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 58
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 58
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 58
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Henry Runkle had a full experience of pioncer life, with its privations and hardships, and with its compensations withal, during his boyhood, his growth being commensurate with the growth of his native township, in which he has always dwelt. As soon as large enough, he had to help his father fell the huge old forest trees that covered his land, and to prepare the soil for cultivation, and while yet quite young he became well posted in farming. He went to school in a log cabin, in which slabs served for seats, and a board placed on
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wooden pins that were driven into the wall did duty as a writing-desk. In time, he became an in- dependent farmer, and has placed his one hundred and fifty-two acres of land in a fine condition. He has erected a good class of buildings, has put in tiling for drainage to the value of $1,600 and has modern machinery for every needed pur- pose.
Our subject's wife, to whom he was married, Sep- tember 15, 1853, has afforded him much assistance in the making of their cozy home, over which she presides with true hospitality. Her maiden name was Saloma HIall. She was born March 20, 1834, and is a sister of Peter HIall, of Madison Town- ship, in whose biography mention is made of her parental history. These five of the seven children born to her and our subject are living: Alice, wife of Ilenry Hulse; Albert, David, William and Ephraim. Peter and Benjamin are dead.
Mr. Runkle is one of our self-made men, and all the property that he acquired is the result of his patient labors, seconded by thrifty management and the faenlty of judging correctly. He is ex- emplary in his habits and conduct, acting in ac- cordance with true Christian principles, and in him and his estimable wife the Lutheran Church has two of its most zealous members. His political sentiments he seems to have inherited in a degree from his father, and, like him, he stands firmly by the Democratic party.
E DWARD SMITHI, one of the prominent and wealthy citizens of Pickaway County, re- sides in Circleville. He was born in County Down, Ireland, in September, 1826. His father, Patrick Smith, was a native of the same county, and about 1827 emigrated to Canada, locating in Toronto, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1831. Ile married Rose Anna Me Quinn, also a native of County Down, Ireland. After her husband's death, she supported her fam- ily, and by her carefnl training, cherished in her boys those habits of industry and self-reliance
which became the basis of their fortune. In 1836, she married Bernard Riley, who was also a native of Ireland. He proved a true father to his step- sons, who remained with him until his death in 1850. In 1838, they removed to Lockport, N. Y., where they remained until June, 1840, and then came to Circleville, Mr. Riley engaging in farming. His wife made her home in this city until her death in 1877, at the age of seventy-six years. By her first marriage she had three children: Edward; Patrick, who died in Toronto; and Joseph P., who is represented elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Smith, of this sketch, attended school in Toronto until 1838, after which he worked in the shops on the Erie Canal, near Lockport, N. Y., and attended school in the winter. With the family he came to Circleville, and was employed on the farm of Thomas Huston for two years. Ile re- mained at home during the greater part of the time until his step-father's death. He was largely en- gaged in raising broom-corn and in general farming. Soon after Mr. Riley's death, in company with his brother, he purchased all his personal property at public sale, and then rented land of Thomas Hus- ton, which they cultivated on shares for one sea- son. In November, 1850, Mr. Smith went with the Eaton brothers, who were then engaged in iron mining, to Northern Michigan, taking with him four horses. Ile staid in the mines until February 1, 1851, when he sold his horses to his employers, and, with two other young men, started on snow- shoes for the lower part of Green Bay. They camped out every night for a week, sleeping in snow dugouts, and on reaching Green Bay, walked on the ice to Green Bay City. Much of the re- maining distance was accomplished by stage and rail from Michigan City. In the latter part of February, he reached Circleville, having been three weeks in making the trip. He then made arrange- ments to engage in farming with his brother. In the fall of 1851, George Chrysler, of Lockport, N. Y., came West to engage parties to raise broom- corn for him. He was referred to the Smith broth- ers, who entered into a contract to supply him with corn from two hundred acres of land. A farm of that size they rented, and the first crop amounted to over seventy tons. This was the be-
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ginning of their successful career in the broom-corn business, which has not only brought wealth into the coffers of our subject, but has kept want from the door of many an industrious man. Since that time, the Smith brothers have planted each year from six hundred to eight hundred acres in broom- corn.
