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 82
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 82
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 82
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The father of our subject, George Hitler. . Jr .. and his brother Jacob bought one hundred and
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sixty acres of land in South Washington Township in 1819 and began raising wheat. They manufac- tured flour there and shipped it to New Orleans by flatboat, realizing a much greater profit in that way than by selling the grain at home. Hle followed this for ten years, making one trip each year. He became the owner of one thousand acres of land, with improvements of all kinds, both in Washing- ton and Circleville Townships, and resided in the former township until 1838, when he moved to the latter. Ilonest and upright in every particular, he was one of the most highly respected citizens of the county and had a host of warm friends. No worthy movement lagged for want of support from this honored man and in his death the county lost one of its best men. He died January 6, 1884, and his death was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss to be sustained by the departure of such a man. In politics, he was a Democrat. Ile married Miss Hannah Ludwig, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Thomas Ludwig, also a native of the Keystone State. The latter came to Circleville Township with his father, Daniel Ludwig, at an early day (see sketch of Daniel Ludwig), and died here when comparatively a young man. He was the father of one child, Ilannah, our subject's mother. She died in 1863, when fifty-seven years of age, and was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. Of the seven children born to this much esteemed couple, five grew to mature years and three are living at the present time: Susanna, now Mrs. Ross, in Michi- gan ; Thomas, in Washington Township, this county, and our subject.
The original of this notice was reared in Circle- ville Township and received a good practical edu- cation in the common schools. At an early age, he became thoroughly familiar with the duties of the farm and assisted his father in tilling the home place until twenty-one years of age. After his marriage, in 1878, he took charge of the farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres and has carried it on successfully ever since. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of good tillable soil in Circle- ville and Washington Townships, and is one of the substantial and progressive men in his section. Ilis buildings are all large and commodious and
everything about the place indicates the owner to be a man of enterprise and thoroughness. In con- nection with his farming industry, he is engaged in stock-raising and has met with success in this as in all else. He has a stock farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Wayne Township, on Darby Plains, and has a fine brick residence. In 1890, he erected the fine residence in Circleville and has since made his home in this city. He rents his land and is now prepared to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
lle selected his wife in the person of Miss Ida M. Lutz, a native of Circleville Township, Piek- away County, Ohio, and their nuptials .were cele- brated in 1878. Her father, Eli Lutz, was a native of this county and his father, Jacob Lutz, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a prominent old resident here. Eli Lutz was a farmer of Circleville Town- ship and became quite wealthy. He died in 1882. To our subject and wife have been born five chil- dren, three living: Bertha, Guy L. and May. Mr. Hitler has served on the grand jury two terms and also on the petit jury for some time. In polities, he is a Democrat and has been a delegate to county con ventions. Mr. Hitler's wife died April 6, 1892.
EREMLAH L. HALL, who has extensive tile works at Derby, is distinguished in the brief history of this wide-awake and pros- perous village as one of its foremost citizens, who built the first house within its corporate lim- its, whose public and progressive spirit has been the means of extending its improvements and of forwarding its educational and religious interests, and whose influence is felt in all good causes that will in any way benefit this part of Pickaway County.
Mr. Hall was born July 6, 1833, two miles south of the village of Bremen, in Fairfield County, of which his father and grandfather, both named James Hall, were early pioneers. His grandfather was born in 1760, and is supposed to have been a native of this country, although he was of English
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descent. Hle carried on his occupation as a farmer in Maryland until his removal to Virginia, where he lived a few years prior to taking the long and eventful journey, with a cart and horses, which led him over the mountains to the wilds of Fairfield County, in 1811. He took up his residence in a log cabin among the pioneers near Rushville, and at the time of his death, in 1820, had cleared and improved a small part of his land.
