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 77
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 77
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 77
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to general farming and has been more than ordi- marily successful in his calling.
To Mr. and Mrs. Latham has been born one daughter, Mary Ellen, who is the wife of Grant Marchant, M. D., and resides in Milledgeville; they are the parents of one child. Mrs. Latham is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, our subject is a thorough Republican, and his interest in educa- tional affairs has caused him to be placed on the School Board. Ile has occupied the responsible position of Trustee of his township for two terms, during which time he fulfilled all the duties of that office in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.
AMES SILCOTT. This prominent practic- ing dentist of Washington C. II. occupies a pleasant and conveniently located suite of rooms in the Worthington Block, corner of Market and Main Streets. His office is furnished with all the appliances which contribute to success in his profession, and his attention is closely given to the welfare of his patients. Not only is he popular among the people of the county, but he is prominently and favorably known in the ranks of his professional brethren.
Born in Washington C. II. November 30, 1862, our subject is the son of A. E. Silcott, an early resident of the city. Ile was educated in the common and Iligh Schools of the place, graduating from the latter in 1880, after which he was for one year a student in the State University at Colum- bus. He then entered the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., and after studying there one year, followed the profession of a civil engineer for two years, making the first surveys on the Columbus, & Cincinnati Midland Railroad, and afterward en- gaging in surveys in the West.
On returning to Ohio, our subject commenced the study of dentistry with his uncle, Dr .. J. R. Taylor, of Cincinnati, with whom he remained until 1884. He then entered the Ohio Dental Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the Class
of '86. For the ensuing two years he occupied the position of Demonstrator in bo perative and mechanical departments, following which he came to Washington C. H. and opener. am office in 1889. Ile now enjoys an extensive a .uve practice, and is highly esteemed by the people of the county.
Dr. Silcott is a member of the Missi : ¿ Valley Dental Association, of which he has b one year. Ile is also identified with . nati Odontological Society, the State ASSO-
ciation, also President of the Board O. Dental Ex- aminers of the State of Ohio, the Cm Phi fra- ternity; and socially, he is a member of Fayette Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Knights . f Pythias. His marriage October 17, 1889, at Hill, Cincinnati, united him with Miss Mar. Leininger, of that place, and they are the parentsof one child, Marie. They are prominently identined with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the social cir- cles of Washington C. II. are welcome guests. Po- litically, our subject is a Republican.
OHN MALLOW comes of the fine old pio- neer stock that was represented in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812, and by his good soldiership during the late rebellion, he proved himself worthy of so patriotic an ancestry. He is a farmer in Wayne Township, Fayette County, where he has large and valuable landed interests, and is among the foremost of his calling in his county.
Mr. Mallow was born in Ross County in 1838, a son of Simeon and Jane Mallow. His father was also a native of Ross County, and was born in 1813 on the same farm on which his son, of whom we write, first opened his eyes to the light. Ilis parents were Adam and Phebe (Dice) Mallow, who were natives of Pendleton County, Va., and earl .. settlers of Ross County. this State, locating ther in 1800. The former was a son of Adam and Sarah (Bush) Mallow, and was an officer in the War of 1812, who attained the rank of Major. His father
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was a native. of Virginia, and, when a mere child, was carpet & by the Indians at Ft. Sebert, on the Potomac River, his mother, several brothers and a siste bbeing taken at the same time. Ilis lifehenj Tuerved on account of his bravery, while his brothersand sister were killed before the eyes of their " because they cried. His savage cap- tors brougpp, him to the old Indian village of Chillicothel . the adjoining county of Ross, and he was with" " m six years before he could effect his escape. en. was very favorably impressed with the beauty of the country around his Indian home, and he came to this State in the last years of his life to spen 1 his remaining days in Ross County, where he ab d at a good old age. He was a soldier in the onionution, and fought at Point Pleasant.
