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 69
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 69
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 69
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E RNEST C. BREYFOGLE. This rising young farmer of Darby Township, Pickaway County, has made his own way in the world, and has achieved prosperity to a remarka- ble degree for one of his age. He is very active and progressive, and is a popular man in Derby, near which he makes his home. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, November 26, 1862, and his father, Charles Breyfogle, was born in Kutztown, Pa., February 28, 1815. Ile was the son of Sol-
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omon Breyfogle, a native of Pennsylvania, and the first ancestor of the family in this country was the great-grandfather of our subject, who came from Virginia before the Revolutionary War with a family of three children, and located in Berks County, Pa. Ile lived on a farm there, which he cultivated, and also worked at his trade as cabinet- maker, continuing in life until he had compassed more than ninety years.
The grandfather of our subject was a farmer, and lived and died in Berks County, Pa. He was successful in the cultivation of his land, of which he owned some two hundred acres. His life was sadly cut short by means of a tumor in his face, which ended his days at the age of thirty-five. After his decease, his wife was united in marriage with his brother George, who lived to be ninety- eight years of age. She had by her first union one daughter and eight sons, and by the second mar- riage one son and eight daughters, eighteen in all. She lived to be a good old age, and brought up her numerous family in the faith of the Methodist Church, to which she belonged, and of which they all became members.
The father of Mr. Breyfogle was reared upon a farm, and subsequently learned the tailor's trade in Columbus, Ohio, to which city he walked from Pennsylvania at the age of sixteen, in company with his brothers. He then followed his trade throughout life, continuing active until he reached an advanced age. He was well known there, and was a member of the City Council for twelve years. For several terms, he was one of the Direc- tors of the State Penitentiary. Ilis political views made him a member of the Republican party, and he was a devoted adherent of the Methodist Church. His death occurred December 22, 1884.
The mother of our subject was known in maiden- hood as Matilda Cloud, and was born in Cham- paign County, Ohio, January 4, 1819, living in that county until she was twelve years of age, at which time she removed with her parents to Co- lumbus, where she met and married Charles Brey- fogle. Of her ten children, eight grew to years of maturity. Their names are Charles, William, Selfa (deceased), Esther (deceased), Flora (Mrs. Grum- man), Edward, Frank, Callie, Ernest and Frederick.
She still resides in Columbus, and is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Church, to which she has belonged since she was twelve years old, and in the affairs of which she took an active interest until old age prevented. Her father, Robert Cloud, came from New England to Ohio at a very early day, and here pursued farming.
The Cloud family originated in America with one who came over in the " Mayflower " in 1620. That ancestor was the great-great-grandfather of our subject, and bore the name of Robert Cloud, and he brought with him his son Robert, who was then a boy, and who became the great-grandfather of Mr. Breyfogle. The name of Robert Cloud is mentioned in history as one of the Pilgrim Fa- thers, and the family on that side is of English stock. The sturdy qualities of this ancestor have been reproduced from generation to generation in his descendants, who have mainly followed agri- cultural and professional pursuits.
Our subject was reared in Columbus and edu- cated in the public schools. From the time he was ten years old until he was fourteen, he de- voted himself during his vacation to learning the confectioner's trade, and also put in two years of steady work at it. He became independent of his father's support at the age of fourteen, and when sixteen years old went to Johnson County, Kan .. and worked for three years, after which he re- turned to Ohio, and worked on the farm in Fayette County for eighteen months. Later, he spent a year in Kansas, but after that returned and married in Fayette County, and took his wife with him to Kansas. Ile sold out there in 1886, and returned to Ohio in August of that year, making his home in Mt. Sterling until March 1, 1887, when he bought the present farm and settled here.
Miss Ella Jones, who became the wife of our subject, January 27, 1885, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 23, 1861. She is a daughter of James Jones, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. She is the mother of two children, Edwin and Annette. Mr. Breyfogle has one hundred acres adjoining the village of Derby, and it is all tillable and richly productive soil. Hle has raised a few Percheron horses, and contemplates making something of a
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specialty of raising that breed of horses. He has a large farm residence and an excellent frame barn, and everything about the farm bespeaks the thorough and systematic farmer. Mr. Breyfogle is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Mt. Sterling, and his political views are in accordance with the doctrines of the Republican party. His good wife is an active and efficient member of the Methodist Church, and a genuine favorite in social circles.