In February, 1855, in this city, Mr. Smith led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah A. Lynch, who was born near Gettysburg, Pa., and is a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Sharkey) Lynch, who came to Ohio in 1841. Her father was a native of the Emerald Isle, her mother of the Keystone State. Seven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith, four of whom are yet living: Elizabeth; Joseph S., the most extensive breeder of thorough-bred horses in the county; and Edward E. and James I., who are engaged in the manufacture of corn-meal for export trade, their mill having a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels daily.
In connection with his other business, Mr. Smith is interested in mining in Colorado. Ile is a Di- rector of the Emmett Mine in Leadville, and also of the Ohio Mining Company in Georgetown, Colo. Ilis landed possessions now aggregate twelve hun- dred acres, and, with the exception of a quarter- section, all is situated within, or adjoins the cor- poration limits, of Circleville. The land is all improved with fine buildings, and the income de- rived therefrom makes Mr. Smith one of the sub- stantial citizens of the community. He also owns considerable real estate in the city, mcluding a half-interest in the Lynch & Smith Block, and a half-interest in the Pickaway House. His own resi- dence was built in 1862. It is a commodions and elegant frame dwelling, and the grounds, beauti- fully laid out and adorned with evergreens, are hardly to be surpassed. He has done much for the upbuilding of the city and county, was the largest stockholder from Pickaway County in the Scioto Valley Railroad Company, in which he served as a Director, and it was through his influence that the road was secured. He is a Director in the First National Bank, and a stockholder in the Third National Bank.
In politics, Mr. Smith was a Whig, then sup- ported the Republican party from the time of Lin-
coln to Grant's second term. In 1872, he voted for Ilorace Greeley, and since that time has been a Democrat. He has served three terms as Town- ship Clerk, and has been a member of the City Council from the Third Ward continuously since 1872. He was President of the Council for more than twelve years, and is its oldest member. Ile has been a leading member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, has contributed liberally to its support, and donated the grounds upon which the house of worship was erected. His success in life has been most marked, and has all been acquired through his own efforts, for which he certainly deserves much credit.
S AMUEL C. ROBERTS, M. D. Prominent among the physicians and surgeons of Washington C. II., is this gentleman, who has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Fayette County for the past twenty years, although he has resided in this city only ten years of the time. Ile is well known as a member of the United States Examining Pension Board, having been appointed to that position under President Harrison. In the Fayette County Med- ical Society, his opinion has considerable weight, and his influence is ever in behalf of the advance- ment of the profession which he ably represents.
In 1688, about the period of the English Revo- lution, three brothers, John, Henry, and James Roberts, emigrated from South Wales to the Col- ony of Virginia, and the son of the first-named brother, William by name, was the great-grand- father of our subject. The sixth of his eight sons was William, who was born in Cuipeper County, Va., in 1762, and was a cousin of Gen. Andrew Jackson. During the war for American Independ- ence, he enlisted in the service of the Colonies, and at the close of the war held a Captain's commis- sion. Ile married Miss Hannah Fink, and their marriage certificate, dated March 26, 1787, is now in the possession of our subject, a highly-prized heirloom.
Grandfather Roberts and his wife removed to
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Ross County, Ohio, in 1798, and located twelve miles east of Chillicothe, on the Kinnickinnick Creek, entering a farm from the Government and there remaining until 1835, when both passed away from earth. Their children numbered twelve, and the tenth child was Isaac, who was born on the old homestead September 3, 1804. He was mar- ried to Mercy Chedister December 22, 1825, and unto them were born thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy. S. C. of this sketch was the third child, and was born August 31, 1832; the others are: William E., Wilmeth A. Barnes, Mar- garet, Harriet E., Anna M. Miller, Jacob U., James D., Isaac A, and Laura J.
Our subject was born in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, August 31, 1832. Ile received a common-school education, after which he con- tinned his literary studies alone. He read medi- cine for five years with Dr. James D. Miller, for- merly of Bainbridge, now of Chillicothe, and afterward took two courses of medical lectures at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, graduating with the highest honors February 17, 1853. In the fall of the same year, he located at Sinking Spring, Highland County, Ohio, where he remained until April, 1855, and then removed to Bainbridge, Ross County. In that place he con- tinued his practice until 1871, when he removed to a farm in Concord Township, Fayette County, which was unimproved at the time of purchase and on which he spent $20,000 in improvements. At that beautiful place, surrounded by every comfort that conduces to the pleasures of life, he resided for ten years, meanwhile devoting his at- tention to his practice.
