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 68
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 68
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 68
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In local affairs our subject has held the office of Township Trustee and has always taken an active part in polities, voting a straight Democratic ticket. A man of public spirit and enterprise, he is justly regarded as one of the most valuable citizens of Fairfield Township, toward the prosperity of which he has contributed his untiring efforts. His por- trait on the accompanying page will be welcomed by his many friends throughout the county.
ENRY S. LEWIS. Among the most beau- tiful and attractive homes in Pickaway County is that of Henry S. Lewis. situated on the Chillicothe, Circleville and Colum- bus Turnpike, four miles south of Circleville, on the famous Pickaway Plains. He has here a large and valuable farm, which is truly historical ground, and, with its broad and well-tilled fields,
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handsome modern buildings, and all the conven- iences for conducting every branch of agriculture, is, indeed. a model of its kind, and one of the finest places in the county.
Mr. Lewis is a native of Ohio, born in Chilli- cothe, May 25, 1864, and one of the younger gen- eration of farmers who have stepped to the front within recent years and infused new energy and enterprise into the various business interests of their native State. His grandfather, who bore the same name as himself, and was a native of New Jersey, was one of the early settlers of Ross Coun- ty, where his life was passed for the most part as one of its leading public officials, as he was for many years an incumbent of the various offices of County Recorder, Treasurer and Auditor. HIe was a half-brother of the noted family of Daytons, of New Jersey.
The father of our subject, Mathias Lewis, was born in Chillicothe, March 17, 1824. He began life as a school teacher, having been well edu- cated, securing a position at twenty dollars a month, which was the first money that he earned, and which he used as capital to establish himself in business as a lumber merchant at Chillicothe when he was a young man. He devoted many years to the successful prosecution of that line of business, and then turned his attention to the hardware and implement business, in which he en- gaged until 1880, when he retired permanently from business. He was also during that time em- ployed in the manufacture of news and wrapping paper at Kinnickinnick, having purchased the old Ingham and Crouse mills in 1869, and, refitting them, operated them for some time. He accumu- lated a handsome property, and is now living in retirement in Chillicothe in the enjoyment of his wealth. He was at one time a large land-holder, and had some nine hundred acres of land in this county, a part of which lay on the Pickaway Plains, and extended to the Scioto River, embrac- ing a large tract of alluvial bottom land in the famous Scioto Valley. Ho divided this land be- tween his sons, giving four hundred and twenty- five acres on the east end to our subject, and about four hundred and seventy acres to his elder son, Charles. His whole career shows him to be a man
of more than ordinary business enterprise, and he has been a potent agent in advancing the prosper- ity and growth of his native county, and has con- tributed to the upbuilding of this to a certain extent. During the Rebellion, he showed himself to be intensely patriotic, and was very influential in rousing the same sentiment in the breasts of his fellow-citizens. IIe was Captain of an organ- ized company of militia that did effective service at the time of Morgan's raid. He was prevented by physical disability from going to the front, but he organized and equipped with his own means a company known as the "Chillicothe Grays," with which he marched into Kentucky at the time of the Smith raid, and in other ways did a great deal for his beloved country in the hour of her deadliest peril. Mr. Lewis married Miss An- nie M. Cosad, a native of Bellefontaine, and the daughter of Judge Anthony Cosad, who was born in France. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born six children, of whom four are living.
Our subject was carefully reared under good home influences and was given good educational advantages in the Chillicothe High School, of which he is a graduate. He inherited much of the push and business tact characteristic of his father, and when he selected farming as the occu- pation to which his tastes most inclined him, his father gave him a good start in life, deeding him the farm that he owns and manages on the Picka- way Plains, and on which he located in 1884, de- voting himself since then to tilling its rich soil and to raising standard grades of stock. For the past six years he has given considerable attention to breeding draft horses of the Percheron variety, and more recently has interested himself in rais- ing blooded horses, of which he has several that are very promising.
