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 42
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 42
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 42
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The father of our subject came to Ohio on foot, with an ax on his shoulder, and as he passed through New York, he took jobs chopping wood on the way. Ile stopped first, after his arrival in this State, near the present site of Columbus. Sub-
sequently, he and another man ran a flat-boat on the Ohio River to gather up stones when the water was low. He had left his family in Vermont while he sought a suitable place for settlement, and later his father brought them on with him in a wagon, and they located on a rented farm near Coving- ton, Ky., where they remained until they came to Madison County, in 1828. For three years after coming here, they lived in Pike Township, and then the father bought land in Darby Township, six miles west of Plain City, and lived thereon for many years, transforming it in the meantime into a goodly farm, which he finally sold, and passed his last days in Plain City, dying there at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Ile was prosperous in his calling, and accumulated a comfortable prop- erty. He paid $1.25 an acre for his land, and af- ter many years sold it at $40 an acre, having made many valuable improvements. Ile began life here as a pioneer, first building a log house, which in after years he replaced by a large frame house.
Our subject is the third child and second son of the family, and he was six years old when they came to Ohio. The first school that he attended, was held in a log house in Darby Township, and his education was completed in a brick school- house in the same township. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years old, and when he began farming on his own account, he rented a farm in Jefferson Township. Since that time, he has lived on his present farm in Darby Township, and is very pleasantly situated. He has one hundred acres in the home place, and two hun- dred and twenty acres elsewhere in the same town- ship. Ilis father gave him fifty acres to start with, and the remainder of the three hundred and twenty acres of which he is possessed he has acquired un- aided, and its development from a tract of wild timber land is the work entirely of his own hand. His original dwelling was a comfortable log house, which he replaced by one still better, and in 1889 he built his present substantial and roomy resi- dence at a cost of $1,500. He has his farm well stocked, and does a good general farming business. conducting his affairs with sound wisdom and with shrewdness, forethought and prudence that have won him an enviable reputation as a good farmer.
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He is likewise a good citizen, and has been of much service in the public life of Darby Township, of which he was Trustee one year, and for the long period of thirty years he acted as School Director. When he was a young man, he was a Whig. and he cast his first Presidential vote for Ilenry Clay. In later years he has been a true follower of the Re- publican party.
Mr. Lombard was married in Darby Township, in 1844, to Miss Samantha McCumber, who was also born near Covington, Ky., the date of her birth being October 15, 1820. To her ready and cheer- ful helpfulness he was much indebted, not only for all that goes to make a home comfortable and cozy, but for the success that has followed his la- bors, and her death, February 4, 1885, closed a long wedded life that had been one of true happi- ness. It was blessed with four daughters and four sons, namely: Phoebe, widow of Harvy Bradley, and a resident of Canaan Township; D. Lamar, an agent, teacher and trader, of Plain City; Alice, wife of Henry Riddle, of Darby Township; Lucina, wife of J. H. Stewart, of Plain City; Millard F., Frank E., William A. and Ora I., the latter four residing at home with their father.
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6 THOMAS E. BRADEN. The valuable farm- ing and stock interests of Fayette County are in the hands of men who are gifted with push, business acumen and far-seeing enter- prise, and are among the prime factors in the steady and substantial growth of this section of the State. Thomas E. Braden belongs to this class, and his farm in Wayne Township is well kept up, compares with the best in the locality in its ap- pointments, and is admirably adapted to stock- raising, in which our subject is largely engaged.
Mr. Braden was born in Ross County in 1831 in the home of William and Jane Braden, who were natives of Ireland. The father was born in the northern part of that country, near Dublin, in 1803. His father was a farmer and land-owner there and was a man of considerable importance in his neighborhood, and was a strict Presbyterian
in his religious belief. He lived to the great age of one hundred and three years.