After the family eame to Ohio, the father of our subject returned to West Virginia, was there married and subsequently came back to Ohio. He owned a quarter section of land two miles south of Bremen. from which he felled the trees, placed it under a good state of cultivation, and made of it a well- improved farm. He was an easy-going man, but a constant worker, and though he started in life poor, he acquired a handsome competence by his excellent management. He took an active inter- est in church affairs and was an ardent Methodist, who was greatly missed by his fellow-members when he departed this life in 1868, leaving behind him the blessed memory of a thoroughly good man. His politics were of the Whig stamp. Eliza- beth Lockwood was the maiden name of his wife, and she was born in Connectient, March 31, 1792. Her life was prolonged to the age of sixty-two years and six months. She too was of English antecedents. She was striet in her religious belief, and was a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. To her and her husband were born these ten children: Benjamin (deceased). David L. (deceased), Susanna (deceased), James, Isaac (deceased), Mary A., Caroline, Isaiah (deceased). Jeremiah L., and Elizabeth.
The early life of our subjeet was passed on a farm, and as he was naturally thoughtful and studious, he eagerly seized every opportunity to gain an education. Ilis first schooling was ob- tained in his native county, in an old log school house, that was furnished with slab benehes, a board resting on wooden pins driven into the wall being the writing-desk, while a hole made in the wall by cutting out a log served as a window. At twenty years of age, Mr. Hall entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and was a stu- dent there for several terms for four or five years,
having to stay away a part of the time to teach in order to get money to pay expenses, but he eon- trived to complete most of the studies of the scien- tific course. He taught in all, during the early part of his life, twenty-five terms, having charge of the schools in Hocking, Pickaway and Franklin Counties at different times. Ile taught several terms after his marriage, and until upwards of thirty-eight years of age, when he abandoned the profession entirely. Two of his children had the benefit of his instruction as his pupils in schools that he taught. He used to sell fruit trees at in- tervals while teaching. About twenty years ago. when tile was a new thing, in a laudable spirit of enterprise he established a factory for its manu- facture in JJackson Township, Franklin County, and operated it some fifteen years in the summer seasons, while he taught occasionally in the winter. March 12. 1881, he removed to the site of the present village of Derby, erected the first house herein, and his was the first family to select this locality as a home. The same year he established a tile factory, which he still continues to operate with undiminished success, and with fine profits. He now manufactures about fifteen thousand rods of tile, or about two hundred and fifty thousand tile a year, making all sizes, from two to fifteen- inch bore, and sells it over a scope of country for ten miles south and east. He has a large and comfortable residence erected in 1884, and his surroundings are very pleasant.
Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Miller April 8, 1863, and in her he has a con- genial and companionable wife, who looks care fully to the comfort and happiness of her house- hold. Mrs. Hall is a native of Jackson Township, Franklin County, and was born August 16, 1838. Iler marriage with our subject has been blessed by the birth of five children. of whom these four are living: Bertha B., Isaac C., James M., and Emmet M. Lovet is the name of the child that has passed on before.
Mr. Hall has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of his adopted village, and his fellow- citizens owe him a debt of gratitude for his zeal in securing educational and religious advantages. He is Sehool Director, is very much alive to the
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need of a good education for the young people of the village, and he spent much time and money to have the present High School, an excellent institu- tion of learning, established here. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Church, towards the upbuilding of which he has contrib- uted generously, he being one of the leaders in procuring the erection of the neat and attractive house of worship in which he and his fellow-mem- bers congregate for divine services. He teaches in, and is Treasurer of, the Sunday-school, while his eldest son, Isaac, is Superintendent thereof. Our subject carries his religion into his politics, and is a Prohibitionist of no uncertain stamp.
G EORGE MeCLIMANS JOHNSTON, one of the extensive land-owners of Madison County, was born November 29, 1814, in Range Township, where he still resides. His grandfather, Ilenry Johnston, was a Revolutionary soldier, who served for seven years in the Colonial army. At one time, he was chasing an Indian and another redskin took after him. He tripped and fell over a root, and while the Indian stood over him with uplifted tomahawk, an Irishman shot the savage, who fell over Mr. Johnston.
