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 57
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 57
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 57
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
The original of this notice, who was third in order of birth of the above-mentioned children, was born on the Ehm Farm, January 31, 1856, and there grew to manhood. He received his scholas- tic training in the district school until sixteen years of age, when he supplemented the same by a two-years' course in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After this, he remained at home until 1883, and then went to live with an uncle, John Boggs, one of the largest land-owners in the county, having one farm of eighteen hundred acres, and also large traets in other parts of the county. Ile has been very successful. Our sub- ject took charge of his uncle's affairs, but the lat- ter died in March, 1884, while on his way home from Chillicothe. Our subject then became the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in the home place, is still the owner of it, and is one of the most prominent young farmers of the coun- ty. His farm is bottom land, in the Scioto River Valley, and is very productive and fertile. He has a large brick residence, and his barns, sheds. ete., are all kept up in good shape, showing that a thrifty hand is at the helm. He is engaged in rais-
481
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
.
ing corn and wheat, and was engaged in the stock business, raising a fine grade of about fifty head of Short-horn cattle and many good draft horses annually, until 1889.
Our subject was married first in 1883, to Eliza- beth Niles, daughter of O. E. Niles. She was born in Circleville, and died here in 1887, leaving one son, Jol. Mr. Boggs' second marriage occurred in September, 1891, to Mary Morris, a native of Pickaway Township, this county, who was the adopted daughter of B. W. Morris, of Circlevile. She received her education in. and graduated from, the schools of Circleville, and afterward taught school for three years. She is an accomplished and intelligent lady. In politics, Mr. Boggs is a Dem- ocrat, has been a delegate to county and State con- ventions, and has been a member of the Central Committee.
G EORGE J. MCMULLEN. One of the most important points about the building of a private residence or business block is the plumbing. Through defective work, noxious gases are apt to arise, typhoid fever and other diseases spread, and death follows closely in their train. It is imperative then that the most skilled workmen should be employed, and that the sani- tary arrangements should be effected upon the most scientific of principles. Among those hold- ing a high reputation as a sanitary plumber, house- fitter and heater, is George J. McMullen, who is an excellent and progressive business man, and is held in high esteem in the community. IIe is what one may call a self-made man in every sense of that much abused term, for he started out at the bottom of the ladder, and by his industry and superior ability, has reached the top round in his business.
Mr. McMullen was born in this county, on the 18th of February, 1845, and his father, Robert MeMullen, was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. The father was a cooper by trade, and was married in Berks County, Pa., to Miss Elana Kayler, a native of Berks Coun-
ty, where she was reared. Some time in the '30s, Mr. McMullen emigrated to Ohio, settled in Cireleville, and there followed his trade for many years. He died in 1854, when forty-five years of age, and his wife received her final sum- mons in Circleville in 1874. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. The father's last words were, "Mother, keep the children together as long as possible." Both were highly respected in the community in which they lived and led the lives of honest, industrious citizens. Nine children were born to this couple, and two sisters and our subject reside in Circleville. Five of these chil- dren died in childhood and one brother died in 1868.
The original of this notice was the second in order of birth of the above-mentioned children and at an early age he was taken from school to assist his mother in making a living. When but eleven years of age he was employed to do odd jobs, and later, was in the match factory for two years, manufacturing matches by hand. After this, he was in a restaurant for three years, but he says, "Thanks to God, I never formed any bad habits." As time passed, he became convinced that the best thing he could do would be to learn a trade, and with the assistance of Mr. Glick he en- tered the shops of W. W. Beirce & Co. and con- tinned with them eleven years in all. He became foreman of the shop and became thoroughly familiar with the business in all its details. After this, about 1870, with L. HI. Iloffman, he started ont in the tin roofing and heating business, bought ont P. Kimmey, and they continued together for seventeen years, meeting with much success. Later, they started a branch store and ran this in part- nership until the spring of 1889, when they dis- solved partnership.
