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 76
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 76
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 76
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Our subject was married November 18, 1875, to Miss Rachel C.Vanse, a native of Pickaway County, born May 20, 1850, and in her he has a devoted wife. The principal sorrow of their otherwise happy married life has been in the death of their
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only child, Frank, who died at the age of six months. Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter are prominent, socially, and are among the leading members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been Deacon one year. They are very active in Sunday- school work, and the past summer held a mission school in the schoolhouse. In politics, our sub- ject is a Republican, and in his social relations, he is a member of the Grand Army Post at Circle- ville.
ON. ANDREW R. CREAMER, attorney-at- law at Washington C. II., has been ac- tively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession here the last quarter of a century. He is a native of this county, having been born near Jeffersonville June 12, 1847, and is a son of Joseph B. and Elizabeth (Life) Creamer. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Fay- ette County about 1816, at a time when this now prosperous city contained only a few houses. They removed hither with their respective parents, who located near Jeffersonville. Joseph B. Crea- mer was a farmer by occupation, and was very prominent in local affairs, having served several terms as County Commissioner. He is still living, being in his eighty-fourth year; his good wife de- parted this life in 1865.
The original of this sketch attended the graded schools of Jeffersonville, and supplemented the knowledge gained therein by a course in the Nor- mal at Lebanon, and later entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking an elective course. He then taught school for a time, in the interim reading law with the Hon. M. J. Williams, who is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Mr. Creamer was admitted to the Bar in April, 1870, and at once began practice at Wash- ington C. II. In 1871, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, when only twenty-three years of age, which office he filled satisfactorily for one term, declining a second nomination.
In the year 1879, Andrew R. Creamer was nom- inated on the Republican ticket for State Senator, and was elected by five thousand majority. Hle
was the youngest man in the Senate at that time, and one of the youngest ever elected in the State of Ohio. He held that position for one term, the rule of the counties at that time being a single term to each county. He also served as a del- egate to the Republican National Convention in 1880, which resulted in the nomination of Gen. Garfield for President. Mr. Creamer then entered upon the practice of law more vigorously than ever, and is to-day one of the leading attorneys of the Fayette County Bar. He is a stockholder and attorney for the Commercial Bank, of this city, which position he had held since its organization.
Miss Anna E. Brundige, daughter of John and Mary Brundige, of Paris, Ill., became the wife of our subject in 1870. They have been granted a family of three children, viz: Alice, Alfred and Daisy. Mr. and Mrs. Creamer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body our subject serves on the official board. In social matters, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge; also I. O. O. F. lodge, and enjoys a wide and unblemished reputation as being a man of the most perfect business instincts.
ORTLAND C. FULLMER, Editor and proprietor of the Jeffersonian at West Jef- ferson, is an enterprising young journalist who has already made his way to an hon- orable position in his profession. It is an ably conducted paper, its editorials on all subjects of general interest are intelligent, keen and critical, and it has a large subscription list, including all classes of the reading public.
The late George Fullmer, the father of our sub- jeet was born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1798, while the mother, Sophronia Thrasher, was born in Chittenden County, Vt., January 21, 1820. The parents were married in Jefferson, Wis., June 29, 1851, and two years later removed to Pennsylvania locating near Lancaster, where they remained un- til October, 1854, and then came West to Madison County, locating in Jefferson Township. The father was a farmer by ocenpation and took an
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active interest in all local affairs, being especially prominent in church and school matters. He de- parted this life April 1, 1884. his declining years being cheered by the sincere friendship and filial love of those about him.
Of the two children comprised in the parental family, Ilenry D., was the elder and is at present engaged in operating the old homestead. The orignal of this sketch was born in Jefferson Town- ship, Madison County, May 9, 1855, and was reared to mature years on his father's farm. The knowl- edge gained by attendance in the common schools was supplemented by a course at the University at Lebanon, and after finishing his studies he was employed as a teacher for several terms. Mr. Full- mer was later engaged as traveling salesman for medical supplies and for some two years clerked in a drug store in West Jefferson.
