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 54
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 54
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 54
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
Noah Rader, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Virginia, and spent his last years in Pike County, this State, with his son, dying at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a strong, powerful man, with a fine physique. The Indians were troubl some while he lived in Virginia, threatening the destruction of his family and his property, and that was the cause of his migration to Ohio. The mother of our subject was Nancy Thorp, a native of Virginia, and a descendant of one of the old families of that State. She was a member in high standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, remaining true to the faith until her death, which occurred when she was seventy-four years old. Of her ten children, eight are living, our subject being the third in order of birth.
James Rader, of this biographical review, spent his early life on his father's farm and obtained his education in the typical log schoolhouse of pioneer times, which was furnished with slab benches, and half of one side of the building was removed to make way for the fireplace and mud and stick chimney. He remained at home with his
1
462
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
parents until he was twenty-one years old, and then began life for himself by working out at the rate of $13 per month. He prudently saved his earnings and at the end of three years entered upon his independent career as a farmer by rent- ing land, in 1862, along the Scioto River.
In 1875, Mr. Rader came to Pickaway County and purchased his present farm on the Pickaway Plains in Pickaway Township, and has six hundred and nineteen acres of as fine farming land as can be found in Ohio, all lying in a body and well equipped with substantial improvements. From its fertile fields he reaps rich harvests of grain, and in its pastures raises fine stock, buying and feeding many cattle also. He has been remarkably success- ful, financially, and is one of the moneyed men of the township and of the county, to whose wealth he has materially added. lle is a whole-souled, large hearted man, strong of purpose, prompt in ac- tion, and endowed with great capability. He is one of the foremost Democrats of this section, has been a delegate to county conventions, and stands high in the opinion of his fellow-townsmen, irrespective of party.
Mr. Rader was married, in 1862, to Miss Mary A. Shock, a native of Pike County and a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (Shoemaker) Shock, who were of Virginian birth and were early settlers of Pike County, where they ched. Mr. and Mrs. Rader lived very happily together until her death, June 12, 1891. She was a woman of rare merit, with a warm and generous heart, and was helpful and friendly to all who came under her influence, looking well to the comfort of her household. Life, with its joys and sorrows, for her is over:
"But we cannot think of her idle, She must be a home-maker still; God giveth that work to the Angels Who are fittest the task to fulfill.
And somewhere, yet, in the hilltops Of the country that hath no pain, She will watch in her beautiful doorway To bid us a welcome again."
To our subject and his wife were born these twelve children: Anna, George B., Nettie, Oscar (deceased), Dennis, Burr, Florence, Don, Scott, Cora, Smiley, and James C. Anna married Lewis
Odaffer, of Pickaway Township, and they have one child, Harold; George B. married Miss Annie Anderson and they also live in this township.
On another page are presented portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Rader.
OHN W. DECKER has been a resident of Pickaway County all his life, and his exam- ple of industry and earnest and sincere en- deavor to succeed in life is well worthy of imitation. He is now successfully following an occupation that has for ages furnished sustenance to the ready worker, and that he is progressive and advanced in his ideas is manifested in everything about his place.
He was born in Madison Township, Pickaway County, March 20, 1849, and his father, Vause Decker, was also a native of this county, born in a log cabin October 12, 1814, and was one of the pioneer settlers. The latter became familiar with hard labor at an early age, for he assisted his fa- ther in clearing wild land in this county, and here he received a limited education in the pioneer schools, which were taught in log cabins with slab seats, huge fireplaces, etc. After reaching man's estate, he married Miss Jemima Williams, and the union was blessed by the birth of three children one beside our subject now living, Kate H. Mr. Decker died in 1891, following to the grave his estimable wife, who had passed away a few years before. He was a Democrat in politics and was publie-spirited and enterprising. He left a val- uable estate of seven hundred and fifteen aeres of land, all well improved. He was active in all educational matters and served as School Director for many years. He was a good citizen, an excel- lent neighbor and a kind and loving husband.
