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 65

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894

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 65
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 65
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 65

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April 6, 1868, our subject and his brother John were confirmed by Rev. J. C. Schulze, and after the confirmation the former spent some time with his sister, Catherine, then Mrs. Johnson, mean- while receiving the advantages of the Canton pub- lie schools. When he was fourteen, his father bought and located upon Grandfather Daum's farm, and he, with his brother William, operated a farm belonging to the latter. When William married, our subject returned to the parental home. His father had previously died, leaving the farm ineumbered with debts, poor fences, rotten build- ings, and in such a condition as required great in- dustry to effect needed repairs. The deplorable condition. however, was not due to any negligence on the part of Mr. Schneider, Sr., for the farm had been neglected by Grandfather Daum for years.

When our subject's younger brother, Leonard, grew to manhood, there was not work enough on the farm to occupy the attention of all the sons, so Jacob was selected to learn a trade. After en- deavoring in vain to secure a place, he hired at length to a farmer, with whom he remained one year. Later, he secured work with a carpenter at fifty cents per day and board, but not having ae- quired the full vigor and strength of manhood, he

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over-exerted himself in lifting heavy oak timber and sustained injuries which prevented further arduous manual labor.

About that time, through the persuasions of Rev. A. Il. Feldman, our subject decided to enter the ministry, and through the kindness of that gentleman he was introduced to Prof. W. F. Leh- man, who was visiting at Canton, and who as- sisted him to be received as a part beneficiary in Capital University. In the fall of 1874, he went to Columbus, entered the college, and after five years' study, was graduated with his class, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Next our subject took a course in the theological seminary at Columbus, and after studying there two and one-half years, was called to Circleville as pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, accepting the pastorate of that church in December, 1881. January 28, 1882, he was duly ordained and in- stalled by Rev. D. Simon, assisted by Prof. Stellhorn, and here he has since remained, gaining a warm place in the affection of the parishioners, and en- larging and increasing the usefulness of the church. He was also the means of effecting the organiza- tion of a congregation in Jackson Township, for which he has done a noble work. In addition to other labors, he succeeded in raising the money for building the parochial school at a cost of $3,000. His congregation now numbers three hun- dred and twenty-five communicants, and the mem- bership increases every year. Ilis great capabili- ties and faithful work have not been unnoticed by other churches, and he has frequently been ealled to positions of greater prominence, but the mutual attachment existing between him and his people has always prevented the acceptance of other offers.

May 31, 1882, at Columbiana, Ohio, Rev. J. II. Schneider and Miss Anna Baesehler were united in marriage, the ceremony being performed by the bride's father, assisted by Rev. A. H. Feldman. They are the parents of three children: Eva, Har- vey and Sadie. In national polities, Mr. Schnei- der is a Democrat, and in his State political adher- ence has voted sometimes for the candidates of the Republican party. Ile is an admirer of Gov. Mckinley, whom he considers one of the able men

in the United States. In the synods of his de- nomination, many high honors have been con- ferred upon Mr. Schneider, and he is now serving as President of the English District of the Synod of Ohio, as well as Secretary of the Mission Board of the State Synod.

W ILLIAM THOMAS, one of the self-made men of Madison County, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Stokes Township, was born in Grayson County, W. Va., December 18, 1813, and is a son of Moses and Catherine (Williams) Thomas. His father was a native of North Carolina, and when a boy went to Virginia, where he met and married Miss Williams, a native of Grayson County. Our subject was the eighth of nine children who were born unto them in that county. With one excep- tion, all grew to mature years, but he has only one sister now living, Mrs. Nancy Huffman, of Stokes Township. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1823, locating in Fayette County, where the father leased two hundred acres of land and built a blacksmith shop. He worked at his trade while his sons operated the farm and there resided until his death.