BRAHAM ROSE. It is with genuine pleas- ure that we include Mr. Rose in this work, for he is not only one of the pioneers of Pickaway County, Ohio, but a man who is universally respected for his many estimable qualities. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 20, 1822, and is a son of Anthony and Mary (Woodring) Rose, natives of the grand old State of Virginia. His maternal grandfather Woodring was a Revolutionary soldier, and reached the remarkable age of one hundred and three years.
Anthony Rose, father of our subject, came with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, and resided there a number of years. After his marriage, or about 1828, he came to Pickaway County and set- tled in Madison Township, which was then but sparsely settled. He began his pioneer life in a log cabin and experienced the usual hardships and privations of the early settlers. His marriage was blessed by the birth of seven children, six of whom are living at the present time: William, in Indiana; Abraham, our subject; Catherine, wife of Josiah Wist, in Indiana; Isaac, in Illinois; Peter who died in the late Civil War; John, in Indiana; and Samuel, in Illinois. The father of these children died in Pickaway County, and in his death the county lost one of its pioneers and an honored and worthy citizen.
The original of this notice was reared to man's estate in Madison Township, this county, and knows thoroughly the meaning of pioneer life, for from early boyhood he became inured to the hard- ships experienced by early settlers. He grew up
in the midst of the forest, and remembers when he used a wooden mole-board plow, and the old- fashioned sickle for cutting grain, etc. He received, a limited education in the early log schoolhouse with slab seats, boards on pins for desks, and other rude contrivances, and is mainly self-educated, for he has observed much and is a great reader.
Hle selected his wife in the person of Miss Sarah Crum, who has borne him three children: Calvin U., Clerk of Madison Township, this county; Will- iam J. and Elbert M. In 1877, Mr. Rose lost his devoted helpmate and counselor, his wife, and her death was the occasion of universal sadness, for she was loved and respected in the community. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, was active in all church matters, and had many warm and sincere friends.
By hard labor and excellent management. Mr. Rose has accumulated a comfortable competency, and is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. He is prominently iden- tified with the agricultural affairs of the county and is public-spirited and enterprising to an un- usual degree. No worthy movement is allowed to drag for want of support on his part, for he possesses generous, true-hearted and hospitable instincts. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a stanchi friend of education and has served as School Di- rector for some time. In politics, he is a Demoerat.
One of the pioneers of the county, he has seen the wilderness bloom and blossom like the rose, and has done his share towards its advancement. Mr. Rose has three grandchildren: Claude C., Lynn C. and Earl G., these being the children of Calvin U. Rose, who married Miss Sallie E. Griffith.
AMUEL HOPPES. This sterling and lead- ing citizen of Perry Township, Fayette County, who has proved his worth as a successful agriculturist, is at present resid- ing on his farm in this township. He is the son of Ilinton and Sarah (Garringer) Hoppes, natives of Wayne Township. Fayette County. The father
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was born in 1819, and is the son of John Hoppes, who was born in North Carolina, and at an early day removed to this county. The mother of our subject was the daughter of David and Serena (Yeoman) Garringer, her birth occurring in 1826.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinton Hoppes lived upon a farm in Union Township until 1881, at which time they moved to Rockville. They were members of the Old-school Baptist Church, in which body Mr. Iloppes was Deacon. Our subject was the eldest in the parental family of eight children, only five of whom are living. His birth occurred June 15, 1846, on the farm in Wayne Township. His pri- mary studies were conducted in the common schools in Union Township, and were supple- mented by a course at Washington C. II. He re- mained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he taught one term of winter school in Union Township.
