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 61
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 61
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 61
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S AMUEL W. BENNETT, whose farm in Monroe Township was reclaimed from the primeval forests by his father, Samuel J. Bennett, represents one of the early pio- neer families of this State, and he is a fine type of the native-born sons of Pickaway County, whose agricultural interests he promotes by his progres- sive modes of farming. He was born on the old homestead on which he lives, December 11, 1851. His father, who was a native of Ross County, was a son of John Bennett, who was born in Delaware, was of English ancestry, and was a farmer by oc- cupation. In the early part of the century, he came to Ohio, and made settlement in the forests of Ross County, where he bought a small tract of land, upon which he built a log cabin for a dwell- ing. Ile and his wife reared a large family, and in the fullness of time passed away from the scenes of their pioneer labors, his death occurring when he was seventy or more years old, and her's at the age of ninety-seven years, nine months and four- teen days.
The father of our subjeet grew to a stal wart man- hood in his native county, and in 1834 he was there married to Rebecca Hopkins, who was also
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born in Ross County, her birthplace lying on the shores of Big Paint Creek. Her parents, who lived to be very old, were among thie early settlers of that county. These ten children were born to the Bennetts: Sarah A. (Mrs. Taylor), Mary A. (Mrs. Taylor), Jane (Mrs. Barnhart, now deceased), Will K., Mahala (Mrs. Chittem), Naney (Mrs. Cork- well, Samuel W., Fanny (Mrs. Barnhart), Rhoda (Mrs. Ensley), and Elnora (Mrs. Toben). The mother is still living, at the age of seventy-five, and bears her years well, still being active and re- taining her faculties undimmed by the ravages of time. Nearly all her life she has been a member of the Methodist Church, and she is an exemplary Christian.
After marriage, Mr. Bennett came here to settle, and bought a tract of timber land, which is the old homestead occupied by our subject. He had to cut down the trees to make room to build a log cabin, which was the regulation pioneer dwelling, with its puncheon floor, open fireplace and rude home-made furnishings, and in that humble abode he and his wife commenced housekeeping. The country around was an almost unbroken wil- derness, with but very few settlements, a log cabin here and there along Deer Creek marking the home of some venturesome pioneer. Wild game of all kinds was abundant, and venison and wild turkey furnished agreeable additions to the somewhat lim- ited bill of fare of the settlers. The father of our subject was very diligent, worked hard to clear and develop his farm, and was well rewarded for his labors by the substantial competency that he acquired. He died lamented at the end of an up- right, honorable life of sixty-five years. He was of a truly religious nature, and took an active part in the upbuilding of the Methodist Church at Yankeetown, to which he belonged. In politics, he was a Whig, until after the Republican party was formed, and from that time he gave the Re- publican cause his firm support.
Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and early acquired a knowledge of agriculture in all its branches, that has been of good service to him. He was educated in the district schools, and the first that he attended was held in a log house, that was rudely furnished with slab benches that
were held up by wooden pins. At the youthful age of nineteen, he entered in earnest upon his life- work, and has farmed the old home place ever since. He has here three hundred and fifty-eight acres, all under cultivation, and very thoroughly drained with tiles. He conducts mixed farming, and besides raising one hundred acres of grain each year, has his farm well stocked with cattle, horses and hogs of the most approved grades.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Robison, a native of Mt. Sterling, Madison County, was solemnized August 26, 1874. Their pleasant home circle is completed by their two daughters, Lillis E. and Bertha M. Both have been well edu- cated, and the former, who has a talent for music, is an accomplished pianist. Mrs. Bennett is a woman of fine disposition and character, whose in- fluence for good is felt by all who come in contact with her. She and her daughters are members of the Methodist Church, and are prominent in its every good work. Mr. Bennett is a liberal-minded, open-handed man, who stands well in financial cir- eles, and with his neighbors and fellow-citizens in general. His political sentiments are decidedly of the Republican order, and he is a stalwart ad vocate of the principles of his party.
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W ESLEY DAVIS, a prosperous merchant of Williamsport, Deer Creek Township, Pick- away County, is a native-born citizen of this place. He was born October 28, 1839, and is a son of William and Mary (Funk) Davis, na- tives of Virginia, who removed to Ohio in 1806. Wesley's father was a farmer by occupation, and came of a long-lived race.
