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 46
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 46
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 46
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To the wife who contributed so much to his success in life during the forty-four years that they lived together, our subject was wedded August 10, 1845, and she still survives him, mak- ing her home on the old farm. She is a very capable, intelligent woman, and since her hus- band's death has managed the farm with consum- mate skill. She is very pleasant, warm-hearted and charitable, and is greatly esteemed by the en- tire community where she has lived so long. She is a whole-souled Christian, and an active working member of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Steele bore the maiden name of Nancy Mc- Dowell, and was born in Washington County, Pa., February 1, 1827, a daughter of James and Mar- garet (Van Eman) McDowell, who were both Pennsylvanians. Her father was a fuller and corder. In 1837, the family removed to Hocking County, where Mr. McDowell purchased a mill, and also a farm, and operated both. In 1867, he took up his residence in the village of Tarlton, and lived a retired life there until his return to Hocking County, where he died in 1875.
He was a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church and a strong believer in the faith. Ilis wife died in 1870. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living. The
mother was a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, and was true to the faith to the day of her death. After her demise, Mr. McDowell was a second time married,, Rebecca Frazier becoming his wife. Mrs. Steele's paternal grandfather, James McDowell, was a native of Scotland, and coming to America when a young man, located in Pennsylvania. He married Mar- garet McCorcle.
Mrs. Steele has had four children, namely: Amanda, now Mrs. Clark, who lives near Fulton in Salt Creek Township; William W., a druggist in Chillicothe, who married Miss Ann Eliza Minear ; and Francis and John who are deceased.
The reader will notice elsewhere in this volime lithographie portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, and a view of the pleasant home where the latter resides.
NDREW H. SHAEFFER, M. D. The pro- fession which represents the beneficent healing art has many noble members, whose lives are filled with acts of good- ness, and whose most strenuous effort is to attain that skill which is necessary to saving and restor- ing health. We are therefore always gratified to be able to introduce to our readers the physicians who have won for themselves a high place in the profession in Pickaway County.
Dr. Shaeffer, of Circleville, is one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons in the State, having had an extensive practice. He has now reached his three-score and ten and is gradually retiring from practice. Dr. Shaeffer was born in Madison Township, Fairfield County, this State, September 21, 1821. He is the son of Jacob G. Shaeffer, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., where his father, Samuel Shaeffer, was also a native. The latter-named gentleman was a farmer by calling, and came to Ohio in 1802, bringing his family hither and locating on the section where our sub- ject was born. The land was in its original condi- tion at that early day and the grandfather in- dustriously set to work subduing nature, ereeting cabins, cutting down the forests and breaking the
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virgin sod. He resided on that tract until his death, which occurred after he had reached his seventy-second year. The Shaeffer family came from Pennsylvania and were Lutherans in religion.
The father of our subject was a lad of seven years when the family came overland to the Buck- eye State, and here he grew to mature years and was married in Madison Township. He later be- came the owner of a valuable estate, having at the time of his decease, which occurred in 1883, an es- tate of four hundred and eighty acres. He was a lover of fine horseflesh and had his place stocked with many valuable animals of good breeds. Mr. Shaeffer was a Whig, politically, until the organiza- tion of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. In religious matters, he was a conscien- tious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Elizabeth Westenberger, who was born in IIa- gerstown, Md., and was the daughter of Paul Westenberger, also a native of that State, and of German descent. Iler father was a patriot in the. War of 1812, and came to Ohio in an early day, where he resided until his decease. The mother of Mrs. Shaeffer was born August 9, 1797, and died on the old homestead, January 14. 1889, having attained to a ripe old age.
