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 52
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 52
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 52
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Hle of whom this biography is principally writ- ten is the sixth child and third son of his parents. In 1824, he came to Fayette County with his mother, with whom he made his home until her death. He always devoted himself to farming, from the time he was old enough to handle a hoe
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and spade, until he retired with a competency to spend his last years in comfort, free from the cares and labors that beset him earlier in his career. He remained on the same farm in Paint Township many years, and in the meantime placed his one hundred and thirty-six acres under good tillage. and erected a substantial set of buildings, including a comfortable, well-built house, good barns, etc. In 1875, he sold his farm at a good profit, and re- moved to his present place of residence in the pretty village of Bloomingburgh, abandoning his business as a general farmer. Mr. Robinson is a man of unimpeachable rectitude of character, and the record of his long life is such as to command the fullest approbation and confidence of his fel- low-men. He was active in public life for many years as Supervisor of Paint Township, and the Republican party has always found in him a stead- fast adherent, while the Presbyterian Church num- bers him among its most valued members.
Our subject has been blessed with a good wife, whose fidelity and constant helpfulness have been of important service to him. Mrs. Robinson, who bore the maiden name of Eliza A. Stitt, was born in Orange County, N. Y., January 24, 1811, a daughter of Luke and Jane (Young) Stitt. She was married to our subject, June 19, 1834, and for fifty-eight years they have shared life's joys and sorrows. They have never had any children but those of adoption, whom they have reared as tend- erly as if they were their own.
OAH G. DAVENPORT is another of the many prominent citizens of Pickaway County, Ohio, who was born in the Buck- eye State, and is one of the popular lumber- men of Circleville, that State. The "Davenport Lumber Yard" has, for many years, heen univer- sally known in this city and county for fair deal- ing, reliability, and the variety and size of its stock of all kinds of lumber that enter into the con- struction of buildings, fences, bridges, etc. The business was established in 1840 by the late Mr. George Davenport, who, until his decease last year,
conducted it in a manner that gave it a reputation for reliability and enterprise, and won for it the confidenee of the public. Since the decease of its founder, his son, Mr. N. G. Davenport, who has been associated with the business for eighteen years, purchased the interest of his father's estate, and has conducted the affairs of the enterprise. Mr. Davenport has taken hold of the affairs of this old and reliable business with push and energy, is a man of excellent business acumen, and has met with well-deserved success. He has now in stock, a large variety of moulded front doors, verandas, porches, window and door screens, outside and in- side blinds, mouldings, frames, casings, porch col- ums, and all the essentials for the construction of a house. Ile has a very large stock, with prices of the lowest, and that his efforts have resulted already in angmenting the business is evident from the fact that he has this spring secured contracts, in com- petition with home and foreign dealers, for furn- . ishing material for some of the largest building jobs let this season, among which are thirteen cars of lumber for the Crites Brothers' Flouring Mill, now in process of construction.
The father of our subject, George Davenport, was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 3d of June, 1817, and his father, Samuel Davenport, was also a native of that country, and was employed in her Majesty's service as Queen's Surveyor. The latter was a man of education, and one univer- sally respected. Ile brought his family to Utica, N. Y., in 1832, was seventy days in making the voyage, and, after a short residence there, he came to Pickaway County, Ohio, locating on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Walnut Town-' ship, where he cultivated the soil until his death, when fifty years of age. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. The father of our subject was but fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America and settled with them on the farm in Pickaway Ctunty, Walnut Township. Af- ter reaching mature years, he bought a farm of three hundred aeres in Pickaway Township, but later located in Circleville, and was superintendent for his brother-in-law, James S. Wilkes, at his ware- house and in the lumber business, until the death of Mr. Wilkes. In 1858. Mr. Davenport bought
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the lumber-yards in Circleville, and continued to carry on this business in a very successful manner until his death on the 14th of November, 1890. In polities, he affiliated with the Republican party, and was on the City Council for some time. Ile was a member of the Board of Education, and so- cially, was a member of Columbia Lodge No. 32, I. O. O. F. He was a successful lumber mer- chant for years, was known all over the county and vicinity, and was highly esteemed, both in business and social circles. He married Miss Mar- garet A. Lee, a native of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, and the daughter of Lloyd Lee, who was one of the pioneer settlers here. Mr. Lee was a native of Baltimore, Md., but came to Ohio at an early date. Mrs. Davenport was the third in order of birth of four daughters, and was reared and educated in Circleville. She now resides on the old home place, at the corner of Scioto and Walnut Streets. The four children born to this worthy couple were named as follows: Ella, Mrs. George Krats, of Akron, Ohio; Noah G. (our sub- jeet); Lizzie, widow of Bud Ensworth, resides in Circleville, and is register elerk at the Postoffice; and George A.