In November, 1891, he of whom we write began the publication of the Jeffersonian, which is re- ceived with favor throughout the entire county. In 1889, he was appointed Notary Public, and in social matters is a leading member of West Jeffer- son Lodge No. 412, 1. O. O. F., and occupies a prominent position as a Knight of Pythias. Mr. Fullmer was united in marriage April 6, 1892, with Miss Mary V. Reason, daughter of A. J. and Martha E. Reason, natives of Virginia and Mary- land respectively.
NDREW METZGER. The splendid farm which belongs to this gentleman pos- sesses considerable historical importance as the site of the old Logan fort, and the place where Logan, Chief of the Mingo Indians. is supposed to have made his famous speech. Even at the present time, relies are still found of the savages who once inhabited this beautiful land, hunted the deer and fought sanguinary battles with their equally savage foes, but who are fast disappearing from the face of the country, where once they reigned in undisturbed majesty.
The estate mentioned comprises one hundred
and sixty acres of fertile land, in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, and is divided and subdivided into fields of convenient size, some of which are tilled, and others devoted to pasturage of the stock which may be found upon the place in large num- bers. The owner of the farm, and the subject of this notice, was born in Washington Township, Pickaway County, November 30, 1841, and is the son of Benjamin Metzger, whose birth occurred in this county, in 1808. The grandfather, John Metz- ger, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio during the closing years of the last century, settling in Washington Township, Pickaway County, and sub- sequently removing to Allen County. Ind., where he died.
The father of our subject became a farmer, and, removing from Washington to Pickaway Town- ship, purchased a tract of land, which he tilled and cultivated until his death, in 1868. Ile was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and a man of sincere and noble character. He married Mary Zemer, the daughter of Pennsylvanian parents, and they be- came the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are still living, our subject being the fifth in order of birth. The mother died in 1845, many years prior to the decease of her husband.
Until the death of his father, in 1868, our sub- ject remained at home, aiding in the management of the farm, of which he afterward assumed the en- tire control, and continued in that way for a few years. In 1875, he purchased the farm in Wayne Township, on which he still resides, and which. through his efforts, has been brought to a high state of cultivation. In all his labors he has re- ceived the cheerful co-operation of his wife, to whom he was married in 1873. She was Miss Liz- zie, daughter of Joseph B. Ilaswell. a native of Ohio, and a pioneer merchant in Circleville.
Mr. and Mrs. Metzger are the parents of three children: Benjamin. William (deceased), and Jo- seph. Mrs. Metzger is devoted to the welfare of religious causes, and is identified with the Luth- eran Church. In educational and political mat- ters, Mr. Metzger takes considerable interest, and is a firm adherent of the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He served as Trustee of Wayne Town- ship for nine years, also as School Director, and
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as delegate to various conventions, and in what- ever position he has been placed by his fellow-citi- zens has discharged the duties incumbent upon the office with fidelity and discretion.
AMUEL J. PAULLIN, who occupies a high place among the farmers and stock-breed- ers of Range Township, Madison County, makes a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. His estate, which is pleasantly located, is supplied with all the con- veniences for carrying on this branch of agricul- ture, in which Mr. Paullin is accumulating a hand- some fortune.
Ile of whom we write was born in Paint Town- ship, Fayette County, September 29, 1849, and is a son of Uriah and Martha (Greene) Paullin. The father, who was a native of Greene County, this State, was born on the 24th of February, 1813, while the mother, who also hailed from that county, was born February 14, 1826. Samuel J. spent his boyhood days in Paint Township, on a farm, and in addition to receiving a common-school educa- tion, attended an academy at Bloomingburgh for six months, and when nineteen years of age, took a course of study at Antioch. He then taught school for one term, after which he attended a teachers' session at Lebanon, and then taught another term. Ile later spent one summer in traveling through Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indian Ter- ritory, and, on returning home, carried on his father's estate.