William Braden grew to a vigorous, indepen- dent manhood on his native island, receiving a good common-school education and a thorough drilling as a farmer. In 1826, in the opening years of a promising manhood, he set sail for his old home to the shores of America, and after he landed he made his way to this State, and in Ross County established himself in the hotel business with his brother at Chillicothe. Ile was thus en- gaged for thirty years, and he then came to this county, and at Good Hope, in Wayne Township, followed gardening from 1849 until 1870. The last years of his life were spent in the home of our subject, and in 1881 he passed away at a ripe age. In politics, he was first a Democrat, but in the latter part of his life he transferred his allegi- ance to the Republican party.
The subject of this sketch is one of five chil- dren, the others being John, Mary (wife of .Jacob Overly), Andrew and Eliza. He began life for himself at the age of thirteen, being a stout, ac- tive, manly lad, and for some seventeen years he was engaged as a farm hand by the month, mostly in Fayette County. In 1861, he was happily mar- ried to Naney, daughter of Jacob and Anna Are- heart, and a native of Fayette County. Her pa- rents were natives respectively of Virginia and In- diana. To her and our subject have been born seven children, who have been carefully trained and are well educated. They are named respec- tively, Louis, Anna, Jennie, Edith, Thomas R., Mary E. and Ralph. Miss Jennie occupies a re- sponsible position as book-keeper for a business firm at Washington C. H.
Mr. Braden lived on rented farms after his mar- riage until 1868, when he bought his present farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Wayne Township. He at once set about the hard pioneer task of clearing and redeeming the land after it came into his possession, and has brought it to a fine condition, both as to cultivation and improve- ments in the way of fencing, tiling and putting up good buildings for every needed purpose. The first dwelling that he erected, which was a neatly built and commodious structure, was destroyed by
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fire, and he replaced it by another equally sub- stantial and well arranged. He is quite exten- sively engaged in raising stock in connection with other farming operations, and he handles a good grade of Short-horn cattle.
Mr. Braden is an uncompromising Republican, with an intelligent comprehension of politics. He has a good record as a public official who has done good service in various capacities, and is incor- ruptible. He has been Trustee of Wayne Town- ship nine years and School Director in one dis- trict for twenty-one years. He is at present one of the Directors of the County Infirmary, which position he has held six years.
OHN STEVENSON. In Circleville Town- ship, Pickaway County, may be seen a beau- tiful farm, which is adorned by a handsome residence and first-class farm buildings. This is is the property of the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph and who is one of the successful agriculturists of the county. He was born in County Down, Ireland, November 13, 1823, and is the son of Alexander and Mary Ste- venson, both also natives of the Emerald Isle, where the father was a farmer and where the pa- rents passed their entire life.
John Stevenson was the fourth in order of birth of the eight children born to his parents, only three of whom came to the New World. He was given a common-school education, and, making the best of his limited advantages, is to-day an intelli- gent and well-informed gentleman. He remained on the home farm, aiding his father in its cultiva- tion, until 1847, when, being in his twenty-fourth year, he emigrated to America, the voyage hither consuming four weeks and four days. On landing in New York, our young hero sought and found work on a farm in Orange County, receiving as compensation for his labor $7 per month. Think- ing to better his condition, our subject after a few months came West to Ohio, and locating in Circle- ville Township, Piekaway County, worked on a farm, receiving the first summer $10 per month.
He soon, however, abandoned farming, and, re- moving into the village of Circleville, began work- ing at the cooper's trade. In 1853, he returned to his native land, making the voyage in a sailing- vessel in nineteen days.
In 1853, the original of this sketch was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of John and Mar- tha (Patterson ) Moorehead, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Stevenson was born in County Down, Novem- ber 11, 1823, and was the third child of the parental family of fourteen, seven of whom are living. Two remain in Ireland, and the remainder of the family are in Australia. Soon after his marriage, our subject went to Melbourne, Australia, where he worked by the day on the docks for some time. He then engaged to work in the gold mines, one hundred miles distant from that city, spending about six months in that line of work, and during that time mining about £350 worth of gold. He later purchased teams, and hauled goods and provisions from Melbourne to the mines, cook- ing his own meals and sleeping under the wagon. Heowned five horses, each of which cost him $500. The country was full of natives, who were very fond of kangaroos and whisky.