Our subject received his education in the com- mon school, and, at the early age of fifteen years, commenced in life for himself by working on a farm by the month, which he followed until May 30, 1861. In that year, he enlisted in the Civil War, being the first volunteer from his town. He enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, served his time and was discharged August 23, 1863. After he returned home, he attempted to
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again enlist, but was refused, and went with the regiment as a sutler, remaining until the close of the conflict.
Mr. Davis again returned home May 1, 1865, and subsequently engaged in the merchandise business at Williamsport, in which line of business he has continued ever since. He has been twenty-two years in the same store, and has been very successful and prosperous in the business. The business con- sists of dry goods, hardware, groceries, queens- ware, boots, shoes, wall paper and clothing. Ile is the proprietor of two stores, one of which is de- voted almost exclusively to gents' furnishing goods. Mr. Davis has been a hard worker and began in life with but small capital, but he has wisely devoted his time and attention almost wholly to his business affairs.
This gentleman of whom we write took as his wife Miss Frances Leiby, a daughter of James Leiby, a native of Ohio. The ceremony took place at the home of the bride's parents in this place, July 15, 1865. Our subject is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and has taken the Thirty-second Degree. He is a member of the Town Council, and, in politics, affiliates with the Repub- lican party. He and his good wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of their town.
2 HOMAS K. PERDUE is City Engineer of Washington C. H., and is also engaged in the nursery business here. He is a son of Gresham and Abigail (Morse) Perdue, who were natives respectively of Bedford County, Va., and of Tuckerton, N. J., their parents being pioneers of this State. The father of our subject was born in 1790, and in 1813, in the opening years of a stalwart manhood, came to Ohio, and was one of the early settlers of Highland County, where he was variously engaged, principally in the nursery business, he being one of the pioneer fruitmen of the State. He was married after coming to Ohio, his wife's people having come here from New Jersey in 1825, and settled in Champaign County.
IIer father, Ephraim B. Morse, was a distant rela- tive of Phineas B. Morse, the great inventor of the telegraph.
Gresham Perdue was, in turn, a Whig, a Free- soiler and a Republican, and was in full sympathy with the anti-slavery cause, but his religions prin- ciples as a Friend forbade his taking up arms when war was declared. He died February 18, 1885, at the venerable age of ninety-five years, leaving behind him a noble record as a man emi- nently worthy of the respect and regard in which he was always held. He was the father of eight children, one by a former wife, Elizabeth Duke- minere. Five of these children are still living, our subject being the youngest. Gresham Perdue's second wife, the mother of our subject, passed away May 14, 1878, at a ripe old age.
Thomas K. Perdue was born July 30, 1838, in New Martinsburgh, this county (Fayette). He carly showed himself to be a good scholar, and he ac- quired an excellent education, whereby he was en- abled to teach in the public schools, in which he had obtained much of his learning, supplemented by reading and private study. He began teaching in 1860, and for twenty winters was closely engaged in the profession, winning a high reputation as an educator of more than average ability. During that time, he was also interested in the fruit busi- ness, in which he still continues, and has built up an extensive trade as one of the leading nursery men of Fayette County.
In 1880, Mr. Perdue was elected County Sur- veyor, a position for which he was well qualified, as he had learned surveying from his father and is an expert in that line. After his election, he removed to Washington C. H. to enter upon the duties of his office, which he held six years, and he still continued surveying after the expiration of his term. He was subsequently elected City Engineer of Washington C. II., and is serving his fourth year in that capacity, giving full satisfac- tion by his intelligent and faithful performance of the duties thus incumbent upon him. In the year 1883, he bought the place where he now lives in an attractive part of the city, and built a good frame house for the accommodation of him- self and family.
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To the lady who presides over his home and looks so well to the comfort as well as happiness of the household, Mr. Perdue was wedded April 30, 1868. Mrs. Perdue, formerly Jane M. Smith, was born in Pickaway County, February 24, 1847, and is a daughter of Isaac and Mary Smith, who were pioneers of that county, her father being a blacksmith. Her marriage with our subject has brought them nine children, all of whom are liv- ing, namely: Whittier, a civil engineer at Chi- cago; Miriam; Edith, who married Otis Conner and resides in Indianapolis; Alice; Morton, a civil engineer in Chicago; Homer; Lizzie; Helen and Gladys.