In 1876, while attempting to kill an enraged bull, Mr. Paullin was attacked by the animal and thrown twenty feet, breaking his leg in three places and bruising him generally. He was thus crip- pled for the remainder of that season, but, becom- ing convalescent, he went to Illinois. In 1877, our subject purchased his present home, and two years later, on January 1, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Flora Adelaid, daughter of Andrew B. and Clarinda (Clarridge) Core. She was born in Fayette County, October 21, 1857, and was given an excellent education, following the occu- pation of a teacher for four years.
The seven children comprising the family of Mr. and Mrs. Paullin are Myrta Ethel, who was born in 1879; Herman L., in 1881; Uriah Wilber, in 1882; Edgar Core, in 1883; Minnie Alpha, in 1885; Elda Gertrude, in 1887; and Martha Henrietta, in 1890. They occupy a beautiful home, and move in the best circles of Paint Township.
Mr. Paullin cast his first Presidential vote in 1872, for U. S. Grant. In 1877, he was elected Assessor of his township, and, although not an office-seeker, has been called upon to represent his fellow-towns- men in numerous positions. He has served as Judge of Elections in Democratic wards, and has been delegate to county conventions a number of times, having the honor of nominating Mr. Martin at the convention, when he received his second nomination. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and occupies the po- sition of Trustee and Treasurer of that denomina- tion.
C W. PURSELL is a young man whose na- tive ability has placed him in the front ranks of the business men of Washington C. HI., his birthplace, where he is extensively en- gaged as a lumber merchant and as a manufac- turer of doors, sashes and blinds. He was born August 15, 1856, and was educated in the public schools of this city. At the age of fifteen, he en- tered the Herald office to learn the trade of a printer, and after he had become an expert type- setter he remained in the office as a journeyman. After spending four years in that manner, our subject entered the lumber business, and continued in it seven years. Ile then sold out his business and went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he en- gaged in the manufacture of underwear for three years. Returning at the expiration of that time to Washington C. II., he resumed his old business, and this is one of the leading firms in that line in this part of the county. He also does a thriving business in the manufacture of blinds, doors and sashes.
Mr. Purcell possesses a pleasing personality, is frank and generous by nature, is noted for his
John Courtright
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good fellowship, and is one of the most popular society men in the city. Ilis political affiliations are with the Republican party, of which he is an ardent supporter. In his social relations, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, as a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum.
J OIN COURTRIGHT. Among the success- ful agriculturists of Pickaway County, we may mention the name of Mr. Courtright, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page and whose estate is located on section 14, Walnut Township. His family figures in the social gatherings of this community, where their intelli- gence and cultured manners make them welcome guests. Our subject is a native of the above-named township, his birth occurring January 28, 1838. He is therefore actively interested in all that per- tains to its upbuilding, and is liberal with both his time and means.
Jesse D. and Sallie (Stout) Courtright, the par- ents of our subject, were natives respectively of Fairfield County, this State, and Pennsylvania. The father was reared to man's estate in his native county, where the family were among the pioneers, enduring all the hardships and privations which life in a new country made necessary. He was born in 1811 and by his marriage with Miss Stout became the parent of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Mary J., Mrs. Thomas Cole; Sarah, who married Emanuel Westenhaver; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Ezra Beery; John; George S., a physi- cian residing in Fairfield County, Ohio; Samuel W., a judge at Circleville; Alva P., also a physi- cian, practicing in Circleville; Edson B. O. and Amanda are deceased.
Some time in the '30s, the father of our subject located upon the farm which is the property of John Courtright. He was very prominent in the county, represented Pickaway County one term in the Legislature, and was also the incumbent of various township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a conscientious and satisfactory man-
ner. Socially, he was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in polities was a Democrat. Ile passed from this life February 22, 1873, at Cirele- ville, whither he had removed in 1870. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he was a liberal and cheerful contributor. Mrs. Courtright survived her husband until July, 1881, when she too passed to the home beyond.