Our subject's paternal grandfather, Luke Decker, was a native of Virginia and when a young came to Pickaway County, which was then wild and unsettled. Indians were numerous and wild ani- mals filled the woods. After getting a start in life, he returned to his native State, married, and, with his bride, returned to the Buckeye State. They
463
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
settled in a little rude log cabin in Madison Town- ship, this county, and entered upon the serious business of trying to make a living. Mr. Decker was one of the first to settle in this section and was a pioneer in every sense of that term.
John W. Decker was reared to manhood in his native county, and, like his father and grandfather before him, has been prominently identified with the interests of this county. In addition to a good practical education obtained in the district schools of Madison Township, for two years he attended the well-known Baptist Institution at Grandville, Ohio. Ile has improved all his advantages and is a man well posted on all subjects of interest. On the 1st of October, 1873, he was married to Miss Kate H. Millar, daughter of Michael and Margaret Mil- lar, early settlers of Madison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. Mrs. Decker has one brother and three sisters in Madison Township, viz: Melissa, wife of Nathan Perrell; George R .; Alice, wife of Robert Perrell, and Mattie.
The original of this notice is the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres of land and is one of the foremost farmers in his section. In politics, he is a Democrat and is a stanch advocate of the principles of that party. In all worthy enterprises, he takes a decided interest and is well known throughout the section as a public-spirited and charitable citizen. He is a member of the Town- ship Board and has held other positions of trust in Madison Township. His marriage was blessed by the birth of four children: Clifford II., Annie M., Georgie and Millar M., all bright and capable.
OASH CROMLEY, a native of Pickaway County, April 17, 1830, the date of his birth, is of the old pioneer stock, and was born and reared on the farm in Walnut Township which is still his home, said farm being one of the earliest to be reclaimed from the prim- eval wilds of this region. Our subject is a son of Jonas and Amelia (Hoffines) Cromley, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. His
ancestors on both sides of the house were Germans, and his grandfather Hoflines was a soldier in the War of 1812, drawing a pension in after years for his services therein. llis paternal grandfather, Paul Cromley, emigrated from Pennsylvania with his family to Ohio in 1815, and settled on the farm in Pickaway County now owned by our subject, his son Jonas being a boy at that time, he having been born in 1803. The family made their home in a log cabin in the woods, and the elder Mr. Cromley labored hard to clear and develop this farm, upon which he died at a ripe age, leaving behind him a goodly record as a pioneer who had struggled bravely against the adverse forces of na- ture, and was helpful in the upbuilding of the county.
Jonas Cromley grew to man's estate on the old homestead amid scenes of pioneer life and received a fair education in the primitive schools of the day. Ile succeeded to his father's farm, and did much pioneer labor in its improvement. Ile was successful financially, accumulating a comfortable property, and he was a conspicuous figure in public, political, social and religious life of the com- munity. For years, he served as Trustee and Treasurer of the township, and he was always in favor of whatever would advance the township or county. Ile was a Democrat, ever true to his poli- tical convictions, and in his religious affiliations he was a Lutheran. IIe and his good wife lived happily together many years, and were blessed with four children, namely: George, a resident of Col- umbus; Joash; Ann M. and David.
Ile of whom this biography is principally written was reared on the old farm that had been his birth- place and has always been his home. His eduea- tion was conducted in a log cabin, that was rudely furnished with slab benches, and the only desks were boards placed on wooden pins against the walls of the room, being intended only for the scholars to write upon. Ile early became familiar with the details of farming, and since the old homestead came into his possession he has kept it up to a high standard of cultivation and improve- ment. He has here a quarter of a section of land that is naturally rich and productive, and from the harvests that he reaps from its well-tilled fields
464
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and the stock that he raises in its excellent pas- tures, he derives a good annual income. Mr. Cromley is one of the Directors of the Reber Hill Cemetery, which is located in Walnut Township, and of which he was one of the incorporators. He has the welfare of his native county at heart, and in his successful career as a farmer has done much to promote its material progress. In politics, he stands with the Democrats. He has the confidence of the business community and is well known in his neighborhood as an earnest, candid, open- hearted man.