In 1858, Mr. Stevenson thought to try his for- tunes again in America, and set sail on the "Royal Charter," being fourteen weeks on the voyage. During a part of that time the eight hundred pass- engers were put upon one-fourth rations. Our sub- ject and his wife had three small children, who were almost starved on reaching Liverpool. They spent one week in that city, and then set sail for Quebec, Canada, where they boarded a train on the Grand Trunk Railroad and crossed into the United States. Mr. Stevenson made his way directly to Ohio, and after spending a short time in Colum- bus, came to Cireleville, making the journey hither in a canoe.
Purchasing a small farm of seventy-nine acres in Circleville Township, our subject was engaged suc- cessfully in its cultivation. He later added to his possessions, until he had two hundred acres of val- uable land. He put his property under the best of cultivation, and erected a large barn which cost $1,200, and a residence valued at $3,500. Mr. Stevenson bought his present farm in 1880, and here
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he has since made his home. The farm spoken of above is occupied by one of his sons.
The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven- son are Alexander, whose birth occurred in Aus- 1
tralia, as did also that of Martha and Hamilton; Maggie, deceased; John, Jane, and Lizzie. Repub- lican in politics, our subject takes an active part in local affairs, and is held in high esteem by the friends and neighbors. Mrs. Stevenson and four of the children are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Our subject is the proprietor of four farms, ag- gregating the magnificent sum of six hundred and fifty-five acres. In addition to raising the cereals, lie devotes a great deal of attention to breeding Short-horn cattle and draft horses. Mr. Steven- son is deservedly proud of his present high stand- ing in the agricultural community, as he started out in life poor in pocket, and what he has is the direct result of his economy and good manage- ment.
Miss Martha Stevenson, the eldest daughter of our subject, is an artist of rare taste and ability, and has adorned the home with many excellent paintings.
C AY R. GREEN. To those who have given the matter a thoughtful attention, it would almost seem that the two most important factors in the success which has attended those who are prominent in business circles have been early experiences on a farm and a limited educa- tion. Few of the practical men of this age have ever received classical training; the old adage, that it is necessity which makes successful men, is as true in the closing years of the nineteenth cen- tury as it was hundreds of years ago.
Among the number of influential business men whose experience has been as above stated, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch. He is a dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods at No. 103 West Main Street, in Washington C. H., where he has been engaged as a clerk or in the business for fifteen years. As already indicated,
he is the son of a farmer. He was born near Ma- rietta, Washington County, Ohio, March 10, 1858, the son of Marens and Sarah ( Morris) Green. His paternal grandfather, Smith Green, emigrated to the United States from the Isle of Wight, of which his maternal grandfather, James Morris, was also a native.
After gaining his education in the public schools near his home, and at Barlow Academy, our sub- jeet, in 1876, removed to Washington C. II., where for two years he worked at the lumber business. Later, he was for eleven years employed as clerk in the clothing establishment of Bing, Bruel & Co., and then embarked in business for himself, the firm name being Green, Tharp & Co. After the connection had continued one year, our subject purchased Mr. Tharp's interest, and for two years the establishment was conducted under the firm title of Green & Flee. February 1, 1892, Mr. Green bought out his partner's interest and is now managing the establishment alone. For excellence of location, his establishment is unsurpassed, and he carries a complete stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods. He is known as one of the leading business men of the city, and his success is the result of his individual efforts.
February 2, 1885, Mr. Green was united in mar- riage with Miss Hattie, daughter of George and Loraine Saxton, of Washington C. H., and they are the parents of one child, Minnie Frances. In his social affiliations, Mr. Green is a Knight of Pythias, and is noted no less for his publie spirit than for his superior business attainments.
