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 56
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 56
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 56
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OSIAH MORRIS, who resides on his pleasant and well-appointed farm nine miles west of Plain City in Monroe Township, is one of the leading farmers and publie officers in this part of Madison County. He is a native of the afore-mentioned township, born here in pioneer times, March 23, 1837, being the date of his birth. His grandparents on both sides of the house were among the original settlers of Ohio, and his parents among the early settlers of this county.
The father of our subject, David Morris, was born in Kentucky, in 1807, and when he was seven years old he came to Ohio with his parents, Joseph and Lavina (Drake) Morris, who settled in Clarke County. Ile there met Sarah Weaver, a native of the county, who was born in 1813, and in course of time they married. Her parents, George and Elizabeth Weaver, were early pioneers of that part of Ohio, having settled there in 1802, coming from Virginia. They came to Madison County in 1835. to brave the dangers of the wilderness, that they might build up a comfortable home.
After their marriage in Clarke County in 1831, the parents of our subject located on a new farm in Logan County, whence they came to Madison County three years later. The father improved a good farm in Monroe Township and here died in
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his eighty-fourth year. His name will always be preserved in the annals of the township as one of its noble pioneers who did good service in reclaim- ing it from the wilderness. Ilis good wife died in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of six children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely: Solomon and Josiah (twins); Sarilda, wife of J. M. Bradley; Jolm and Benjamin.
He of whom write is the fourth child of his par- ents in order of birth. His education was con- ducted in the local schools of his native town, and on his father's farm he gained a thorough knowl- edge of farming in all its details, which experience was of use to him when he began his independent career as a farmer. Ile remained an inmate of the parental household until he was twenty-one, in the year 1858, and then went out into the world, going Westward as far as Missouri, where he re- mained until 1861, devoting himself to farming. The breaking out of the war caused a decided change in his plans. Ile was a strong Unionist at heart, but was drafted into the rebel army. Not earing to fight against the Stars and Stripes, he quietly deserted three days after liis enforced en- listment, and, coming back to his native county, he joined the Federal army in 1862, becoming a mem- ber of Company E, Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry. Ile served honorably four months and was then discharged at Delaware, Ohio.
After his return from the army, our subject re- sumed farming, and after his marriage he at onee took up his residence on his farm in Monroe Town- ship. There were but few improvements and he built the first house on the place, a small frame structure. He has since cleared away the brush and forest trees with which the land was encumbered, and has wrought a wonderful transformation, placing the land under fine cultivation and ereeting neat and commodious buildings for every needed purpose, and he has now a model farm. embracing three hundred and thirty-one acres of land in all, one hundred and eighty-one acres in the home place and one hundred and fifty acres elsewhere in the same township. When he started here, aside from his land, he had only two horses and a cow. From that small beginning he has become very prosperous and raises many eattle, horses and hogs.
His fellow-citizens, appreciating his capability for managing affairs, as well as his sterling merit, have entrusted various important offices to his care. Ile is now Trustee of the township and Supervisor of Roads. He was Captain of militia in 1863. He is well known as a Mason and is identified with Urania Lodge No. 311, Plain City. In politics, he a Republican.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Orpha Sidebottom took place February 21, 1865. To them have been born two daughters: Rosa, wife of C. D. Trimble. a boot and shoe dealer at Zanesville, and Carrie, a teacher in Union County. Mrs Mor- ris was born at Mr. Pleasant, Jefferson County, November 10, 1846, and is the third child and eldest daughter of John II. and Eliza (Taylor) Sidebottom. Her father, who was Fife-Major of the Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry during the war, serving four years in that capacity, was born near Winchester, Va. Her mother was born in Jefferson County, and there both died and were buried in the cemetery at Mt. Pleasant. They were the par- ents of ten children.
SAAC TANNER. This prominent and pro- gressive farmer of Darby Township, Piekaway County, is a man who has proved himself a hard-working citizen, and who is well known for his intelligence and good judgment. He belongs to one of the earliest families who settled in this county, and he was born on the farm which he now occupies, November 12, 1848. Ilis father, David Tanner, was born .in New York, August 8, 1808, and was a son of Peter Tanner, a German by birth, who came to America with his father when a boy, and, having settled in New York, married an Ameri- ean woman, and here reared his family. They had a household of twelve children, whom they brought up upon a farm. The grandfather died at the age of seventy, after coming to Ohio.
