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 55
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 55
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 55
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EROME SMITH, proprietor of the Pickaway Machine Works, was born in Walnut Town- ship, this county, on the 23d of December, 1853, and is a son of Henry Smith, who was originally from Fairfield County, this State. The grandfather, John Smith, was born in Pennsyl- vania, but at an early date moved to Ohio and settled in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, where he improved a large farm. He was twice married, and was a man well respected by all acquainted with him. Ile was of German descent. The father of our subject is a blacksmith by trade, and after locating on a farm in Walnut Township, he put up a shop and machine works which he operates at the present time, and although now sixty-five years of age, he is a fine machinist. Ilis wife, the mother of our subject, Rebecca (Crites) Smith, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Samuel Crites, who was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occu- pation and followed that business all his life. The mother of our subject is deceased.
Of the ten children born to his parents, Jerome is sixth in order of birth. He received a common education in the district schools and from the time he was a small boy he was in the blacksmith shop
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and thus picked up the trade. When fourteen years of age, he made a hand at the anvil, but pre- vious to that, when only ten years of age, he shod horses. At the age of twenty-one, or in 1877, he went to Lancaster and was employed in a carriage shop there for three years. Returning to Walnut Township, he was with his father for over five years and was his partner for a year. Seeing a better opportunity to succeed in his trade, he came to Circleville and started a shop near the Cleve- land, Marietta & Ohio depot. In 1890, he bought this business from Ed Smith, the old Tyler Mill, and since then has conducted it alone. IIe has added to it in many ways, and is one of the most successful and thorough-going business men of the place. He has a large brick planing mill and mach- ine shop, a large brick storeroom operated by a sixty-horse power engine, and manufactures doors, sashes, frames, mouldings, etc., and also runs the general machine works, called the Pickaway Mach- ine Works, which he purchased in 1890 and com- bined with the other.
Our subject was an organizer of the Circleville Lumber Company, and was President until Dec- ember 1, 1891, when he sold out his interest and turned his attention exclusively to the machine works. He is doing a large amount of business, usually employs from twelve to fifteen men, and system and order prevail throughout. He has been engaged in other enterprises that brought him in good returns, and is the owner of four lots with buildings on East Main Street, cornor of Mingo. Ile is full of push and energy and stands in the front rank of that worth and energy which have made Circleville so great a manufacturing centre.
Mr. Smith was first married in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, to Miss Ida J. Noggle, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. She passed away two years later. His second marriage oc- curred in Lancaster, to Miss Caroline Betz, a native of Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, and the daugh- ter of Fred Betz, a successful wagon manufacturer there for many years but now deceased. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and are named as follows: Cora E., Harry A., Frank P., Minnie, Mildred and Frederick. Mr. Smith was School Director in Walnut Township,
and has held other local positions. He is a self- made man in every respect and thoroughly under- stands his business. Socially, he is a Knight Temp- lar. In politics, he is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party and his father was a strong Union man. He has been a delegate to county and State conventions and is one of the representative men of the county.
ANIEL W. HOWARD, who is engaged in the undertaking and furniture business at West Jefferson, has been very successful in the affairs of life and is in good cir- cumstances. His means have not been accumulated without hard work and the exercise of prudence and forethought, and those who know him feel that he has won no more than he deserves. His place of business is well stocked with a full assort- ment of goods to be found in that line of trade, in the disposal of which he is thoroughly honest and upright.
Horton Howard, the father of our subject, was born in Belmont County, this State, June 22, 1817, and when nineteen years of age removed to Columbus, where he attended school and later assisted his father, who was a druggist, in his store. On the death of the latter, he assumed the business, which he operated very successfully for several years. Later, he purchased a farm near Alton, Franklin County, and there made his home until his decease, January 20, 1878. The father of our subject was married in Columbus, February. 10, 1841, to Miss Mary A. Marple, who was born near Philadelphia, Pa., December 6, 1823.