Our subject was early inured to the hard labor of the farm and in his youth he also learned blacksmithing. At the age of twenty, he started out in life for himself, and soon afterward married Miss Lavina, daughter of William and Anna (Willis) Beauchamp. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, June 20, 1815, and they were married October 10, 1833. They began their domestic life upon a rented farm and five years later Mr. Thomas pur- chased one hundred and fifty-seven acres of wild land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or a tree ent. Ile built a log house of two rooms, and began the improvement of his farm, which is now under a high state of cultivation. A pleas- ant residence has long since replaced the cabin home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born thirteen children, and, with the exception of one who died

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at the age of five, all grew to manhood and woman- hood: Noah, now of London, who was born in Fayette County, August 1, 1834, served as County Auditor for a number of years, was Warden of the Ohio Penitentiary four years, and was appointed by Gov. Foster and by Gov. Foraker Superin- tendent of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home in Xenia, where he remained four years. Ile served three years in the late war and lost an arm at the battle of Cold Harbor. In politics, he is a Republican. IIe has been twice married and has five children. Moses, the second son, was born December 30, 1835, and owns a farm of one hundred acres in Stokes Township. He is married and has nine children. William Thomas, born December 11, 1837, is a graduate of Yellow Springs College. He served three years in the late war, was shot in the left leg at the battle of Petersburg and is now crippled. He gets a pension of $15. With his wife and three children he makes his home in Yel- low Springs. Jephtha, born November 27, 1839, was also one of the boys in blue. He died December 25, 1887, leaving five children. John Wesley, born January 22, 1843, died in August, 1885, leaving six children. Robert L., born April 29, 1845, is a farmer of Pocahontas County, Iowa, and by his marriage has four children. Huston, born October 19, 1849, resides on a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres in Stokes Township with his wife and two children. Jasper, born March 16, 1852, resides on the home farm. By his marriage he has four children. Elijah, born January 9, 1855, is an agriculturist of Stokes Township, and has one child. Oscar B., born Jan- uary 28, 1861, graduated from Yellow Springs College, engaged in teaching in that place for three years, and was graduated from the law school of Cincinnati. He is now attorney at London, Ohio. Sarah Catherine, born September 9, 1841, became the wife of Henry Huffman, and died in 1874, leaving three children. Mary Ann, born August 29, 1847, died at the age of five years. Florestine, born December 21, 1862, is the wife of William Blessing, and unto them was born a daughter March 3, 1889, Dott.

From time to time, Mr. Thomas extended the boundaries of his farm until he now owns three

hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land, which yields to him a golden tribute. Ile cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1810, supported John C. Fremont in 1856, and has since been a Republican. He served as Township Treasurer for six years but has never been an office-seeker. For forty years he has been a member of the Christian Church and his npright and well-spent life has been in harmony with his profession.

AMES S. SWEARINGEN, a representative and prominent young farmer of Pickaway County, was born in Jackson Township, August 19, 1857. His well-appointed farm of one hundred and eighty acres of land, which is a part of the old home place, is of historic interest in that it is a part of the "Bedinger Survey" that was given to his great-grandfather, Capt. Bedinger, by the Government for services in the Revolution- ary War, located by him in 1796, and has never been bought or sold. Our subject has a fine large residence, remodeled in 1890, several frame barns, and all the equipments of a model farm.

Mr. Swearingen is descended from a notable an- cestry. His father, Henry B. Swearingen, was born in Chillicothe, November 16, 1814. His grand- father, whose given name was James S., was born in Berkeley County, Va., February 3, 1782; his great-grandfather, Josiah Swearingen, was also born in that county, March 28, 1744, the date of his birth; his great-great-grandfather, Van Swear- ingen, was born in Maryland, while his great-great- great-grandfather, Zachariah Swearingen, was a na- tive of Ilolland. The father of the latter, Garrett Swerengen (as the name was then spelled), great- great-great-great-grandfather of our subject, was the original representative of the family in Amer- ica, coming here in the year 1654 with his family, consisting of his wife. Barbara (De Barette), and two children, Zachariah and Elizabeth, from Bra- bant, a province of Holland. They settled near Annapolis, and in 1669 the family became natural- ized citizens of the province of Maryland. Zach-

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ariah, the next lineal descendant, had four sons: Thomas, Van, John and Samuel.

The children of Thomas were two sons, Thomas and Van, who, according to an old "History of the Valley of Virginia," settled in the neighborhood of Shepherdstown, that, State, on or near the Shenandoah River, in 1734, and were among thie first settlers on that watercourse and its vicinity. Van Swearingen was Lieutenant of the militia of the county of Berkeley, Va. He was subsequently raised to the rank of Colonel, and was a man of local note. Ile was the father of five children, of whom Josiah, the next in descent, was the eldest, and was born March 28, 1744. Ile was a Captain, under Gen. Lewis during Lord Dunmore's War. Ile married, January 5, 1777, Phebe Strode, who was born December 8, 1747. He died August 9, 1795, and she, July 6, 1786. They had three sons: Thomas, James and Samuel, and a daughter, Elea- nor, who became the wife of Gov. Thomas Worth- ington.