OIIN P. BOWERS is a native of Madison County, born in the village of Unity, Canaan Township, August 12, 1820, and for more than half a century he has owned and occupied the same farm in Darby Township, situated four miles southwest of Piain City, and has developed it into a valuable piece of property. 1Ie is a son of Daniel Bowers, a native of New York, and one of the early settlers of Madison County, coming here in 1815. He was a miller by
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trade, and repaired and put in operation a mill on the Darby, known as the Sager Mill. He also did car- pentering for a living, and was an important agent in the upbuilding of this region, until his untimely death in Darby Township, on the farm now owned by our subject, deprived the county of a very use- ful citizen. Ile always took a keen interest in politics, had voted for Jefferson and Adam, and was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. He was a faithful Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grand- father of our subject, Daniel Bowers, is thought to have been a native of New York, and his last days were spent in Franklin County, this State. The mother of our subject was Diadama Phinney, and she was born and reared in Vermont. She was about eighteen years old when she came to Ohio with the Beach family. After the death of her first husband, Mr. Bowers, she married Sylus Con- verse, by whom she had one son, Sanford, now deceased. She had three children by her first mar- riage, namely: John P., Samuel W., and Sarah N., wife of Levi Hager, of Union County. The mother of our subject lived to the ripe old age of eighty- five years.
Ile of whom we write is the eldest child and son of his parents. Ile was reared to the life of a farmer in his native county. The first school that he attended was taught in a log house. He com- pleted his education in the district schools. At the age of nineteen, well fitted to cope with the struggles before him, he started out in life for him- self, facing the world single-handed with good courage. lle worked out by the day at anything that he could find to do to turn an honest penny, and was often engaged in chopping cordwood. After his marriage, in the fall of 1841, he imme- diately located on the land in Darby Township, which by down-right hard labor he has since trans- formed into a fruitful farm. He and his bride began housekeeping in a little log cabin. Since then, he has made many substantial improvements in the way of commodious buildings, and every- thing needful on a well-regulated farm. Ile has here one hundred aeres of excellent farming land, which is under the best of cultivation.
A man of good mental endowments and a ready
tact in handling affairs, our subject has played no unimportant part in local politics, and in the offi- cial life of his township. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Republican party of the State, at Columbus, in the Towns Street Methodist Church, in 1854, and ever since that time he has stood firmly by his party in all its triumphs and defeats. The first office that he held was that of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1842, and of which he was an incumbent about thirty years. He was Trustee of the township many years, and he was Assessor twenty years. He was real-estate Assessor two terms, was County Commissioner four and a half years, and has been School Director al- most for a life-time. Socially, he is a member of Urania Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M., at Plain City; of the Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, A. F. & A. M .; of the Encampment of Odd Fellows No. 251; and of the Daughters of Rebecca Lodge, No. 132. Mrs. Bowers is also prominent in the mem- bership of this lodge, and has been through all the chairs. She is also a member of the Eastern Star, and is one of its State officers, besides hold- ing an office in Lorainne Chapter No. 1, O. E. S., of the State, and the Grand Chapter, and being a member of Lodge No. 119, W. R. C., at Plain City. Mr. Bowers is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star No. 9. He is a Methodist in his relig- ious sentiments, and a liberal contributor to all good canses, having the interests of his native county deeply at heart.
Mr. Bowers was first married, September 2, 1841, in Darby Township, to Miss Ruhama Guy, who was born in Perry Township, Franklin County, near the Scioto River, September 2, 1819, and died about fifty years later, her death occurring Septem- ber 6, 1871. She was the mother of eight children: Silphina, deceased; Betsy L., wife of James Py- ers, of Holton, Kan .; Hannah B., deceased; Daniel E., a resident of Texas; Alwilda A., who died at the age of nineteen; Ruhama A., deceased; John P., deceased; and Adda May, wife of Leroy Turner, of Cleveland.
Mr. Bowers was married a second time, Novem- ber 17, 1872, Miss Alvira Newton becoming his wife. She, too, is a native of Madison County, born in Darby Township, November 9, 1839, a daughter
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of Abner and Sarah (Sharp) Newton, who were early settlers of Darby Township, coming hither in 1815, and spending their remaining years here on a farm. The mother died in her seventy-fourth year. The father was killed while crossing a rail- way track in a buggy, in 1890. That worthy couple were the parents of three daughters, namely: Clar- issa, wife of Charles P. Perkins; Mrs. Bowers, the next in order of birth; and the youngest, Eltha, wife of James F. Chapman, of Darby Town ship.
