are Edward, Charley, Jennie, Frankie and Laura.


Mr. Taylor has four hundred and eighty-three aeres of land here, most of which is improved, and it is all in one body, although some of it is in the hands of tenants. Ile carries on mixed farming, raising wheat and corn, and keeps from thirty to sixty head of cattle, and has large droves of hogs and sheep. During the winter season, he buys hogs, which he fattens and ships to the market.


Our subject and his wife began housekeeping in a log cabin, and later built an addition to it, but this old home was destroyed by fire in March, 1889. Upon it he had $1,000 insurance, but lost


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considerable. The present home, which is a large frame honse, was erected in 1889. Ile has done considerable tile draining and improving since he came here, and his farm and home are in a most creditable condition. His polities are in harmony with the doctrines of the Republican party, but he does not aspire to office. His family is most highly esteemed in the neighborhood.


OSIAH HOPKINS, who resides in the east- ern part of Union Township, Fayette County, is the son of Jeremiah Hopkins, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in the year 1805. His father, Moses Hopkins, re- moved from Pennsylvania to Ross County, this State, about the year 1810, and was probably born in Pennsylvania. He was the son of a Revolu- tionary hero, who fought all through that period of contest.


Moses Hopkins was twice married. Of his first marriage ten children were born, while two chil- dren blessed his second union, Jeremiah being the eldest child of the first marriage. The father purchased land when he first came to this State, and became one of the earliest pioneers of Ross County, remaining in that section throughout the remainder of his life, and spend- ing his last days in the village of Frankfort. The family traditions seem to say that he was a soldier in the War of 1812. In his early days he was without means, but by his enterprise and per- severance he acquired a handsome property.


Jeremiah Hopkins, the father of our subject, married Naney, daughter of William Claypool, who was well known in Delaware County, Ohio, be- ing one of the most prominent and prosperous farmers of that part of the State. The young man settled with his wife in Wayne Township, Fayette County, about the year 1827, and buying land there, began the cultivation of his land, and fi- nally had over four hundred acres in his farm. Eleven of his thirteen children became men and women, and ten of these are still in life. They are Mary Jane, who is the wife of Cyrus Heylar,


a farmer in Ross County; Sarah, who married Jul- ius Bicknell, a farmer of Moultrie County, Ill .; Washington II., who lives in Vernon County, Mo., where he carries on a farm; our subject; David II., a farmer, who lives at Washington C. II .; Elijah, a retired farmer, who makes his home at the same place; Naney, wife of Joseph Beatty, who has retired from active farming and makes his home at the county seat; Phoebe, who married A. C. Pe- terson, and lives in Ross County; Harriet, who is the wife of George Hamilton, a fruit-raiser in Flor- ida; J. Frank, a business man at Washington C. HI .; and Scott, who was a soldier in the Union army, and whose death resulted from disease con- tracted while in service.


Jeremiah Hopkins died May 3, 1875, and left behind him the memory of a useful and pious life. In his early days he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his later years was connected with the Wesleyan Methodist de- nomination. Ilis home was ever an open house for the itinerant preacher and circuit rider of pio- neer days, and many public meetings were held beneath his roof. He was first a Whig, and later a Republican, and he was ever outspoken in regard to his political convictions. His neighbors made him for a number of years one of the Trustees of the township.


The birth of our subject occurred in Wayne Township, Fayette County, October 7, 1832, and the district schools of that and Ross County fur- nished his education up to the time that he left home and went to Greenfield, where he had further advantages. Ile remained with his father until he was twenty-five years old, and in the year 1857, on the 24th of December, he took as his wife the daughter of one of the most prominent farmers of the county. This lady, Miss Sarah E. Rogers, was the daughter of David Rogers, an early settler.




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