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 35
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 35
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 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins lived for two years on the father's farm, after which they went to Madison County and bought a small tract of land there, on which they lived for five years, at the expiration of which time they removed to the place which is now their home. Upon first coming here, Mr. Ilopkins bought four hundred and thirty acres, and has added to his estate from
314
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
time to time, until he now has a splendid tract of eight hundred and fifty acres, which is as fine land as is to be seen in Fayette County.
The beautiful home of this family is a hand- some edifice which was put up by our subject in 1868, and which is an ornament to the township. Four children have blessed this home, two sons and two daughters. Their eldest, Eva J., has married Jerome Penn, who makes his home at Washington C. H. and fills the office of Superintendent of the Gas Works, besides being Superintendent of the Electric Light. The son, Austin F., has engaged in the fruit business in California, making a specialty of orange culture. Scott, who lives at home with his father, is the next son, and the youngest child is Stella R., who is also under the parental roof.
He of whom we write is an intelligent and ac- tive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is prominent in Sunday-school work, being Superintendent of the Oak Chapel Sunday-school. Ile is a stanch worker in the temperance cause, and a strong advocate of Prohibition principles As a farmer, he is largely devoted to stock-raising, and has large herds and. flocks of cattle, sheep, and horses. Throughout his life he has been a hard worker, and his success is commensurate with his efforts.
e
OHN T. BURKE, the efficient Postmaster of Mt. Sterling, claims Virginia as the State of his nativity. He was born in Loudoun County, January 6, 1838, and is a son of James and Mary (Van Horn) Burke, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The mother died when our subject was about three weeks old. He remained in his native State with a half-sister, Mrs. Ann Ott, until eleven years of age, when the family emigrated to Fayette County, Ohio, set- tling near Bloomingburgh. Two years later, they removed to White Oak, in the same county, where Mr. Ott bought a farm, upon which our subject grew to manhood.
In the common schools, our subject acquired a good education and worked upon the farm until
he had attained his majority. In his twenty- second year, he engaged in teaching, and was thus employed until the late war broke out. He im- mediately responded to the call for troops, but before he could be mustered in, the quota was filled. He then taught through the winter of 1861-62, and in June following joined Company K, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, for three years' ser- vice. At the organization of the regiment, he was made Sergeant. The troops joined the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River. Mr. Burke was taken sick and was confined in the hospital for eight months. Being unfit for active service, he then did duty in the hospital as clerk and steward, receiving his discharge at the close of the war, in June, 1865.
On his return North, Mr. Burke attended the Holbrook Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, for two terms, after which he again resumed teaching, which profession he followed continuously for some years. At Madison Mills, he married Miss Margaret Bush, of Nobleville, Ind., who was born in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, but had re- moved to Indiana with her parents. After his marriage, Mr. Burke made his home in White Oak, being employed as a teacher in one district for five years, after which he had charge of the grammar department in the schools of Mt. Ster- ling for four years. He next embarked in the grocery business, which he continued for three years, but it proved a losing investment and he sold out. Ile then engaged in clerking for about eighteen months, after which he was appointed Postmaster.
Mr. Burke has been a stanch Republican since he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. While at Madison Mills, he served as Township Clerk, first by appointment, and then was three times elected. For seven years he has served as a member of the School Board, and during all that period has been Clerk. In April, 1889, he was appointed Postmaster by President Harrison, and in his administration of the affairs of the office has given universal satis- faction.
Mr. Burke was called upon to mourn the loss of
.
& Green field
317
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his wife in 1889, her death occurring on the 7th of December. She left five children: Willard .J., born at White Oak, January 13, 1874, who will graduate from the High School at Mt. Sterling in 1893; Nellis May, born May 18, 1876; J. Earl, February 21, 1880; Bright E., in June, 1883; and Harry, January 23, 1887. Mr. Burke in early life joined the Christian Church and has since been one of its faithful members. llis wife held mem- bership with the same church. He served as Sun- day-school Superintendent for several years, and has always taken an active part in its work. So- cially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' Society, and is also a charter member of J. C. Bostwick Post No. 406, G. A. R.