The cleven children included in the parental family bore the respective names of Albert, Joseph B., Isaac N., Charles C., Frank W., Mary E., Theo, Daniel W., Ilorton J., Eliza J. and Edwin. The mother of these children removed from the farm to West Jefferson in October, 1890. Daniel W. of this sketch was born near Alton, Franklin County, this State, July 22, 1859. He was reared on his father's farm, received a con- mon-school education and continued to remain at
Wm, F. Brown
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home until August, 1890, when he came to West Jefferson and established himself in the undertak- ing and furniture business, in company with his brother Theo, the firm being known as Howard Bros.
In social affairs, Mr. Howard is a member of West Jefferson Lodge No. 412, I. O. O. F. and being a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, pursues the even tenor of his way with an intelligent con- ception of the work that lies before him and the duty he owes to his fellow men. Like his parents, he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is regarded by his acquaintances as one of the rising young business men of West Jefferson.
ILLIAM F. BROWN. The gentleman whose portrait is shown on the opposite page comes of one of the early pioneer families of Pickaway County, that have been promi- nently identified with its growth and prosperity for many years. Ile has practically witnessed the greater part of its development from its orig- inal wildness, besides taking a hand in it as an in- dustrious and well-to-do farmer of Jackson Town- ship. He was born in Deer Creek Township, March 12, 1831, and is a son of Trustin P. Brown, who was widely known in his day as one of the most prominent and successful farmers and stock men of the county. The latter was born in Dela- ware in 1810 and was a son of Peter Brown, who was also a native of that State.
The grandfather of our subject came to this State in 1816, and settled first in Ross County, near the Pickaway County line. Some years later, he bought land in Deer Creek Township, this county, comprising one hundred acres, which he developed into a good farm. At that time, the surround- ing country was a perfect wilderness, with but very few settlements here and there in the woods, and deer and other game were very plentiful. Chillicothe was the nearest market, and the people had to content themselves with what they could produce for the most part, many of the necessaries
of life being then unprocurable luxuries. Peter Brown was past fifty years of age when he died in the home that he had built up by hard toil in Deer Creek Township.
The father of our subject was but a boy of five or six years when the family emigrated to Ohio, crossing the mountains and intervening country in a wagon. Ile was brought up in the woods, and what education he received was obtained in the pioneer schools of early times. He was naturally very capable, having an excellent head for business, was an untiring worker and became one of the wealthy men of the county. He was a very exten- sive farmer, owning nearly a thousand acres of land, and was a great stockman, raising large numbers of cattle and other stock. He had a good wife to assist him in the accumulation of his prop- erty. Her maiden name was Tabitha W. Cannon, and she was a native of Maryland. She died at the age of sixty-five, leaving behind her a worthy record as a true Christian woman of the Methodist faith and an active worker of the church to which she belonged. She was the mother of nine children, namely: Elizabeth, William F., Sarah S., Wesley, Nancy, Tabitha W., Peter W., Maria and Trustin P. The father was a true Democrat in politics. Ilis name will always be associated with the rise and progress of Pickaway County, and his memory cherished as a good citizen.
The subject of this life review was educated in a primitive log schoolhouse, which was heated by a large open fireplace, slab benches with pin legs were the seats, a board placed on pins against the wall was used as a writing-desk, and the build- ing was lighted by the removal of a log from the wall. Our subject was early initiated into all kinds of farm work, and at the age of twenty-two began farming for himself, with a good experience of the ins and outs of the calling. He has one hundred and forty acres of fine land in JJackson Township, which is all improved, and is one of the best-man- aged farms in the vicinity. It is well stocked with cattle of good grades, and its well-tilled fields yield abundant harvests of grain and other pro- duce. Its buildings are roomy, well arranged and orderly, and the thrifty air of the place betokens the prosperity of the owner. Our subject employs
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modern methods and modern machinery in carry- ing on his operations, but he can well remember the crude manner in which the farmers were obliged to till the soil and reap the harvests when he was a boy, wheat being cut with a sickle and later with a cradle, until the invention of the self-binder. The old-fashioned scythe was used in mowing then, and men only obtained fifty cents a day for swing- ing it from early morn until set of sun, or hand- ling the clumsy rake of olden times.