The original of this sketch grew to mature years on the home farm and there was trained to a thor- ough understanding of farm life, which pursuit has been his life calling. Ile was given a good education in the public schools of his locality. August 16, 1866, he was married to Minerva L. Brobst, who was born in Fairfield County, Febru- ary 8, 1846. Mrs. Courtright was the daughter of David and Leah (Culp) Brobst, the father a native of the above-named county, and the mother of Walnut Township, this county, where her parents were among the early settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Courtright have been born four children: Alva B., Sallie F., John D. (deceased), and Grace C. Our sub- ject is the proprietor of a splendid estate, compris- ing three hundred and forty-five acres in the home farm, and two hundred acres in Fairfield County, beside a half interest in one hundred and thirty acres, the records thus showing him to be one of the heaviest taxpayers in his school district and township.
In politics, Mr. Courtright is a Democrat, and for a number of years served his fellow-townsmen as Trustee. He is a Director of Reber Hill Cemetery, and, with his good wife, is a member in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church, in which body he served in the capacity of Elder for a long period. Ilis upright and honest life has won the esteem and respect of all good citizens, by whom he will be remembered long after he has been called hence. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Lithopolis Lodge No. 169, in which body he was Master for fourteen years. Ile also served as Eminent Commander of the Scioto Commandery No. 35, at Circleville and was other- wise identified with social life.
A brother of our subject, Judge Samnel Court- right, of Circleville, is one of the prominent and well-to-do residents of that place. Another brother.
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George S. Courtright, is a skillful physician and during the Civil War served as Assistant Surgeon. For two years, he was in the Department of Mexico, and during that time joined the expedition com- manded by Kit Carson against the Indians in Texas, which perhaps the reader will remember was unsuccessful. Our subject and his estimable wife jointly preside over one of the pleasantest homes in the township. Their intelligence and hospital- ity create about them a delightful atmosphere of genuine enjoyment, and with them their friends find a pleasant respite from the cares and fatigues of business and home duties, as well as an intel- lectual stimulus in the best direction.
UGUSTUS P. LAMB. This prominent and wealthy farmer of Scioto Township, Picka- way County, has a reputation among his fellow-citizens of being the greatest " hustler " in the county, and in political circles he is looked upon as one of the shrewdest and most capable men in his party. He is deeply in- terested in educational matters, and considers that the future of Pickaway County depends upon the training which is given to the children of this generation.
Our subject was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 7, 1847, and is a son of Frederick Lamb, who was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1798. The grandfather, who was of German deseent, died when Frederick Lamb was an infant, and when only six years old, the child came, in 1804, to Ohio with his brothers, who settled in Fairfield County. lle had journeyed on horseback over the mountains, a distance of over five hundred miles. He was educated in the pioneer schools, and early turned his attention to the hard work of the frontier, splitting rails and peddling clocks for some eight or ten years, and in that way gain- ing means to make a start in life. He at one time owned fifteen hundred acres of land, and was then esteemed as one of the wealthiest men in the county. An hotel for drovers going to the East-
ern markets was kept by him, and sometimes he had as many as one hundred men under his roof over night. In addition to all this, this man of large business capacity carried on extensive farming and stock-dealing. Ile died at the age of seventy-eight years, an esteemed member of the Protestant Methodist Church, and a Democrat in his political connections.
Elizabeth Caldwell was the maiden name of the mother of our subject, and she was also a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio with some of her relatives when she was a young girl of thirteen. Her parents had died when she was quite young, and had left her an extensive estate, with a large number of slaves, whom she set free. It was in 1828 that she came to Ohio, and she traveled on horseback over the mountains. She was the mother of ten children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Almeda, Hamilton, Worth- ington, Frederick, our subject and Edson. This woman of remarkable capability and character died at the age of fifty years. She was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and, with a few others, was the main support of that body in her vicinity. Indeed, the church building was erected through her efforts and contributions.