William Johnston, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa .. April 12, 1781, and in early life emigrated to Ohio, locating in Ross County. He bought about four hundred acres of land in this vicinity. On the 9th of May, 1805, he wedded Margaret MeClimans, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., January 10, 1784, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Crevistine) McClimans. Her father was born April 29, 1756, and her mother May 27, 1765. On coming to Ohio, they located in Range Township, Madison County. The father's death occurred Aug- ust 8, 1829. In the family were the following chil- dren : Mrs. Johnston; William, who was born Sep- tember 29, 1786, and died February 10, 1842; George W., born April 20, 1789, died August 22, 1850; Sarah, born August 28, 1792, became the wife of Isaac Houseman, and is now deceased: John, born
March 16, 1794, died June 25, 1849; James, born July 29, 1796, died June 15, 1860; Joseph, born October 29, 1798, died in September, 1805; Samuel, born July 15, 1801, died August 18, 1855; Isaac, born March 23, 1805, died .June 6, 1880 and David, born December 16, 1808, died March 18, 1874.
In Ross County, three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston: John, born Mareh 13, 1806; Mary, October 1, 1809 and William, Septem- ber 24, 1812. In 1813, they removed with their family to Madison County. Our subject was the first child born in this county. He was followed by Henry, born May 2, 1816; James, December 23, 1817; Sarah, July 26, 1819; Hannah, July 29, 1822; Joseph, September 19, 1824, and Margaret, .Janu- ary 28, 1827. James died September 29, 1823, but the others all grew to mature years. Those now deceased are Mary, who died July 24, 1839; Sarah, April 13, 1854; John, in July, 1882, and William, in April, 1889. The mother of this family passed away in February, 1862, and the father was called to his final rest October 29, 1866. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics and cast his first vote for Thomas Jefferson in 1804. He was a prominent man and held the office of Justice of the Peace for eighteen years.
Our subject grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was married December 24, 1835, to Barbara Bean, daughter of Henry and Rachel (Roose) Bean. On both sides, she is of German descent. Her parents eame to Champaign County, Ohio, when she was about twenty years of age. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Sep- tember 4, 1812.
For a year after his marriage, Mr. Johnston re- sided upon his father's farm and then lived upon rented land for twelve years. His brothers and sisters having then mostly left home, he returned to care for his parents and at their deaths he pur- chased the interest of the heirs in the farm which he now owns. He has added to this until his landed possessions now aggregate nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, which are operated in part- nership by his sons.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been born seven children: Margaret M., born January 1, 1837. is the wife of D. B. Foster, whose sketch ap-
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pears in this work. William T., her twin brother, died September 21, 1850, at the age of thirteen years. James, born February 25, 1839, was mar- ried, December 21, 1871, to Miss Lenora Harnbeck, of Stokes Township, Madison County. She was born January 26, 1852, and died April 18, 1874, leaving one child, Carrie, born October 30, 1872. Rachel E., born January 26, 1842, died March 29, 1845. Henry Bean, born April 28, 1841, was mar- ried, December 24, 1874, to Emma Froud and re- sides in Range Township. Susan Il., born March 8, 1848, became the wife of William Cannon, of Range Township, September 2, 1874. John W., born November 7, 1850, was married, December 21, 1876, to Lizzie Gregg.
Mr. Johnston is a Democrat. Ile cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836, and has never failed to vote at a fall election. He has never aspired to public office and when once elected paid his line rather than serve. His son James has been Township Trustee. Our subject is one of the prominent and influential citizens of the com- munity. His entire life has here been passed and he is one of the oldest native citizens of Madison County. He well deserves representation in this volume and with pleasure we record his sketch.
