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 40

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 40
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 40
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 40


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 his marriage, Mr. Johnson bought a house and lot in Royalton and seven and a half acres of land one mile from the town, where he made his home while engaged in farming. He continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he abandoned that work and engaged in general mer- chandising in Royalton. Two years later, he sold out at that place and established a store in Mt. Sterling. Purchasing a lot, he built his store upon it and opened its doors to the general public in May, 1890. He now has a good trade, and by honest dealing has secured the confidence and good-will of the people. His courteous treatment has won him a liberal patronage, of which he is well deserving.


Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, his first vote being cast for Gen. J. A. Garfield in 1880. Socially, he is a member of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. Himself, wife and daughter are all members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Johnson is Clerk of the Board of Trustees. Ile is a self-made man, finan- cially, and deserves great credit for his success in life, which has been won by industry, perseverance and good management. Mr. Johnson was elected a City Councilman at the spring election of 1892, receiving the largest number of votes of any of the nine candidates.


G EORGE R. FITZGERALD, well known as one of the most enterprising farmers in Fairfield Township, is a fine representative of the class that has done so much toward the up- building of Madison County, and establishing its prosperity on a firm foundation. He is a son of


the late IIon. Edward Fitzgerald, who was born in Hampshire County, Va., August 26, 1806. The lady to whom he was married October 15, 1827, was Miss Laey Ann Taylor, also a native of Vir- ginia, hier birth occurring in February, 1810.


Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald started for this State, and, stopping in Newark, there remained until the following spring, when they removed to Lancaster, which place was their home until April, 1829. After that date, they resided in this township until their decease, the father dying September 25, 1890, and the mother on February 5, 1888. The father of our subject was a very prominent man in his day, and was a member of the Ohio Legislature during the session of 1846-47. He was also Associate Judge for two years, and was truly one of Madi- son County's leading citizens.


Our subject was the youngest in the parental family of eleven children, his birth occurring in Fairfield Township, September 11, 1851. He here grew to manhood, and received a fair education, remaining under the parental roof until his mar- riage. He was associated with his father in farm- ing and stock-raising until the death of the latter, since which time he has operated his estate, which comprises two hundred and fourteen acres.


November 17, 1875, Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Emma I .. , daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Phillips) Crookham, were united in marriage. The mother of Mrs. Fitzgerald died in Pickaway County in January, 1881, and the father, who is a well-to-do farmer, is still living in this county. They reared a family of five children, of whom Emma L. was the fourth in order of birth, and was born September 1, 1852. She was given a good education, and has been of great assistance to her husband in attaining his present high standing in the agricultural community.


Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have two children: Warnie T. and Seisel P. The wife and mother departed this life at her residence in Fairfield Township December 4, 1891, greatly mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. In his po- litical relations, our subject votes with the Repub- lican party, and in social matters is a member of Darby Lodge 770, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Fitzgerald was


353


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


an intelligent and courteous lady, devoted to her family and friends. But it was within her home, however, that her deepest love found expression and her noblest qualities were best appreciated ; she was a devoted helpmate and loving wife, and was one whose friends were as numerous as her acquaintances.


HARLES BRADLEY is an intelligent, wide- awake young farmer, a native of Madison County, who has contributed to its growth by improving a good farm that is located in Mon- roe Township, nine miles southwest of Plain City. This township is his birthplace, and he was born August 15, 1855. Ile is descended from the early pioneer stock of the county, his grandfather, Jonah Bradley, a Virginian, coming here when the coun- try was a wilderness, with but few white settlers. The father of our subject, John Bradley, was born amid the pioneer scenes of Monroe Township, and here, in due time, he was married to Sarah A. Jones, who was born in Deer Creek Township, this county, seventy years ago, and is living in the en- joyment of a pleasant old age. After marriage, the parents of our subject located in Monroe Town- ship, and here the father spent his entire life, and when he died, at the age of sixty-five, he was greatly missed in the community whereof he had been a useful and valued citizen, and where he was held in genuine respect.