Our subject took unto himself a wife December 18, 1859, in the person of Miss Amanda Ashbrook, and to them have been born two sons, Charles and Joseph. Mrs. Cromley is also a native of Pick- away County, born in 1835 in the pioneer home of Absalom and Phoebe (Dunnuek) Ashbrook, who were early settlers of Walnut Township.
E DWARD W. SCOTT. In tracing the gene- alogy of the Scott family in America, we find the first representative was Rev. James Scott, M. A., who was a native of Depple Parish, Elgin, Scotland. His father, Rev. John Scott, M. A., was also a native of Scotland and in that eoun- try passed all his life. This family was one of the most prominent ones-of Scotland and its members were men of education and learning. The coat of arms used in the family and by our subject's great- grandfather, Hon. Gustavus Scott, was a dove with an olive branch in its beak with the motto: "Gau- dia Magna Nueio." Rev. James Scott, M. A., left his native land and settled in Virginia before 1739, and his brother, Rev. Alexander Scott, M. A., came to the Old Dominion at the same time. The former was rector of Depple, Va., until he went to Prince William County, Va., and there he became Rector also. Ile was a college-bred man, and owned the large and beautiful estate of "Westwood."
IIon. Gustavus Scott was born on the beautiful estate of Westwood, Prince William County, Va., in 1753, and studied law at Aberdeen, Scotland, after which he graduated in law at Midde College,
London. During the Revolutionary War, he re- moved to Dorchester County, Va., and served as Representative of the State. Later, he removed to Washington City and was one of the Commis- sioners for the erection of public buildings in that city. He was an intimate friend of Gen. George Washington, and advanced from his own pocket considerable sums of money for the troops during the Revolutionary War, and he, with two other men, went security for the United States, to the amount of $120,000. Ile was a true patriot and won a national reputation. His son, John C. Scott, was a native Virginian, born in 1782, and was a large landowner and planter there. In 1820, he came to Ohio, located in Ross County, near Chilli- cothe, and became the owner of immense tracts of land. Ile died at the age of fifty-eight years. His son, Charles L. Scott, the father of our subject, was also a native of the Old Dominion, born on the 20th of September, 1812. He was a law graduate, practiced his profession at Chillicothe, Ohio, and was also the owner of considerable land near Yel- low Bud. In 1848, he removed to Philadelphia and engaged in the wholesale merchandising busi- ness. He died there on the 24th of January, 1861. In politics, he was a Whig, and in religion an Epis- copalian. He married Miss Elizabeth E. Slesman, a native of Philadelphia, born on the 7th of Janu- ary, 1815, and the daughter of George and Eliza- beth Slesman, both natives of Philadelphia, where the father was engaged in wholesale merchandis- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born nine chil- dren, all of whom grew to mature years and seven of whom are now living. With the exception of our subject, all are residents of the "City of Brotli- erly Love." Two brothers, John C. and Arthur W., were in the Civil War, the former enlisting in a Pennsylvania regiment in 1864. The latter was also in a Pennsylvania regiment.
Edward W. Scott, the seventh child in order of birth of the aboved-mentioned family, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 25th of July, 1849, and was educated in the private and select schools of that city. Ile remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then began elerking. The fertile soil of Ohio tempted him here in 1872, and he first located in Circleville,
465
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
where he engaged in the grain business with HIeffner & Co. Ile followed this business in this city for five years, after which the firm dissolved partner- ship and commenced again under the firm title of Heffner, Scott & Co., with headquarters in Colum- bus. This firm lasted for three years, after which the firm of Seeds & Scott was formed in the same place. This firm owns the elevator on Fourth and Norton Streets, on the Pan Handle road, and is engaged in buying and shipping grain to the East.
In 1889, Mr. Scott removed back to Cireleville on account of poor health and confined his atten- tion principally to agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of three hundred and eighty-five acres in Jackson and Muhlenburg Townships, on Darby Creek, all well improved with good buildings, fences, ete., and is engaged in raising full-blooded Percheron draft coits.