Our subject was born in Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, on the 22d of October, 1857, and was reared and educated in the High School. In 1873, he entered the State University at Columbus, and attended about eighteen months. Two years later, he became associated with his father as man- ager of the yards, and continued in that capacity until the latter's death. On the 9th of December, 1890, he became sole owner of the yards, the di- mensions of which are 500x200 feet. The yard is on the Scioto Valley Railroad and also the Ohio Canal. Mr. Davenport handles all kinds of lum- ber and building material, has increased his yards and stock, and is doing a flourishing business. He attends strictly to his lumber business, is a thor- ough-going, persevering and enterprising man, and is well deserving the measure of success which he has attained. He ereeted a fine residence at the corner of Washington and Mound Streets in 1888, and there he resides at the present time. Mr. Dav- enport was married in Upper Sandusky on the 22d of March, 1883, to Miss Belle Maxwell, a native
of Upper Sandusky, and the daughter of J. A. Maxwell, who was engaged as a dry-goods mer- chant there. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport are the parents of one child: Martha Lee. Our subject has been a member of the Board of Equalization for six years, and is the only Republican on the Board. He has shown his appreciation of secret organiza- tions by becoming a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, Mystic Circle, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics, he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In the spring of 1892, he was elected a member of the City Council, from the Second Ward, with a majority of forty-five, having a ma- jority of one hundred and forty-five to over- come, and has been a delegate to county and State conventions.
R. CHARLES E. PAGE, D. D. S. It is gratifying to the observant biographer to record for the perusal of future generations events of interest in the life of a gentleman who has met with success in the prosecution of his pro- fession. In the best sense of the word, Dr. Page is successful, having gained the esteem and con- fidence of a large circle of friends, as well as an enviable reputation as a dentist. Since 1887, he has followed his profession in Washington C. II., where he is busily engaged in attending to the demands of his extensive practice.
Born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 19, 1855, our subject is the son of Thomas Page, likewise a native of Clermont County and an attorney by profession. His mother, Mary (Dennis) Page. is a sister of Dr. John F. Dennis, a prominent citizen of Washington C. II. Charles E. gained the rudi- ments of his education in the common schools of his native place and completed his schooling in Clermont Academy. After officiating in the ca- pacity of a teacher for a time in Fayette County, he entered the office of Dr. Dennis, his uncle, with whom he commenced the study of dentistry. Later, he entered the dental department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
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With a large fund of information on the vari- ous questions arising in the professsion to which he had determined to devote his life, and with a worthy ambition to excel, the young Doctor opened an office in Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, where he practiced for six years. The village was small, and realizing the benefit to be derived from a larger field of work, he resolved to remove to Washington C. H. Here he opened an office in a central location and, devoting himself to his pro- fession with the same assiduity which ever char- acterized his labors, he soon gained an honorable place among his fellow-citizens, and an established reputation as a reliable dentist.
The popular lady who presides over Dr. Page's home was formerly Miss Lizzie Irwin, and became the wife of the Doctor June 25, 1886, at Frank- fort, Ohio. Her father, Thomas Irwin, was a resi- dent of that village, where her entire life was spent prior to her marriage. She was a widow at the time of her union with the Doctor, her first husband having been John Anderson. The re- ligious home of Dr. and Mrs. Page is in the Pres- byterian Church, and they are active workers in religious and benevolent circles. He is looked upon as a man who encourages all worthy enter- prises and gives his substantial support to what- ever tends to the general welfare. Commencing life with little capital, he has already, through habits of industry combined with excellent judg- ment, accumulated a handsome competence and has a pleasant home, in which are found all the comforts of life.