James Strode Swearingen, who was the second son of Josiah and Phebe Swearingen, was born in Berkeley County (now Jefferson County), W. Va., February 3, 1782. At the age of thirteen years, he became Clerk in a store at Battletown (now Berryville), Va., near Winchester, where he re- mained about two years. The ensuing four years were spent as clerk in the County Clerk's office at Winchester, Frederick County. Ile was obliged to abandon that position on account of ill-health, but the experience that he had gained and the forma- tion of methodical habits were of inestimable value to him in after life. In 1799, he came to Ohio, having exchanged his land in Virginia for land in the vicinity of Chillicothe. In 1800, he was ap- pointed Ensign in the army, and two years after, having been promoted to the rank of First or Sec- ond Lieutenant, he made the journey from Chilli- cothe to Detroit with a guide, traveling on horse- back through the primeval wilderness, and as there were no settlements on the way between Chillico- the and Lake Erie was without a morsel of food to eat while crossing the State.

On his arrival at Detroit, Lieut. Swearingen was put in command of a company and sent to Chi- cago, where he helped to build Ft. Dearborn.

Later, he was stationed at Ft. Mifflin, below Phila- delphia, at Pittsburgh, Ft. MeHenry, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and other places, but mostly on the frontier. November 4, 1811, while at Pittsburgh, he was united in marriage to Nancy, daughter of Capt. Henry and Rachel (Strode) Bedinger. She was born January 7, 1787. An early ancestor of hers, Adam Bedinger, was a native of Alsace, Germany. He and his family were Protestants, and to escape persecution after the conquest which resulted in the ceding of Alsace to France, he emigrated to America, landing at Philadephia in 1734. Soon thereafter, he joined a party of German emigrants, who settled upon the beautiful, rich lands on Con- owago, in York County, Pa. His son Henry mar- ried Magdalena Schleyel (Slagle, as Anglicised) and removed to Shepherdstown, Va., in the spring of 1762. Ilis son Henry, the father of Mrs. Nancy Swearingen, was born October 16, 1753. He was a Captain in the Continental army during the re- volution, was taken prisoner at Ft. Washington, and was confined on Long Island for four years. In 1796, the Captain located the tract of land in Jackson Township, Pickaway County, known as the Bedinger Survey, the most of which was owned by the father of our subject. Henry Bedinger was a man of good native ability, great energy and force of character, and was a power in the com- munity where he lived.

In 1814, being then Quartermaster-General and a staff officer, James S. Swearingen made his head- quarters at Chillicothe, where he remained on duty until the elose of the war, when he made perman- ent settlement in that city, and there spent the re- mainder of his life. Soon after his marriage, he had received from his father-in-law the Bedinger tract of land in Jackson Township, but he never settled upon it. Ile died in Chillicothe, February 3, 1864, and his wife died January 11, 1859. Three of their seven children died in infancy. The others were Henry B., Eleanor, Sarah B. and Virginia, the latter of whom died unmarried at the age of twenty-one years. Eleanor married first Dr. John H. Grant, of Covington, Ky., and after his death was married to Maj. Edward Clarkson, of the same place. She died in Jackson Township,

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January 20, 1879. Sarah became the wife of N. W. Thatcher, and both are now deceased.

The father of our subject was born at Adena, near Chillicothe, Ohio, November 16, 1814. He left his early home in Chillicothe in 1837, to settle in Pickaway County, and in December, 1851, took up his residence on the farm in Jackson Township now occupied by his son of whom we write. He was married, January 3, 1850, to Elizabeth Nesbitt, of Xenia, who was born June 3, 1827. She died in 1881, and he survived her until October 15, 1889, when he passed away at a ripe age. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the following is the record: Eleanor V., born March 26, 1854, married, October 26, 1882, W. V. Grant, of Covington, Ky., and died September 26, 1890, leaving one child, Henry, born October 8, 1888; James S., our subject; Nancy N., born Dec- ember 22, 1858, died May 30, 1887; Robert N., born February 22, 1859, died October 27, 1865; John G., born February 24, 1863, married Novem- ber 13, 1888, Miss Fanny Dent, of Xenia, and they have one child, Virginia, born November 12, 1889; Henry B., born May 26, 1865, is in the Pension Department at Washington, D. C .; Thomas T., born January 15, 1868, is book-keeper in Colum- bus; Mary S., born March 9, 1871, was graduated from Miss Phelps' School in Columbus, in 1892.