Mr. Scott was married on the 9th of September, 1875, to Miss Cynthia Renick, daughter of John Renick, a native of Virginia, who left a large es- tate of two thousand acres at his death. One child blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scott: Minnie Renick, whose birth occurred on the 17th of May, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is Trustee and Treas- urer in the same. In politics, he is a through and through Republican.
W ILLIAM E. IRELAND, M. D. The medi- cal profession has among its members many noble men, whose lives are filled with acts of goodness and animated with a desire to relieve the sufferings of mankind. Among those who oc- cupy an honored place in the esteem of the citi- zens of Fayette County is the subject of this sketch, senior member of the firm of Ireland & Ireland, who has associated with him his older brother, S. A., in the practice of medicine and surgery at Washington C. H.
Dr. Ireland was born in Bloomington, Ill., April 18, 1852, at the time when that now prosperous and enterprising city was only a small village, sur-
rounded by evidences of pioneer life and contain- ing few prophetic indications of its present com- mercial importance. His parents, George and Sarah (Hopkins) Ireland, were natives of Ross County, Ohio, and were pioneer members of the farming community of McLean County, Ill. When our subject was only two and one-half years old, he was brought by his parents to Ohio, and re- mained in the southeastern part of Fayette County until 1865, when the family removed to Ross County.
In the schools of Fayette and Ross Counties, our subject acquired the fundamental principles of knowledge, and afterward was a student in the South Salem Academy, which was then the most important and flourishing educational centre in that part of the State. ITis schooling completed, he followed the profession of a teacher for seven years, and during the same time carried on medi- cal studies under the preceptorship of Dr. A. Ogan, of Madison County. Ile took a course of lectures at Starling Medical College of Columbus and was a graduate in the Class of '82.
At once after completing his medical studies, Dr. Ireland located at Leesburgh, Highland County, where he remained for five years, his attention being closely devoted to the ever-increasing de- mands of his profession. In 1887, he came to Washington C. H., having decided that it would be best to seek a larger field for practice and one which demanded less country riding. Almost from the start, his practice was good and has con- stantly increased until now it requires his unceas- ing attention, to the exclusion of all public affairs or social recreations. In October, 1889, he formed a partnership with his brother S. A., who had previously been engaged in practice at Leesburgh.
The Doctor keeps abreast of the latest in vestiga- tions in the medical world, and is well known to the fraternity, being a member of the State Medi- cal Society, and both the Highland and Fayette County Medical Societies. IIe is identified with Fayette Lodge, Fayette Chapter and Commandery, F. & A. M. His attractive residence on East Court Street is presided over by his hospitable and cul- tured wife, whose name in maidenhood was Flor- enee I. Carr, and who became his wife March 8,
466
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1882. Their home is brightened by the presence of three children: Augusta Eugenia, Horace Carr and Nellie Gwenn, while one child has been taken from them by death. In his religious belief, the Doctor is an active member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and belongs to its Board of Directors, while in charitable and philanthropie enterprises his sympathy and active co-operation are always ex- tended.
S AMUEL HORNBECK, who follows general farming and stock-raising, was born on the farm which is still his home in Paint Town- ship, Fayette County, January 28, 1839. His father, Isaac Hornbeck, was born in South Solon, Ohio, in October, 1813, but was reared in Madison County, where he resided until the last three years of his life, which were spent in Ross County. His death there occurred January 27, 1865. He mar- ried Anna Peck, who was born May 15, 1818, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and unto them were born seven children: Miles who was born in 1837, and died at the age of twenty-seven years; Samuel of this sketch; Hagar E., who is living in Pleasant Township; Henry, who died at the age of five years; Mary, who is living in Pleasant Township; Jolin, of Madison Mills, Fayette County, who with his wife and four children resides on a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres; and George, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
The father of this family was a self-made man. Hle lived on the farm which is now the home of our subject until 1863, when he removed to Ross County. In 1854, he purchased two hundred and twenty-two acres of land and subsequently bought one hundred and fifty acres in Madison Town- ship, Fayette County, where John Hornbeck now resides. In politics, he was a Democrat and a highly respected citizen.