W ILLIAM H. THOMAS. It may well be the pride of our subject that he has re- claimed a fruitful tract of land from its natural condition, transforming it into a finely im- proved and highly cultivated farm, one of the best in Monroe Township, and in so doing has ma- terially aided in perfecting the development of the rich agricultural resources of Pickaway, his native county. Ile was born in Monroe Township, May 15, 1835, in the pioneer home of Jackson and
Elizabeth (Norris) Thomas, of whom an account is given in the sketch of their son Jackson.
Our subject was educated in the local district school, which in his early days was taught on the subscription plan. It was held in an old log house, that was rudely furnished with slab benches, and was a mile and a half from his home, the way to it lying through the forest, wherein his father blazed the trees to mark the path. His school privileges were limited to three months' attendance in the winter, as his services were required on the farm at other seasons of the year. He was twelve years old when his father died, and at the age of nine- teen, he began farming the home place, and ear- ried it on until his marriage, when he located on the farm that he has since occupied in Monroe Township. The log house that stood on the place, and in which he and his bride commenced their wedded life, was burned the same year, and he built a commodious hewn-log house that is still standing.
In 1876, Mr. Thomas erected a commodious frame residence, a view of which is elsewhere shown. He has also built a good barn and other substantial buildings, and in the thirty and more years that he has had possession of his farm, which comprises two hundred and seventy-eight acres of soil of surpass- ing fertility, he has wrought a wondrous change by the power of persistent and skillful labor, and that which was once a wilderness is now one of the best- tilled farms in the township, every acre being un- der cultivation. It was originally swampy, but is now tiled in every direction, and is well drained. He devotes it to mixed farming, and the corn that he raises he feeds to his stock. He fat'ens a good many cattle, selling a car-load every year, and also raises about a hundred hogs a year, making much of his money from the sale of his swine. A liberal- minded, level-headed man, endowed with those traits of character that win confidence, he has not only done well in the management of his own pri- vate affairs, but has made a good public official as Trustee of the township, which position he has held two years. His polities are of the Democratic order.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah J. Dick was solemnized October 28, 1858. and they
RESIDENCE OF W. H. THOMAS, MONROE TP., PICKAWAY CO., OHIO.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN. J. WALTERS, CIRCLEVILLE TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
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have reared four children to honorable and useful lives. Their son, Edgar A., is at home; Nathan E. is Deputy Treasurer of Pickaway County; Agnes is the wife of Job Carpenter, a farmer residing in Darbyville; Ida M. is the wife of Charles Sehram, of New York. Mrs. Thomas was born in Perry Township, October 28, 1834, a daughter of .Nathan Dick, an early settler of the county, and an exten- sive farmer of Perry Township in his day. She was a fine woman, and in her the Methodist Church had one of its most faithful working members un- til her deeease, which occurred on the 29th of Jan- uary, 1880.
OHIN J. WALTERS. This prominent farmer residing on section 11, Circleville Township, Pickaway County, was born in Amanda 1 Township, Fairfield County, this State, Au- gust 28, 1833. He is the son of Daniel Walters, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio when eight years of age with his parents. His father, George Walters, was also a native of the Keystone State, and on coming hither, settled in Fairfield County, clearing a farm in Amanda Township, where he continued to reside until his death.
The father of our subject was one in a family of six children, all of whom are deceased. He was reared on his father's farm and continued to live thereon until his death, in the latter part of the '50s, firm in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Peters. She passed from this life August 24, 1887, when in her eighty-first year. She had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years previous to her decease.