The boyhood of our subject was passed upon the farm, and after attending the district school in the log school house, he studied at the Fairfield Union Academy, spending two years there study- ing German and Latin. While a pupil in the distriet school, he had a teacher who had been hired on account of his extraordinary ability in mathematics, but who was a hard drinker. Young Lamb found his teacher's jug of whiskey under a root in a clearing back of the schoolhouse, and at recess filled it full of water. The teacher went out to get a drink, and was wild with rage at find- ing the trick which had been played upon him. The child was frightened at the teacher's anger and began to cry, thus showing his own connec- tion with the affair, whereupon the teacher made him tell who had suggested to him this act, and whipped them.
Upon first beginning work for himself, the young man farmed for six years upon one hun- dred and sixty acres in Fairfield County, and then
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moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where for one year he carried on a speculative business, but not lik- ing the land there, returned to Fairfield County and rented for two years. He lived for six years upon three hundred and forty aeres near Darby- ville, a property which he bought at $33 and sold at 865 per acre. His farm in Pickaway County, upon which he moved in 1881, has three hundred and forty acres, and all of it is improved land.
Rebecca McNaghten, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, became the wife of our subject September 19, 1870. They have six children liv- ing and one has passed from earth. Those who are living are Owen P. (now in the Columbus Uni- versity), Whitney E., Clyde C., Frederick W., Rex and Nellie. Most of the farm is rented out to ten- ants, and Mr. Lamb devotes all his time to trad- ing in stock and other directions, buying and sell- ing large numbers of horses and cattle. Ile has unusual ability in business matters, and is of a speculative turn of mind. He goes to Cincinnati and Chicago to buy stock and brings them here to fat- ten and sell. He is a Democrat in his political views, and is looked up to for his wisdom in regard to State politics. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Commercial Point. There is no point upon which Mr. Lamb is more wide-awake and progressive than in regard to the education of his children, which he looks upon as of supreme im- portance.
LLEN LATHAM is a general farmer on a fertile tract of four hundred and fifty- seven acres of land located in Jasper Township, Fayette County. He was the son of Bela and Mary Ellen (Feagens) Latham, natives espectively of Maine and Ohio. The par- ents were married in Fayette County, soon after which event they located on a farm in Union Township. In 1834, they moved upon the land which is in possession of our subject, but which at that early period was in its original wildness. The tract comprises three hundred acres, nearly all of
which Mr. Latham placed under good cultivation prior to his decease, which occurred in 1873. His good wife preceded him to the world beyond by several years, her death taking place in 1868.
The parental family of our subject included eleven children, only four of whom are living. Five sons took part in the late Civil War: Charles was killed at the battle of Cheat Mountain; Field- ing died in the hospital while in the service. The elder Mr. Latham took a great interest in the wel- fare of his township, and served his fellow-towns- men as Trustee for several terms. He was a member in good standing of the Christian Church and gave liberally of his means to its support.
The original of this sketch was born November 17, 1832, in Union Township, Fayette County. Ile was an infant when his parents settled on the farm, where he grew to manhood, and where he saw plenty of hard work, having to assist his father in cultivating the land. When starting out in life on his own responsibility, Mr. Latham secured a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, and improved the same.
Our subject joined the Union army in 1864, and enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty- eighth Ohio Militia. The regiment went into camp at Ft. Dennison, and later went into Ken- tucky, where Mr. Latham did guard duty; he also participated in the Morgan raid. He was in the service for four months, and then returning home he was married in July, 1865, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Moore and Ann (Bailey) Bragg, na- tives of this State, being residents of Ross County. There the mother's decease took place, while the father died in lowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Bragg were born five children, Mrs. Latham's birth occurring in 1844.
After his marriage, he of whom we write settled upon the home farm, where he continued to reside for three and a half years. IIe then removed to a farm a mile and a half southeast of Plymouth and made that place his home for sixteen years, when he returned to what is now his present abiding-place. Ifis estate comprises four hundred and fifty-seven acres of valuable land, more than half of which is under the most approved methods of cultivation. He gives his time and attention
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