Our subject is an uncompromising Republican, and is well posted in regard to politics. For three years, he was Clerk of Perry Township, was 'Trustee for years, and was School Director for many terms, using his influence to secure the best possible educational advantages for the youth of the township. He has had a good deal to do with the County Infirmary, of which he was a Director six years. He and all his family are members of the Society of Friends at Martinsburgh. He is known by all as a man of unimpeachable integrity and sound honor.
W ILLIAM MILLIKAN, SR., is a member of the firm of William Millikan & Son, pub- lishers and proprietors of the Fayette County Weekly and Daily Herald. The latter paper has been published for the past six years and is the only daily in the county, while the weekly was the first Republican organ in Washington C. HI. They are both bright and newsy sheets and find their way into hundreds of homes throughout this section.
The Fayette County Herald was established in 1858 by our subject as a seven-column, four-page weekly, and continued to be of that size until Mr. Millikan built up a good circulation. In 1871, he associated with him as partner in the busi- ness his son, W. W. Millikan. The paper has been enlarged three different times, it now being a
seven-column, eight-page paper, and it is aiding ma- terially in forwarding the interests of this section. In December, 1885, they started the Daily Herald, which proved a success from the start, it being now a four-page, seven-column paper.
Our subject was born in Colerain Township, Ross County, this State, September 22, 1806, and is the son of John Millikan, who was born in North Carolina, where he grew to mature years. The father of our subject came to Ross County in 1804, where he was married to Miss Mary Wyatt. He was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812, and died in 1814, while in charge of British pris- oners at Chillicothe. Ile of whom we write re- ceived a good education in Delaware County, Ohio, whither the family had removed, and there found his first employment in the office of the Delaware Gazette. When quite a young man, he purchased a half-interest in the paper, his partner being Judge Ezra Griswold.
Selling out a few years later, Mr. Millikan re- moved to Marion and established The Western Galaxy, of which he was the publisher for four years. He then took up his abode at South Bend, Ind., and edited the Indiana Free Press, being joined a year or two later by his brother John, and here they continued in partnership for nine years, making a success of the venture. Our sub- ject then sold out to Schuyler Colfax, and, going to Kalamazoo, Mich., bought a half interest in the Kalamazoo Telegraph, which he managed for two years, when he went to La Porte, Ind., in company with his brother, having pur- chased of him a half-interest in the La Porte County Whig, which they published for nine years. Mr. Millikan then rested from his arduous labors for four years, and then, coming to Washington C. II., has been identified with the interests of this section since that time. Ile has followed the life of a printer since 1830, with the exception of the four years above mentioned, and has probably been in that line of business longer than any other man in the Buckeye State.
Mr. Millikan was twice elected on the Whig ticket to represent his district in the State Legis- lature from La Porte County, Ind., and while residing there also served as Mayor of the city of
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La Porte for one term. In the fall of 1875, he was elected to the Legislature from Fayette County, Ohio, and again elected to the same posi- tion in 1879, his last service being with the ses- sion of 1881. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Public Printing for four years, and was also a member of various other important committees. Ile served as a mem- ber of the School Board six years, over which body he presided as President one term.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1829 bore the name of Rachel Abbott. She departed this life in 1833, and Mr. Millikan was afterward married to Miss Amanda, daughter of Judge Homes, of Newark, Ohio. The wife and mother died in 1836, at South Bend, leaving a son and danghter: Charles A., of Marysville, Ohio, and Ann Eliza, the wife of E. E. Wood, an attorney of Cincinnati, residing at Avondale. The lady who became the third wife of Mr. Milli- kan was Emma Cleveland, of Elkhart County, Ind., and at her death left five children. Two have since died and there are living William W .; Emma. at home, and Evaline May, who is teach- ing stenography in the Lexington (Ky.) College. Ilis fourth wife was Mrs. Mary B. Bostwick, of Fayette County.
Mr. Millikan is a man of broad enlture and has filled wisely the editorial chair in this and other States. His son, William W., Jr., was born at South Bend, Ind., July 24, 1846. Ile received a good education in the common schools and later learned the trade of a printer from his father. Ile was married, in 1874, to Miss Nannie Smith, a native of New Lexington, Ohio, and the daughter of L. W. and Lydia Smith. To them have been been born three children, two of whom are living, Susie and Pauline. One son, Hugh, is deceased.