The father of our subject came to Ohio with his father when quite young, settling first near Cin- cinnati, and later in Darby Township, Pickaway
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County, where he bought the farm known as the Balley Farm. He settled there in the wilderness, and, building a log cabin, began life in pioneer fashion. He was prospered so that after some time he bought the present farm, which adjoined the old one. His gun, still cherished by our sub- jeet, was the means of bringing down many a fat deer and turkey, and of thus supplying the family larder. Ile had a tract of five Imindred and six- teen acres, which he had bought and paid for, but he lost, on account of an old claim on a part of the land, all but one hundred and eighty-seven acres of it. Notwithstanding his push, pluck and perseverance. and his rapid accumulation of prop- erty, he met with severe reverses through going security for others, losing in all some $12,000 thereby.
David Tanner was a Whig and a Republican in his earlier years. and continued thus until the question came up of the negroes' right of suffrage, at which time he became a Democrat. IIe held from time to time some minor offices in the town- ship, and his death occurred February 1, 1876. In 1833, he married Catherine George, who was born near Darbyville, in this county, December 12, 1815. Her parents, Pornick and Catherine (Van Meter) George, were natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively, and, after their marriage in Virginia, lived in Kentucky for a few years, and later set- tled at Chillicothe, Ohio, when there was only a log store in what is now a thriving metropolis. During their first year there, they lived in tents, surrounded by Indians, and often feared to lie down and sleep at night. During their residence there, the mother made a visit to Virginia, travel- ing on horseback, with her infant in her arms.
The grandparents of our subject settled on Dar- by Creek, two miles below Darbyville, in 1812. Mr. George served his country in both the Revo- Intionary War and the War of 1812. He settled upon a farm, buying several hundred acres of land, and brought it to a productive condition. In those days he had to go to Zanesville for salt and pro- visions, camping out nights, and sometimes being obliged to throw firebrands to keep the wolves from attacking his camp. His milling was done at Halls Mills, near Circleville, on Darby Creek, and
there he had to go on horseback. His daughter, the mother of our subject, remembers having to pen the sheep at night to keep the wolves from stealing them, and could hear those wild beasts howling about the cabin at night. Mr. George died at the age of eighty-four, and his wife when seventy-four years old.
Of the twelve children belonging to the parents of our subject, eight are living, namely: Mary, Peter, Julia, Catherine, Isaac, John, Martha, and Amanda. Those that died were George, William, Oraminta, and one who died in infancy. The mother still resides with our subjeet, and is highly esteemed for her past years of usefulness and her truly pious character. She joined the Methi- odist Episcopal Church forty-five years ago, and takes great interest in religions matters.
The early training and education of Isaac Tan- ner was obtained on the farm and in the district school, and he worked at home until a year after his marriage, when he was twenty-four years old. His wife, to whom he was united January 23, 1873, was Mary Story, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, near Galloway, October 23, 1851. Her par- ents, Joseph W. and Mary (Turner) Story, were born in Delaware and Illinois, respectively, and both came to Ohio when young, and were married at Circleville.
The Storys first settled in this eounty, five miles south of Circleville, and lived for several years in a log shanty, as they were poor and were ready to undertake the privations of pioneer life with cheer- fulness. Their household utensils Mr. Story car- ried on his back from Circleville when they set up housekeeping. Some years later, they settled in Franklin County, in the woods, and developed a two hundred and fifty aere farm. He was a hard worker and a man of extraordinary constitution, and lived to be eighty-four years of age, dying in 1891. Ilis wife died at the age of thirty-eight, when her daughter, Mrs. Tanner, was two weeks old.
The eighty-seven acres of land which are com- prised in the farm of Mr. Tanner are all thoroughly improved, and upon them he carries on mixed farming, raising both grain and stock. He also rents land of others, and carries on extensive op-
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erations. His hogs are of the Poland-China breed and are excellent stock. Mrs. Tanner is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Church, and is esteemed most highly for her ability and char- acter. Mr. Tanner's political views bring him into harmony with the Republican party, and he casts his vote for the ticket put in the field by that party.