Our subject is the sixth child and fourth son of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom four are living. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm in performing the labors that fell to his share, and in attending the district school. He continued to live with his parents until his marriage, in the autumn of 1878, and was engaged in working the old homestead on shares. After his marriage, he still continued to reside on the farm for about three years, and then hired from his father's estate his present farm. which comprises two hundred and twenty-four acres of land that is exceedingly fertile, and un- der Mr. Bradley's skillful cultivation yields


abundant harvests. He has made all the improve- ments, which are of a substantial order, the prop- erty being covered with woods when it came into his possession. Ile has put up a good class of buildings, and in 1882 erected a neat and well- built two-story frame house, at a cost of $1,500. Ile docs a general farming business and has his farm well stocked. Mr. Bradley has proved himself an honor to the citizenship of his native township and county, and is looked upon with favor by all who have known him as boy and man, and have watched his career as an intelligent, hard-working agriculturist. Politically, he is a Republican of the true stamp ; socially, he is a member of London Lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F.


Our subject was married September 26, 1878, to Miss Maggie, the fifth child and fourth daughter of William and Alice (Wilson) Daley. She, too, is a native of Ohio, born in Logan County May 4, 1851. She was reared in Champaign, Union and Madison Counties. She is a true wife to her hus- band, a helpmate and companion, and their wedded life has brought them two children, Marion C. and Raymond D.


W ALTER C. DARST. The Democratic Daily and Weekly Herald, which is published in the city of Circleville, is owned by Messrs. Murphy & Darst. The paper was established in 1870, by McCollister & Wolfly. In 1876, the sis- ter of our subject, Miss Lillie C. Darst, took charge of the paper, and managed it successfully until 1883, in April of which year she died. The above- named firm then purchased the plant, and have successfully operated it from that date.


The original of this sketch was born August 9, 1858. and is the son of Jacob and Anna B. (Brower) Darst. The father was born in West Jefferson, this State, where he was a prominent dry-goods mer- chant, and there remained until his decease, which occurred in 1883.


Walter C. Darst received a good education in the Everts school, and in 1876 entered the print-


354


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ing office to learn the trade. A few years later, he purchased the plant of his employer, and in June, 1884, started the daily. Ile was married in Nor- folk, Va., in 1888, to Miss Daisy Bates, a native of Kentucky. Socially, Mr. Darst is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in poli- ties, votes the straight Democratic ticket. Ile is a consistent member of the Episcopal Church, to the support of which body he contributes liberally and cheerfully.


OHN G. LOOFBOURROW, Cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Mt. Sterling, was born in Fayette County, Ill., on the 27th of Octo- ber, 1845. His parents, Lemuel P. and Elizabeth (Graham) Loofbourrow, were both na- tives of the Buckeye State, being born and reared in the vicinity of Mt. Sterling. For a time, the father engaged in farming and merchandising in Illinois, but the year 1857 witnessed his return to Fayette County, Ohio.


Our subject was then a lad of twelve years. He remained upon the farm and aided in its cultiva- tion until 1867, and during that time acquired a good education, his early advantages being sup- plemented by a course at Holbrook's Normal School, of Lebanon, where he remained a year and a half. He began teaching at the age of nine- teen and followed that profession for a year and a half. In the fall of 1867, he came to Mt. Ster- ling and secured a position as clerk in a drug store, where he remained for three years. He then purchased the stock of drugs and embarked in business in that line for himself, carrying on the store for three years. He next became interested in the banking business, securing the position of Cashier in the Farmers' Bank in 1874. IIe has been its cashier from the organization, a fact which indicates his fidelity and faithfulness. Pre- vious to this, in the fall of 1873, after selling out his drug store, he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and took a course in Eastman's Business College, from which he was graduated with honor in 1874. Ile then returned and accepted his present posi-


tion. He is one of ten partners who are equal stockholders in the bank.