OHIN QUINCY ADAMS, a member of the firm of Jenkins & Adams, local agents of the White Sewing Machine Company at Washington C. H., is honored as a veteran of the late war, and for his merits as a man and a citizen. Ile is a native of this county, and was born December 9, 1839, on the old homestead that be- longed to his father, Albert Adams. The latter was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1807, and was of mingled English and German blood. When he was two years old, his father, Robert Adams, brought his family to Ohio, and settling in the southern part of Fayette County as one of its early pioneers, spent his remaining days there. He took up several hundred acres of land in the forests, felled the trees and cleared a goodly farm. Ilis father and mother had accompanied him to their home
in the wilderness, and his mother fell a victim to the Indians, who were then numerous in this part of the country. There was a little spring house near their dwelling. to which she repaired for water on that fatal day, and she was shot by an Indian just as she had arrived at the door on her return with the water. Robert Adams had two sons: Al- bert and Robert .I., the latter of whom died in 1843.
Albert Adams' boyhood was passed amid the wild scenes of frontier life. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage, at the age of twenty-five. to Miss Nancy Coffey, a daughter of John Coffey, who came to this part of Ohio with a colony, and located on the banks of Paint Creek. on the line between Ross and Fayette Counties, at a very early day in the history of this section. He was the first white settler to set foot on the banks of Paint Creek, and his little son William was the first white child buried in the county of Highland. Albert Adams continued to farm on the place that his father gave him in Perry Township at the time of his marriage until 1883, when he bought a farm in Ilighland County, having sold his other one, and he died in that county in 1885. He was a Republican from the time of the formation of the party until his death. He was active in the ad- ministration of public affairs, holding the office of Trustee of Perry Township, and serving as its first Constable. He was likewise a conspicuous figure in the Presbyterian Church, which he faithfully served as an Elder forty-seven years. Ilis wife departed this life in 1858. They had a family of eleven children, of whom four daughters and two sons are living. Our subject's brother, the Rev. R. W. Adams, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn., is prominent in the Presbyterian ministry, and has charge of the synod work in that State. Ile is also known and honored in military circles for his re- cord as an officer during the late war. Hle entered the army as a private, and rose to the rank of a General solely through personal bravery and merit.
Our subject is the fifth child of the family in order of birth. He was educated in the district schools of this county, and had entered upon a promising manhood when the war broke out. As soon as possible, all personal aims and ambitions
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were laid aside that he might take part in the great contest, and on the 25th of August, 1861, his name was enrolled as a member of Company C, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry, which was commanded by his brother, who then bore the title of Captain.
The regiment was first enlisted as Fremont's In- dependent Rifle Regiment, was attached to the Western Army, and was sent to Missouri. It was stationed in that State until the following spring, when it was dispatched to Pittsburg Landing, to take part in the battle at that point. After that, our subject and his comrades went to Corinth to help besiege that, and subsequently took part in several skirmishes with the enemy. The following year, they went to Chattanooga, and from there to Atlanta, and did valiant service in the capture of that city. Mr. Adams' efficiency as a soldier won him promotion to the rank of Corporal, and he re- tired from the army on the expiration of his term of enlistment, while fighting at Atlanta with a good reputation as an officer.
Our subject returned from Southern battlefields to his father's home and found a glad welcome from his friends, and the following spring he was well rewarded for his loyalty to his country by the hand and heart of Miss Eliza J. Anderson, in whom he has found the best of wives. They have one son, Isaac Newton, eighteen years of age, who is attending school. After his marriage, Mr. Adams staid on his father's farm a year, and then bought a farm six miles from Wilmington, to which he removed, and lived thereupon the ensu- ing three years. Ile then embraced a good op- portunity to sell a half of the place, and with the proceeds he purchased a flouring mill at Vienna, in Clinton County. After operating the mill two years, he traded it for a farm in Missouri. IIe spent the ensuing six years in Greenfield, and then bought one hundred and seven acres of land in Fayette County. A year later, he sold it, and re- moved to the Joe Rodgers' farm of sixty aeres, which he purchased, and which lay along the waters of Paint Creek. Ten years were passed on that place, but in 1884, he abandoned farming. and coming to Washington C. H., represented the Singer Sewing Machine Company in this city for five or six months. At the end of that time, he
went into business as a dealer in agricultural implements in grain and feed, and was thns en- gaged a year. After that, he resumed charge of the Singer office, and worked for the interests of that company the following three years. Since that time, he and Mr. Jenkins have had the agency for the White Sewing Machine Company, and are doing a good business in introducing that machine in this county and vicinity. Mr. Adams and his wife and son stand high in social and religious cir- cles in this city, and are valuable members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Adams belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is deeply inter- ested in its welfare, as well as in all things that will in any way benefit the community.