Mr. Lewis has added extensive improvements to his farm, erecting a large, palatial frame resi- dence, which stands on an eminence somewhat back from the turnpike afore-mentioned, which runs along the east line of the farm. and com- mands a magnificent prospect of the beautiful Sci- oto Valley and the whole of the level Pickaway Plains, where once stood Indian villages, this view being said to be the finest in Pickaway County.
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Our subject's home is perfect in its appointments and elegant in its furnishings. His barns and other buildings are modern, and his stables are es- pecially well arranged. HIe has already won a high place among the most progressive farmers of this section, and he is popular among his associ- ates. Ile is imbued with true public spirit, and has the interests of his county at heart. He is weli informed as to the political situation, and is a representative young Republican.
Our subject was married in 1888 to Miss May C., daughter of O. W. and Emily (Comstock) Ship- man, both natives of New York. Her father is a prosperous merchant of Detroit, Mich., where he is engaged in a large wholesale and retail coal bus- iness, and he is also the proprietor of hard and soft coal mines in Pennsylvania, and is prominent in the business world.
Mrs. Lewis is a native of Waverly, N. Y. She is a refined and well-educated young lady, and presides with true grace over the beautiful home in which she and her husband live, cordially sec- onding his courteous and genial hospitality when- ever friend or stranger is entertained beneath their roof. They have one son, Sanford, born October 23, 1889.
HOMAS JEFFERSON MORRIS, Auditor of Pickaway County, was born in Walnut Township, this county, March 11, 1854. His grandfather, John Morris, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1797, and removed to Virginia, where he spent five years. He came to Ohio about 1802, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Wal- nut Township, rented land, and upon that farm re- sided for a number of years, his first home being a log cabin. He became an extensive land-owner, having about one thousand acres. His son, James Morris, the father of our subject, was born on the home farm in Walnut Township, acquired his edu- cation in a log schoolhouse, and on attaining his majority, came into possession of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he himself cleared. As
his financial resources increased, he added to his possessions until he became owner of four hundred acres. He wedded Mary Davis, a native of Wal- nut Township, and a daughter of William Davis, who was born in Pennsylvania, and became an carly settler of Piekaway County. The parents of our subject are still living. Mr. Morris is now eighty-one years of age, and his wife has reached the age of seventy-nine. They are among the old- est native citizens of the county. In politics, he is a Democrat, served as Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, and was Trustee for a number of years.
Our subject was the third in a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Ile was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, begin- ning work in the fields as soon as old enough to handle the plow. In the winter season, he attended the common schools, and in 1875 was a student in the Worthington Normal School, after which he engaged in teaching successfully for thirteen years. Subsequently, he turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Clara K. Ritt, a daugh- ter of Benjamin Ritt, a native of Pennsylvania. The lady is a native of Walnut Township. By their umon have been born three children: Mary F., Emmett C. and Clara Helen.
After his marriage, Mr. Morris operated a part of his father's farm for several years in connection with school teaching, which he followed until 1889, when he embarked in the grocery business in Circleville, purchasing a half-interest in the store of Henry Pontius, of Court Street. Business was conducted for a year under the firm name of Pontius & Morris, when our subject withdrew and was nominated by the Democratic party for County Auditor. He made a strong canvass, and was elected by eight hundred and seventy-two major- ity for a term of three years. He is proving an efficient and popular officer, and the prompt and faithful manner in which he discharges his duties has won him the commendation of all. He served as Justice of the Peace of Walnut Township until he resigned on removing to the city. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Ile has frequently served as a delegate to the county con-
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ventions of his party, and was the youngest man who ever served in this locality as a member of the Democratic Central Committee of the county. He is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen, and well deserves representation in this volume.
ENRY C. WILSON. The chief use of biog- raphy consists in the noble models of char- acter in which it abounds. Our great an- cestors still live among us in the records of their deeds, and in the same manner, when the present generation shall have passed from earth, they will still live in the hearts of their descend- ants, furnishing examples of industry and patience for their posterity to imitate and admire. The record of the life of Mr. Wilson is calculated to inerease a man's self-reliance, fortify his hopes and elevate his aims. He is one of the prominent agriculturists of Jefferson Township, Madison County, and we are pleased to note the evidences of his prosperity and success.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Valentine Wilson, was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., in 1785, and was a lad of five years when he accom- panied his father to Kentucky. When seventeen years of age, he came to Ohio, and in 1806 was married to Miss Eleanor Judy, of Greene County, this State. He was afterward twice married and of his three unions nineteen children were born, seventeen of whom became heads of families. A man of great wealth, he at one time owned about seven thousand acres of land, beside his personal property, which was valued at $60,000.