In raising blooded stock, Dr. Roberts became greatly interested, and especially in Short-horn cattle. He sold a heifer for $1,500, which was the highest price that had up to that time been paid for a yearling heifer in the State of Ohio. He was also interested in imported Berkshire hogs, and his were among the finest ever brought to Fayette County. Thus he not only made a profitable spec- ulation for himself, but greatly improved the gen- eral stock of the county. In 1882, he sold the farm and came to Washington C. H., where he has been in active practice ever since, retaining his practice
in the neighborhood of his former residence, besides gaining a large number of patients in the city. It is said that he made the largest broom-corn sale ever made at one time, selling one hundred tons for $15,000 at one sale in 1874. He has an elegant brick residence on the corner of Market and Lewis Streets and Columbia Avenue, and also owns the fine brick house on the adjoining lot.
Soon after he graduated from Starling Medical College, Dr. Roberts was married, May 10, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Bowen, of Bainbridge, this State, and the happy wedded life was terminated July 4, 1877, when the devoted wife passed from earth. The six children who survived her were as follows: Anna M., born April 16, 1854; Charles L., Jan- uary 23, 1860; Frank K., April 8, 1864; John I., born December 4, 1866 and died April 1, 1883; Margaret A., born September 18, 1869; and Sam- nel C., March 31, 1872. The eldest daughter, Anna M., died March 29, 1881, after a lingering illness from consumption. She was a highly culti- vated lady and had unusual talent as an artist, be- sides having received a collegiate education at Delaware, Ohio. Every room in the beautiful home bears indications of her artistic skill, and her memory is almost worshipped by her father.
The second marriage of Dr. Roberts united him with Miss Mary E., daughter of Elihu Hogan, of Lexington, Ky. Her father was a man of promi- nence in the Blue Grass State, was Mayor of Lex- ington and represented his district in both the House and Senate. Mrs. Roberts was born in Lex- ington, June 2, 1845, and received her education in Lexington and in New Orleans, whither her father had removed. The members of the family are attendants at, and supporters of, the Presby- terian Church, with which Mrs. Roberts and Miss Maggie are identified.
W ASHINGTON T. HEWITT is the senior member of the firm of Hewitt Bros., of Midway, Madison County, dealers in gen- eral merchandise. He embarked in business in this line in the spring of 1867, and has since carried
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on operations as a general merchant. Ilis brother became a member of the firm in 1871. They are doing a good business, which has constantly in- creased from the beginning, their fair dealing and courteous treatment of their customers having won them a liberal patronage.
Mr. Hewitt was born near New Petersburgh, Highland County, Ohio, March 16, 1840, and is a son of Addison P. and Hettie (Taylor) Hewitt. His father was a farmer, and removed to Franklin County, near Shadesville, Ohio, when our subject was about fifteen years old. The father was a pros- perous farmer, but in 1840 met with financial re- verses, resulting from the panic of 1837. He was a well-read man, and prominent, and took an act- ive part in the Methodist Church. He gave lib- erally to its support, and to other philanthropic enterprises. In polities, he was a Republican. The family numbered ten children, one of whom died at the age of seven years. The others are all yet living, and are doing well in life. There is but one sister, Mrs. Mary Deckart, of Commercial Point, who has one son and four daughters. William L. is a farmer residing near Darbyville; Daniel D. follows farming near Darbyville; Ilenry Il. is a school teacher of California; Washington is the next younger; Addison P. is a partner of our sub- ject, and resides in Midway; James Q. is a farmer of Pickaway County; Andrew A., twin brother, to James, is a dealer m agricultural implements in Mt. Sterling, and Allen O. is a machinist at Cin- cinnati.
Our subject acquired a good education, and was reared on his father's farm. In the spring of 1865, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and served as guard at Martinsburgh, Va., White House Landing and City Point. He was in the hospital on account of a sun-stroke received at Bermuda Hundred. In the fall he received his discharge and returned home; but for two years was unable to engage in manual labor, on account of ill health. He weighed only seventy-two pounds when he returned from the army. He then engaged in the fire-insurance bus- iness, which gave him a chance to travel, and bene- fited his health so that he afterwards weighed two hundred pounds. For two years he was an
insurance agent, and then embarked in his present business.