E LMER W. WELSHEIMER. Among the prominent residents of Washington C. H., there is perhaps no one more worthy of mention in this volume than our subject, who was elected to the position of County Treasurer in
1890. He is a native of this State, having been born in Ross County, October {, 1843, to William II. and Mahala ( Robbins) Welsheimer. The father was one of the pioneers of the above-named county and was reared to agricultural pursuits.
The original of this sketch was given a good education in the country schools of his district, and later attended the temple of learning at Bloomingburgh for two years. On the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted. in November, 1861, as a member of Company G, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry, and accompanied his regiment to West Virginia, where they were under the command of Gen. Rosecrans. Ile participated in the second battle of Bull Run in 1862, under Pope, in which conflict he was wounded. He later fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and soon after the last-named battle went south with Hooker to re-inforce Rosecrans. The com- pany of which he was a member arrived at Bridge- port October 28, 1863, and opened up the "cracker line" for Rosecrans. At that time, Col. Smith's brigade charged the enemy, who were stationed on Raceoon Mountain, in which battle Mr. Wel- sheimer was wounded, necessitating the amputa- tion of his foot fifteen days later. He was in the hospital at Nashville until the spring of 1864, at which time he returned home, having served his country bravely for a period of nearly three years.
Returning home from the war, our subject spent two and one-half years in school at Blooming- burgh, after which he launched out in the general merchandising business and continned so ocenpied until elected Clerk of the Court in 1875. He was the incumbent of that position for twelve years, and at the expiration of that time engaged in the grocery and insurance business. In 1889, Mr. Welsheimer was elected County Treasurer, but did not assume the duties of the office until September, 1890. At the expiration of his term, he was re- elected to the same office, which expires in Septem- ber, 1894. Ile has given general satisfaction to the people and fills the office in a most conscien- tious and efficient manner.
In 1869, Mr. Welsheimer and Miss Sarah, a danghter of Samuel Zimmerman, were united in
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marriage, and to them have been born three chil- dren, namely: Otis, who assists his father as County Treasurer, Olive and Lulu. In social matters, our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also connected with the John M. Bell Post, G, A. R. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.
OHN QUINCY ADAMS OLIVER, the Sec- retary and General Manager of the Scioto Machine Works, of Circleville, McEwing and Oliver, proprietors, is a leading business man of this place. He was born in Clinton County, N. Y., April 24, 1826, and is the only child of Rufus and Annie (Stark ) Oliver. The grandfather, Robert Oliver, was a native of New York and be- came a Vermont farmer. His last days, however, were spent in Clinton County, N. Y., where his death occurred at the age of fifty-eight years. He was of Scotch-Irish descent.
Rufus Oliver was born near Orwell, Rutland County, Vt. He served in the War of 1812. He engaged in farming in New York and married Miss Stark, who was born in Grand Isle County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Benajah and Mary (Sweet) Stark, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain State. Mr. Stark was a farmer by occu- pation and for a number of years prior to his death followed that business in Clinton County, N. Y. He was a relative of Gen. Stark, of Revolutionary fame. In 1833, Mr. Oliver removed with his family to Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, and purchased a farm of sixty acres at $4.50 per acre. His first home was a log cabin. In the spring of 1841, he removed to York Township in the same county and bought one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, which he transformed into a highly im- proved farm. In politics, he was a stanch Whig and was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He was quite a fine singer and served as a leader of the choir. His death occurred in 1862. His wife survived him some years and passed away at the advanced age of eighty-three.
Our subject spent his early boyhood days prior to his eighth year within a mile and a half of Lake
Champlain. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools, and he was early inured to the labors of the farm. Ile remained with his parents until their deaths. In 1855, he married Miss Rebecca Kimball, who was born in East Lyman, N. II., and was a daughter of Charlton and Mary Kim- ball, of Maine. Before her marriage, she engaged in school teaching. They began their domestic life upon the home farm, where the wife died a few years later. Mr. Oliver then left the farm and for ten years, including the period of the late war, was a dealer in pianos and organs in Medina, Ohio, and also engaged in teaching music. Early in life, he manifested great love for that art and had studied both vocal and instrumental music.