E LAM A. BLAUGHER is engaged in general merchandising at Walnut Run, Madison County, where he has a good store and car- ries a stock valued at $3,000. IIe is well known to the general public and receives a liberal patron- age, resulting from his courteous treatment and fair and honest dealing.
Our subject was born in Paint Township, this county, March 4, 1840, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Mote) Blaugher. They removed to Kos- ciusko County, Ind., but after several years re- turned to Madison County. The father is still living in Huntington County, Ind., at the age of seventy-eight years.
Mr. Blaugher lost his mother when about seven- teen years of age and then began earning his own livelihood, making his home with Amos Gragg, of Union Township. Prompted by patriotic impulses, he enlisted for the late war in 1862, as a member of Company B, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry, and re- mained at Camp Chase for some months, but was not mustered in. He then returned to Madison County, and in February, 1863, joined Company M, Tenth Ohio Cavalry. Ile was in the battles of Buzzard's Roost and Resaca, in the Atlanta Cam- paign, and marched with Sherman to the sea. For six weeks he lay in the hospital in Nashville with lung fever. When the war was over, he was mus- tered out in Columbus, in May, 1865, and returned to Madison County.
On the 28th of September following, Mr. Blaugher wedded Elizabeth Strain, who was born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, August 4,
1838, and is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Strain. Four children graced their union, but Alphens died at the age of four years; Eddie Ulys- ses, born in Pulaski County, Ind., February 8, 1868, resides with his wife and one child in Newport; Minnie Florence was born April 13, 1870, and Ordie was born January 11, 1882.
After renting a farm for one year, Mr. Blaugher removed to Pulaski County, Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land, engaging in its cultivation for two years. Ile then returned to his native township and engaged in various pursuits. He drove a peddler's wagon, gathering up country produce and selling a few goods. This probably led him to embark in merchandising and he opened a small store in Newport. He is doing a good business in this line and is a popular merchant. Ile also owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Paint Township, and his possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts. He cast his vote while in the army for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart Republican. lle has frequently served as a delegate to the county and congressional conventions, and has filled the offices of Constable, Clerk and Treasurer, holding the last-named for about ten years. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army Post, and has attended the National Re-unions in Columbus. He also be- longs to the Odd Fellows' society and is a Master Mason. Mr. Blaugher is well liked in this com- munity and stands high in the esteem of all who know him.
AVID BRANDT WAGNER enjoys the dis- tinction of having been engaged in the grocery business for a longer period than any other resident of Circleville. He conducts a flourishing wholesale and retail business, and has established an enviable reputation throughout Pickaway County as a reliable dealer, courteous gentleman and public-spirited citizen. He has occupied his present establishment since 1862, when he purchased and re-modeled the building
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and rented the upper floors as offices. The block is three stories above a basement and is furnished with a complete stock of groceries adapted to the wants of the people. In one room will be noticed a patent coffee roaster rum by a gas engine, which also operates the Van Cleaf printing press; one room is rented and used as a dry-goods store.
Mr. Wagner claims Ohio as his birthplace, hav- ing been born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, November 14, 1822. Ile traces his ances- try to Germany, whence his grandfather, Adam Wagner, emigrated to the United States and en- gaged in farming in Pennsylvania. Early in the nineteenth century, he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and afterward bought a tract of Government land in Hancock County, where his death occurred, when he was about four-score years of age.
The father of our subject, Jacob Wagner, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., and in early man- hood located in Greenfield Township, where he operated one hundred and sixty acres. In 1860, he removed to Hancock County, Ohio, where he im- proved a farm near Findlay, and spent his remain- ing years. He was a man of the utmost probity and was prominent in the Evangelical Association, with which he was identified for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Brandt, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Hancock County at the age of eighty-six years. Her father, David Brandt, was a member of an old Pennsylvania family and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Hle followed the occupations of saddler and farmer, both in the Keystone State and in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he died when about seventy years old.
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