Mr. Hornbeck of this sketch remained at home until several years after his father's death. He acquired a common-school education, and in 1875 took possession of his present home, having pur- chased two hundred and seventy acres of fine farm-
ing land. He also operates a one hundred and eighty-five acre tract which belongs to his mother. He is an enterprising and successful farmer and a glance at his place indicates the thrift and indus- try of the owner.
Mr. Hornbeck was married September 16, 1879, to Alice Porter, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 29, 1849, and is a daughter of Joshua and Rachel (Henry) Porter. She is the fourth in a family of six children, all of whom are still liv- ing: Isabel is the wife of Alex Taylor, of Ross County, and has one child; John H. is married and resides in Ross County; Mary J. makes her home in the same county; William resides with his wife and one child in Ross County; and Rosa E. is also there living. The father of this family, who was born in 1802, died in June, 1880, at the age of seventy-eight. His wife was born in Brooke County, Va., in February, 1809, and died August 5, 1887. They were both buried in Concord Ceme- tery.
Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hornbeck: Nellie, born November 28, 1880; Ollie, December 28, 1881; and Herbert, February 8, 1890. Our subject and his wife rank high in social circles and are widely known throughout this community. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the Democratic party and served as Land Appraiser in 1890.
G
S AMUEL FRALICK. Among the well- known and influential farmers of Stokes Township, Madison County, is Mr. Fralick, who is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, using the best methods in fertilizing the soil and improving the land. He has been successful in his chosen calling and has accumulated a fine property, enjoying the esteem and respect of all who know him. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., June 2, 1837, and is the son of Jo- seph and Susannah (Easton) Fralick, also natives of the Keystone State.
The parents of our subject moved to Clarke County, this State, when Samuel was a lad of six
467
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years. He there grew to manhood on the farm and received a fair education in the primitive schools of the district. When sixteen years of age he began life on his own account, hiring out to different parties to drive cattle over the moun- tains to the Eastern markets. In 1855 and 1856, he spent a twelvemonth in Logan County, III., working on a farm, at the end of which time he returned to Madison County, this State, and was employed by the month for another year; during that time he saved considerable money, which, to- gether with the snug little sum which he had accumulated in handling stock, enabled him to purchase one hundred and ten acres of land which is near his present abiding-place. His estate now includes three hundred and seventy acres of land, and in addition to raising cereals he feeds and ships hogs in great numbers. He also breeds a good grade of horses and sheep, and ranks among the progressive and enterprising stock-raisers of Madison County. Mr. Fralick has recently dis- posed of his interest in the grain elevator at South Solon, which he owned in partnership with C. T. Bowers. He cast his first Presidential vote for a Democratic candidate in 1864, but since that time has been identified with the Republican party. He has served in many positions of trust in this com- munity, being Township Trustee for several years, a School Director and was elected County Commis- sioner in the fall of 1884, serving one term and three years, during which time he was kept very busy, as many of the bridges of his district had been washed away by the heavy rains.
Mr. Fralick is the younger in a family of two children, his sister Mary, who was born in 1835, being Mrs. II. W. Bowers. His father was born January 13, 1811, and died May 20, 1874, while his mother, who was born January 3, 1816, departed this life September 6, 1887. The lady to whom our subject was married December 23, 1866, was Miss Mary E. Crow, a native of Jefferson Town- ship, Fayette County. She was born August 12, 1849, and was a daughter of Ezekiel H. and Ros- anna (Creamer) Crow. She was given a good education and when seventeen years of age began teaching school and after being thus engaged for a time, took a course of study at the schools of
Lebanon. Her father was married three times, she being the eldest but one in a family of four children born of his second union. Her brother, Thomas, resides in Fayette County; Susan, who married Melvin L. Anderson, makes her home in Guthrie County, Iowa, and Lucy, who married Lemuel W. Vance, departed this life in August, 1890.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fralick have been born two children, viz: Mary B., who was born March 3. 1889, and Susan G., April 24, 1891. Mrs. Fra- lick's mother died when she was about four years of age, and when fourteen years old her father was killed in a collision on a railroad between Covington and Lexington, Ky. It was during the period of the Civil War when he was returning from a visit to his son who was a Union soldier.
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.