Mr. Hewitt was married on the 30th of March, 1871, Miss Louisa M. Groves becoming his wife. She was born in Piqua, Ohio, March 2, 1818, and is a daughter of William D. and Ellen (Minshall) Groves. Three children have been born unto them: Carl, born in 1877; Frank, born in 1880 and Pal- mer, born on the 7th of February, 1882. All were born in Midway. The family holds a high posi- tion in social circles, and are esteemed citizens of the community. Mr. Hewitt has been a stalwart Republican since he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Ile has served as a dele- gate to the county and congressional conventions. has been Corporation Treasurer, a member of the School Board, and served on the Council. Ile is a prominent Mason, having taken the Thirty-second Degree.
ARTIN M. SLAUGHTER was born in Stokes Township, Madison County, August 21, 1861, and devotes his entire time and attention to the cultivation of the soil, raising thoroughbred roadsters. He possesses those qualifications of the mind which are essential to success in business, and is recognized as a man of ability, who occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
The parents of our subject, Reuben and Matilda (Denton) Slaughter, were natives, respectively, of Highland and Madison Counties, this State. The husband and father departed this life in June, 1882, leaving a family, of whom we make the following mention: John, the eldest, died at the age of twenty years; Reuben is a farmer and makes his home in Stokes Township, Madison County; Drueilla passed to the land beyond in her fifteenth year; James also is living in Stokes Township; Martin M., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth, and Sydney married D. C. Badger, a lawyer of London.
Martin M. Slaughter was reared on the home farm and began doing for himself upon reaching
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his majority, by operating a farm and investing in stock. June 5, 1889, he was married to Miss Mary P. Pancake, of Stokes Township, where her birth occurred, January 5, 1870. Mrs. Slaughter was the daughter of John and Ceralda (Paullin) Pancake, a most estimable lady, who has borne her husband one daughter, Jessie Hannah, who was born March 13, 1890. Soon after his marriage, our sub- ject located on the farm which is his present abid- ing-place, and erected a residence which cost $3,000. His estate comprises two hundred and eighty acres, which he has under thorough cultivation, and which ranks among the best to be found in the township, and sixty acres in Stokes Township. He engages quite extensively in breeding stock, and in all that he undertakes shows qualities of per- severance and determination which insure him success. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, cast- ing his first Presidential vote for Cleveland, in 1884. He has been sent as a delegate to county conventions, and is quite influential in the ranks of his party in this portion of the State.
NDREW ROBINSON BOLIN is recognized as one of the leading members of the Pickaway County Bar. He resides in Cir- cleville, where he has engaged in the prac- tice of law since 1873. Ile was born in this city in 1849. The Bolin family is of French-Irish descent, and the name was changed from Boleyn to Bolen and afterward the present form was assumed. The grandfather of our subject, John Bolin, was a na- tive of Ireland and emigrated to Martinsburgh, Va., in the early part of the present century. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Norfolk, Va., while in the service.
John Bolin, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Martinsburgh, Va., in 1807, learned the carpenter's trade in his native State, and for some years before he went West was an overseer on his uncle's plantation. He wedded Mary A. Brannon, who was born in Martinsburgh in 1809. Her parents died when she was quite small and she was reared
by an uncle. About a year after his marriage, Mr. Bolin brought his wife to Ohio, in 1834. His mother came a few years later and made her home with him until her death. He first settled in Jack- son Township and afterward located in Circleville, where he engaged in contracting and building. Subsequently, he operated a farm in Monroe Town- ship and later engaged in hotel-keeping. About 1875, he removed to Harrisburgh, Franklin County, where he purchased and carried on an hotel until his death in 1887. He was a Democrat and took an active interest in political affairs but did not aspire to office. His wife passed away in 1862. They had a family of seven children. William E., who died June 28, 1890, was a prominent farmer and grain dealer. Ile served as County Sheriff two terins, was a Director of the County Infirmary sev- eral years, was Mayor of the city, and Superinten- dent of the water-works. He was a very prominent and public-spirited man who bore a leading part in the upbuilding of the community. James R. died in Columbus in 1890; Mrs. Emily E. Hazwell resides in Circleville; Mary and Susan are both deceased; George W. is a veterinary surgeon of Washington, Ind. Our subject completes the family. He began life for himself at the age of twelve years, and being ambitious to secure an education, bent all his en- ergies in that direction. He completed the public- school course of Circleville at the age of seventeen, after which he engaged in teaching for a short time and in 1867, at the age of twenty, entered Miami University at Oxford, from which he was gradu- ated in 1871 with the degree of A. B., carrying off the honors of the Class. The institution has since conferred upon him the degree of A. M.