On the 19th of May, 1874, Mr. Loofbourrow was united in marriage with Miss Hulda Kauffelt, of Mt. Sterling. Unto them have been born three sons and one daughter: Ross K., who was born in March, 1876; Lemuel G., John R. and Delle E. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian Church, take an active part in its work, and our subject has served as Elder since 1888. He was reared in the Democratic party, but, thinks that politics consists mostly of a struggle between the old parties for the spoils. He has served as Town- ship Clerk, but has never been an office-seeker. Mr. Loofbourrow is recognised, as an honorable, upright business man, and the success of the Farmers' Bank is due largely to his untiring ef- forts and his popularity. Ile is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, who takes an active inter- est in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- munity, and has given his support to all enter -. prises calculated to prove of public benefit.


W ILLIAM D. GIBSON. The subject of this sketch is engaged in the tobacco and cigar business at Washington C. H., where he is building up a lucrative trade, carrying the best grade of goods to be found in the city. He is a very pleasant and genial gentleman, whose friends are as numerous as his acquaintances. Hle is the son of William Gibson, who was born in South Carolina, his parents being respectively Scotch and Welsh. The elder Mr. Gibson later re- moved to this State, locating in Greene County in 1832. Ile was married to Miss Margaret Dough- erty, who was of Welsh descent, and who bore him six children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but only one of whom is living at the present time. They bore the respective names of Eliza, James, Jane, Joseph, Rebecca and William D.


The father of our subject, when first locating in Greene County, purchased a tract of one hundred and three acres, upon which he resided until his death. In politics, he was a Republican, and in


Potom morris


357


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


religious matters was a member of the Presbyter- ian Church, in which denomination he held the office of Elder. He was an active worker and lib- eral contributor to the support of his denomina- tion, and passed from this life firm in his faith. .


William D. Gibson was born November 4, 1820, in York, S. C., being educated in the schools of that district and in his new home in this State. When fourteen years of age, he began clerking in a dry-goods store, holding that position for about three months, when he started in that line of busi- ness for himself, being backed by a wealthy gentle- man, who furnished him with a capital of $3,000. He opened his store at Jamestown, and at the early age of fourteen, had the responsibility of running a large establishment, employing two clerks. A year later, he went to New York City and bought a fresh stock of goods, and continued to have the support of his wealthy friend for six years.


In 1848, the original of this sketch removed to Bloomingburgh, where he continued in the dry- goods business until 1871. At that date, he came to Washington C. H. and clerked in the store of J. L. Van Deman & Co., and for other firms, until 1888, when, after a rest of two years, he started out in the retail cigar and tobacco trade.


Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Lu- cinda Strong November 23, 1842. Mrs. Gibson was a native of Ohio, and passed from this life March 12, 1848. September 12, 1849, he married Miss Sarah A. Sheets, by whom he became the father of four children, all deceased : Ella B., Ada, Frank and James. She died September 10, 1857. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married August 9, 1858, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Pinkerton. They are the parents of the following-named children : William A., who is a music teacher in the city ; Walter, a tele- graph operator at Musselman ; Lyda M., married J. M. Minturn, who is a book-keeper for Dahl & Baer, at Washington C. II .; Joe M. is a broker, in business at Richmond, Ind .; Lena Louise, at home; Harry E., residing in Mobile, Ala .; Roy S., at home, and Lucy Irene, who died May 22, 1870, and also James, who died December 27, 1870.


In his political relations, our subject is a Repub- lican, and takes an active interest in all local af-


fairs. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination his wife also belongs. He has made a success of his business, and ranks among the well-to-do and progressive citizens of the place. Mr. Gibson was a strong Unionist dur- ing the war, and was only prevented from offer- ing his services to defend his country's honor on account of physical disability. Ile was very patri- otie, however, and hired a substitute for $600. Ile is the possessor of considerable real estate in this city, and is in fair circumstances.


OHN MORRIS. This gentleman, who holds the responsible position of Superintendent of the Pickaway County Infirmary, is one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of the county, where he is favorably and widely known, and where his friends are as nu- merous as his acquaintances.