When starting out in life for himself, our subject purchased fifty-four acres of land in Wayne Town- ship, which he farmed with signal success. lle was married, Jannary 27, 1874, to Miss Nancy, daugh- ter of John and Nancy ( McWilliams) Sollars. The father was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb- ruary 9, 1806, and the mother in Washington County, this State, March 22, 1808. They were married in Clermont County, this State, soon after which event they located on a wild farm in Wayne Township, Fayette County, which is their present abiding-place. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living. Two sons, Samuel and Franklin, participated in the late war. The former was fatally wounded at Paducah, Ky., and the latter died in the service, at Baltimore, of typhoid fever. Another son, John, took part in the Morgan raid.
Mrs. Hoppes was born November 3, 1848, and was given a good education by her parents. After her marriage with our subject, the young couple lived on the Milton Yeoman Farm in Wayne Town- ship, Fayette County, and in 1881 moved to their present place of residence. Mr. Hoppes has a fine barn, 40x68 feet in dimensions, with basement, which was erected in 1887. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres in the home farm and one hundred and eighty-seven at Rockville,
seventy-five of which are in timber. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and so man- ages the operations of his estate that he reaps a fine income.
To our subject and his good wife have been granted a family of six children, all of whom a e living: John Hinton, Charles Hess, Samuel James, Nancy Ann, Robert Newton and Sarah Elizabeth. They have all enjoyed the best school advantages which the district afforded and are destined to be- come useful citizens. Politically, Mr. Hoppes is a Democrat and has served his township efficiently as Supervisor. His interest in educational matters has caused him to be placed on the School Board. HIe has been a hard worker all his life and the re- ward of his persistent industry is seen in his beau- tiful farm, which is one of the most productive in this section.
OHN W. WILSON. Washington C. H. has furnished many examples of the success at- tendant upon persistent industry, fortified by the intelligence which impels to the im- provement of opportunities. Notable in its history is the fact that many business men, while still quite young, have attained to success in their chosen occupations and have become important factors in the financial circles of the community. Among the successful young business men who are con- tributing to the rapid advancement of the city, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who is, perhaps, the youngest business man of the place.
Mr. Wilson was born near Leesburgh, Highland County, this State, April 24, 1869. He was less than one year old when death entered the parental home and removed from earth his father and mother, Joseph and Emma (Cox) Wilson. Thus sadly orphaned when too young to realize the ex- tent of his bereavement, he was taken to the home of friends and lived at several places during his childhood. His education was acquired principally in the schools of Greenfield, although after coming to Washington C. II., in 1882, he attended school for a short time.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Early compelled to be self-supporting, our sub- jeet entered the shop of the Washington Stamping Company, where he remained four years. Later. he was in the employ of Messrs. Huling & Stubbs, in the stove and tinware business, for two years, during which time he learned the business thor- oughly, and, being a tinner by trade, was fitted for first-class work in that line. In 1890, he opened a stove and tinware store, in which he carries a full line of cook, heating and gasoline stoves. Ile also does all kinds of tin work, as roofing, spouting, ete., and has worked up a large and flourishing business in his chosen occupation.
June 15, 1890, Mr. Wilson and Miss Rosa Fults were united in marriage, at the bride's home near Parrott Station, Fayette County, and one child has blessed their union, Emma May. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are identified with the Presbyterian Church at Washington C. II., and take an active interest in religious and charitable projects. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men of America, in both of which organizations he is prominent and pop- ular. Hle owns tworesidences in Washington C. Il., and has every prospect of gaining wealth in the prosecution of his business affairs.
C APT. EPHRAIM HENKLE was at one time during the Rebellion in command of a com- pany of volunteers who rendered a good service in the most trying period of their country's history. He is now, and has been for many years, interested in agriculture in Fayette County, own- ing a goodly farm in Union Township, of which he is a native. He had many obstacles to contend with in his pioneer labors, but he builded well, and now in life's decline has a competency as the re- sult of his diligence, frugality and wise manage- ment in his earlier manhood.