G EORGE GREENFIELD, one of Pickaway County's most worthy citizens, and form- erly Trustee of Harrison Township, was born in Adversane, England, on the 7th of June, 1829, and died on the 7th of January, 1891, aged sixty- three years, seven months and two days.
Thomas and Ann Greenfield, the parents of our subject, were natives of England, and there George was reared and educated. He was early taught the duties of farm life and in subsequent years, when starting out for himself, it was but natural perhaps that he should turn to agricultural pursuits as his chosen occupation. Early in the '50s, led by the promises of the Western prairies of this country, he decided to settle in the "land of the free," and after crossing the ocean came immediately to Pick- away County, Ohio. He resided in Ashville for some time, but in the spring of 1879 settled on the farm where he remained until his death and where. his widow still resides.
On the 11th of April, 1868, Mr. Greenfield mar- ried Miss Elizabeth K. Cline, a native of Harrison Township, Pickaway County, born May 21, 1842, and the daughter of Philip and Maria (Crum) Cline. The fruits of this union were eight children, two of whom are now living: Sarah and Virginia. While a resident of Pickaway County, our subject enjoyed the reputation of being a substantial and
progressive farmer, and was also considered an in- telligent and thoroughly posted man on all the current topics of the day. Although his educa- tional advantages had been limited in youth, he was a great reader and was mainly self-educated. He served as School Director for nineteen years and was always interested in educational matters. He was also Trustee of Harrison Township for some time. In politics, he was a Jacksonian Dem- ocrat, and a stanch advocate of the principles of that party. In his official capacity he faithfully conducted the public affairs to the best interests of those lie represented, and to all enterprises of a worthy nature gave his hearty support. The true value of such individuals is not realized fully until they are gone. Personally, Mr. Greenfield was the most popular of men. His amiable disposition and courteous manner endeared him to all who were so fortunate as to enter the wide circle of his friend- ship. His last testimony was that all was well with him. He was baptized in infancy and was a mem- ber of the old State Church of England at his death. Ile left an estate of two hundred acres, which he had accumulated by. industry, economy, and superior management. llis widow and two surviving daughters reside on this fine farm, where they have a comfortable home. They are members of the United Brethren Church, and are esteemed members of society, their refinement and culture endearing them to their associates and acquaint- ances.
A portrait of the late Mr. Greenfield appears in this connection.
SCOTT ALKIRE. The visitor to the village of Mt. Sterling is accustomed to notice with especial interest and admira- tion the beautiful residence owned and occupied by Mr. Alkire. Erected in 1890, it is of a modern style of architecture, commodious and tastefully furnished, and conceded to be one of the most elegant homes in the village.
Born in Pleasant Township, Madison County,
15
1
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
318
Ohio, October 7, 1861, our subject is the son of A. R. and Mary J. (Tanner) Alkire, natives re- spectively of Madison and Pickaway Counties. A complete account of the family history will be found in the biography of A. R. Alkire, in another portion of this volume. The boyhood days of our subject were passed on the old homestead, which is pleasantly situated in the suburbs of Mt. Sterling, and there, under the careful training of his estimable parents, he grew to a vigorous man- lood.
The early education of our subject was gained in the schools of Mt. Sterling, and at the age of twenty he entered the college at Merom, Ind., where he commenced a thorough course of study, but, on account of ill health, was compelled to cease his work and return home. He has continued to live on the farm, a part of which lies within the village limits, while the remainder adjoins the village. Upon the division of the estate, one hun- dred and nineteen acres became the property of A. Scott, beside three hundred acres in other places, mostly in Pickaway County. As the possessor of a large amount of land and the manager of im- portant real-estate interests, he finds his time closely occupied.
December 17, 1884, Mr. Alkire was married to Miss Flora A. Beale, who was born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, Ohio, November 3, 1864, but at the time of her marriage resided in Madison Township, Fayette County. She is a lady of great refinement and superior education, having been a student in the college at Delaware, Ohio, and availing herself of her advantages to the ut- most. Their pleasant home is brightened by the presence of three children: Coral, who was born September 22, 1885; A. Ross, November 20, 1889; and Mary, September 14, 1891.