It has been the good fortune of our subject to have, the active co-operation of a capable wife in his work, his marriage with Miss Massie A. Owens, a descendant of one of the early families of Pick- away County, taking place June 8, 1858. They have had eight children, as follows: Trustin; Sam- uel (deceased); Sarah, Mrs. Carpenter; William F., Eliza, Aaron S., Fred and Edward (twins), the lat- ter deceased.
After marriage, our subject continued to live m his native township for three years, but has resided in Jackson Township since 1861. He has made him- self a valuable citizen in the social, religious and public circles of the community, and is looked up to with respect by all who know him. In politics, he is a decided Democrat. He has been Trustee of Jackson Township eleven years, was Assessor two terms and has been School Director much of the time since he took up his residence here. Ile and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always been religiously inclined, even in his boyhood, when he had to walk over rough ways three miles to Sunday- school.
OSEPII NOTIISTINE enjoys the distinction of being not only one of the pioneers of Pick- away County, Ohio, but one of its highly esteemed and honored citizens. He was born in Madison Township, of this county, April 14, 1823, and his parents, John and Gertrude Nothstine, were natives of the Keystone State, and both of German descent.
John Nothstine was married in his native State.
and remained there until about 1810, when he be- came possessed of a great desire to settle in Ohio, and with his wife and family made the journey to that State. They settled in the woods of Madison Township, Pickaway County, in a log cabin, and immediately began making improvements and clearing the farm. They were among the very first settlers, and here their large family of children were born, only our subject now surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Nothstine passed the remainder of their days on this farm, and were universally respected.
The early life of our subject was passed among pioneer surroundings, and when but a small boy he became inured to hard labor. He has done his share toward developing the resources of this wonderful State, and in every way has aided in its advancement and progress. Ilis advantages for receiving an education were limited to the pioneer schools, taught in a log cabin with a huge fire- place, slab seats, and greased paper for window lights. Schoolhouses were not on every hill-top, as they are at the present time, and the young pioneers were obliged to go many miles to get their little learning. Mr. Nothstine is mainly self- educated, and has an excellent knowledge of the German language.
On the 3d of October, 1843, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Rinesmith, who was born in Pennsylvania, on the 23d of April, 1818, and whose parents, Daniel and Barbara Rinesmith, were na- tives of the Keystone State. They were also of German descent, and when Mrs. Nothstine was but eight years of age, they left their native State to come to the fertile lands of Ohio. They settled in the woods of Madison Township, Pickaway County, and she who is the companion of the joys and sorrows of our subject knows by actual ex- perience in youth many of the hardships as well as the adventures of pioneer life. Of the six chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Rinesmith, only one beside Mrs. Nothstine is now living, Jesse, who is a resident of Illinois.
The six children who were granted to our sub- jeet's marriage are all deceased except one daugh- ter, Mary A., who married Abram Strorts and be- came the mother of ten children, as follows: Joseph, Charles, James. Mary, Caroline, Annie, Bertie,
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John, Samuel and Ella. Eliza (deceased), a daugh- ter of our subject, was the mother of nine children but only five survive: Sarah, Joseph, William, Stella and Annie. Those deceased were Emma, Sam- uel, Gracie and an infant. Mr. Nothstine owns two hundred and sixty-five acres of good, productive land, with excellent improvements, and has one of the most attractive agricultural spots in his section. It is conspicuous for the management that, while making it neat and attractive, still shows prudence and economy. Mr. Nothstine is one of the repre- sentative pioneers of Madison Township, of this county, and has filled a number of local positions. lle is active in all worthy movements and takes a deep interest in educational matters. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church and he has served as Deacon in the same.
Now, after the turmoil and worry of pioneer life, Mr. Nothstine and his estimable wife, who has been his co-worker and loving partner for many years, can sit down and enjoy the fruits of their industry and perseverance. They are well known in Madison Township and are highly estee med by all.