The eldest of the six children born to Valentine and Eleanor Wilson was William D., who was born in Bath Township, Greene County, February 27, 1807, and departed this life on what is now known as the Darby Plains, March 25, 1873. He accu- mulated a vast estate, and so straightforward was his life, so honorable his dealings with all, and so energetic his work for the best that life affords, that even his enemies, if he had any, had nothing to say against him, but on all sides his praise resounded. A full history of Valentine and Will-
iam 1). Wilson may be found in the history of Madison County, published in 1883 by William M. Beach, M. D.
The grandfather of our subject was married to Miss Naney Moore, who died in September, 1882. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Alexander, the father of our subject, was the eldest. He was born in this county, February 22, 1829, and when attaining mature years was mar- ried, in 1854, to Martha J. Millikin, and located on the tract where his father was then living. He later, however, removed to Plain City, and in 1863 settled near West Jefferson, where he died, June 29, 1881. He gave his entire attention to farming and stock-raising, and at the time of his decease owned two thousand five hundred acres of land. The mother of our subject, who still sur- vives, is the daughter of Daniel Millikin and had her birth in Washington County, Pa., in 1829. By her union with Mr. Wilson four children were born, namely: Henry C., our subject; Lovina, the wife of William E. White, who resides in Cali- fornia; Grant, who died in infancy; and Albert W., who makes his home in Canaan Township and whose sketch will be found on another page in this volume.
A native of Canaan Township, Madison County, onr subjeet was born April 23, 1856. When a lad of seven years, his father settled in Jefferson Township on the National Pike, just east of the village of West Jefferson. Four years later, in company with others, he crossed the Alleghany mountains on horseback with a drove of cattle, and visited different points in the Keystone State and Maryland. During his boyhood he also trav- eled extensively through Indiana, in company with some of his father's employes, who bought cattle there and afterward disposed of them to stockmen in Ohio. Mr. Wilson grew to manhood in this township and received his early education in the common schools of West Jefferson, the knowledge gained therein being later supple- mented by attendance at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and at the present time is the owner of seven hundred broad acres, to the carrying on of which he gives his personal atten-
DARBY SIDE FARM. HOMESTEAD OF ALEXANDER WILSON, DEC'D.
DARBY SIDE FARM". RES, OF H. C. WILSON, JEFFERSON TP., MADISON CO., O.
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tion. He also makes a specialty of raising stock, having some very fine animals on his place. His homestead, a view of which is elsewhere shown, is one of the most attractive in the township and contains all the modern improvements.
November 29, 1883, Henry C. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Kate, the daughter of the late John Farrar, formerly a prominent citizen of London. Mrs. Wilson was born in London, July 29, 1857, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of a son, Walter F., who was born September 11, 1886. Mr. Wilson takes an active part in local affairs and has served his fellow-townsmen most acceptably as a Trustee of Jefferson Township. In politics, he casts a Repub- lican vote, believing that party to be in the right. Religiously, he is a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and gives liberally of his means towards its support. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and is also a Knight Templar.
W ILLIAM P. SMITH, who is engaged in cul- tivating the soil of his excellent farm, which is pleasantly located on the Mill Road in Oak Rum Township, Madison County, five miles from London, also devotes considerable time and attention to breeding a fine grade of stock, and by energy and perseverance has placed him- self in the front ranks among the agriculturists in this section.
Our subject was born on the farm which he now owns and occupies JJuly 20, 1861, and is the son of Jacob Chrisman and Amanda J. (Evans) Smith, the former of whom was born in Christian County, Ky., April 7, 1817. He was the son of William Smith, a native of Virginia, who removed to the Blue Grass State, and after residing there a short time, returned to Virginia, where the father of our subject grew to mature years.