Simeon weallow's education was limited to the district school of the olden times. His parents both died when he was young, and he immediately took charge of his father's farm, his early training fitting him to carry it on in an able manner. At the age of twenty-two, he took unto himself a wife in the person of Jane Campbell, who was born in Wayne Township in 1815, and was a daughter of William and Margaret (Macolum) Campbell, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Vir- ginia, who had located in Fayette County in 1800. After marriage, Mr. Mallow bought the remainder of the old homestead from the other heirs, and quietly, contentedly and prosperously pursued his vocation thercon, and fulfilled his duties as a man and a citizen throughout a long and honorable life, until his death in 1885. His wife had passed away ten years previously. To them had been born these four children: Adam G., JJohn, Lewis C. and Armilda. The father was of the old Whig stock, and when the Republican party rose he joined its ranks. He held most of the offices of his township, and: always took an affectionate pride in its pro- gress.
In the early years of his manhood, the subject of this biography showed the value of his citizen- ship by entering the army in 1862, as a member of Company K, Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and go- ng forth from home and friends to help fight his country's battles, and, mayhap, to die in defense of the Union. His regiment was attached to the
Army of the Cumberland, and he took part in many of the most important engagements in which that branch of the service figured. Thus he was present at the dreadful battle of Chickamauga; helped in the successful storming of Missionary Ridge, where the common soldiers covered them- selves with glory; did some heavy fighting at Dal- ton and Resaca; was in all the principal battles that were fought during Gen. Sherman's famous march to the sea, assisting in the siege and cap- ture of Atlanta, and finally took part in the Grand Review at Washington in 1865, after the close of the war. He had a full experience of the hardships and perils of a soldier's life, but happily escaped from many of the dangers that threatened on every hand, only receiving a slight wound, at Chickamauga, which necessitated his going to the hospital for a short time. Ile entered the service as a private, and was mustered out as First Lieu- tenant of his company, an honor well deserved.
Returning home from the battle-fields of the South, Mr. Mallow at once resumed the duties on the farm that he had laid aside when he abandoned the plough and the reaping hook to shoulder the musket. In 1867, he took upon himself the re- sponsibilities of domestic life, marrying Miss Julia, daughter of Solomon and Juliet (Crawford) Bush. Her father was a son of John and Mariette (Wise) Bush. John Bush was a son of Michael Bush, who in turn was a son of Lewis Bush. To Mr. and Mrs. Mallow were born five children, two of whom died young. The survivors are Alma E., Otis B. and Harry C. In 1883, death removed the beloved wife and mother from the home that her presence had made so pleasant, but her influence still lingers within its precinets, and her memory is hallowed.
Mr. Mallow eame to his present place of resi- dence in 1870, and has here one of the best-ap- pointed farms in all Wayne Township. Its area is five hundred and ten acres of well-improved land, amply supplied with modern and conveniently ar- ranged buildings, including a brick dwelling-house and substantial barns; and our subject has put up neat fenees, and has drained the land by a com- plete system of tiling.
Mr. Mallow's political relations have been with
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the Republican party ever since he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has held many of the offices of his township, and has in various ways been prominently indentified with its advancement.
I. BALLINGER, M. D. We here present a life sketch of one of the prominent citizens of Plain City, who is an Ohioan by birth, having been born in Zane Township, Logan County, October 18, 1828. His father, Joshua Ballinger, was born in 1803, in Burlington, N. J., and became a farmer. In early life, he came to Ohio with his par- ents, making his home, in 1810, in what is now known as Logan County, and remaining there until his death, which took place in 1873. This honored parent was in his political views a Whig in his early life and later a Republican. For many years he was an active and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in his later years was an earnest worker in the Protestant Methodist de- nomination. ITis father, Samuel Ballinger, who was a native of Burlington County, N. J., died at the age of seventy-five years.
William Ballinger, an ancestor of our subject, was banished from France and found his new home in England. Later, he came to America, where his descendants have since found a congenial home. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Delilah Inskeep, and is a native of Ohio, being born in Logan County in 1808. This venerable lady still makes her home upon the farm where she was born, and is the oldest native-bom resident in that county. Her father, John Inskeep, was a native of Culpeper, Va., and both from her family and from that of his father our subject is of Quaker stock. The grandfather of the Doctor was a preacher among this godly and enlightened people.