C ORNELIUS G. LEAVELL was one of the most practical and successful farmers of Fay- ette County, his farm in Madison Township being one of the finest in that vicinity. His birth occurred November 7, 1825, on the farm where his last days were spent. Ile was the son of John and Cynthia (IIedges) Leavell, both of whom were na- tives of Virginia. The father was born in 1774, and when thirteen years of age, started for Ken- tueky in company with his parents. The Indians being very hostile, the grandmother became alarmed and the party then stopped in Greenbrier County, Va., where the grandfather departed this life. The next year they floated down the Kanawha River, and located near Lexington, Ky., soon after which the mother met her death by a tree falling upon her. The grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary army, serving through the entire con- flict.
The father of our subject in 1797 came to Ohio, and located either in Ross or Pickaway County. Ile was married in the last-named county in 1822, soon after which he took up his abode in this county. Ilis estate, which originally comprised ninety-eight acres, was added to from time to time, until at his death Mr. Leavell was the possessor of nine hundred and sixty-eight broad acres.
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Of the eight children comprising the parental family, our subject was the third in order of birth. He was given a fair education in the district school, and, when reaching his majority, began to battle with life on his own account, farming on property which had been given him by his father. April 17, 1849, he was married to Miss Emma, a daughter of James and Mary (Harr) Phillips, who was born in Chillicothe May 23, 1829. Mr. Leavell in- herited one hundred and forty acres of land from his father and added to that tract until at his death, which occurred April 12, 1892. his estate included seven hundred aeres. On this property is located the old log house which was erected in 1816.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Leavell were granted a family of two children: John P., who was born March 25, 1850, is a graduate of the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, but did not long follow his profession on account of ill health, and is now farming in Fayette County. He is married, and has two children. Benjamin Ward, who was born May 12, 1856, is also engaged in farming in Madi- son Township, is married and has three children. He of whom we write in politics was a true-blue Republican, and in township affairs had been Trustee, Clerk and Treasurer, and had represented his party in various county and State conventions.
E. SILCOTT. In reviewing the leading business houses of Washington C. II., more than passing notice belongs to the firm of Bragg & Silcott, dealers in boots and shoes. It has always been the aim of the proprietors to keep abreast of the times, and their high standing has been attained by unremitting attention to the wants of customers. They are men of high ability and strict integrity and are universally respected in the financial and social circles of Fayette County.
The Sileott family is of sturdy Scotch descent, and has been represented in America for many generations. The father of our subject, Jacob Sil- eott, was a farmer in the Old Dominion and owned a large plantation there. Owing to his aversion
to slavery, he freed his slaves in 1836, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Tamar Cowgill. removed to Ross County, Ohio. There he bought a large tract of wholly unimproved land, from which he evolved a splendidly cultivated farm, that continued to be his abode until his death in 1846.
Our subject was born in Loudoun County, Va., March 8. 1832, and was a child of four years when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He grew to manhood in Ross County, receiving his education in the common schools and at Salem Academy. In 1846, he commenced to clerk for a firm in Bain- bridge, this State, where he remained until 185-1, with the exception of one year spent in Cincinnati. He came to Washington C. II. in 1854, and found here a small village which, however, had favorable prospects for growth. Ile established a dry-goods store on Court Street, where he remained in busi- ness until 1861. Being elected County Treasurer during that year, he sold out his business, and dur- ing the entire period of the Civil War gave his whole attention to the duties of his office, which he held two terms. A great deal of money being distributed at that time increased his responsibili- ties. In September, 1865, at the expiration of his term of office, he purchased a stock of dry-goods from a firm of the city, and once more embarked in the mercantile business, which he carried on until 1886.
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