OIIN W. INGRIM, proprietor of a harness and saddlery establishment at Mt. Sterling, is the oldest merchant in continuous busi- ness in the place. He was born in Deer Creek Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 30, 1839. His grandfather, George Ingrim, came from Scotland, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Kinnear, was a native of Ireland. She was of the Protestant faith and was one of the best-informed women on the Bible in the country. She died in Indiana.
Andrew M. Ingrim, father of our subject, was born in Venango County, Pa., and was a tailor by trade. He married Mary Snyder, a native of Chil- licothe, Ohio. When our subject was about two years old, they moved to Pulaski County, Ind., where the father was killed by the falling of a tree. Mrs. Ingrim with her only child returned to Pickaway County. At the age of nineteen, the lat- ter began learning harness-making, serving a two- years' apprenticeship under C. H. Hanawalt, who paid him 836 the first year and board and $72 the second year. He then embarked in business for himself, but three months afterwards was burned out and lost nearly everything. He then worked for his former employer until the breaking out of the late war, when he tried to enlist in an artillery company of three-months' troops, but the quota was full. He afterwards went to Champaign County, Ill., where he spent two months, and on his return to Ohio, worked for William Berdell in Columbus. He next came to Mt. Sterling and entered into partnership with W. H. Snyder in the harness business, but in July, 1862, sold out to his partner and enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry.
Mr. Ingrim was mustered in at Camp Chase, and was afterwards sent to Louisville and then to Nashville, where he was sick in the hospital from February 11 until April 15. He then joined his regiment and was appointed Quartermaster-Ser- geant on the 1st of May, 1863. In Bridgeport, Ala., he was again taken sick and sent back to Nashville, where he was discharged on the 14th of November of that year, when he at once returned to his home.
On the 4th of February, 1864, his step-father, W. C. Atkins, died, and upon him devolved the respon- sibility of supporting his widowed mother and her five children. He faithfully performed this task, sacrificing his own interests for the benefit of those depending upon him. With a borrowed capital of $150, he soon opened a harness shop and has since been engaged in business in this line. Prosperity has attended his efforts since that time. ITis half- sisters are now married and his two half-brothers he taught his trade. One is now working with Mr. Ingrim, but the other died in 1881. Our sub- ject now has an excellent business and also owns his store and his pleasant residence.
On the 16th of November, 1865, Mr. Ingrim wedded Miss Maggie E. Myers, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 3, 1843, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Green) Myers. Unto them have been born five children: Ordie D., who was born in Mt. Sterling, July 10, 1867, and is now a stenographer of Kansas City, Mo .; Minnie Myers, who was born in Mt. Sterling, October 16, 1869, and graduated from the High School; Charles W., born February 24, 1872; Ada A., born May 12, 1876, will graduate in 1893; and Mamie E., who was born April 16, 1879, died at the age of five years.
Mr. Ingrim is a stanch Republican. He has never sought office, but served nine years as a member of the School Board. He is a prominent Mason. Since 1862, he has been connected with the fraternity and has taken the Thirty-second Degree, has filled various offices and served three years as Master. He became a member of the Odd Fellows' society in 1878, was District Deputy Grand Master of Madison County, and is a charter member of the Daughters of Rebekah. He is a
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John A. Parret
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member of the Encampment, and has four times represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge. He is a charter member of J. C. Bostwick Post No. 406, G. A. R., is Past Commander and has twice attended the National Unions. He also belongs to the Pa- triotic Order of Sons of America. He has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1855, is a prominent worker and has served as Steward, Trus- tee, Class-leader and Superintendent of the Sunday- school. His life has been well and worthily spent. His sterling worth and many excellencies of char- acter have won him high regard and he is recog- nized as a leading citizen of Mt. Sterling.
OHN H. PARRETT. Fayette County is greatly indebted for its present wealth and high standing to the sturdy, intelligent, enterprising tillers of the soil, who have been instrumental in developing and sustaining its vast agricultural interests. As a worthy mem- ber of its farming community, who has contributed toward its material advancement, its gives us pleas- ure to present the biography and portrait of John H. Parrett in this volume. A native of Ross County, he was born October 11, 1821, and is a son of Joseph F. and Sarah Parrett. They were Virginians by birth, both born in the same place, the father in 1791 and the mother in 1795. The Parrett family originated in Switzerland, the foun- der of the branch in America being Frederick Parrett, great-grandfather of our subject, who came to this country in 1735, and settled in Vir- ginia. He had six sons, who did noble service in the Revolution, and among them was Frederick Parrett, Jr., who was the grandfather of our subject.