The parents of Dr. Ballinger were united in mar- riage in Logan County, Ohio, and there reared a family of eight children, three daughters and five sons, all of whom are still living. W. I. is the sec- ond child and eldest son, and until he reached the age of nineteen, his life was spent upon the farm.
After attending the district school, he entered the academy at Marysville, Union County, Ohio, in 1848, and after two years in that excellent institu- tion he took a three-years' course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. It was in 1853 that he commeneed the study of medicine, read- ing with Dr. D. W. L. Henderson, of Marysville, remaining with him for three years, and at the same time attending lectures in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus. Later, he studied at the Cleveland Medical College, where he received his diploma in March, 1856.
The young Doctor's first location for practice was in Plain City, in April of the same year, and he has remained here during all the years of the past quarter of a century. Besides attending to the claims of his medical practice, which has been extensive, he has engaged in the milling business. In company with R. Woodruff, of Plain City, he built a mill in 1873, and when his partner died two years later, Dr. Ballinger bought his interest and has since continued its sole proprietor. This mill has been a great help to the farming commu- nity, as it was the first one in the vicinity and was the first enterprise to give Plain City a start in busi- ness progress. Since its erection, there are probably a thousand acres of wheat raised where there were ten acres before. Its capacity for the mannfacture of flour is seventy-five barrels daily, and the mill now has the roller process. The Doctor found himself over-burdened on account of the milling business and in 1883 gave up his medical practice. Ile has a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres in Darby Township. This he carries on pros- perously and is also interested financially in a furniture factory, which is a prominent enterprise of Plain City.
The lady who presides over the home of Dr. Ballinger became his wife February 18, 1857. Her maiden name was Matilda Taylor and she is a daughter of John and Eliza (Mark) Taylor, and was born in Darby Township. Iler mother, who is still living, has reached the good age of seventy-nine years and still makes her home in Darby Township. Of the five children of our subject, two died in in- fancy. The eldest son, John, now lives in Plain City, as does also the second son, James L. Miss
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Eva, the only daughter, a lady of unusual accom- plishments, especially in the musical line, is at home with her parents. The Doctor is prominent in the Masonic lodge and active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. His political affiliations have ever been with the Re- publican party, and his first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. Winfield Scott.
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AMES WILLIAM DUFFEE is a member of the firm of JJ. W. Duffee & Co., grocers and provision dealers at Washington C. II., one of the most solid and prosperous busi- ness firms of the city. Our subject comes of a family that was well represented during the late war, in which he himself fought, though only a mere boy when he entered the army.
Mr. Duffee was born January 17, 1846, and is a native of this State, his birthplace being in Hock- ing County. He is a son of Charles Duffee, who is also a native of Ohio, born in Meigs County in 1822, his parents, who were Pennsylvanians, hav- ing been among the pioneers of that county. When he was about eleven years old, they removed to Hocking County, and settled in Stark Town- ship. Ile remained there until he was twenty-nine years old, and then went to Vinton County, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. At the end of six years, which were employed at his trade, he came to Washington C II., and was engaged in the manufacture of shoes here until the summer of 1861. The breaking out of the war roused his patriotism, and in August of that year he enlisted in Company A, First Ohio Cavalry. He served most of the time on detached duty, winning an excellent record as a soldier. and was honorably discharged at the close of his term of enlistment in December, 1862, at St. Paul, Minn.