The Captain was born April 23, 1818, in an hum- ble frontier home on the banks of Paint Creek in the township of which he is still a resident, his birthplace being three miles from Washington
C. HI. His father, William Henkle, a native of Virginia, came to Washington, Ohio, with his par- ents, about the time that that city was founded. The mother was a daughter of Isaac Henkle, who was born and reared in Pendleton County, Va., and was one of the early settlers of Union Township, locating on the banks of Paint Creek. Like his father, William Henkle became a pioneer of this county, and while he lived did good work in re- claiming a portion of the soil from its original wildness. But his career was early brought to a close by his untimely death. Ile had married Barbara, daughter of one Isaac Ilenkle, who like- wise came from Pendleton County, Va., very early in the settlement of this county. The mother of our subject married a second time after his father's death, becoming the wife of William Ilidy, by whom she had three children, of whom but one is living, Jesse, a resident of Indiana.
Our subject was the only child born to his par- ents, and he had the misfortune to lose his father when he was very young. There was no public schools in his early days, and, though he went for a short time to a select school, he did not learn to read and write until after his marriage. His youth was mostly passed in his native township, with the exception of five years that he spent with a rela- tive near Jeffersonville. After the death of his mother, he went to live with Jesse Fisk, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority. At that age, he took an important step in life, marrying Miss Mary Carr, a daughter of Joshua Carr, who also came to these parts from Pendleton County, Va. After his marriage, the Captain set- tled on a rented farm, a mile north of Washington C. H., and lived thereon eight years, in the mean- time clearing and fencing much of the land, and putting it under cultivation. At the end of that time, he bought seventy-seven acres of his present farm in Union Township from Robert Randolph of national fame. The land was covered with the primeval forests that formerly abounded in this region, and our subject set to work with a good will to clear it. He felled the trees, placed the land under fine tillage, added to his original pur- chase, and now owns a choice farm of one hundred and forty acres of as well cultivated and finely
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improved land as is to be found in the township. He devotes it principally to grain-raising, but he also raises some hogs and cattle of good grades.
May 2, 1864, is the date of the enlistment of our subject in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry as Captain of Company F, which had been gathered together by his active influence to repel the advances of the bold rebel raider, Gen. Morgan. That leader's band was met at Cynthiana, Ky., by our subject's command and four other companies, and some hard fighting took place, without definite result, however, until the next day another force of Union troops came up, and Morgan and his men were obliged to beat a retreat. Having successfully accomplished its mission, Company F was disbanded September 5, 1864, after five months' honorable service, and the gallant men composing it returned to their homes and quietly resumed their ordinary vocations. In that campaign, Capt. Henkle displayed admirable qualities as a leader, evincing true courage and self-possession when danger menaced and the bat- tle was raging the fiercest. He has always been a devoted adherent of the Republican party, and has held public office with credit. He was Assessor of the township for four years, first elected in 1846, and he was a Director of the County Infirmary cleven years. IIe is interested in the religious welfare of the community as an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, towards whose upbuilding he has contributed liberally.
The home of our subject was made desolate by the death of his beloved wife March 4, 1871, after a happy wedded life of thirty years. She was the mother of ten children, all of whom grew to man- hood and womanhood, and seven of them are still living. They are William, a farmer, in Union Township; Jasper F., a resident of Sabina, who is President of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church; Noah S., a farmer in Jay County, Ind .; Jesse C., who works in a machine shop in Springfield, Ohio; Katherine .J., wife of Ezra Hyre, a farmer of Union Township, who was reared in Jasper Township, and is a son of Anzi Ilyre, who was also a native of Fayette County, and whose people came from Virginia; Amanda S., wife of W. L. Dowder, a blacksmith at Sabina;
and Elineda, who married John Cohagan, and lives with him on her father's farm. Ellen, Mary Jane and Joel are the names of the children of our sub- ject who are dead. Mary was the wife of James Bush.
S IDNER J. WARD. This prominent resi- dent of Pickaway County is a wealthy and influential citizen of Walnut Town- ship. He is a native of the county, his birth occurring January 13, 1823. He is the son of Richard C. and Matilda Ward. The father was a native of Virginia, and when a boy, his par- ents emigrating to Pickaway County, he also came hither and located in Walnut Township with the family on the farm now owned by James Ward. ITere the elder Mr. Ward died, December 9, 1857, greatly mourned by all who knew him.