On the 8th of April, 1875, Mr. Bolin married Miss Sophronia Rector, daughter of Edward and Sophronia (Blodgett) Rector. Her father was a nephew of Edward Tiffin, the first Governor of Ohio, whom he much resembled. By his uncle, he was brought from Virginia to Ohio in 1798, at which time there were but three cabins in Chilli- cothe. He became one of the earliest and most respected pioneers of Pickaway County and a large land-owner. The lady whom he married came to the county from Plymouth, N. II., in 1837, to en- gage in school teaching. Three children have been
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born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bolin: Stuart, born in 1878; Nellie, who died in July, 1888, at the age of four years; Mabel, born in 1889.
Mr. Bolin chose the law as a profession and stud- ied in the office of Judge Joseph Olds, now of Col- umbus, also of Henry F. Page, and in October, 1872, entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1873, with the degree of LL. B. He immediately began practice in Circleville among the friends of his early life who knew his integrity and natural ability. He was not long in attaining prominence, and his practice has since extended to the adjoining counties and to the Supreme Court of the United States. He figured prominently in the Thomas Brown will ease, in which he sus- tained the will, covering $300,000 worth of prop- erty, and the famous McArthur will case, in which was engaged a large array of the leading talent of the State. He was also on the case of Bond versus Renick, and has been successful on many impor- tant criminal cases.
Mr. Bolin was candidate of his district for Pres- idential Elector in 1880, on the Hancock ticket. In 1888, he was chosen by the Democratic party to make the race for Congress against Gen. R. P. Kennedy. At the previous election the Republican majority was four thousand and twenty-five, but Mr. Bolin eut it down to thirty-two hundred and seventy, his great personal popularity winning him many votes. Ile has been an indefatigable worker for his party and in 1888 canvassed Indiana as well as his own State, making fifty speeches in all. Mr. Bolin has been President of the Board of City School Examiners for the greater part of the time during seventeen years. He is Past Master of the Blue Lodge, High Priest of the Chapter, and Emi- nent Commander of the Sciota Commandery, K. T., of Circleville, and has been delegate and representative to the Grand Lodge. His wife, a most estimable lady, is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church.
As a lawyer, Mr. Bolin is diligent and careful in the preparation of his cases, but his peculiar strength lies in his power of argument, his keen perception and fluent use of language. He poss- esses to a great degree natural grace and re- finement of disposition. He is affable and pleas-
ant, but never compromises his dignity as a gen- tleman. Ile is also an excellent conversationalist, well informed on all topics of general interest, and therefore popular.
R. J. G. SMITH. Although young in years, our subjeet has every prospect of becoming one of the foremost professional men of Pickaway County, for he has won quite a reputa- tion already as a practitioner of the "healing art." He possesses advanced ideas and progressive prin- eiples regarding his profession, and is gifted with a full share of the sterling characteristics of the native Kentuckian.
Our subject's birth occurred in Elizabethtown. Hardin County, Ky., on the 12th of January, 1866, and he was the eldest of three children born to Albertus and Mary E. (Gardner) Smith. Grandfather Jacob G. Smith, after whom our sub- ject was named, was born in Hagerstown, Md., and was a shoemaker by trade. He left his native State and crossed the mountains on foot to Ohio, where he followed his trade for many years. He died in 1891, when seventy-four years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Smith, is still living and makes her home with our subject. The grandfather was a quiet, unassuming man, and strictly temperate. His ancestors came from Germany to Virginia and thenee to Maryland. Our subject's maternal grandfather, the Hon. George Il. Gardner, was born in the Blue Grass State, but came from Virginia stock. He was a well-to-do pioneer of Kentucky and held many prominent positions in that State. He was a member of the State Legislature, was also Sheriff and Judge, and he died there, one of the most prominent men of the county. He was a strong Presbyterian in his religious views.
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