The Republican party finds a stanch supporter in Mr. Alkire, who cast his first Presidential vote for James G. Blaine in 1884, and since that time has continued to work for the interests of the party. However, he is by no means a politician, and has never sought office or the emoluments of publie position. His efficient service as a member of the Village Council and the School Board has won the commendation of his fellow-citizens, and
prove the possession of excellent judgment and an unusual degree of tact. He is a member of the Mystic Circle, socially, and the Knights of Pythias, in which he is serving as Master of Exchequer.
OHN E. ARNOLD is an exceedingly shrewd financier, and is prominent in business eir- cles in Madison County as a dealer in real estate and as a fire insurance and loan agent, with his residence and office in London, the former, one of the most attractive in the city, being situated on East First Street. Miami is the native county of our subject, and he was born in 1839. James and Melinda (Mullen) Arnold were his parents, and they were both born in early pioneer homes of Ohio, the former in 1798, and the latter in 1803.
The father commenced farming in Montgomery County, and later removed to Miami County, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a good farmer, and was known far and near as one of the prominent men of his township, whose hon- esty and rectitude in all things were unquestioned. He was the champion hunter of his county ; always carried an Indian hatchet in his belt, and with that, or with his unerring rifle, he brought down many a deer and bear, to say nothing of lesser game. In politics, he, like his father, was a Demo- crat to the end. The latter, Jacob Arnold, came from Germany, and first settled in the Eastern States, but in the latter part of the seventeenth century he came to Ohio, and was one of the earli- est pioneers of Montgomery County, where he de- voted himself to farming, living there until his earthly pilgrimage ceased. He was the father of nine children.
Our subject and his brother Philip are the sole survivors of a family of six children. He of whom we write attended school in Bethel Township dur- ing his boyhood. and on his father's farm in his native county grew to a vigorous, self-reliant manhood. He remained in the old home until 1861, and was busily engaged in agricultural pur- suits when the war broke out. In a few months he laid aside his work to join the brave boys in
319
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
blue at the front, anxious to strike a blow in de- fense of the Stars and Stripes, enlisting December 5, 1861, in Company C, Seventy-first Ohio Infantry. He did valiant service some eight months, but the hardships and exposure to which he was subjected in the long and weary marches, in camp and on the battlefield, told on his constitution, and he became so sick that he was ordered to the hospital at Clarksville, where he was subsequently dis- - charged on account of his physical condition, which would not admit of further service as a soldier. He had done his share of fighting when- ever the regiment had met the enemy, and at the Battle of Shiloh he was on duty from the start to the finish, displaying true bravery and genuine fortitude in the face of the greatest dangers, when his life was in imminent peril.
Our subject returned home from his experience of military life with his health much impaired, and he has never been as strong and well since. As soon as he was able, he tried farming, with which his early life had familiarized him, and he worked at it three years in his native county. He was then obliged to abandon it, as it was too laborious, and he spent the ensuing year in Ne- braska. Returning to Ohio, he took a position in Dayton, in the nursery business and to sell trees. He followed that two years, and still continues to sell trees, but has not done so as extensively for the past eight years, as he has had other business to attend to. He accepted a situation as commer- cial traveler for the London Manufacturing Com- pany, and was with that firm two years. After that he was in the employ of the Wildman Mince Meat and Baking Powder Manufacturing Company, of London, for a like term of years. At the end of that time, he established himself in his present business, and is one of our most enterprising and trustworthy real-estate men, who has done much to enliven business and promote the growth of the village. He is well thought of by the entire community, as he is known to be a man of good principles and correct habits, and is social and friendly in his relations with all about him. He has been entrusted with various township offices, and his public spirit has been evinced on many occasions. He seems to have inherited at least
part of his political creed from his father and grandfather, and is a member of the Democratie party of to-day. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and takes a great interest in the organization.