We make the following mention of the parental family who survive: Our subject; Sarah E., the widow of William M. Holt, and Elizabeth, Mrs. A. C. Nothstine. Sidner J. Ward of this sketch was reared to man's estate amid the pioneer scenes of this county, and has watched with interest the gradual evolution of the country from its original wild state into productive farms and its present prosperous air of rural comfort. He has done his full share in developing this section, assisting his father in clearing and improving the virgin soil.
Our subject had not the advantages offered to the youth of to-day for securing an education, and his first schooling was obtained in a log cabin with slab seats and puncheon floor. He was an apt pupil, however, and, making the best of his limited opportunities, is to-day a well-educated and intel- ligent gentleman. He was married March 5, 1857, to Catherine Ward, who was born April 1, 1838, in Fairfield County. She was the sister of James Ward, a resident of Walnut Township, and for a sketch of whom the reader is referred to another portion of this volume.
Mr. Ward of this sketch is the proprietor of a magnificent estate comprising over seven hundred acres of valuable land. He has placed good im- provements on his farm, and standing conspicu-
John Silver
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ously among his substantial and convenient farm buildings will be noticed the comfortable resi- dence which is presided over by Mrs. Ward, who is a most excellent and hospitable lady. She has greatly assisted her worthy husband in attaining to his present high standing in the agricultural community, and he gives her all due praise.
In his political relations, Mr. Ward is a Repub- lican, and has been actively interested in all measures which had for their object the upbuild- ing of his community. Mrs. Ward is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and, with her husband, is enjoying the peace which comes to those who have led an honest and upright life, respected by all their friends and neighbors.
G EORGE T. SILVER. Among the men who are doing well financially through cultivat- ing the soil in Madison County is Mr. Sil- ver who owns a fine estate in Jefferson Township. He has erected substantial buildings on the place and from his three hundred acres of carefully-cul- tivated land a plenteous harvest is gathered at the proper season.
John Silver, the father of our subject, was born July 1, 1801, in Pennsylvania, and at his death in July, 1882, left a magnificent estate. He occupied a prominent place in church affairs and held the position of Deacon in the Baptist Society for a number of years. He was first married to Miss Mary Koontz, who bore her husband three children, Richard, Henry and Asa. A sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this volume.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine Speaker; she was born in Bed- ford County, Pa., February 12, 1809, and on com- ing to Madison County, this State, in 1837, located in Jefferson Township, where her death occurred April 17, 1885. She was the mother of eight chil- dren of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth. Of the other members of the family the following is recorded: Ann, the wife of Abner Whiteley died in Platte County, Mo., March 14.
1873; Mary M. resides in Madison County; Eliza J. married S. W. Durflinger and died in London, this State, May 23, 1878; Sue E. departed this life December 2, 1871; John W., David and Rachel died in infancy.
Born JJanuary 14, 1847, our subject was reared to farm pursuits on the old homestead, and has made that calling his life-long occupation. The old homestead, which is located at the forks of the National and Urbana Pikes, includes three hun- dred acres which he owns together with his sister Mary M. In politics, Mr. Silver invariably casts a Republican vote and has done much toward fur- thering the temperance cause in his locality, being an active worker in the Blue Temperance Lodge. He has been Deacon in the Baptist Church for a number of years, and as one of the respected and useful citizens of Madison County well deserves representation in this volume. Ilis portrait is shown on the accompanying page.
AMUEL W. MILLER, ex-Auditor of Pick- away County, is residing in Circleville, where he is extensively engaged in hand- ling real estate, owning about three hun- dred acres on Darby Bottoms, some ten miles west of the city in Muhlenberg Township. Mr. Miller was born March 21, 1858, in Darbyville, and his father, William A. Miller, was a native of Shep- herdstown, Va., where his birth occurred January 3, 1818. His father, also named William Miller, was a native of the Old Dominion, and was a pa- triot in the Revolutionary War. The latter-named gentleman came to Ohio and died while on a visit to his son.
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