Our subject then started out for himself and has continued the business with surprising success ever since. He owns two large stores, two stories in height, with a frontage of fifty feet and extend- ing backward one hundred and fifty feet. He also owns plumbing shop, warerooms, etc., and is one of the most popular plumbers in the city. His business is located on Main Street, between Court and Scioto Streets, and he employs ten men. He
485
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
does the city water tapping. Mr. MeMullen re- sides on High Street and owns a comfortable brick residence erected in 1882. He also owns consid- erable real estate in Columbus.
In October, 1867, he married Miss Martha Flohr, a native of Pennsylvania, but who was reared in Hocking County, this State, and the fruits of this union were three children: Fannie, now Mrs. Howard, resides in Circleville; Grace, who grad- nated here in 1890 and is now attending the Wes- leyan University at Delaware; and Le Roy, at home. Mr. MeMullen was a member of the Coun- eil from 1884 to 1886, and was Chairman of the Public Grounds and Building Committee. Ile is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 32, I. O. O. F .; Piekaway Encampment, and was a delegate to the Grand Encampment three times. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee, and has been Class-leader for some time. In politics, he is a Democrat.
OHN O. SIFRIT, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Paint Township, Madison County. He was born May 16, 1855, in Union Township, and is the youngest of three children whose parents were John and Melissa (Harper) Sifrit. Charlotte, the eldest, married John Gaib, a merchant of Columbus, and has five children; Martin Jasper resides in Paint Township and has four children.
The mother died when our subject was about two weeks old, and he went to live with his grand- father, James Sifrit. He was reared near his pres- ent farm and acquired a good education which was completed in the London High School. He possesses much musical talent and at the age of sixteen began teaching voeal music. On attaining his majority, he married Miss Oria Eachus, who was born in Union Township, this county, June 22, 1858, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Hut- son) Eachus.
The father of Mrs. Sifrit is manager of twelve hundred aeres of the Buffenburg Farm. He was
born near Richmond, Ind., October 1, 1829, and is a son of Abner R. and Elizabeth (Troxel) Eachus, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Penn- sylvania. As children, they came to Madison Coun- ty, and when first married went to Indiana, but af- terward returned to this county. Their son, John W., grew to manhood in Paint Township, and when he started out in life for himself, began working by the month for cattle drovers. He was thus em- ployed for three years. He was married, April 14, 1855, to Miss Sara, daughter of John K. and Hannah Hutson, and went to Franklin County, Ohio, where he operated a rented farm for four years. Since that time, he has been connected with the Buffenburg Farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Eachus have a family of six chil- dren: Viola is the wife of Frank Mitchell, a dealer in horses of Philadelphia, and has one child; Mrs. Sifrit is the next younger; lennie is the wife of Harry Barker, a commercial traveler residing in Cincinnati, and they have two children; John, Scott and Holton are still at home. Mr. Eachus east his Presidential vote in 1852 with the Whig party and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. He is a highly-respected citizen of this community and a well-known farmer.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sifrit have been born five chil- dren: Grace, born August 25, 1877; Jay Russell. July 29, 1881; Scott O., Angust 30, 1883; Fay, February 16, 1886, and Glenn Emerson, August 4, 1889.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Sifrit has been a stanch Republican since he east his first Presi- dential vote for R. B. Hayes. He has served as Township Trustee, and also as Assessor, and the duties of the offices were promptly and faithfully discharged. Since his marriage, he has resided in Paint Township, where he follows farming and has also operated a threshing-machine. About 1888, he turned his attention to the rasing of fine stock and has met with good success in this line. He has some registered stock of the pure blooded Holstein cattle. He operates two hundred and ten acres of land and the neat appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of a careful manager. Our subjeet may well be termed a self-made man,
486
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
for by his own efforts he has worked his way up- ward from a humble position until he is now classed among the substantial farmers of the com- munity.
ENRY C. BLACKER. We herewith present the sketch of a prominent and well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser, whose home is lo- cated upon section 1, Circleville Township, Pickaway County. He was born in Frederick County, Va., November 24, 1822, and is the son of Joseph and Clarissa (Payne) Blacker, also natives of the Old Dominion. They emigrated to Ohio, January 1, 1833, and located on Round Prairie, Pickaway County. They later removed to Ross County, where the father died in 1838, when sixty- five years of age. He was a patriot in the War of 1812, and was always warmly interested in all measures which affected his community.