Ile of whom we write was the eldest in the parental family of eleven children, six of whom are living. He was only permitted to attend school six months in his life, but fully appre- ciating the value of a knowledge of books, he studied at home and is thus self-made in all that that term implies. The schools of that early period were carried on on the subscription plan and bore but little semblance to the schools of the present day.
The original of this sketch was about twenty-one
years of age on the death of his father, and thus remained at home and cared for his mother until reaching his thirty-first year. In 1865, he located on a tract of land which he had purchased some time previously, and in 1880 moved to Circleville Township, where he became the owner of two hun- dred and forty-four acres of productive land, which was known as the old Stout Farm.
March 5, 1860, Mary J. Dresbach, who was born in Pickaway Township, became the wife of our subject. Mrs. Walters was the daughter of Manuel Dresbach, a native of Fairfield County. Her mother was Mary Rice, daughter of James E. and Jane Rice, early settlers in this county. Mrs. Walters was the eldest of their five children, her birth occurring January 4, 1847. Five children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife: Ida J., who was born November 25, 1865, is now deceased; Maggie, born May 19, 1867, is the wife of Edward Valentine and resides in Wash- ington Township; Mazie was born August 29, 1869, and is the wife of Israel Valentine, a farmer of Washington Township; Minie is deceased; John E. was born May 4, 1885.
In politics, Mr. Walters is a Republican and is warmly interested in all local affairs. He is the possessor of one hundred and thirteen acres of land in Walnut Township, one hundred and six acres in Fairfield County and two hundred and forty-four acres in the home farm. Ile carries on general farming, in addition to which he raises the best breeds of cattle and horses. lle started out in life with limited means and now ranks among the largest landholders of the county. He is a typical American, having risen to his present station in life through his own exertions, and is now living in the enjoyment of the results of his early industry. A view of his pleasant home is presented on another page.
Samuel Peters, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Maryland, emigrating to Ohio in 1812 with a family of ten children and just that number of dollars in his pocket. One wagon held all their household effects on the jour- ney hither, the trip being made overland, and they settled at once in Fairfield County. The country round about in that early day was covered with a
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dense growth of timber, and Indians and wild ani- mals were plentiful.
Manuel Dresbach, the father of Mrs. Walters, was born March 9, 1820. He fell a victim to one of those terrible crimes of violence which grew out of the Rebellion. In 1863. when residing in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, drafting of men for the army by the National Government was begun. In his neighborhood men were mis- tering in order to prevent being forced to do so. Partisan feeling ran high and violence was threat- ened in many instances. Mr. Dresbach being a strong Unionist, was not one of those who feared to speak his sentiments, and on several occasions told various individuals they had no right to resist the orders of the Government. It was feared by many of his friends that he would meet with violence, but they made no mention of their fear to him.
One day, while threshing upon his farm, Mr. Dresbach went to the house in order to make ar- rangements for the dinner of the men in his em- ploy. On his way, he met a man who had worked for him for several years and with whom he was on the best of terms, so far as he knew. The man held a rifle. and with scarcely a word of warning, raised it to his shoulder and fired. The ball took effect in the breast of Mr. Dresbach, but he did not fall. The assassin then drew a revolver to finish the bloody deed but was driven away by the threshers, who pursued him with pitchforks, their only weapon at hand. Mr. Dresbach died in a few hours and his murderer narrowly escaped the gal- lows, but was sent to the penitentiary for life. No cause was even shown for the crime other than that Mr. Dresbach had been distasteful to some of the people in his neighborhood in regard to poli- tics. It transpired in the trial that the man some years previously had committed a murder in Virginia.
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SAAC D. MILLAR was a native of Pickaway County, born amid its primitive environments May 18, 1822, became one of its most promi- ment and successful farmers and stockmen, and in his death its citizenship suffered a severe loss. He
was a son of Adam and Rebecca (Decker) Millar, who were natives of Virginia and early settlers of Pickaway County.