Henry B. Swearingen was well and favorably known throughout this county, and had many friends in various parts of this State who sincerely regretted his death. He was one of the best-in- formed men in the county, having been a great reader all his life and having had a liberal educa- tion, being a graduate of Kenyon College at Gam- bier, and his reading, while covering a wide range of subjects, was always well selected. He possessed a kindly disposition and was an agreeable as well as entertaining companion. For many years, and un- til the time of his decease, he was identified with St. Philip's Parish of this city and was nearly al- ways a delegate from the parish to the annual diocesan conventions.

Our subject was well educated in the district schools of his native township and in the High School at Circleville. At the age of twenty-one years, he began life for himself, and has met with

fine success as a general farmer. Of late years, he has made somewhat of a specialty of raising pota- toes, and he is also engaged quite extensively in the stock business. Ile raises sheep of a high grade, fine Polled-Angus cattle, and draft and road horses, having several standard-bred trotters. Ile is deeply interested in all that concerns his native township and county, and in him the Republican party finds a stalwart supporter.

Mr. Swearingen was married, November 11, 1890, to Miss Minerva Anderson, who was born in Wayne Township, this county, October 26, 1867. She is an accomplished young lady, and her grace and taet admirably second the courteous hospital- ity of her husband in their pleasant home.

ENRY LILLY. There is in the develop- ment of every successful life a lesson to all; for if a man is industrious, ambitious and honorable in his ambition, he will undoubtedly rise to a position of prominence, whether having the prestige of family and wealth or the obscurity of poverty. We are led to these reflections in reviewing the life of Mr. Lilly, who is at present occupying a well-improved farm, which is located in Fairfield Township, Madison County. Our subject has done much to aid in the development of this part of the coun- try and, as a patriotie soldier, deserves credit for the work he did in securing the stability of the Union.

HIe of whom we write is the son of the late Wesley Lilly, who was born in Fluvanna County, Va., March 30, 1798, and was five years of age when he came with his parents. Thomas and Theodosia Lilly, to this State, and located in Ross County. There the father died in the fall of 1823, and in 1830 the mother, with her family, came to Madison County, where she departed this life in 1838. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Durflinger, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Durflinger, natives of Virginia, who located in Madison County, this State, about 1827. Wesley Lilly was an earnest member in the Meth-

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odist Church and gave freely of his means toward the erection of the Lilly Chapel. He was a pro- gressive and public-spirited man and did his full share toward building up and improving the county in which he resided. Ile departed this life August 10, 1889, while his good wife, who survived him a few years, died January 8, 1892.

The parental family included seven sons and one daughter, our subject, who was born Sep- tember 14, 1840, in Franklin County, this State, being the fifth in order of birth. He passed his boyhood days in his native place and was thir- teen years of age when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to this county, and lo- cated with them in Fairfield Township, where he grew to manhood. He was reared to farm- ing pursuits and assisted his father in carry- ing on the home farm until the spring of 1864, when he enlisted in the Union army, being com- missioned First Lieutenant of Company A, Seventy- sixth Battalion Ohio National Guards, under his brother, Capt. Thomas Lilly. The latter died at Bermuda Hundred, Va., in July, 1864. On ac- count of Company A being merged into the One Hundred and Thirty-third Infantry, the older officers in the service were given the precedence and our subject was not called upon to go to the front.

January 16, 1862, Henry Lilly was married in Franklin County to Miss Martha Ann Hartsook. The lady was born in that county May 1, 1841, and was the daughter of Noah and Mary (San- ducky) Hartsook, natives of Maryland. The fa- ther of Mrs. Lilly died while she was quite young, and the mother, who reared a family of three children, departed this life in Franklin County. After his marriage, he located in Fairfield Town- ship, this county, which has since been his home. Ile has made agriculture his life work and at the present time owns a valuable estate of two hun- (red and twenty-five aeres, which bears all the improvements in the way of buildings and ma- chinery which are to be found on the estate of a first-class farmer.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lilly have been born four chil- dren, viz: Frank S., Sylvester W., Rosa B. and William W. The eldest son died Angust 10,

1887, when in his twenty-fifth year. Rosa B. be- came the wife of A. W. Bradfield and William W. married Maggie Erb.