Joseph F. Parrett grew to manhood in his native State, which at that period afforded but meagre school privileges to the children born within its borders. He was married in 1814, and at once set out with his bride for Ross County, in this State, the journey being made overland, and after his arrival bought one hundred and five acres of wild land on Buckskin Creek. His first house was a
most humble structure, being built of logs and having a chimney on the outside made of mud and sticks. Thus, this energetic pioneer came into the wilderness with nothing but his hands with which to make his fortune, but he had a resolute will, knew well how to work advanta- geously, and his labors were crowned with success. The rude cabin of the early days of his settlement here gave place to a beautiful residence, and the original one hundred and five acres of land were added to by further purchases, until he owned over eight hundred acres of fine farming land. Ile accumulated his property by attending strictly to his business as a farmer and stock-raiser. Politi- cally, he was a Whig. In his religious belief, he remained true to the Presbyterian faith, to which his parents had held.
The first wife of our subject's father was Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wilkin ) Hass, na- tives of Virginia. John Hass came to Ohio in 1814, and was a pioneer farmer of Licking County, in which he lived until he closed his eyes in death at the age of eighty years. Elizabeth Wilkin was a daugliter of Godfrey Wilkin, who came from Switzerland to this country in company with Frederick Parrett in 1735, and settled in Virginia. Ten children were born to the parents of our sub- ject, of whom these seven grew to maturity: Eliza, wife of Adam Nebergall; Mary A., wife of Will- iam Thomas; Mrs. Sarah Ware, deceased; Jolm II .; Henry C .; Absalom and Aaron, deceased. Joseph Parrett was married a second time, Malena Caley becoming his wife, and she bore him six chil- dien: George F., J. Milton; Margaret J., wife of John Braden; Susan E., wife of Isaac McClure; W. James and Augustus F.
Our subject was well trained in all kinds of farm work under his father's instruction, and re- mained with him until twenty-three years old, when he went on a farm in Ross County with his brother-in-law. He remained thereon six years, and in 1850 purchased the farm he now occupies in Wayne Township. This is a fine place, with well-tilled fields and rich pastures, with a commod- ious set of buildings, and all the modern improve- ments to be found on a well-managed farm. The beautiful brick residence in which he and his fam-
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ily have a very pleasant home, he built in 1860, making all the brick himself. The first ten years of his married life were spent in a comfortable log house.
Mr. Parrett's home is presided over by the best of wives, to whom he was married December 24, 1850. Mrs. Parrett, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Harper, was born in Maryland in 1824, and is a daughter of Caleb and. Mary Harper, who were natives of Delaware. The fruit of her union with our subject is four children, namely: Caleb, Joseph; Mary, wife of C. W. Crosby, and Sally, wife of A. L. Ireland. Mr. Parrett and his wife are people of high standing in the community where they have lived so many years, and they and three of their children are members of the Presbyterian Church, while Sally is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, our subject is a Re- publican of strong convictions. Ile has been much sought after to help administer public affairs, as his ability and business tact bring him to the front, and he has held most of the township offices, be- sides being County Commissioner and a member of the Board of Equalization.