G EORGE A. IRWIN, manufacturer of flour, feed, etc., is the proprietor of the Exchange Mills, at the corner of Mill and Clinton Streets, and is one of the live business men of Cir- cleville. He was born in this city on the 14th of June, 1839, but his father, John E. Irwin, and his grandfather, Abner Irwin, were natives of Penn- sylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. The grand- father followed the occupation of a farmer in his native State and there passed his entire life. He was an officer in the War of 1812.
John E. Irwin, the father of our subject, was born in Berks County and followed the trade of moulder there. He was married in Pennsylvania to Cath- erine Tobias, who was born near Hamburgh, Penn., and was a daughter of Benjamin Tobias. Mr. Tobias was of German descent and a blacksmith by trade. He came to Circleville, Ohio, at an early date, fol- lowed blacksmithing for a short time, and then went on a farm, but later returned to Circleville, where
he died when seventy-five years of age. After his marriage, the father of our subject remained in his native State until about 1836, when he was sent for by a foundryman of this place. The foundry not being completed when he reached this city, Mr. Irwin worked on the old canal for a short time and then became foreman in the foundry, con- tinuing in that capacity for thirty years. After this, he embarked in business for himself for one year, after which he continued in the old Sciota Machine Works until he died in May, 1880. Ile was a stockholder for some time and one of the county's honest, industrious citizens. In politics, he was a Democrat until the war and was then a Douglas man. In religion, he was identified with the Methodist Church. His widow now resides in Pekin, Tazewell County, Ill.
Fourteen children were born to this esteemed couple, but only five are now living. One son, C. Edward, enlisted in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in 1862 and served until the close of the war. Ile was promoted to be Sergeant, was wounded and captured and was confined in Libby Prison for nine months. He died in 1887. Our subject was reared in Circleville and supplemented a common- school education by attending the Evert's Graded School, where he remained until one year before graduating. At the age of seventeen or eighteen, he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade under Bright, Bears & West in the old Sciota Works. He served an apprenticeship of seven years, became a practical machinist, and continued with them off and on as engineer, etc., until the above-mentioned years had expired, when he branched out for himself. Miss Sue Young, who became his wife in 1860, was born in Circleville and is a daughter of Jacob Young, who was a native of Union County, Penn. Mr. Young was an early settler in Pickaway County, Ohio, and followed the occupation of a miller and farmer.
In the fall of 1860, our subject located on a farm in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, and fol- lowed farming until May, 1864, when he volun- teered in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry, Company A, as private. Ile was sent with his regiment to Martinsburgh, Va., to guard the trains. Later, he was sent on guard duty
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to Washington, guarded Grant's army, was through the battle of the Wilderness and continued in service until cessation of hostilities. Ile was mustered out at Camp Dennison in September, 1864. After the war, he was on the farm for a few. years, was also engaged as a machinist for a year or two and was City Engineer for two years. IIe then became proprietor of the mill and has been actively engaged in the manufacture of flour and feed up to the present. ITis mill is three stories in height, is a fine brick building, 40x60 feet, has a capacity of forty barrels and is run by a forty- horse power.
Mr. Irwin has a pleasant home at the corner of Union and Washington Streets, and he and wife are classed among the best citizens. They are the parents of five sons, four living: Samuel J., a graduate of the High Schools, studied medicine under Dr. Row and graduated at the Ohio Med- ical College, Cincinnati. He is now practicing at Tarlton, this county. Charles A. is in Cincinnati with the Thompson-Houston Electric Supply Com- pany; George G. is a printer in Pekin, Ill .; and Howard is at home. Mr. Irwin is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encamp- ment, being a charter member and Adjutant of Groce Post No. 156, of Circleville, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias. In religious belief, he is a Methodist, and in politics he is a Republican in national affairs. His first Presidential vote was for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Monumental Association. The eldest son, Edward E., was killed by the accidental discharge of a re- volver in 1892.