Our subject has been twice married. Ilis first wife, who died in 1873, was Sarah JJ. Kellogg, of Fort Wayne, Ind. By that marriage two children were born : Emma and Charles II. The present wife of our subject was formerly Miss Mary E. Watrous, and she is a native of this county.
W ILLIAM FORESMAN & BRO., manufac- turers of flour, meal, feed and dealers in grain and coal, at Circleville, Ohio. When a new settlement is started, about one of the most important things to do is to establish a flour mill; people must have bread, and wheat is easily raised. Among those who early became engaged in the milling business was the firm of William Foresman & Bro., the individual members of the firm being William and G. P. Foresman, gentlemen who bring into requisition the amplest financial and business faculties and ability for the highest efficiency in the departments engaging their attention. These flouring mills were established about forty years ago by R. A. Foresman, who was succeeded in 1869 by the present owners, who have since that time entirely refitted and refurnished the building with the new roller-process machinery and best- known purifiers and other machinery for the prompt and efficient execution of the best class of work. The mill is located about one and a quar- ter miles from this city and is connected with the C. M. & V. R. R. by special line or switch, known as the Willow Bend Railroad, thus securing the amplest shipping facilities to all sections of the Union. The mill is propelled by water power de- rived from Darby Creek, and by the celebrated Victor Turbine water wheel, and employment is usually given to a force of seven workmen and experienced millers, while the mill has a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels of choicest family and bakers' flour per day. The principal brands
320
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
for which this mill is noted find a ready sale and hold the highest standard value in all markets into which they have been introduced. This firm also controls a large warehouse and elevator in this city, with a storage capacity of fifteen thousand bushels of wheat. Their handling and shipping facilities justify their claim to pay the higli- est market price for grain at all times. In ad- dition to the grain consumed at the mill, they ship large quantities each season to our chief grain markets. They also deal in the best grades of hard and soft coal and can supply this article in lump or nut, or for steam or domestic uses, by the car load or ton at lowest standard rates. Both members of this firm are natives of LaFayette, Ind., but have for many years been residents of Circle- ville and promoters of its general interests. Mr. William Foresman was for four years Postmaster of this city, during Gen. Grant's administration.
Their father, Hon. Phillip Foresman, was born in Circleville, on the present site of Foresman's Mill, as it is called. The grandfather, William Foresman, was a Virginian, and was but a boy when he came with his parents to Wayne Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and settled on Government land in this new country. He followed in the footsteps of his father and became a large and well-to-do farmer, owning five hundred and twenty acres where the mill is now located. He was interested in securing the Ohio and Erie Canal and gave the right of way through his farm. In early days, he built a mill and operated it, and was a successful man in every sense of the word. His son, R. A. Fores- man, took charge of the mill in 1849, and operated it until 1869, when the subjects of this sketch pur- chased it. The grandfather was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died when about ninety years of age. The Foresman family are of Scotch- Irish descent, William Foresman's parents coming from the North of Ireland. William was the father of five children, the Hon. Phillip Foresman being the second eldest. The latter was reared near Circleville, and learned the miller's trade. In fact, all the Foresmans learned the milling business. Ile was married here and soon after removed to La Fayette, Ind., where he purchased quite a large tract of land. He also built two mills in La Fay-
ette, the first and largest mill built there, and car- ried on the grain and milling business for many years. In connection he also carried on farming, and was the owner of over two sections of land. Ile was a very prominent Whig in politics, and served two terms in the Indiana State Legislature. Hle died about 1847, when forty-five years of age. Ile was one of the most thrifty and enterprising citizens, and, although he commenced with scarcely any means, at the time of his death he was one of the wealthiest men of the county. He was a Pres- byterian in his religious views. Hle married Miss Elizabeth Bennett, a native of Deer Creek Town- ship, Pickaway County, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Margaret Bennett, of Virginia, early settlers of Deer Creek Township, where they engaged in farming and stock-raising, becom- ing quite wealthy. Mrs. Foresman, after her husband's death, came back to Circleville and reared her family. She now lives with our subject on Scioto Street. The three children are as fol- lows: Bennett resides at La Fayette, Ind., and is a farmer and stock-raiser; William, and George P.