Henry Blacker, Sr., the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States at an early day. Ile made his home in Virginia, where he became the owner of a large tract of land. The mother of our subject died in this county about 1854, and with her husband was a member of the Catholic Church. Henry C. Blacker, of this sketch, was the ninth in order of birth of the parental family of eleven children, five of whom are living. He was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and therefore attended the common schools in Picka- way County. His advantages for obtaining an ed- ucation were very limited, however, as his father died when he was fifteen years of age, and the care of the family thus fell upon his young shoulders. Ile carried on the home farm until his mother's death, when he moved into Jackson Township and rented a tract of land, which he operated for sev- eral years. He purchased his present property in 1861, moving hither a few years later.
Marion Bowsher became the wife of our subject in 1854. She was the daughter of Anthony Bowsher, he being born in Pennsylvania. He
came here at a very early day, and entered the land upon which our subject makes his home. Mr. Bowsher died in 1865, and the mother about 1830. The thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blacker bear the respective names of Missouri, Clarissa, Josephine, Sarah E., Seymour, John, Della, George, Mary, Nettie, Harry, and two who died in infancy.
The original of this sketch votes with the Dem- ocratie party. For five years he was a Director of the County Infirmary, and has otherwise been greatly interested in local affairs. Mrs. Blacker is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Church, in which body she is active in all good work. Our subject owns two hundred and eighty- seven and one-half acres of valuable land, ninety- four of which are located in Jackson Township. He has placed good and substantial buildings on his estate, not the least among which is a commodi- ous residence. His place is well stocked with good grades of cattle and horses, which, in addi- tion to his cereals, bring him in a fine income. His land is located in what is known as the Scioto Val- ley, which is of very rich soil. Mr. Blacker is self- made in the truest sense of the word, and his pres- ent high standing in the agricultural community has been brought about by his industry and per- sistence in right-doing.
W ILLIAM TAGG, engineer in the Mt. Ster- ling Roller Mills, was born at Sherwood, in Nottinghamshire, England, January 1, 1840, and is a son of William and Anna (William- son) Tagg. His maternal grandfather, William Williamson, was an Aide-de-Camp under Gen. Washington, and married the daughter of an In- dian chief of the Cherokee Nation. He lived with the tribe until the chief for some reason became offended. He then fled to England with his wife, and our subject's mother was there reared and married.
William Tagg, whose name heads this record, was the youngest of six children, but the other five are all deceased. When he was about ten years old, his parents came to America, locating in
487
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Clinton, Summit County, Ohio. They had been here but a short time when Squire John Brown, of Clinton, begged to have the boy to raise, and our subject grew to manhood with him on a large farm. Mr. Brown owns a steam mill, and at the age of fourteen our subject began working in the mill, where he learned much about steam machinery, and also supplemented his knowledge thus acquired by extensive reading on the subject. At the early age of fifteen, he was intrusted to run the engine. At the age of eighteen, he was married, Miss Sarah Barkhammer, of Summit County, Ohio, becoming his wife, September 15, 1858.
Mr. Tagg enlisted in Company K, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, as Chief Bugler, August 28, 1861. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Land- ing, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, was with Sherman from Cleveland, Tenn., to Jonesboro, and participated in the battle of Atlanta. After three years and two months of service, he was honorably discharged, having proved a competent and faithful soldier, loyal to the cause under whose banner he enlisted.
After his return from the army, Mr. Tagg was employed in Doylestown, Ohio, for seven and a half years, as chief machinist in a steam saw and flour mill, after which he was employed for two and a half years in the machine shops of the same place, his work being to repair engines. In 1877, he removed to Lilly Chapel, where he ran a saw- mill for his mother. Three years were spent in that place, after which Mr. Tagg became a resident of Columbus, and traveled on the road, selling and putting up engines for the Columbus Machine Company. After a year he returned to Lilly Chapel, and again had charge of his mother's mill for several years. He then put in an engine for J. T. Walters, of Mt. Sterling, who employed him as engineer. While operating his mother's mill, he had purchased and set up several engines in the vicinity. He is one of the best skilled mechanies, especially in repairing steam engines, in this region. He has now been in the employ of Mr. Walters for two years, and his services have proved highly acceptable.