Dr. Shaeffer was the youngest of the five chil- dren born to his parents: Leah, Mrs. Carnes, resides in Shelby County, Ill .; Martin makes his home on the old homestead; Sally married Daniel Bowman and lives in Madison Town- ship, Fairfield County, and Catherine, now Mrs. W. Valentine, resides in Lancaster. Our subject grew to mature years on the old home farm, attend- ing school, like all the lads of that period, in the log schoolhouse with slab seats and puncheon floor. He later took a course of study in the
Greenfield (Fairfield County ) Academy, his instruc- tor being Dr. John Williams, a fine and able scholar. He also was a student for a number of terms in the Otter Blendon Young Men's Seminary of Westerville, and after attaining his nineteenth year taught five terms of winter school in the vicinity of his home. About that time, desiring to follow the profession of a physician, our subject began studying medicine in the office of Dr.
Samuel Porter, of Amanda. He continued thus for four years when he attended the first course of lectures ever delivered in the old Willoughby Col- lege at Columbus, the name of which institution has since been changed by endowment to the Star- ling Medical College. The original of this sketch was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine, February 19, 1849.
When commencing the practice of his profession, Dr. Shaeffer located at Royalton, where he re- mained from April until July, and then removed to Oakland, making that place his home until 1870. Being one of the examining surgeons during the late war, Dr. Shaeffer has examined hundreds of men. The country being very sparsely settled in that early day, he has been compelled to take very long rides in visiting his patients, the limit east and west being thirty-six miles, and north and south eighteen miles. Ile was a man of strong constitution and did as much work as five men in ordinary health.
May 12, 1870, Dr. Shaeffer located in Circleville, where his skill as a physician was well known, and where he succeeded in building up a large practice in a remarkably short time. The last five years, however, he has been gradually retiring from ac- tive work, feeling that he has earned a rest. He is the owner of a valuable traet of well-improved land in Madison Township, Fairfield County, which comprises one hundred and eighty-three acres. ITis residence and office are located on Watt Street, the former being presided over by Mrs. Shaeffer, who is a cultured and hospitable lady. Dr. Shaeffer is a stockholder in the opera house and has been in many other ways greatly inter- ested in the improvement of his community.
Miss Lanah D., daughter of John Christy, of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, became the wife of our subject in 1852. To them has been born one child, Isadore, now Mrs. J. Wall, who makes her home in Minneapolis, Minn., where her husband is a bridge contractor. Socially, Dr. Shaeffer is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, the Royal Arch Masons and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. During his earlier years, he was a member of the Pickaway County Medical Society, of which body he served as Presi-
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dent for a twelvemonth. In religious matters, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was Trustee and has been Class-leader for forty years. He has been connected with that denomination for the past forty-eight years and is now serving as Steward. He has been very active in Sunday-school work and while a resident of Oak- land was Superintendent. In politics, he votes the Republican tieket. His first vote, however, was cast for Henry Clay, his second for Zachary Taylor, his third for Winfield Scott, his fourth for John C. Fremont, since which time he has been a Re- publican.
MOS GROCE has for many years con- dueted a well-managed and lucrative farm- ing business on his native soil in Picka- way County, and has a farm in Walnut Township that compares favorably with the best in its vicinity in point of cultivation and improve- ment. Mr. Groce was born April 19, 1837, and is a son of George and Catherine (Souders) Groce, who were Pennsylvanians by birth, and pioneers of this county. His father did good service as a soldier in the War of 1812. He came hither in the early days of the settlement of this section of the State, and finally selected a location in the for- ests of Walnut Township, where he began life with his family in a lone log cabin. He worked with unceasing industry to hew out a farm, and his la- bors were well rewarded. He died in 1857, in his seventy-sixth year, and a venerated pioneer passed from the scenes of his usefulness. His wife pre- ceded him in death, dying in the '40s, when past sixty years old. He was well known as a member of the Reformed Church, which he helped to up- build, and, in his politics, he was a good Democrat.
Amos Groce and his brother, John A., of Wal- nut Township, are the sole survivors of the Groee family, of whom there were seven. Our subject obtained his education in the early district schools of Walnut Township. The pioneer surroundings of his childhood home influenced his life and character, making him strong, resolute and ready
of resource, and when he began farming on his own account in his native township, he was well fitted for his work. Ile has a good farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres, of soil of surpassing fertility, which is under a high state of eultiva- tion, and produces abundant harvests in repay- ment for careful tillage. Mr. Groce has a commo- dious and conveniently arranged set of buildings on his place, together with an ample supply of modern machinery, and all things pertaining to a model farm, and he has it well stocked.