Mr. Morris, whose portrait is shown on the op- posite page, is a native of Washington Township, his birth occurring October 7, 1831. He is the son of Ezekiel Morris, who was born in 1801 in Vir- ginia. His father, also named John Morris, hailed from the Dominion and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, where he was among the pioneers of Walnut Township. He entered land from the Government, which he cleared and placed under the best of cultivation. In that early day, when going to market, he was obliged to blaze the trees in order to find his way home through the dense forests. He was a patriot in the War of 1812 and passed from this life in 1840. The father of our subject was one in a family of eleven children, four of whom are living. When starting out on his own account, he followed the occupation of a farmer in Walnut Township. Later, however, he removed to Washington Township, where he pur- chased a farm and continued to reside until his death, which occurred June 27, 1891, when in his ninetieth year. Ile was greatly respected in his community and was the incumbent of many posi- tions of responsibility and trust, serving two terms as Commissioner of Pickaway County and


17


358


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Justice of the Peace many years. He possessed the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens and was often called upon to settle estates, which he always did in a most satisfactory manner. He was a gentleman who made the most of his opportuni- ties and possessed a good understanding of law, which thus qualified him to occupy positions of responsibility.


The maiden name of our subject's mother was Catherine Bowman. She was born in Virginia in 1809 and emigrated to this State in an early day with her parents, who settled in Washington Township, Pickaway County. She passed from this life in 1883, in the seventy-fourth year of her age, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. The six children of the parental family included four daughters and two sons, all of whom are liv- ing with one exception.


The educational advantages of our subject, like those of most pioneer youths, were limited, but he acquired enough to give him an impetus to go on by himself, and ranks to-day among the intelligent and well-to-do citizens of the county. The tem- ples of learning in that carly day in this State were rude indeed, being built of logs, with punch- eon floor and slab seats. Our subject began to battle with life on his own account when twenty- five years of age and operated a sawmill in Ash- ville for about twelve years. He then abandoned that line of work and, locating in Walnut Town- ship, followed the occupation of a farmer for five years.


In 1871, Mr. Morris engaged in the distilling business at Circleville, the firm name being Mor- ris, Steele & Co., they operating thus for five years. In 1872, he was appointed to his present position of Superintendent of the Pickaway County Infirmary, which office he fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was the first to occupy the large handsome brick asylum which had just been completed at the time of his appointment, and where he has charge of sixty-five inmates. Ile has also been given the supervision of the Children's Home, which is lo- cated on the same farm and is the home of thirty children. This farm contains two hundred and fifty-nine acres on sections 11 and 14, all of which


is carried on under the direct supervision of Mr. Morris, in whom the people have complete confi- dence.


In 1866, Miss Elizabeth Gibson became the wife of our subject. She was born in Pennsylvania and is the daughter of Thomas Gibson, who emigrated to this State when she was a child. Her parents died in Van Wert County, where they were residents. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have had a family of eight children, viz .: William (deceased), Mary, Edward, Minnie, Bertie and Alice (deceased) , Nettie, and one that died in infancy.


In politics, Mr. Morris is a Democrat, believing that party to be in the right. Mrs. Morris is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church and is active in all good works. Our subject is the proprietor of one hundred and fifty-three and one-half acres of valuable land on section 4, Wash- ington Township, which bears all the improve- ments of a first-class estate.


B RANSOM DAVIS. The persistent industry and good judgment of Mr. Davis have been rewarded and he is to-day residing on a beautiful farm situated in Greene Town- ship, Fayette County. His estate bears all the im- provements which will be found on a first-class farm, and the soil is so cultivated as to bring its owner handsome returns.


The original of this sketeh is a native of Penn- sylvania, his birth occurring in Crawford County December 15, 1811. IIe is the son of David and Hannah (Gelden) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and fought in the War of 1812. He came West to Ohio in 1813, and, locating in Pike County, remained there for a twelvemonth, when he removed to Highland County. In 1816, he came to Fayette County and made his home on Rattlesnake Creek in Greene Township. This section was little more than a wilderness in that early day, but Mr. Davis, like many of the other pioneers, set about subduing na- ture, building cabins, and clearing and cultivating his fields. Wild game was plentiful, thus the family


359


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


did not suffer for fresh meat, as animals of every description could be had for the shooting. The settlers were very few, there being only three houses between that occupied by Mr. Davis and Washington C. II., a distance of nine miles. The father of our subject disposed of the above-named purchase and bought a tract on Lee's Creek, same township, where he was residing at the time of his decease, in 1855. Ilis good wife survived him a short time, her death taking place the following year.