In politics, Mr. Tagg is a Republican, and is a prominent member of the Methodist Church. Ile
was organist for several years at Lilly Chapel, and has also been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Society, has taken the Rebekah Degree, is a Master Mason, and a member of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. He owns property in Lilly Chapel, including two houses and eight acres of land.
b ON. HARRY M. DAUGHERTY, junior member of the law firm of Maynard & Daugherty, is a native of Fayette County, having been born in Washington C. H., .January 26, 1860. lle is a son of dohm II. and Jane A. Daugherty, the father being born in Zanesville, Ohio, and the mother in Washington C. H. Granfather Daugherty hailed from Ireland.
The original of this sketch has one brother, Mally S. Daugherty, who is at present residing in this city. The father died when Harry M. was a lad of four years, but his mother, who is still hv- ing, makes her home in Washington C. II. He of whom we write was given a good education in the schools of his native place and later attending the Michigan University, was graduated from the law department of that institution with the Class of '81. He immediately began the practice of his profession in this city and in 1881 formed a partnership with Col. Il. B. Maynard. They have had a large and paying practice from the outset and have gained the esteem of the most eminent men in the State, who are proud to claim them as friends and associates.
The maternal grandfather of our subjeet, Miea- jah Draper, was one of the early settlers in this county and departed this life in 1889, leaving a comfortable fortune. He was a thoroughly hon- est and much-respected citizen and during his life held many offices of trust in this township, being keenly alive to matters of public importance. Ilis business was that of a farmer and grain merchant, in which he was more than ordinarily successful.
Harry M. Daugherty is an active member of the Republican party, on which ticket he was elected Township Clerk in 1882 and a member of the City
488
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Council two years later. He was a member of the State Central Committee for the years 1890 and 1891, also has served as Chairman and Secretary of the Republican Central and Executive Com- mittec of the county and in 1889 was elected to the Legislature and re-elected to a second term in 1891. Ile was chairman of the famous caucas which organized the House of Representatives during the great Senatorial fight between Sherman and Foraker. He is serving at the present time as Chairman of the Committee on Corporations in the House and also as a member of numerous judi- ciary committees. He has acquired a wide-spread fame as a lawyer and is a man, who, unless the tension is made too tight, will find a work that will broaden as the years pass by.
In September, 1884, Miss Lucy M. Walker and our subject were united in marriage. Mrs. Daugh- erty was born in February, 1860, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children, Emily Belle and Draper M., aged re- spectively six and three years.
H
LBERT W. WILSON. Madison County is the home of a large number of enter- prising and progressive farmers whose estates add attractiveness to the landscape, being marked by first-class improvements, and the air of order and thrift which gives one unac- qainted with farm life a good idea of the value of rural property. Canaan Township has her share of these well-regulated farms, one of which is owned by Albert W. Wilson, and comprises one thousand acres of finely cultivated land. Although young in years, he has good standing among those of his own calling and in all business circles is held in high repute.
Alexander Wilson, the father of our subject, was born in this county, February 22, 1831, and in 1854 married Miss Martha J. Millikin. He was one of the extensive land-owners in this section, having by industry and good business investments accumulated an estate of three thousand acres.
The mother was the daughter of Daniel Millikin, and was born in 1829, in Washington County, Pa. Our subject was the youngest child in the parental family of four children, the others being Henry C., whose sketch will be found on another page of this work; Lavina, Mrs. William E. White; and Grant, who died in infancy.
The original of this sketch was born in Jefferson Township, January 17, 1871, and there resided until he attained his majority. He was given an excellent education, finishing his studies in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. When establishing a home of his own, Mr. Wilson was married, November 4, 1891, to Miss Winnie, daugh- ter of Columbus and Mary Huddle. His place is adorned with first-class buildings of every descrip- tion and he may be justly looked upon as one of the rising young business men of Madison County.
Elsewhere in this volume may be found a view of the attractive home of Mr. Wilson.