Our subject occupies a high place in local af- fairs and in October, 1881, was elected County Commissioner. He has also served as Township Trustee for a number of terms, and during elec- tions never fails to cast a Republican vote. He is a member of Lodge No. 605, I. O. O. F., and the brief record of his life shows him to be a man of excellent business talent, whose judgment is keen, and who is well dowered with those sturdy traits of character that, seconded by unimpeach- able integrity, have made him a valuable citizen.

ON. DAVID I. WORTHINGTON, one of the prominent attorneys of Washington C. II., has been in active practice here since 1874. Hle is a native of this State, having been born in Greene County, May 26, 1844, and is the son of Jesse J. and Catherine B. (Creamer) Worthington, residents of this county. The father of our subject was one of the early settlers of the northern part of Fayette County and for a number of years was Superintendent of the city schools of Washington C. H.

David 1. Worthington received a thorough edu- cation in the common schools of this city, and later read law at Indianola, lowa, under Col. P. Gad Bryan. He was admitted to the Bar in 1865, before the Supreme Court of Des Moines, Iowa, and a year later located at Liberty, Clay County, Mo., where he remained for five years engaged in the practice of his profession. He then removed to Tola, Allen County, Kan., and in 1874 returned to his native place, where he occupies a high place as a lawyer. He became connected with Judge Williams, who is now Chief Justice, and afterward, in 1889, with J. D. Post, who is his partner at the present time.

The Ilon. D. I. Worthington was elected a mem- ber of the State Legislature on the Republican ticket in 1885, and was the incumbent of that Office for two successive terms. During that time,

A, Whitesel ,

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he served on various important committees, per- forming efficient service on the Judiciary, Corpor- ation and Insurance Committees. At the present time, he occupies the important office of President of the City Council and has shown himself capa- ble of close application to the duties which lie before him. His judicious decisions and wise course in attempting to bring about a worthy object are well known to those who are acquainted with the history of the State.

Miss Kate Parker, of Liberty, Clay County, Mo., was married to our subject May 1, 1866. They have an interesting family of three children, who bear the respective names of Jesse, Edgar P. and Bessie. Mr. Worthington, in his political predilee- tion, is a thorough Republican and during the last congressional election of this district was chosen as its Chairman. In 1889, he erected the fine brick block at the corner of Market and Main Streets, which bears his name. It is three stories in height, the Postoffice being located in the cor- ner, the Knights of Pythias HIall above, and on the third floor are eleven finely finished offices.

RCHIBALD WHITESEL. On the old homestead where he still resides, Mr. Whitesel was born February 4, 1836. For more than a half century he has been familiar with the scenes of progress and growth in Pickaway County, and especially in Salt Creek Township, where he has always made his home. It is to the courage, enterprise and persistence of such men as he that the county is indebted for its high position among other counties of the Buckeye State, and his biography and portrait will there- fore be of peculiar interest to present and coming generations.

The first representative of the Whitesel family in the United States was the grandfather of our subject, Nicholas, who came from Germany in the capacity of a soldier for the British army during the Revolutionary War. When the conflict was terminated, he remained in this country, and estab- lished a home in Virginia, whence he removed to

Ohio in the early part of the present century. He located in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, about one mile north of where our subject at present resides, and was numbered among the first settlers of this township. Ile entered a tract of land from the Government, and subsequently erected a distillery, and engaged in the manufac- ture of liquor.

The father of our subject, Jacob Whitesel, was born in Virginia in 1792, and was quite young when he accompanied his father to Ohio. He com- menced farming on the place where our subject resides, and cleared the land from its primeval condition, bringing it to a high cultivation, and making it his home until he passed from earth, in 1872, at the age of eighty years. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he was Class- leader and Trustee for many years, and took great interest in religious matters. He married Elizabeth, daughter of George Thomas, who emi- grated from Pennsylvania at an early day. The mother of our subject was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was called hence in 1890, at the advanced age of ninety years.

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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 65

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 894

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894