In politics, our subject is a Democrat of the purest water, and everything that will in any way enhance the well-being of his native county is sure of meeting with his approbation. He is of a sturdy, truthful nature, and his word is regarded as good as any bond by all who know him or have dealings with him. He and his amiable wife are among the most esteemed members of the Reformed Church.
Mr. Groee was married November 10, 1865, to Miss Sarah Berger, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 11, 1841. She is a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Lutz) Berger, who came to Pickaway County when she was about four years old, and settled in Walnut Township, where her mother is still living at the venerable age of eighty years. Her father died in 1855. Mrs. Groce is one of eight children, of whom these six are living: Ed- ward; Susan, wife of Samuel Dunkle; Lewis; Mrs. Groce, Mary and Franklin. To our subject and his wife have been born six children: Clara, wife of C. E. Brown; Harry, a successful teacher in the public schools; Kelley D., also a well-known edu- cator in the local schools; Maggie B., Kirby A. and Pearl D.
H
ON. DANIEL BOYD. Among the best- known and most highly honored residents of Plain City, we are pleased to mention the retired stoek-dealer and farmer whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Few men have been more prominent in public work or more successful in business than this gentleman. His
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strong convictions made him an active member of the Republican party and he has been made one of the County Commissioners. He also acted for years in the capacities of Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor of Darby Township, and for four years represented his Legislative District in the Sixty- seventh and Sixty-eighth General Assembly of the State of Ohio.
This gentleman had his birth in Washington County, Pa., May 1, 1828, and is a son of James Boyd, who was also a native of the Keystone State and a farmer by occupation. The family removed to Ohio in 1831, and the father was taken away by death during the same year. He was a son of Robert Boyd, a native of Ireland. The mother of our subject was born in Washington County, Pa., and bore the maiden name of Martha Millikin. Her father, James Millikin, was also a native of Pennsylvania.
The four children of the family into which our subject was born all grew to man's and woman's estate, and of those three sons and one daughter of James and Martha Boyd, two are still living: Daniel, and his brother Robert, who resides in Lon- don, Madison County, Ohio, where he is a man of standing and prominence. Daniel Boyd was the third child in this household and was but three years old when he came to Madison County with his parents. Although so early orphaned by the death of his father, he remained in the family home, and as he grew to the years of early manhood, de- voted himself to assisting his mother, remaining with her until he reached his majority.
This young man showed the enterprise and en- ergy so often characteristic of the progeny of British and American parents, and when quite young undertook what many an older man would have considered quite a venture in independent business. At the age of eighteen, he commenced to deal in stock, buying and selling, and continued in this line until 1888, making his business in this respect one of the largest in the county. From the year 1878 until 1885, his business amounted to $100,000 per year on the average, but this branch of trade did not divert his attention from the ordinary lines of agriculture, which he carried on extensively. Ile of whom we write was united
in marriage, February 14, 1850, with Miss Mary A. Smith, a lady who was born in Madison County and whose home has always been here. They be- came the happy parents of three sons and one daughter. The daughter, Ella, who was the second in order of birth, was snatched from their arms by death at the tender age of four years, but the sons have lived to become honored and respected mem- bers of society and make their home in Madison County. The eldest, John S., was born in Union County, this State, as was also the second, Dwight S., who resides in Plain City; the youngest son, Charles N., was born in Madison County and resides in Plain City.
Our subject owns one hundred and forty-seven acres of as fine land as is to be found within the confines of the county. This farm lies in Darby Township and twenty-seven acres of it lie adjoin- ing the corporation of Plain City. This prominent gentleman is a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, I. O. O. F. We feel that his record and standing give us reason to be proud of recording his life sketch in this volume.