William P. Smith is the younger of the two sons who are still living of the parental family of nine children. His brother resides in Douglas County, Kan. He of whom we write received his early
education in the district schools, and later took a two years' course in Oberlin College, which in- stitution he entered when about eighteen years of age. Ile then returned to the farm, and when twenty-two years old, engaged in partnership with his father, receiving a fair per cent. of the proceeds for his share.
Miss Mattie Baughan and our subject were united in marriage July 20, 1886. The lady was born in Pickaway County on the 13th of April, 1863, and was the daughter of David and Catherine (Ad- kins) Banghan, by whom she was given an excel- Ient education. William P., of this sketch, re- mained with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred January. 14, 1888, and since that time has acted as administrator of the estate, which includes three hundred and eighty-three acres in this township, and eight hundred and sixty acres in Douglas County, Kan., where his brother and mother are residing.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Smith include the following five children: Lillie Leah, who was born June 16, 1887; Wilber Glenn, July 4, 1888; Agnes Mabel, September 15, 1889; Amanda Bes- sie, December 1, 1890; and Earl William, January 20, 1892. July 9, 1889, Mr. Smith's dwelling was destroyed by fire, but he soon replaced it with a handsome commodious residence, which cost about $2,500. His place is supplied with all the needful outbuildings, and is thoroughly drained with many feet of tiling. In his political rela- tions, Mr. Smith cast his first vote in 1884 for James G. Blaine, and although not in any sense an office-seeker, was appointed as delegate to county conventions, but did not serve, as he preferred to devote his attention to his private interests.
ENRY B. MORRIS, agent for the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad Company since January 1, 1880, is a successful busi- ness man. and one of the jovial, large- hearted citizens of the county. He is a native of Pickaway County. Walnut Township, Ohio, born
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February 19, 1841, and his father, John Morris, is also a native of Walnut Township. (See sketch of brother, Samuel Morris).
Our subject was reared between the handles of a plow, it might be said, for, when seven years of age, he was made to harrow, and ten years of age found him grasping the plow handles. A limited education was received in the common schools, but seeing the necessity for a better education as he grew older, he entered Otterbein University when twenty-one years of age, and remained there one year. Later, or in the winter of 1863, he went to Illinois, and began teaching school in McLean County, and after one term taught in that county, he returned to Walnut Township, this county, and taught school here for four winters. In 1867, he went to St. Louis and took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton Business College, was graduated from that institution, and then went to Memphis and bought three hundred and twenty-seven head of Texas cattle for Morris & Longhry, extensive cattle feeders. During the fall of that year, he made a dozen trips to Pittsburgh with cattle. On the 1st of April, he became book-keeper for Mor- ris & Longhry, at this place, and continued with them until October, 1874, when he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of County Au- ditor, which position he held for two terms, being re-elected in 1876. His ability and rare judgment and his peculiar fitness for this position made his terms very successful ones.
After leaving the auditor's office, Mr. Morris en- gaged as book-keeper for Ileffner & Co., and re- mained with this firm until January 1, 1880, when he was appointed to the agency by the General Superintendent, who came to his office to solicit him to take the position. He took charge of the office, and has held the position since under the fourth superintendent. The business has more than doubled since then, and he has four men un- der him. Both the freight and new depot are the finest on the road. In 1871, Mr. Morris erected a fine brick residence on Union Street, between Court and Scioto Streets, and has a very comforta- ble and pleasant home.
Mr. Morris selected his wife in the person of Miss Amelia A. Scothorn, a native of Walnut
Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and their nup- tials were celebrated in Walnut Township in 1869. She was the daughter of Thomas Scothorn, who died on the 24th of March, 1848, when Mrs. Mor- ris was small. She was educated in the Circleville High School, and is a lady of more than ordinary ability. Mr. Morris is a Democrat in politics, and has been delegate to county and State conven- tions. He is a member of the county Democratic Central Committee, and is a member of the Demo- cratie Club. He is one of Pickaway County's most successful and popular citizens, and has a host of warm friends. Socially, he is a Knight of Honor.