The parental family of our subject included eight children, only two of whom are living. Bransom was reared on the home farm, and re- ceived but a limited education in the district school. He has been an important factor in help- ing to develop this portion of the county, and has watched with interest the gradual evolution of the land from its original wildness into cultivated and productive fields and thriving towns.


When twenty-one years of age, Bransom Davis started out to make his own way in the world, and, choosing an occupation, became a farmer, to which calling he had been reared. In 1834, he was mar- ried to Jane, daughter of John and Polly (Rowe) Draper, natives of Virginia. where they were mar- ried and whence they came to the Buckeye State in an early day, being among the early settlers of Greene Township. Fayette County. Mrs. Davis was born in 1806 and died in 1868. By her union with our subject were born four children, two of whom are living: Maria, Mrs. Benjamin Tudor, resides in Indiana and has two children, and Jane, the wife of Ferrill Patton. The latter make their home in Greene Township, and are the parents of four children.


June 17, 1870, Mr. Davis was the second time married, the lady of his choice being Sidney Ann (Clapps) Draper, the widow of Richard Draper, the brother of our subject's first wife. Of the nine children born to her parents four are now liv- ing: James Ilarvey, Elijah Eddy, Margaret Ann, and Mary Ellen. After his marriage, he of whom we write settled on his father's farm, where he re- sided for seven years, at the end of which time he rented property until purchasing a farm of his own, which he did in 1846. Ten years later, he re-


moved to his present abiding-place, which includes two hundred and eight acres of valuable land.


Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which body our subject has been Steward.


In politics, he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, and has served his fellow-townsmen acceptably as Supervisor of Roads. Our subject and his estimable wife are widely and favorably known in this locality, where they are held in high esteem.


AMES A. GIBSON. We have here one of the oldest residents of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, who has made his home here since 1832. He is of an excellent and highly intelligent family, being a distant relative of William Gibson, the silver-tongued orator of Ohio, and is himself recognized as being one of the best-informed men in the township, having throughout life carried on a course of extensive and judicious reading.


Our subject was born in Dayton, this State, Janu- ary 9,1823, and his father, Robert Gibson, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 17, 1787, was a son of James Gibson, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man, and settled in Pennsyl- vania. In his early experience in this country, while going on horseback to look up some land, he was taken from his horse and robbed by a highway- man. He bought a farm in Fulton County, l'a .. which lay along the creek, and there he made a specialty of hay. Ilis son, the father of our sub- ject, was a farmer, and learned the trade of a tanner. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, and served under William Henry Harrison in the Northwest campaign, and while in service helped to erect Ft. Meigs.


Robert Gibson settled in Dayton, Ohio, in 1816, and there opened a tannery and carried it on for some years. It was in 1832 that he settled in this township and began the double operation of a tannery and a farm. He was married at Eaton.


360


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Preble County, Ohio, to Ruhama Williamson, a native of Pennsylvania, who reared to maturity six children, namely: Eleazer W., James A .. Martha, Mary J., Rebecca M. and Sarah M. She died in her seventy-sixth year, and had been from girlhood a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which her husband was an Elder at the time of his death, and of which they were both active mem- bers.


Mrs. Gibson's father, Eleazer Williamson, was a native of Washington County, Pa., and served through the entire period of the Revolutionary War. Ile had the rank of a Captain, and until his death he drew a pension of $480 per year. Ile came to Ohio in 1808, journeying on flatboats down the Ohio River and up the Scioto. IIe lo- cated below Chillicothe, and a short time later came to this township, thus being one of the very first to settle here, if not the very first. He erected a log cabin and lived among the Indians and wolves, completing here his eighty-four years of useful and hardy life. He was a man of fine physical development and unusual natural ability, having the best characteristics of the Scotch-Irish blood, from which he was descended. He was a noted huntsman, and kept the neighborhood sup- plied with venison.




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.