R EV. LEWIS S. PETERS. This gentleman, who is a venerable and esteemed citizen of Walnut Township, Pickaway County, was born in Fairfield County, this State, March 23, 1816. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Stevenson) Peters, natives of Maryland. His paternal great-grandfather was born in Ger- many, and on emigrating to the United States located in Baltimore. His maternal ancestors were English, and well-to-do in their native country.
The father of our subject was an early settler in Fairfield County, having made that place his home as early as 1816. His home was located in the woods, and, like all of the pioneers, he was en- gaged in subduing nature, building cabins, clear- ing land and breaking prairie. Lewis S. Peters was reared to man's estate in his native county, and assisted his father in cultivating the home farm. The hardships and privations of that early
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day have made a lasting impression upon his mind, and he has watched the gradual evolution of this portion of the State from its original wild condition into beautiful and productive fields.
The original of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his district, the temple of learning being the little old log cabin, with punch- eon floor and slab seats. Ile made the best of his op- portunities, however, and acquired enough learning to give him an impetus to go on by himself. He later attended one year at the schools in Marion, this State, which knowledge he has supplemented by thorough and systematic reading.
Mr. Peters joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when nineteen years of age, even at that early age being determined to enter the ministry. Five years later, he began preaching the Gospel, studying and reading at home, and to the present time has faithfully served his Lord and Master in local ministerial work. The Rev. Mr. Peters came to Pickaway County some time in the '50s, and has been a resident here since that time. Ile is the possessor of an estate including one hundred and seventy-two acres, all of which is under the most approved methods of improvement.
Our subject and Miss Margaret Ritter were united in marriage November 12, 1835. Mrs. Pe- ters was the daughter of Henry Ritter, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. By her union with our subject have been born seven children, four of whom are living, namely: Henry; Mary, the wife of Philip Weaver; Samuel R., who is living in Newton, Kan., and Wilson L., a physician.
Mr. Peters was married to Mrs. Lydia Beck- with, his present wife, in 1863. She was the widow of Joel K. Beckwith, of Perry County, this State, and is the daughter of William and Lydia (Rogers) Coulson, who emigrated to Fairfield County in 1802. To our subject and his estima- ble wife has been born one son, Arthur C. Mrs. Peters by her first marriage had three children, namely: Frank D., Edwin JJ., and Belle L., who became the wife of Dr. Wilson L. Peters.
The Rev. Mr. Peters is a Republican in politics, and is active in all good works which tend to the elevation and development of his community. Ile has passed the three-quarter milestone on life's
journey, and is hale and hearty for one of his ad- vanced years. He is widely and favorably known in this county, his friends being as numerous as his acquaintances.
C HRISTOPHER HUMPHREYS is a progres- sive farmer, and a good representative of the class that is conducting the agricultural industries of Madison County. Ile has a large farm, finely equipped and well stocked, six miles southeast of Plain City, in Canaan Township, where he is actively engaged in general farming.
The township of Adams, in Muskingum County, is the birthplace of our subject, and there he was born March 1, 1838, into the household of Royal and Sarah (Haskins) Humphreys, who were natives respectively of County Fermanagh, Ireland, and Loudon County, Va. His father came to America when he was twenty-eight years old, and first lo- cated on a farm in Muskingum County, this State. The mother was a daughter of John and Jane Haskins, who came to Ohio when she was six years old, and were among the early pioneers of the State. The parents of our subject were married in Guernsey County, and after first living for a time in Muskingum County, they came to Madi- son County, and cast in their fortunes with its settlers, locating on the farm where our subject resides, in Canaan Township, in 1854. The father died here in his ninetieth year, and the mother in her seventy-eighth year. They were the parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons, of whom two sons and one daughter are now liv- ing: our subject; Marvyn, a retired farmer of Decatur, Ill., and Maggie, widow of .J. B. Millikin, and a resident of Plain City.