G EORGE W. GARDNER., M. D. This valued resident of Plain City was born in Jefferson Township, Madison County, this State, February 22, 1849, and is a son of Nathaniel Gard- ner, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, who de- voted himself through life to the business of farm- ing and stock-raising. His death occurred in 1859, when our subject was a lad ten years of age.
James Gardner, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio at a very early day and made his home in Franklin County. Ile located on Darby Creek, and re- mained there until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven. This ancestor was of English descent, but his immediate progenitors had been for some time residents of the Old Dominion.
Mahala Walker was the maiden name of the mother of Dr. Gardner, and she also was a native of Virginia, but came to Ohio with her parents when only four years of age and her family made their home in Franklin County, on Darby Creek, where she still resides at the advanced age of seventy-eight. IIer father, James Walker, was a native of the Old Dominion, and lived to the very venerable age of ninety-four years. Her mother was of German descent.
The parents of our subject were united in mar- riage on Darby Creek, Franklin County, and made their early married home on the spot where the mother still resides. This continued to be their home throughout their entire union, with the ex- ception of two years, when they lived in Madison County. They became the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to years of maturity. One only of the number has passed from earth's activities. Our subject is the fifth child and fourth son. Ilis early schooling was taken in his native place, and later he at- tended the Central College of Franklin County, and afterwards attended college at Westerville, Ohio, and thence went to the Miami Medical Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1873.
The young Doctor established his first medical practice at Harrisburg, Franklin County, Ohio, and upon leaving that place he located in Plain City, which has since been his home, having come here in 1883. Ile was married in June, 1884, at Har- risburgh, to Miss Mary Chenoweth, a native of Franklin County. One son has blessed this union, to whom has been given the name of William D.
The political views of Dr. Gardner have led him to affiliate with the Republican party, and he has ever taken an active interest in public matters, al- though he cannot be called a politician. His fel- low-citizens have made him a member of the
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School Board, feeling that in his intelligence and integrity they can confide the interests of their children. He is connected with Urania Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M., and with Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, I. O. O. F., of Plain City.
ILTON C. SPRAGUE, M. D., is widely known throughout Madison County and universally esteemed. He is the son of Dr. James B. and Sarah S. Chamberlain Sprague, both natives of this State, where the father is an old and honored practitioner. Of the paren- tal family of seven children only two lived to ma- ture years, Cecelia F., and Milton C.
He of whom we write was born in Harmony Township, Clarke County, this State, October 23, 1849. He was reared to manhood in his native place, and attended the common schools in his dis- triet, supplementing the knowledge gained therein by a three years' course in the schools at Spring- field. Desiring to follow in the footsteps of his father, as regards an occupation in life, Mr. Sprague, in 1869, began the study of medicine, and after reading under that gentleman for some time, entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in the Class of 74.
When starting out in life for himself, Dr. Sprague began the practice of his profession in London, thence, after two years, removed to Marseilles, Wy- andot County. Ile remained in that place, how- ever, only a twelvemonth, and again returning to London, became identified with the interests of that seetion and remained until January, 1880, at which date he came to Summerford, where his friends are as numerous as his acquaintances. Ile is num- bered among the most prominent citizens in the county, and his increasing years in practice have not made him careless, but have added to his in- terest in his chosen profession, and broadened his knowledge of the human system and the remedial agencies by which it can be restored to health when impaired by a violation of nature's laws.
The lady who became the wife of our subject in
August, 1871, was Miss Alice C., daughter of Spaf- ford and Rachel (Goodfellow) Hurd, residents of Vienna, Clarke County, this State. They were the parents of a family of three children, of whom Mrs. Sprague is the eldest. She was born in the above-named county, June 3, 1852, and by her union with the Doctor has become the mother of two children, Clarence M. and Anna H. Dr. Sprague takes a deep interest in the cause of edu- cation, and for a number of years held a place on the School Board. He is a prominent member of the Masonie fraternity, in which he has many and warm friends. With his wife, he is a devoted member of the Christian Church, and his wife has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school many times.
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