OHN S. NEFF. No farmer in Pickaway County bas a better record as a thoughtful, progressive and enterprising man of busi- ness, than John S. Neff, of Jackson Town- ship, nor do any handle extensive and valuable farming and stock-raising interests better than he. Our subject was born in Berkeley County, Va., July 8, 1821, a son of Jacob Neff, who was also a Vir- ginian by birth, the family being of German ori- gin. His father was an extensive farmer in his native State, although he never owned any land there. He came to this county in 1845, traveling with a team across the mountains, and settled in Muhlenburg Township, where he farmed as a renter for several years. After the war, he removed to Moultrie County, III., and there died, at the ven- erable age of eighty-three years. Hle was a good man and for thirty years was a faithful member of
the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he was a sound Democrat. He married for his first wife Sarah Painter, who was born in Virginia and died young, when her son, our subject, was only six years old, leaving two other boys, William and Tilson. The father married a second time, Miss Margaret Clark becoming his wife, and they reared a family of four boys and four girls. The mother of our subject was a member of the Reformed Luth- eran Church.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent on a Virginia farm and he attended the district schools whenever opportunity offered. At the age of six- teen, he began to work out at $6 per month, and was so engaged the most of the time until he came here. In 1845, he accompanied his father in the ever memorable journey from his native State to this, he driving the team. Ilis first winter here, he hired out at $10 per month to make fence posts, etc., and then started in business for himself as a fence-maker, continuing in that line for eight or nine years, both winter and summer. In that man- ner, he obtained a goodly capital with which to establish himself as a farmer, and invested in sev- enty-two acres of his present farm. Only a little of his land was improved, but he devoted his ener- gies to its development, and not only placed that under fine cultivation, but bought other land from time to time, and now has six hundred and seventy- five acres lying in and around .Jackson Township, conveniently divided into four farms. There are three hundred and seventy acres in the home farm, another comprises seventy-five acres, and two farms contain one hundred and fifteen acres each. The land is all improved, and besides raising a good deal of grain, our subject has as many cattle, horses and hogs as his land will support. He fat- tens cattle every year, and he keeps some fine road- sters and draft horses. Ile carries on his farming operations after the best modern methods, making a careful study of his business and keeping him- self well posted on agricultural topics by taking the best farm journals published. Ilis improve- ments are of a substantial order, and include a large frame residence, built in 1867, and a good- sized frame barn erected in 1876.
Mr. Neff was married, November 17, 1853, to
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Elizabeth Owens, a native of this county. Iler death occurred in 1873. She was the mother of five children, as follows: Laura, wife of James Van Vickle, a farmer of Pickaway County; Sarah V., wife of Samuel Metzger, a farmer of Jackson Township; Mary E., who married James McCol- lister, and died in 1892; William, who married Mary Diar and lives on a farm in Moultrie County, Ill .; Joim S .. who married Elizabeth Pherson and farms on his father's farm. Our subject was mar- ried again, October 31, 1876, Mary Flemming be- coming his wife. She is a native of this county, and was born in Wayne Township, September 30, 1836.
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Our subject is a purely self-made man, who be- gan life without a dollar and is now numbered among the most wealthy men of Jackson Town- ship. Ile has a remarkable talent for business, is keen, far-seeing, prompt in money matters and justly attributes his success in life to his close at- tention to the management of his affairs, to good judgment and wise economy. Ile is a member of the Democratic party, and has held high public positions. In 1874, he was elected County Com- missioner, and served until 1880. Ile has been Trustee and Treasurer of Jackson Township for some years, and looks well after the interests in- trusted to his eare.
RWIN BOGGS, of the old and prominent Boggs family, is a grandson of Maj. John Boggs (see sketch of Lemuel Boggs), and a wealthy, young and popular agriculturist. His father, James Taylor Boggs, was born on the Old Elm Farm in Pickaway Township, Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1818, and was a son of Maj. Jolm Boggs, one of the prominent men of his section in his time and day. The father of our subject be- came the owner of the family (Elm) farm, the Boggs homestead, of five hundred and twenty aeres, and became one of the successful and pro- gressive farmers of his locality. Ile also owned a farm of four hundred and twenty aeres in Ross County, dealt largely in stock, and was thoroughly
alive to all enterprises that had for their object the advancement of the farming and stock-raising interests of the vicinity. He was a man widely known, an honest, whole-souled gentleman, and one much esteemed by all. He was struck by a train and instantly killed in June, 1888, at the Scioto Valley depot. Ile was interred in the fam- ily grave-yard at the Old Elm Farm. In politics, he was a supporter of Democratic principles. Ilis wife and the mother of our subject, Mrs. Minerva (Whitsel) Boggs, was born in Greene Township, Ross County, Ohio, and her father, who was born in the East, was one of the early settlers of Ross County. Mrs. Boggs now resides in Circle- ville, and is well respected by all. Of the five children born to them, all are living and enjoying good health: Mary, Mrs. John Davenport, now re- sides in Circleville; Taylor, now residing in Chil- licothe, is engaged in the hardware business, and is an ex-Commissioner of Ross County; Samnel re- sides in Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, this State, and James is engaged in business in Circleville.
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