William Foresman was born in La Fayette, Ind., in October, 1847, and came to Circleville with his mother after his father's death. Here he passed his boyhood and youth, and here he received his education, graduating at Cincinnati Commercial College. Afterward, he returned to La Fayette, Ind., and followed farming there until 1869, when he returned to Circleville, and. with his brother George P., purchased their present property, since which time they have continued business together. Their mills have a location at the junction of three thoroughfares west of the river. They man- ufacture three brands, two of which are "Little Addie" and "Edison Light." In connection, they own and operate the farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land adjoining the mill, and are extensive cattle feeders. Their home residence is on the corner of Scioto and Mound Streets, at Circleville. William is Treasurer of the Pickaway County Agricultural Association, and hoth are stockholders in the Fair Grounds. He is a Director of the Second National Bank, and was Postmaster for four years during Gen. Grant's ad- ministration. He was married to Miss Mary Millar,
321
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
daughter of Adam Millar, who was a large farmer and stockman, and a great breeder of thoroughbred horses. at Bloomfield, Ohio. She was born there and died in Circleville, leaving a son, Addie Fores- man, who is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land, the old Adam Millar farm near South Bloomfield, one of the finest farms in the county. William Foresman was formerly a Republican, but now affiliates with the Democratic party.
George P. Foresman was born in La Fayette, Ind., on the 11th of June, 1845, and remained there until two years of age, when he came with his mother to Circleville. He attended the High School here until 1863, when he entered the Wes- leyan University at Delaware and continued his studies there for about two years. He then re- turned home and engaged in buying and shipping grain from Circleville for a few months, after which he entered the employ of his uncle, R. A. Foresman, and continued with him, off and on, until he and his brother bought the mill. Since then, they have conducted the business successfully, and are the largest grain dealers in the city. George P. was an organizer of the Pickaway County Agri- cultural Association, and is a stockholder in the Fair Grounds. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias, and, in politics, a Democrat. Both the brothers are very liberal and public-spirited. They gave $500 to the building of the Scioto Valley Railroad, and are liberal contributors to all worthy enterprises.
ON. J. WHEELER LOWE, the present Mayor of Circleville, is, in addition to the duties connected with that responsible po- sition, engaged in the practice of law. He is a gentleman of great literary talent, and cor- responds with various papers and magazines throughout the country. Mr. Lowe was born in Ulster County, N. Y., September 24, 1836, and is the son of Jacob J. Lowe, also a native of that place, as was the grandfather, Jeremy Lowe. The latter-named gentleman was a tailor by trade, and
during the War of 1812 joined its ranks as a sol- dier. He lived to the age of eighty years, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. The great-grandfather of our subject, Johannes Laugh, was born in Holland.
The father of our subject spelled his name Low. He was a man of education, and for forty years taught school in the vicinity of his birthplace. In 1840, he came West to Williamsport, Pickaway County, aud engaged in his chosen vocation until his deccase, which occurred in 1865. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Susanna De Groodt; she was born in New York, and was the daughter of John DeGroodt, a native of the Em- pire State and of French descent; she departed this life in Syracuse, Neb., in 1876.
The original of this sketch was the fourth youngest in a family of five sons and five daugh- ters, three of whom are deceased. Ilis oldest brother, Joseph W., fought in the Sixty-first Ohio Infantry from the beginning until the elose of the late war, and died in Williamsport after return- ing home. Mr. Lowe, of this sketch, was four years of age when he was brought by his parents to this State, they making the journey up the Hudson to Albany, thence to Buffalo, to Cleve- land and by canal to Circleville. He was reared to man's estate in Williamsport, attending the common schools until reaching his nineteenth year. He then returned to New York State and became a student at Fowler's Law School at Poughkeepsie until 1859, when he came again to the Buckeye State and continued reading law under Col. B. Mason.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.