After he retired from the army, Mr. Duffee re- sumed his trade at Washington C. II., and carried it on until 1875, when he became a manufacturer, and was so engaged for seven years. At the ex- piration of that time, he went into the grocery business with his sons, and is still interested in
that. Ile is prominent in public life, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, having been Warden of his lodge. Ile has been Marshal of the city for two years, and is a man greatly respected. In politics, he has been a Republican since the war. Mr. Duffee has a wife and two sons. our subject and G. W. The latter is engaged in the shoemaking business. Hle is an honored veteran of the war, who was quite young when he first enlisted, in 1861, in Company C, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry. He was with that regi- ment one year, and was then mustered out. In 1863, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Company A, First Ohio Cavalry, and served with fidelity throughout the remainder of the Rebellion, receiving his final discharge in August, 1865. Hle then returned to this city, and has been engaged as before mentioned ever since. His war record is commemorated by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
The subject of this biographical review was young when his parents came to Washington C. II. and took up their permanent residence here, and his education was completed in the excellent schools of this city. Ile learned the trade of a shoemaker, and made shoes for a living until his enlistment in November, 1861, in Company C. Sixtieth Ohio Infantry. Although so youthful, he displayed fine soldierly qualities, and did good service until taken prisoner with his brother at Harper's Ferry, where he had done some good fighting. He and his brother were paroled, and mustered out at Chicago in December, 1862. Ile returned to Washington C. II., went back to his trade, and continued at it until 1875, when he se- cured a position as clerk in a shoe store, which he held about two years. We then find him in busi- ness on his own account with his father as grocer and provision dealer. They have a well-fitted up establishment, in which they carry a full line of groceries and provisions, and they are doing a fine business, as they are attentive to their customers, supplying them always with the best to be ob- tained, keep a careful run of the markets, and are strictly honorable in their dealings.
Mr. Duffee was married May 16, 1867, to Miss Frances, daughter of Daniel Wendell, a merchant
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of this city, who keeps a gentleman's furnishing and clothing store. Mr. and Mrs. Duffee are greatly esteemed in social circles for their many amiable and agreeable qualities, and true hospital- ity is found in their home, which is brightened by the presence of their two daughters: Grace, who is twenty-three years old; and May Margueretta, who is eleven years old. Mr. Duffee is a charter member of John Bell Post No. 119, G. A. R., and he belongs to the Masonic order. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, religiously, a Presbyterian, who works heartily with his fellow-members in promoting the welfare of the church and of the community at large.
L EWIS R. LESHIER. The farms of the Plum Run Valley are unsurpassed for fer- tility of soil and beauty of location by any estates in Pickaway County. Among them, one of the largest and best improved is the farm belong- ing to Mr. Lesher, and comprising four hundred and thirteen and one-half acres, which are under good cultivation. The place is watered by the Plum Run River, a beautiful stream that never goes dry, and even when parching droughts destroy crops in other sections of the State, still flows on tranquilly and contributes to secure the bountiful harvests of this locality. A view of the homestead is shown on another page.
A native of Berks County, Pa., Mr. Lesher was born September 12, 1839, and is descended from German ancestors, who, in the second generation before him, emigrated to the United States and made a settlement in the Keystone State. His father, Samuel, was born in Berks County and learned the trade of a mason in his youth, although he was principally engaged as a farmer, and became quite wealthy. His death occurred in 1865, when he was about three-score and ten. Ilis wife, Sarah Ann Raber, likewise a native of Berks County, died when about forty years old. Both were identified with the German Lutheran Church and were consistent Christians. The family of which
our subject is a member consists of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Lewis R. received a somewhat limited schooling but has gained a good education through attendance in the school of experience, where toil and hardship were his severe but efficient instructors. When eighteen, he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, but never followed it to any considerable extent. At the age of twenty, he commenced to clerk in a store, but after engaging in that way for three years, his health failed and he was obliged to seek other employment.
In the spring of 1862, Mr. Lesher removed to Pickaway County, and located in Salt Creek Town- ship, where he has since resided. He purchased land and immediately commenced to farm and raise cattle. August 2, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lutz, daughter of the venerable Samuel Lutz, mentioned in this work. Mrs. Lesher was born and reared on the farm where she still lives, and is highly esteemed by a host of warm personal friends. She is the mother of three children, namely: Samuel H. who is mar- ried and lives near the old homestead; and Lizzie and Charles, who are at home.