When our subject was a boy, his mother died, and he then went to Virginia to live with an aunt, until he attained his majority. He received a fair education in the primitive schools of Ohio and Virginia, and being naturally a keen observer of men and events, as well as of nature, he acquired a well-earned reputation of being a well-informed man, who could discourse intelligently on all the topics of the day. He was a good worker, was energetic and systematic in carrying out his plans, developing a spirit of enterprise early in his career, and was marvelously prospered in all that he put his hands to. At the time of his death, October 21, 1867, he was one of the wealthiest men of the township, and one of its extensive land-holders, owning nine hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in all Harrison. He was a first-class far- mer, as was attested by the appearance of his farm, and he was counted among the best citizens of the community where he dwelt so long, always dis- playing a commendable public spirit in helping forward all schemes for eivic improvement, and lending his influence to promote the higher inter- ests of township or county. His political views were identical with the doctrines of the Republi- can party, which found in him a firm supporter.
Mr. Millar was very fortunate in his selection of a wife in the person of Miss Sarah A. Millar, to whom he was wedded February 22, 1844, as in her he had a true companion, an active helpmate and a wife who devoted herself to his welfare, and tenderly cherishes his memory since he entered the life immortal. Seven children were born of their union, of whom these four are living: William; Mary, wife of the Ilon. T. E Cromley, of Pick- away County; Leonard, and Annie, wife of Frank Chryst.
Mrs. Millar, who is a daughter of William and Mary Millar, early pioneers of the county, who are represented elsewhere, was born April 24, 1817, and was reared to maturity in Pickaway County, in one of its pioneer homes, receiving her educa- tion in the public schools of Harrison Township. She has witnessed the greater part of the growth
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of this region from its original condition, and is a good type of the worthy daughters of the pioneer stock of the State who have contributed their share to its prosperity. She resides on the home farm in Harrison Township, where she dwelt so many years in contentment and happiness with her hus- band, helping him in the upbuilding of their home, and she enjoys the respect and regard of the entire community, where she is well known.
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ACOB MONEAL. Attention, method and industry are the foundation stones of suc- cess in business. To those who labor faith- fully success almost in variably comes. The career of Mr. McNeal viewed from a business and social standpoint is worthy of record in a volume. containing biographical reviews of prominent citi- zens of Madison County. Integrity of word and deed has been the corner-stone of all his business transactions, and during his residence in West .Jeff- erson he has made many warm friends throughout the county and State.
Jacob McNeal, Sr., the father of our subjeet, was a native of Cumberland County, Pa., where also his mother, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Faught, was born. After their marriage, the par- ents emigrated from the Keystone State to Ohio, and located in Jefferson Township in 1837, on what is now the site of West Jefferson. Mr. Me Neal was a farmer by occupation which he prose- cuted together with the grocery business. He was elected and served nearly fifteen years as Justice of the Peace in this township and departed this life in 1866. His wife, who still survives him, has attained the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
Of the parental family of nine children, our sub- ject is the only son and was born in Pennsylvania December 16, 1825, thus being twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Madison County. He grew to manhood in Jeff- erson Township and assisted his father in operating the farm until learning the trade of a carriage- maker and blacksmith, which occupation he is en-
gaged in more or less at the present time. Early in the '70s, Mr. MeNeal was appointed Notary Publie and has also filled the offices of Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk and as a member of the School Board. Ile has taken a lively interest in local affairs, and in politics casts his vote and in- fluence in favor of the Republican party. He has been of much benefit to the community in which he resides, being at all times a willing and cheerful contributor to worthy causes. He owns a nice re- sidence in the village, which is ably presided over by his excellent wife.
October 17, 1847, Jacob MeNeal and Miss Mary, daughter of Nehemiah Gates, were united in mar- riage. The lady was born in Jefferson Township. in 1827 and by her union with our subject has be- come the mother of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who lived to mature years were Milo, now deceased; Frank, Alice, John, Amber and Edith. Alice is the wife of J. M. Longman; Amber married J. W. Nichols; Edith is Mrs. Daniel MeCarty; John married Miss Mary Rinn and lives in Jefferson. Frank still remains at home. Our subject is a member of the Masonie order and holds membership in Madison Lodge No. 221, A. F. & A. M.
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