He of whom we write is the fifth child and third son of his parents. He was sixteen years of age when, in 1854, he moved with his parents to Madi- son County, Ohio, remaining with them until his death. Ile inherited from his father, who was an in- telligent, industrious farmer, with a thorough prac- tical knowledge of agriculture, those traits of char- acter that mark him as a man of much ability and
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sterling common sense, and he has an aptitude for managing his affairs in a business-like, methodical way. He has a farm of four hundred and sixty- four aeres of valuable land, all under cultivation, except fifty acres of fine timber. His farm is well supplied with buildings of a substantial class, with modern machinery, and everything to carry on a profitable general farming business, such as he is engaged in. He keeps on an average five hundred sheep, and has a fine flock at the present time, besides hogs of good grades, and he also handles from thirty-five to forty head of blooded cattle. Ile is thoroughly trusted and held in high regard by the people among whom he has lived so long, and who know him to be a man of fine char- acter and genial disposition. He is a stalwart Republican, and for thirty-three years has stood firmly by his party in its triumphs and defeats. He has been Trustee of the township a number of times.
Mr. Humphreys was married January 17, 1882, to Miss Delphin .I. Sharp, who was born and reared in Columbus, Franklin County. Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys have a very pleasant home, that is the seat of a charming hospitality, host and hostess vying with each other in the entertainment of their numerous friends whenever they happen be- neath their roof. Their household is completed by their only daughter, Ida Almina.
R OBERT P. WARD, one of the Trustees of Walnut Township, Pickaway County, of which place he is a native, his birth oc- curring August 6, 1834, is the son of Will- iam P. and Hannah (Savines) Ward. The father was born in this State, while the mother, who hailed from New York, came to this section in an early day. The paternal ancestors of our subjeet were of English descent; his great-grandfather, William Ward, emigrated to the Buckeye State in 1802, locating in what is now Pickaway County.
William P. Ward, the father of our subject, had born to him a large family of children, of whom
the following survive: William T., Robert P., Francis M., John H., and Sarah, Mrs. Jefferson Payne. He was one of the old pioneers of this section and was employed, as were all the early settlers, in subduing nature, building eabins, clear- ing land, breaking prairie. etc. Growing to man- hood, he was diseiplined in the stern school of ex- perience and was thus prepared to meet every emergency with a steady and ready hand. Mr. William P. Ward died in 1888. In early life, he had been a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks.
The original of this sketch was reared to man's estate in Walnut Township, and aided his father in elearing, grubbing, and improving the home farm; his first schooling was received in a log cabin, whose rude construction we have so often described in this volume. Suffice it to say, he made the best of his limited advantages and ac- quired enough knowledge to give him an impetus to go on by himself. He keeps thoroughly posted on all events of current interest, and, by system- atie and judicious reading, ranks among the in- telligent and wide-awake citizens of the county. Mr. Ward gives his entire time and attention to the cultivation of his estate, although for a num- ber of years he operated a threshing-machine, and for some time ran a sawmill.
He of whom we write was married in 1857 to Miss Sarah J. Hedges, a sister of Joshua Hedges, of Walnut Township. They have been granted a family of six children, viz .: Charles A .; Hannah, Mrs. M. C. Dunnuck; Harriet, who married John Smith; Robert P .; Sarah E., Mrs. L. H. Ward; and Jennie H., the wife of William Limes. Mrs. Sarah Ward died in 1866, and our subject was married to his present wife April 23, 1868. She bore the maiden name of Harriet Bowman and was born in Walnut Township, this county. March 20, 1839. She was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Bow- man, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Pickaway County, this State. Mr. Bow- man was brought to this county by his parents when a child and was reared to manhood in Wash- ington Township. To him and his wife were born nine children, six of whom are living: Sarah, Mrs. George Brinker, Sr .; Rachel, who married Jacob
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Courtwright; Harriet A .; Zelda J., Mrs. David Alder; Mary A., who married Samuel Stout; and John M.
Mr. Ward has been the recipient of the office of Trustee for a number of years and served his fel- low-men as Assessor for a period of nine years in succession. He has also been Land Appraiser of Walnut Township, and otherwise has been very prominent in local affairs. In politics, our subject votes the Democratic ticket, and socially is identi- fied with the Masonic order. He owns a quarter- section of land, which brings him a fine income, and enjoys the confidence of the business public.
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