C HARLES CLAYTON MCCAFFERTY. A high rank among the farmers of Fayette County is held by our subject, who was born in Madison Township, April 5, 1860. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Mace) Mc Cafferty, the former of whom was born Angust 14, 1819, in the above-named township, while the mother, who is still living, had her birth in Ross County, June 16, 1824.
The father of our subject was six years of age when his father, John McCafferty, removed to Ross Connty, where he made his home until his mar- riage, February 14, 1845. Having inherited a small farm in Madison Township from his father, he located upon it and was so successful in all his undertakings that at his death he was the owner of two thousand acres of land. He became identified with the interests of Fayette County in 1845, arriving within its limits with one team, a bed, and $50 in money. With pluck and energy for his weapons for conquering circumstances, he soon won a foremost place among the farmers of this locality, and through wise investment and good management became a wealthy man. He was a Dem- ocrat, in politics, and was an ardent advocate of the stanch principles of that party.
He of whom we write was the youngest but one in the parental family of six children, all of whom are living and married except the youngest. Charles Clayton, in addition to receiving a common-school
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education, took the entire course of study in the Mt. Sterling school. When reaching his majority, he spent a year and a half in Colorado, and for three succeeding years worked in the stock-yards at St. Louis, for Hunter, Ivans & Co. His business in the West was to select cattle from the ranches of that firm in Colorado, Nebraska, Montana, and other States and Territories.
Mr. McCafferty returned home in 1885, and on October 6, of the following year, was married to Miss Mary Crotty, who was born in Mt. Sterling, June 16, 1866. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Timmons) Crotty, and became the mother of two children: Mary Elizabeth, born September 30, 1887, died August 18, 1888; and Lewis Edward, born December 1, 1890. About a year after his marriage, our subject located upon his present farm, inheriting about two hundred and seventy- five acres from his father's estate. Although not a politician, Mr. McCafferty votes the straight Dem- ocratic ticket. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and, in church matters, is a Catholic.
G
OHN T. ANDERSON. The simple record of an honorable life is the best monument that can be reared to any citizen, and we shall therefore not attempt to enlarge upon the history of the gentlemen above named, who is a retired farmer and at present residing in Lilly Chapel. His parents, William A. and Susan (Cumpton) Anderson, were natives of Virginia, and, coming to Franklin County, this State, in 1834, lived there for three years, and then took up their abode in this county, where their death occurred in Jefferson Township.
Our subject, who was born in Prince William County, Va., November 15, 1819, was the third in order of birth of the parental family of nine chil- dren. Ile accompanied his parents to this State and made his home with them until he was twenty- two years of age, at which time he was married to Elizabeth Welsh, by whom he became the father of four children, only two of whom are living, William W. and Sarah J.
After his marriage, Mr. Anderson located in Franklin County, where he resided for several years, and where his wife departed this life. Two years later, our subject came to Fairfield Township and made his home with his father for several years. The lady whom he chose as his second wife was Mrs. Anor Jackson, and to them were born a family of three children, viz: Charles E., John F. and Roxylana. Mrs. Anor Anderson passed to the land beyond in this township, July 1st, 1882. The lady who is the present wife of our subject, who was formerly Mrs. Maria Maybush, was born in Pickaway County, October 18, 1847. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Lyda. Mrs. Anderson was known in her maidenhood as Maria Johnson, and by her union with Mr. Maybush became the mother of two children. Hattie and William W., the latter of whom died in infancy.
Being solicited frequently to enter politics, Mr. Anderson has represented his township in the po- sitions of Trustee and Road Supervisor. Ile car- ried on mixed farming until 1873, when, having managed his affairs very profitably, he placed him- self in comfortable circumstances and has lived re- tired in Lilly Chapel since that date. He still owns one hundred acres of land and also a neat home in the village. With his wife, he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which denomination he has been connected since eighteen years of age. Mr. Anderson enjoys the confidence of the people in his commimity to the fullest extent and the universal esteem of his large circle of acquaintances.
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