In June, 1877, Mr. Oliver wedded Mrs. Elizabeth S. Springer, widow of the Rev. Cornelius Springer, a Methodist Protestant minister, of Zanesville, Ohio. The following year they became residents of Circleville, and our subject purchased stock in the Scioto Machine Works, which were incorporated, he becoming their Secretary and a Director. That position he held until the works were closed. On the 3d of November, 1885, in company with Mr. McEwing, his present partner, he bought the works from the assignees and they have since carried on the business successfully. The Seioto Machine Works are the largest of the kind in the county. They have a forty-horse power engine and all the modern improvements. Their buildings cover an acre and a quarter and consist of two warehouses, a machine shop, foundry, blacksmith-shop, boiler-shop and engine rooms. They have furnished employment to from seventy-five to one hundred hands and man- nfacture portable and stationary engines, portable sawmills, gristmill machinery, cook, parlor and office stoves, fire fronts and grates, house fronts, and window caps. Their business is constantly in- creasing and has become one of the leading indus- tries of Circleville.
By his first marriage, Mr. Oliver had a family of five children, four of whom grew to mature years: De Witt C., who was engaged in the insurance business in Helena, Mont., lost his health and died in Circleville, in August, 1889, at the age of thirty- four; Angie M. is the wife of J. M. Wright, Prose- cuting Attorney of Lancaster, Fairfield County,
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I. E. Dresback
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Ohio; Annie is the wife of C. W. Botkin, proprie- tor of a music store in Columbus; Rebecca is liv- ing in Columbus; and Carrie Ida died in childhood.
For the past four years, Mr. Oliver has been en- gaged in teaching vocal music and also gives lessons on the violin. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is musical director of the choir and fills the office of Steward. In politics, he is a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and the Independent Order of Good Templars, in which he is a very active worker. He spent two months of the past winter in Lees- burgh, Fla. Mrs. Oliver owns two orange groves in that State. She is a very prominent temperance worker, being Vice-president of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union of Florida, where she makes her home through the winter. She has lectured in that State, in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York and New Jersey, and is prominently known among temperance workers throughout the States. She is also a regularly licensed minister of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Oliver is one of the prominent citizens of the community and his success in life is well deserved.
SAAC E. DREISBACII is one of the early set- tlers of Pickaway County, and an honored retired farmer now living in Circleville. IIe was born in East Buffalo Township, Union County. Pa., March 28, 1819, and is a son of the Rev. John Dreisbach, whose sketch appears in connection with that of Martin Dreisbach on another page of this work.
The gentleman whose portrait and biography we here present was reared to manhood in the Key- stone State, and at an early age became inured to the hard labors of the farm. On the emigration of the family to the West, he drove a team, and after twenty-one days of travel reached Pickaway County. The family settled on a farm and the boys engaged in its cultivation. Many of their evenings were devoted to study, and in this way our subject acquired his education. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and
then started out in life for himself, renting a farm for a few years.
On the 9th of February, 1811, in Waluut Town- ship, Mr. Dreisbach married Miss Lydia Hittel, who was born in Lehigh County, Pa., in 1821, a daugh- ter of John Hittel, who was a farmer of the Key- stone State. In 1831, he came with his family to Ohio, and settled upon a farm in Walnut Town- ship, where his death occurred two years later. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Kern, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Cir- cleville at the age of sixty-two years.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dreis- bach, namely: Mary, who is the wife of Prof. II. C. Smith, a music teacher of Naperville, Ill .; Benja- min F., who was graduated from the Northwestern College of Plainfield, III., is now farming in Cir- cleville Township, Pickaway County; Martha, who was graduated from the Northwestern College, is the wife of Lewis Earnest, of AAnderson County, Kan .; Rosalie is the wife of David Ludwig, of Pickaway County; the Rev. Charles, a graduate of the Northwestern College, of Naperville, III., is a farmer and a minister of the Evangelical Church of Frankfort, S. Dak .; Reuben is a farmer of Pick- away Township, Pickaway County; Emma is the wife of the Rev. T. W. Woodside, a missionary, who is now in Vilando, West Central Africa.
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