In political matters, as in all affairs of general interest, Mr. Lesher keeps thoroughly posted and affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as delegate to county and district conventions and was Township Treasurer for two years, and at pres- ent is serving as Trustee. In 1891, he was nomi- nated for County Commissioner, and although the county has a Democratic majority of between eight and twelve hundred, he was defeated by only one hundred and fifty votes. Socially. he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellowys. In the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he has been Deacon and Treasurer for several years, and Treasurer of the Sunday-school for some time, be- ing a pillar in the church and an active promoter of all good works.
In addition to his homestead, Mr. Lesher owns sixty acres in Hoeking County, and his landed in- terests are extensive and valuable. Ile engages in stock-raising and makes a specialty of Short-horn cattle, in which he has been successful. He com- menced in life without means, but by sturdy in-
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SETTLED IN 1802. BY · JACOB LUTZ.
RESIDENCE OF L.R. LESHER, SEC. 26, SALT CREEK TP., PICKAWAY COUNTY, OHIO.
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tegrity and unremitting perseverance, he has be- come well-to-do. He is a close observer of men and things and possesses a deep insight into affairs of moment. Since 1862, he has been a subscriber and reader of the daily Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, and formulates opinions only after careful study and close observation.
OHIN A. GROCE was born amid the pioneer scenes of Pickaway County, October 23, 1825, and for many years contributed to its prosperity by his practical work as an in- telligent farmer who has a well-managed farm on section 35, Walnut Township. He is a son of George and Catherine (Souders) Groce, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of this county. They came here when there were but few other whites here, the country in its original wild- ness with but few settlements, and in the flourish- ing town of Circleville there were but three cabins. They took up their abode in a log cabin in the woods of what is now Walnut Township, and un- derwent the usual hardships and privations in building up their home. Further mention of them is made in the biography of their son Amos, which appears on these pages.
When our subject was a boy, Indians were still lingering around their old hunting-grounds and homes in this region, and wild game was plentiful. He is mainly self-educated, as the rude log school- houses of his day were not the seats of learning that the modern school buildings are, educational facilities being rather limited. However, he was well endowed with a clear brain, and a healthy, active nature, together with a good capacity for sustained and well-directed labor, and he has done well in the prosecution of his calling as a farmer, having a valuable farm, which yields him a goodly income. It is well supplied with a good class of buildings, that are neat and well kept, and he has all the appliances for carrying on farming to good advantage.
The marriage of Mr. Groce with Miss Julia A. Tobias occurred in November, 1846. She was a
native of Pennsylvania, and in the early years of the settlement of Pickaway County, came hither with her parents. She was the mother of five chil- dren, of whom these two are living, George F. and Julia A., the latter the wife of Winsan Corder. The names of the three deceased are John A., Emanuel and Catherine. December 6, 1883, our subject was married to Mrs. Susan Bolan, widow of Thomas J. Bolan, formerly of Scioto Township. She was born in Walnut Township, December 31, 1822, and is a daughter of George and Mary Brinker, natives of Pennsylvania, who at an early period in the settlement of Pickaway County came here and located in the woods of Walnut Township. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven survive: Nancy, Mrs. Groce; Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Compton; George, Sarah;, Lovina, wife of Nelson Warren; and John.
It has been the privilege of our subjeet and his wife to witness much of the growth of Pickaway County from its original wildness, and in them we have good types of that fine class of people de- veloped by the environments of pioneer life. They have always lived uprightly, in true friendship with all about them, and none know them but to respect them. Mrs. Groce is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as one of its most ac- tive working members.
OHN FLORENCE is conducting a profitable business as farmer and stock-raiser, his inter- ests centering in Monroe Township, where he has a good-sized, finely managed farm, situated nine miles west, and a little south, of Plain City. Ile is a native of Madison County, and was born October 5, 1845. His father, Robinson Flor- ence, was a native of Virginia, and a son of Wili- iam and Fanny Florence, who came from that State to this when he was young, and were among the pioneers of Pickaway County, locating on land that they developed into a farm.
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