G
R. DAVID H. VARIAN, who is engaged in the manufacture of various medicines in Mt. Sterling, was born March 22, 1828, in Gallia County, Ohio, and is a son of Lem- uel W. and Roxana (Griffith) Varian, both natives of New York. In their childhood they had come to Ohio, where the father learned the cooper's trade. Immediately after their marriage they settled upon a farm and there our subject was born and reared, his time being passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He acquired his education by attendance at the common schools during the winter season and in a select school in Porter, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one, he began teaching, and followed that profession for twelve years. During that time he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet C. Brown, the wedding being celebrated August 16, 1855.
Dr. Varian's next venture was in carpenter work and while thus engaged he began reading medicine and became interested in the part that the vege- table kingdom plays in this science. He became in- terested in this line, began experimenting in the use of plants as medicines, and from doctoring
סטפס ץ
THRESHING SCENE ON WILSON ESTATE.
TENANT HOUSE & HAYSHED.
DARBY PLAINS FARM" RES. OF A. W. WILSON, CANAAN TP., MADISON CO., O.
»
491
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his own family, his practice gradually extended to his neighbors. In 1879, he entered the drug trade in Coalton, Jackson County, and also began the manufacture of his medicines and doing office practice. Subsequently, he removed to Gallia County, where he remained for eighteen months. Ilis labors resulted in the discovery of the Infallible Neuralgia Cure. He then com- pounded his famous Stomach Bitters for the stom- ach and liver and afterward his liniment for pain and inflammation. Ile also discovered the Prickly Ash and Wintergreen for chronic rheuma- tism. In September, 1891, Dr. Varian came to Mt. Sterling and established a manufactory for making his medicines. Ile prints all of his own bills, and is doing a good business, keeping several teams on the road. His discoveries have proved of great importance, as many would attest.
Unto Doctor and Mrs. Varian have been born the following children: Truman W., who was born in Porter, Ohio, June 29, 1856, inherited musical talent from both his parents. Ile became a pupil in Mount Union Conservatory of Music, and has great skill in this art. He has been connected with the Reform School in Lancaster, Ohio, as editor of the School Journal, having served an apprenticeship as a printer between the ages of thirteen and eigh- teen years. He was afterwards an officer and teacher in the Reform School in Topeka, Kan., for sixteen months and from there came to Mt. Sterling to take charge of his father's business. He was married October 17, 1880, to Miss Nora Graves, who died in Columbus, Ohio, in 1887, leaving two daughters, Edith and Annie. He was again married, January 1, 1890, his second union being with Anna Mithoff, who was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, in 1864. The second child of the family, Wellman T., who is engaged in fruit growing in Stark County, is married and has one child. Mrs. Linne IIoffman resides in Dayton, Ohio. Everett E. B. is a book-keeper of Columbus, and Mrs. Harriet Redding makes her home in Ore- gon, N. M.
Dr. Varian is a Democrat in politics, having sup- ported that party since he cast first vote in 1852. He has held various local offices, having served as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Constable,
and he was the first Mayor of Coalton, Ohio. So- cially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' society. He has a wide acquaintance in this community, although he has resided here but a short time, and is highly esteemed.
ENRY RUNKLE, who is of the oldest pio- neer stock of Ohio, and was born in Perry County, May 29, 1828, has developed a val- nable farm in Walnut Township that is well tilled, well drained and very productive, and has thus materially aided in advancing the growth of Pickaway County. Our subject is a son of Daniel Runkle, who came to Ohio with his parents, who were early settlers of Perry County, coming to this State from Virginia, where their son had been born in 1802. Ile grew up amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Perry County, and in the early days of the settlement of Pickaway County he came here to cast in his for- tunes with the pioneers of this section, becoming one of the original settlers of Walnut Township. Ile took up a tract of new land, and by hard labor transformed it into a goodly farm, and here his long life was brought to a close in May, 1887, and thus departed one who had held an honorable rank among the pioneers who founded the county. Ilis first wife, Elizabeth Kroninger, was a native of Pickaway County. After her death, he married again, and the following of his children survive: Henry. Abraham, Levi, Noah, George; Christina, wife of David Adkins; and Mary, wife of Solomon Yantis.
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.